Features

2020 Olympic Games: tales mostly of triumph

Published

4 years ago

2021/08/15

I watched on a sports channel and BBC snatches of the closing ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and the concurrent celebrations in Paris with President Macron atop the Eiffel Tower watching the fly past of planes emitting streams of white, blue and red fumes; and the French Flag waved around. France will host the 2024 Games in Paris and we do hope with none of the heartburn and doubts that surrounded the Tokyo games; plus criticism too.

Dousing the flame and handing over the flag

The bounced around questions and doubts for much more than a year were prefaced with would, could and should the Games be held. Even when postponed by more than one year, the questions and doubts and overcoming opposition gave headaches to the Olympic organizing team and to athletes around the world plus Covid 19 experts. But finally the Games did go ahead, in a bubble meant to separate it from Tokyo, minus spectators but inclusive of all thrills, a few spills, excitement and drawing world attention with the spectacular winning of golds, silvers and bronzes. A couple of records were broken.

Thus the glorious Olympic Games were held successfully, even though the cursed Covid 19 did invade the Village. They concluded on Sunday August 8 with the ceremonial handing of the Olympic flag to the next host France; accompanied by nostalgia, forged friendships and connections; living up to its motto: ‘Swifter, Higher, Stronger, Together’ and its creed of ‘The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well.’ Thomas Pesquet played the last line of the Olympic song on his saxophone from outer space! Two women played major roles here: Tokyo Governor – Yuniko Koike and Mayor of Paris – Anna Hidelgo.

Anthony Lane writing in the New Yorker dated 8/8/2021 noted: “Yet the Tokyo Olympics, though menaced by a gruelling degree of heat and humidity, did offer surprising relief. And all because of the kids.” That last because new competitions introduced this year – skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing had the debutantes, mostly very young, 13-year olds for instance skate boarding fearlessly. Just turned teenager, British Sky Brown was one of them who won gold in skateboarding, plus her giggles won the hearts of people who watched the games on TV.

Lane adds: “There has been a different, more vulnerable dynamic to these Olympics, and the athletes have modeled a way through it – in part by being open about their individual struggles, and in part by leaning on one another. The enduring image of these Games, for me, won’t be of a winner wrapped in a flag but of American gymnast Simone Giles.” This superb gymnast withdrew from most of the competitions she had entered for having suffered ‘the twisties ‘ – high in the air, looking lost. “Having performed one and a half of the planned two and a half twists of her vault, she suddenly flung her arms open to stop her spinning. Her body torqued, her head going one way while her legs went another, and then pitched forward, stumbling and lunging into a landing. It would have felt strange to watch any gymnast vault so awkwardly, but it was especially shocking to see it from Biles, who, normally, has unparalleled body control, and an unerring sense of herself in the air.” She said she suffered emotionally if not mentally but came back on the last day to win bronze on the balance beam. Many others rallied round her and encouraged and empathized with her, emphasizing the fact that friendship and fellow feeling superseded sharp competition.

Most medals

Commentators say the first defining moment of the 2020 Tokyo Games was American star Allyson Felix winning her 10^th gold medal – the most number of medals for a female track athlete. She also won bronze for the 4X400 m relay. This is Felix’s fifth Olympics having competed in 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro; winning gold at every Summer Olympics. “This one is very different, and it’s very special. And it just took a lot to get here,” she said. She now exceeds the record set by Jamaican athlete Merlene Ottey and equals Carl Lewis who holds the honour of most Olympic medals won by a U.S. track athlete. Lewis warmly congratulating her on Twitter said: “35 never looked so good.” The most touching scene for me was seeing her celebrate her gold with her little daughter of around three years in her arms, born prematurely.

Another impressive woman is Elaine Thompson Herah (29) from Jamaica, five times Olympian, who won the 100 and 200 m sprints but could not beat the record held by Florence Griffith Joyner of the US. However, she is the fastest woman in history having created a new record in 100m and won the 200m plus won gold in the 4X400 relay. Her husband is her coach.

Other noteworthies

Too many to mention here. However Tom Daly and Matt Lee created history with their synchronized diving. Listening to Daly after his win I thought I heard wrong when he referred to his husband and child. He did say ‘husband’ for he came out as gay in 2013 and is one among 142 LGBTQ athletes at these Games.

Amusing, yet heart strings-pulling, was the utter surprise registered on Norwegian Karsten Warholm’s face as he won the 400 m hurdles, outstripping his own world record by a distance. He rejoiced setting a new record by ripping open his vest! The 110 m hurdles was won by Jamaican Hansle Parchment arriving just in time in the stadium having gone to a wrong venue and being lent money to taxi to the correct place. Acclaimed by all was the sharing of the gold in the high jump very willingly and magnanimously by Qatar’s Barshin and Italy’s Tamberi.

The most touching story

The most heartwarming tale comes from India and the captain of its women’s hockey team, which went around as an email. Netherlands won gold, Argentina silver and GB bronze. However India’s women’s hockey team won hearts and praise beating Australia to reach the semi-finals but beaten by Britain.

The narrative centers on the caption Rani Rampal, 26, from the State of Haryana. Most of the players come from extreme poverty and started playing to support their families. They faced extreme opposition from within the conservative and tradition bound families since “Girls aren’t supposed to play sports, and that too in skirts!”

In an interview Rani said: “I wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained. My parents tried their best, but there was only so much they could do – Papa was a cart puller and Maa worked as a maid.”

She went to a hockey academy close to home but only watched others play at first. Her father could not afford fees and the trainer refused to have her saying she was not strong enough. She found a broken hockey stick and practiced, determined to prove she could wield the stick with dexterity and was taken on.

Her family firmly refused to let her play due to the tradition of girls being cooks, caretakers, dutiful daughters and then wives and mothers, but later her father relented.

At the academy, it was mandatory for each player to bring 500 ml of milk. Since her family could not afford this, she watered her milk portion. Her coach supported her fully and she trained hard and consistently. She earned her first salary of Rs 500 winning a State tournament and handed it over to her father who had never had such an amount in one go. Her aim was for the family to have a home of their own. She played for Haryana and then finally got the national call. There was no looking back from then on, becoming captain of the national team. She bought the family a home in 2017. We wish her luck.

I end with a quote culled from a foreign paper. “Only a fool would argue that the world of pandemic, of fire and flood, and of economic uncertainly was halted or healed by this year’s Olympic Games. Only a cynic however would deny that, for a fortnight, the darkness was put on hold. Faith in the future was restored.” I add by the competing athletes: their perseverance, strengths and weaknesses and the spirit of playing fair. 205 nations participated in the Tokyo Games with 339 events in 33 sports. And its motto seemed to be “United by emotions.” Yes, the heart was supreme above the body of physical strength and mind of determined competition.

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Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.