You need a change of tactics. These attacks on civilians like the bomb in the train on Monday are quite insane, inhuman and will not further your cause. If you want to claim to be the sole representatives of the Tamils, a claim that is far from accepted, at least try to act the part and behave with responsibility. A terrorist is loved by no one and the tactics of terror only provide cover for the harsh repression of civilians.
Denying responsibility for the various atrocities or maintaining a silence will not work, you have little credibility and your words will be doubted, even if by some possibility you were not actually responsible for the crimes committed.
If you must fight, fight the soldier on the battlefield, not the civilian in the town or village, but remember the maxim that all wars are political. A war for the sake of war or a war of attrition serves no one.
Better still, return to talks. That is what the people wanted and would have voted for had they been given the opportunity in 2005.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Some lines from Ibn Qutayba
A senior British officer serving in Afghanistan is reported to have quoted these lines from the ninth-century Muslim scholar Ibn Qutayba:
There can be no government without an army
No army without money
No money without prosperity
And no prosperity without justice and good administration.
This was in response to questions on how to tackle the insurgency. The enlightened may draw some lessons from this.
There can be no government without an army
No army without money
No money without prosperity
And no prosperity without justice and good administration.
This was in response to questions on how to tackle the insurgency. The enlightened may draw some lessons from this.
Central Bank staff get 60% wage hike?
According the latest rumours doing the rounds this morning the Central Bank has granted its staff a 60% increase in salaries - due to high inflation!
We may surmise that the official inflation rate is understated and that perhaps even worse is to follow.
We may surmise that the official inflation rate is understated and that perhaps even worse is to follow.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Ramaya
I was reading the Sunday Newspapers, a depressing exercise in this fast failing state of ours, and decided to read a few blogs to see if there was anything more interesting, or at least less depressing, to read.
Fortunately there was, Cerno a man who I think of as a bit of cartographer (he has lots of interesting stuff on travels routes, maps, google earth images and travel linked photography) had written something on ABBA.
That got me going and ended up writing a long comment on his blog.
Now people of a certain age may remember a song called Ramaya. This is a really super song and it is one of the earliest pieces of music that I can remember hearing. It was an enormous hit in Sri Lanka and for some reason we assumed it was some kind of local song, although we were never sure of the language. In later years, long after the song's popularity had ended, the few who remembered the song thought it was a Malay or Indian song. Only recently did I discover that its origins are African: Mozambique to be precise and it was performed by Afric Simone.
Listening to the song on Youtube brings back a few memories. As an adult it is also possible to appreciate that the song is something of a classic and the benefit of Youtube allows us to enjoy the superb showmanship of Simone. Indeed one can watch the clip purely for the showmanship. He is superbly fit and I've never seen anyone or anything move quite the way he does. See it here
.
There is a another long concert (about 20 minutes) here.
Fortunately there was, Cerno a man who I think of as a bit of cartographer (he has lots of interesting stuff on travels routes, maps, google earth images and travel linked photography) had written something on ABBA.
That got me going and ended up writing a long comment on his blog.
Now people of a certain age may remember a song called Ramaya. This is a really super song and it is one of the earliest pieces of music that I can remember hearing. It was an enormous hit in Sri Lanka and for some reason we assumed it was some kind of local song, although we were never sure of the language. In later years, long after the song's popularity had ended, the few who remembered the song thought it was a Malay or Indian song. Only recently did I discover that its origins are African: Mozambique to be precise and it was performed by Afric Simone.
Listening to the song on Youtube brings back a few memories. As an adult it is also possible to appreciate that the song is something of a classic and the benefit of Youtube allows us to enjoy the superb showmanship of Simone. Indeed one can watch the clip purely for the showmanship. He is superbly fit and I've never seen anyone or anything move quite the way he does. See it here
.
There is a another long concert (about 20 minutes) here.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Brief trip to the North East
Spent the long weekend in Anuradhapura and Tricomalee. I am usually involved in planning most trips but this particular one was organised by a friend and I just tagged along.
To begin with I was a reluctant participant. When he sent an email around suggesting a trip to Trinco I did not reply. I am a fairly cautious man and I don't take unnecessary risks. Most people say that Trinco is safe, there is only a small risk but but I suggested that we go down south instead.
Anyway after checking with various friends I decided that it was safe enough to go and I'm glad I did.
The journey itself was a bit of a mess. We keep only only one road map in the house and my brother had taken that for a trip he was going on and since none of the friends I was traveling with owned a map we were map-less for the journey. One chap owned a GPS but due to the security situation decided to leave that at home, along with the bigger camera lenses.
The start was late so one car containing myself and a couple of friends who were on time went ahead, with vague directions to meet at Jaela and turn off. We we making fair time and reached Jaela early, could not locate a turnoff so decided to go through Puttalam. The run to Puttalam was uneventful but after the turnoff to Anuradhapura at the town the road deterioratde steadily. Reached Anuradhapura at 8am, a drive of three hours.
While waiting for the second car to join us, visited the Tissa Weva Resthouse, a nice colonial building set back from the road with a lot of greenery surrounding it. The rooms have been done up a la Bawa and were clean and nice. Rates by the way were Rs.4950 for twin sharing B & B.
When the second car caught up, went to where we were supposed to stay, the Nuwara Weva Resthouse which was not in great shape. The plaque at the entrance proclaimed that it had been opened in 1957 by SWRD. The building was quite hideous, built in a style that I imagine was supposed to be futuristic and ultra modern in 1957. The rooms were comfortable and clean the, food fairly good and the price (some Rs.3800 for half board twin sharing) was reasonable but the atmosphere was lousy.
The colonial masters knew a thing or two about siting a resthouse and the majority, especially upcountry occupy very scenic spots. This factor combined with the charm of the building and the simple but cheerful traditional cooking make these places some of my favourite getaways. Unfortunately not a lot of it was true of the Nuwara Weva Resthouse with its dark and dreary public areas.
Then came the second mistake. We had decided to go to Habarana for lunch and not having looked at the map, assumed it was fairly close by. Only when driving did we discover just how far it was, and to make matters worse, we used a road that was shorter (but only by half a kilometre we later found out) but greatly worse than the main road for about a third of the distance. Got back to Anuradhapura using the normal road by about 4pm had some tea and visited the Jetawana Dagoba which was very impressive.
I saw Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in 1992 but this was with a large group and we went around the sites in the morning and early afternoon. The baking heat and the dust of the place not to mention the crowd soon robs one of much of the initial enthusiasm. This time around visiting in the late afternoon, it was beautiful. Peaceful, quiet, bathed in soft sunlight the first glimpse of the majestic Jetwana Dagoba is very impressive.
The usual problem with Sri Lankan sites prevailed - a lack of information except for one small engraved plate with part of the writing obscured at the entrance. Made a note to read a bit about the ruined cities of Ceylon, does any one have a book that might be recommended ?
The next day we left at 6.15am to Trincomalee, after a couple of navigational mishaps reached Nilaweli Beach Hotel by about 11.20 in the morning. The beach is as every bit as good as the people say it is. Wide, clean (but not pristine:there was a small amount of litter) with a very white sands. The sea was not very deep, allowing wading quite far from the shore. Food was good but the range was a little limited given that the hotel, although full, was catering to a fairly small number of visitors, almost all from Colombo.
The real adventure started when we left. We were given a form by the hotel that needed to be filled and given at a checkpoint. Details included NIC nos, car engine and chassis nos and contents of baggage.
One vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint and the vehicle and ID cards examined. A few hundred yards away, around a bend was another checkpoint. When we, who had been stopped at the first checkpoint arrived we found our friends stopped at the secopnd one, but since we wer'nt stopped we drove on. After about 20-25 minutes, with no sign of our friends we turned back, since it was impossible to contact them - the mobile netword was dead in the area. It turns out the checkpoint we shot past was the one where we had to give our form in. When we came and asked to give the form in we were sent back to the very first checkpoint to get a chit from the officer there.
The driver then had to stand in two queues, I think one was to register the passengers, the other to register the car. Original car registration books or certified copies were required. After about 40 minutes we were given a document in triplicate called a Permit to Leave Trincomalee.
An hour or so later we were stopped at another checkpoint and directed to a building on the right that looked and felt exactly like the passport control section of an airport. Our bags were taken out and searched while the car was sent for examination to another area. The driver has to take it up a ramp and they check it there. Fifteen minutes later we were on our way back to Colombo.
The drive to Colombo was a nightmare beyond Habarana, it was like playing dodgem cars with hand tractors, bicycles, motorcycles, three wheelers and a great mass of humanity, a good part of it drunk, out celebrating Vesak.
To begin with I was a reluctant participant. When he sent an email around suggesting a trip to Trinco I did not reply. I am a fairly cautious man and I don't take unnecessary risks. Most people say that Trinco is safe, there is only a small risk but but I suggested that we go down south instead.
Anyway after checking with various friends I decided that it was safe enough to go and I'm glad I did.
The journey itself was a bit of a mess. We keep only only one road map in the house and my brother had taken that for a trip he was going on and since none of the friends I was traveling with owned a map we were map-less for the journey. One chap owned a GPS but due to the security situation decided to leave that at home, along with the bigger camera lenses.
The start was late so one car containing myself and a couple of friends who were on time went ahead, with vague directions to meet at Jaela and turn off. We we making fair time and reached Jaela early, could not locate a turnoff so decided to go through Puttalam. The run to Puttalam was uneventful but after the turnoff to Anuradhapura at the town the road deterioratde steadily. Reached Anuradhapura at 8am, a drive of three hours.
While waiting for the second car to join us, visited the Tissa Weva Resthouse, a nice colonial building set back from the road with a lot of greenery surrounding it. The rooms have been done up a la Bawa and were clean and nice. Rates by the way were Rs.4950 for twin sharing B & B.
When the second car caught up, went to where we were supposed to stay, the Nuwara Weva Resthouse which was not in great shape. The plaque at the entrance proclaimed that it had been opened in 1957 by SWRD. The building was quite hideous, built in a style that I imagine was supposed to be futuristic and ultra modern in 1957. The rooms were comfortable and clean the, food fairly good and the price (some Rs.3800 for half board twin sharing) was reasonable but the atmosphere was lousy.
The colonial masters knew a thing or two about siting a resthouse and the majority, especially upcountry occupy very scenic spots. This factor combined with the charm of the building and the simple but cheerful traditional cooking make these places some of my favourite getaways. Unfortunately not a lot of it was true of the Nuwara Weva Resthouse with its dark and dreary public areas.
Then came the second mistake. We had decided to go to Habarana for lunch and not having looked at the map, assumed it was fairly close by. Only when driving did we discover just how far it was, and to make matters worse, we used a road that was shorter (but only by half a kilometre we later found out) but greatly worse than the main road for about a third of the distance. Got back to Anuradhapura using the normal road by about 4pm had some tea and visited the Jetawana Dagoba which was very impressive.
I saw Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in 1992 but this was with a large group and we went around the sites in the morning and early afternoon. The baking heat and the dust of the place not to mention the crowd soon robs one of much of the initial enthusiasm. This time around visiting in the late afternoon, it was beautiful. Peaceful, quiet, bathed in soft sunlight the first glimpse of the majestic Jetwana Dagoba is very impressive.
The usual problem with Sri Lankan sites prevailed - a lack of information except for one small engraved plate with part of the writing obscured at the entrance. Made a note to read a bit about the ruined cities of Ceylon, does any one have a book that might be recommended ?
The next day we left at 6.15am to Trincomalee, after a couple of navigational mishaps reached Nilaweli Beach Hotel by about 11.20 in the morning. The beach is as every bit as good as the people say it is. Wide, clean (but not pristine:there was a small amount of litter) with a very white sands. The sea was not very deep, allowing wading quite far from the shore. Food was good but the range was a little limited given that the hotel, although full, was catering to a fairly small number of visitors, almost all from Colombo.
The real adventure started when we left. We were given a form by the hotel that needed to be filled and given at a checkpoint. Details included NIC nos, car engine and chassis nos and contents of baggage.
One vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint and the vehicle and ID cards examined. A few hundred yards away, around a bend was another checkpoint. When we, who had been stopped at the first checkpoint arrived we found our friends stopped at the secopnd one, but since we wer'nt stopped we drove on. After about 20-25 minutes, with no sign of our friends we turned back, since it was impossible to contact them - the mobile netword was dead in the area. It turns out the checkpoint we shot past was the one where we had to give our form in. When we came and asked to give the form in we were sent back to the very first checkpoint to get a chit from the officer there.
The driver then had to stand in two queues, I think one was to register the passengers, the other to register the car. Original car registration books or certified copies were required. After about 40 minutes we were given a document in triplicate called a Permit to Leave Trincomalee.
An hour or so later we were stopped at another checkpoint and directed to a building on the right that looked and felt exactly like the passport control section of an airport. Our bags were taken out and searched while the car was sent for examination to another area. The driver has to take it up a ramp and they check it there. Fifteen minutes later we were on our way back to Colombo.
The drive to Colombo was a nightmare beyond Habarana, it was like playing dodgem cars with hand tractors, bicycles, motorcycles, three wheelers and a great mass of humanity, a good part of it drunk, out celebrating Vesak.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Explosion in Fort
There was a loud explosion a little after noon today in Fort. People passing by have seen smoke and flames erupting close to the temple opposite the Hilton.
Some others say it looks like its coming from the railway track below.
Probably a bomb.
Some others say it looks like its coming from the railway track below.
Probably a bomb.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
10 things that make me happy
Ok got tagged by Lady Divine so I'll try to follow her lead and see if I can come up with ten things that make me happy.
1. Music
The right kind of music can really grip my imagination. I seem to be spending increasing amounts of time searching youtube for music. My latest infatuation was with Paul Simon's African inspired music, which I blogged about earlier. I must have viewed those clips a dozen times and the sheer enjoyment and enthusiasm that the African musicians display at the Graceland concert is really infectious. I tried drumming once in London at an open air workshop and I could not stop. The rhythm of African music really gets into one, so. Like to sing as well although I'm not very good at it. Meaning to go for some voice training but never seem to get around to it.
2. Stimulating reading matter
Something that teases the mind, deals with a knotty problem or asks an interesting question. Gives me something to play with. Currently reading John Man's book on Genghis Khan. Very well written and a joy to read.
3. Documentaries, especially on history.
This is more laziness than anything else. Used to love watching documentaries when I was growing up. Any old documentary, on science, on nature on anything really. Now my interests have narrowed a bit, nature is not as interesting and science so-so, but history is now a big thing. History on the cheap, really. No need to wrestle with weighty tomes, just sit back and watch. The pictures make it so much easier and I guess its easier to listen than to read, passive rather than active. Spent a lot of money buying a few DVD's that no longer seem to work.
4. History
I have always been fascinated by the past. I don't know why. My grandfather used to teach it and perhaps its in the blood. I certainly did'nt pick it up from him - he died when I was ten, but the past always fascinates. To those who do not understand its relevance I like to point out that it helps to put the present in perceptive. The problems we wrestle with today are not new, they are the same old things that mankind has always battled, albeit sometimes in a new guise.
5. Gyms
This is a bit of a love-hate relationship. I seem to spend most of my free time in the gym although I never seem to get any results. Its a really cheap form of entertainment I guess and it does keep my cholesterol under control but when things go right it can feel really good. When you get into the right training zone, when your focus is right, when you are working just the right muscle to maximum and nothing else it really feels good. When you are out of the zone then it can be a misery aching joints and strained muscles but I seem to be getting back in- after the effects of that stupid flu.
6. Pretty Girls
What could be more alluring, what can lift the spirit more effectively than a beautiful women? Never get anywhere with 'em of course but a joy to behold when sighted.
7. Elegant wristwatches
They hold a spell over me, but not as much as they used to.
8. Travel
Like to travel, to see, to learn, to experience other cultures and other people. Closely linked to my interest in history. When friends invite me to visit the US I tell them no. The new world has little to offer by way of history and its too far anyway. I went to Australia and it held only a limited interest. Naturally we are always on the lookout for any pretty girls who may be lurking (there are usually plenty), purely from an academic point of view of course.
9. Good food and (10) good conversation. Nothing like spending an evening with a few interesting people over good food, perhaps a little wine and have an intelligent conversation. It is a sad thing to say but it is almost impossible to have a decent conversation in Colombo these days - too many interesting people have left the country. When I mentioned this to a friend recently he told me if I wanted to talk about anything other than cricket or women I had better go elsewhere. I have to rely on Skype now to catch with people but its not quite the same.
Hey Divine, you really got me talking did'nt you?
I have the pleasure of tagging;
Hissyfits
Paan Waati (she can repond when she returns)
Shoat Statements
1. Music
The right kind of music can really grip my imagination. I seem to be spending increasing amounts of time searching youtube for music. My latest infatuation was with Paul Simon's African inspired music, which I blogged about earlier. I must have viewed those clips a dozen times and the sheer enjoyment and enthusiasm that the African musicians display at the Graceland concert is really infectious. I tried drumming once in London at an open air workshop and I could not stop. The rhythm of African music really gets into one, so. Like to sing as well although I'm not very good at it. Meaning to go for some voice training but never seem to get around to it.
2. Stimulating reading matter
Something that teases the mind, deals with a knotty problem or asks an interesting question. Gives me something to play with. Currently reading John Man's book on Genghis Khan. Very well written and a joy to read.
3. Documentaries, especially on history.
This is more laziness than anything else. Used to love watching documentaries when I was growing up. Any old documentary, on science, on nature on anything really. Now my interests have narrowed a bit, nature is not as interesting and science so-so, but history is now a big thing. History on the cheap, really. No need to wrestle with weighty tomes, just sit back and watch. The pictures make it so much easier and I guess its easier to listen than to read, passive rather than active. Spent a lot of money buying a few DVD's that no longer seem to work.
4. History
I have always been fascinated by the past. I don't know why. My grandfather used to teach it and perhaps its in the blood. I certainly did'nt pick it up from him - he died when I was ten, but the past always fascinates. To those who do not understand its relevance I like to point out that it helps to put the present in perceptive. The problems we wrestle with today are not new, they are the same old things that mankind has always battled, albeit sometimes in a new guise.
5. Gyms
This is a bit of a love-hate relationship. I seem to spend most of my free time in the gym although I never seem to get any results. Its a really cheap form of entertainment I guess and it does keep my cholesterol under control but when things go right it can feel really good. When you get into the right training zone, when your focus is right, when you are working just the right muscle to maximum and nothing else it really feels good. When you are out of the zone then it can be a misery aching joints and strained muscles but I seem to be getting back in- after the effects of that stupid flu.
6. Pretty Girls
What could be more alluring, what can lift the spirit more effectively than a beautiful women? Never get anywhere with 'em of course but a joy to behold when sighted.
7. Elegant wristwatches
They hold a spell over me, but not as much as they used to.
8. Travel
Like to travel, to see, to learn, to experience other cultures and other people. Closely linked to my interest in history. When friends invite me to visit the US I tell them no. The new world has little to offer by way of history and its too far anyway. I went to Australia and it held only a limited interest. Naturally we are always on the lookout for any pretty girls who may be lurking (there are usually plenty), purely from an academic point of view of course.
9. Good food and (10) good conversation. Nothing like spending an evening with a few interesting people over good food, perhaps a little wine and have an intelligent conversation. It is a sad thing to say but it is almost impossible to have a decent conversation in Colombo these days - too many interesting people have left the country. When I mentioned this to a friend recently he told me if I wanted to talk about anything other than cricket or women I had better go elsewhere. I have to rely on Skype now to catch with people but its not quite the same.
Hey Divine, you really got me talking did'nt you?
I have the pleasure of tagging;
Hissyfits
Paan Waati (she can repond when she returns)
Shoat Statements
Sunday, May 11, 2008
O give me a home....
Lanka Libertarian or Sittingnut, dubbed Mahinda Rajapakse 'Mahinda Buffalo' during the Presidential election campaign of 2005, something that I found very amusing.
After reading his posts over the last couple of years and particularly his most recent ones, I was not quite certain what to make of them. Finally light dawned when I was reminded of an old nursery rhyme, the first verse of which goes like this:
Home on the Range
Oh, give me a home
Where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard
A discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Chorus:
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Perhaps we should adopt it as the new National Anthem?
After reading his posts over the last couple of years and particularly his most recent ones, I was not quite certain what to make of them. Finally light dawned when I was reminded of an old nursery rhyme, the first verse of which goes like this:
Home on the Range
Oh, give me a home
Where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard
A discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Chorus:
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Perhaps we should adopt it as the new National Anthem?
Provincial Council Elections and related issues
The election for the Eastern Provincial Council has been concluded.
I have long taken a dim view of these Provincial Councils: all they do is add another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy to an already inefficient administrative system. If anyone knows what value the provincial councils add to the public let me know. As far as I can see they are little more than vehicles for the lining of the pockets of corrupt politicians. In my opinion we should abolish the damned provincial councils, simplify the administrative work and distribute the remaining administrative powers between the centre and the municipalities of the towns and villages concerned, with resultant savings in administrative costs and the cost of running elections. If anyone has figures for the cost of the election, please let me know.
On the subject of the election itself, The Sunday Observer reported that "No major incidents were reported by the three Returning Officers of the three districts except for unconfirmed allegations levelled by two anti-government election monitoring organisations. But the main opposition UNP has made several unsubstantiated allegations of vote rigging."
From the tone of the writing it appears that only people questioning things are the opposition who don't matter and anti-government monitoring bodies who matter still less. One monitoring body has endorsed the election and is officially seen to be independent.
The report goes on to state that "The LTTE had resorted to various terror acts to intimidate and keep voters away from polling booths".
So the LTTE appears to be active again in the East. We are left to wonder if they re-infiltrated the cleared areas or whether they were actually cleared out as thoroughly as previously claimed.
I have long taken a dim view of these Provincial Councils: all they do is add another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy to an already inefficient administrative system. If anyone knows what value the provincial councils add to the public let me know. As far as I can see they are little more than vehicles for the lining of the pockets of corrupt politicians. In my opinion we should abolish the damned provincial councils, simplify the administrative work and distribute the remaining administrative powers between the centre and the municipalities of the towns and villages concerned, with resultant savings in administrative costs and the cost of running elections. If anyone has figures for the cost of the election, please let me know.
On the subject of the election itself, The Sunday Observer reported that "No major incidents were reported by the three Returning Officers of the three districts except for unconfirmed allegations levelled by two anti-government election monitoring organisations. But the main opposition UNP has made several unsubstantiated allegations of vote rigging."
From the tone of the writing it appears that only people questioning things are the opposition who don't matter and anti-government monitoring bodies who matter still less. One monitoring body has endorsed the election and is officially seen to be independent.
The report goes on to state that "The LTTE had resorted to various terror acts to intimidate and keep voters away from polling booths".
So the LTTE appears to be active again in the East. We are left to wonder if they re-infiltrated the cleared areas or whether they were actually cleared out as thoroughly as previously claimed.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Beautiful old films on Ceylon
A friend of mine sent me a a really charming old film on Ceylon. It is a travel documentary and was made in 1931. A quick search revealed a couple more. You can view them at the links below.
Charming Ceylon 1931
Tropical Ceylon 1932
1960s cine home movie featuring Ceylon and Singapore
Also a montage of old postcards on Ceylon is available here
Youtube never ceases to amaze.
Another old film that I have been looking for is Basil Wright's Song of Ceylon, made in 1934 for the Ceylon Tea Marketing Board. Interestingly the narrator is Lionel Wendt. At one time it was considered to one of the top ten greatest films ever.
Details (but unfortunately no clips) of the film are available here and here.
If anyone else knowns where to find old films on Ceylon please let me know.
Charming Ceylon 1931
Tropical Ceylon 1932
1960s cine home movie featuring Ceylon and Singapore
Also a montage of old postcards on Ceylon is available here
Youtube never ceases to amaze.
Another old film that I have been looking for is Basil Wright's Song of Ceylon, made in 1934 for the Ceylon Tea Marketing Board. Interestingly the narrator is Lionel Wendt. At one time it was considered to one of the top ten greatest films ever.
Details (but unfortunately no clips) of the film are available here and here.
If anyone else knowns where to find old films on Ceylon please let me know.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Foreign observers at the Eastern Province elections
I was glancing through the newspapers last week and noticed an article which mentioned that foreign observers would be invited to monitor the upcoming elections in the Eastern province.
On the face of it, this seems to affirm some commitment by the Government to holding free elections. In the light of the disaster that was the invitation to the IIGEP, it seemed a bold step.
A closer look at the countries from which the monitors were to be drawn reveals a fairly motly collection. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Indonesia and a handful of others. The actual newspaper is not in my possession and I can't seem to find the story on the web, so I don't have the full list of countries.
Bangladesh is still under military rule, Pakistan is still in transition from military rule to civilian rule, Afghanistan is still in a very shaky stage of its first experiment with democracy, Taiwan a full democracy but with almost no official recognition as a state (and thus with minimal political influence).
In other words, a set of monitors who are likely to be, how shall we put it, understanding of the governments position? Rather like the African Union monitors who have endorsed many an election Zimbabwe.
Perhaps the Government has not been so bone-headed after all, perhaps they have drawn some rather useful lessons from the experience of the IIGEP.
In the meantime, the Defence Secretary has criticised the media yet again and has apparently demanded that restrictions be tightened on reporting. Most reporters have taken heed of the Governments outbursts in the past and have already toned things down, something that the The Sunday Times columnist was already complaining about here.
Of course, many people, burdened with the high cost of living have little time to worry about a minor provincial election. Should they be? I guess not, just so long as some of these seemingly unconnected events are not a dress-rehearsal for other, bigger things to come.
On the face of it, this seems to affirm some commitment by the Government to holding free elections. In the light of the disaster that was the invitation to the IIGEP, it seemed a bold step.
A closer look at the countries from which the monitors were to be drawn reveals a fairly motly collection. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Indonesia and a handful of others. The actual newspaper is not in my possession and I can't seem to find the story on the web, so I don't have the full list of countries.
Bangladesh is still under military rule, Pakistan is still in transition from military rule to civilian rule, Afghanistan is still in a very shaky stage of its first experiment with democracy, Taiwan a full democracy but with almost no official recognition as a state (and thus with minimal political influence).
In other words, a set of monitors who are likely to be, how shall we put it, understanding of the governments position? Rather like the African Union monitors who have endorsed many an election Zimbabwe.
Perhaps the Government has not been so bone-headed after all, perhaps they have drawn some rather useful lessons from the experience of the IIGEP.
In the meantime, the Defence Secretary has criticised the media yet again and has apparently demanded that restrictions be tightened on reporting. Most reporters have taken heed of the Governments outbursts in the past and have already toned things down, something that the The Sunday Times columnist was already complaining about here.
Of course, many people, burdened with the high cost of living have little time to worry about a minor provincial election. Should they be? I guess not, just so long as some of these seemingly unconnected events are not a dress-rehearsal for other, bigger things to come.
Does anyone play golf at Waters Edge?
I was going past Waters Edge yesterday and happened to notice that the green seemed to be filled with water. I was looking at the course from the main Kotte/Parliament road. The areas that were not filled with water seemed to be overgrown, with parts of it looking more like scrub jungle than a golfing green.
Just curious to know if people actually play any golf there. The club house, restaurant and gym seem to have a fair bit of business but is all activity indoors?
Just curious to know if people actually play any golf there. The club house, restaurant and gym seem to have a fair bit of business but is all activity indoors?
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Death of a suspect
Buried deep in the inner pages of the Nation newspaper's Sunday edition is a disquieting story: the suspect in the Jeyaraj Fernandopulle assassination has died in police custody.
According to the newspaper the CID has ruled out foul play in the death of the suspect Nadarajah Raji.
Rather like Solomon Grundy, she took ill three days after she was arrested and died at the National Hospital. According to the CID they believe she had hidden a cyanide capsule in a 'private part of her body'. She had been searched thoroughly on arrest and received no visitors during her detention.
The postmortem claimed that she died of cyanide poising. How the cyanide was administered is not known nor were there any details as to further observations on the condition of the suspect.
Now this is rather strange. The whole purpose behind the Tigers introducing the cyanide capsule was to prevent its agents from falling into custody and revealing secrets. The Tigers were supposed to swallow the capsule immediately on capture, not wait three days after to decide to wake up and swallow the capsule. Even assuming that the absent minded Tiger forgot to take his capsule on time, how does she manage to take it when under observation?
All very mysterious but foul play has now been firmly ruled out and the matter looks to be swept under the carpet. One more brutal little incident in a brutish little corner of the world.
Did I say brutish? Sorry I meant culmination of the most pristine civilisation, 2500 years of it, no less.
According to the newspaper the CID has ruled out foul play in the death of the suspect Nadarajah Raji.
Rather like Solomon Grundy, she took ill three days after she was arrested and died at the National Hospital. According to the CID they believe she had hidden a cyanide capsule in a 'private part of her body'. She had been searched thoroughly on arrest and received no visitors during her detention.
The postmortem claimed that she died of cyanide poising. How the cyanide was administered is not known nor were there any details as to further observations on the condition of the suspect.
Now this is rather strange. The whole purpose behind the Tigers introducing the cyanide capsule was to prevent its agents from falling into custody and revealing secrets. The Tigers were supposed to swallow the capsule immediately on capture, not wait three days after to decide to wake up and swallow the capsule. Even assuming that the absent minded Tiger forgot to take his capsule on time, how does she manage to take it when under observation?
All very mysterious but foul play has now been firmly ruled out and the matter looks to be swept under the carpet. One more brutal little incident in a brutish little corner of the world.
Did I say brutish? Sorry I meant culmination of the most pristine civilisation, 2500 years of it, no less.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Paul Simon: Under African Skies
This is a stunning song that I have just discovered. Its quite old, dating from the Graceland concert of 1986 but what a song. The poetry is up to Paul Simon's usual high standards (I reckon he would make a decent living as a poet alone) but it is the blending of music with words (the essence of the songwriters craft) that transforms this into really great art.
The sympathetic use of the Southern African rhythms, melodies and instruments gives not just a flavour of the exotic but almost a whole new hybrid form of folk music. You can listen to the song performed by Paul Simon and Miriam Makeba (another truly great singer) here
The text is reproduced below:
Under African Skies by Paul Simon
Joseph's face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under African skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
In early memory
Sounds of music
Were ringing 'round my Grandmother's door
I said take this child,
From The Township of Mukulo
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she won't bother you no more
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Joseph's face was black as night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies
A couple of other great songs from that concert (featuring the Ladysmith Black Mambazo are Call Me Al and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.
You can watch Paul Simon talking to Joseph, the leader of the Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the making of some of the music here.
The sympathetic use of the Southern African rhythms, melodies and instruments gives not just a flavour of the exotic but almost a whole new hybrid form of folk music. You can listen to the song performed by Paul Simon and Miriam Makeba (another truly great singer) here
The text is reproduced below:
Under African Skies by Paul Simon
Joseph's face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under African skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
In early memory
Sounds of music
Were ringing 'round my Grandmother's door
I said take this child,
From The Township of Mukulo
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she won't bother you no more
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Joseph's face was black as night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies
A couple of other great songs from that concert (featuring the Ladysmith Black Mambazo are Call Me Al and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.
You can watch Paul Simon talking to Joseph, the leader of the Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the making of some of the music here.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SriLankan, Air Lanka and Air Ceylon
Does anyone know the latest joke doing the rounds?
When Air Lanka was a state airline its code letters UL were said to stand for "usually late". Now that SriLankan is now back under state management, they have gone one better. Now the code is said to stand for "unable to locate aircraft".
Funnily enough, this is exactly how dear old Air Ceylon collapsed. We used to have a few coasters and some cutlery emblazoned with the Air Ceylon Logo (which I always thought was really nice, much better than the Air Lanka or SriLankan logos -have a look at it here and here.
Coming back to the story of the collapse of Air Ceylon, it happened when one of its aircraft was seized in Europe for non payment of fuel bills in 1977. Another aircraft was blown up at Ratmalana in 1978 and that was the end for Air Ceylon. Ones wonders whether a similar fate will befall SriLankan?
More details on Air Ceylon's history are available here and here.
When Air Lanka was a state airline its code letters UL were said to stand for "usually late". Now that SriLankan is now back under state management, they have gone one better. Now the code is said to stand for "unable to locate aircraft".
Funnily enough, this is exactly how dear old Air Ceylon collapsed. We used to have a few coasters and some cutlery emblazoned with the Air Ceylon Logo (which I always thought was really nice, much better than the Air Lanka or SriLankan logos -have a look at it here and here.
Coming back to the story of the collapse of Air Ceylon, it happened when one of its aircraft was seized in Europe for non payment of fuel bills in 1977. Another aircraft was blown up at Ratmalana in 1978 and that was the end for Air Ceylon. Ones wonders whether a similar fate will befall SriLankan?
More details on Air Ceylon's history are available here and here.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
BodybyKris: Closed for maintenance - Update
BodybyKris (BBK) a popular gym down Gregory's Road has been closed for maintenance and according to the owners will be opened again on the 10th of April.
The story on the grape vine however is that the gym has been closed due to non-payment of rent on the premises, most probably by a court order. For the sake of the fitness fanatics of Colombo let us hope that the gym is re-opened quickly because it is one of the few properly equipped gyms in the country.
For as long as anyone can remember there have always been gyms in the country but for the most part they were used only by a few hardcore bodybuilders. Sportsmen played their sport and practiced but apart perhaps from running on a field did not do much in the way of general fitness, and what little they did was not in a gym. Gym's were found in places like the YMCA or the Youth Centre in Maharagama and were equipped with weights - dumbbells, barbells a few benches and not a lot else.
The revolution in gyms came about with the advent of PowerWorld in 1994 or 1995. Fitness suddenly became fashionable. Gyms were equipped with air conditioning, piped music and machines - no longer was it necessary to work only with weights. Something that was previously the haunt of lower class men became a past time of the rich. The middle class and upper class started going to the gym, as did a number of women.
The craze spawned many imitators and gyms began to multiply. Given the wider availability one would expect that quality would improve but this was not to be. While the appearance, the decor and the amounts invested in equipment has increased, no one gym is fully equipped. The problem seems to be that the people investing their money in a gym do not seem to understand the needs of the users.
The expensive gyms in the large city hotels and places like Waters Edge and Fitness First are all built around cardio machines with varying levels of other equipment thrown in. It is extremely frustrating to go from gym to gym and finding each one wanting in one respect or another. The only two gyms that were, in my opinion properly equipped were PowerWorld in Colpetty (closed since December 2007) and BodybyKris.
The minimum equipment needed for a decent gym in my opinion are:
1. Incline, decline and flat benches.
2. Shoulder press rack
3. Cable crossover machine.
4. Low row, T Bar row, incline T bar row.
5. Power rack and Smith machine.
6. Preacher curl.
7. Pull down machine
8. Pec dec.
9. Leg extension, curl and press machines.
10. Calf raise.
Other desirable machnies:
1. Preacher curl machine
2. Chest press and incline press machines.
In addition, plenty of bars, wheels and dumbbells plus some cardio equipment.
The closest to a fully equipped gym in Colombo was BodybyKris and one hopes that someone will ensure that the gym equipment does not go to waste, although in the light of other pressing issues, this is likely to be last thing on people's minds these days.
UPDATE: According to the latest information available, the management says the gym will be open on the 16th of April, not the 10th.
UPDATE 2: The gym was due to open yesterday (16th) but is apparently still not open. According to the rumours going around members have been told that the gym will open in due course and that they will be notified when this happens. Memberships will be extended to cover the period of closure.
The story on the grape vine however is that the gym has been closed due to non-payment of rent on the premises, most probably by a court order. For the sake of the fitness fanatics of Colombo let us hope that the gym is re-opened quickly because it is one of the few properly equipped gyms in the country.
For as long as anyone can remember there have always been gyms in the country but for the most part they were used only by a few hardcore bodybuilders. Sportsmen played their sport and practiced but apart perhaps from running on a field did not do much in the way of general fitness, and what little they did was not in a gym. Gym's were found in places like the YMCA or the Youth Centre in Maharagama and were equipped with weights - dumbbells, barbells a few benches and not a lot else.
The revolution in gyms came about with the advent of PowerWorld in 1994 or 1995. Fitness suddenly became fashionable. Gyms were equipped with air conditioning, piped music and machines - no longer was it necessary to work only with weights. Something that was previously the haunt of lower class men became a past time of the rich. The middle class and upper class started going to the gym, as did a number of women.
The craze spawned many imitators and gyms began to multiply. Given the wider availability one would expect that quality would improve but this was not to be. While the appearance, the decor and the amounts invested in equipment has increased, no one gym is fully equipped. The problem seems to be that the people investing their money in a gym do not seem to understand the needs of the users.
The expensive gyms in the large city hotels and places like Waters Edge and Fitness First are all built around cardio machines with varying levels of other equipment thrown in. It is extremely frustrating to go from gym to gym and finding each one wanting in one respect or another. The only two gyms that were, in my opinion properly equipped were PowerWorld in Colpetty (closed since December 2007) and BodybyKris.
The minimum equipment needed for a decent gym in my opinion are:
1. Incline, decline and flat benches.
2. Shoulder press rack
3. Cable crossover machine.
4. Low row, T Bar row, incline T bar row.
5. Power rack and Smith machine.
6. Preacher curl.
7. Pull down machine
8. Pec dec.
9. Leg extension, curl and press machines.
10. Calf raise.
Other desirable machnies:
1. Preacher curl machine
2. Chest press and incline press machines.
In addition, plenty of bars, wheels and dumbbells plus some cardio equipment.
The closest to a fully equipped gym in Colombo was BodybyKris and one hopes that someone will ensure that the gym equipment does not go to waste, although in the light of other pressing issues, this is likely to be last thing on people's minds these days.
UPDATE: According to the latest information available, the management says the gym will be open on the 16th of April, not the 10th.
UPDATE 2: The gym was due to open yesterday (16th) but is apparently still not open. According to the rumours going around members have been told that the gym will open in due course and that they will be notified when this happens. Memberships will be extended to cover the period of closure.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Walls
Was driving past the new British High Commission office complex(at least that's what I think it is - its located just next door to the High Commissioners house), and was amazed to notice the degree to which it was secured.
Two walls as least and judging by what was going on, fencing security lighting and possibly even camera to come on top. Reminded me of a prison.
It brought back memories, not all that far off, when I used to cycle past Trenchard House. The walls were just four feet high, in some places where the earth had banked up against the wall it was only a couple of feet high. The gates were always closed, but in an even earlier era they were probably left open.
I remember the French embassy once having walls of only four or five feet high and the gates being open all day. When playing close by occasionally a ball would fly in to the embassy premises and someone would have to run in and fetch it. I don't even think there was a even a security guard there, but maybe that's just my memory: there should have been somebody manning the gate; at any rate we were never stopped or questioned us in our quest for missing balls.
Over the years I've watched as the gates closed and the walls climbed. Always slowly, first a foot, then another. I watched railings, cameras, barriers, security guards and even a police presence appear, into what was once an occasional extension of our playground.
Two walls as least and judging by what was going on, fencing security lighting and possibly even camera to come on top. Reminded me of a prison.
It brought back memories, not all that far off, when I used to cycle past Trenchard House. The walls were just four feet high, in some places where the earth had banked up against the wall it was only a couple of feet high. The gates were always closed, but in an even earlier era they were probably left open.
I remember the French embassy once having walls of only four or five feet high and the gates being open all day. When playing close by occasionally a ball would fly in to the embassy premises and someone would have to run in and fetch it. I don't even think there was a even a security guard there, but maybe that's just my memory: there should have been somebody manning the gate; at any rate we were never stopped or questioned us in our quest for missing balls.
Over the years I've watched as the gates closed and the walls climbed. Always slowly, first a foot, then another. I watched railings, cameras, barriers, security guards and even a police presence appear, into what was once an occasional extension of our playground.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
GoldQuest returns
A wew years ago, a pyramid scam by the name of GoldQuest was taking Sri Lanka by storm. To my horror I watched Bankers, Engineers, Accountants, Architects and various top level executives in business, people who one would expect to be skeptical and prudent, rushing in with enthusiasm.
The new business model, they claimed, the new way of marketing. Even people calling themselves professional marketers joined the fray. Presumably these 'merketing people' were people who lacked any kind of experience with actual distribution and who presumably equated marketing with advertising.
When sections of the press blew the whistle, GoldQuest responded with full page newspaper advertisements, television commercials, sports sponsorships and a host of other tactics to try and disarm its critics.
The scheme eventually collapsed and was banned by the Central Bank.
I know Sri Lanka has suffered a brain drain (who else but a bunch of mutts would have put this government into power?) but I was at a loss to explain how the upper echelons of the corporate sector could have been fooled by a trick that was almost a century old. I know people in this country are insular and unread but this was ridiculous.
Nevertheless I thought we had finally seen the back of them, but no, they are back: different name, but same old scam. They now call themselves Lotus Marketing see the stories here and here.
They have collapsed in many other places and have also been reborn as Qatana or Questnet. Do a google search and read the details.
Ach du! Seems like you cant keep a good crook down eh?
The new business model, they claimed, the new way of marketing. Even people calling themselves professional marketers joined the fray. Presumably these 'merketing people' were people who lacked any kind of experience with actual distribution and who presumably equated marketing with advertising.
When sections of the press blew the whistle, GoldQuest responded with full page newspaper advertisements, television commercials, sports sponsorships and a host of other tactics to try and disarm its critics.
The scheme eventually collapsed and was banned by the Central Bank.
I know Sri Lanka has suffered a brain drain (who else but a bunch of mutts would have put this government into power?) but I was at a loss to explain how the upper echelons of the corporate sector could have been fooled by a trick that was almost a century old. I know people in this country are insular and unread but this was ridiculous.
Nevertheless I thought we had finally seen the back of them, but no, they are back: different name, but same old scam. They now call themselves Lotus Marketing see the stories here and here.
They have collapsed in many other places and have also been reborn as Qatana or Questnet. Do a google search and read the details.
Ach du! Seems like you cant keep a good crook down eh?
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Famous last words?
The President has been exhorting the people to stop thing of themselves as poor. He said Sri Lanka has maintained a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of more than 6.0 percent for three years running.
"In 2001 economic growth was negative and people said the economy collapsed. When economic growth is around 7 percent for three years, foreign reserves at the highest level, unemployment at the lowest, is the economy falling? Is this a joke or is it a treachery?"
Presumably the man is claiming credit for the improved economic performance since 2001. The tsunami, a global boom and the UNP probably had more to do with this than anything else but let us wait a while and see how the policies of 2005-7 translate to growth.
"In 2001 economic growth was negative and people said the economy collapsed. When economic growth is around 7 percent for three years, foreign reserves at the highest level, unemployment at the lowest, is the economy falling? Is this a joke or is it a treachery?"
Presumably the man is claiming credit for the improved economic performance since 2001. The tsunami, a global boom and the UNP probably had more to do with this than anything else but let us wait a while and see how the policies of 2005-7 translate to growth.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The Tigers break a promise?
I don't have a very high opinion of the local press, something I've blogged about here and of late I have been reading even less of it than I used to.
I have taken a couple of days off the gym routine so with a bit of time on my hands glanced through some of the papers and this caught my eye: "Tigers break promise, attack sports event".
The news story does not elaborate on the headline but the editorial of the same day mentions an LTTE pledge that it would not target sports events.
I don't seem to recall where they might have made such a pledge? In the ceasefire agreement? But that is a dead letter now. Perhaps in some earlier undertaking?
They have made and broken plenty of promises but that is not the question. Can someone elaborate? Did they actually make such a pledge and if so where and when? Or was the headline merely written in a way to increase readership?
I have taken a couple of days off the gym routine so with a bit of time on my hands glanced through some of the papers and this caught my eye: "Tigers break promise, attack sports event".
The news story does not elaborate on the headline but the editorial of the same day mentions an LTTE pledge that it would not target sports events.
I don't seem to recall where they might have made such a pledge? In the ceasefire agreement? But that is a dead letter now. Perhaps in some earlier undertaking?
They have made and broken plenty of promises but that is not the question. Can someone elaborate? Did they actually make such a pledge and if so where and when? Or was the headline merely written in a way to increase readership?
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