For the army from the army
The image is simultaneously heart-breaking and heart-warming. A severely-wounded soldier is being helped or literally carried by a brother soldier, just as success is within reach. In the euphoria of victory, the fallen and the injured are not forgotten………this is the emotive sculpture that greets all those who enter the premises of the brand-new 1,024-bed [...]
Man on Facebook mission
An individual’s quest to make a difference in society, Samaja Sathkara is a Facebook campaign initiated by a young IT enthusiast with a vision to serve the underprivileged. This Vesak, Danesh Maduranga Edirisooriya has three community service projects titled ‘Dharma dana’, ‘Jeewa dana’ and ‘Wasthra dana’ all carried out through social media. Come Vesak and [...]
Appreciations
T.D. Dharmasiri De Alwis Saluting a friend, comrade and above all a humanitarian Dharmasiri De Alwis, popularly known as “Alla” among friends and in close party circles of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (L.S.S.P.), passed away peacefully on March 31 at his residence in Pitakotte. He was 86. Born in 1927, after completing his primary [...]
Letters
Days of the hangman: What Leonard Woolf had to say On reading Kumudini Hettiarachchi’s article ‘Storming Bogambara’ I recall prior to the Superintendent of Prisons taking over the task of officiating at the executions, it was left for the Government Agent or his assistant to be present when a man was executed. Leonard Woolf who [...]
Hell on earth
“Law and religion are what keep humans in control” – Aristotle Buddhism is not a religion, but a way of life. There are no musts and rules, but karma and its consequences. The concept of hell and heaven thereby bring punishment and reward according to deeds performed. According to Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera, [...]
Vesak in the village
Going back six to seven decades, I recollect how Vesak was celebrated in the village temple. I remember how I used to accompany mother to the temple along the paddy fields to the ‘Sabahve pansala’. (I never bothered to find out how the temple had got that name). Poya day then was another working day [...]
Engines, wires, figures and a lesson in the Dhamma
Vesak is just around the corner and in one small lane off Panadura, so is a tradition that has lived on for well over half a century. Stroll by the Asokaratne residence down Perera Mawatha a few days before Vesak and you will meet a sight for sore eyes; for 60 long years J.K.P. Asokaratne [...]
Spotting the Lord of the jungle
The city lights ebbed away one by one as we hit the Puttalam-Anuradhapura road. It was nearly 11 p.m. as thoughts of Thimbiriweva junction entered our subconscious. We had been fortunate to watch Rangana Herath spin Sri Lanka to a famous win over New Zealand at dinner; but now, a thrill only those familiar with [...]
Is there no compassion for the born free?
As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child, even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings. Translation of the Metta Sutta by Thanissaro Bhikku (The Theravada website) Thin, emaciated and mortally wounded, this female elephant walks on, collapsing from time to time, to rise [...]
The Rodrigos celebrate 175 years of helping the needy
Paththini Hennadige Warna Deepthya Kurukulasuriyage Johannes Rodrigo was a man with an extraordinary vision who lived in Rodrigo Villa in the village of Nalluruwa in Panadura. He established a charity organisation in 1838 with 20 men of his family. The charitable work he started has been continued for 175 years and the Rodrigo Family proudly [...]
Walking the Camino for body and mind
I enjoyed your perspective as a doctor walking the Camino. Are there any medical benefits to walking a pilgrimage that you can share with our audience? Definitely! In addition to the spiritual benefits of walking the Camino, there certainly are medical benefits. These are two-fold – beneficial effects on the Body as well as on [...]
The British arrive in Ceylon
The British had been visiting Ceylon long before they arrived as rulers. In the 17th century, they had used Kottiyar harbour in Trincomalee for trade, ship repairs and shelter from the monsoon. Rajasinha II (1655-87) imprisoned the crews of two of these English ships. That is how Robert Knox came here. From 1746 to 1795, [...]
The rise and fall of Gaspar de Figueira de Cerpa, the ruthless Portuguese Captain
Throughout the siege of Colombo that lasted more than a year, a colourful character emerges in the form of a brave, ruthless soldier of mixed parentage. Rebeiro sets aside several pages of his narration for this soldier who is depicted as a hero, saviour and a dedicated Christian. Born to a Portuguese father and a [...]
Whatever happened to our civil society?
Last week, an outspoken long-time crusader against the moral decrepitude of our people made a rash of statements that had yours truly sitting up and taking due notice. In an open letter to the leaders and the led alike in our blessed isle, he let it be known in no uncertain terms that there was [...]
People and Events
Jawatte Gardens’ children join together for charity sale The families that live down Jawatte Gardens, Colombo 5, are all good friends and neighbours. The road is a cul-de-sac, so it’s safe for kids to play there. Recently, these children held a one-day sale at the top of their road, offering people both new and old [...]
