eLanka Newsletter – 20th April 2025 – 3rd Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter The Annual HSC High Achievers Awards Ceremony 2025 Presented by the Sri Lanka Association of NSW – By Kithsiri Senadeera Sinhala New Year Celebration by SCATS “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” Begins Today After 16 Years – By Malsha – eLanka An Inspirational Message for April 2025 Easter Sunday He is Risen – By Charles Schokman Sri Lanka’s first coral reef protection project in Hambantota Port – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Health & Views – APRIL 1st ISSUE – By Dr harold Gunatillake Kaleidoscope 258 ft Natalie Palleros, Q1 Market Analysis, SMB Friday, Cinnamon Grand’s Avurudu fest Brad and Kiara Show April 19th 2025 Macroeconomic Indicator – Inflation – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam The Politics of Politics. Has Dutton mis-read the audience? – By Aubrey Joachim Demise ...
Blog Archives
Renowned Scholar Professor Gananath Obeysekara Passes Away at 95 Professor Gananath Obeyesekere, a distinguished academic and former Head of Anthropology at Princeton University, has passed away at the age of 95. He earned his BA in English from the University of Peradeniya in 1955, followed by an MA in 1958 and a PhD in 1964 from the University of Washington. Prior to his tenure at Princeton University from 1980 to 2000, Prof. Obeyesekere held prestigious academic positions in Sri Lanka, the University of Washington, and the University of California, San Diego. ...
Bringing out the human-ness of people caught up in the war Associate Professor Sanjiva Wijesinha Source:Noelnadesan Dr. Noel Nadesan’ latest book Odyssey of War is being launched in Melbourne this week. For those who do not know Noel he is what is best described as a polymath – someone whose knowledge spans many different fields. He was born and grew up in northern Sri Lanka, he was educated at Jaffna Hindu College and the University of Peradeniya – and graduated in Sri Lanka as a veterinary surgeon. He has worked as a veterinary surgeon in both Sri Lanka and in Australia but his learning and service have not been confined to the health and healing of animals. He has used not only his knowledge and skills but also his sense of service to be a journalist, an activist, the founder and editor of the Uthayam newspaper, a refugee advocate and ...
Professor KM de Silva’s Publications Source:Thuppahis Born in 1931 — on 31st December no less — Kingsley Muthumuni de Silva, is still batting … with a pen. This compilation has been assembled by Iranga de Silva of ICES Kandy…. and is arranged in reverse chronological sequence. Publications: Books 2018 Sri Lanka: The Recent Past, Brief Essays on History and Politics, ICES, Kandy 2017 The Island Story: A Short History of Sri Lanka, ICES, Kandy. 2017 The Making of a Historian: A Memoir, ICES, Kandy. 2016 DS: The Life of D.S. Senanayake (1884-1952): Sri Lanka’s First Prime Minister 1948-52, A Political Biography, ICES, Kandy. 2016 Sri Lanka: Come Wind, Come Weather, A Political History of Sri Lanka since Independence in Narrative Form, Volume Two, ICES, Kandy. 2015 Sri Lanka: Come Wind, Come Weather, A Political History of Sri Lanka since Independence in Narrative Form, Volume One, ICES, Kandy. 2015 Editor of Ethnic Conflict in Buddhist Societies in South and Southeast Asia: The Politics ...
Dr.Leel Gunasekara on his 92nd birthday, celebrated on December 9. – By Dr Gamini Kariyawasam A special note dedicated to the reflections on the life and legacy of Leel Gunasekara on his 92nd birthday, celebrated on December 9. In the mid-20th century, the administration of Sri Lanka’s nine provinces was entrusted to civil servants holding the prestigious rank of Government Agent (GA). Among them, Mr. Leel Gunasekara stood out as the Government Agent of Anuradhapura, the capital of Rajarata. One day, while the young, handsome GA was driving his jeep along the bank of the Kala Wewa, he noticed a beautiful village girl bathing alone in the lake’s blue waters. Mesmerized by the sight, he restrained his natural youthful impulses, instead channeling his feelings into poetic inspiration, recording his thoughts in his diary. Image Source : dailymirror Image Source : mpgsl Leel Gunasekara was one of the pioneering civil servants who ...
Professor Kumar David (83) of Los Angeles, Ca. Passed Away on October 14th, 2024 Professor Kumar David July 29, 1941 – October 14, 2024 A brilliant academic with a sense of humor, beloved son of the late Judge B.G.S. David and Amy Joseph. Kumar earned his BSc from the University of Colombo and his PhD from Imperial College, London. He served as Professor Emeritus at the University of Peradeniya, University of Zimbabwe, and as Dean and Head of Department at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Kumar passed away in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind his beloved wife Rohini and their cherished children, Asela, Anusha (LA), and Amrit (NY). He was also a devoted grandfather to Yasmine, Elai, Adelaide, and Andrew, and is remembered by his son-in-law Manny and daughter-in-law Allison. He is also survived by his grandnephew Channa, his two nieces Sharmalie and Dishani, and cousins Dr. Kumu Fernando, Daya, Mano Appapillai, ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
