July 8th 2013Mr Rauf Hakeem MPMinister of JusticeLaw Courts ComplexAluth Kade, Colombo 11Dear Sir,Re: The accident caused by your MSD protection vehicle on 30th January 2011I believe it is still in order for me to remind you of the above incident, which no doubt you are perfectly aware of the circumstances, and the extent of the distress it has caused ...
She was at work till the day before yesterday! She was admitted yesterday, and died today 4th March 2013. Funeral set for the day after tomorrow, 6thMarch 2013.It is important to me on my personal blog to recognize the significance of the above lady in the development of the farm I live in over a 40 year period.She was a ...
A blast from the past Richard Briers has just died from complications of lung disease. His endearing memory for me was in the Good Life which since its inception for a 3 year series 1975 to 1978 was a TV series I followed with many repeats subsequently and shaped my desire for farming and self sufficiency in later life. Actually ...
Whilst there are many theories about what happened, the one I stick to is the one that due to some malfunction in the Lear Jet he was in the pressure on the cabin malfunctioned and all the occupants became unconscious until the plane ran out of fuel as it was flying on autopilot and crashed into the sea. That is ...
We go through our life and meet people, who become our friends and others who though never become personal friends, where one would invite them for a party, are nevertheless part and parcel of one’s life, sometimes more genuine than friends. This was the case of Asanka Mudalali, whose real name I only read on the banner when I arrived ...
As is traditional, we began our day in the office, (New Years Day is a normal work day in Sri Lanka - despite the infamous New Year's Eve Parties that this country is quite infamous for!) with the boiling of cows milk in an earthenware pot on a fire made of twigs. It is traditional that events such as a ...
One has a structure to one’s life, and hopes, as time progresses. It is according to some plan. However, many unforeseen events take over and ruin some of the best laid plans. Often a serious accident calls for a rethink of a strategy and that was one I encountered, that completely changed my course of action.I was happy growing, going ...
It is now eight years since I returned to Sri Lanka, after 33 years living overseas, 18 in the United Kingdom, and 15 in the United States.There are so many who consider a return to their roots at some point in their lives, but cannot summon the courage to do so. It is the security of finances, an opening to ...
Hours, days and months keep passing. There was a time I had time for blogging, to take photos, and include them in the blog from time to time in a relevant piece. It seems a very sought after item these days.As time gets tough, the tough get going and I have had to cut down on some as the need ...
The Golden Star in the Center with the joint second place on the right and the third on the leftThe Amateur Singing Competition held at the Delgoda Public Grounds on Friday 28th September 2012Joint Second placed stars receiving their awardThe Dancing Group with one of their performancesOne of the bevy of helpers and runners! Hemamali from the officeThe other helpers organized by Maduri
I am now unabashedly political, defending the direction and objectives of the party and believe the most important part is to impart one’s opinion to those who really matter in the context of attempting to change the system for the better. It is the traditional UPFA voter who needs to be talked to and convinced that they are being taken ...
In Yesterday’s Island paper (August 31st 2012) there was the caption of an MP’s security vehicle (why does an ordinary run of the mill first time MP need a back up security jeep?) having collided with a three wheeler and a young lady lost her life with a host of others injured. http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=60477Whilst facebook http://www.facebook.com/lankaenewssaid that the MP was in ...
I wondered what I would do this evening after a day’s work. I opened my email at 5pm and had an invitation for a Norwegian musical evening at the British School by a Norwegian friend from the 60’s, Arne Fjortoft. I called him immediately at 5 and said I will come. I got the best seats!!!I did not have a ...
Getting the most of a 4 day break, even while taking public transport is an opportunity to savor some quiet tranquil moments, even though it was interspersed with the occasional socializing and chats with friends and neighbors which forms part of one’s circle in these desolate parts.Ratmale, while in the wilderness is not too far away from the center ...
I was invited to a wedding of a close associate of mine, in Hingurakgoda, whose runs a small rice mill close to my agricultural property there. The wedding photos are in the previous blog entry.It is considered normal for a man in this area to get married before they reach 25 and the girls before they are 20. I do ...
I attended the Garden Party 'at home' at the home of the groom today. He is the owner of the Rice Mill where I have for many years milled my paddy, before I bring it to my customers fresh the following day. Most of that activity has had to be in abeyance since my accident and this boy Hasantha insisted ...
Sundays are usually the busiest days of a working MP who has both to husband an electorate and as is the case now due to the preference voting system, has to travel throughout the District to ensure that people know him in the whole area, where he can expect to garner votes at an election.For the Gamapaha District MP, today ...
When I snuck off to Minneriya over the Vesak holidays, people asked me why, as I would miss all the light shows in Colombo. Living on Gregory’s Road which completely lit up with lanterns as there is a Temple just up from where I am and then right along Wijerama is also lit, to say nothing about Bauddhaloka Mawatha, ...
I stayed a few nights over Vesak (4th- 7th May) at Ratmale residence near Kaudulla National Park.(www.ratmale.blogspot.com) I was without transport. I was confined to my house. I am still unable to walk without feeling stiff with the elbow crutch!On reflection the enforced stay was a great relief, as I could sit on the rocking chair on my verandah and ...
Today is Vesak Poya and as part of old traditions, we usually make a lantern to hang outside the home or we also make and set up some bucket lanterns with candles inside for effect. So we had to arrange the lanterns carefully as they are rather crudely made, so that we need to ensure the candle does not make ...
