Features

A Star is Born

Published

3 years ago

2023/07/30

Thilina Walpola

Carlos Alcaraz

By Anura Gunasekera

Finally, a “Young Turk” has breached a bastion, jealously guarded for two decades by men with names like Federer, Nadal, Djokovich (the “Big Three”, for the purpose of this narrative) with some assistance from one Murray.

For the first time since 2003, the holder of the glittering Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles trophy, bears a different name- Alcaraz Garcia. That the said ” Young Turk” is actually a Spaniard, nurtured on pitiless Iberian clay , is also symbolic of the passing of the cudgel, from one Spanish gladiator to another. With Nadal withdrawing from the big stage, Spain has a new icon, and with Federer in pasture and Djokovich showing sure signs of mortality, the world of tennis a potential king.

In the daunting shadow of the “Big Three” of the last two decades, many young hopefuls have emerged, offering challenges of varying intensity to a collective supremacy. Of the 80 majors’ men’s singles titles between 2003 and 2023, as many as 65 have been shared between the “Big Three”, representing a hegemony unique in tennis history. Despite early promise, and the world-wide audience anticipation of an upset to a tiresome monopoly, none of the young challengers have delivered. Except for Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem, each with solitary major titles, all the others, Dimitrov, Kygrios, Berretini, Shapavalov, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Ruud, Rublev, have faltered against one of the Big Three, at crucial hurdles, despite competing regularly for the better part of the last decade. The spectre which lurks behind the finish line in all major events, does strange things, even to the most talented and resolute of competitors.

But “Carlito”, turned professional in 2018, just twenty years of age in 2023, already has two of the coveted trophies, the second the most significant in terms of tennis tradition and history.

In personality, Alcaraz could not be more unlike the other champions. There is no hint of the calculated arrogance of Djokovich, the sophistication of the elegant, suave Federer, or the gravitas of Nadal and, thankfully, nothing of the choler of Murray. Instead, he exudes a refreshing candour, a wide-eyed, beaming, artless sincerity, coupled with an engaging gawkiness and a generosity of spirit. But underlying that gauche, country-boy veneer is the steel, the belief in his ability. He already knows how good he is, and probably has a very good idea of how much better he will one day be.

None of the big names mentioned above, with perhaps the exception of Kygrios, sported the wide skill-set at a comparable age, that Alcaraz showcases at age 20. Already, he combines the best features of the playing styles and shot-repertoire of the Big Three, reinforced by a forehand of scary power, and a sharply contrasting array of touch shots of gossamer delicacy. With a game built on a rarely seen athleticism and court speed, he brings to court a formidable armoury, a fusion of brutality and grace.

A criticism leveled against him is of the over-use of his wide repertoire and the occasional over-kill; one is immediately reminded of a very recent example, the match-winning, cross-court forehand blinder against Medvedev, in the last Wimbledon semi-final, when a gentle tap would have sufficed to win him the point and the match. But that feature, too, is part of the attraction of his game, not unlike the free-spirited Federer at his best. At other times there are flashes of the remorseless baseline bludgeoning of Nadal, pushing the opponent against the backdrop with looping, top-spin backhands and forehands; and glimpses of the bread-and-butter strategy of Djokovich, moving the opponent back and forth with long, laser-like cross-court fusillades, nicking the side-lines with pin-point accuracy.

In the last French Open, despite coming in as top seed but not quite the favorite, Alcaraz showed signs of fragility, when he faltered against the relentless Djokovich in the semi-final. Despite levelling 1-1 at the end of the second set, he conceded the next two sets tamely, hampered by a severe cramp, brought on, possibly, by nervous stress. The same indecisiveness was once more visible at the beginning of the Wimbledon final, again before Djokovich, when he surrendered the first set without firing a single serious shot. But re-group Alcaraz did, and in a brilliant, ruthless final set, demonstrating that big-moment tentativeness was a thing of the past.

Alcaraz produced a nerveless display in the fifth set, against the man with the best five-set record ( 37-10- 75%) in the history of Tennis. The final game of the match show-cased a new found self-confidence; serving for the most coveted trophy in tennis, against the maestro of percentage tennis and the best court-mechanic tennis has ever seen, he dropped to love-15 with a failed drop shot. Then, unthinkably, he levels to 15 –all with an equally outrageous drop! He goes on to clinch the game, and the trophy, with a series of unreturnable winners. The only blemish in one of the most riveting finals in decades was produced by the enraged Serb, with his assault against the net post, in a vile response to being broken in the third game of the final set. That Djokovich brushed the incident aside without offering an apology – despite being heavily fined for the display – reinforces the general view, that he believes his success entitles him to operate outside the norms of decent conduct.

The significance of Alcaraz’s win at Wimbledon is not so much the victory itself, but what it augurs for the future. There was a similar, seminal event in 1985, when the 17 year old Boris Becker defeated Kevin Curren to become the youngest Wimbledon men’s singles champion in history. When Becker successfully defended it in 1985, against Ivan Lendl, he was still younger than any previous champion. However, without detracting anything from Becker’s performances, it needs to be said that Curren never won a major’s singles title, whilst Lendl, despite a glittering career which included eight majors titles, and four semi-final and two finals appearances at Wimbledon, eventually retired without a grass court major. Djokovich, on the other hand, already had 23 majors’ singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon, when he fell at this year’s final against Alcaraz, the Wimbledon singles winner with the least previous experience on grass.

What followed in the decade after 1985 were fascinating duels, at the other majors as well, within a group of highly-talented players, the most prominent amongst them being Edberg, Lendl, Sampras, Ivanisevic, Courier and Agassi.

However, absent was the overpowering dominance demonstrated in the last couple of decades by the afore-mentioned “Big Three”. Except for Sampras’s supremacy at Wimbledon, there was a more equitable sharing of the major titles. The exit of Sampras, Agassi and Courier, hastened by the likes of Federer, then paved the way for the installation of the European triumvirate, Swiss, Serb and Spaniard.

Already, there are signs of a similar future top level rivalry, if players such as Jannik Sinner, Caspar Ruud, Holger Rune and Felix Auger-Aliassime are able to live up to present promise, and find that edge, the extra spark, essential if they are to cross the finish line on the big stage. Carlos Alcaraz, younger than all of them, has already shown the world that he has what it takes, and barring unforeseen circumstances, seems destined to lead a new group of tennis world beaters.

The weight of expectation Alcaraz carries with him, is greater by an order of magnitude than the combined weight of the two major trophies he now owns. Already, the pundits, including former greats like Connors and Wilander, are speculating on the number of major titles that he is likely to win. But, whilst peer esteem, audience adulation and media hype are seductive and heady elixirs, they also carry with them the potential for ruin.

There are innumerable examples of young hopefuls being crushed, not only in Tennis but in other sports as well, as a result of being side-tracked by overpowering publicity, easy money, the blinding glitter of international stardom and the inability to deliver on unrealistic expectations. For the moment the young Spaniard from Murcia has returned to the modest apartment- above the kebab shop, ” Turquesa Kebab & Pizza”- that he shares with his parents. Given the high-profile lives of most sporting celebrities, it seems an unlikely base from which to mount an assault on the fortress of international tennis. But the longer he stays firmly anchored to his roots, and matures without losing his charming simplicity, the greater his chances of later success.

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Features

Recruiting academics to state universities – beset by archaic selection processes?

Published

14 hours ago

2026/03/3

Thilina Walpola

by Kaushalya Perera

Time has, by and large, stood still in the business of academic staff recruitment to state universities. Qualifications have proliferated and evolved to be more interdisciplinary, but our selection processes and evaluation criteria are unchanged since at least the late 1990s. But before I delve into the problems, I will describe the existing processes and schemes of recruitment. The discussion is limited to UGC-governed state universities (and does not include recruitment to medical and engineering sectors) though the problems may be relevant to other higher education institutions (HEIs).

How recruitment happens currently in SL state universities

Academic ranks in Sri Lankan state universities can be divided into three tiers (subdivisions are not discussed).

* Lecturer (Probationary)

– recruited with a four-year undergraduate degree. A tiny step higher is the Lecturer (Unconfirmed), recruited with a postgraduate degree but no teaching experience.

* A Senior Lecturer can be recruited with certain postgraduate qualifications and some number of years of teaching and research.

* Above this is the professor (of four types), which can be left out of this discussion since only one of those (Chair Professor) is by application.

State universities cannot hire permanent academic staff as and when they wish. Prior to advertising a vacancy, approval to recruit is obtained through a mind-numbing and time-consuming process (months!) ending at the Department of Management Services. The call for applications must list all ranks up to Senior Lecturer. All eligible candidates for Probationary to Senior Lecturer are interviewed, e.g., if a Department wants someone with a doctoral degree, they must still advertise for and interview candidates for all ranks, not only candidates with a doctoral degree. In the evaluation criteria, the first degree is more important than the doctoral degree (more on this strange phenomenon later). All of this is only possible when universities are not under a ‘hiring freeze’, which governments declare regularly and generally lasts several years.

Problem type 1

– Archaic processes and evaluation criteria

Twenty-five years ago, as a probationary lecturer with a first degree, I was a typical hire. We would be recruited, work some years and obtain postgraduate degrees (ideally using the privilege of paid study leave to attend a reputed university in the first world). State universities are primarily undergraduate teaching spaces, and when doctoral degrees were scarce, hiring probationary lecturers may have been a practical solution. The path to a higher degree was through the academic job. Now, due to availability of candidates with postgraduate qualifications and the problems of retaining academics who find foreign postgraduate opportunities, preference for candidates applying with a postgraduate qualification is growing. The evaluation scheme, however, prioritises the first degree over the candidate’s postgraduate education. Were I to apply to a Faculty of Education, despite a PhD on language teaching and research in education, I may not even be interviewed since my undergraduate degree is not in education. The ‘first degree first’ phenomenon shows that universities essentially ignore the intellectual development of a person beyond their early twenties. It also ignores the breadth of disciplines and their overlap with other fields.

This can be helped (not solved) by a simple fix, which can also reduce brain drain: give precedence to the doctoral degree in the required field, regardless of the candidate’s first degree, effected by a UGC circular. The suggestion is not fool-proof. It is a first step, and offered with the understanding that any selection process, however well the evaluation criteria are articulated, will be beset by multiple issues, including that of bias. Like other Sri Lankan institutions, universities, too, have tribal tendencies, surfacing in the form of a preference for one’s own alumni. Nevertheless, there are other problems that are, arguably, more pressing as I discuss next. In relation to the evaluation criteria, a problem is the narrow interpretation of any regulation, e.g., deciding the degree’s suitability based on the title rather than considering courses in the transcript. Despite rhetoric promoting internationalising and inter-disciplinarity, decision-making administrative and academic bodies have very literal expectations of candidates’ qualifications, e.g., a candidate with knowledge of digital literacy should show this through the title of the degree!

Problem type 2 – The mess of badly regulated higher education

A direct consequence of the contemporary expansion of higher education is a large number of applicants with myriad qualifications. The diversity of degree programmes cited makes the responsibility of selecting a suitable candidate for the job a challenging but very important one. After all, the job is for life – it is very difficult to fire a permanent employer in the state sector.

Widely varying undergraduate degree programmes.

At present, Sri Lankan undergraduates bring qualifications (at times more than one) from multiple types of higher education institutions: a degree from a UGC-affiliated state university, a state university external to the UGC, a state institution that is not a university, a foreign university, or a private HEI aka ‘private university’. It could be a degree received by attending on-site, in Sri Lanka or abroad. It could be from a private HEI’s affiliated foreign university or an external degree from a state university or an online only degree from a private HEI that is ‘UGC-approved’ or ‘Ministry of Education approved’, i.e., never studied in a university setting. Needless to say, the diversity (and their differences in quality) are dizzying. Unfortunately, under the evaluation scheme all degrees ‘recognised’ by the UGC are assigned the same marks. The same goes for the candidates’ merits or distinctions, first classes, etc., regardless of how difficult or easy the degree programme may be and even when capabilities, exposure, input, etc are obviously different.

Similar issues are faced when we consider postgraduate qualifications, though to a lesser degree. In my discipline(s), at least, a postgraduate degree obtained on-site from a first-world university is preferable to one from a local university (which usually have weekend or evening classes similar to part-time study) or online from a foreign university. Elitist this may be, but even the best local postgraduate degrees cannot provide the experience and intellectual growth gained by being in a university that gives you access to six million books and teaching and supervision by internationally-recognised scholars. Unfortunately, in the evaluation schemes for recruitment, the worst postgraduate qualification you know of will receive the same marks as one from NUS, Harvard or Leiden.

The problem is clear but what about a solution?

Recruitment to state universities needs to change to meet contemporary needs. We need evaluation criteria that allows us to get rid of the dross as well as a more sophisticated institutional understanding of using them. Recruitment is key if we want our institutions (and our country) to progress. I reiterate here the recommendations proposed in ‘Considerations for Higher Education Reform’ circulated previously by Kuppi Collective:

* Change bond regulations to be more just, in order to retain better qualified academics.

* Update the schemes of recruitment to reflect present-day realities of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary training in order to recruit suitably qualified candidates.

* Ensure recruitment processes are made transparent by university administrations.

Kaushalya Perera is a senior lecturer at the University of Colombo.

(Kuppi is a politics and pedagogy happening on the margins of the lecture hall that parodies, subverts, and simultaneously reaffirms social hierarchies.)

Features

Talento … oozing with talent

Published

14 hours ago

2026/03/3

Thilina Walpola

Talento: Gained recognition as a leading wedding and dance band

This week, too, the spotlight is on an outfit that has gained popularity, mainly through social media.

Last week we had MISTER Band in our scene, and on 10th February, Yellow Beatz – both social media favourites.

Talento is a seven-piece band that plays all types of music, from the ‘60s to the modern tracks of today.

The band has reached many heights, since its inception in 2012, and has gained recognition as a leading wedding and dance band in the scene here.

The members that makeup the outfit have a solid musical background, which comes through years of hard work and dedication

Their portfolio of music contains a mix of both western and eastern songs and are carefully selected, they say, to match the requirements of the intended audience, occasion, or event.

Although the baila is a specialty, which is inherent to this group, that originates from Moratuwa, their repertoire is made up of a vast collection of love, classic, oldies and modern-day hits.

The musicians, who make up Talento, are:

Prabuddha Geetharuchi:

Geilee Fonseka: Dynamic and charismatic vocalist

Prabuddha Geetharuchi: The main man behind the band Talento

(Vocalist/ Frontman). He is an avid music enthusiast and was mentored by a lot of famous musicians, and trainers, since he was a child. Growing up with them influenced him to take on western songs, as well as other music styles. A Peterite, he is the main man behind the band Talento and is a versatile singer/entertainer who never fails to get the crowd going.

Geilee Fonseka (Vocals):

A dynamic and charismatic vocalist whose vibrant stage presence, and powerful voice, bring a fresh spark to every performance. Young, energetic, and musically refined, she is an artiste who effortlessly blends passion with precision – captivating audiences from the very first note. Blessed with an immense vocal range, Geilee is a truly versatile singer, confidently delivering Western and Eastern music across multiple languages and genres.

Chandana Perera (Drummer):

His expertise and exceptional skills have earned him recognition as one of the finest acoustic drummers in Sri Lanka. With over 40 tours under his belt, Chandana has demonstrated his dedication and passion for music, embodying the essential role of a drummer as the heartbeat of any band.

Harsha Soysa:

(Bassist/Vocalist). He a chorister of the western choir of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, who began his musical education under famous voice trainers, as well as bass guitar trainers in Sri Lanka. He has also performed at events overseas. He acts as the second singer of the band

Udara Jayakody:

(Keyboardist). He is also a qualified pianist, adding technical flavour to Talento’s music. His singing and harmonising skills are an extra asset to the band. From his childhood he has been a part of a number of orchestras as a pianist. He has also previously performed with several famous western bands.

Aruna Madushanka:

(Saxophonist). His proficiciency in playing various instruments, including the saxophone, soprano saxophone, and western flute, showcases his versatility as a musician, and his musical repertoire is further enhanced by his remarkable singing ability.

Prashan Pramuditha:

(Lead guitar). He has the ability to play different styles, both oriental and western music, and he also creates unique tones and patterns with the guitar..

Features

Special milestone for JJ Twins

Published

14 hours ago

2026/03/3

Thilina Walpola

Twin brothers Julian and Jason Prins

The JJ Twins, the Sri Lankan musical duo, performing in the Maldives, and known for blending R&B, Hip Hop, and Sri Lankan rhythms, thereby creating a unique sound, have come out with a brand-new single ‘Me Mawathe.’

In fact, it’s a very special milestone for the twin brothers, Julian and Jason Prins, as ‘Me Mawathe’ is their first ever Sinhala song!

‘Me Mawathe’ showcases a fresh new sound, while staying true to the signature harmony and emotion that their fans love.

This heartfelt track captures the beauty of love, journey, and connection, brought to life through powerful vocals and captivating melodies.

It marks an exciting new chapter for the JJ Twins as they expand their musical journey and connect with audiences in a whole new way.

Their recent album, ‘CONCLUDED,’ explores themes of love, heartbreak, and healing, and include hits like ‘Can’t Get You Off My Mind’ and ‘You Left Me Here to Die’ which showcase their emotional intensity.

Readers could stay connected and follow JJ Twins on social media for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming releases:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jjtwinsofficial

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jjtwinsmusic

Facebook: http://facebook.com/jjtwinssingers

YouTube: http://youtube.com/jjtwins