Features

Royal Recitals of beer stoppers and cigarettes

Published

6 years ago

2020/11/29

by Lalin Fernando

For the first time since the Bradby began there will be no matches this year due to the Corona virus. To relieve the deep disappointment of Trinity and Royal the Sunday Island (15 November 2020) carried an extraordinary article by Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama (my cousin) ‘The Tale of the Beer Stopper and the Markowich Cigarette’. In it he claims Royal that won the Bradby in 1956. No amount of contradiction, persuasion or proof offered made him relent. (Disce nothing aut never Discede)

At the 1956 Bradby Royal was cut to pieces by Trinity in the first leg losing 15-0 (Colombo and in the Kandy return by 11-0.

There were many conspiracies Royalists hatched especially late Mahes Rodrigo, Nihal’s cousin, to win the Bradby but only on the field. Mahes would witness every Trinity match to nourish his agile rugby brain and plan his strategy and produce results, sometimes. Was this Nihal’s attempt together with the editor of the paper, coincidentally a Royalist, to reconstruct Bradby lore under cover of the dreadful Corona with Royal frolics with beer bottles and cigarettes in Kandy?

Nihal admits he knows little about Rugby but as a Prefect he must have known all about the Bradby. He had apparently gone to Kandy for the return Bradby, but as a member of the always power packed debating team that must have served as a nursery for Royal’s representatives muddling along at Diyawanna.

The tradition is to have a debate after the second leg of the Bradby. Nihal says Sarath Amunugama CCS (Ceylon Civil Service) and later Minister was in the Trinity team. Nihal’s cousin Eshin Fernando was in the 1954 debating team after playing in the Bradby that evening. In that debate Lalith Athulathmudali in winding up for Royal said of Trinity speaker (Fernando) ‘as for the last speaker the less said the better’. Typically gracious, oozing with subtle irony and Royal wit. Lalith had in 1953 beaten the former at the Public Schools Athletics in the under 16 years, 100 yards sprint.

Royal probably initiated this debating business too. It gave them a chance to win what it lost with regularity but not without excitement at rugby. Lakshman Kadirigamar and Lalith Athulathmudali were the great names to remember, as one followed the other to be President of the Oxford Union.

Royal may have declared they won the debate in 1956 and therefore inherited the Bradby too, hence Nihal’s inspired if wayward memory. Trinity would not grudge that or anything else to keep Royal’s ‘Hearts of Oak’ missing beats as Trinity in the Kandyan hills ‘Looks to the End’.

Nihal and Trinity team member Sarath Amunugama may have lit the scenic Peradeniya University later with their verbal pyrotechnics but the memories of both appear to be a bit wayward. Sarath in his biography ‘Kandyan ……. ‘recollects the hilarious goings on at Temple Trees in 1971 during the JVP insurgency. He was tickled silly to see his Trinity juniors Captains Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Anuruddha Ratwatte (reservist) manning Bren guns at the entrance! However Sarath like Nihal is a bit weak on dates. That insurgency began on 5 April 1971 not on 4 April as Sarath recalls. Royal won the Bradby in 1958 when both were in the university and not in 1956, whatever the debate was about.

Nihal goes on to say that at Royal the Monday after the return match was normal ‘except for expressions of jubilation at having twice defeated Trinity that rugby season’. Incredible! He goes on ‘However on Tuesday afternoon everything changed dramatically… there were no teachers to take classes… an emergency staff meeting had been convened There were no classes on Wednesday…..The staff were attending an all day staff meeting’.

Trinitians never knew that Royal takes the Bradby this deliriously, hallucinating a thundering thumping for victory.

Now at Trinity when the Bradby is won, life goes on as ‘normal’ on the following Monday and thereafter. After all, the famous shield was given by the Royal Principal Bradby to ensure that Royal did not give up the game. At Trinity, rugby was like mother’s milk at least 20 years before Royal took up the ‘rowdies’ game played by gentlemen (of Trinity). From 1952 to 1957 Royal could only score 13 points in a total of 12 games in 10 of which they never scored. Trinity had already decided to let Royal win but only in 1958! So what was going on at Royal during this extraordinary week in 1956?

Since they had actually been vaporized in 1956 one may think Royal was suffering from a community spread of mass concussion thinking at first that they had grabbed the Bradby. They nearly did that at Pallekelle 60 years on! Or had they realized they had misinterpreted the results and gone into lock down with the principal contemplating, could it be, hara kiri? Poor Royal. This was only a game.

Had Trinity known this could happen to their traditional and friendly rivals it would have accelerated its strategy of letting Royal win – to save the Bradby and Royal from sustained PTSD.

According to Nihal, still concussed or not, the actual reason for the Royal shut down was different. The Trinity Principal, Walter, had apparently sent his Royal counterpart de Silva a tiny parcel with a letter ‘congratulating’ Royal (odd word if not also rather comic after defeating Royal by an aggregate of 26-0) ‘on its performance ….. Together with a beer bottle stopper and a Markovitch cigarette’ adding with a light touch ‘don’t worry. Our boys will bring their own supplies’. (That week in 1956, Royal was due to accommodate the Trinitians for the Combined Schools match. Incidentally there were nine Trinitians in that XV). The letter continued not without irony ‘In any event they can’t afford these expensive brands”.

Whether these were the actual words used by a head master who was an Englishman, it was certainly not meant to drive the Royal principal nuts. Neither thought to use the telephone.

However the Royal Principal was a bit short on humour. He had misunderstood the Trinity Principal’s light hearted banter. He may have thought beer bottle stoppers and cigarette butts were deserving of hell and damnation. After nearly two days of what must have been self inflicted stress and agony, he sacked a selection of prefects among the players and debaters who went up to Kandy, including Nihal.

At Trinity if there had been some mischief and punishment was required, the Principal would have asked the boys responsible to own up. People like wing three and Public Schools’ Athletic coloursman Vernon Botejue would have fronted for the lot. It was a pity that the Royal principal despite being an old boy did not have the same confidence in his boys. His preference was for command responsibility and communal punishment. Had he but spoken to the Trinity principal he would have realized he had raised a storm in a beer bottle that had a cigarette stuck in it.

However there was actually such an incident but poor Nihal got the Bradby result wrong, after 64 years. The Bradby survived. The 1956 results are inviolate. Trinity won. The leaving certificates of the sacrificed stated they were Royal Prefects. All’s well.

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Features

New US sanctions on ICC, a fillip to worldwide political repression

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

The International Criminal Court in session. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s warning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) was stark: ‘Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC.’ It followed US central administration accusations that the court was unfairly targeting Americans on the basis of trumped-up war crimes charges.

However, a new plethora of sanctions has been clamped on the ICC by the US, which in turn has spurred accusations by sections of the world that the latter has unleashed an ‘assault’ on the international legal order.

What some of the sanctions would mean for the ICC was outlined by Rubio: ‘We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling their ability to operate against us.’

The ICC has shown consistency of purpose over the years. Despite some operational constraints it has indicted a large number of political strongmen from around the world, accused of war crimes and other governance excesses that come under its purview. Two such recent figures are: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rather than enjoy a mere nominal presence in the world community, the ICC has proved its effectiveness by detaining and bringing to justice scores of VIP politicians and others of their ilk who have been found guilty of human rights abuses and kindred excesses that come within the terms of reference of the ICC.

Accordingly, the international justice system would be stymied considerably as a result of the ICC being dis-empowered, particularly financially. Needless to say, potential and real perpetrators of the species of crime coming under the jurisdiction of the ICC would stand to gain most from such anarchic tendencies. That is, political repression globally would be enabled to enjoy a new lease of life.

A detailing of the types of crime coming under the purview of the ICC provides an idea of what it would cost the international community if the ICC’s operations are gravely hampered. They are mainly: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

That is, the part of the world to be worst affected would be the global South, since the latter is awash with the mentioned crimes. Needless to say, a chronically-disaffected South will sooner rather than later undermine the well being of the world dangerously. The world is already being put through these paces.

At the time of writing, ‘illegal migrants’ from the South, for example, are aggravating many a Western economy’s woes, besides creating for them acute law and order issues. The fact that these migrants’ presence goes on to become a virtual test of the migrant receiving states’ ability to forge domestic social inclusion in the face of jingoistic protests by mainly white supremacist groups is evidence of the latter. As is known, the US, to take just one example, has been up against this crisis for quite a while.

Accordingly, it will be in the best interests of the West if ‘illegal’ migrant arrivals on their shores are stemmed. If the socio-political and economic problems assailing the South are effectively managed through North-South collaborative, ‘trouble-shooting’ efforts the causes leading to ‘illegal’ migration and connected issues could be resolved at source as it were. For, it is the aggravation of the South’s material questions that lays the basis for the emergence of repressive and anti-democratic regimes in the hemisphere.

Until such time that the aforementioned issues in North-South relations are visited afresh and addressed urgently, a vibrantly functioning ICC would be needed. For, the latter would prove a deterrent to Southern political and military strongmen, highly prone to power abuse and like excesses, from coming into being in the wake of the South’s chronic material woes and the wars and conflicts that result from them.

It stands to reason then that the US would be acting in its own interests by enabling the ICC to perpetuate its mandate without hindrance. For a crop of issues that impinges negatively on internal law and order would be defused.

Meanwhile, there needs to be a meeting of minds among the rest of the West to put back in place a North-South dialogue process aimed at reducing some of the economic pressures that are weighing on the South.

Since economics usually drives politics it will be in the interests of the world community to scrutinizingly re-visit North-South issues of the past and put in place economic relief packages for Southern publics that would enable them to tide over their material hardships rather than permit the latter to aggravate into social disaffection and eventually armed militancy. It is the latter juncture that paves the way for the emergence of authoritarian rulers in the South who then go on to be a blight on their publics.

Accordingly, the Southern-based global development thinking of the past that envisaged a more equitable world economic order needs to be seen as an urgent need. That is, NAM’s international development paradigms need to be resuscitated to the extent possible.

It is unlikely that rightist governments of the West, such as the current Republican administration in the US, would find these projects feasible, but democratic states of Europe, led by perhaps the UK, are likely to think otherwise. For it would not be beneficial for the democratic world to be having on their hands repressive governments in the South who would be gravitating towards the major military and economic actors of the South, such as Iran and North Korea, who tend to be in constant power struggles with the West.

However, until such time that the mentioned, pro-people initiatives are given serious thought the ICC would need to be enabled by the international community to be in place comfortably and carry on with its mandate of bringing repressive rulers to book. Besides the ICC should pave the way for the peoples of the developing world to enjoy some substantial respite from the political repression and even terror which tend to be their lot.

Meanwhile, the wars of West Asia are relentlessly aggravating the economic hardships of people everywhere, driving the point home to enlightened sections that there is no alternative to peacemaking. A challenge is to convert the US under President Trump to this line of thinking.

Features

Clear, soft and shine-free skin

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

This week, I give you five simple, time-tested homemade remedies that help reduce the appearance of blemishes, control excess shine and leave your skin feeling softer and smoother.

The Honey and Lemon Brightening Dab:

For stubborn blemish marks, this is a classic. Mix one teaspoon of pure bee honey with three to four drops of fresh lemon juice. Apply gently, only on the affected spots, and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. While honey soothes and softens, lemon helps to brighten naturally. Use twice a week in the evening.

Besan and Rose Water Oil-Control Pack:

An ideal remedy to combat shine, especially on the T-zone. Take two teaspoons of besan (gram flour) and mix with sufficient rose water to form a smooth paste. Add a pinch of turmeric for its antiseptic goodness. Apply evenly, keep for 15 minutes and wash off. It absorbs excess oil without over-drying, leaving a beautiful matte finish.

Aloe Vera and Cucumber Ice Soother:

Blend fresh aloe vera gel with the juice of a grated cucumber and freeze the mixture in an ice tray. Each morning, wrap one cube in a soft muslin cloth and gently rub over a cleansed face for 30 seconds. It calms, tightens pores and imparts a baby-soft smoothness.

Oatmeal and Curd Gentle Polish:

Roughness and old blemish marks need gentle exfoliation. Combine one tablespoon of finely powdered oatmeal with one tablespoon of fresh curd (yoghurt). Massage very gently, in circular motions, for one minute, leave for five minutes and rinse. It removes dead cells and unveils softer, clearer skin.

Multani Mitti and Green Tea Magic Mask:

Brew some green tea and allow it to cool completely. Mix one and a half teaspoons of Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) with the tea water to make a fine paste. Apply for 10 to 12 minutes – do not let it dry and crack completely – and wash off. It draws out impurities, fades blemishes and bestows a fresh, shine-free glow.

A Gentle Reminder:

As with any natural remedy, always do a patch test on your inner arm first. For those with oily or combination skin, avoid heavy coconut oil application and harsh scrubbing, as they tend to aggravate shine and blemishes.

Features

Compete, shine and be discovered at WCOPA 2027

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

Dream of performing on a world stage? Well, here is your unique, golden opportunity!

The World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) — the one and only official “Talent Olympics” — is the world’s premier global platform for aspiring singers, dancers, actors, models, instrumentalists, etc., to compete, shine and be discovered!

And, yes, this world stage is open to YOU, Sri Lankans living in Sri Lanka and overseas!

Held annually in glittering Las Vegas, WCOPA brings together over 70 countries, all competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals, just like the traditional Olympics.

Lakisha Bernard: Will represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA 2027

Outstanding performers vie for the coveted titles of Junior and Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World, with winners and standout participants awarded over $500,000 in scholarships, cash awards and prizes to catapult their education and careers!

Sri Lanka is already making waves! At WCOPA 2026, Natharie Wickramasinghe, representing Team Sri Lanka, made the nation proud by winning a Bronze Medal in the Ethnic/Folklore Dance category!

Lakisha: Accomplished freelance Model and Fashion Design graduate

Recruitment for this prestigious competition is handled through a system of scouts and licensed National Directors — and this is where our very own Chris Rajendra, now based in Las Vegas, and National Director for Team Sri Lanka, comes into the scene.

If you are a singer, dancer, actor, model, instrumentalist — if you have talent burning inside you — contact Chris Rajendra today for registration and, who knows, you may find yourself in Las Vegas, and proudly draped in the Sri Lankan flag, at WCOPA 2027!

The contact address is: Chris Rajendra, wcopa.nationaldirector.sl@gmail.com

or chris.rajendra@gmail.com

Meanwhile, a star is born for 2027, in the form of Lakisha Bernard who is all set to represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA 2027.

Originally hailing from the sun-drenched coastal city of Colombo and now carving out her creative career in Canada, 22-year-old Lakisha is stepping into the international spotlight.

This accomplished freelance Model and Fashion Design graduate has officially been appointed as the Team Sri Lanka Promoter for Canada as she prepares to represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA in Las Vegas.

Lakisha brings a unique blend of high-fashion sensibility, captivating camera presence and expert garment design to the Team.

Having built her career, from local college shoots to high-glamour concepts, Lakisha’s inspiring journey embodies the true spirit of cultural bridge-building and creative resilience, bringing immense pride and recognition to Sri Lanka on the global stage.

WCOPA 2027 will be held at the legendary Westgate Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, from 12th to 20th July – the very same iconic arena where the late, great Elvis Presley himself performed!

Your moment is now. Your stage is Las Vegas, so hurry and contact Chris Rajendra.