email from Angela and reply.

Angela Wijetunga	20:54 (8 hours ago)
to me

Thanks Philip and Nana,

It is sad but true that we all have to go one day when our time on earth is ended. I have lost a wonderful husband, I am now trying to pick up the pieces and go on with life, our daughters and grand children do make life worth living. The number of messages from our batch mates makes one feel the closeness of our friends even though we have not met for years but the bonding during those hard years in Med School still holds on. A big Thank You to all those who sent me messages , sorry I have not been able to send them individual messages, but they have been greatly appreciated.

Angela Wijetunga

1960 medical batch Colombo <1960batch@gmail.com>	06:13 (18 minutes ago)
to Angela

Hello Angela, Thanks for the email. I will post it on our Batch Blog.

Here is some music I am sending you to get over your bereavement. Hope it helps.

Please click on the web-link below with your speakers on. The story of the lyrics is appended below.

http://youtu.be/cRWu3C2Im04

Story of the hymn

Words: San­ford F. Ben­nett, 1868. Music: Jo­seph P. Web­ster (MI­DI, score).

Mr. Webster, like ma­ny mu­si­cians, was of an ex­ceed­ing­ly ner­vous and sen­si­tive na­ture, and sub­ject to per­i­ods of de­press­ion, in which he looked up­on the dark side of all things in life. I had learned his pe­cul­i­ar­i­ties so well that on meet­ing him I could tell at a glance if he was mel­an­cho­ly, and had found that I could rouse him up by giv­ing him a new song to work on.

He came in­to my place of bus­i­ness [in Elk­horn, Wis­con­sin], walked down to the stove, and turned his back on me without speak­ing. I was at my desk. Turn­ing to him, I said, “Webs­ter, what is the mat­ter now?” “It’s no mat­ter,” he re­plied, “it will be all right by and by.” The idea of the hymn came me like a flash of sun­light, and I re­plied, “The Sweet By and By! Why would not that make a good hymn?” “May­be it would,” he said in­dif­fer­ent­ly. Turn­ing to my desk I penned the words of the hymn as fast as I could write. I hand­ed the words to Web­ster. As he read his eyes kin­dled, and stepp­ing to the desk he be­gan writ­ing the notes. Tak­ing his vi­o­lin, he played the mel­o­dy and then jot­ted down the notes of the cho­rus. It was not over thir­ty min­utes from the time I took my pen to write the words be­fore two friends with Web­ster and myself were sing­ing the hymn.

Sanford Fill­more Ben­nett (1836-1898)

This song was sung in the Acad­emy Award win­ning mo­vie Ser­geant York (1941).

The 1907 Spanish Latter-day Saint hymnal contained a similar song, set to the same tune and titled "Hay un mundo feliz más allá", that was copied with permission from the American Tract Society's Himnos evangélicos.^{[3][4]  [7 …} It was titled "Despedida" until the 1992 hymnal, which changed the title to match the first line of the song, "Placentero nos es trabajar".^[6][8]

---

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Refrain

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

Refrain

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.

Refrain

Philip G V

Emirates airline chief doubts Flight MH370 disappeared by accident.

Airline executive Sir Tim Clark believes someone took control of Flight MH370 and disabled the aircraft's tracking technology before flying it to an unknown location.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2788599/mh370-control-probably-end-emirates-ceo-sir-tim-clark-reveals-doubts-official-view-missing-airliner-s-fate.html

11 October 2014

Lynch mob use butcher's meat cleaver to castrate rapist they caught.

An Indian man who was caught trying to rape a teenage girl is in a critical condition in hospital after locals chopped off his genitals with a meat cleaver after beating him with sticks.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2787752/Lynch-mob-use-butcher-s-meat-cleaver-castrate-rapist-caught-attacking-teenage-girl-alleyway-Indian-city.html

11 October 2014

Watch and share today’s classic TED Talk. View it in your browser.

OCTOBER 11, 2014 TODAY’S CLASSIC TED TALK Ziauddin Yousafzai: My daughter, Malala 16:36 minutes · TED2014 Pakistani educator Ziauddin Yousafzai reminds the world of a simple truth: Women and men deserve equal opportunities for education. He tells stories from the life of his daughter, Malala, who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 simply for daring to go to school -- and who just this week won the Nobel Peace Prize. "Why is my daughter so strong?” Yousafzai asks. “Because I didn’t clip her wings." Watch now »

HOW IS NORMA?

email forwarded by Leslie Sirimanne. This is hilarious !! A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph's Hospital. She timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?" The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number of the patient?" The grandmother in her weak, tremulous voice said, "Norma Findlay, Room 302." The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse's station for that room." After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, "I have good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her physician, Dr. Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow." The grandmother said, "Thank you. That's wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the good news." The operator replied, "You're more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?" The grandmother said, "No, I'm Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me anything." TRUE STORY

The Wedding Photo.

Email from Kamalini Kanapathippillai.

Have a good laugh that is good for longevity. Only 1 1/2 minutes you tube 

 Please click on the web-link below:-

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154636606720713

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Man with 17 hour erection has blood drained with a 6-inch needle.

Jason Garnett, 23, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, could only watch in horror as a doctor stabbed a cannula into the side of his penis.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2786487/Man-agonising-17-hour-erection-three-pints-blood-drained-penis.html

10 October 2014

PS

 Prolonged, painful erection of the penis is called Priapism in medical literature. Priapus was a God of Greek Mythology. He is depicted in drawings and statues as having a permanent erection. 

Priapus - statue.

Priapus - fresco

The medical condition is caused by clotting of blood inside the venous compartments of the penis. The blood has gone in and made the penis erect for sexual activity but is unable to find its way out. The answer was to puncture the penis with a large bore needle and wash out the clots. The penis can be made to shrink. Unfortunately in quite a few patients impotence results.

It was in the late 1990s that I saw this patient. Viagra was available illegally in Sri Lanka in the late 1990s. This chap, a businessman, had been told that one had to swallow a tablet of Viagra one hour before the expected intercourse. He had bought TEN tablets of viagra at Rs.990/= each. Then the comedy started. One hour before he went home he took a tablet. When he reached home the wife was all dolled up ready to go shopping. He had to post-pone the sexual encounter. He did not tell the wife that he was experimenting this new drug. Just before they left the shopping mall he took one more tablet as two hours had elapsed after he took the first one. Then they met a friend who dragged them to a birthday party which lasted for three hours. Our friend swallowed a third tablet, just before leaving the party. When they reached home the businessman was in full form and ready. They got down to business and he performed well. They kept repeating the sex act but the penis remained erect and was getting painful. Then only they realised that something was wrong and came to the hospital for treatment. 

email from Kalu Nana:-

Dear Philip

In case you have not yet read this news, I thought you would be very interested to read this news from UK.

Nana

Man with 'agonising' 17-hour erection claims he had three pints of blood drained from his penis (and 24 injections)

http://dailym.ai/1o1iMX6

PS

I have seen a similar case in the 1970s in Kandy in the pre-Viagra era. They used an ointment called 'Spanish fly' to stimulate an erection. Treatment was the same.

Nurse heroine slept with Nazis to give them STDs.

Locals in the south Bohemian town of Trebon said the nurse, who worked in a local hospital, decided to get revenge on the Nazi invaders after she was raped shortly after the occupation in 1938.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2786801/Secret-resistance-heroine-slept-Nazis-STDs-vengeance-raped-honoured.html

10 October 2014

Is a £1 tub of baking soda the only house cleaner you’ll ever need?

Bicarbonate of soda is often overlooked but it could solve no end of household tasks from cleaning bracelets to school shirts and dirty mugs you thought were past saving.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2785517/Is-1-tub-baking-soda-house-cleaner-youll-need.html

9 October 2014

Al Maari, 11th Century, Aleppo, Syria.

email from Dawood

Al Maari. 11th century Syria

An Atheist a Vegan a philosopher and Poet who lived in 11th. Century Aleppo Syria ,

His name was Al Maari.

The following are a small sample from. His poetry.

If an insolent man thrusts a sword of speech against you,

Oppose him with your patience, so you may break its edge.

Victory

 If time aids thee to victory, 

he will aid

Thy foe anon to take a full revenge.

On abstaining from meat

      You are diseased in understanding and religion. 

Come to me, that you may hear something of sound truth.

Do not unjustly eat fish the water has given up,

And do not desire as food the flesh of slaughtered animals,

Or the white milk of mothers who intended its pure draught 

for their young, not noble ladies.

And do not grieve the unsuspecting birds by taking eggs;

for injustice is the worst of crimes.

And spare the honey which the bees get industriously

from the flowers of fragrant plants;

For they did not store it that it might belong to others,

Nor did they gather it for bounty and gifts.

I washed my hands of all this; and wish that I

Perceived my way before my hair went gray!

                                       

Soften your tread. Methinks the earth's surface is but bodies of the dead,

Walk slowly in the air, so you do not trample on the remains of all who trod before thee!

First train to Jaffna, 2014, Sri Lanka.

Email from Kamalini Kanapathippillai.

Watch the 5min video clip below

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=766413023424834&fref=nf

Test run to Jaffna from Pallai on the newly constructed railway track by IRCON (Indian Railway Construction Company Limited) on 22.09.2014 is attached.
The last train Yarl Devi (Train No 7 UP) worked by Mr T. Maharajah Head Guard went to KKS on Monday 11th June 1990.  Article in the Journal (June 2002) by The Sri Lanka Railway Past Employees Welfare Association (UK) Attached. President Mahinda Rajapaksa After 24 Years 4 months and 2 days will start the regular train service to Jaffna on Monday 13th October 2014.

Baby boy can't stop giggling hysterically at his father's cough.

Little Heath was enjoying a popsicle when his dad, Andrew Lister of Nova Scotia, let out a cough, causing him to erupt in peals of laughter.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2785096/What-s-funny-Chubby-cheeked-baby-boy-t-stop-giggling-hysterically-father-s-cough.html

9 October 2014

China 'overtakes U.S. as the the world's largest economy'.

IMF says economy is now worth £11 trillion as America falls into second place for the first time since 1872

The US has been the global leader since it overtook Britain in 1872, but has now lost its status as top dog. Pictured, American President Barack Obama.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2785766/China-overtakes-U-S-world-s-largest-economy-IMF-says-economy-worth-11-trillion-America-falls-second-place-time-1872.html

9 October 2014

Serwavila, Sri Lanka, seen through a cell-phone camera (Nokia C6).

Please click on web-link below with speakers on:-

http://youtu.be/qmaVlYZWMSk

Thief steals UK triathlete Jessica Earp's £4,000 bicycle.

Police in Camden, London are hunting this man who is suspected of stealing the £4,000 bicycle belonging to GB triathlete Jessica Earp. The thief made off with the bicycle after hacking off the lock.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2771733/The-Great-British-Thief-steals-UK-triathlete-Jessica-Earp-s-4-000-bicycle-broad-daylight-busy-London-street.html

28 September 2014

PS.

Somewhere in the mid 1990s, a surgeon from Sri Lanka went on a holiday to the UK. While doing a locum appointment in a Surgical Clinic in a hospital in London, he had to see a patient who carried with him a bicycle wheel, 'to be seen by the Doctor'. The surgeon ignored the bicycle wheel and concentrated in solving the patient's medical problem. After sorting that out he felt curious and asked the patient why he carried a bicycle wheel with him into the clinic. The patient replied 'Are you new to London? If I leave the bicycle intact but locked, someone would steal it. I therefore locked it and dismantled the front wheel to carry it with me. This way I can get home on my own bicycle'. That was London in the 1990s.

Dr John Rae finally honoured for telling truth about cannibalism'

Dr John Rae was sent to the Arctic to find out what had happened to Sir John Franklin and his crew, but had his reputation ruined when he reported back shocking news of cannibalism.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2772090/Great-Arctic-explorer-finally-honoured-having-career-discredited-reporting-British-voyagers-cannibalism.html

28 September 2014

Parakeet cull that costs £1k per bird

A government scheme to get rid of a rare species of wild parrot in the UK has cost taxpayers almost £1,000 per bird. In five years £259,000 has been spent.

Read the full story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2771330/Parakeet-cull-costs-1-000-bird-Total-259-000-spent-eradicating-just-62-wild-monk-parrakeets-removing-212-eggs-nests-past-five-years.html

27 September 2014

Beautiful birds from all over the world.

You don't have to be a Bird Lover to instantly admire these Birds!

email from Gallege De Silva

---

Names of the birds are below each picture of each bird. This is made purposely to make you guess the name of each bird.

Long-Tailed Widowbird

These South African birds are named for their almost all black coloring and, of course, their extremely long tail. The tail of the males can be over 16 inches long, which is more than twice their body length.

Splendid Fairywren

The males are fully blue when breeding, but otherwise look more similar to the females. They turn pale brown on top and white underneath, although retain the blue on wings and tail.

Royal Flycatcher

There are 4 species of royal flycatchers all with the “royal crown” which is generally only on display during courtship rituals and competitions with other males. Usually the crest is lying flat but opens up like a fan.

King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise

The ornamental head plumes on the males are so bizarre that when the first specimen was brought to Europe , people thought it was fake.

Resplendent Quetzal

Many people believe these are the most beautiful birds in the world. They are the national bird of Guatemala , and name to the Guatemalan currency.

Lilac-Breasted Roller

This bird (and the other species of rollers) get their name from their impressive courtship flight, a fast, shallow dive from considerable elevation with a rolling or fast rocking motion, accompanied by loud raucous calls.

Inca Tern

These awesome seabirds with mustaches nest in rocky hollows or burrows along the coasts of Peru and Chile .

Curl-Crested Aracari

This bird is a member of the toucan family and gets it’s name from the feathers on it’s head that are curled up like ribbons on a gift.

Red-Necked Tanager

There are 3 sub-species of this bird which differ primarily in the extent of the throat patch and in the coloration of the head. They are residents of the lowland tropical forests of eastern South America

Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise

Another crazy bird-of-paradise that is easy to recognize with it’s curly tail feathers and unique coloring. The turquoise crown of the male is actually a patch of bare skin, not feathers.

Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock

Their almost perfect semi-circle crest is formed by two rows of feathers, flattened against each other. Unlike other birds, their crest is always on display

Purple-Crowned Fairywren

Their song is quite different from other fairywrens because it is of lower frequency, quite loud, and usually sung as a duet

Livingstone's Turaco

Turacos make up the bird family Musophagidae (literally "banana-eaters"). Des pite the name, they generally do not eat bananas.

Malayan Banded Pitta

Twelve-Wired Bird-of-Paradise

Purple Gallinule

Splendid Astrapia

Kea