Features

The Joys of writing

Published

3 years ago

2022/11/20

Vijaya Chandrasoma

I would like to apologize to my dwindling reading audience who opine that I waste valuable pages of the Sunday Island by writing mainly about American politics, a subject which interests very few readers. These critics include some of my closest friends. The other day, one of them called me and said, with more than a hint of annoyance: “Why the hell do you keep writing about bloody American politics? No one cares. You are a Sri Lankan. Why don’t you write about our country and our politics?”

That’s an easy question to answer. My aim is to die of natural causes, preferably in my sleep. Anyone who has read the essays I have written over the years for the Sunday Island will be aware of my hatred of former President Trump and the despicable Party of corruption and nepotism the Party of Lincoln has become.

I have similar contempt for Sri Lankan politicians and the massive corruption and nepotism that has impoverished a once vibrant, beautiful and economically stable island. I have not kept myself sufficiently informed of the nuances of local politics. Also, my style of aggressive criticism is such that my bookie wouldn’t give me any odds on enjoying a long and healthy life, had I publicly criticized the shameful acts of thievery and corruption of named local politicians, with their private armies of goons.

So I stick to American politics. America is my adopted country and my children’s home. And I can express my hatred towards Trump and his spineless cult to my complete satisfaction from 10,000 miles away in complete safety, especially as Sri Lanka is an insignificant, third world country. Most Americans are not even aware of its existence.

I have heard from a few Lankans resident in the USA and Australia who read my essays on-line. They retain a great love for the motherland. First generation Americans, however rich or famous they are, remain Sri Lankans by emotion, Americans by document, and perhaps by bank account. I am amazed that quite a few of these expatriates, including Sri Lankans, and even some misguided souls resident in Sri Lanka, support, even admire a vulgar crook like Trump. That brings me to my second reason for writing. I am certain that my violently anti-Trump articles will annoy the hell out of them. Though none of them has challenged my vituperation, and publicly explained the reasons for their continued support of a bigoted lunatic.

I doubt if any Jews would have endorsed the genocidal policies of Hitler during the 1930s. And Trump is a wannabe Hitler with an IQ of 60.Ever since my teens, I loved to read. Not just school books. My father was a voracious reader, and used to bring books home just about every week. I couldn’t wait until he finished so that I could get at them. I especially looked forward to a weekly magazine called Argosy, which I thought, in my early teens, had the finest stories. I hadn’t seen it in the bookshops in ages, so I looked it up on Wikipedia, which describes it as “a magazine made with inexpensive paper and printing, containing shocking or sensationalist text fiction by low-paid writers”. A kind of monthly English scandal rag like London’s News of the World. The magazine went out of business in the 1970s.

To my teenage mind, however, the prose in this rag was far superior to the authors we were forced to read at school, hacks like Shakespeare and Dickens.In my defence, I also thought that novels like Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged embodied an ideology that would save society. An ideology of “Objectivism”, describing “the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” Yes, I was that stupid.

I grew up. But many, usually Republicans, even members of my own family, didn’t. They continue to believe in this ultimate ideology of selfishness, they don’t care “two hoots” about helping sections of society who, for whatever reason, have been driven to vulnerability. Amazingly, many continue to support a vile human being, a proven felon and traitor. And they still call themselves Buddhists and Christians.It is also interesting that Ayn Rand lived in poverty until her death in 1982, dependent on her social security checks, the very antithesis of her capitalist ideology.

My interest in reading continued while I was studying for entrance examinations to universities in England. By this time, my father and the exceptional teachers at my alma mater, Royal College, had imbued in me an abiding love of British and American literature. So, passing, even excelling at English A Levels, a basic requirement for acceptance to British universities, was not a tough assignment. As the late, lamented Lakshman Kadirgamar stated, the achievements of his, and those of many outstanding Sri Lankans in various spheres, represented the icing on the cake that was baked at home.

My yearning for reading never stopped. However, it was largely suspended at a time when it was of vital importance, when I gained admittance to Oxford. Life is full of choices and priorities, and, at the tender age of 19, reading and study were placed firmly on the back burner, while I was being introduced to the irresistible pleasures of the demon drink, slow horses and fast women. Those pleasures got me kicked out of Oxford, and I continued heaping disappointments on my parents after I returned in disgrace to Sri Lanka.

I continued reading the latest books and the old classics sporadically when I was living with my parents in Colombo. However, the most popular, and sought-after book in our house was a little black book named Timeform, which my father used to religiously buy every Monday. A book that gave comprehensive details of the breeding, temperament, form and latest performances, with ratings, of every racehorse running in Britain. The competition for the use of this book was fierce in my family. The love for this wonderful literature continued till the book stopped publishing after Covid 19, a revered gospel sorely missed by all aficionados of the Sport of Kings.

My few years working with Minister Gamini Dissanayake rekindled my interest in reading and writing. The Minister was also an avid reader and an anglophile, and had an enduring love of the English language. Which in those rude, pseudo-nationalist days was seen to be more of a drawback for a politician.

Because of the violence, both political and ethnic, rampant in our country, I was toying with the idea of emigrating to the USA in 1990, especially when Minister Dissanayake, a senior cabinet minister of the UNP, fell out of favour with the Premadasa government. He was stripped of his portfolios and reduced to the lowly level of a backbencher. In those bad old days, the method of eliminating political rivals was, well, eliminating them, but permanently. Minister Dissanayake decided to pursue higher studies at the University of Cambridge, and advised me to duck out of sight for a while. I was widely known as a loyalist of Minister Dissanayake.

The decision to leave Sri Lanka was clinched after my good friend, Richard de Zoysa’s tortured body was washed ashore on Moratuwa beach. Richard was a journalist, actor, TV anchor and anti-government political activist, who produced a drama criticizing the Premadasa regime. He was also one of the smartest, most charming men I have been privileged to meet.

So my love of reading was once again displaced by our desperate effort at survival, after the decision to emigrate to America. I really do not remember how I managed during the initial 10 months when I was alone in Los Angeles, without a permit to legally seek employment. I have some close friends to thank for my survival.

Things became better when the rest of my family joined me, also on a tourist visa. We were able to apply for permanent residence, which also came with a document authorizing employment.

After a hard struggle of nearly six years, involving working for minimum wage, the artful manipulation of credit cards and help from my mother, we were finally awarded the much-valued Green Card. We also finally achieved our premier ambition, which made the ten-year struggle completely worthwhile. All three of our children completed their education most successfully with degrees from three of the finest universities in the country. Achievements based on merit and hard work, which all the resources available to my family couldn’t buy.

I resumed single life after 30 years of marriage, and moved to Phoenix. The five years in Phoenix were desperately lonely, but Phoenix’s wonderful public library network enabled me to pander to my favorite habit, devouring both the classics and the latest bestsellers at no cost at all.

When the war ended in 2009, I decided to retire in Sri Lanka. The best damned decision I have ever made. I kept on reading, and writing long, boring letters to my children and friends, which were either ignored or replied with a few, curt comments. I also wrote, usually in my cups, lengthy epistles, insulting, hateful letters to people I perceived to have wronged me. I did not send them, though getting all that hatred off my chest was immensely satisfying. I was writing for my own benefit, a form of therapy. The struggle of an old man fighting loneliness.

I have always been interested in American politics, and was a registered Democrat after I became a citizen. In fact, I was a vital volunteer in the Obama campaign office in Phoenix in 2008, performing, couple of hours a day, essential tasks of licking stamps and answering phones in my thick Sri Lankan accent.

On my return, my reading habit was satisfied by the resurgence of e-books, and I was able to keep reading the old classics and new best sellers at little cost. Reading and working out the English horse racing form also continue to provide hours of pleasure daily. And the ability to meet on a regular basis, and call and receive calls from my old and new friends in Sri Lanka at any time, keeps loneliness at bay, a pleasure denied to even the richest friends of my generation living in foreign lands.

I started writing only when the monstrous Trump fraudulently won the election in 2016, with the help of his master, Putin. I sent one of these articles to my old friend and cousin several times removed, a senior newspaper editor in Sri Lanka for over half a century, who today is the editor of the Sunday Island. Much to my surprise, he ran the piece.

Seeing my name in print for the first time reminded me of a story related by Dr Sashi Tharoor, the brilliant Indian diplomat, politician, writer and orator, about the addiction to writing. Briefly, he says that every reader is a potential writer. And the more he/she reads the greater the potential for writing becomes. He started reading when he was 10 years old, and his first writings appeared in the print media when he was 11.

He talks of an addiction, a craving that he felt after seeing his name in print. He has since authored 18 books, mainly on India and the oppression of the British Empire. His books, and the thousands of essays he has written, many of which have been published by the New York Times, the London Times and the Washington Post, provide an insight into Indian culture and how India has evolved into the largest democracy in the world.

Plummeting from the brilliant to the mediocre, while Dr Tharoor had his articles published when he was 11 years old, my first essay was published by the Sunday Island when I was 75 years old, when The Donald was aspiring to, and cheated his way into the White House. When I saw my name in print for the first time, I was hooked. Examples of Trump’s vulgarity, his ignorance, his cruelty and his incredibly narcissistic incompetence provided me with ample fodder to write on a weekly basis. After about a year of submitting articles venting against Trump, I asked my friend, the editor, whether I should continue on this journey of hatred. He said, “Keep them coming. The hatred is shared.”

In summary, I keep writing. I take great personal pleasure and satisfaction in writing. I keep writing to express my opinions about the horror I feel that that a cultish sect of white supremacy, led by a vulgar traitor, is attempting to take control over the country which gave me and my family a second chance in our hour of need. I write to feed my addiction to seeing my name in print. I write to provide myself with a meaningful diversion as an antidote against loneliness. Most of all, I write to share with my grandchildren, already avid readers, a part of my life which will otherwise not be known to them.

They are the only reading audience for whom I write.

All News Advertisement

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.