Together in tragedy
Where do we begin to tell the story of the tragedy, the anguish, the shock, the support, the strength and the reconciliation after the massive terrorist bomb blast on Easter Sunday in Katuwapitiya. Having walked the length and breadth of this mainly Roman Catholic village where they are still burying the dead or having buried [...]
Letters to the Editor
A tragedy that could have been averted The news reports on the most tragic incidents on Easter Sunday indicate that by April 11, 2019, through intelligence information, the Police Chief was made aware of possible attacks on churches in Sri Lanka and that in turn he passed the same to his deputies. It is now [...]
Appreciations
With him around there was never a dull moment Neilan William The very thought of not having Neilan around anymore is painful and heartbreaking. We all thought he was recovering after his surgery and were looking forward to the day when he would bounce back with the energy he was so well known to possess. [...]
From them to us: Celebrities reach out
Many celebrities, singers, actresses, sporting giants and those who have experienced the beauty of Sri Lanka expressed their condolences, thoughts and prayers across Twitter,Instagram and YouTube as they heard of the horror that had hit Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Here are some of those heartening messages of sympathy and support: Richard Marx @RichardMarx: Heartbroken [...]
The oldest living Visakhian celebrates her 102nd birthday
A grand old lady from Down Under, considered the oldest living Visakhian celebrated her 102nd Birthday on March 17.Cicily Wimalasuriya (nee Wijegunewardene), was born at Ovitigala, Matugama and presently lives in Sydney, Australia with her only daughter Suneetha (Kanthi), also an old Visakhian. She migrated to Australia nearly 25 years ago after the demise of [...]
Good Samaritans of St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney
This is a partnership that was formed purely through friendship and trust based on the common values of love and compassion. A love that reached out thousands of miles and across oceans to give the needy, the sick and the dying, the most precious gift, ‘the gift of life’. Four years ago, a team of [...]
‘Gallery Rest’ in Danovita
Artist Kumara Rathnayaka opened his art studio ‘Gallery Rest’ in Danovita on the main Colombo-Kandy Road on April 5. Rathnayaka has held many solo exhibitions both in Sri Lanka and abroad. The picture shows Ravi Deraniyagala lighting the oil lamp at the opening while the artist looks on.
Teenage Royalist granted a British royal patent 100 years ago
Bertram Elibank Dawapurarathna was the inventor of a mechanism that improved the Reversing Gear in Steam engines. His original design was patented and registered in London in 1910 (patent no. 6883). He also had a second patent in 1913 for a device that improved the valve mechanism of internal combustion Engines. After completing his studies [...]
After the carnage; a time to heal
Grief and depression mimic each other but there should be no ‘compulsory counselling’ of the survivors of the Easter Sunday bomb blasts. This is the strong plea going out from Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Athula Sumathipala who is Director of the Institute for Research & Development. He is also Professor of Psychiatry, Research Institute for [...]
Rallying together to help in this hour of need
As news of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings of April 21 hit the nation, concerned Sri Lankans rallied quickly. Through word-of-mouth, and social media, many began projects and fundraisers with the common goal of easing the pain of their fellow Sri Lankans. Here are some of the many efforts in the days after the disaster. [...]
Far from home, Lankans join hands
The process of grieving is a difficult one that Sri Lankans would have to face as a country in the days and months ahead. Hearing the terrible news of a tragedy that wreaked unimaginable death and destruction, far from home, the hearts of many Sri Lankans were with their country at its time of sorrow. [...]