Sri Lanka issues stamps honouring Ho Chi Minh .

email forwarded by jks weerasekera.

Sri Lanka issues stamps honouring Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam News) Inbox x Sri Lanka issues stamps honouring Ho Chi Minh  http://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/254569/sri-lanka-issues-stamps-honouring-ho-chi-minh.html The stamp collection featuring Ho Chi Minh has seven designs. – Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese embassy in Sri LankaSRI LANKA (Biz Hub) — Sri Lanka has issued about 500,000 new stamps with seven designs featuring former President Ho Chi Minh to celebrate his 102th birthday on May 19. The collection has been designed by Sri Lankan artist Kumudu Tharaka who has depicted Ho Chi Minh with vivid and bright colours. All the stamps feature Minh's portrait and a red flag with a yellow star. Minh had visited Sri Lanka several times during his revolutionary life, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ton Sinh Thanh. Minh is one of few international political figures to feature on Sri Lankan stamps. "We believe that the issuance of the Ho Chi Minh stamps would be another step to promote bilateral cooperation, and people-to-people and business interaction between our two countries," said Thanh. The ambassador said the first agreement signed with Sri Lanka after the country's re-unification in 1975 was a postal deal. — VNS Courtesy: Vietnam News See also Vesak Day celebrations begin in Ninh Binh  http://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/254570/vesak-day-celebrations-begin-in-ninh-binh.html

ITS RAINING FISH!, Sri Lanka.

Date: Sat, 10 May 2014 21:08:20 +0530
Subject: FW:

From Kitta Rajaratnam.

jksw

fish rain down on Sri Lanka village

BBC 6 May 2014 17:30

Villagers in west Sri Lanka have said they have been surprised and delighted by an unusual rainfall of small fish.  The edible fish fell during a storm and are believed to have been lifted out of a river during a strong wind.

Villagers in the district of Chilaw said they heard something heavy falling and found scores of fish with a total weight of 50kg (110lbs). It is not the first such incident in Sri Lanka - in 2012, a case of "prawn rain" was recorded in the south.

Villagers collected the contents of the "fish shower" into buckets and enjoyed an unusual free meal

Scientists say that "fish rain" usually occurs when swirling whirlwinds over relatively shallow water develops into waterspouts and sucks in almost anything in the water including fish, eels and even frogs. The marine life can be carried long distances by buffeting clouds even when the waterspout stops spinning.

Villagers say that the "fish rain shower" took place on Monday with the creatures falling on the village green, roads and roofs. Some of the fish - each three to five inches (5cm-8cm) in length - were still alive and were put in a buckets of water by villagers who ate them later. This is the third time this has happened in Sri Lanka, but not from the same area.

In addition to the reported "prawn rain" of 2012 in the south, there was yellow and red "meteor rain" the same year - a weather development that is reportedly still being investigated by US and British scientists. Fish is a valued commodity in Sri Lanka.

Many of the fish that rained down were still alive when villagers collected them

Analysis: Steve Cleaton Forecaster, BBC Weather Centre

The most likely cause of this unusual event probably relates to the formation of a tornado. Tornadoes tend to form in areas where large differences in both temperature, humidity and wind speed and direction occur.

Complex meteorological processes result in a rapidly rotating column of air spinning out of the base of storm clouds, often causing huge damage and acting like vacuum cleaners, sucking up any material in their path.

In the Sri Lankan storm, a tornado probably formed over land, drifted over river systems or coastal waters and sucked up light fish that were lifted all the way into the base of the storm cloud. Later the fish were rained out of the cloud.

Obituary - Kingsley Wijethunge.

Mana Wedisinghe	5:38 AM (35 minutes ago)
to me

Hi Philip.

I noticed the following obituary notice that appeared in Sunday  Observer..today.

WIJETUNGE - KINGSLEY JOSEPH (JOY). Dearly beloved husband of Dr. Angela, father of Kishani and Dharshi, father-in-law of Earl, Arney and Patrick Frei, grandfather of Che, Luca and Meena, son-in-law of Letitia and Wally Wijesundera, dearly beloved son of Edward and Catherine Wijetunge, loving brother of Felicia, the late Earl, Lucian and Swarna, brother-in-law of Stanley Tirimanne, Sybil, Sri Kanthi and Lloyd Perera, passed away peacefully at Lake District Hospital, Queenstown, New Zealand on Sunday 30th March 2014. “Till memory fades and life departs, you’ll live forever in our hearts”. May his soul rest in peace! 

Our heartfelt condolences to Angela our batch-mate for the loss of her loving husband and to Lucian our batch mate for the loss of a brother:-

'Though like the wanderer the sun gone down,

Darkness lies over me, my rest a stone,

Still all my life I'l be,

Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.'

VIDEO - Music - Orchestra & Castanets.

Fantastic. Castanuts to philharmonic music. jksw email from jks weerasekara Hello click on link speakers on http://www.youtube.com/embed/nf9ypRpbZMA --

The supermarket.

From floor tiles that slow your trolley down to beer next to the nappies: We show you the supermarket mind games that make you spend more

As anyone who has visited a supermarket will know only too well, what you go in for rarely matches what you come out with. So why is it that, even when armed with a list, shoppers end up cramming their trolleys with all those extra items ? and being hit in the purse as a result?

Full Story:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2619148/From-floor-tiles-slow-trolley-beer-nappies-We-supermarket-mind-games-make-spend-more.html

Life After 60.

email from Kamalini Kanapathippillai.

JUST A REMINDER; PLEASE READ TO THE END IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO 

 

An interesting article from The Hindu.

Life can begin at 60, it is all in your hands! Many people feel unhappy, health-wise and security-wise, after 60 years of age, owing to the diminishing importance given to them and their opinions. But, it need not be so, if only we understand the basic principles of life and follow them scrupulously. Here are ten mantras to age gracefully and make life after retirement pleasant.

1. Never say I am aged' :
There are three ages, chronological, biological, and psychological. The first is calculated based on our date of birth; the second is determined by the health conditions; the third is how old we feel we are. While we don't have control over the first, we can take care of our health with good diet, exercise and a cheerful attitude. A positive attitude and optimistic thinking can reverse the third age.

2. Health is wealth:
If you really love your kit and kin, taking care of your health should be your priority. Thus, you will not be a burden to them. Have an annual health check-up and take the prescribed medicines regularly. Do take health insurance coverage.

3. Money is important:
Money is essential for meeting the basic necessities of life, keeping good health and earning family respect and security. Don't spend beyond your means even for your children. You have lived for them all through and it is time you enjoyed a harmonious life with your spouse. If your children are grateful and they take care of you, you are blessed. But, never take it for granted.

4. Relaxation and recreation:
The most relaxing and recreating forces are a healthy religious attitude, good sleep, music and laughter. Have faith in God, learn to sleep well, love good music and see the funny side of life.

5. Time is precious:
It is almost like holding a horses' reins. When they are in your hands, you can control them. Imagine that everyday you are born again. Yesterday is a cancelled cheque. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is ready cash - use it profitably. Live this moment; live it fully, now, in the present time.

6. Change is the only permanent thing: We should accept change - it is inevitable. The only way to make sense out of change is to join in the dance. Change has brought about many pleasant things. We should be happy that our children are blessed.

7. Enlightened selfishness:
All of us are basically selfish. Whatever we do, we expect something in return. We should definitely be grateful to those who stood by us. But, our focus should be on the internal satisfaction and the happiness we derive by doing good for others, without expecting anything in return. Perform a random act of kindness daily.

8. Forget and forgive:
Don't be bothered too much about others' mistakes. We are not spiritual enough to show our other cheek when we are slapped in one. But for the sake of our own health and happiness, let us forgive and forget them. Otherwise, we will be only increasing our blood pressure.

9. Everything has a purpose:
Take life as it comes. Accept yourself as you are and also accept others for what they are. Everybody is unique and is right in his own way.

10. Overcome the fear of death:
We all know that one day we have to leave this world. Still we are afraid of death. We think that our spouse and children will be unable to withstand our loss. But the truth is no one is going to die for you; they may be depressed for some time. Time heals everything and they will go on. Viewpoint expressed in "The Hindu."

  

 

Secrets of Old Age...  

If you have time for one very special email today this is it.

Take the time and accept the secrets of old age.

Obituary, Dr. T. Arulanandam, 1960 batch entrant, Colombo, Ceylon.

Dr. Arulanandam retired as Director of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Services, in the Department of Health, Sri Lanka about a decade ago. Ever with a smile and gentle in his ways we will miss him.

'Oh for the touch of a vanished hand
And the sound of a voice that is stilled'

Philip G V