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by Sujeeva Nivunhella in London There was a time Douglas Wickramaratne, President of the Sinhala Association in the UK, had to be given protection by Scotland Yard after he came under threat for exposing the blatant falsehoods propagated by the LTTE to win the support of the international community. Despite the machinations of the powerful pro-LTTE lobby at the time, the warrior that he was, Wickramaratne held his ground and pushed ahead with his concerted campaign to lay bare the atrocities of the terrorists and expose to the world the campaign of brutal terror perpetrated by the Tigers. Many were the times he traveled to Geneva to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions to help safeguard the interests of Sri Lanka in the face of Tamil diaspora inspired allegations leveled against the government. ....
Posted on February 9th, 2021 KAMALIKA PIERIS Peduru Hewage William de Silva (1908-1988) was the only son of a wealthy professional family of Batapola, near Ambalangoda. William studied at the Buddhist Mixed School in Batapola, then at St. John’s, Panadura, later at Richmond College, Galle, and finally at Ananda College from which he entered Ceylon University College. He had joined the Suriyamal movement when he was a student at University College, Colombo. After one year, disenchanted and bored, he left University College and went abroad for higher studies. He went to Oxford, then studied law in London and was called to the Bar in 1940. He was ....
Posted on February 7th, 2021 KAMALIKA PIERIS Don Philip Rupasinghe Gunawardene (1901-1972) was born at Boralugoda, Avissawella, in Hevagam korale. Hewagam Korale, as its name indicates, had produced many brave hewayo. Philip’s father, Don Jakolis Rupasinghe Gunawardene was known as ‘Boralugoda Ralahamy’. Boralugoda Ralahamy was a vidane arachchi. The Boralugoda clan was known for their generosity and religious patronage, said Ananda Meegama. They had strong connections to the Buddhist clergy and the temples of the area and Philip was brought up in this atmosphere, said Ananda Meegama. The family had deep anti imperialist roots, as well. Philip’s father had been sentenced to ....
news Revolt on the razor’s edge Daily News (via HT Media Ltd.) The Ceylonese Freedom was not really offered on a platter, as some quarters would hasten to comment on the country’s Independence struggle. It was a collective effort amassed over the years if not decades. Some architects of the triumph went down the chronicle, while the rest remain unsung heroes. Some champions of this worthy cause did not even get to see the light of their labour. Seen or otherwise, the fruition of their sweat and toil is alive to this day. Listed below are some of the luminaries who dared execute a rebellion on a razor’s edge. ....
Posted on December 31st, 2020 by Dr D Chandraratna Courtesy The Island The Olcott Oration delivered to the Old Boys Association of Ananda College (November 2020, Perth, Western Australia) It can be gauged from the Buddhist publications in and around 1880s that the ordinary Sinhalese were experiencing an acute sense of despair and disquiet that colonialism had brought about a social degeneration evidenced by increased consumption of liquor and associated problems of family violence, cattle stealing, gambling, and crime. Even the colonial civil servants from numerous districts complained to the Governor that social disorganization was affecting administration, revenue collection and policing. The Sinhalese Buddhist revivalist movement and a proper assessment of Col Olcott’s contribution must be understood in this context of the rising tide of Sinhala nationalism, Buddhist confrontation with Colonialism, Christian missionary activity and increa ....