Arundhati Roy draws the Indian Government’s Ire – By Michael Roberts AFP News Item in The GUARDIAN, 11 October 2023 The Booker prize-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy could be prosecuted for a 2010 speech about Kashmir after a top official signed off on the move, according to reports in India. Roy, 61, is one of India’s most famous living authors but her writing and activism, including her criticism of the prime minister Narendra Modi’s government, have made her a polarising figure in the country. A criminal complaint accusing her and several others of sedition had languished in India’s notoriously glacial criminal justice system since it was filed in 2010. But on Tuesday, Indian media reported that VK Saxena, the top official in the administration governing Delhi, had given approval for the case to proceed before the courts. Saxena’s directive said there was enough evidence for a case to take place against Roy ...
Michael Roberts
The Senanayakes at STC, at Cricket and in Politics in Ceylon-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis In seeking details relating to DS Senanayake’s career at S. Thomas’ College after I received a copy of his school-leaving character reference from Warden Stone,[1] I received a fascinating note from Mevan Pieris[2] about young DS Senanayake’s school career and his cricketing ‘achievements’ at the big match against Royal. “Indeed, a valuable item [referring to Warden Stone’s certificate]. At least a certified photocopy of it should be maintained at the College Library and at the National Archives, especially since he was known as Kele John who could not pass any examinations and was in what was called the Commercial Class of STC. No doubt he was physically strong and tough and would have been an ideal dormitory prefect to keep the guys quiet. ” ‘By the sea’ at Mutwal looking at Colombo Harbour — scenic paintng from O’Brien the ...
Oct 13, 2023
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Tagged Don Spater Senanayake, DS Senanayake
Royal College in Colombo: Its History-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Lam Seneviratne, whose preferred title is “100 Years of Royal College at Reid Avenue” A centenary in the life of an Institution is a very long period and calls for much celebration. However, for Royal College, now 188 years old, a grand celebration to mark 100 years at Reid Avenue may not be appropriate. Rev. Joseph Marsh It is opportune to look back to the 88 years of Royal College before its life at Reid Avenue and make a brief sketch. In 1831 the Rev. Joseph Marsh, a 28-year-old Scotsman, arrived in Ceylon as a Missionary of the Church Missionary Society in Cotta (Kotte). He was a Mathematics and Classics Tutor and was appointed the Headmaster of the CMS. This Institute educated and trained young men to be catechists and priests of the Anglican Christian faith, to go out as missionaries and minister ...
Oct 11, 2023
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Tagged Arunachalam Ponnambalam, D.K.G.de Silva, J.C.A. Corea, Royal College
Journeys in Cricket: Michael Tissera in Q and A on You Tube-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Amitha Abeynaike’s Q and A Video Interview with Michael Tissera, 23 February 2020, … in #Quadrangle……………………………………………………. Michael Tissera in an interview with Amitha Abeynaike Michael Tissera born on 23 rd March 1939, is a former S.Thomas’ College 1st XI Cricket Captain in 1957 and 1958 and represented the school by the seas for 05 seasons. S.Thomas’ College was Inter Schools Cricket Champions in 1958 under Tissera. He represented N.C.C and Ceylon in Cricket during the 60’s and 70’s. A solid and stylish right-hand batsman and a decent legbreak bowler, Tissera became the youngest Sri Lankan Cricket Captain at the age of 25. He led Ceylon to its maiden victory over a Test-playing nation, India in Ahmedabad in 1965 and also played in Sri Lanka’s maiden Cricket World Cup in 1975 in England. Later he went on to become Sri ...
Oct 10, 2023
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Tagged Michael Tissera, S. Thomas' College, Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka’s Cricketing Heroes Applauded by Jayantha Dhanapala in 2015-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Jayantha Dhanapala, a one-time Sri Lankan Of The Year and, alas, no more with us, paid this tribute on one occasion to the men who have done a nation of 20-odd million proud…. This was in the YEAR 2015. Many nations are associated with sports archetypes. Over the years, Brazil conjures up the image of a soccer player, especially die immortal Pele mesmerising opponents with his magical dribbling. Likewise, rugby football is inseparable from New Zealand’s All Blacks, and the mention of the Marathon recalls Ethiopia. FLASHBACK TO 1996 Sri Lanka, amidst all the vicissitudes, remains firmly associated with cricket, especially after we won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, thanks to Arjuna Ranatunga and his glorious team. That squad won that national squad the Sri Lankan Of The Year (SLOTY) award, from LMD, among many other plaudits. SPIRIT OF OUCKET: ...
Oct 10, 2023
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Tagged KUMAR SANGAKKARA, Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lankan cricketer
Video: A Summary History of Cricket in Ceylon & Sri Lanka, 1822-2022-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Cricket Squad under Anura Tennekoon that toured England for the ICC ‘s ODI Competition in 1975 Captain Arjuna Ranatunga & President Ana Punchihewawith 1996 ODI World Cup A NOTE: given the vast sweep of time covered in this short review, it is hardly surprising that there are many omissions and gaps. Plus marks to the compilers for referring to some important moments in 19th and early 20th century Ceylon. FURTHER READING: Cricket lovers should use digital engines to search for writings by SP Foenander, SS Perera, Ranjan Mellawa, Mahinda Wijesinghe ….. AND then, last but not least there is the Janashakthi Book of Cricket brought out in 1999 by Chandra & Prakash Schaffter of Janashakthi Insurance — a book that is a compendium incorporating SS Perera’s marvellous of collection of items on the history of cricket in our fair isle. ...
Oct 8, 2023
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Tagged Arjuna Ranatunga, History of Cricket in Ceylon, Janashakthi Book
Sri Lanka’s Prospects in Cricket World Cup-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Madushka Balasuriya in ESPNcricinfo, 6 October 2023: “Injured Theekshana to miss SL’s opener against South Africa” Head coach Chris Silverwood backs Sri Lanka’s rookie bowlers in the absence of seniors. Sri Lanka will be without Maheesh Theekshana for their World Cup opener against South Africa, head coach Chris Silverwood has confirmed on the eve of the game, with the spinner not yet fully recovered from the hamstring tear he suffered in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka, however, will have the services of both Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka. Chris Silverwood, the coach “Theekshana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so he won’t be available for this game,” Silverwood said. “But we expect him to be available very soon. The rest of them are fine.” KANDY, SRI LANKA – AUGUST 31: Maheesh Theekshana of Sri Lanka (L) and Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka celebrates taking the wicket of Mustafizur ...
Oct 7, 2023
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Tagged Kusal Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Asian Games: More Medals Secured by Sri Lanka-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis A = AFP NEWS ITEM, 4 October 2023 Colombo (AFP) – Teenager Tharushi Karunarathna, Sri Lanka’s only gold medallist so far at the Hangzhou Asian Games, received a congratulatory telephone call from the country’s president and cash from the cricket board. After the 18-year-old won the women’s 800m on Wednesday in Hangzhou, President Ranil Wickremesinghe telephoned the runner to convey the nation’s gratitude. “President Wickremesinghe expressed the pride felt by the nation for her extraordinary success on the international stage and conveyed his best wishes for her future endeavours in sports,” his office said in a statement. Sri Lanka’s cricket board, the richest sporting body in the country, said it was gifting her 10 million rupees ($31,000). Karunarathna’s gold was Sri Lanka’s first in athletics at the Asian Games since 2002, when they won two. ******************* B = Newswire Item, 4 ...
Oct 6, 2023
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Articles, Michael Roberts
Tagged Asian Games, Damayanthi Dharsha, Rajitha Rajakaruna
Ekanayake to Skipper Australian Seconday Schools Rugby Squad-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis News Item in Rugby.com.au, 27 September 2023 ….. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/australian-schools-u18s-side-named-for-nz-clash-2023927 The Australian Schools side has been confirmed to face NZ. Photo: Rugby Australia. Australian Schools & U18s head coach Shannon Fraser has confirmed his side to face New Zealand Secondary Schools at Viking Park in Canberra on Thursday. NSW Waratahs flanker Aden Ekanayake has been appointed captain for the opening clash of the two-game series, with both fixtures to be broadcast live and on demand on Stan Sport. The series marks the resumption of a trans-Tasman contest that was last held in 2019, when an Australian side featuring current Wallabies Tom Hooper and Zane Nonggorr defeated their New Zealand counterparts 18-14. Australian School & U18s vs. New Zealand Secondary Schools Viking Park, Canberra 2.10pm AEST Thursday 1. Macarius Pereira (QLD Reds, St Joseph’s Nudgee College) Macarius Pereira (QLD Reds, St Joseph’s Nudgee College) Oliver Barrett (QLD Reds, St Joseph’s ...
Oct 4, 2023
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Tagged Joey Fowler, Macarius Pereira
Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge wins Silver at Asian Games in Hangzhou-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge won the silver medal in the women’s javelin throw event at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China today. This is the first athletics medal for Sri Lanka at the Asian Game in 17 years. India’s Annu Rani won the gold medal in the event while China’s Lyu Huihui won the bronze medal. ...
