Memories of Geoff Weinman – By U L Kaluaratchchi   The news of the recent demise of Geoff Weinman after a long span of 93 years did not come as a surprise to me. I am saddened, nevertheless, as over the years, beginning from around 1957 I had enjoyed a very rewarding relationship with him. He spent his last years in an Elders’ Home well cared for by its professional staff. I was in constant touch with him on a regular basis even after he emigrated to Australia until unfortunate circumstances made him   incommunicado. Thereafter, it was a case of obtaining regular updates on his health from the professional staff of the Elders’ Home. Perhaps the last Sri Lankans   to visit him there were two of my former teammates, long-time residents in Sydney, Dr. Shivantha Arudpragasam and Rex Perera, inseparable second-row forwards of my time! Geoff was my first rugby ...

Read More →

Horton and Arunachalam: a Distinct Disparity in Significance – By KKS Perera The British takeover of Ceylon brought with it many changes Source : dailymirror The Article titled ‘Choosing between Robert Wilmot Horton and Ponnambalam Arunachalam’ regarding the change of street name from Horton Place to Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam Mawatha,’ which appeared on January 23rd, implies that both figures are equally important to Sri Lankans. The writer says, ‘…the change cannot take place without an acknowledgement of the contribution of Sir Robert Wilmot Horton to Ceylon.  Both Horton and Arunachalam contributed to Ceylon’s all-round development each in his own way and as per the opportunities available in their time. Sir Robert Wilmot Horton was Governor of Ceylon between 1831 and 1837, and Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, was a polymath, lawyer, educationist, public intellectual and political leader in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century…’ Under British rule, Ceylon, acknowledged as “the premier colony,” ...

Read More →

The dietary fiber you need for better health.- By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com The socioeconomic crisis in Sri Lanka has enabled the people to go on a plant-based diet and become healthier as a nation, as meat and fish are out of reach of the common person. Dietary fibre is that part of plant material in the diet which is resistant to enzymatic digestion and includes cellulose, noncellulosic polysaccharides such as hemicellulose, pectic substances, gums, mucilages, and non-carbohydrate component lignin. Fibre is found in Carbs. Now what is fiber? Dietary fibre is found in wholegrain cereals and fruit and vegetables. Fibre is made up of the indigestible parts or compounds of plants, which pass relatively unchanged through our https://youtu.be/a0Dc3WAiJ2s Website: www.Doctorharold.com stomach and intestines. Fibre is mainly a carbohydrate. The main role of fibre is to keep the digestive system healthy. High protein-containing foods also have high fiber. Lentils ...

Read More →

VESAK CELEBRATED AFTER THREE YEARS ISLANDWIDE – By Sunil Thenabadu Source : info-rain Vesak Full Moon Poya ON 5th May! Buddhists all over the world celebrate the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day today (5).Buddhists commemorate Siddhartha Gautama’s birth, the enlightenment of the Buddha, and the passing away on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. This year’s Vesak is extra special for Sri Lankans since they were not able to celebrate the Vesak festival in previous years due to Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.On the occasion of Vesak, Sri Lankan Buddhist devotees conduct various religious programmes and organise many Aamisa and Prathipaththi poojas including pandals, lanterns, and dansals mostly in and around Colombo and in other major cities. Accordingly, Vesak zones have been set up in many places including Thotalanga, Kiribathgoda, Kelaniya, Maharagama, Kottawa and Rajagiriya. The Bauddhaloka and the Gangarama Buddha Rashmi Vesak ...

Read More →

Can you please help with search items Item 1 Victor Melder – Names of all those  SRI LANKANS living in Australia who served in Vietnam War under the Australian Army Item 2 Keith Bennett– is looking for a of Names OF all those Soldiers who served on Cocos Island During WW11 Please forward all the info to ELANKA (info@eLanka.com.au ) ...

Read More →

Sinhala and Tamil New Year – By Donald Gunatillake Source :  Queensland Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – April 2023 Most countries in the world celebrate January 1st as the day a New Year is born. However, there are some other countries that adopt different calendars. For Sri Lankans, the month of April is generally regarded as the dawn of the traditional New Year. This is the period farmers reap their harvest from paddy cultivation, and fresh seedlings for the next cultivations are grown in hundred thousands acres of land across the country showing patches of greenery everywhere. Vegetables and fruits are available in plenty, flowers in bloom. Aluth Avurudu was something we used to look forward to, both as children and even as adults. This was the occasion where everyone enjoyed the festivities steeped in tradition. Traditionally, the much-awaited New Year is welcomed by lighting firecrackers at the auspicious ...

Read More →

Nostalgia of “brawl” of late Gamini “D” in conquering Test status – by Sunil Thenabadu When Sri Lanka seized the World Cup from the Australians in the year 1996 they unequivocally proved to the whole World that the Sri Lankans were a powerhouse in the cricketing world. The whole country was jubilant. Youth danced in delirious delight. The moment was ecstatic. Grateful as Sri Lankans usually are many a mind recalled with joy and profound gratitude, inter alia, the one man who made the Sri Lankan dream a reality. In silent appreciation they remembered the name of Gamini Dissanayake.  GD was born into a family of dignified lineage in Kandy. He qualified as a lawyer. Forsaking what would have been a lucrative legal practice he entered politics and soon was given the coveted position of Minister of Mahaveli Development. Having forsaken his lucrative legal career to pander to his innate desire to ...

Read More →

Message from the New Sri Lankan Chaplain to Sydney My dear Sri Lankans, I am Fr. Treesen Silva who arrived in Australia as the Chaplain for the Sri Lankan Catholic Community in New South Wales. Introducing myself is extremely important to have interactions among us to make spiritual impacts. Are you able to say that you are socially uplifted, spiritually nourished and keep to each other in brotherly affection? I will be your Spiritual facilitator to make the journey of your life spiritually comfortable. I invite all of you to attend monthly Sunday Masses and other special Masses as a Sri Lankan community, to be stronger than ever before and come to know each other well. I am ready to take you through green pastures in this land of Gentiles. You are most welcome to make contact with me regarding any of the following Holy Eucharist Administering Sacraments Blessings of ...

Read More →

Off field issues appear to weigh down Lankans as India grab unassailable lead – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE Sri Lanka changed tactics and batted first but the batters crumbled once more and the result was no different.  India, set a meagre 215,  made short work of the target to comfortably win with 41 balls to spare and grab an unassailable 2-0 lead. It’s been a dreary sequence of events for the troubled Sri Lankans whose on field blues appear to have off field issues to deal with as well. And if this is the reason for their shabby display there’s plenty to be done to get their mindset back on track. And that’s not going to happen midtour or anytime soon after it. Although the horse has bolted in terms of the series, Sri Lanka need to find a way to regroup hurriedly if they want to return home ...

Read More →

ANCIENT SRI LANKAN ENGINEERS AND ARTISANS – By Dr Tilak . S Fernando Ceylon Today on 29 December 2022 This article is based on our forefathers, excellent engineers and artisans with exceptional skills. How many of our present generation is conversant with Sri Lanka engineers’ activities in the bygone years who have amazed the whole world? During the remarkable Parakramabahu reign, the construction of the tallest buildings commenced. King Mahasen also did the most significant structures. The world’s first hospital was constructed during BC 367- 437 during King Pandukabhaya’s reign. No wonder foreigners became dumbstruck when these were built between the second and fourth centuries using metal veins. Sri Lankan ancestors created Palaces following the ancient masterpieces of Ramayana during the Ravana epoch. During the Gampola era, Sri Lankan forefathers produced the world’s first pair of spectacles, a unique design known as ‘ Diyatrippu.’ Wood carving craft came up during ...

Read More →