A reflection on what it means to remember
On the weekend I settle down to read Anuk Arudpragasam’s latest novel, recently longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize, pictures of exhausted Public Health Inspectors and medical staff punctuate my social media feed. A news article announces that burial grounds in Ottamavadi – the sole site designated for the burial of the COVID-infected dead – [...]
Mapping a mystery
The various names of Sri Lanka over the centuries gave cartographers working before modern communications and satellite imagery, a mystery to solve. What was the island’s correct name? And since maps depended on sketches and recollections by ancient mariners as interpreted by the cartographer, they were not completely accurate. Early maps of Sri Lanka published [...]
Letters to the Editor
A model towards helping students achieve their full potential Thank you for your article featuring the SEARCH Project launched by some distinguished old boys of Royal College. As one of the local contributors to this project, I found the children’s enthusiasm humbling and rewarding. This is an example of “leading without licence”. The pioneers hold [...]
Appreciations
Killi, my friend of 57 years R. Rajamahendran A month has passed since the untimely demise of ‘Killi’ Rajamahendran. In that time many appreciations have been written about him. Many were about Killi the media mogul, Killi the business magnate, Killi the cricket lover, Killi the political operator. He was all of that. But it [...]
Nikini Poya : First congregation of Buddhist monks to preserve the teachings of the Buddha
Today August 22, is Nikini Full Moon Poya. It is an important Poya in the annals of Buddhist history. Three months after the Buddha’s parinirvana (passing away), the first Dhamma Sangayanaya (Council) with 500 bhikkhus was held on a Nikini Poya. Ven. Ananda Maha Thera, the chief attendant of the Buddha, attained arahantship on this [...]
Flak jacket, helmet at hand…
As the Taliban speedily took control of Afghanistan’s major cities last week, Tilak Samarawickrema was glued to the television. Memories of his time in that war ravaged land came flooding back as he watched the latest chapter in its troubled history unfold. The veteran architect, artist and designer had been invited to Afghanistan in May-June [...]
National Trust lecture on Buddhist heritage of Pakistan
The National Trust Sri Lanka’s monthly lecture will be delivered online on Thursday, August 26 at 6.30 p.m. by Prof. Nimal de Silva. He will speak on ‘The Art of Gandhara – Buddhist heritage of Pakistan’. Please use the following links to join the lecture Website: https://thenationaltrust.lk/news/(which will provide the link) Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/The-National-Trust-Sri-Lanka(which will provide the [...]
I am a tree
COVID is yet with us, but not Curfew. We can, now, move out. It’s not that Curfew was intolerable: “COVID does not a prison make or Curfew a cage”. But a chance to move out for a few days is not to be laughed at. Particularly when all one has to do is to go [...]