Is There A Lion In You?

This is October, The month of October fest in Germany.where beer is cheap more than water. But in Sri Lanka our good government increased the beer price by 40-50 rupees.it seems not much, but if you order a beer pitcher I have no idea what is the cost. Hoping to check this today evening,

Well in Sri lanka  we have a chain of beer pubs run by Lion Beers which is very known as “Machan”The Machan very similar term “Dude or Buddy” in English. It’s place to have a beer for a cheap price. Actually we are not very pub oriented nation such as British. There are several bubs in Colombo, Kandy etc.But Still Pub is not a part of life for most of average Sri Lankans.We have something called wine stores in each town,small village mainly run by some henchman of the local politicians.it look like a prison cell,fortified with steel grill work.

But out of all the liquors the beer price was comparatively cheap in here. this happened after 1994.it was ex-president Chandrika Kumaratunga and  that time Minister of finance Kingsly 

T.Wickramaratne were the people those who reduced the beer price claiming this will help minimize of usage of illegal liquor in Sri Lanka.The illegal liquor which is highly consume by law income locals known as” Kasippu”. 

Mrs. Kumaratunga expected that people will drink beer instead of Kasippu when it is cheap. That time if I’m not mistaken a bottle of Beer came down to 30 SLR.but this was in 1994 or 1995.ten years ago 30 SLR was considerable amount.But there is no significant reduction of consuming Kasippu among local,but there is a increase of consuming beer for sure.

There was a Sinhalese drama by Rajitha Disanayaka “Hansayitath man Asai”(=I like swans too).Sawumya Liyanage did the main role and there was a dialog about reducing beer price and they drank actual beer bottles and did smoke  at the stage.

 I’m intention was not promoting either beer or cigarette .Except this scene I don’t remember anything special about this drama, In Sri Lankan term Hansaya, the swan has very literally meaning. If Rajitha Disanayake meant that he should have found an actress who had good looking swans. The actress of the drama even it was 1996 I remember very much she did not have “swans”. 

But before all this dram happened the beer was not the cheap .It was consider as kind of expensive liquor, Local liquor such as Arrack was bit in the low end. Even those who drink beer did not mix with others. I remember I had an uncle he never drank in pubs .Most of the evening he is frowning to his beer bottle alone in his verandah. This happened mainly because those days Sri Lanka totally depending on imported beer bottles, we did not brewed beer at that time.

The first commercial of the beer as per my memory was in Sunday times Newspaper. It was promoting Lion beer. Eventually we had wide range of beer brand. Not only Lion we have Bison as well. Then three coins. But Carlsberg remains little pricey than the other brand.

The Sri Lankan culture does not encourage having liquor by women. My mother’s generation they only looked at wine, even it’s very rare occasions, and they never looked for refill. Not drinking even holding a beer mug not very accepted by our grandparents.

But there is a first time for everything. It was one of my cousin sisters who did have a beer in front of all the relations on some New Year party. That time I was about little more than ten and now she is a mother of two boys. But I remember all my aunts were looking t her with their open mouths. But my mother did not make any comment because she may have a feeling her comments might turn beck somewhere in future.

But Still I don’t drink in front of my mother.

Two Islanders............

The prime minister of Sri Lanka Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe had been to Japan on four days official visit. As his uncle former president J.R Jayawardene our Mr .Wickramasinghe hoping to have good relationship something more than diplomatic.

 We Sri Lankans are very good customers of Japan, they  gave us Rupavahini Corporation, (the television broad casting corporation) now we have Japanese television at every single house. Also most of Sri Lankans are dreaming of second hand Japanese car.

Well of course what I like about Japan is their skillful craftsmanship in every single thing . The traditional Japanese architecture very environment friendly way of living. The traditional timber dwelling helps withstanding often earth quakes.Even the modern architects such as Taddeo Ando, Shigeru Ban inspired me as a student. Even in Sri Lanka he have some client how looked for Japanese architects service. Architect Shigeru Ban practically involved with rebuilding of entire village in Sri Lanka.

More than everything I love” Noriko Son”.Noriko son, she is a fictional character by Dr. Edireweera Sarathchandra. Those who really like literature I’m sure they have read “Malawunge Awurududa “and “Malagiya Attho”

The story simply develops around Dewandaro Son   who was practicing painting and start his life as a Buddhist monk and so and so. After completing many foreign traveling and some painting exhibitions in abroad, he decided to stay in Japan for a period of his life to achieve some of the skills of traditional painting in Japan. During his stay in Japan he encounters some passionate relationship with somewhat ignorant but very humanistic girl named Noriko. Their relationship never well-defined but this entanglement make both so sensitive towards their goals of life and end up the story in a partial tragedy by shifting Dewandaro Son   back to his own country remaining both unmarried and helpless.

Two books have written in both perspective of Noriko son and Dawadaro son, it explains the very deep sad of love. Apart from that the novel is giving awareness of Japanese tradition and its culture, remarkably fabricated. Most of the spiral arms of Japanese culture. I like this human affair as well as the cultural paradigms emerges into one another through the text is very much unique in the context of Sri Lankan literature.

Both Japanese and Sri Lankans are islanders.  We have a one large island with small few other islands but Japan has four main islands. We Sri Lankans have a saying the Japanese, the clever. I think everybody will agree the Japanese are clever nation. Both Japan and Sri Lanka are Buddhist countries. 

During the world war II Japan was the only country which bombed to Sri Lanka, But Sri Lanka was the only country who stood up with Japan At the San Francisco Summit in 1951.

World war II caused loss of lives in millions. The Japanese were famous for their suicide bombers ruthless strategies in war. It is the country of Samurais, what can we expect except blood when we got a samurai sword.it says Japan island were created by tear drops of a worrier.

 Also when we lost a war everything will fall apart, forgetting that japanenese lost thousand with atomic bombs, the defeated Japanese were charged with war crimes.

Treaty of San Francisco Peace Treaty with Japan or commonly known as the Treaty of Peace with Japan, mostly between Japan and the Allied Powers, was officially signed by 48 nations on September 8, 1951, at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California, United States.

 It came into force on April 28, 1952. According to Article 11 of the Treaty of San Francisco, Japan accepts the judgments of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and of other Allied War Crimes Courts imposed on Japan both within and outside Japan. Sri Lanka we were Ceylon at that time, and we just got our independence in 1948.

WE Sri Lanka provided support for a post-war free Japan While many were reluctant to allow a free Japan capable of aggressive action and insisted that the terms of surrender should be rigidly enforced in an attempt to break the spirit of the Japanese nation, that time our Finance Minister J.R. Jayawardene spoke in defence for a free Japan and informed the conference of our refusal to accept the payment of reparations that would harm Japan's economy. His reason was "in our country were fortunate that we were not invaded, but the damage caused by air raids, by the stationing of enormous armies under the South-East Asia Command, and by the slaughter-tapping of one of our main commodities, rubber, when we were the only producer of natural rubber for the Allies, entitles us to ask that the damage so caused should be repaired. We do not intend to do so for we believe in the words of the Great Teacher  lord Buddha  whose message has ennobled the lives of countless millions in Asia, that 'hatred ceases not by hatred but by love'." He ended the same speech by saying

 This treaty is as magnanimous as it is just to a defeated foe. We extend to Japan the hand of friendship and trust that with the closing of this chapter in the history of man, the last page of which we write today, and with the beginning of the new one, the first page of which we dictate tomorrow, her people and ours may march together to enjoy the full dignity of human life in peace and prosperity.

Minister Jayawardene's speech was received with resounding applause. Afterwards the New York Times stated, "The voice of free Asia, eloquent, melancholy and still strong with the lilt of an Oxford accent, dominated the Japanese peace treaty conference today."

But to be honest Mr J.R.Jayawardene did not practice Buddhist philosophy as the first executive president in Sri Lanka, since 1977 to 1988.As a country we were in pool of blood of youth both south and north. Mr.J.R. Jayawardena gave two weeks of holidays to the police when he got the power in 1977.He changed the Sri Lankan constitute as he wanted and it caused to a disaster for generations. But he helped to Japan in 1951; he might have changed in 26 years. Also he was the president of Sri lanka when Dr Edireweera Sarathchandra was beating by government thugs  while he was addressing a meeting.Ex-president J.R.Jayawardena did not practice any of his brilliant ideas at 1951  summit.

But however Japan is still very grateful over this.

 Even with devastation of atomic bombs, continuous earth quakes, tsunami Japan was able to be one of the most powerful countries in the world, but as a country we are still struggling. In time to time japan helped us in many ways. As a country Japan consider Sri Lanka is a friend. There are lot of Sri Lankan students are doing their studies in Japan.

Anyway today our Prime minister will address Japanese parliament .As his uncle I wish that he won’t give smooth talk at Japanese parliament and ended up the same mistakes to Sri Lanka. Well  I hope for the  best …….

Floating With Water.........

I did not learn swim in a public pool or a school pool. Where I grew up as a child in Sri Lanka a swimming pool was quiet  a luxurious thing. It was late 90s the first swimming pool was built in Ingiriya town. But we had river Kālu and some other water streams. During the monsoon flood water was a common thing. The Flood did not make me sad   like most of kids in the neighborhood, 

because as kids our imaginations were very limited on disasters due to the flood. We were very happy about the flood. The A8 road (Pandura –Ratnapura road) was affected with flood at many points. We took longer journey to go school, which made me happier or else we can skip the school for few days. It was a good play time in the flood water. 

There were few houses whom they had canoes of their own canoes. In Sinhalese this was known as “Oruwa”those that had a canoe at home become very important. Boats are not very popular among Sri Lankan villagers. A traditional wooden canoe is commonly using in many parts of Sri Lanka.

What about those who don’t have canoe at home?

 We had two options it was a time most of Sri Lankan vehicles used vehicle tires with a air filled tube. Tubeless tires were started using in Sri Lanka was no longer than ten years. 

 (Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka  with canoe in his home town.this is a very common hobby for most of Sri Lankans. there are very popular song among locals canoeing with girlfriends in  the moon light)

We will find a tire tube and jump to the flood or else we had our own way of making small raft. The materials were very simple banana trees are everywhere available. We used banana tree trunks connecting together as a raft .This is a very simple raft but this is the most valuable thing to the kids during the flood. 

Some kids those who can have bamboo trees at their garden were able to made some sort of strong raft which can easily take 5-6 people together. But the banana trunk raft can only accommodate one or two.

With this raft we play everything, most of the time some sort of battle in the flood. None of us those days ever heard the sea battle between Persians and the Greeks, but we did play in the flood like Persians and Greeks. We never used life jackets but there were some kids who can’t swim. But we learnt swim in this flood water. In terms of safety what we did may be not correct, but I must say it was a good time we have spent as children.

When I grew up I understood the difficulties of the flood. As teenagers we did not have time to play in the flood.

 At Bolgoda Lake there was couple of places that we can rent a boat. First time I rode a boat that was in Bolgoda Lake .Riding boat is not hard as riding a raft. But I feel riding a raft is more fun. Boat is very secured vessel when we compare into that simple raft. There is enough space to sit and comfortably enjoy the boat ride. I should say it a very subtle experience riding a boat on Bolgoda Lake in early morning.

But I must mentioned those who looking for something adventurous should go to Kithulgala.

Kithulgalla is world famous for its scenic beauty .There are is no point of being a Sri Lankan if you haven’t done white water rafting in Kithulgala at least once in our life time. But it is important to learn how to swim before you start thinking of white water rafting in Kithulgala.Swiming is not that hard thing to learn, we all know we have to get into the water to learn how to swim. It is applicable for everything not only white water rafting I guess..

In school time I was a member of school rowing club; well where we did practices mostly was on Berei Lake Colombo .The Colombo rowing club which has a history over 100 years, mainly based on Berei Lake. By the time the club started I don’t think the lake was that polluted. But when we start rowing it was very bad conditions. But In Sri Lanka as a sport rowing is bit expensive.it is not because that we don’t have enough lakes or water bodies in Sri Lanka it’s mainly because of the equipment cost.

We don’t produced rowing boats in Sri Lanka, everything is imported and government always imposing a huge tax on this equipment’s. Rowing is not widely popular among schools other than Colombo. One reason is the unreasonable expenses on equipment.

As Sri Lankans we don’t use boats or passenger carrier vessels very much. There were few attempts of introducing water based transportation to Colombo.

 We had boat service from Wellawata canal to Nawala, but we Sri Lankans did not welcome it as expected. People preferred to use buses and spent time in the traffic. Also we have failed attempt of floating markets in Bastian canal In Pettah. 

We never had a floating market culture such as Thailand or Vietnam. So when it suddenly changes things drastically Sri Lankans don’t welcome as the government expected. So our floating market becomes very dull place in the middle of crowded Pettah.

There are several places in Sri Lanaka using passenger carrier rafts Trough Rivers. In Sinhalese known as “Palam Peru”( = rafter which is like a bridge).But last few years most of places ware replaced by constructing bridges.

As an architect I got totally different experience about Rafters In construction .it’s different rafter which is meant to be very static. This is raft foundation. Raft foundations (sometimes known as Mat Foundations) are a large concrete slab which can support a number of columns and walls. The slab is spread out under the entire building or at least a large part of it which lowers the contact pressure compared to the traditionally used strip or trench footings. Because of the speed and volume of houses required after the Second World War, the raft foundation was widely used. The raft foundation was cheaper, easier to install and most importantly, did not require as much excavation as the usual strip foundations.

The site where I am working, have a raft foundation which is bigger than a football field. Still not completed, But I ll update in time to time.

Nepotism.................?

Our good government become extremely good not because that it has over 40 cabinet ministers which have ministries but not been properly gazetted, it’s because our president’s son recently started an English class through his Facebook page. First of all we should thanks to this young man’s attempt of improving English knowledge among Sri Lankans and we wish he will get many international conferences .Then we can learn at least a single word from each conference which he will be attending.

Mr. Dahama Sirisena explained the word” nepotism “As per his explanation we Sri Lankans are total miss leaded by the meaning of this word. Any way those who did  not read Mr .Daham Sirisena’s explanation this is what the oxford dictionary says.

Nepotism

ˈ(nepəˌtizəm)/noun

The practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.

Synonyms: favoritism, preferential treatment, the old boy network, looking after one's own, bias, partiality, partisanship

Origin

Mid-17th century: from French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nipote ‘nephew’ (with reference to privileges bestowed on the “nephews” of popes, who were in many cases their illegitimate sons).

I agree with Mr Daham Sirisena so far he has not been awarded with a good position in government jobs. When he finished his studies in England he will definitely get a good job considering his qualifications like his uncle. 

The other thing is most of Sri Lankan can’t afford sending their children study in England, like our president does. In a way Mr Daham Sirisena you are very lucky. Now you already have attended United Nations conference as well. We, Sri Lankans are not jealousy about your greatest achievements, we are proud about you and your father, when we are seeing that your father, our president is sitting next to Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin at the lunch table we Sri Lankan did not even eat for days, because we lost our hunger.

But meantime you must have asked from UN sectary Ban Ki Moon  why did not he  invite Mrs. Obama or Mrs. Putin .Al we are aware of that Mr.Modi, the Indian Prime minister is still unmarried. They should have brought their children instead of wives. Of course you missed the company of those children.

It  appears to me Mr. Daham Sirisena is only teaching what he thinks appropriate to us. He has simply ignoring the full meaning of the noun. Furthermore he is comparing this is much better than this country with Mr .Rajapaksha. Yes I have to agree, but his father was the man who asked power to end that era. But are you willing   to do the same? Please Mr .Daham Sirisena don’t try to justify with this sort of feeble answers.

As young law student Mr Daham Sirisena must have known that famous statement in law education "Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done."

I think we can rephrase this “"Not only must GOOD GOVERNMENT be done; it must also be SEEN to be done."

Again Mr Daham Sirisena please continue you r English class through Facebook. We are willing to be your students.

But I would like to mention something I have heard from President Abraham Lincoln for your knowledge.it s better if you can also visit Washington D.C   and see Lincoln memorial.

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

Abraham Lincoln