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Daily News - Books by Sri Lankans.

Readable Lankan writing in English This week's column introduces a few latest books in English by Lankan writers. The introduction is not a review, but a notice that keen readers of contemporary literature may find interesting to note and possibly seek to read. A review needs exhaustive study and detail, but in a weekly column only the bare essentials are given in a nutshell. I have before me eight books of varied and quality writing: Doomsday and Between Two Wars by Mahasara Gunaratne Arathi by Nihal de Silva (incomplete and published posthumously) The Lament of the Dhobi Woman by Karen Roberts The Dance of Life by Maleeha Rajon The Shadow by Siri Gunasinghe (a translation from Sinhala by Hemamali Gunasinghe) The Cry of the Devil Bird by Dr Philip G Veerasingam (edited by Dr Tissa Kappagoda) The Whirlwind by Ayathurai Santhan Seven of these books are fiction and therefore creative writing. Among them one is a collection of short stories. While the two books by Mahasara Gunaratne are short fiction, the others are short novels with varied lengths. Only one book, Veerasingam's book, is non-fiction. They are all Lankan born writers with fluency in English. Two of them are medical practitioners. Two of them Tamils, one a Malay, one a Burgher and three Sinhala. This is interesting. Prof Mahasara's books belong to the detective or crime genre. Dr Philip G Veerasingam's book is almost an autobiography of a surgeon's encounter in the medical field. Prof Mahasara Gunaratne, though a distinguished medicine man, writes in beautiful English and is extremely fond of mystery in a colonial history setup, as evidenced from his writing in two books. Like Sir Coonan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Gunaratne has created a character named Arthur in his series of mystery fiction. I enjoyed his two books which took me back to my enjoyment of such fiction as a teenager. The books are published by Bay Owl Press - an imprint of the Perera Hussein Publishing House. The above publishing house has also published the non-fiction by a surgeon who has a master's degree in Buddhist Studies. Dr Philip G Veerasingam is married to a Sinhala lady. Prof Tissa Kappagoda at the University of California has edited this book. This is a sequel to an earlier book on travels by Dr P G V. I like to read such books that give a lot of information on the life experienced in rural Lanka in the past. Santhan Ayathurai (pronounced Saanthan Aiyathurai) is an exceptional Lankan Tamil writer now writing original fiction in English. In 2000 he won the Sri Lankan Sahitya Award for his writing in English. His first novel in English, The Whirlwind was shortlisted in the latest Gratiaen Award selections. This book is published by V U S Pathippagam in Chennai and may be available in local bookstalls. Vihanga Perera and Lynn Ockersz have already written favourable reviews on the book. Prof Siri Gunasinghe is one of the innovative writers in Sinhala culture and arts. His Havenella is beautifully translated into English by his partner in life, Hemamali Gunasinghe, herself an academic and translator. This book is by Vijitha Yapa Publications and added feature included is a critique by Prof K N O Dharmadasa. The book is worth reading to any readers especially students of all literature. The late Maleeha Rajon's collection of short stories was first published eight years ago by Godage International Publishers and was received well. Prof Ashley Halpe's foreword explains the talent of the writer: "permeating all the stories is a generous sympathy with the human condition." The late Nihal de Silva's incomplete novel is published by Vijitha Yapa Publications. Writers are asked to compete in a competition that would fetch 500 Sterling Pounds. The writer, a winner of several prizes was one of the finest writers in the country, E M G Edirasinghe has translated one of his works into Sinhala. His Road From Elephant Pass has been adapted into a fine film by Chandran Rutnam. Finally, Lankan born expatriate writer Karen Roberts' fiction is about class and caste consciousness in the metropolis. This book is published by Perera Hussein Publishers. It is also quite interesting. As we mentioned earlier in the column ours is not a critical analysis of the works mentioned but basically this is an informative piece to bring to the notice of discerning readers the existence of some books by Lankan authors to be read. sivakumaran.ks@gmail.com

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The crimes of the Colonials in Sri Lanka.

From: Osmund Rajakarier <orajakarier@optusnet.com.au>
Date: 10 May 2013 12:35
Subject: FW: FW: History of the Exploitation of Sri Lanka - written by a Burgher, J. B. M...

noname.eml 34K   View   Download

Carrot, egg and coffee - email Denis Aloysius

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...
 

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
 
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying A word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."  "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
>
> Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you (I JUST DID); to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

If you don't (re)send it, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message!

                                        May we all be COFFEE!!!!!! !!

Food Facts - email from Gallege De Silva.

 Mind-blowing food facts!

 

1 Pineapple is a natural painkiller The fruit contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that bring pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, according to a study at Reading University.

2 Pomegranate juice could prevent a heart attack This wonder juice is believed to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure.

3 Onions are natural antibiotics They might make your breath pong but onions contain allicin, a powerful antibiotic that also protects the circulatory system.

4 Mushrooms can ward off colds They contain more of an immune-boosting antioxidant called ergothioneine than any other food, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University.

6 Blueberries can boost memory. A study at Tufts University in Boston showed eating half a cup of this fruit regularly could delay age-related deterioration in co-ordination and short-term memory.

8 Eat chocolate, live longer Hurray! Harvard University scientists say that eating a couple of chocolate bars a week could extend your life by almost a year.

9 Grapefruit juice can stop medicine working If you're taking medication, avoid washing it down with grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it prevents some drugs being broken down.

10 You should never drink tea or coffee with meals. Tannins in tea and coffee prevent absorption of certain nutrients. A cup of tea with a meal will halve the iron you get from it, whereas a glass of orange juice will double it.

11 Cherries can cure gout. Cherries contain compounds that significantly reduce the chemicals in the body which cause joint inflammation.

12 Eating curry could help prevent Alzheimer's. According to a report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a yellow pigment used in curry, curcumin, can stop amyloid plaques in the brain that cause the condition.

13 Sniffing a lemon could help you beat asthma The UK's 5.1 million asthmatics could find lemons ease their symptoms. Studies in rats found that breathing improved after they inhaled limonene, the chemical that gives lemons their smell.

14 Kiwi fruit can improve your eyesight. This fuzzy fruit is a surprisingly good source of lutein, an antioxidant that protects your vision.

15 Garlic can cure mouth ulcers and verruca’s. Here's an old wives' tale that works: halve a clove of garlic, squeeze, and apply a drop of the juice to the offending growth at bedtime.

16 It is important have too little salt in your meals. Too much salt isn't good for us but not getting enough can trigger low blood pressure in those susceptible. Consult your GP before making any major diet changes.

17 Figs can delay brittle bone disease Good news for the three million osteoporosis sufferers in the UK - it is possible to slow its progress by eating calcium-packed figs.

18 Soya can mimic breast cancer drugs. A team of Cambridge researchers discovered that a diet high in soya can have a similar effect to anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen.

19 Barbecued-food can cause cancer. Eating meat that's chargrilled or burnt could lead to stomach, pancreatic, colon and breast cancer because it creates high levels of carcinogenic compounds.

20 Cinnamon can help diabetics. Just half a teaspoon a day of this spice can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, says US research.

21 Chilies can help you breath more easily. Capsaicin, which occurs in chilies, shrinks the mucous membranes which can ease blocked noses and sinuses.

22 Watermelon is good for the prostate. Men will be glad to know that the red flesh contains the antioxidant Lycopene, which helps keep the prostate gland healthy.

23 Coriander can lower your cholesterol levels. This aromatic herb can reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart problems.

24 Nibbling nuts can prevent blood clots. Nuts boost nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels and eases blood flow.

25 Banish bad breath with natural yoghurt. A few spoonful of natural yoghurt can neutralise halitosis, according to Japanese researchers.
 

Age Activated Attention Disorder - email Krishnar Ragupathy

KRISHNAR RAGUPATHY	8:03 PM (50 minutes ago)
to bcc: me

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DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR?????

Age Activated Attention Disorder  I laughed at this until I realized that this is exactly what I do. Now, finally, somebody has made a movie of it! Just 2 minutes and 56 seconds of video. Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

News of Derwyk De Silva

Hello 1960 entrant batch-mates,
Derwyck De Silva has two twins as grand-children, all boys, by his daughter who is resident in Sri Lanka. Can you image four young Derwyks living under the same roof. Derwyk has aquired a 'Walauwa' in Panadura and is actively involved in chasing away the monkeys who are stealing his coconut crop.
Philip