Lionel Sirimanne Archives

FIRST PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA BY AIR – By Capt Elmo Jayawardena This is an ancient story, most records are lost, buried or moth-eaten. Still, there is a lot remaining in the minds of men who heard how things happened and what was commercial flying like in its infant days in Ceylon. The aeroplane popularly known as ‘Dakota’ had been the workhorse of most allied forces during the Second World War. I do not know how many DC-3s were produced during the war years but they sure were somewhere around 16,000, possibly more. The aircraft came in various models whilst the prototype remained the fundamental ‘Dakota’ flying machine. After the war ended most surplus DC-3s were converted to passenger-carrying aircraft. The new-born airlines popping up all over the world in ‘born again’ independent countries started their airline operations with secondhand military-used ‘Dakotas’. On the 10th of December 1947, Air Ceylon took ...

“THE AGED WRITER” Simple proof that “age” is just a number. As I have always said (& written), in the context of time, life is but the blink of an eyelid. One is born, lives, and dies, in a flash of lightning. What matters is how you live your life. Obviously, at very close to a Century in years, this Gentleman of Sri Lanka, Mr. D.L.Sirimanne would have to be someone who has lived his life to the fullest, would also have to be one of the most interesting people to have a friendly chat with, & I would undoubtedly be privileged to know him. In addition, to learn to write like him would certainly not be the easiest thing to do, as I believe that He is quite the Master of his trade. Folks, herewith, I proudly present “The Aged Writer” to you. Desmond Kelly. (Editor-in-Chief)– eLanka. ...