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Lankan indigenous community shares genetic bonds with Indian tribal groups-Study-by Gayan Suriya Arachci Source:Dailymirror The indigenous community of Sri Lanka shares close genetic bonds with five Indian tribal groups, a study by a team of scientists at the University of Colombo reveals. A team of Sri Lankan scientists has found that the Vedda share a strong genetic similarity with the Austroasiatic Munda-speaking Santhal and Juang tribes in Odisha and the Dravidian-speaking Irula, Paniya and Pallar found in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The research was carried out by Dr. Ruwandi Ranasinghe, Prof. Kamani Thennakoon, Prof Gamini Adikari, Anjala Welikala and Amali Fernando along with a team at the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of Colombo. The research team confirmed recent genetic similarities between the Vedda people in Sri Lanka and South Indian tribes. The confirmation was made after comparing genetic parts extracted from blood samples ...

May 12, 2024 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Anjala Welikala, Dr. Ruwandi Ranasinghe, Prof Gamini Adikari, Prof. Kamani Thennakoon, University of Colombo

An Outstanding Mansion: “Regina Walauwwa” become “College House”-by Yomal Senerath-Yapa Yomal Senerath-Yapa, in Sunday Times, 8 May 2022, where the title runs thus: “Enduring Symbol of Colombo University” … with a sub-line reading “A new coffee-table book maps the beginnings of the country’s academia in 1921“ Source:Thuppahis The majestic College House down Thurstan Road – a whimsical marriage between an English country house and a Maharajah’s haveli with its conical roofs, turrets and slender carved wooden columns, is for the historian a relic of a bygone age. Originally called ‘Regina Walawwa’, in time the house would be renamed College House and become the icon of the Colombo University. Prof Sandagomi Coperahewa Dr. Shravika Amarasekara Built by Thomas Henry Arthur de Soysa for his wife, she would sadly never preside over the mansion or walk down its sweeping staircase, as she died before the building’s completion in 1912. It was in 2017 that Sandagomi Coperahewa, ...

Apr 4, 2024 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Chamini Kulathunga, Malaka Lalanajeewa, Premasara Epasinghe, Regina Walauwwa, University of Ceylon, University of Colombo

Book Review: The Virtuous Weed by Nimal R. Chandrasena Phillip Clarke The Article below is a Book Review of “The Virtuous Weed” written by Dr. Nimal Chandrasena, former Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Colombo. The book is available in several Sri Lankan bookstores and can also be purchased via the Publisher (Vivid Books, Freemantle): Link: http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/thevirtuousweed/ Or Abebooks: Link: https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/author/nimal-chandrasena/ The book was recently highlighted on the ABC Radio National Science show by Robyn Williams. You can listen to the interview with the Author here: “The Virtue of Weeds” Robyn Williams – ABC Science Show, 27 May 2023, 12 pm Interview with Dr. Nimal Chandrasena https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/virtuous-weeds/102385470 ————————————— “The Virtuous Weed” Nimal R. Chandrasena Vivid Publishing, Freemantle, Western Australia ISBN 978-1-922788-67-2 Reviewed by: Dr. Philip A. Clarke, South Australian Museum (philip.c@ozemail.com.au) ‘Weedy by Name Only, Not Weedy by Nature’ This book urges the reader to critically reconsider the ...

Jul 16, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged DR. NIMAL CHANDRASENA, Dr. Philip A. Clarke, Sri Lankan bookstores, The history of weeds, University of Colombo

Appreciation: Sarath Vidanagama-by Chandra Maliyadde Source:Island On Friday morning when I was enjoying breakfast with my grandchildren my phone rang. The caller was my friend Upananda. His message made me stand up. The shock, the grief and the emptiness enveloped me. All three generations seated at the table were taken by complete surprise wondering what has changed my mood. Our dear Sarath is no more. That was the message. Sarath had a long chat with me only two days before the angel of death has called upon him. Sarath is not the only friend who passed away recently. But Sarah is so special and exceptional. The vacuum left by him will remain a vacuum forever. Sarath was senior to me in the University of Ceylon. The difference was not in his vocabulary. Everyone was equal to him. Sarath was not extraordinary in anything, but he had something to deliver ...

Jun 2, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged University of Colombo

WEEDY BY NAME ONLY, NOT WEEDY BY NATURE – By Nimal R. Chandrasena “The Virtuous Weed” – A new book from a Sri Lankan Weed Scientist “A weed is no more than a flower in disguise, which is seen through at once if love gives a man eyes” – James Lowell Dr. Nimal Rohan Chandrasena, a former Associate Professor of Botany, at the University of Colombo, has just published his first book on weeds. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal WEEDS – the official journal of the Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (http://apwss.org.in/). Weeds, as a group of plants, are unloved by some people. However, this dislike is not universal. Weeds are colonizing, pioneering plants, with special botanical and ecological attributes that allow them to succeed in disturbed habitats. They are a critical component of Mother Earth’s rich biodiversity. As frugal, thrifty and simple beings, which never ask for too ...

Jan 7, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Dr. Nimal Rohan Chandrasena, Sri Lankan, University of Colombo, Virtuous Weed

Education is a Right, not a Privilege – By Umanda Jayobandara Source : Umanda Jayobandara Linkedin This picture belongs to Punniyaselvan, a first person from Glasow, Nanu Oya, to graduate from University of Colombo. This is a huge win for everyone in that village and for free education in Sri Lanka as a whole. I don’t want to say more, but this picture tells the whole story of this young man and the people who cared about him and the way he never forgot them. Everyone should be able to get an education, and it should be free for everyone. I stand up for free education and fight for it with all my heart. Everyone here in Sri Lanka gets a free education all the way to university, thanks to Honourable C.W.W. Kannangara, who was the father of free education in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a great country with ...

Dec 27, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged C. W. W. Kannangara, Education, free education in Sri Lanka, Punniyaselvan, Sri Lanka, University of Colombo

Accountant of the Year Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – January 2023 Vajira Jayasooriya, the founder and partner of Austral Accountants, won the “Accountant of the Year – National Award” at the recent National Congress of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) held in the Gold Coast, Australia. He also received the “Accountant of the Year – Queensland State Award” at the same event. The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is recognized as one of Australia’s oldest representative professional bodies for accountants, having been formed almost 100 years ago. The award from IPA is a success story for Vajira in his accounting career of 12 years. It is in recognition of his outstanding work to the community, contributions to the profession, qualifications, ongoing training, entrepreneurial skills and endorsements from his clients, making him the first person of Sri Lankan heritage to win this prestigious award. Vajira is a ...

Dec 23, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Accountant of the Year – National Award, Griffin University Australia, University of Colombo, Vajira Jayasooriya

Researchers confirm new species of bat-By Kasun Warakapitiya Source:Sundaytimes A species of bat has been discovered in Sri Lanka by a team of Sri Lankan and overseas researchers. Biologist and researcher, Mr Tharaka Kusuminda, who led the team, cautioned that most species of bat face habitat loss. Bats that eat fruit and insects are losing their roosting places as forests are being cleared. Mr Kusuminda said Sri Lanka, which had 31 species of bat along with the newly identified species, are also threatened by the use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture. Bats play an important role in the environment as the fruit eating species helps to disperse seed in the forests, while the insect eating bats prey on crop-destroying pests. The newly-discovered bat is scientifically known as Miniopterus phillipsi, and Phillip’s long-fingered bat in English. ...

Sep 4, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Aranayaka Sandaraja Forest, Mr Tharaka Kusuminda, Mr. Mathisha Karunarathna, Ruhunu University, Sandaraja Wilderness Tourism Center, Thalawakele, University of Colombo, Wavulpane limestone Cave, Wellawaya Vaul Galge cave

CAN RANIL PULL THROUGH THE PRESENT PANDEMONIUM? – By Dr. Tilak S. Fernando Photo Source:bbc.com Everyone doesn’t Ranil Wickremasinghe’s appointment as Prime Minister. He was the only member of Parliament ( from the national list) when the whole group of UNP candidates lost their parliamentary seats. It took nearly a year to fill the UNP National list vacancy. In the end, the UNP recommended Ranil Wickremasinghe’s name. Likewise, everyone blames the Opposition Leader for dilly-dallying the issue by presenting numerous excuses, such as ” the President should leave.” By the time he agreed to accept the Prime Minister’s position (still under several clauses), the stable was closed and the horse had bolted. Usually, an opposition leader understands the Constitution of a country. For example, there is a shadow cabinet in England, and the opposition leader takes immense responsibility for national issues. He may disagree in Parliament over political issues ...

May 19, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Tilak S Fernando Tagged "SRI-LANKANS", Amara Keerthi Athukorale, Aragalaya, Bar Association of Sri Lanka, economy, Harin Fernando, IMF, International Monitory Fund, Julie Chung, JVP, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Political Science, Sajith Premadasa, U. S Ambassador to Sri Lanka, University of Colombo, UNP

Commemorative coin to mark 150th anniversary of Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo Source:Island The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a circulation standard commemorative coin with a face value of Rs. 20 to mark the 150th Anniversary of Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in recognition of its contribution to the nation as the first medical faculty in the country. This coin was issued at the request of Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The Crest of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo is depicted at the center of the coin. Number “150” in large numerals appear above the logo and years “1870-2020” in small numerals appear below the logo. Words “Colombo Medical Faculty” in English, Sinhala and Tamil appears along the periphery. The face value “20” in large numerals with the words “Twenty Rupees” in Sinhala, Tamil and English and year “2020” just below the words. ...

Mar 23, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo