In retrospect: Pera EFac pays tribute to Prof. E.O.E. Pereira celebrating legacy of 75 years- By Dr. Damayanthi Herath Source:FT As the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya (affectionately known as Pera EFac) proudly celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, a series of events is being organised to mark this milestone, culminating in 2025 with emphasis on its rich history and its vision for the future. Among the planned events, a significant one was the commemoration of its founder, Vidya Jyothi Eng. Prof. E.O.E. Pereira (13 September 1907 – 22 May 1988), a visionary leader who not only established the faculty but also laid the foundation for engineering education in Sri Lanka. This commemorative event took place on 21 August 2024 at the faculty premises. The commemoration included a visit from Prof. E.O.E. Pereira’s elder son, Lorenz Pereira, followed by a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. Subsequently, there was a discussion with ...

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Professor EOE Pereira’s Central Role in Fostering Engineering Education Source:Thuppahis Dr. Damayanthi Herath, in DailyFT https://www.ft.lk/news/In-retrospect-Pera-EFac-pays-tribute-to-Prof-E-O-E-Pereira-celebrating-legacy-of-75-years/56-766595 with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi As the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya (affectionately known as Pera EFac) proudly celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, a series of events is being organised to mark this milestone, culminating in 2025 with emphasis on its rich history and its vision for the future. Among the planned events, a significant one was the commemoration of its founder, Vidya Jyothi Eng. Prof. E.O.E. Pereira (13 September 1907–22 May 1988), a visionary leader who not only established the faculty, but also laid the foundation for engineering education in Sri Lanka. This commemorative event took place on 21 August 2024 at the faculty premises. The commemoration included a visit from Prof. E.O.E. Pereira’s elder son, Lorenz Pereira, followed by a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. Subsequently, there was a discussion with faculty staff and alumni, ...

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The Ceylon Journal: A treasure trove of information Source:Sundaytimes The Ceylon Journal, a new publication for anyone interested in the little-known lore of our island was launched on August 2, at the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) auditorium. Prof. C. R. de Silva, formerly of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and Old Dominion University, USA writes: “The inauguration of the Ceylon Journal should be a cause for celebration. As I understand it, it is a publication designed to offer a wide perspective on Sri Lanka to the substantial group of English speakers in Sri Lanka, as well as to those living in other parts of the world who are interested in the country.  The objective is to periodically publish issues of the journal with articles providing new information on a variety of subjects including archaeology, art, architecture, culinary arts, folklore, history, language and literature, law, music, natural history, social ...

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Vijamu: The Pilot of a Great Public Mission – 83rd Birth Anniversary – By Gamini Kariyawasam.  As soon as we see the three letters VIJMU, Vijamu Lokubandara Champions come vividly to our memory. His 83rd birthday is on the 3rd of August. He was born on August 3, 1941, in Haputale Yahalabedda village, in a family of three brothers and three sisters. The parents, Loku Menike and Gunasekara Bandara, named this baby VIJesinha Jyaweera Mudyanselage Lokubandara. Later, this great man got used to using his name as Vijamu, by combining the initials of the trinity of his names.    A lively conversation where Wijamu  recalls his childhood Yahala Bedda School was the school he attended. This child went to Bandarawela Madhya Maha Vidyalaya for secondary education. He passed the university entrance exam with flying colors and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Peradeniya. Vijamu, who was very ...

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Karlsruhe and the properties of Lorenz-By Avishka Mario Senewiratne Modern-day photograph of Karlsruhe Bungalow in Wesley College Premises Source:Island avishkamario@gmail.com The history of this abode is both historic and tragic concerning the life of Lorenz. The origins of this abode are unknown. Its structure is essentially Dutch but its occupants of various eras have made their additions to its architectural setting. Lorenz had been eyeing this property for some time. Previously, it was owned by Governor Charles McCarthy’s brother. Just like Elie House, this property opposite the Welikada Prison was situated at a higher elevation in comparison with its surroundings. Originally this property was in two blocks of land covering 11.5 acres. After purchasing this property from Dr. Dickman and Dr. Wambeek, Charles Lorenz, who was mortally ill arrived here in early 1871. Sadly, this would be his final abode as Lorenz passed away in August 1871. In the maps of Colombo ...

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THE HEALING CUT-by Gamini Goonetilleke Gamini, with over three decades of experience, unveils a compelling new book detailing a diverse range of surgical conditions. The narrative is enriched with vivid photographic records, captivating readers with a visual surgical journey through his experiences and also delves into emotionally stirring cases, providing a poignant touch. While it is essential reading for surgical trainees and surgeons, the book also offers all avid readers a panoramic insight into the challenges faced by a surgeon and the surgical support provided in life-threatening situations. Invigorating and insightful, Gamini’s work brings the intricacies of surgery to life in a must-read format.   Professor Channa Ratnatunga, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka ...

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Researchers rediscover Lagenandra plant- By Dinuli Francisco   Source:Sundayobserver In triumph of scientific exploration, a dedicated research team has unearthed a plant species believed to have vanished into the annals of extinction. The Lagenandra plant, locally known as Ketala, once considered extinct in Sri Lanka, has been rediscovered in the lush surroundings of Molkawa in the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat Division in the Kalutara District. The remarkable feat was achieved by Peshala Pasan Karunaratne, a student at the University of Vocational Technology and a devoted environmental researcher. His expedition in 2022 at Molkawa bore fruit when he encountered the elusive Lagenandra plant. Groundbreaking discovery Following this groundbreaking discovery, comprehensive research was undertaken by a team of researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Peradeniya. Indrakila Madola, a post-graduate student at Northwestern University and a key member of the team, confirmed the existence of this presumed extinct plant species through meticulous ...

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My quest for hidden treasures in Sri Lanka’s flora-by Manasee Weerathunga Bhathiya Gopallawa is a PhD candidate in botany at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Credit: Kumudu Wijesooriya for Nature Source:Nature My workspace at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, includes shelves stacked with rare, preserved plant specimens. But I also work in the country’s lush forests, a tropical biodiversity hotspot filled with a trove of indigenous plants. My passion for scouting the forests for herbs escalated in 2016, when I joined the National Herbarium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, as a project assistant for the national botanical survey. I realized that, on my island nation, there are many understudied herb families. I am studying one of these, Piper, for my PhD, collecting samples from the Walankanda forest. In March 2021, a researcher working there sent me photographs of a flower. At first, it seemed to belong to the ...

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Lançarote de Seixas and Madampe: A Portuguese Casado[i] in a Sinhalese Village–by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Chandra R. De Silva, refereed article originally pubd in Modern Ceylon Studies, Vol II/1, 1970, pp. 18-34. At the end of the sixteenth century[ii] when the Portuguese came into possession of the south-western sea-board, Madampe proper, was a sizeable village inhabited by about a hundred families.[iii] Though situated some forty miles to the north of Colombo, the centre of Portuguese power and activity, Madampe was in some respects well located being within seven miles of the important port of Chilaw and within three miles of the sea, over which the Portuguese still had undisputed control.[iv] The village moreover, had twenty two minor villages attached to it, the whole forming the gabadagama[v] or royal demesne of Madampe, an area of approximately sixty square miles. Statue of horse at Taniyavalla Devalaya, Madampe (constructed 1894) …… Photo from 2017 Evidence seems to indicate that when Portuguese ...

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Placing Valentijn’s Book in Its Context-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Chandra R De Silva We should welcome the efforts of Thiru Arumugam to draw attention to the Description of Ceylon by François Valentijn ……………….  (see ……………………. https://thuppahis.com/2023/08/27/francois-valentijns-description-of-ceylon/#more-74805).  That work is a valuable source of Sri Lankan history,  and as Sinnappah Arasaratnam has pointed out, his work has been used by many subsequent writers. However, Valentijn’s work needs to be used with caution. When Arasaratnam writes that ‘Valentijn’s is one of the most accurate accounts of the pre-European period of Ceylon history up to his time’ (p. 33), he is comparing Valentijn’s work only to those of other Europeans. Despite their defects, Sinhalese and Pali historical works written before Valentijn (from which European writers drew information) were certainly more comprehensive on that subject. As Arasaratnam himself comments, ‘it was noted that Valentijn often had only partially published his source and that he was not always the best judge of what was ...

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