Articles

International Women’s Day falls on March 8 – Embracing Women’s Strength: A Path to Equality and Empowerment – By eLanka March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s achievements, resilience, and ongoing struggle for gender equality. From the bustling streets of cities to the quiet corners of rural towns, women everywhere share their stories of strength and perseverance amidst adversity. Despite facing additional challenges and vulnerabilities simply by being born as women, they have been stepping up in politics, business, economics, and administration, crafting tales of strength and victory over the years. A notable example is Sirima Bandaranaike, the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who defied odds and demonstrated remarkable leadership amidst adversity. Contrary to stereotypes, women in the workforce exhibit dedication, talent, and proactive efforts to expand their knowledge, often surpassing their male counterparts in certain situations. Women’s sensitivity and empathy are not weaknesses ...

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eLanka Newsletter – 6th March 2023 – 2nd Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter Master event organiser Bertie Ekanaike made it two from two sold out events featuring one of Sri Lanka’s premier dance bands, Mirage, at the Walawwa Galle’s Eternal Charm-by Michael Roberts 73rd Anniversary of The Air Force. – By Noor Rahim CEYLON ROLL OF HONOUR WORLD WAR 1 1914-18 Recording of Multicultural Media Online Conference on LGBTIQ+ health and women’s health is available now From humble beginnings, The Saga of the self-made Billionaire-Jagath Withana – By Sunil Thenabadu The British Council’s Schools Now! 2024 conference equips educators and decision-makers with the strategies necessary to enhance the educational experience for students worldwide AUSSIE LINGO The best time to visit the Galle Fort in Sri Lanka Shocked by Modern Colombo! Didn’t Expect ...

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VACD Australia February 2024 Newsletter Dear friends, colleagues, supporters, and collaborative partners, Greetings to you, your families, loved ones, and colleagues from all of us at VACD. Observing Thai Pongal at VACD  VACD’s leadership team, staff, children, their families, and local supporters of our mission observed Thai Pongal, the Hindu/Tamil harvest festival on Friday, 19th January 2024 by making offerings at the Sri Sivasubramaniya Swami Temple in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka. Thai Pongal is a multi-day Hindu Harvest festival by Tamils and observed in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar that usually falls on 14 or 15 January. According to tradition, this festival marks the end of winter solstice and the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards. The festival is named after the ceremonial “Pongal”, which means “to boil, overflow” and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery. Our mission’s policy is ...

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Sri Lanka – WHITHER GOES THOU? – By Capt Elmo Jayawardena I plagiarized the title of this article from a Latin quote “Quo Vadis”. It was an immensely popular movie in the 50s starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr.  According to the film, Quo Vadis (Whither Goes Thou) were the words exchanged between God and St Peter.  The first apostle was fleeing from Rome  along the Appian Way to Brindisi to take a boat and escape to Palestine.  Peter went back to Rome where he was crucified.  Today there is a small chapel on that road where Peter turned back. It is called the Church of Domine Quo Vadis. Now you know I admitted I plagiarized. Don’t throw stones at my aeroplane. I have already said my mea culpa. Times have become difficult and often impossible to cope with. Whatever winds blow across our paradise isle, they are all filled ...

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EMBARGOED MEDIA RELEASE   PM referred to International Criminal Court accused of complicity in genocide Embargoed until 7:30 am on March 4, 2024 Tuesday, 5 March 2024 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been referred to the International Criminal Court as an accessory to genocide in Gaza, making him the first leader of a Western nation to be referred to the ICC under Article 15 of the Rome Statute. A team of Australian lawyers from Birchgrove Legal, led by King’s Counsel Sheryn Omeri, have spent months documenting the alleged complicity and outlining the individual criminal responsibility of Mr Albanese in respect to the situation in Palestine. The 92-page document, which has been endorsed by more than one hundred Australian lawyers and barristers, was yesterday submitted to the Office of ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan KC. The document sets out a number of actions taken by the PM and other ministers and members of parliament, including ...

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Hulugalle’s Appreciation of Revd Senior’s Career in Old Ceylon-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis FROM the recent ISLAND article …. 3-3-2024 …. by HAJ HULUGALLE on Revd SENIOR of Trinity and Ceylon” .… with highlighting emphasis added by The Editor, Thuppahi “Robert Crossette Thambiah and I, devoted old pupils of his, published these short poems in a slim volume called “Vita Magistra.” The centenary of the birth of W. S. Senior falls on Friday, May 10. Some of my younger readers may well ask, who he was and why any notice should be taken of his hundredth birthday. Walter Stanley Senior came to Ceylon in 1906 and, when I first met him in 1910, he was Vice-Principal of Trinity College, Kandy. He was a fine classical scholar, a great teacher, a social worker and, although a Yorkshireman, Sri Lanka’s best poet. ...

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Nostalgia of evoking courageous labours of Hon Late Gamini Dissanayake in conquering Test status – by Sunil Thenabadu The endeavours of the late Gamini Dissanayake, while holding several Ministerial Portfolios other than spearheading the Mahaweli project, have helped vastly to uplift to a large extent the basic living standards, especially of the average citizen and made a tremendous impact on the economic revival of the country, which is of course is no exaggeration. Besides being dynamically engaged in our development progression, he found the time to be actively involved in the game of cricket; having held office as the President of the Board of Control of Cricket in Sri Lanka, (BCCSL, now known as Sri Lanka Cricket,SLC) from June 1981 to June 1989 and thereafter, for a brief period of four months, immediately prior to his tragic death in 1994; during which period he made loads of momentous contributions. Throughout the tenure ...

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“Exploring the Enchanting Pratunam Night Market in Bangkok” – By Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com “Hello, fellow travellers! Welcome to my Today, we’re taking you on a magical journey through the Pratuman night market in the heart of Bangkok. Buckle up because this place is unlike any other!” “As we enter the market, we’re greeted by a kaleidoscope of lights, sounds, and tantalising smells. It’s a feast for the senses!” “The stalls here are a treasure From traditional Thai silk to quirky souvenirs, there’s something for And guess what? Bargaining is the name of the game!” “Our stomachs lead us to the food section. We dive into a plate of Naan and creamy butter chicken. The flavours explode in our mouths – a symphony of spices!” “But wait, there’s more! We stumble upon hidden gems – handmade jewellery, vintage vinyl records, and even mystical Each stall has a story.” Scene 6: ...

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