Features

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/21

By AN OCTOGENARIAN

The Bridge on the River Kwai’ Though filmed in Sri Lanka was the award winning movie ‘The Bridge on the river Kwai,’ which was based on the building of a bridge 277 miles in length connecting Burma ( now known as Myanmar ) with Siam ( now known as Thailand ) during World War II by prisoners of war held by the Japanese. These POW were from Britain, Australia Holland , USA and around 200,000 conscripted civilians.

The highlight of the movie was the blowing up of the specially constructed bridge which spanned the Kelani Ganga in the picturesque and sleepy village of Kitulgala located at the foot of the Gingathena Pass. Directed by David Lean, it featured a star cast which included Sir Alec Guinness, William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa and Anne Seans all of whom visited this island for the filming. Also included in this team was our own cameraman Willie Blake who was renowned for his filming of jungle life.

This movie will best be remembered for the “Colonel Bogey March,” which was whistled by the Allied prisoners of war as they marched on the orders of their Japanese captors. But mischievous schoolboys made the tune more spicy by introducing ribald and humorous lyrics about some of the war-time German Generals.

Emily and Vada Kaha Sudiya

June 20, 1955 will be always remembered as the day when there was a early morning total eclipse of the sun leaving Colombo in complete darkness. It was declared as a special holiday for schools. But there is another and no doubt a more popular reason for remembering this day. The baila describing the adventures of Emily who ‘daval kalay, ra vunu e davase’ consumed a decoction called ‘Vada kaha Sudiya’ in the hope of transforming her dark complexion into a fair and more attractive one. Poor Emily did not achieve her much desired objective but according to that baila all she did was to vomit !

Movies and Actors

Schoolboys who had only a limited amount of pocket money would pay 50 cents and sit in the gallery also called the ‘gallows’ which was located right in front of the cinema hall only a few yards from the screen to view their favorite movies. One of the most popular movies was the ‘Tarzan’ series featuring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan. Weissmuller’s fame was not so much as an actor but as a swimmer. Participating in the 1924 Paris Olympics and later in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics he won a total of five gold medals.

This was also the time when the exploits of James Bond better known as the ’Saint’ co-authored by Leslie Charteris and Ian Fleming were featured in a series of novels which were avidly read by teenagers. Some of these novels were transformed into movies, beginning with “Doctor No” featuring Sean Connery in the lead role who almost overnight became one of the most popular Hollywood actors.

It was also the time when comics – a cartoon type of stories featuring heroes such as Captain Marvel, Superman, Batman, Spiderman and Tin Tin were surreptitiously read by schoolboys in preference to their school text books. Musically it was the time of Richard Clayderman , Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Elton John , Nat King Cole , ABBA, The Beatles, The Platters and The Carpenters- sadly, this pair of siblings – Karen and Richard met with tragic ends. The former suffering from anorexia died of heart failure while the latter became a drug addict. Much later came the colorful and controversial Michael Jackson.

‘Blackboard Jungle’ was the movie in which Bill Hayley and his Comets sang ‘Rock Around the Clock’ as a result of which the younger generation put aside the traditional Quick Step and Waltzes which demanded nimble footwork and a close synchronization with one’s partner. Instead they adopted the gyrating type of dancing which anyone with even a basic sense of rhythm could do. On the opening night of this movie at the Savoy Cinema a group of youngsters got onto the stage and started performing the Rock and Roll. The Police had to be summoned to stop them and lead them outside the cinema hall.

Consumer Items

Some of the brands which have disappeared from our Super Market shelves in recent times were Lyles Golden Syrup, IXL Jam, Angiers Emulsion, Waterbury’s Compound , Andrews Liver Salts, Sunny South Butter, Globe Butter, Peek Freans Biscuits, Dutch Ball Cheese, Brylcream – a hair cream for men the press advertisement of which featured the popular English cricketer Dennis Compton, Cow & Gate milk powder, Ferradol, Farleys

Baby Rusks, Robinsons Patent Barley and Nabisco Biscuits. Mention must be made of two popular favorites amongst school boys. Bubble Gum and Bulto. The former was a type of chewing gum which with the flexibility of the tongue one was able to actually blow a bubble through the lips. Bulto was supposedly a misadventure which became a roaring success.

As to why it was given this name nobody seems to know. But the creator of this delicacy was an ‘Achchi’ who while making Kaludodol over-did the frying process and the expected Kaludodol became a sweet, hard, sticky mass. This was cut into pieces, wrapped in oil paper and sold. Overnight chewing Bulltoe became the latest craze. One could keep on chewing it for hours and most often it would get stuck between the upper and lower jaw teeth! Furthermore unlike chewing gum or bubble gum which had to be spat out after the chewing process was over. Bulltoe was meant to be chewed until it finally melted and what remained was swallowed.

Shopping, was a pleasant experience specially in Fort were there were the large department stores which were perhaps the precursor of the modern Super Markets – Whiteway Laidway more often referred to as Whitaways, Cargills, Millers, Broughams, and Colombo Apothecaries. There was also Caves which specialized in the sale of books. Opposite the Fort Railway Station was that landmark shop with the majestic name of ‘Fireworks Palace’. As the name indicates here could be found an abundance of fire-works. Amidst this vast array were Catherine Wheels, Squibs, Sky Rockets, Sparklers, Chinese Crackers which could be safely held in the hand as they burst with a tolerable bang.

For the more adventurous there was the ‘Ali Dong’ a cracker which went off like a bomb. At the far end along Dam Street in Pettah, was Mabel Stores, which stocked a whole heap of discarded military goods, such as boots, parachute silk, rolls of barbed wire, berets, kaki jackets, Woodbine cigarettes, and according to Walter Fernando –a leading hockey player in his time, Mabel Stores also stocked hockey sticks, and pads.

Pettah can also claim to have a fascinating collection of Dutch memorabilia such as street signs, steam rollers and printing presses, which are housed in the old Town Hall which was reconstructed to be a Dutch Museum with aid from institutions such as the Netherlands –Sri Lanka Foundation in the Hague and the Netherlands Alumni Association of Sri Lanka. Most unfortunately it is ‘Temporally Closed’ For how long is ‘Temporally’ is anybody’s guess.

Restaurants

Fountain Cafe which was owned by Ceylon Cold Stores, was essentially a family restaurant serving a vast array of tasty food amongst which were rolls, cutlets, patties , hot dogs. But their specialty was the sauce made, so it was claimed, according to a secret recipe. Little wonder that no other restaurant could match this delicacy . Alas! this iconic restaurant is no more.

Then there was Lion House located opposite the Majestic theater which was equally popular but for a different reason. It was open day and night and this was where groups or couples would stop their cars in the early hours of the morning after a Saturday night dance, to fortify themselves with egg hoppers and coffee served to the car door.

From Radio to TV

December 16, 1925 was a milestone in the history of broadcasting. It started with Colombo Radio, the first radio station in Asia and the second in the world. In October 1949 Colombo Radio was changed to Radio Ceylon, then in 1967 there was another name change – Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation., and finally when our island became a Republic in 1972 the present name was used – Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

With due respect to the many announcers whose voices gave life to radio broadcasting three names must be mentioned – Greg Roskowski, Vernon Corea and Bob Harvey. Of Sinhala announcers there is one name which stands out- Karunaratne Abeysekera

On April 15, 1979 Sri Lanka leapfrogged into the color TV era bypassing black and white TV thanks to two businessmen –Anil Wijewardena and Shan Wickremesinghe The new channel was called Independent Television Network (ITN) and commenced broadcasts from a small building in Pannipitiya. However on June 5 of that year ITN was taken over by the Government.

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Features

The hard challenge of clinching a political settlement in the Middle East

Published

21 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bruised hearts: Displaced Palestinian civilians in the Gaza.(Photo by Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Despite some sections of the Trump administration persisting with the view that the possibility could not be entirely ruled out of there being a diplomatic solution to the current US-Iran hostilities in West Asia, the skeptic could not be blamed for thinking otherwise. The intensity, scale and frequency of the tit-for-tat strikes by the antagonists over the past few days against selected military targets and civilian infrastructure in particular in West Asia make the adoption of this stance excusable.

The continuing hostilities render the mentioning of the MOU signed between the warring parties in mid-June a laughable matter. While it could very well be that the foes are wishing privately for a cessation of hostilities before long, what seems to be uppermost on their minds right now is to negotiate with each other from a position of strength. This strategy compels them to incapacitate each other militarily to the extent possible, lest they have to concede too much to each other during negotiations. Hence the stepped-up hostilities.

However, even on the question of there being a negotiated political settlement in the West Asian theatre in the longer term, the skeptic could come to be seen as scoring over the optimist. Developments on the ground account for this.

At the time of writing Israel’s Netanyahu government is going ahead in fairly care-free fashion with the establishment of more Jewish settlements in the Gaza and the West Bank, and it’s all happening under the apparently complacent gaze of the US. In fact, some quarters estimate that Israel is in control of some 65% of the Gaza Strip. Ethnic cleansing, that is, is being drastically stepped-up.

Accordingly, in terms of the power relations of West Asia, the world is almost back to the status quo of the late forties of the last century when the state of Israel was established and the Palestinians were reduced to a microscopic minority in the land they came to inhabit. Therefore, even the impartial observer would be compelled to ask: ‘Will a negotiated peace be ever possible in the Middle East?’

The humanist in the observer would prefer to answer this question in the affirmative and it is indeed the ideal stance to adopt considering the staggering human and material costs of the conflict. But the way ahead to peace could be expected to be highly hazardous and arduous. Among other odds, it would also prove an uphill endeavour to win minds and hearts.

The US’ Trump administration would need to be counted out in this pursuit. This is on account of the fact that it has been far too wayward in its management of West Asian affairs in particular over the past couple of years. Given its unpredictable character it is a matter for conjecture whether it could be counted on to live up to its commitments.

Moreover, Israel could be expected to ‘go it alone’ in the Middle East regardless of whether US help is coming or otherwise. It has indicated as much in recent times and Israel could be doubted on this score only at the doubter’s peril. Because time and again Israel has demonstrated that it could steadfastly defend its interests even single-handedly in the Middle East. History bears this out.

However, a durable alliance with the US would stand Israel in good stead. On the matter of military and intelligence assistance, for example, the US’s help proved invaluable for Israel in the past and going forward this is bound to be so as well. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Trump administration would give up on Israel, considering that a strong Israel is crucial for the furtherance of the US’ strategic and economic interests in West Asia.

But whether the above factors would have a considerable bearing on the question of working out a durable solution to the West Asian tangle is an entirely different matter. Israel, as in the case of the Palestinian enclaves, is acutely security conscious and would need to satisfy itself fully that it could live in a security environment that would guarantee its complete safety, going forward.

The Middle East is badly in need of another peace effort on the lines of the Oslo Accords of the mid-nineties that brought the key actors together and helped hammer out a solution that addressed some of their notable concerns. To be sure, that process did not prove to be the ideal answer to the tangle, but it yielded some respite to the region and drove home that one-time sworn foes could indeed negotiate with a degree of success. The West Bank authority, although falling short of fulfilling some key Palestinian aspirations, is testimony that a degree of success is possible if the intent is right.

Given the current realities of West Asia, peace-making is bound to be an uphill challenge. The violence faced in recent times by the Palestinian community, in particular, has been nothing less than mind-numbing. Merciless has been the violence visited on them by the Israeli side. In such circumstances, durable peace in the region could smack of an idealist’s dream.

Nevertheless, there needs to be urgently, a meeting of minds over the divides. The US would need to be counted out as an honest broker in bringing the sides together but the rest of the West would do well to step up to the challenge.

In this exercise the onus would be on the world’s democracies to take the initiative and doggedly stay the course. An acceptable combination would be the EU and the UN. Given their credentials, the main sides in West Asia ought to find them the least controversial.

Even if the relevant institutional and political arrangements could be shored up to take a reconciliation process forward, winning hearts and minds for the peace drive would prove a grueling challenge. Over the past few years in particular tens of thousands of hearts and minds on both sides of the divide have been bruised badly in the runaway murderous violence that has come to define the Middle East.

These badly scarred personalities would need to experience healing without much delay. It is therefore a multi-faceted challenge that is at hand. Since wide-ranging expertise would be needed in the healing process, people’s participation in peace-making, ranging over the divides, would need to be made a durable reality. It will be a time for enthroning humanity and ensuring the rejection of all forms of violence and coercion.

Features

Amazing Thailand …right here in Colombo

Published

21 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

For many Sri Lankans, Thailand is the go-to holiday — beaches, temples, food, and that famous warm hospitality.

In fact, I’ve been to Amazing Thailand 24 times myself, and was honoured with the Friends of Thailand International Media Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for promoting Thai tourism.

The good news I have for you today is that you don’t even need a passport to get a taste of Amazing Thailand.

The Royal Thai Embassy, in Colombo, is bringing a vibrant slice of Thailand, to the city of Colombo, with Thai Festival 2026 — a cultural experience like never before.

Whether you are an avid enthusiast of Thai culture, a total novice, or simply just interested in exploring foreign cultures, Thai Festival 2026 is going to be the perfect opportunity for you to get more than just a glimpse into one of the most celebrated cultural heritages in South East Asia. And ENTRANCE IS FREE.

The festival will be held on the 1st and 2nd of August, 2026, at Siam Nivasa, 43, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 7, and the East Parking Area, of the Colombo Municipal Council, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Both days will be full of live entertainment, and dispersed throughout with Thai cultural displays, including exhilarating traditional dance performances and breathtaking Muay Thai demonstrations.

Exploring art and craft specific to Thailand, tasting irresistible authentic Thai cuisine, and playing arcade games, are just a few more fun-filled events available for visitors at the festival premises.

An array of Thai products will also be available for purchase.

While at the festival, you will find Sri Lankan Alumni from Thai universities sharing their experiences with you and willing to answer any questions you might have, related to studying abroad in Thailand.

You can also register for the Muay Thai workshop that will be happening on the 7th and 8th of August, 2026, in Colombo.

Irresistible authentic Thai cuisine

Visitors can also stand a chance to win traditional Thai souvenirs, get exclusive photo opportunities, and, the big one — to enter the raffle draw, at the end of each day, for the grand prize of an all-inclusive round trip to Thailand.

Be sure to avail yourself of this exceptional opportunity and add a cultural spin to your weekend.

To keep up with the latest updates on Thai Festival 2026, head over to the Thai Festival official social media pages.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo official webpage:

https://colombo.thaiembassy.org

Official social media:

Facebook: @RTEColombo

Instagram: @thaiembassysrilanka

Thai Festival official social media:

Facebook: Thai Festival in Colombo

Instagram: @thaifestival_colombo

TikTok: @thaifestival.incolombo

Features

Thicker, stronger hair …

Published

21 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hair fall, in this heat, can be so frustrating, and noticing a thin patch is even more worrying. The good news is … yes, with a little care and kitchen ingredients, you can nourish your scalp and support healthy regrowth.

Try these four easy home remedies … even our grandmothers trusted:

* Coconut Oil and Curry Leaves Tonic:

Warm 04 tablespoons of coconut oil, with a handful of curry leaves, till the leaves turn black. Cool, strain, and massage into scalp 02-03 times a week. Leave for 01 hour, or overnight.

Why:

Coconut oil deeply nourishes, while curry leaves help strengthen roots and add shine.

* Onion Juice for Spot Treatment:

With cotton, dab the juice of 01 small onion, directly on the thin/bald patches. Leave for 20-30 minutes, and then wash with a mild shampoo. Use twice a week.

Why:

Rich in sulfur, onion juice helps boost blood circulation to the scalp.

* Aloe Vera and Castor Oil Mask:

Mix 02 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 tablespoon castor oil and apply to the scalp, focusing on thinning areas. Leave for 45 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.

Why:

Aloe vera soothes the scalp, while castor oil coats hair to make it look thicker.

* Fenugreek and Curd Strengthening Pack:

You will need 02 tablespoons fenugreek seeds, soaked overnight, and 02 tablespoons plain curd.

Grind to a paste, apply to scalp for 30 minutes, and then wash.

Why:

Fenugreek strengthens strands and reduces breakage.

Extra Tips for Healthy Hair:

Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp.

Eat iron and protein rich foods: greens, dhal, eggs, fish.

Use lukewarm water, not hot.

Be gentle when brushing and drying.