The Ceylon Society of Australia (CSA) Reborn – By Nimal Chandrasena and Jitto Arulampalam

The Ceylon Society of Australia (CSA) is back online after a hiatus of about 18 months.

The CSA is a not-for-profit organisation, incorporated in Australia, with the objectives of studying, fostering and promoting interest in the historical and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.

A new CSA Executive Committee has been formed after the last Annual General Meeting, held in Sydney, in November 2025. The CSA is now led by the new President, Jitto Arulampalam (Melbourne) and has a new Editor – Dr. Nimal Chandrasena, now based in Perth. Presenji Jayawickrema (Sydney) continues as the General Secretary.

The new President and the CSA Founder – Hugh Karunanayake (now living in Melbourne) have expressed delight at the re-vamping of an esteemed Society, which is dedicated to preserving our country’s cultural heritage.

The Society continues to be strictly secular and non-political with no particular affiliations to any religious or ethnic groups or identities. Promoting cultural exchanges and preserving Sri Lanka’s heritage through information sharing continues to be the CSA’s primary objective.

The New Executive

The new Executive Committee of the CSA is:

• President: Jitto Arulampalam
• Vice President: Prof. Michael Roberts
• Hony. Secretary: Presenji Jayawikrema
• Treasurer: Vacant
• Editor: Dr. Nimal Chandrasena
• Head of Melbourne Chapter & Events: Jeremy De Lima
• Head of Colombo Chapter & Events: Anandalal Nanayakkara
• Ex Officio: Kumar Rasiah
• Ex Officio: Pauline Goonewardene
• Life Member and Patron: Hugh Karunanayake

Website: https://ceylonsociety.org/about/

Photo shows: (L-to-R) Presenji Jayawickrema, Jitto Arulampalam and Kumar Rasiah at the 2025 November AGM

Relaunching The Ceylankan

The Society’s publication was titled The Ceylankan in 1998. However, it was first considered a “Newsletter” of the CSA. Two years later, in 2000, it became a “Journal” with a scholarly focus and areas of interest in a wide array of topics of Sri Lanka’s cultural and social history.

One of the first tasks that Nimal Chandrasena, the new Editor, undertook was to restart the Society’s flagship journal, The Ceylankan, which has just been released to the public. The Journal (As a former President, Thiru Arumugam reminisces) has a proud history of 108 Issues, from 1998 to 2024.

The Contents of the current Issue – The Ceylankan, Volume 28, Issue 1 (June 2026) are:

Thiru Arumugam – History of the Journal “The Ceylankan” from 1998 to 2024

Asiff Hussein –  Early Chinese Influence on the Sri Lankan Society and Culture Through the Ages

Dr. Srilal Fernando – Early 17th and 18th Century Dutch Botanists in Ceylon

Cassim Rahuman –

• Essay 1 – Growing up within Galle Fort in the 1950s
• Essay 2 – Galle Fort, New York City and the Cartesian Legacy
• Essay 3 – The Sea, Intimate Handmaiden of the Charming Fort of Galle
• Essay 4 – Dutch Engineering Skills – Moving Outward from Galle Fort

Dr. Nimal Chandrasena –  A Unique Cricketing Event In Ceylon: 1901 – The Boer POWs vs. the Colts Game

Jeremy De Lima –  Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka – RASSL – Some Reflections

1. L. Kaluarachchi – Memories of Geoff Weinman

Interested readers may download the Issue and enjoy reading: https://ceylonsociety.org/the-ceylankan/

The Editor says:

“So, here we are, with the new-2026 First issue of The Ceylankan Journal 109, Vol. 28, Issue 1, produced with a slightly modified “look” inside. I hope this will be enjoyed by our members and other readers. I am hopeful of maintaining this quality from now on, although an imminent review and potential changes to the CSA Constitution (expected in the latter half of 2026) may see changes to the frequency of the journal issues produced per year.”

“In this ‘interim’ review period, until further notice, The Ceylankan will be published twice per year (30 June and 30 December). Nevertheless, we are on the lookout for your literary contributions. Be assured that your work will be given careful consideration with a view to publication at all times.”

“Original, previously unpublished, articles relating to the history, culture and heritage of Sri Lanka are sought, while any material of an anecdotal nature will also be considered, provided they conform to the CSA’s ideals of being non-racial, non-political, non-religious and non-controversial.”

We Welcome New Members and Speakers

With the relaunching, the CSA is inviting everyone interested in joining or re-joining the CSA. We are in the process of updating the Membership lists and reviewing the Constitution to bring it up to the standard expected by our membership.

We welcome comments and feedback on our recent past.

As in the past, the CSA invite historians, professionals and others to speak at our General Meetings on topics of relevance to our mandate and stated objectives. Meetings and Events are expected once again to be held in Sydney, Melbourne and Colombo. If anyone is interested in speaking at CSA forums, the contact details for the Executive are.

President, Jitto Arulampalam (Jitto@arulampalam.com).

Secretary, Presenji Jayawickrema (presenji@tpg.com.au).

Editor: Dr. Nimal Chandrasena (nimal.chandrasena@gmail.com)

Link established to The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL)

Recently, Jitto Arulampalam visited the RASSL in Colombo and established an important link to that prestigious organisation (see Photo). In the future, the CSA intends to be more closely involved with the RASSL and contribute to the preservation of our country’s rich cultural heritage by sharing information and knowledge.

A recent meeting of our President, Jitto Arulampalam, with the RASSL officials. From L-R: Dilini Walisundara (Hon. Secretary), Shereen Amendra (President), Jitto and Ashley de Vos (Immediate Past President). Note the magnificent display board with the names of past office bearers of the RASSL.