Articles

Who is your life partner? – By Sri Sri Ravishankar Mom? Dad? Wife? Son? Husband? Daughter? Friends? Not at all! Your real-life partner is your body. Once your body stops re- sponding no one is with you. You and your body stay together from birth till death. What you do to your body is your responsibility and that will come back to you. The more you care for body, the more your body will care for you. What you eat, what you do for being fit, How you deal with stress, how much rest you give to it; will decide how your body going to respond. Remember, your body is the only permanent address where you live Your body is your asset/ liability, which no one else can share. Your body is your responsibility. Because you are the real-life partner. Be fit. Take care of your- self. Money comes and ...

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THE SECRET OF THE SANDS. – By Bernard VanCuylenburg. Epilogue. Pursuant to the articles which I wrote last year, “An Odyssey – A Search for Heritage, parts 1 and 2 “) following a foray into the cornucopia of ruins buried in deep jungle well off the beaten track, I embarked on a similar venture in March this year. I am passionately moved by the treasure trove of what could be the best in ancient Sinhala civilization, possibly the life force of Sinhala culture which remains buried in the sands still awaiting the archaeologists spade, and I wish to share my experience with a wider circle of lovers of history. Parting the veil of time, an unknown sculptor, architect, engineer, master craftsman, even a poet, reached out to me and held my hand leading me across the centuries in my quest. I read somewhere that “Quotations are thefts of other peoples ...

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Sri Lankan expatriates in Melbourne rally at the Walawwa in Noble Lighting the traditional oil lamp and dressing in the native national costume brings back nostalgic memories of the country of our birth. Sri Lankan expatriates in Melbourne rally at the Walawwa in Noble Park to celebrate the Sinhalese and Tamil New year. Click here to view the full set of photos on eLanka Facebook page Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox!  ...

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Georgetown University, Book Launch April 17, 2024 – “CRISIS IN SRI LANKA AND THE WORLD – by Prof. Asoka bandarage Venue: Georgetown University, Washington D.C.  School of Foreign Service, Walsh 491 Asoka Bandarage www.bandarage.com New Book reference: https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783111203454/html?lang=en   Book Launch: Crisis in Sri Lanka and the World with Professor Asoka Bandarage, PhD Join Georgetown’s Environmental Studies Program and Global Human Development Program to celebrate Dr. Asoka Bandarage’s launch of her book Crisis in Sri Lanka and the World: Colonial and Neoliberal Origins: Ecological and Collective Alternatives. Her book provides an in-depth analysis of the island’s political and economic crisis, conflict between China and the US in the Indian Ocean, ethical dilemmas between debt and survival, external political and economic intervention, and the power of social movements pushing for collective and ecological alternatives for a more just future. This event will be held in Walsh 491 on Wednesday, April 17 from 6-8pm.  ...

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Siddhalepa Pelawatte: A Symphony of Wellness Unveiled Located in Pelawatte, Siddhalepa introduces a sanctuary that transcends the ordinary – a haven where health and wellness intertwine seamlessly. Opening its doors this year, the new Siddhalepa branch blends the realms of wellness clinic, and store into a singular, transformative experience. Entering the branch is an invitation to a warm display, an ode to Siddhalepa’s wide range of products nestled among an arrangement of herbs and ingredients. From Ayurvedic Herbal Balm, Pain Relief Spray, Asumodhagam Spirit, Ayurvedic Oils, Ayur Herbal Teas in different varieties to Ayur Herbal supplements, Ayur Elixirs, and shooters for maintaining wellbeing, Ayurvedic beauty care products (Shampoo, Shower gel, face cream and masks, handmade soaps, Salts blended with herbs) etc., are all products manufactured by acclaimed Hettigoda Group of Companies, addressing every conceivable health and wellness concern. ...

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WCIC Women Leadership Forum 2024 – Makes Waves #inspireinclusion – Count Her In Colombo, Sri Lanka- Celebrating empowerment and leadership, the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCIC) successfully hosted its much-anticipated Women Leadership Forum 2024, themed ‘#InspireInclusion – Count Her In,’ at the Grand Ballroom of the Galadari Hotel in Colombo last month. This fully immersive one-day workshop for women in business provided attendees with valuable insights and resources to advance their professional journeys. “We are thrilled to have brought together such a diverse and dynamic group of women for the Women Leadership Forum 2024,” remarked Tusitha Kumarakulasingam, the Project Chair of the event. ” The Forum expanded on the International Women’s Day theme ‘Inspire Inclusion – Count Her In,’ with sessions designed to provoke thought on creating a safe workplace for optimal performance. It focused on critical areas such as Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) in ...

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“Meet Your Human Microbiota: The Unsung Heroes Inside You” A new frontier in health – By Dr Harold Gunatillake “Hello, everyone! Today, we’re going on an incredible journey inside our bodies to  meet some of the most important yet often overlooked inhabitants—the microbiota  in our large gut.”  Before we discuss microbiota, I must explain the difference between microbiome  and microbiota.  The microbiome refers to collecting genomes,  which means the complete set of DNA   (genetic material) in an organism from all the  microorganisms in the environment.   Microbiota, conversely, usually relates to microorganisms found within a specific  environment, which is the gut in the present talk. However, microbiota can refer to  all organisms found in an environment, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  So, what is Microbiota? “Imagine a bustling city with trillions of residents; this is  what our large gut looks like under a microscope. The microbiota consists of   bacteria, viruses, ...

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Celebrating Ramadan in Sri Lanka-Kalani-eLanka As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims around the world are preparing to embark on a journey of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and communal solidarity. In Sri Lanka, where diversity is deeply ingrained in the fabric of society, Ramadan holds a special significance, fostering unity and understanding among people of different backgrounds. Scheduled to commence on April 11th, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. For the Muslim community in Sri Lanka, Ramadan represents a time of heightened spirituality and devotion, marked by acts of charity, selflessness, and compassion. One of the key pillars of Ramadan is fasting from dawn until sunset, during which Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs as an act of obedience to Allah (God) and as a means of purifying the soul. Through ...

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The Sun goes on vacation! – the total solar eclipse 2024 – By Hemantha Yapa Abeywardena, United Kingdom The lucky folks along a relatively narrow geographical band, from Mexico all the way to Canda, are going to witness a rare celestial spectacle on Monday, April 8 – a total solar eclipse. The path of totality – where people can witness total darkness – cuts across fifteen US states, before rolling into Canada in its final mesmerising leg. In mathematical proportion to the excitement, the enviably famous American entrepreneurial spirit has already gone into full swing: the hotel bookings, closer to the path of totality, have gone up exponentially and so have the prices; in addition, traders lost no time in springing into action in promoting related merchandise and of course, safety goggles, while implying that exercising caution before looking heavenward is a virtue, indeed.    The excitement that borders on ...

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An Inspirational Message for the Month of April 2024 – Down to Earth Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs – Money Matters – By Charles Schokman If ‘money talks’, as the saying goes, the most common word in its vocabulary seems to be, “Goodbye”! No wonder Solomon wrote, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (Prov 23.5). A recent Gallup statistic puts the median annual household income worldwide (including extremes of wealth and poverty) at US$9,733. Australians overall are doing well with a mean income of $79,800, according to Forbes Advisor – though others give slightly different figures. King Solomon, the main author, and compiler of the book of Proverbs was one of the richest men of his day, obscenely so! 1 Kings 10:14 informs us “The weight of the gold that ...

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