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WAS THE THIRD PRIME MINISTER OF CEYLON THE SON OF A MURDERER ? THE TRIAL OF JOHN KOTELAWALA (SENIOR) – By HUGH KARUNANAYAKE John Kotelawala (Senior) was the father of Sir John Kotelawala the third Prime Minister of independent Ceylon, who held office from 1953 to 1956. John Kotelawala (Snr) was born in 1865 in the village of Bandaragama. Having attended the village school where he learnt his English, he attended schools in Colombo and  then started life as a third class constable clerk in the Ceylon Police Force in the 1880s. As a policeman he was good in detective work and his general application to his duties impressive, and was within a few years promoted to the rank of Inspector. It was then that he sought the hand of, and married Alice Attygalle, the daughter of Mudaliyar D.C.G. Attygalle of Colamunne. He resigned from the police soon after his ...

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Ginger: A Spicy Root with Numerous Health Benefits – By Nadeeka – eLanka Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It has a long history of cultivation, having originated in Southeast Asia and is now grown in various parts of the world. This aromatic root is not only a culinary delight but also boasts a multitude of health benefits. Historical Background Ginger has been used for thousands of years for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Ancient writings from China, India, and the Middle East describe ginger as a prized spice. It was one of the first spices exported from Asia to Europe, where it became an integral part of the spice trade. Nutritional Profile Ginger is a rich source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. It contains high levels of vitamins such as ...

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Gal Viharaya: A Gem of Polonnaruwa’s Ancient Splendor-by kalani-eLanka Nestled within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka, the Gal Viharaya (also known as the Rock Temple) stands as a testament to the island’s rich cultural and religious heritage. This remarkable site, dating back to the 12th century, showcases some of the finest examples of ancient Sinhalese rock carving and is a significant landmark in the history of Buddhist art. The Gal Viharaya was commissioned by King Parakramabahu I during his reign in the Polonnaruwa period (1153-1186 AD). Polonnaruwa, during this era, was a flourishing city and a hub of religious, cultural, and economic activities. The king’s ambitious vision was to create a place that reflected the spiritual zenith of the time, and the Gal Viharaya was a central part of this vision. The Gal Viharaya is renowned for its four impressive Buddha statues, which are carved into a ...

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Kalugala Aranya With meditation in mind Source:Sundayobserver It is not an exaggeration to say that Buddhism is more close to nature such as trees, forests, rock boulders than any other religion because the thrice of Gautama Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and passing away occurred in natural settings. The Buddha paid gratitude to the ‘Asathu Bo Tree’ without blinking almost one week, which supported him to gain Enlightenment. The details of the Parileeya forest and the rock boulder of Gigjakuta are included in the life story of the Buddha exemplifying the closeness of the Buddha life to nature. Secluded forests had been selected by monastic bhikkhhus to practise meditation in the Buddha’s time. ‘Vipassanadhura’ monastic bhikkhus select secluded forests to practise meditation even today, 2,600 years after the passing away of the Buddha. There are a number of forests spread across the country where monastic bhikkhus congregate to practise meditation and reflect ...

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Seeking to Contact Shirani Ibrahim Shirani Ibrahim ex St Paul’s Milagiriya in the 60s looking to contact the following ex colleagues:  Pamela Stork Gillian Goodacre Marcia Wendt Delia Walker sister of Christopher Walker Please contact: Fazli Sameer fazlis@gmail.com ...

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Sri Lanka loses 10 percent of its doctors amid exodus after economic crisis Faced with spiralling inflation and poor pay, Sri Lanka’s doctors have migrated en masse to other nations in the past two years, crippling hospitals. Source:Aljazeera Lahiru Prabodha Gamage, a 35-year-old Sri Lankan doctor, at work in the UK, where he immigrated in 2023 amid an economic crisis at home. Nearly 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s doctors have left the country in the past two years [Courtesy of Lahiru Prabodha Gamage] Colombo, Sri Lanka – The bullying from a senior health official was bad enough. A sense of betrayal by government authorities during COVID-19 made it worse. But the economic crisis that pummelled Sri Lanka in the wake of the pandemic was the breaking point for Lahiru Prabodha Gamage. The 35-year-old Sri Lankan doctor left Sri Lanka in January 2023 to take up a job in the United ...

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Empowering with words: British Council holds Reading for Life challenge Congratulations to Polymath College which became the first school to complete the British Council Reading for Life challenge! Over 150 Polymath students completed the March-April 2024 Reading Challenge by reading at least six books in six weeks and were rewarded with a certificate upon completion. Orlando Edwards, Country Director, British Council Sri Lanka said “Reading is a great way to improve vocabulary and learn new things. Reading opens up a world of opportunities for children, exposing them to other cultures, attitudes and issues, such as the environment. It can inspire imagination and creativity.” Books were lent by the British Council Library which has just refreshed its 2024 stock with many new titles, including works by Sita Bramachari and Sophie Anderson. Polymath College students’ favourite reads included Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the magical world of Harry Potter, and the timeless ...

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Usman Khawaja launches Prime Café in Melbourne Today, international cricketer and Amazon Prime brand ambassador, Usman Khawaja, launched the Prime Café in Melbourne, treating fans to coffee. He also spoke about the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan’s victory over Australia, and the crucial Australia vs India match. Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox! ...

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