Reading Makes Full Man................................?

Reading makes full man, well I’m not  really agree on that, if it is meaning  that reading makes  perfect man ,it will never make us perfect, we can be gain knowledge by reading, but we can’t  be perfect by reading. After all nobody is perfect. By reading what we can do is we can justify what we are doing we can also find very valid reasons to justify what we do whether it s right or wrong.

 It was Egyptians who started keeping document as an archive, and later this converted into the place which is more than just an archive. But it was not written in papers those were burnt clay tiles with writing, but the concert of modern library started in Greece. Greeks adopted the Chinese invention of printing in papers. Then library was common practice most of religious institutes, Now of course we have E libraries, we don’t have to get the hard copy, if we have a tab or smart phone then we can read whatever we want. But reading a book is different from reading   it from our tab.

(Jaffna Library  form Fort)

In Sri Lanka we had the largest library in South Asia. It was Jaffna library. Of course I never got any chance to go there. Last time when I was in Jaffna I went there but it was closed because of a holiday. Even if I get any chance to go in I don’t think that I will be able to see any of books. Because the entire library was completely burnt by the Sinhalese.

(http://www.infolanka.com/news/IL/1299.htm)

"History’s footprints

are ash. 

There are ash people,

ash places,

ash memories,

and ash eyes. 

 This library,

the one you see,

is ash too. 

 There were ashen people here,             

wearing ash spectacles,

sitting on ash chairs

and reading ash books.

Those ash books

contained ashen lessons;

the lessons of 1981,

1983,

1987-88-89,

and on wards,

ash years;

 and the ash walls here

still recall

the ash words 

heard on the ash day. 

 Where would all this ash go,                                                        (   Burnt library )

one day?

maybe there is an ocean,

somewhere,

an ocean of time,

made of ash

and ashes.  

The ash ocean,

will kiss

the ashen shore of 

Jaffna,

the city of ashes,

and caress

the ash heartbeat of my nation,"

“Sri Lanka maatha…” 

( Rasika Jayakody 26-05-2012 )

This has happened before that in India. Old universities of “Nalanda” and “Wikramasheela” was burnt completely .Also same thing happened In Germany before the World War II.There was a particular politician who was responsible for burning Jaffna Library and later he also assassinated .ironically  under the good governments in Sri Lanka both his  sons were elected to the  parliament this time. I wish the history won’t repeat again.

The other library which I like most is Colombo public library, I t is not big as the congress library in USA, but still it has reasonable collection, then the other my unforgettable library it is  Ingiriya public library, well it was a very small place. Now of course we have new building, but so far I never been to the new library building. But I was a very regular to the old library during my school days. We had a very helpful librarian as well.

However if we are going to library the whole idea is reading something. There may be some of us have occasions that we go to library to meet someone but I don’t think any of us frequently visiting to library to see the building.

We generally go to library to read, there is a lesser tendency to go to library to enjoy the building.

(Padeniya Temple Ancient Library)

 But in Sri Lanka there is a one library which I very much like to visit only to see the building. Well it is not large modern building; it is a small wattle and daub construction belongs to Padeniay rajamaha Wiharaya in Kurunagala.

Sri Lanka we had a traditional education system based on Buddhist temples. Most of Buddhist temple has large amount of religious books. Those books are hand written on Palmyra leaves. 

These kind of books were  known as  “Puskolapotha”.the Place where these books were kept known as “ Pothgula”.It is very much similar to a reference section of a modern library. You can’t borrow the book but of course you can read at temple premises.

 Sadly this is not allowed for women, due to various reasons. Traditional Sri Lankan education was not a women right. It’s during the British period of Sri Lanka that women were allowed for formal education.

Padeniya Rajamaha Wihara is one of the very old Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. If you are taking Anuradhapura   road through Kurunagala this is actually on the main road.

In Sri Lanka history the ancient kingdom started fromAnuradhpura,But eventually  it started moving towards south western part of Sri Lanka.At one Point Kurunagala became the capital city of Sri Lanka. 

The kings of that time did not think of building high rises or highways. What they built was Buddhist temples.temples. Padeniya belongs to that time period but there are some stories which related to King Dutu Gemunu’s period.

The ancient library, “Pothgula” which is over three hundred years old but its wattle and daub construction. Most of wattle and daub construction does not existing such a long period. With time the moisture will cause to damage the strength of the walls and also termite attacks to the sub structure.

This particular building rests on large rock subsurface of that the water of moisture absorbent by the walls is very little. Since this is an archaeological conserved building they won’t let us to see the inside, I have been to this place several times but so far never got any opportunity of seeing it inside. But the external plastering has very smooth texture. Actually the Padeniya temple is something worth watching. 

Breaking Eggs....

My mother has a cousin sister who is  a nun, some school holidays, I used to spent whole month  with her .She was in Bandarawela, the good shepherd convent. Later  as an architecture student I came to know the chapel was designed by Arch.Ulrik Plesner, but as a ten years old I did not spent much time there.

( When I was at good Sheppard chapel  last time ,it was 2009 It is a nice place....I dont know who is sitting there...but I love this photo....)
As a kid I was kind of a  tomboy, so my mother hoped staying at  this convent environment will make some different,that was the idea of sending me there,  not to enjoy the vacation .There were certain improvements,of course I learn to work on time table, I learn to house cleaning, feeding hens etc…

The sister  Carmelia was the most kind lady out of all nuns, even she thought me  play piano, and she did not try to change  me.Other nuns were ok specially my aunt, but  I prefer sister Carmelia, Within the convent itself we also had a bakery.
We did make local breads, fish buns,Kibula buns, all that. If I had first time BBQ chicken it was at this place, I learnt it from Sister Carmelia, She thought me how to season the chicken properly. Actually I had a very good vacation time. Not only the bakery there was a farm shop as well,where they sold  eggs,chicken etc..

It was Sister Carmelia who explained how to candle the eggs, candling eggs mean, before we sell eggs in the farm shop we look for imperfections. We hold the eggs against to a light bulb or a fairly large candle and searching cracked  or flawed ones among eggs. Then we send to the bakery, they use it for cakes or making breads, the first time when I did candling eggs I found a flaw or crack in every single one of them the thin hair line ones. 

So that the  bucket which goes to the farm shop was pretty much empty.
It was the  sister Carmelia who told me that day if we look very carefully everything has a crack, if you identify it  you can break it from that crack, well as a ten years old one I did not understand what she meant that day. Actually I took over another ten years to understand what she  told.
If we look closely enough we will find very weak spot in everything, so we can beak it from that point. If we are smart enough we also find our weak spot as well, so we can take precaution before someone break our lives. That was the lesson I learnt from Sister Carmelia.

Every time when I do break an egg this coming to my mind…Now Sister Carmelia in her early seventies, of course I don’t get much time to spend with her. But still if I spend an hour with her I am learning something new....
Eggs are very versatile food.to day it was a Sunday and I got some nieces and nephews visiting our home. So I thought now it is time to teach something I know about eggs. Of course today there were about eight of my nieces and nephews so I did some eggs buffet for lunch. I made different egg dishes, kids enjoyed it.
Well I started with my favorite poached eggs. Of course it is fun to make it and the taste of creamy softness

 It’s very simple, but make sure you have fresh eggs very simple first add a small dash of vinegar to a pan of steadily simmering water. Crack eggs individually into a ramekin or cup. Look for the weak point just kidding. Then creates a gentle whirlpool in the water to help the egg white wrap around the yolk. Next step is slowly tip the egg into the water, white first. Then leave to cook for three minutes. Then it is done. Drain onto kitchen paper or straight away to a plate. Sprinkle some salt and chopped parsley if you looking for some dressing.

I don t think it is necessary to explain making egg omelet, even you can do Bulls’ eye…just break the egg into heated pan with little oil.
The other thing is boiling eggs, we may all think boiling eggs is very and anybody can do…of course it’s easy…but there are essential tips to follow. We can do hard boiling, half boiling or medium. I prefer medium boiled eggs. For medium boiled eggs it only takes seven minutes sharp. Don’t keep over seven minutes and immediately drain to cold water. Otherwise there will be ash color membrane between white yolk and yellow yolk. I don’t like being ash at all………

Then what I did was egg BBQ, well it’s also simple, just keep the eggs above the heat…But it takes time….well minimum 45 minutes.

 But if you want to make fast you can place it with burning charcoal. Also I did not do but we can bake eggs in the oven, but t you have to use heat resistance   Vessel and covered with sand. Leave about ten minutes in 245 centigrade.Or else you van use BBQ stick and place it ever the flame...But this is very messy job...I had really unsuccessful story today...Final product was very unattractive...Even I could not eat....
thing is it's a mixed of both white and yellow parts...Not nice...

Well actually I did not make today but my mother helped with this.
This is Sri Lankan special with eggs, actually only in Sri Lanka you can find this. It’s the egg hoppers…We have very popular food called Hoppers. It’s kind of pancake but with very crispy edge.

Everybody can’t make this including me…so when you add and eggs on the hopper it’s an egg hopper. Making hopper I’ll explain some other time.time.
 Mhhh egg hoppers….I just love it…

The Best Actor of Our Time...............................................

In Sri Lanka we got very notable actors,Mr.Gamini Fonseka, Known as the “Sinama Sakvithi  “   which means the greatest king  or king of the kings.

 Eventhough we don t have large film industry such as India we do produce 10 -25 per year. But Mr Gamini Fonseka throughout his life able to perfume over 100.Mr Gamini Fonseka not only did classical movies but also appeared in many of commercial movies. “Nidhanaya,Wali Kathara”, known to be the best performance of Mr. Gamini Fonseka. He also directed few movies as well,”Parasathu mal” which I like most.

A scene from" Nidhanaya"-it s story about looking for a treasure. 

Mr Joe Abhayawikrama also famous with his notable role in” Wali Kathara”.Mr Joe Abhayawikrama started his acting carrier as a comic actor, but he did many remarkable films won the best actor award many times. The role in “Purahada Kaluwara “as a blind father who lost his son in the war made him to win internationally best actor award.

A blind father waiting his son return home.Very sensitive performance ,Mr Abeywickrama won best actor award in Singapore international Film festival.But this move did not allow showing in Sri Lanka saying this movie may cause de motivation of forces.  

Mr Tony Ranasinghe,of course I can spend the whole day just looking at this photo.

If I did not mention Mr.Tony Ranasinghe that will very unfair thing to Mr .Tony Ranasingeha, He did not appear in many movies. He did carefully selected characters .Also did not contribute much into commercial movies. But Mr Tony Ranasingeha is the most handsome actor I have seen in Sinhalese movies.

 He is like Dorian Grey in Sri Lankan films. For me is best performance is “Delowak Athara” (between two worlds),  the movie is upper middle class boy who  accidently killed a passenger he did not want to hide the incident but he did not want to go to the police either.it is very much similar to Chappaquiddick incident which U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy faced.

 The whole movie warped with Mr Ranasinghe performance. He explained the complexity of the situation lot of facial expression, there is no other actor who could do that kind of role except Mr.Tony Ranasinghe.

But Mr.Tony Ranasinghe gained lot of weight so he did not be the same person in his middle age.But still he was the best good looking actor  so far.

Well, all above actors are passed away presently we have lot of talented actors but many of them popular in television tele dramas. They do their performance either on stage or silver screen.

The villege headman-Mr Rajapaksha acting in a tele drama.

But nobody is good as our ex –president Mr.Rajapaksha.Actually he did some tele drams as well. He acted as village head man .Not only that he personally met Sharukh Khan in India at mid night, because only available time was after 12 o clock night.

Mr .Rajapaksha first appeared as the commanding office to the war. He personally did this action movie well there may be lot of directors but his performance were incredible.

The action movie-MR the terminator
 He did not go to front line during the war even for a second. But there were very attractive photos were taken and widely published where he surrounded by army soldiers.

After the war he started playing “The father”. He was the father of the nation most of political rallies started after he did babysitting.
MR, The babysitter.

 There were small babies hugged by Mr Rajapaksha. People actually started believing that Mr. Rajapaksha is their BELOVED FATHER.

His best performance actually came after losing the election. He has several luxury houses, but he appeared to public jumping out of the half done house, 

did not stop that became a devotee of Lord Buddha and started going to each and  every temple ,meditating at Sri Maha bodhi tree...

Somehow he lost the parliamentarian election as well. Today I saw Mr Rajapaksha’s honorary performance. During past seven months he was completely against with both president and the prime minister, but today he behaves just like he was reborn.

Today holding hands with MY3
This is fine if Mr. Rajapaksha really wanted to help to the newly elected government, but sadly this is another act. It’s well known secret after the parliamentarian election that Mr. Rajapaksha made a call and requested from president MY3 to postpone or stop all the investigation against his family.
 After trying so many hardships now MR is planning to make good will and be innocence. Still Mr. Rajapaksha has not stopped his carrier as an actor. But the audience has some sort of awareness then he expects.

The real face of MR,confused frustrated and uncertain....... 

Come Fall In Love..............

We all at some point in our lives may have the experience of love at least once. It was Shakespeare said that the” Journey ends in lovers meeting”. Good luck with that because except Shakespeare I don’t know anyone who practically experienced this .But if you are really interested of explore Shakespeare kind of love, you can be blind with love. Actually it was the Shakespeare who said that “love is blind”

“Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.

I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,

For I am much ashamed of my exchange:

But love is blind and lovers cannot see

The pretty follies that themselves commit;

For if they could, Cupid himself would blush

To see me thus transformed to a boy.”

As far as I can remember this is in Merchant of Venice. There are some cases that cupid responsible for wrong match making. But love is something we have to feel at any point of our lives 

I think more or less we all have experienced of this. It’s okay to be blind at some point in our lives. Even Brian Adams saying this in very simple way;

“When you love someone you'll do anything

You'll do all the crazy things that you can't explain

You'll shoot the moon, put out the sun

When you love someone

You'll deny the truth, believe a lie

There'll be times that you'll believe that you could really fly

But your lonely nights have just begun

When you love someone

When you love someone you'll feel it deep inside

And nothing else could ever change your mind

When you want someone, when you need someone

When you love someone...

When you love someone you'll sacrifice

Giving everything you got and you won't think twice

You'd risk it all no matter what may come

When you love someone.

YeahYou'll shoot the moon, put out the sun

When you love someone”

Well of course I personally did not try shooting the moon but I did looking at the moon. This song is much nice to hear with Brian Adams unique voice. Also I did it may times. As the song says we do sacrifices over love. This may cause to result us sometimes in a very bad way. 

There are may be some occasions we do all the crazy things and someone happily taking advantages out of it. We might be helpless victims’ of the love. I don t know how to identify this from the beginning but don’t ever think of become a victim of love. That is the worst thing could be happened to a human.

 Love could be happened with between two people .but if you have big heart it could be more, but in unrequited love it’s only you alone. You may find nice stories, great piece of writing justifying of being a victim of unrequited love, but still those are only nice words. In reality this only makes you miserable. Very much similar to looking for a parking space but you are never finding a parking lot, everywhere is already taken, it almost kills you. So never be a victim of unrequited love, not worthy in our short period of life span.

In Buddhist Literature being miserable at unrequited love highly appreciated.It was prince Siddhartha who left his wife Princes Yashodhara and newly born son Prince Rahula. Well prince Sidhartha had a great reason of leaving his palace but Princes Yashodhara and prince Rahula did not see over 7 years. Then again Prince Yashodhara had lot of family support from her father in law it says she did not come down from 7^th floor from her palace.

Of course most of Lankans  are very good at falling love. We have a great history on love stories .It was the Kuweni who betrayed her relations for sake of love over Prince Wijeya, But later King Wijeya banished Kuweni to the Jungle  and had a queen form India. This was pre Buddhist history of Sri Lanka.

But not everyone like King Wijeya.  It is not only the King Edward VIII  chose to abdicate  his throne  because of the woman he loved, We have Prince Saliya who did the same thing during the period of Anuradhapura. Prince Saliya was King Dutugamunu’s Son he fall on live with beautiful low cast girl, Ashokamala  and  simply he gave up his throne .Eventhough King Dutugamunu  is famous for being war hero ,who defeated King Elara,with his son’s matter he was very gentle father. He built a nice palace near the Lake Tissa, still we can see ruins of this place. 

The Ranmasu Uyana, it’s the first recreational facility in ancient Sri Lanka.Also there is a stone mural Prince Saliya and Ashokamala. Everyone known as “the Isurumuniya Lovers”

But it is not necessarily to end the love story from marriage. It’s good if we can finish it over a marriage, but most cases it’s not the end. The Indian Sub continents we have great love story Over God Krishna. The God Krishna is the eighth incarnation of God Vishnu. 

The epic love story of Radha and Krishna consider as the climax of all the love stories in Indian sub-continent. Radha is Krishna's supreme beloved, but they never got married or even remotely close to that, Radha was already married by the time she met Krishna. Later Krishna married Rukmini not only that he married another 16008 wives, but still between Radha and Krishna had very passionate love over each other. They had nine nights on banks of Yamuna River. Still Hindus celebrate “Nawa Rathree” based on this event. 

But again with 16008 wives Krishna might not have enough time to spent with Radha .If Krishna spent a day with a one of his wife he will approximately take  over 40 years to for all of them...well that 's little higher hope . But still Between Radha and Krishna we believe they have true love for each other’s. I’ m not sure Radha has that much patience over Krishna. But again she has a husband as well while Krishna is away from her.

This is good if we are looking for some sort of divine eternal experience in love, but if you are looking for something more human experience I think it’s better to avoid already married people.

Sri  Lankan poet, song writer, actually a man of many things, Mr. Lushan Bulathsinghala has written poem which says that the real love stories will never ended in marriage and those who got married will never stay as lovers. It may be his personal idea but most cases getting married is totally different from fall in love.

When we get married more or less   it is like an agreement with certain conditions, as Sri Lankans many of us; we do have to think of our parents. Without their consent of course can get marired,but rest of the other things are not that easy. Most of us cannot ignore parents and family even if we think of being independent or radical. I have seen some cross marriages over different religions in Sri Lanka.From the beginning they all thought how bravely they have made decision over their marriages but when they reached to their middle age most of them start regretting.

The other critical reason which affect to the marriage is horoscope.In Sri Lanka most of them have strong believe over matching horoscope, some love affairs over 10 years, but they did not get married because of the horoscope issues.

In Sri Lanka we had very sad  real love stories, A school boy stabbed to a one of his class mate simply the boy could not accept the rejection of his love by the girl. There may be lot of stories similar to this, but I personally knew the family of the girl. Their home is  in Kiri Ella, which is about 10 km from my home town. 

The boy and girl knew each other for long time, Now both families has lost a son and a daughter. The boy is serving in prison. Both of them were in my age this was happened in 2002 while we were doing advanced level .during the election day I met the mother of the girl who was killed at school nearly 13 years ago. She cried in the middle of the town when I talked with her. She is still crying for the loss of her love. She told me recently her husband also passed away and now she is alone .She was saying there is nothing she could do to forget the memories of her lost daughter. For my understanding parents love cannot be replaced at all. Again this may not be a common fact for everyone but for most of us.

I think children can replace by their love with someone else. They have time and they will meet people, but love parents cannot do that. They will never have time when they lost their love ones.

TEN FUNNY FACTS ABOUT 2015 ELECTIONS.

TEN FUNNY FACTS ABOUT 2015 ELECTIONS.

1. We had presidential election  two years before ,because  the royal astrologer have told to Mr. Rajapaksha 2015 is a good year to win but he lost to his own party secretary MY3 .The New president  promised  after wining the election the parliamentarian election will be held  in  100 days.But he took
   
    over 1/2 a year claiming that UNP will  have a massive victory over UPAF. The royal astrologer he will no more work politicians and former president said he is no any longer believing astrology.As per Mr.Sumanadasa  all politicians except members of JVP   have come to meet him time to time,but after the election no one still have made even a call.(The royal Astrologer Sumanadasa..)
2. Former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakon cried that UPFA ignored his seniority,his commitments to the party as well his father and mistreated him.
   
   During Ex -Presidents period.But before the parliamentarian election he went to a political meeting and worshiped Mr.Rajapaksha and plead for  his forgiveness in  public.
3. Mr Mahinda Rajapaksha's permanent residence is in Madamulana,Tangalle,Southern Province,but he gave nomination from Kurunagala,Mr.Sajith Pramadasa's permanent residence is Colombo,but he gave his nomination from Hambanthota,but both of them win with large amount of preferential votes.(Mr .Sajith Premadasa Singing in a political rally)
   
    
4. As per the election results none of parties has not gain majority of the parliament.Still MR can be prime minister if  he can joined with Tamil political parties .People did not vote because they really wanted Mr Wickramasinghe as Prime Minister,But majority did not wanted MR back at all.Mr Wickramasinghe was the opposition leader over 20 years, and he has lost over 20 elections.
   
   
5. Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka did not win single parliamentary seat as well the Buddhist monk from Bodujana Peramuna. Their percentage of votes absolutely negligible.
   
6. 40 OF ex ministers and members of parliament lost their parliamentary seats,Including cabinet ministers from both governments.
   
7. Commissioner of Election Mr.Mahinda Deshapriya  technically retired government officer,it was the election commission made him to stay until President appointed another Commissioner.End of the election he was more popular than any of the politicians in Sri Lanka,But Mr Deshapria assured that he will never entered into politics.
   
8. If Mr Mahida Rajapaksha comes back to parliament as a member of the new parliament which is scheduled to held in 1st  of September he will be the first executive president who cam as a member of Parliament again.He will loose all privileges which are similar to the cabinet minister.(MR is looking at Evander Holifields  bitten ear bi Mike  Tyson)
   
9.  This election reported as the lowest rate of election violent in 62 years of Sri Lankan history.Total number of reported incidents were 272 which is lower than the incidents which happened in an hour  compare with previous elections.
   
1.   Mr.Ranil Wickramasinghe will be our  new prime minister again and  he is the first Sri Lankan Prime Minister who studied in  a Sri Lankan University.Mr .Ranil Wickramasinghe never appeared in public in National suit. He always wears European full suit.(Mr. Wickramasinghe at fruit market)
   
   He was charged in violating human rights ,in Batalanda Commission.During  their previous government well know thug ,a rapist Gonawela Sunil received presidential pardon while he was serving in prison for 15 years. And also he received all island justice of peace.m
   
   It was Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe said to the Batalanda Commission  during CBK''s time ,that they gave presidential pardon because that time the prison was too crowded and intention was make more spacious place by releasing.As a cabinet minister he should be thinking reduce the crime rate not to release another underworld thug, somehow   Gonawela Sunil was killed in 1988 by unknown gunman.No friends or no enemies in politics....Somehow still Sri lankan prisons are over crowded,Previous government had better solution they sent Army and  straightaway killed inmates .But still nearly 10-15 inmates are sharing the same cell.

How the UNP gave birth to underworld – Rapist Gonawala Sunil dies under a hail of bullets.

How the UNP gave birth to underworld – Rapist Gonawala Sunil dies under a hail of bullets.