Features

Memories of archaeologists Paul and Siran Deraniyagala, father and son

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/17

by Raja de Silva

In my schooldays, everyone knew of Paul Deraniyagala, ‘Cambridge Boxing Blue’, who was a familiar figure judging the boxing at the Stubbs Shield contests in the Royal College Hall. Twenty years later, I would see him at close-quarters in his office at the National Museum, poring over the remains of a man in his plaster of Paris cocoon brought from an excavation in Balangoda. This man was later known as ‘Balangoda man’. That was in 1957, after Paranavitana had retired and Godakumbure, later to become Archaeological Commissioner was in England; Paul Deraniyagala, Director of National Museums, was appointed Acting Archaeological Commissioner in addition to his own duties.

Excellent idea

At the outset, the Acting AC told me, then the most senior officer in the Department, that I was to see him at the Colombo Museum, across the road from our Department, only on important matters such as signing statutory papers. Otherwise, a telephone call would do. One Saturday morning (then a working day till 1 pm) I was working in my laboratory and workshop in the Old SSC pavilion next door. I received a visitor at about 10.30. He was my friend Charlie Kannangara from Deniyaya, where he was the Member of Parliament; he was tired after driving non-stop and wanted to take me to the SSC for a hard-earned beer. I held him at bay with magazines till 11.30 when he began to show signs of becoming restive. But it was a working day. So, I telephoned the Acting AC, whereupon the following dialogue took place:

de Silva: de Silva here, Sir.

Paul D: Yes, what’s the matter? (The Acting AC did not like receiving telephone calls.)

de Silva: A friend has driven to Colombo from Deniyaya. He is tired and he wishes to take me to his club for a beer.

Paul D: An excellent idea.

And thus the conversation was concluded.

I was glad to have had an understanding Acting Archaeological Commissioner who gave me a free hand in managing the Department. I have (hopefully) perpetuated his name in Sigiriya by referring in official documents to a cave (B7) as Deraniyagala’s Cave. This is where he had earlier discovered several paintings containing female figures showing their whole bodies.

Like father, like son

In 1968, there was provision in the Estimates of the Archaeological Department for the appointment of an Assistant Commissioner (Excavations). The Public Service Commission (PSC) gazetted the notice calling for applications, and one day five members of the board of interview (myself included) sat in the board-room of the PSC waiting to interview each applicant. I noticed that the peon (later known as ‘Karyala Karyaka Sevaka’) had whispered to each of three interview board members that there was a telephone call at the office of Secretary/PSC, next door. I was the next to be similarly telephoned, whereupon the following conversation took place.

de Silva (AC): Hello.

Bradman Weerakoon, Secretary to the Prime Minister (S/PM): Hello, Raja, Brad here. I have a message for you from the PM.

AC: Is it the same message that you gave the other interview board members?

S/PM: Yes, the PM is interested in one of the applicants you are about to interview (and he named the applicant).

AC: Brad, the post is for an officer of my Department, and I want the best.

S/PM: Understood. Anyway, I was asked to convey the message.

AC: Message received.

Siran Deraniyagala was the best applicant, and he was appointed to the new post in 1968.

Resignation and re-employment

Some time after 1979, Siran Deraniyagala found that his presence was periodically required in Germany to attend to certain family obligations. This entailed his being abroad for longer periods than was permissible by the regulations of the Government. He told me of his decision to resign from his post of Deputy AC. I informed the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Edwin Hurulle, of the situation, and advised him that we could retain Siran’s services after his resignation by his re-employment as Advisor in Excavations. There was provision for such a procedure, and so he was re-employed.

MH Sirisoma, the next in line, was appointed Deputy AC and Siran Deraniyagala was appointed Advisor in Excavations, enabling him to continue heading the Excavations Branch of the Archaeological Department. On the premature death of AC Sirisoma in 1992, Deraniyagala was appointed Director General of Archaeology on 24 November 1992, and on his retirement in 1999, he resumed work as Advisor in Excavations. He is the longest serving officer of the Archaeological Department. He has had an outstanding career, and I consider myself fortunate in having had him as an Assistant Commissioner of Archaeology.

One final memory I recount concerns my late wife, Kamala. She had met Siran Deraniyagala periodically, and once took the opportunity to ask him why he used big words in physical geography like “aeolian” in his papers. His riposte was that it was for the purpose of confusing his readers. This was appropriately met by laughter all round.

Paul Deraniyagala and his son, Siran, are exceptional in many ways: both were alumni of Cambridge and Harvard universities, both had doctorates, and both served as heads of the same government department, i.e. of Archaeology. I am aware that the son brought great satisfaction to his family in this achievement.

Siran Deraniyagala, a foremost archaeologist, has left us (on October 4) on his longest journey. The only member of his family known to mine, from her infancy, is his daughter Lily Juleff (born 1997, resident in the UK) to whom we send our thoughts of deepest sympathy. I conclude by warmly wishing Siran Deraniyagala bon voyage.

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Features

Maduro abduction marks dangerous aggravation of ‘world disorder’

Published

7 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Venezuelan President Maduro being taken to a court in New York

The abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces on January 3rd and his coercive conveying to the US to stand trial over a number of allegations leveled against him by the Trump administration marks a dangerous degeneration of prevailing ‘world disorder’. While some cardinal principles in International Law have been blatantly violated by the US in the course of the operation the fallout for the world from the exceptionally sensational VVIP abduction could be grave.

Although controversial US military interventions the world over are not ‘news’ any longer, the abduction and hustling away of a head of government, seen as an enemy of the US, to stand trial on the latter soil amounts to a heavy-handed and arrogant rejection of the foundational principles of international law and order. It would seem, for instance, that the concept of national sovereignty is no longer applicable to the way in which the world’s foremost powers relate to the rest of the international community. Might is indeed right for the likes of the US and the Trump administration in particular is adamant in driving this point home to the world.

Chief spokesmen for the Trump administration have been at pains to point out that the abduction is not at variance with national security related provisions of the US Constitution. These provisions apparently bestow on the US President wide powers to protect US security and stability through courses of action that are seen as essential to further these ends but the fact is that International Law has been brazenly violated in the process in the Venezuelan case.

To be sure, this is not the first occasion on which a head of government has been abducted by US special forces in post-World War Two times and made to stand trial in the US, since such a development occurred in Panama in 1989, but the consequences for the world could be doubly grave as a result of such actions, considering the mounting ‘disorder’ confronting the world community.

Those sections opposed to the Maduro abduction in the US would do well to from now on seek ways of reconciling national security-related provisions in the US Constitution with the country’s wider international commitment to uphold international peace and law and order. No ambiguities could be permitted on this score.

While the arbitrary military action undertaken by the US to further its narrow interests at whatever cost calls for criticism, it would be only fair to point out that the US is not the only big power which has thus dangerously eroded the authority of International Law in recent times. Russia, for example, did just that when it violated the sovereignty of Ukraine by invading it two or more years ago on some nebulous, unconvincing grounds. Consequently, the Ukraine crisis too poses a grave threat to international peace.

It is relevant to mention in this connection that authoritarian rulers who hope to rule their countries in perpetuity as it were, usually end up, sooner rather than later, being a blight on their people. This is on account of the fact that they prove a major obstacle to the implementation of the democratic process which alone holds out the promise of the prgressive empowerment of the people, whereas authoritarian rulers prefer to rule with an iron fist with a fixation about self-empowerment.

Nevertheless, regime-change, wherever it may occur, is a matter for the public concerned. In a functional democracy, it is the people, and the people only, who ‘make or break’ governments. From this viewpoint, Russia and Venezuela are most lacking. But externally induced, militarily mediated change is a gross abnormality in the world or democracy, which deserves decrying.

By way of damage control, the US could take the initiative to ensure that the democratic process, read as the full empowerment of ordinary people, takes hold in Venezuela. In this manner the US could help in stemming some of the destructive fallout from its abduction operation. Any attempts by the US to take possession of the national wealth of Venezuela at this juncture are bound to earn for it the condemnation of democratic opinion the world over.

Likewise, the US needs to exert all its influence to ensure that the rights of ordinary Ukrainians are protected. It will need to ensure this while exploring ways of stopping further incursions into Ukrainian territory by Russia’s invading forces. It will need to do this in collaboration with the EU which is putting its best foot forward to end the Ukraine blood-letting.

Meanwhile, the repercussions that the Maduro abduction could have on the global South would need to be watched with some concern by the international community. Here too the EU could prove a positive influence since it is doubtful whether the UN would be enabled by the big powers to carry out the responsibilities that devolve on it with the required effectiveness.

What needs to be specifically watched is the ‘copycat effect’ that could manifest among those less democratically inclined Southern rulers who would be inspired by the Trump administration to take the law into their hands, so to speak, and act with callous disregard for the sovereign rights of their smaller and more vulnerable neighbours.

Democratic opinion the world over would need to think of systems of checks and balances that could contain such power abuse by Southern autocratic rulers in particular. The UN and democracy-supportive organizations, such as the EU, could prove suitable partners in these efforts.

All in all it is international lawlessness that needs managing effectively from now on. If President Trump carries out his threat to over-run other countries as well in the manner in which he ran rough-shod over Venezuela, there is unlikely to remain even a semblance of international order, considering that anarchy would be receiving a strong fillip from the US, ‘The World’s Mightiest Democracy’.

What is also of note is that identity politics in particularly the South would be unprecedentedly energized. The narrative that ‘the Great Satan’ is running amok would win considerable validity among the theocracies of the Middle East and set the stage for a resurgence of religious fanaticism and invigorated armed resistance to the US. The Trump administration needs to stop in its tracks and weigh the pros and cons of its current foreign policy initiatives.

Features

Pure Christmas magic and joy at British School

Published

7 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Students of The British High School in Colombo in action at the fashion show

The British School in Colombo (BSC) hosted its Annual Christmas Carnival 2025, ‘Gingerbread Wonderland’, which was a huge success, with the students themseles in the spotlight, managing stalls and volunteering.

The event, organised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), featured a variety of activities, including: Games and rides for all ages, Food stalls offering delicious treats, Drinks and refreshments, Trade booths showcasing local products, and Live music and entertainment.

The carnival was held at the school premises, providing a fun and festive atmosphere for students, parents, and the community to enjoy.

The halls of the BSC were filled with pure Christmas magic and joy with the students and the staff putting on a tremendous display.

Among the highlights was the dazzling fashion show with the students doing the needful, and they were very impressive.

The students themselves were eagerly looking forward to displaying their modelling technique and, I’m told, they enjoyed the moment they had to step on the ramp.

The event supported communities affected by the recent floods, with surplus proceeds going to flood-relief efforts.

Features

Glowing younger looking skin

Published

7 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hi! This week I’m giving you some beauty tips so that you could look forward to enjoying 2026 with a glowing younger looking skin.

Face wash for natural beauty

* Avocado:

Take the pulp, make a paste of it and apply on your face. Leave it on for five minutes and then wash it with normal water.

* Cucumber:

Just rub some cucumber slices on your face for 02-03 minutes to cleanse the oil naturally. Wash off with plain water.

* Buttermilk:

Apply all over your face and leave it to dry, then wash it with normal water (works for mixed to oily skin).

Face scrub for natural beauty

Take 01-02 strawberries, 02 pieces of kiwis or 02 cubes of watermelons. Mash any single fruit and apply on your face. Then massage or scrub it slowly for at least 3-5 minutes in circular motions. Then wash it thoroughly with normal or cold water. You can make use of different fruits during different seasons, and see what suits you best! Follow with a natural face mask.

Face Masks

* Papaya and Honey:

Take two pieces of papaya (peeled) and mash them to make a paste. Apply evenly on your face and leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it with cold water.

Papaya is just not a fruit but one of the best natural remedies for good health and glowing younger looking skin. It also helps in reducing pimples and scars. You can also add honey (optional) to the mixture which helps massage and makes your skin glow.

* Banana:

Put a few slices of banana, 01 teaspoon of honey (optional), in a bowl, and mash them nicely. Apply on your face, and massage it gently all over the face for at least 05 minutes. Then wash it off with normal water. For an instant glow on your face, this facemask is a great idea to try!

* Carrot:

Make a paste using 01 carrot (steamed) by mixing it with milk or honey and apply on your face and neck evenly. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Carrots work really well for your skin as they have many vitamins and minerals, which give instant shine and younger-looking skin.