Back to familiar territory

Job Offers

Within a day or two of our arrival in Sri Lanka, I received a telephone call from Mr. S.B. Herat, Minister of Food and Cooperatives. He asked me to come and see him. I had neither known nor met Mr. Herat before. But I knew him by sight. When I saw him at the Campbell Place residence, where he stayed with his brother, after asking a few questions, he invited me to become the Secretary to his Ministry. Mr. K.B. Dissanayke of whom I had written about in a previous chapter, was retiring from service. I inquired from Mr. Herat as to whether my present Minister Mr. D.B. Wijetunge was aware that he was going to make this offer to me.

He said “No”, but he would be speaking to him. I told him I was sorry, but if my present Minister had not been informed, it was not possible for me to continue with this conversation. This was the tradition we were brought up in. One did not discuss a matter like this behind the back of one’s Minister. In fact, I remember the instance in the 1960’s when Mr. D.G. Dayaratne, a senior civil servant who was then functioning as the Port Commissioner when called by the Prime Minister Mrs. Bandaranaike and offered the post of Secretary to the Cabinet declined to discuss the issue, because she had not informed his Minister Mr. Michael Siriwardena. Mr. Dayaratne was later appointed, after the formalities had been concluded.

In my case, Mr. Herat was apologetic and said he would not discuss the matter further, but only wished to know whether I would serve if there was general agreement. I said, “Yes” and that this was based on a principle I followed, of taking up whatever assignment the government of the day wished me to undertake. Mr. Herat appreciated this, and we parted. As I was leaving he said “Please don’t mention this conversation to anybody. I will be clearing matters with your Minister and the Prime Minister.” (Mr. Jayewardene was not President yet.)

I promised not to. Matters rested at this for two days. On the morning of the third day which was a holiday, where I had decided to go to the station later than usual, the telephone at home rang at about 9.30 a.m. The Minister of Lands and Irrigation Mr. Gamini Dissanayake was on the line. He said “Dharmasiri, what are you wasting your time at SLBC for? We are forming a new Ministry of Mahaweli Development. Join me and become its Secretary.

” I was now in a serious quandary. I couldn’t tell him that the Food Minister had already spoken to me. I had promised to keep that conversation secret. I therefore rather lamely told Mr. Dissanayake that I knew nothing about irrigation systems or river diversions, and that it was best for him to look for someone with some experience in that area. I suggested Mr. Sivaganam, who was his Secretary in the Ministry of Lands. But Mr. Dissanayake was not to be so easily diverted. He merely said, “No, you will pick it up in three months. It’s going to be an enormous challenge and a great creative endeavour. Please come. I will speak to the Prime Minister.

” I reminded him that he should speak to my Minister first. He promised to do so. To my relief, he did not request me to keep this conversation confidential. I therefore, rang Mr. Herat and was fortunate to find him at home. I requested an immediate appointment. I said that the matter was urgent. He asked me to come. When I told him what happened, he was visibly upset. He thought that Mr. Dissanayake knew that he was interested in getting me. I told Mr. Herat that the last thing I wanted was to be in the middle of a tug of war between two Ministers and to please understand that the present situation was none of my seeking. He was very understanding. He agreed that I should not be misunderstood by anyone. Mr. Herat told me later that the matter was finally resolved in Cabinet. Both Ministers had argued for me.

What had finally clinched the issue had been my previous experience as Deputy Food Commissioner. The government was about to launch a major food policy reform, and they finally concluded that my presence in the Food Ministry was more important at the time. Thus it was, that one afternoon, when I had just finished seeing off the French Cultural Attache, who had come to present some recordings of French music, an envelope bearing the seal of President’s House was hand delivered to me. It contained a letter from the Secretary to the President intimating to me that the President was pleased to appoint me as Secretary to the Ministry of Food and Co-operatives “with immediate effect.” One could not however, abandon responsibilities involved in the only national broadcasting facility “with immediate effect.

” What I did “with immediate effect” was to call a series of emergency meetings with all the relevant parties including Heads of Divisions, Trade Unions, and other important persons. The news of my imminent departure spread rapidly, and large numbers of employees sought to see me to express their shock and regret. In between meetings, I had to find the time to speak to them, however briefly. I had enjoyed good relations with everyone and I felt somewhat sad at the prospect of this sudden departure.

I had to dissuade employees and trade unions going in delegation to see the Minister to protest at my going. Amongst the Unions, one of the most affected seemed to be the JSS, the same Union that protested at my appointment. Now they wanted to protest at my departure. This too, I successfully stopped. The SLFP Union was extremely unhappy. They had felt secure because of my presence. Now they felt quite insecure. They did not know what type of person would succeed me. My Directors of Divisions were very upset. One of the problems was that to everyone this was a sudden blow. They did not possess my knowledge of the background to all this and I was of course sworn to secrecy.

My meetings went on till near midnight. I myself had not anticipated that my new appointment would come so fast.

Therefore, there was much to discuss and decide on, particularly fairly urgent and important matters that would come up during the following few weeks. Then there were important matters to be pursued, both of a bilateral and international nature, consequent to the Non-Aligned Broadcasting conference. I had virtually just come back from that meeting. Responsibilities for follow up action had to be allocated. It turned out to be an exhausting day, and finally when I left the station for the last time another day had dawned.

***

CHAPTER VI

BACK TO FAMILIAR TERRITORY, SECRETARY TO

THE MINISTRY OF FOOD & CO-OPERATIVES 28TH

NOVEMBER 1977 17TH FEBRUARY 1989

Work of New Assignment Starts at Home

My last day at SLBC was the 24th of November 1977. There was then the weekend. Mr. P.M. Hassen, the Food Commissioner telephoned me and dropped in at home on Sunday morning, with a few of his senior officials. The reason for this team to see me on a Sunday, even before I had physically gone to the new Ministry was their anxiety about the vast changes contemplated by the new government on the whole area of food policy.

The ultimate aim was to abolish the rice-rationing scheme, which had been in existence for several decades. The officials were nervous about the impact of such a change, as well as the enormous difficulties involved in managing the reform and the transition. Mr. Hassen showed me reports and memoranda on which they had already been working. We discussed the issues and possible alternatives. We also discussed certain important aspects of implementation. Amongst other matters, we realized the importance of the role the government agents in the districts would have to play. I was therefore, quite upto date on developments when I walked into the Ministry next day, the 28th of November.

I am aware that many people look to some auspicious time to assume duties in a new job or to have themselves blessed through some religious function, such as the chanting of Seth Pirith. For some reason, these practices never obtained a hold on me. As to auspicious times, I tended to agree with the renowned Ayurvedic Physician of the Gampaha School, Dr. Senasekera of Kesbewa whom we used to consult occasionally. He was a fine gentleman.

One day, he told me to my great astonishment that he did not look for any auspicious times when he got married. I could not believe that a traditional Ayurvedic Physician who wore cloth and banian Would act like that, and I asked him whether what he said was true. He said “Yes”, and went on to say “Look, there are three occasions of major importance in a person’s life, birth, marriage and death.

Now, there are no auspicious times for birth and death. Then why on earth must you have an auspicious time for marriage?” The logic was irrefutable.

As to religious functions in public places, everytime someone gets appointed somewhere, my position is that religion is essentially a private matter, and that it was more important to observe it than to display it. I therefore in my career avoided both practices of seeking auspicious times and having public religious displays. I walked in at the due time and got down to work. Of course, in the case of some appointments such as Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chairman and Director-General of Broadcasting, there was no time for any such practices even if I wanted to follow them. In the first instance, I was yanked out of bed and appointed and in the second, I was sped into controlling a seriously deteriorating situation.

The Ministry and The Minister

The Ministry of Food and Co-operatives situated in Union Place, Colombo was a familiar place. Previously, in the 1960’s, I had spent almost four years as Deputy Food Commissioner in the same premises. I now occupied the room then occupied by the Permanent Secretary Baku Mahadeva. From this room, a connecting door led to the Minister’s room. The Minister himself was a genial personality, holding the Parliamentary seat of Hiriyala, in the North-Western Province. He never lost this seat, and it was easy to see why.

Educated at Wesley College, Colombo and coming from a professional family background, Mr. Herat was short, chubby and energetic. He had been a motorcycle-racing rider on the Katukurunda circuit, a hockey player and a lover of sports. Above all, he was honourable and humane. He was refreshingly free from pettiness, a condition common to many politicians, and possessed a mischievous sense of humour.

At times, his whole body shook with laughter. Sometimes, when he thought, the occasion demanded, he tried to get angry, but not very successfully. I remember one such occasion, when he was irritated with Mr. Hassen, the Food Commissioner, over some matter. One could see that lie was striving to get angry and give the Food Commissioner a telling off, but not with greatsuccess. His efforts to generate some visible degree of anger was so funny that the intended victim of his wrath, burst into laughter. “Why are you laughing?” asked the Minister. “Because you look so funny trying to get angry” replied the Food Commissioner, and both burst out laughing.

Such was the temperament of the Minister. It was small wonder that the people of Hiriyala liked him, and kept on re-electing him through every political swing. Mr. Herat’s work habits were also unique. He was always available to the people, and the people made a habit of thronging the premises of the Ministry. He did not see them singly. At any given time over fifty people were in his room, so that everybody heard everybody else’s request to the Minister and the ensuing dialogue. graduating sometime to a public discussion, with the Minister himself referring the matter to the assembled multitude, by asking them for instance, “Do you think this is a fair request?” However, with all this, he was also available to his officers.

Sometimes. I have had to wade through the crowd in order to discuss some urgent matters with him. On such occasions, much to my embarrassment, he used to clear the whole room the moment he saw me. He used to announce, “My Secretary is coming to see me on important official matters. Please wait outside, until he finishes.” I had told him several times, that it was not necessary to clear the room, each time I come in, and that I Would tell him if I had to discuss something confidential which would make this necessary.

But he persisted with the practice, which later I was given to understand was due to his respect for the Secretary. This situation made me reluctant to lightly walk into his room when there was a crowd. I walked in only if a matter was very urgent. Other matters, I noted down and kept for discussion later when the crowd had thinned, or sometimes for the following day.

(Excerpted from In the Pursuit of Governance, autobiography of MDD Pieris)
(Continued from last week)

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Students from four schools visit the Presidential Secretariat

A group of students from four schools located in Hewanakumbura, Baddegama, Polonnaruwa and Wekandawela areas visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House, today (30).

Accordingly, a group of students from Hewanakumbura Sri Pungnasaara Maha Vidyalaya, Baddegama Christ Church Boys’ College, Polonnaruwa Bakamuna Mahasen National School and Wekandawela Morayaya Maha Vidyalaya visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House.

These schools were  provided with this opportunity in as part of the ‘Vision’ series of programmes designed for school children by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Sri Lanka Parliament.

After visiting the Presidential Secretariat (formerly the Old Parliament Building), the students were also educated about the history of Parliament.

The academic staff and students of these colleges were also made aware of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, which is being carried out based on a concept proposed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, emphasizing the importance of the executive’s role and the rule of law.

Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya presented a lecture addressing the issue of drug menace and the enhancement of values.

To mark this occasion, books for  the libraries of these schools and sports equipment were donated. Furthermore, valuable saplings were distributed to the schools to commemorate the commencement of Environment Week.

Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody , Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Senior Additional Secretary to the President K. M. N. Kumarasinghe, Presidential Advisor (Legal) Senior Advocate J. M. Wijebandara, Assistant Director Nadeeka Dangolla and Principals, Deputy Principals, and teaching staff of the relevant schools were present at this event.

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SLC postpone all domestic cricket tournaments due to adverse weather

The tournament committee of Sri Lanka Cricket has postponed all SLC organised domestic tournaments due to prevailing adverse weather conditions.

Accordingly,  The major club T20 tournament,  Tier B T20 tournament and Governors Trophy have been postponed until further notice.

 

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Tariff Turmoil: Overreliance on distribution instead of growth

The unilateral declaration of reciprocal tariff by President Donald Trump on trading partner countries has unfolded myriad uncertainties heightening the geopolitical and economic tensions. Immediate reactions were reflected in the global stock markets trading on negative levels. The full repercussions will be known in a couple of years. The IMF has forecast a downward economic growth for the USA.

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Economist and Professor at Columbia University, who is critical of President Trump’s decision, argues that even in this turmoil few billionaires who are close to the Trump administration would have made a killing. The erratic market fluctuations are real opportunities for those who aspire for state and regulatory capture in the current context. They cash on pains and losses of millions and gain handsomely. That is their business. Quickly recouping the money spent on election campaigns with the help of information asymmetry.

The mythical beliefs of ownership society benefitting out from trickle down effects remains pie in the sky. Blind faith in the neo-liberal order has not ushered any worthwhile progress to billions of people struggling to meet their ends, fighting for a dignified upward social mobility in search of better quality of life. Instead, the neo-liberal doctrine aligned with market fundamentals practiced for decades have widened inequality in income, wealth, education and healthcare in strong economies and in the developing countries.

Thus, in many democracies the hopeless and helpless citizens are electing extreme right- or left-wing populist governments into power for alternative policy options in the absence of any other choice. As for many, hope is the antidote for fear. It appears that many who secure electoral gains lack original thinking for better alternative policy options to stimulate growth in the sagging economies pickled with debt, including the USA. Instead of sticking to the same old failed economic policy options for survival.

In these uncertainties, elections are won by effectively managing misinformation. Social media giants are providing the templates to navigate hope, deceive the public mainstreaming populism, dividing the society blaming the elites, and someone else for the miseries they undergo resulting from ill-conceived policy directives of the past. Though the politicians cashing on this uncertainty with electoral gains, holding onto the electoral mandate secured and delivering the promises to the citizens remains a challenge.

Trade Deficits Caused by Weakened Productivity in the Real Economy

Taxes and tariffs are the main revenue streams for governments to manage the economy. Over decades, there has been a mismatch between state revenues and expenditures. Instead of stimulating growth through increased productivity, consumption was encouraged through higher debt levels, which have grown disproportionately in both developed and developing countries.

This trend has widened inequality and injected cheap money into high-risk corporate ventures, earning quick returns through speculation, now popularly known as Casino Capitalism. Government revenues have become heavily linked to consumption taxes. Over the years, under the neo-liberal dogma, huge tax concessions were given to corporations, and tax havens were set up to hide wealth created in formal economies.

The major source of income for governments came from consumption taxes and tariff revenues, worsening the cost of living for the average citizen. High-net-worth corporations and political activists still anticipate tax concessions to thrive in their wealth accumulation. However, it is challenging to stimulate growth with high debt burdens while earning profits and returns to reduce debt levels in sagging economies. Balancing between these two interest groups remains a real challenge.

Fareed Zakaria, in his popular CNN programme “The War on Government” (25/05/2025), reveals that under Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump, tax concessions bestowed to high-net-worth individuals amounted to US$10 trillion, equivalent to 57% of US debt to GDP levels. In Sri Lanka, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, LKR 600 million was given away as tax concessions, moving from casino to crony capitalism, worsening the debt situation in the country on top of the infamous 30 billion bond issue under the Yahapalana regime.

The full global market portfolio of tradable financial assets sums up to US$271 trillion. Fixed income securities, mostly debt instruments, account for US$116 trillion, nearly 54%. According to the analysis of ian.com, private assets grew three times as fast as public assets over the past 15 years. This underlying causal factor for widening inequality in economies drives billions of marginalised individuals into hopelessness and helplessness, creating opportunities for populist politics. The facts reveal that resources are abused by a few to gain through distributions across capital markets, rather than driving growth in the real economy for shared prosperity for all.

The Three “D” Threats and Dangerous Trends

Deplorable Debt, Degraded Environment, and Depleted Natural Resources are the three “D” problems threatening the sustainability and habitable coexistence of humankind. The fake prosperity of the past few decades was only possible through exploitation within an unsustainable linear economic model, leading to these highlighted 3D problems. Among them, Deplorable Debt is particularly troubling for the US economy. President Trump’s economic policy tools, including tariff hikes, aim to curb the demand for US dollars, assuming that a lower-valued currency will ease debt burdens.

The dominance of the US dollar as a world reserve currency has increased its demand at a higher value. Those holding US dollar-denominated assets booked fictitious profits by applying market revaluation principles. Additionally, oligopolistic American credit card companies have cloned debt levels, increasing consumption and drying up sufficient credit to stimulate growth in production in the real economy across all regions.

Global credit card giants clone debt with ease and thrive on the cash flows generated, leaving central banks and monetary authorities to control inflation at negative or near-zero interest rates. Some credit cards levy 28% as a penal rate of interest. In this unhealthy policy divergence, private debt often accumulates as public debt, ultimately adding up to unmanageable sovereign debt. Consequently, many multinational corporations have earned unrealistic rewards through intervention in the resource distribution process instead of investing to trigger growth in the economy. Excessive financialisation through debt now threatens the entire financial architecture established since the end of WWII.

“The dollar is our currency, but it’s your problem” John Connally – 1971

There are two historic events when the US dollar became uncompetitive and the American Presidents had to take decisions to bring the value down. In 1971 President Richard Nixon signed the Smithsonian Agreement proclaiming it as the most significant monetary agreement in the history of the world. The second, Plaza Accord under President Ronald Reagan in September 1985. Neither the Smithsonian Agreement nor the Plaza Accord lasted very long, writes Prof. Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University.

He cites a quotation from President Nixon’s Treasury Secretary John Connally telling Europeans “The dollar is our currency, but it’s your problem”. Even after fifty years the dollar has been their problem too. In both cases, a US president believed that the dollar was overvalued, that American exporters and workers were disadvantaged, and that US economic policy had been blocked by foreign obstruction. President Donald Trump too faces the same situation and unravelled the reciprocal tariff measures under the new Mar-a- Lago Accord in the making.

The Untested “Bitcoin Reserve”

The media reports that Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, is raising US$ 2.5 billion through a stock and bond sale aiming to build a corporate bitcoin reserve, mirroring President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto agenda to fund a bitcoin reserve.

by Jayasri Priyalal

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In conversation with Danu Innasithamby: A journey of resilience, family, and creativity

In a world that often demands constant reinvention, Danu Innasithamby has learned to hold fast to the values that matter most—resilience, family, and an unwavering commitment to creativity. In this heartfelt conversation, The Island sits down with Danu to trace a life shaped by the quiet courage of a mother who taught them that strength doesn’t always need to roar.

From the shadows of war-torn Jaffna to the bustling corridors of Colombo’s schools, Danu reflects on the journey of finding one’s voice in a world that didn’t always understand it. They speak candidly about the ways their mother’s love and sacrifices continue to anchor them—lessons in grace and humility that have become the foundation for a life in storytelling and media.

As they share memories of childhood, early days in radio, and the evolution of identity as a queer person, Danu offers a moving portrait of what it means to be seen, to be true to oneself, and to carry forward the strength of those who came before.

You dedicated your memoir to your late mother on her birth anniversary—what inspired you to choose that moment for the book launch

Mummy was always our strength.

Akka and I were so attached to her — because deep down, it was always just the three of us, trying to find our way in this world.

She may not have been powerful, or influential, or known beyond our little circle. But to us, she was everything. A silent fighter. A quiet force. She did things I don’t think anyone else could do — and she did it all with the kind of grace that only she had.

Every child sees their mum as special. But Mummy… she truly was. She gave up her happiness, her comfort, even her dreams, so that we could live ours. Whether it was making sure we got the biggest portion of food, or just being a warm shoulder on the hardest days, she gave and gave and gave — always with a smile, even when there was nothing to smile about.

People often look to the sky to find heaven. But sometimes, heaven is a person. For us, that was Mummy.

That’s why this book is for her.

If she were here, I’d still have done the same.

You mentioned your mother’s strength, silence, and love shaped every chapter. Could you share a particular memory that captures her influence on you during your childhood?

Where do I even begin? There are so many moments, but if I had to choose just one thing—it’s how much of a pillar Dara was to her. She leaned on him for everything. She was almost childlike in some ways, relying on his strength and decisions. But when Dara was no more, something in Mummy changed.

She became brave.

She stepped up and did things that, even now, leave me in awe. From managing the most basic day-to-day tasks—paying bills, balancing whatever little money we had, making sure we were fed, finding ways to keep us in school—she did it all. She became our strength, our guardian, our safe place.

I truly believe women have this remarkable, almost otherworldly ability to transform into warriors when they need to. And in that moment, when the world could’ve broken her, Mummy became everything. Everything we needed.

How did your mother support you during the most turbulent moments of your early life in Jaffna?

She was calm in every storm. She didn’t have many answers, but she always made sure we had a warm meal, a warm bed, and a warm smile. In those days, that was enough. That was everything.

What values or lessons from your mother continue to guide you in your life today, especially in the media world?

One of the most profound things Mummy ever told me wasn’t a long sermon—it was something simple she lived by. Her bedtime prayer was always short, but she left me with this:

“Before you sleep, ask yourself—have you intentionally hurt someone? If not, rest. It’s beyond you now. But if you have, ask for forgiveness. Apologise. Make peace before you close your eyes.”

That one line shaped how I carry myself in the world. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being accountable. And that… is one of the greatest gifts she ever gave me.

Was your mother aware of your dreams in storytelling and media before her passing? If so, what were her thoughts?

I count myself among the lucky ones—because Mummy got to see me on screen. She was beaming with pride even back when I was just a voice in the night, doing the graveyard shift on radio. That’s how we all started—midnight hours, training wheels. But Mummy? She’d stay up all night, just to make sure I didn’t fall asleep on the job. Only mothers can love like that—quiet, patient, unwavering.

She watched every show I did. Every single one. Even the Tamil ones, where half the time I was bluffing through my lines! And I still remember—just a day before she passed—she watched one of those episodes. She wasn’t well. Those days were hard. But there she was… watching, listening, holding space.

At the time, I had just signed on to my first film. I’d even released a Sinhala track that featured in the movie. One of the last things she asked to hear was that song. She wanted to listen. She always wanted to be part of it all—every step, every stumble, every celebration.

I know she’s still around. Not just in spirit—but in the whisper of instinct, the calm in a storm, the little voice that says, “You’ve got this.”

She never knew I’d write a book. Honestly, neither did I. But I think she sees it all now. And somehow, I feel like she’s reading every word over my shoulder—smiling that knowing smile only she had.

Can you describe your school life in Jaffna and how it was shaped by the conflict around you?

I didn’t stay in school in Jaffna for long—only until Grade 3. But those few years left a deep imprint. School life there was intense, shaped by the reality of war. Teachers were strict, and there was no room for excuses. If there was a curfew, school was closed. If a bomb went off, school was closed. And if a bomb went off during school—you ran and hid. Yet, even amid the chaos, discipline and deadlines were non-negotiable. Our teachers did everything they could with what they had. That resilience stayed with me.

When we moved to Colombo, school life changed—but it wasn’t easier. I joined St. Peter’s College, a respected school, but I struggled to fit in. Many of the kids came from more financially comfortable homes. Mummy did everything to keep up, but it was hard. I stood out, not in the ways a child hopes to. There were names, there were jokes—kids will be kids. I don’t blame anyone today because I know now that we’re all just trying to understand the world at that age. But yes, it hurt. At that time, it stung deeply. Still, I learned. I grew. And I’m grateful. Because all of that—Jaffna, Colombo, the silence, the noise—shaped the person I am today. And I wouldn’t trade that journey for anything.

What was the transition like when you moved from Jaffna to Colombo in terms of education and fitting in?

It wasn’t an easy transition. Suddenly, I was seeing things I’d never seen in my life—electricity that stayed on, chilled drinks, and shops where you could buy whatever you liked if you had the money. Only, I didn’t have the money.

Fitting in was hard. But one thing I’ve always held onto is honesty. I never lied about what I didn’t have. No TV at home? I said it. No beds? That was our truth. Never had KFC? I was fine to admit it. I found it easier to speak the truth than to pretend. Pretending only made the gap feel bigger.

I still remember the first time I accidentally ended up in a shopping mall. A friend and I were walking after school working on a project, and he asked, “Shall we grab a drink here?” I was flustered. Flabbergasted. I didn’t even know how to behave in that world. All I could do was ask him, “How many bus halts from here to my house?”

It felt like a different planet. But I think I was exposed to it all at the right age—old enough to be humbled, young enough to absorb it. And with time, I learned to navigate both worlds.

Were there teachers or school moments that particularly encouraged your creative or storytelling instincts?

The first is Miss Mel, my English Literature teacher. Ironically, she should’ve been the one to absolutely hate me—I spelt everything wrong, confused syntax with drama, and turned every essay into a theatrical production. But she didn’t. Instead, she cheered me on. She loved seeing me on stage and encouraged me to take part in Shakespeare drama competitions, even if I made up half the lines. Miss Mel was a kind soul with an even kinder heart. She passed away last year, but her belief in me still echoes every time I hold a mic or step onto a stage. She was truly remarkable.

Then there’s my choir teacher, Priyanthi. She taught me that voice is not just sound—it’s soul. She gave me the tools to pronounce, project, and most importantly, perform with presence. Her guidance built the foundation for the public speaking I do today.I also must mention Jehan Bastians and Ned. The first time I got on stage with them, I was green, awkward, and borderline dramatic—but they taught me everything from how to stand still (which was a challenge!) to how to deliver lines with meaning.

Every one of them—Miss Mel, Priyanthi, Jehan, and Ned—were instrumental in making me who I am today. They didn’t just teach me subjects. They taught me confidence. They gave me tools that I carry in my heart and use every single day. For that, I’m endlessly grateful.

How did your identity as a queer youth affect your school experience, both in Jaffna and Colombo?

To be honest, growing up in Jaffna, I was too young to even process any of it. And when I was in school, I don’t think I ever really let my emotions go there. Maybe I just didn’t have the language or the space in my mind—I was often lost in my own thoughts.All these terms we hear today—gay, queer, the whole spectrum—I didn’t know any of it back then. I had no frame of reference. I was actually very late to everything—very late. I didn’t even hold someone’s hand until I was in my mid-twenties.

So, for me, discovering who I was, accepting it, and allowing myself to be that person took a long time. My quiet demeanour, maybe even the way I carried myself, yes—it made me a target. I was bullied. Teased. You know, the usual things they do in school. But none of that gave me clarity about my sexuality. If anything, it left me even more confused.

Looking back now, I realise how long it took for me to find the words… and the courage.

Looking back, is there a specific school memory that you feel foreshadowed the path you eventually took in media and storytelling?

I wouldn’t say it all started in school—it was the stage that truly felt like home. While the classroom was where I learned, the stage was where I lived. That feeling of performing, of stepping into a spotlight and expressing something deeper—that’s what shaped me. I didn’t choose media; it somehow chose me. I never mapped it out, never imagined I’d be in it this long. I simply followed the joy of connecting with people, of sharing stories, of giving a voice to things that matter.

What keeps me going is that every single day still feels like my first. That excitement, that nervous energy, that sense of purpose—it’s all still there. I’m deeply grateful for this journey, and for the chance to keep telling stories that touch lives.

by Ifham Nizam

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Furious Trump lashes out at Putin over Ukraine talks: ‘He’s playing with fire!’

In a tense standoff that has the world on edge, former President Trump and Russian leader Putin are locked in a high-stakes game of political chess.

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Hasan Ali bags five as Pakistan blow Bangladesh away

Hasan Ali bagged career-best figures of 5 for 30 in his first T20I in a year and Shadab Khan produced a strong all-round performance as Pakistan eased past Bangladesh in the series opener in Lahore.

After captain Salman Agha,  who top-scored for Pakistan with 56 off 34 balls, and Shadab, who scored 48 off 25 balls, lifted Pakistan to 201, Hasan led their successful defence with a five-wicket haul. After removing the Bangladesh openers with the new ball, he returned to dismiss the dangerous Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan and Shoriful Islam.

Litton Das top-scored for Bangladesh with 48 and Jaker hit 36 off 21 balls lower down the order, but it was not enough to stop Pakistan from claiming a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The sight of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman walking out to open for Pakistan must have been soothing for their fans. But both the openers were back in the dugout within two overs. Ayub, in his return for Pakistan since his ankle injury in South Africa last year, got out first ball. He closed the face of his bat too early, offering a return catch to Mahedi Hasan. Shoriful Islam then removed Fakhar next over, darting an inswinger back into his pads. Shoriful became the fourth Bangladesh bowler to take 50 wickets in T20Is.

Mohammad Haris, however, brought Shoriful down to earth with three boundaries in a row, as the left-arm fast bowler went for 16 in the fourth over. Salman hit Mahedi for three fours in the next over, too, to help Pakistan cross fifty in the powerplay. Haris, though, fell in the seventh over for 31 off 18 balls.

Despite the departure of Haris, Salman kept going for Pakistan. He struck Tanzim and Rishad for boundaries, before Hassan Nawaz, fresh from his PSL heroics, bashed Rishad for his first six. Salman mixed his big-hitting with dainty shots like the scoop and late cuts as Pakistan run-rate got a nitro-boost.

In the tenth over, Salman flicked Tanzim for a six, before pasting him through point and then dabbing him past the keeper. Nawaz, meanwhile, kept the pressure on Bangladesh with a pair of sixes off Rishad and Hasan Mahmud, before the latter removed Salman with a dipping full toss. It ended a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Nawaz batted on for Pakistan, smashing Rishad for a six over extra-cover, followed by two more fours. The second four was a chance, but Parvez Hossain Emon ended up dropping a sitter at long-on and parrying the ball into the boundary. Nawaz, however, fell next ball, caught and bowled by Rishad, for 44 off 22 balls.

Pakistan went 18 balls without a boundary after Nawaz’s dismissal. Shamim Hossain was the surprise package with his part-time offbreaks; he dismissed Khushdil Shah in the 17th over for his maiden T20I cricket.

Shadab, though, went after Rishad in the 18th over, taking him for a sequence of 6,6,4. Faheem Ashraf launched Shamim over midwicket in the penultimate over before Shadab struck two more fours off Shoriful in the last over. Shadab’s hits were vital to Pakistan crossing 200.

Hasan struck his first blow when he had Parvez caught at mid-on for 4 in his first over. In his next over, Tanzid took him for a brace of fours, but the fast bowler hit back to knock him over with a knuckle ball.

When Hasan returned to the attack in the 18th over, Bangladesh were 141 for 6, still needing 61 off 18 balls. Jaker Ali was on 30 off 18 balls at that point, with his big-hitting offering Bangladesh slim hope. Hasan conceded a six with his first legal ball in his second spell, but bounced Jaker out next ball for 36 off 20 balls. In the same over, he had Tanzim caught and bowled for 1.

In the final over, Hasan completed his five-for and dismissed Bangladesh for 164.

Litton and Towhid Hridoy had added 63 for the third wicket, but they didn’t find the tempo that could’ve hurt Pakistan. Hridoy managed only 17 off 22 balls, with just one four. It was his slowest knock in a T20I in which he has faced at least 20 balls.

Litton also had a slow start – he was on 11 off 12 balls at one point – but a four off Shadab saw him break free in the eighth over. Litton went onto hit three sixes before Shadab had the last laugh, having him caught at backward point. Litton’s dismissal precipitated Bangladesh’s slide.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 201 for 7 in 20 overs  (Mohammad Haris 31, Salman Agha, 56,    Hasan Nawaz 44,  Shadab Khan  48, Faheem Ashraf 11;  Mahedi Hasan 1-36, Shoriful Islam  2-32, Hasan Mahmud 1-24, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1-22, RishadHossain1-55, Shamim Hossain1-31) beat Bangladesh 164 8n 19.2 overs  (Tanzid Hasan 31, Litton Das  48, Towhid Hridoy 17, Jaker Ali  36; Faheem Ashraf 1-18, Hasan Ali 5-30, Shadab Khan 2-26, Khushdil Shah1-06, Salman Agha 1-12) by 37 runs

(Cricinfo)

 

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Glacier collapse buries most of Swiss village

The Swiss village of Blatten has been partially destroyed after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down into the valley.

Although the village had been evacuated some days ago because of fears the Birch glacier was disintegrating, one person has been reported missing, and many homes have been completely flattened.

Local authorities describe the situation as “very bad”, and have requested support from the Swiss army’s disaster relief unit. Members of the Swiss government are on their way to the scene.

The village’s 300 inhabitants had to leave their homes on 19 May after geologists monitoring the area warned that the glacier appeared unstable. Now many of them may never be able to return.

The disaster that has befallen Blatten is the worst nightmare for communities across the Alps.

Climate change is causing the glaciers – frozen rivers of ice – to melt faster and faster, and the permafrost, often described as the glue that holds the high mountains together, is also thawing.

Drone footage showed a large section of the Birch glacier collapsing at about 15:30 (14:30 BST) on Wednesday. The avalanche of mud that swept over Blatten sounded like a deafening roar, as it swept down into the valley leaving an enormous cloud of dust.

Glaciologists monitoring the thaw have warned for years that some alpine towns and villages could be at risk, and Blatten is not even the first to be evacuated.

In eastern Switzerland, residents of the village of Brienz were evacuated two years ago because the mountainside above them was crumbling.

Since then, they have only been permitted to return for short periods.

In 2017, eight hikers were killed, and many homes destroyed, when the biggest landslide in over a century came down close to the village of Bondo.

The most recent report into the condition of Switzerland’s glaciers suggested they could all be gone within a century, if global temperatures could not be kept within a rise of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, agreed ten years ago by almost 200 countries under the Paris climate accord.

Many climate scientists suggest that target has already been missed, meaning the glacier thaw will continue to accelerate, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides, and threatening more communities like Blatten.

(BBC)

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Action from 12 and Under Tennis event

Yonal Dankubura and Nuren Wevita beat Ugyen Lodey and Pelthp Ishering of Bhutan 6-0, 6-0 in the boys’ doubles of the ATF 12 and Under Tennis Tournament at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Tuesday. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

Sethuli Mutugama and Sayuri Muthuthantri (S beat Dhahnoor Umer and Khadija Khalil of Pakistan 6-1, 6-0 in the girls’ doubles.

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Sing-along for charity…

It’s, indeed, encouraging to see local artistes getting involved in charity projects that benefit the needy.

After his musical tour of Canada, Sampath Fernando, a talented multi-instrumentalist, is planning to re-enter the Sri Lankan showbiz scene … as an event organiser, producer, as well as a performer.

He says his first big event has been jointly planned and organised with St. John Dal Bastone Church youth association (SJDB youth) and the parish priest.

The event, ‘SING-ALONG with Mariazelle’, with music by Sampath Fernando, and featuring Viraj, has been scheduled for 31st May at Silver Birch Hotel, Wickramasinghepura, Jayawadanagama, from 7.30 onwards.

Talking about the project, Sampath said his first choice to collaborate with SJDB youth, in organising this event, had many reasons.

“We have some extraordinary talented youngsters willing to go the extra mile to achieve any task and I wanted to share my musical experience and knowledge with them and let them raise funds towards their charity projects.”

Sampath went on to say that he will be backing Mariazelle and Viraj absolutely live, with no pre-recorded tracks, and will, therefore, have the flexibility to provide Mariazelle and Viraj with the music to blend with the crowed, as required in each and every song, giving the full band live experience.

Sampath also mentioned that he is planning to release a new song, connected with this event, with Mariazelle.

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First Indian Ocean Summit in Colombo to drive sustainable marine tourism

In a landmark initiative poised to reshape the regional marine tourism and conservation landscape, the first-ever Indian Ocean Summit will be held in Colombo on June 7, 2025, coinciding with World Oceans Day.

Organised by the Indian Ocean Divers Association (IODA) in collaboration with the Chamber of Marine Industries Sri Lanka (CMISL), the summit marks a major step forward for Sri Lanka’s growing role in the Indian Ocean’s sustainable marine development. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has played a key role in bringing this event to Sri Lanka.

The high-profile event, set to take place at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, brings together a diverse and dynamic network of divers, ocean advocates, industry leaders, marine scientists, conservationists and tourism professionals from across the region. With strong backing from national stakeholders, the summit is expected to be a landmark occasion for marine tourism and a strong signal of national support for sustainable ocean development.

According to IODA, the summit will promote sustainable business practices, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and advocate for the preservation of the Indian Ocean’s rich marine biodiversity. The inclusive agenda features high-level panel discussions, expert presentations, and networking opportunities covering a wide range of themes from marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable tourism models to innovations in diving, underwater film technology, and eco-conscious business development.

The summit is expected to draw participants from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India, and Southeast Asia, alongside notable figures from the global diving and conservation communities.

Hosting this historic summit places Sri Lanka at the centre of a regional conversation about ocean sustainability and the future of marine tourism. The event offers a strategic platform for the country to showcase its world-class diving sites, expand its footprint in the international dive tourism market, and forge new partnerships in marine conservation and innovation.

The collaboration between IODA and CMISL reflects a growing recognition of the marine sector’s role in Sri Lanka’s economic revival, environmental stewardship, and youth employment opportunities.

IODA General Secretary, Suraj Khan, highlighted the organisation’s vision and Sri Lanka’s potential:

“Sri Lanka is a sleeping giant in a world of dive tourism opportunities. With vibrant marine biodiversity, ancient shipwrecks and a stunning untapped coastline, this island nation holds the most undervalued natural assets in its territorial waters,” he said.

“Placed between the iconic diving paradise – Maldives and the thriving dive fraternity of India, Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to become a central dive destination in the Indian Ocean. That is where IODA comes in.”

He further noted that the summit will bring to Colombo ‘a powerful line of leading business minds, dive pioneers and marine economy strategists’ from across the Indian Ocean, aiming to shape a strong, united, and more sustainable blue economy for Sri Lanka.

Looking ahead, Khan expressed IODA’s commitment to strengthening key partnerships across Africa and South Asia and thanked Sri Lanka’s Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) for exploring new avenues for developing the country’s tourism economy. He described the Indian Ocean as a ‘real investment, a high-reward asset’ with the potential to open up new economic horizons for the nation.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

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President pays final respects to legendary actress Malani Fonseka

President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid his final respects to the late veteran actress Malani Fonseka on Sunday (25) at the Tharangani Theatre Hall of the National Film Corporation, where her remains lie in state.

Arriving at the venue on Sunday evening, the President offered floral tributes and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He also engaged in meaningful conversations with fellow artists in attendance, recognising the profound loss to Sri Lanka’s film industry.

In his reflections, President Disanayake hailed Ms. Fonseka as “a revered icon whose contributions profoundly shaped and elevated Sri Lankan cinema.” He emphasised her enduring legacy and expressed his deep sympathies to the wider arts community, noting her influence on generations of performers and filmmakers.

 

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King’s invite to Canada sends a message to Trump – and the world

A decade ago, a portrait of the British monarch caused a row in Canadian politics. Now, the King is being invited to deliver the Speech from the Throne. What’s changed?

In 2011, shortly after forming a majority Conservative government, Prime Minister Stephen Harper caused a national uproar when he sought to emphasise Canada’s ties to the British monarchy. In one example, he replaced two artworks by a Quebec painter with a portrait of the Queen.

Some rebuked the gesture as being out of touch with modern times. Canada has, throughout its 157-year-old history, sought increasing independence from the British monarchy, while still remaining a part of the Commonwealth.

When Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau succeeded Harper four years later, the Queen’s portrait went down, the Quebec paintings, back up.

Fast forward to 2025, and a paradoxical shift has occurred in Canada’s relationship with the Crown. In a transparent show of Canada’s sovereignty and independence against threats from US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney – a Liberal – has invited King Charles the III to open the 45th Canadian parliament.

The move is “a huge affirmation and statement about the uniqueness of Canada and its traditions,” Justin Vovk, a Canadian royal historian, told the BBC – “a theatrical display that is meant to show what makes Canadians separate from Americans” and not, as Trump has often repeated, a “51st state”.

Both countries are former British colonies, but America’s founding fathers took a different path and severed all formal connections to the Crown nearly 250 years ago.

Canada’s separation from the monarchy has been more gradual, and its ties have never been completely broken. Canada’s parliamentary system is modelled after Britain’s Westminster system. The British monarch is still formally the head of state, but their duties are often carried out by their Canadian representative, called the governor general.

Loyalty to the Crown was seen as important to Canada’s politicians in the 19th Century who wanted to maintain separation from the US, said Canadian royal historian and commentator Carolyn Harris.

That later changed in the 1960s, as Quebec – Canada’s majority French-speaking province – began to assert its own distinct identity and threatened separation. This led to an era of politicians like Lester B Pearson and Pierre Elliott Trudeau who worked to untangle Canada from its British colonial past.

In 1982, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau repatriated Canada’s constitution, giving full legislative power to the federal government and the provinces, and removing it from British parliament.

Ms Harris noted that Canada remained a constitutional monarchy throughout these periods. What fluctuated, however, was how much the prime minister of the day chooses to embrace that connection.

Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II signed the Constitution proclamation giving Canada full control of its own constitution in 1982 [BBC]

Carney’s invite to King Charles III signals that his government will be one that is much more supportive of the Crown, Mr Vovk said, marking “a very different tone” from previous Liberals.

A British monarch has not delivered Canada’s throne speech since 1977, and has not opened a brand new session of parliament since 1957, making the King’s upcoming visit a truly rare occasion.

It comes at a consequential time for Canada.

Carney heavily campaigned on standing up to Trump, after the US president spent months undermining Canada’s sovereignty by saying it would be better off as a US state.

Trump also imposed a series of tariffs that have threatened Canada’s economic stability, given that the US is its largest trade partner by far.

When announcing the visit last month, Carney called it “a historic honour that matches the weight of our times”.

He added that the King’s visit “clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country”.

Both historians, Mr Vovk and Ms Harris, noted that the bulk of Canada’s modern population is indifferent to the British monarchy. Some are even critical of it.

The coronation of King Charles III in 2023 made way for fresh scrutiny of the Crown’s historic mistreatment of indigenous people in Canada, and questions on whether the new monarch will move towards reconciliation.

Quebec politicians are also still calling for Canada to cut ties with the monarchy. On Friday, the separatist Bloc Québécois party said it will again seek to scrap the need for elected officials to swear allegiance to the King.

Some Canadians will be intrigued by the pomp and pageantry of the King’s visit, Mr Vovk said, but its chief purpose is to send a political message from Canada to the world.

It is also a way for Prime Minister Carney to improve the relationship with Trump, who is famously a fan of the British monarchy and its history.

“Strengthening the relationship with the monarchy puts a stamp on legitimacy that transcends individual parties and the current political climate,” Mr Vovk said. “Politicians come and go, but the monarchy has always remained.”

It also works to tie Canada closer to Europe – a key objective of Prime Minister Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, who has spoken about the need for Canada to find new allies as it navigates its changing relationship with the US.

The visit is notable for the Crown, too.

It will be the King’s first to Canada as reigning monarch. He and the Queen had intended to visit last year, but cancelled their plans due to his cancer diagnosis.

The palace has promised a throne speech that will “mark a significant moment between the Head of State and the Canadian people”.

And while it will be a short trip – the King and Queen will arrive Monday morning and depart Tuesday evening – the palace said they hope the trip will be “an impactful one”.

[BBC]

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Going abroad with Prime Minister Premadasa: his genius to always maximize possibilities

How he got a place at the high table and rode in state with President Marcos through Manila

Premadasa liked to travel abroad and during his period of 11 years as prime minister, visited many countries. The term ‘prime minister of Sri Lanka’ gave him instant recognition and a status far above what he enjoyed customarily at home since J R was both head of state and head of government.

Constitutionally, he was nothing more than another minister. But abroad, except for the most scrupulous of protocol officers who knew Sri Lanka had an executive president, he was to all intents and purposes the head of government of his country. Our unstated policy was ‘if they don’t ask, don’t trouble to tell them’.

On a visit to the Philippines in 1981 he used a clever stratagem to win a seat for himself at the high table at the international conference convened for ministers of housing. As prime minister he was invited, and stayed at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, within the presidential complex buildings. President Marcos was to open the conference, and Imelda, who was then the Governor of Greater Manila was to receive him at the entrance to the Convention Hall.

Premadasa contrived to pay his courtesy call on Marcos at the Presidential Palace just before the time fixed for the formal opening of the Conference in down-town Manila, and managed to persuade Marcos to allow him to ride to the Convention Center with him in the presidential car. This gained him an unexpected and completely impromptu state drive into the city. It was marvelous to see the aplomb with which he acknowledged the cheers of the crowds who thronged the road to see Marcos with his new and unknown friend by his side.

The two of them, Marcos and Premadasa, marched up to the stage but there was no chair there for Premadasa since his assigned place was with the other ministers of housing in the front rows of the hall. After a hurried consultation on stage, another chair was produced, some shuffling around and space made, and all ended well. Premadasa finally got to make his speech first, from the stage and not from the podium as the other ministers of housing had to do.

The Premadasa family with PM Thatcher in London

I got the distinct impression that General Carlos Romulo, the famous war hero who was Marcos’ foreign minister and mastermind of the opening ceremony – peeved at what was happening – was not too pleased. But Premadasa had stolen the show and received a loud cheer from the small group of Sri Lankan expatriates present in the hall.

But in spite of all the adulation and honour he usually received there were some negatives for him in visits abroad. The basic problem was that it upset his carefully planned daily schedule and his avid preference for Sri Lankan cooking, above all the gourmet dishes and gastronomic delights the host would serve.

His tastes in local cookery revolved essentially around well-boiled red rice, vegetarian dishes with the simple kola mallun as an absolute necessity. So, our ambassadors abroad were to be frequently seen bringing in to the London Hilton, the Waldorf Astoria in New York or wherever he bedded-down for the night, string-hoppers with assorted sambols and other Sri Lankan delicacies in the early hours of the morning in food-warmers. They apparently did not mind it at all as it gave them credits which they could, and did later, cash-in to their benefit. Premadasa also disliked the cold, not only of winter which forced him to encumber his body with layers of socks, scarves, thermal underwear and overcoats, and even the chill of a June morning in London. On his visits to Europe and Canada, especially, he often commiserated with the Sri Lankan diplomatic staff who endured stoically, in his view, the generally miserable weather and could not comprehend their eagerness to seek foreign postings.

Mrs Premadasa, whom he would call Hemawathie – her full name and not the shortened Hema – which most others did, was a great support to him on these visits. She enjoyed making new friends and did not mind at all indulging in the small talk, which is an essential part of diplomatic conviviality. The host country leaders found her inherent charm and good looks appealing and she helped the receptions and dinner meetings go with a swing.

The only part of her which was a problem on foreign visits was her invariable inability to keep to time. This was mostly because of the inevitable last-minute shopping. There was a great deal of good-natured ribbing between husband and wife on this score but once or twice the delay would be serious and Premadasa would be fuming.

On these occasions he would turn to me for help and plead in Sinhala, “Bradman, please ask her to hurry up”, as he walked up and down the hotel lobby, ready for departure with the motorcade revving up.

Needless to say, I was not always successful in getting her down in the next few minutes. I found that she, like Mrs Bandaranaike before her, found the European habit of kissing the back of a lady’s hand when saying welcome or goodbye not very nice, to say the least.

Premadasa too on his day and in his element was a lively conversationalist. He had a fund of anecdotes illustrating some particular quirk in the human personality. He related these with an eye for detail and imagery which was riveting but the joke was usually on someone else. Balasuriya, his private secretary, and Evans Cooray, his press secretary, were often the butt-end of his stories for the crazy situations they sometimes got themselves into.

Between the two of them, Premadasa and Hema on their visits abroad made a host of Sri Lankan friends which led to many exciting projects – to image-building for Sri Lanka abroad and to the building up of a reservoir of expatriate funding for local social projects. One of the most innovative of these was the Sevana Foster Parents Scheme in which a small regular donation from an expatriate could be used to benefit the life of a poor child in Sri Lanka.

President Jayewardene used Premadasa liberally for foreign missions. He became a familiar figure at CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings). His contributions were listened to with attention and the observations he offered at Lusaka received appreciative notes from both the hosts, Chairman Kenneth Kaunda and Sridath Ramphal.

It was very encouraging and I was happy to have been part of it. The particular item for which Premadasa was lead-speaker was ‘community participation in development’, and with the first-hand local experience we had, we made a good job of it. He received a personal letter from President Kenneth Kaunda acknowledging his contribution.

At this meeting in Lusaka the future of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) was the controversial issue. Premadasa entered into the spirit of the discussions with gusto and made some useful contacts. But as usual his primary purpose was to win something for Sri Lanka. He set his sights on clinching the British ODA grant from Britain for the Victoria Project.

Premadasa had always had an unreserved admiration for Margaret Thatcher. He respected her directness and the strength of her leadership. She had fought a hard battle to come up to where she was from her often referred to ‘grocer’s daughter’ background. He empathized with people who had got to the top by means of hard work and merit, not birth. Their acquaintance had begun in October 1975 at Blackpool in England at the Annual Conservative Party Conference when Margaret Thatcher was leader of the opposition.

In 1978, soon after forming his government, President Jayewardene had approached the Labour Government in Britain for funding of the Victoria Dam, one of the five projects of the Mahaweli scheme. The preliminary approvals had been given, but soon thereafter Harold Wilson’s Labour Government fell. The Conservative Government of Mrs Thatcher, facing an economic crunch, were not looking at Overseas Development Aid that favourably.

It was then that Premadasa decided to put on the pressure. On the way to CHOGM, he first stopped in London, seeking the customary courtesy call on the prime minister (which was in his case invariably granted). He met Mrs Thatcher and Lord Carrington at her No 10 office and pleaded the case for Victoria. Thatcher was impressed with the way he put forward the case. But try as he might, he could not get a commitment from her in London.

Premadasa knew he was going to have a further chance of meeting Margaret Thatcher in Lusaka. Thatcher was under extreme pressure at CHOGM and the frontline states, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya, in particular, were cornering her for quickening the pace of Zimbabwe’s independence. Premadasa worked behind the scenes and at the conference table to work for a compromise acceptable to Britain.

He moved closely with Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. The seating order around the table helped since the alphabetical order put Sri Lanka and Tanzania together. Mrs Thatcher was mindful of the support Sri Lanka gave during the meeting.

Each delegation had been provided with a comfortable villa in the Mulungushi enclave, specially prepared for the CHOGM delegates. There was a good deal of inter-villa entertainment and Premadasa invited Mrs Thatcher to have lunch with him, along with a few others on the third day of the conference. Although she was indisposed that day, Mrs Thatcher came for the lunch. On leaving, she handed Premadasa a little card – the size of a post card – on which were typed these words :

Sri Lanka I am glad to be able to tell you that we are now in a position to offer a UK contribution to the Victoria Dam Scheme. This would he in the form of a grant of up to 100 million over six years towards the costs of the design and construction of the dam and power station. It would, of course, be subject to normal UK grant conditions.

Margaret Thatcher

Lusaka 6th Aug 1979

Premadasa’s persistence had paid off. But he was not fully satisfied. There was one more nail to be struck to make the picture perfect. The card had not been signed. Anyone else would have been happy to go home with 100 million pounds. But as usual Premadasa wanted it not only in writing but signed, sealed and delivered as well.

Before the afternoon sessions commenced, he directed me to go around to the UK delegation side of the table and get Mrs Thatcher’s signature on the note. It was with some embarrassment that I pushed through the officials to Mrs Thatcher’s side. But she was all typically British courtesy. “Of course,” she said, pulling out her pen from her handbag, “how forgetful of me!”

(Excerpted from Rendering unto Caesar, Autobiography of Bradman Weerakoon)

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SLT-MOBITEL TechNovation 2025 showcases progressive solutions for national challenges

SLT-MOBITEL successfully concluded the grand finale of TechNovation 2025, the flagship ideathon, showcasing breakthrough technological solutions addressing pressing national level environmental and social challenges.

Being the National ICT Solutions Provider, SLT-MOBITEL launched TechNovation 2025 as an ESG-led initiative under the brand’s Co-connection philosophy, designed to address pressing national issues through innovative technological solutions. The ideathon also aligned with the company’s broader vision of leveraging technology for sustainable development and social impact.

The program received over 50 entries from university student innovators representing 10 universities from diverse regions including Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy, and Oluvil. The competition progressed through multiple stages, and 15 teams were shortlisted and advanced to the semi-finals, before the final selection of top contenders. The Top 8 made it to the final showdown.

Team Zurazen from the University of Moratuwa emerged victorious with their innovative e-waste management application. Team Spark Squad secured the runner-up position for their automated water odour removal solution and Team Spam Bytes claimed the second runner-up spot with ‘Suwadiviya,’ an all-in-one medical platform. Empowered by additional funding, Team Zurazen will gear up to turn their visionary concept into a fully realized solution. The culminating event was held at SLT-MOBITEL Headquarters.

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Women MPs, KAS discuss regional collaboration ahead of key events for young politicians

A special discussion was held between two representatives of KAS (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung) and representatives of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus on the activities of the Asian Women Parliamentarians Caucus and the program for young politicians to be held in Sri Lanka in August, Parliament Media Division said yesterday.

The discussion was held in Parliament recently under the patronage of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, who is the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus, and the Minister joined the discussion online. Representing the KAS (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung), Mortiz Matthias Fink, Deputy Director of the institution, and Megha Sharma, Program Manager of the institution, were present the discussion.

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Caucus, Minister Paulraj, said that it was a special opportunity for the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka to hold the Annual Meeting of the Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in Sri Lanka in October 2023, under the leadership of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka, in association with KAS. She said that she would like to express her special gratitude to KAS for its generous support. She further said that there are 22 women members of the current Parliament, and 20 of them, including herself, are new members representing Parliament for the first time. Therefore, she appreciated the support received from the Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and KAS to exchange new knowledge.

KAS Deputy Director Matthias Fink said that he hopes that the program to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in August will be a more successful program.

KAS Program Manager Sharma said that she appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in the Tenth Parliament, just as she collaborated with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in the Ninth Parliament. She also said that she will invite the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka for the upcoming program of the Annual Meeting of the Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to be held in Mongolia.

MP Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne said that she joined the first meeting of the Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus this year online and that a discussion was held online on gender-based violence and strategic methods to mitigate it.MPs Sagarika Athauda, Oshani Umanga, Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Thushari Jayasinghe and Hiruni Wijesinghe joined online.

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Schoolboy found out to be homeless 24-year-old migrant after a year of classes

A migrant was recently arrested after being embroiled in a forgery that saw him pose as a 16-year-old American high school student.

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Brazen killing inside Hulftsdorp court room: Gunman re-remanded, accomplice still at large

Ishara Sewwandi, who smuggled in a revolver used by an ex-soldier to kill Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias Ganemulle Sanjeewa, inside a courtroom on February 19, this year, remains at large.

Ganemulle Sanjeewa was fatally shot at the No. 05 Magistrate’s Court in the Aluthkade Court Complex, Colombo, on 19 February.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday (21) re-remanded the suspect gunman till 04 June, pending further investigations.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate also ordered the suspect be presented before an identification parade on 4 June.

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Seylan Bank’s collaboration with Kedella Construction Expo 2025 wraps for 13th consecutive year

Seylan Bank continued its collaboration with the Kedella Construction Expo in 2025 for the 13th consecutive year as the event’s Title and Official Banking Partner. Organised by Asia Exhibition and Conventions, the event concluded its most recent edition at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre (BMICH) from the 28th to the 30th of March. The event offered visitors a unique opportunity to explore a comprehensive range of lifestyle products, services, and materials essential for any construction, home improvement, or interior design project.

Marking the 13th consecutive year of the country’s premier build and architecture trade show, Seylan Bank stood ready to serve homeowners, manning a stall to serve customers with an array of the Bank’s portfolio of products and services including home loans, personal loans, leasing facilities, credit cards, savings, and investment products.

Additionally, Seylan Bank’s stall featured a unique service to uncomplicate finances in the form of its HOME LOAN SPECIALISTS. Capable of evaluating and advising customers on every stage of the process of loan application, Seylan Bank’s agile ‘HOME LOAN SPECIALISTS’ not only worked to explain the process and its competitive interest rates but also follow up on clients and keep them updated on progress once the process kicks off. As such, Seylan Bank dissolves the need for customers to reach out to multiple officials at the Bank regarding their loan.

Expanding its portfolio even further, Seylan Bank also offered customers the ability to explore Seylan Solar loans as a means of mitigating the rising cost of electricity bills through the adoption of sustainable and renewable energies. Leveraging relevant tech, the Bank with a Heart offered customers the ability to make the best of the Bank’s network with over 35 solar merchants at a reduced interest rate.

Discussing the success of the latest Kedella Expo and the Bank’s continued partnership with Kedella Construction Expo, Asiri Abhayaratne, Assistant General Manager, Marketing & Sales, Seylan Bank PLC, explained, “Kedella Construction Expo is a unique occasion for us because it represents an opportunity for both Seylan Bank and the Expo itself to play an active role in helping new homeowners from the ground up, and in helping existing homeowners renovate and extend their homes. For this reason, we look forward to a continued future of collaboration as we conclude this year’s event.”

Kedella Construction Expo 2025 featured an expansive 200 trade stalls offering a variety of construction related materials, products, and services allowing individuals and business parties to peruse everything from building materials to home appliances and decorations, housing and real estate, landscaping, furniture, roofing systems, safety and security systems, architectural and engineering consultancy, insurance companies and much more.

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Reza Macan Markar and Edward Perera win T Murugaser Memorial Bridge Tournament

Sarla Nagendra sponsored a Bridge Tournament in her father T Murugaser’s memory. It was held under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Bridge Federation.

The venue was Mr Murugaser’s favourite Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, which owns and operates the historic P Saravanamuttu Stadium, also known as the Colombo Oval. Mr Murugaser was a stalwart at the Club over several decades, starting as a player and ending up as Patron and Trustee.

Suresh Murugaser welcomed the 50 contestants with a short speech outlining his father’s achievements and career. He also gave some little-known details of the Club’s history.

After the Tournament, contestants were hosted to an excellent lunch catered by the Club.

The Tournament was won by Reza Macan Markar and Edward Perera.

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IPL 2025: Abhishek’s 18-ball fifty knocks Lucknow Super Giants out of playoffs race

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are out of the IPL 2025 playoffs race, leaving Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) fighting for the last remaining slot in the top four.

LSG made a storming start to their 12th match, with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram putting on 115 at close to 11 runs an over. But Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)’s bowlers hit back with clever use of the old ball and limited them to 205, a total that proved inadequate in the face of a thrilling display of six-hitting from Abhishek D=Sharma.

SRH were already out of contention for the playoffs when this match began, but they showed – even without Travis Head,  who missed out after a bout of Covid-19 delayed his return to India, that they remain a batting line-up with an immense ceiling, even if the vagaries of form have ensured that they have only reached it sporadically this season.

Abhishek hit six sixes in a 20-ball 59, turning his team-mates’ task straightforward; with Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klassen and Kamindu Mendis also getting past 30, SRH reached their target with ten balls remaining.

LSG’s batting, yet again, was over-reliant on their big three, with Nicholas Pooran scoring 45 off 26 balls on the back of the openers’ half-centuries, and no one else reaching double figures. Having scored 108 for no loss in the first ten overs, LSG only managed 97 for 7 in the back half, as SRH’s bowlers pulled them back with their changes of pace.

It’s hard to say if conditions changed during the chase, making batting a little easier for SRH. But LSG’s attack certainly made it appear so; it was an indictment of their resources that the bowler they kept turning to in search of inspiration, Digyesh Rathi is an uncapped player in his debut IPL season.

Rathi picked up the wickets of Abhishek and Kishan, but SRH were well in control by the time of those strikes. The match officially ended in the 19th over, but its symbolic end came in the 14th, when Kamindu hit Rathi for three clinical, back-to-back fours in his final over.

For the first half hour or so of LSG’s innings, after Pat Cummins sent them in, this appeared to be one of the flattest surfaces Ekana has yet produced. When Cummins aimed at a hard length and erred on the shorter side in the first over, the ball sat up for Marsh to slap and pull him for a four and a six. When the debutant left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey landed the ball a touch too close to Marsh’s hitting arc in the second over, there was no grip off the pitch to endanger the step-hit over long-on.

LSG rushed to 69 for no loss in their first six overs, with both openers striking the ball authoritatively. If Marsh dominated the stand, it was only because he had more of the strike. At the six-over mark, he was on 41 off 22 balls, and Markram on 26 off 14.

At the halfway point of their innings, LSG were 108 for no loss. But the last ball of the 10th over gave a clue as to how the last 10 overs would play out. This full ball from Harshal Patel didn’t quite come on to Marsh’s bat, and a low caught-and-bowled appeal ended up going in the batter’s favour because replays suggested the ball had been momentarily grounded.

SRH were certainly finding more grip with the old ball than the new one. Marsh fell in the 11th over, with Dubey getting one to turn sharply and cause him to slice a catch to short third. In the next over, Rishabh Pant,  who had promoted himself to No. 3, fell for another low score, chipping back a slower ball from Eshan Malinga, who took a superb return catch diving full-length to his left.

Malinga, Harshal and Cummins began to use the slower ball with greater frequency, and began getting telling results. The best of the lot didn’t even need the help of the surface: a dipping slower yorker bamboozled Markram in the 16th over and brought Harshal his 150th IPL wicket.

The challenge of the conditions was evident in the fact that Pooran began the final over without having hit a single six despite having faced 24 balls. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled the 20th over – his second, in his first bowling innings of the season – and it turned out to be an eventful one, with Pooran and Akash Deep hitting sixes either side of three wickets including two run-outs when LSG’s batters attempted to steal byes. In all, 20 came off that over, taking LSG past 200.

Atharya Taide, coming on as Impact Sub and making his SRH debut, gave his new team early impetus with three fours in his first eight balls. Two of them were straight out of the middle, and one off an edged swipe that raced to the deep-third boundary. A similarly-edged swipe ended his innings, giving LSG debutant Will O’Rourke his first IPL wicket.

Then Kishan walked in and creamed his second ball for a gloriously-timed six over the covers. SRH were 23 for 1 in two overs, and Abhishek had only faced one ball.

All that early excitement, however, would pale against Abhishek’s onslaught. He launched a six each off Akash Deep and O’Rourke – the second an open-faced loft over cover point – and moved to 35 off 15 by the end of the powerplay. By the end of the seventh over – the most expensive seventh over in IPL history – he was batting on 59 off 19.

Abhishek only faced four balls in that over, and he hit all four over the boundary. Ravi Bishnoi is a terrific bowler against left-hand batters, using his angle across them and his wrong’un to hide the ball away from their hitting arc. But he could do nothing to stop Abhishek, who used his eye and reach to launch him for three successive sixes down the ground before pulling a short one just beyond reach of the leaping Pooran on the leg-side boundary.

SRH were 98 for 1 in seven overs, and entirely in control of their chase.

The umpire separates Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma [BCCI]

Abhishek’s attempt to go after Rathi in the eighth over cost him his wicket, as he ended up losing his shape while making too much room against a wrong’un. Rathi gave Abhishek an old-fashioned send-off, pointing him to the dressing room, before launching into his notebook celebration; all this sparked a confrontation that needed the umpires to pull Abhishek and Rathi apart.

Three more overs went by before Rathi came back into the attack, and he struck in that over too, the 12th, bowling Kishan when he missed a reverse-sweep. Kishan fell for 35 off 28, having struggled for timing after hitting that early six.

By this point, Klaasen was already up and running, having hit two fours and a six in getting to 24 off 11 balls. Kamindu joined him now, and the two put on 55 in 36 balls to shut LSG out of the game.

There were a couple of nervy moments late on, with Klaasen feathering Shardul Thakur behind for 47, and Kamindu retiring hurt after appearing to tweak his hamstring while completing a single. SRH only needed nine at that point, however; they took just three of the remaining 13 balls to finish the job.

Brief scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 206 for 4 in 18.2 overs (Atharva Taide 13, Abhishek Sharma 59, Ishan Kishan 35, Heinrich  Klaasen 47, Kamindu Mendis 32; Will O’Rourke 1-31, Digvesh Rathi 2-37, Shardul Thakur 1-39) beat Lucknow Super Giants 205 for 7 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 65, Aiden Markram 61, Nicholas Pooran 45; Harsh Dubey 1-44, Harshal Patel 1-49, Eshan  Malinga 2-28, Nitish Kumar Rddy 1-28) by six wickets

[Cricinfo]

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Waseem and UAE make history after acing 206 chase against Bangladesh

UAE held their nerve in a last-gasp finish in Sharjah, and eventually completed a famous two-wicket win against Bangladesh in the second T20I.

It was a historic effort from the home side to win for the first time against Bangladesh, chasing down 205 runs with a ball to spare. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem’s 82 held the innings together, as he struck nine fours and five sixes from 42 balls.

But it was how UAE reacted after Waseem’s departure, with 58 runs still left in the chase, that spoke of their strength in character. Every player struck at least a six from No. 7 onwards, with Dhruv Parashar keeping his cool in the last over. Haider Ali struck the winning runs off Tanzim Hasan off the penultimate ball. Although it was a free hit, both Haider and Matiullah Khan were in a mix-up. Towhid Hridoy, inexplicably, didn’t throw the ball on the first attempt. By the time Hridoy’s throw came in, Haider had completed the two runs that gave UAE the famous win.

UAE’s chase started with a stroke of luck when Najmul Hossain Shanto couldn’t latch on to a tough chance off Muhammad Zohaib’s outside edge, off the first ball. Waseem, though, took off from where he left off in the first game. He launched Tanvir Islam out of the stadium in the second over. This one didn’t even bounce on the roof, but went straight out of the ground into the trees.

He struck Tanzim over midwicket with a swing of the bat, before slog-sweeping Tanvir in the next over, for his third six. Waseem also took a liking to Rana’s pace, tonking him three time in the ninth over, straight, through the covers and over point. He lifted Rishad over long-on for his fourth six to complete a century opening stand.

UAE lost two wickets in the 11th and 12th overs but Bangladesh couldn’t make it three in a row. Hridoy dropped Waseem, who was batting on 63, in the 13th over. He clattered Tanvir for his fifth six soon afterwards, as he got the chase immediately back on track.

Nahid Rana has made an impressive start in Tests and T20Is so there was hope and hype about his T20I debut. He however couldn’t quite release the ball properly in his first over. He dropped one too short first ball, before bowling a beamer next ball. Both were no-balls, before Zohaib top edged a catch to cover off the free hit.

Rana couldn’t get his bearing right, bowling a big wide down the leg-side next, before Waseem cracked him twice through point for consecutive fours. It could have been a third four but Hridoy stopped a sharp blow at midwicket at the 30-yard line. Nahid went for 18 in his first over.

UAE were still doing well when Asif Khan slammed Tanzim for consecutive sixes in the 14th over. The second was a special shot, a flat blow through the covers. Shorfiul Islam, however, got the better of Waseem in the following over, getting him caught behind with a slower delivery. Jaker took a splendid catch, diving well to his right. Rana, smarting after two expensive overs, hit back with Asif’s wicket. He got the big hitter to slog at a hard length. Rana took the catch off his own bowling, giving Bangladesh a vital edge in the contest.

Rana could have had another wicket but the captain Litton Das, Rishad and Tanzid nearly collided to take Saghir Khan’s catch. The ball went down, before Saghir cracked Rishad for a six over long on. He, however, fell next ball, getting caught at long-off. Aryansh Sharma repeated Saghir’s formula, top-edging Rana for a six before getting caught and bowled one ball later. Shoriful started the penultimate over by removing Alishan Sharafu, giving Bangladesh another boost.

Parashar, however, didn’t get fazed by the wickets at the other end, slamming Shorfiul for a four over mid-on, and six through point. With 17 to win off the last seven balls, Shoriful conceded five overthrows by throwing at the non-striker’s end.

Tanzim started the 12-run defense in the last over with a wide down the leg side. Parashar then posted Tanzim’s full-toss high over long-on for a six, leaving just four needed off the remaining four balls. He however fell next ball, before Matiullah Khan took a single. The decisive moment of the game, arguably, came next ball: Tanzim bowled another full-toss, which was adjudged a no-ball.

Haider managed to squeeze the ball through point and hared back for the second but there was a mix-up with Matiullah. Had Hridoy thrown the ball with the first attempt, the run-out was very much possible as the replays showed that Haider reached the crease just in the nick of time as the throw came in late.

Bangladesh made their best start in seven years when they got 17 runs in the first over of the match. Tanzid slammed Matiullah Khan for a big six off the fourth ball, before hammering two straight boundaries. Then, Litton cracked Dhruv Parashar for consecutive fours too, but Muhammad Jawadullah dropped a sitter off the next ball, when Litton was on ten.

Jawadullah didn’t fare better with the ball shortly afterwards. UAE’s best bowler from the first game, the left-arm quick went for 15 runs in his first over. Tanzid cracked him through the covers first ball, before launching him into the stands over square-leg. Then came the dab past the lone slip. Tanzid eventually completed his fourth T20I fifty with a six off left-arm spinner Haider Ali.

Tanzid however fell in the tenth over when he couldn’t hit it past Matiullah at deep square-leg. Overall, he struck three sixes and eight fours in his 33-ball 59. He helped stitch together an opening stand of 90 with Litton, as Bangladesh eventually made a towering 205 for 5. It wasn’t to be enough.

Brief scores:
UAE 206 for 8 in 19.5 overs (Muhammad Waseem 82, Muhammad  Zohaib 38, Asif Khan 19, Alishan Sharafu 13, Druhv Parashar 11, Haider Ali 13*; Shoriful Islam 2-34, Tanvir Islam 1-37, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1-55, Nahid Rana 2-50, Rishad Hasan 2-28) beat Bangladesh 205 for 5 in 20 overs (Tanzid Hasan 59, Litton Das 40, Najmul Hossain /shanto 27, Towhid Hridoy 45, Jaker Ali 1; Muhammad Jawadullah 3-45, Saghir Khan 2-36) by two wickets

[Cricinfo]

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Dhammam Saranam Gacchami and ‘Light of Asia’: A response

Regarding the above-titled two excellent articles in The Island of 12 May 2025, I would like to add these thoughts as a lay follower of Buddha.

The word, Sarana, has several meanings, including ‘in someone’s footsteps’, ‘seeking refuge’, ‘thinking about’, and ‘even marriage’, depending on the context.

After enlightenment, the Buddha reflected that his teaching was difficult to understand and follow for the majority of the world enamoured with seeking happiness in sensory indulgence. Only a few realise even impermanent happy or pleasant experiences ultimately bring further unhappiness when they do not last. In addition, illness, old age and death adds up to a sum total unsatisfactory nature of life, Dukkha. However, he did not exclude those who did not have the insight to understand Dukkha or resources, the time and the will to grasp his deep teaching to escape from the relentless cycle of life and death named samsara accompanied by Dukkha.

For them he prescribed the Dhamma of moral discipline with five precepts and their positive applications such as generosity, compassion and tranquillity of mind and avoiding spontaneous action to lead a life in harmony with the world. These are the first steps of his eightfold path. He even advised the laity on social ethics (sigalovada sutta), how to earn and spend wealth righteously (vyggapaccha sutta), to avoid wrong habits leading to social decay (parabhava sutta) and explained one becomes an outcast by action and not by birth (vasala sutta).

For them, looking at the peaceful and tranquil Buddha image as well as reciting Dhammam saranam gacchami is a mantra that serves as psychological support to encourage Buddhist practice and a beacon of hope in lieu of a powerful Deus in times of trouble. This culture has given solace to humankind for over 2500 years. This is the meaning of the phrase ‘Dhammo have rakkathi dhammacari’ meaning living according to Dhamma provides protection. It is psychological protection to be strong in adversity.

For some of them not believing or wandering about after death also he advocated this level of practice. Buddha explained in his discourse named Apannaka Sutta, such action would win the wager on after life.

We should not bemoan that they do not follow the essence of his teachings but accept and encourage them to practise the basic steps.

For those who are fortunate to be able to grasp and follow his deep teaching to escape from the cycle of samsara, Dhammam saranam gacchami is a promise (gacchami is a first-person verb) to themselves to be repeated as many times as possible to follow his footsteps or the path he prescribed. According to modern neurology repetition of a promise will make a strong circuit of connected neurons in the brain for determination by neuroplasticity. As everybody else, they are also subjected to the hindrances to following Buddha’s path as eightfold vicissitudes of life: gain/loss, fame/shame, happiness/ misery, praise/ blame. Both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances may become a hindrance. Such a strong determination made latent in the mind will come to their help to overcome the hindrances and progress in the path.

Light of Asia

There is a story that Edwin Arnold named his book Light of the world, but was persuaded by his publishers to change it to Light of Asia as they thought it would cause much displeasure among the Christian population. However, in time it proved to be the Light of the world as the article explained. Not having read the book by Jairam R, I do not know whether this fact is mentioned in it.

Upali Abeysiri

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