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Success – By Niranjan Selvadurai I raced up the mountain looking for you So many others were running up too To be the first and to be the best From childhood we train for this test   I went past many in my haste Some seemed tired some seemed dazed But reaching that summit was my solitary aim My unerring shot at wealth and fame   As slopes grew steeper less climbers I saw Many a fallen comrade on the mountain floor But if I fall back I must take the blame I thought I knew the rules of this game   Finally, I did conquer the mountain peak There your welcoming presence I seek  But the top was barren where no flowers bloom And you were nowhere, just the misty gloom   So where else could I venture from there? Need for that descending trek was clear But there ...

Apr 21, 2024 Posted by In Articles, Niranjan Selvadurai Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
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eLanka Newsletter – 22nd March 2023 – 7th Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS – by Des Kelly Remembering Sunil C de Silva – A man for all seasons (30 January 1941 – 28 February 2021) – By Niranjan Selvadurai New Zealand crush hopeless Sri Lanka to make it a clean sweep. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE Thanks giving Service for the late Rev Neville Koch – 26th March 2023 ABSC INC. HOLDS MEDIA CONFERENCE TO PROMOTE EKONOMOS, ISSUE 4, 2023 Augo Paiva The Legend of CR & FC, Longden Pace, Colombo 7 – Photos thanks to Joe Paiva The economy During Kurunegala was the Capital. – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando AIR POWER AND ITS POLITICAL & ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. – BY: GROUP CAPTAIN (Rtd.) NOOR R. RAHIM Health & Views ...

Mar 22, 2023 Posted by In Articles, eLanka Newsletters Tagged , , , ,
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Houses burning – By Niranjan Selvadurai           I saw a house burning Flames rising sky high I saw souls in dwelling And thought they would die   So, I yanked the door open “Run out” was my high cry But they stared un-woken Said “Give us reason why?”   “Run out” you may well say  Aren’t winds cold out there? And where are we to stay? Who would give us care?   Through any fire or rain In this home we remain We shall always fight For our absolute right   I had no more to say So, I went on my way Let us not waste our breath On those weak to see death   Pandemic fire raging With daily numbers high Those prudent, immunising So that they may not die   Rare red-hot flaming wildfire Storming through the urban spread Be in its path, ...

Mar 3, 2022 Posted by In Articles Tagged , ,
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    Covid at the door – By Niranjan Selvadurai Knock, Knock Who is there? Is that you David? No Ma’am its’ Covid David is already with me Its’ you I’d like to see!   Covid who? And what do you do? From number 19, I am You know me well Ma’am! No no, Covid please go Any message leave at the door   Mark my message to you all For it has a distinct universal call You may be poor, you may be rich I do not care a hoot which is which If conditions have the right flavour I act with no fear nor favour   Heedless of country, culture or race You are bound to see my neutral face Be you a prince or a homeless dude My attention, you will not elude For I act with no fear nor favour If conditions have the right flavour ...

Apr 2, 2020 Posted by In Articles Tagged , Comments 0
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  May we pass brother? – By Niranjan Selvadurai Context: It was Monday the 25th of July 1983. This date signifies the first day of unrest and turmoil in Sri Lanka, later to be known as “Black July”. By early afternoon the city of Colombo was burning. The mobs were holding sway on city the streets. Public transport was at a stand-still. The writer and a friend set off in a car from the central business district Fort. Their intention is to convey a group of girls who had come to work, to their respective homes.  At some point near Town Hall, the car is unable to proceed as the street is obstructed by a group of men. The writer steps out of car speaks to person closest to the vehicle in Sinhala. Photo by Chandragupta Amarasinghe May we pass brother? But are you one of us! Or someone other? ...

Jul 25, 2019 Posted by In Articles Tagged , Comments 0
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  Preserving the Buddhist identity: Back to basics – By Niranjan Selvadurai Defaced name board at Adam’s Peak Now the Blessed One spoke to the Venerable Ananda, saying: “It may be, Ananda, that to some among you the thought will come: ‘Ended is the word of the Master; we have a Master no longer.’ But it should not, Ananda, be so considered. For that which I have proclaimed and made known as the Dhamma and the Discipline, that shall be your Master when I am gone. – Maha-parinibbana Sutta Let us establish one ground rule for this exposition. As the Buddha himself requested just prior to parinibbana, let his noble teaching be our master in this discussion. Every one of us, including Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Mahanayakes, Cardinals, Monks and Upasaka-ammas (lay female devotees), have a right to express views and opinions. However, let us patiently examine each such ...

Jul 3, 2019 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , Comments 0
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The Ultimate Religion? – By Niranjan Selvadurai CONTEXT:-  We are a Community, living in Australia, still having visible cultural ties with Sri Lanka. We are fortunate, that both Societies, the one in Sri Lanka, which we may remember with nostalgia, and the one “down under”, embrace persons of multiple faiths.       This is a reflection on whether the Religious “name-tag” by which we are frequently identified by, is of much significance.     “Oh! Mighty God, the knower of all, I implore thee to make one call, Of the Religions, us humans enthrall What is the noblest of them all?”   “The noblest one I cannot guess What ‘Religion’ is I know even less But my son, all noble sages stress The value of humanity and kindness”   “Temples and churches, build them if you may, Erect grand statues, place flowers and pray, But, as gracious humanity slowly ebbs ...

Apr 16, 2019 Posted by In Articles Tagged , Comments 0
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Ven. Rahula’s Sathyodaya – Truth Awakening: “May The Buddha Sāsana Glow” – By Niranjan Selvadurai  “May the Buddha Sasana Glow!” (Budhu Sasuna Babalewa!), I remember seeing this message written on the back of a lorry when I was a boy. That was more than fifty years ago, back in Colombo. Those words fascinated me then. I recall watching the Vesak pandals with my parents. Those magnificent colour lights flashing, changing, moving, together with the radiant artistic illustrations of Jathaka stories had me entranced. The mesmerising Vesak pandal at the Borella junction was perhaps a glowing example of the Buddha Sasana. That was my childhood impression. I was aware that the Sri Lankan government had a minister for the Buddha Sasana. That position has been in existence since the 1990s irrespective of the side in power. However, I had not given much consideration to what the ‘Buddha Sasana’ should represent until ...

Apr 12, 2019 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , Comments 0
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