Features

Understanding Nature’s mysteries

Published

4 years ago

2021/03/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Emeritus Prof. S. N. Arseculeratne

My plea to readers, is please keep an open mind on what I will say, despite your conditioning and beliefs.

This is an abbreviated version of a lecture titled “Published records on and my personal experiences with Paranormal phenomena,“given in 2019 to the Peradeniya University’s Alumni Association. It will recount evidence for the reality of Parapsychological (Paranormal), mysterious phenomena described in the published literature and in my personal experiences, in accordance with what John Ziman (Fellow of London’s The Royal Society), wrote “Come with reliable, consensible evidence , and we will be ready to be convinced” and that is what I did in my lecture.

Aristotle commented ” It is of man’s nature that he wants to know“. In that quest for knowledge, scientists have unearthed much about Nature in many categories of knowledge, in the physical and biological sciences; these are considered branches of natural phenomena, which are amenable to direct exploration. There are however phenomena that were well known for centuries, but have defied exploration though they have been written about by many prestigious authors; these fall into the category of Parapsychology.

Many persons are skeptical of the reality or validity of these phenomena and consider them as mumbo-jumbo as did Richard Dawkins, author of The Selfish Gene; I wrote to him challenging his unsubstantiated skepticism. Sceptics should remember that Shakespeare’s Horatio said “There are more things in Heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy“. A former physicist Peter Betts, now a Buddhist monk, Ajahn Brahmavamso in Australia, with whom I corresponded wrote “Scientists, for the most part, are brainwashed by their education and their in-group conferences to see the world in a very narrow, microscopic way“.

Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer wrote “Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world”. In 300 BC in China, the Lu Shih Chhun Chhiu commented ” If a man climbs a mountain, the oxen below look like sheep and the sheep like hedgehogs. Yet their real shape is very different. It is a question of the observer’s viewpoint“.

Britain’s Society for Psychical Research had 12 Nobel Prize laureates and many Fellows of the most prestigious scientific society in the world, The Royal Society of London; members included Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Nobel Laureate Brian Josephson turned from Physics to the paranormal after he saw Mathew Manning performing psychokinesis (physical acts through the mind alone) at a conference on parapsychology (psychokinesis) in Toronto, Canada; I corresponded with him.

Sigmund Freud wrote a book on Parapsychology. Albert Einstein wrote: “It is entirely possible that behind the perception of our senses worlds are hidden of which we are unaware.” Sigmund Freud wrote ” I am not one of those who , from the outset, disapprove of the study of so-called occult phenomena as unscientific , as unworthy or even dangerous. If I were at the beginning of a scientific career, instead of as now at its end, I would perhaps choose no other field of work, in spite of its difficulties.”

Psychologist Carl G. Jung wrote ” I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I I cannot explain, as fraud”. Philosopher Arthur Schoenhauer wrote “Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world”. I contributed a chapter “Approaches to the study of Reincarnation” to the book Yoga and Parapsychology edited by the Chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao.

There are nine categories of these phenomena, in all of which I had personsal experience, reported evidence from friends or evidence in the published literature. I have discussed some of these topics personally with Ian Stevenson (USA), Erlandur Haraldsson of Sweden, and Rama Krishna Rao of India.

These categories comprise, 1. Rebirth, also termed Reincarnation and Palingenesis. This refers to the successive births of a personality after the death of each one. Ian P. Stevenson of Virginia University (USA) the world’s foremost authority on it, published a book, “Twenty cases suggestive of Reincarnation” to which I contributed a case; I introduced him at his lecture at the Peradeniya university. N. Senanayake also wrote a book “Recent trends in Rebirth Research“, to which I contributed.

The succeeding birth has a person recapitulating some of the characters of the preceding personality and his acts committed in previous births, reaping their karmic consequences. Arthur Ellison, University of London wrote “The best evidence for genuine reincarnation appears to be that produced in such quantity and high quality by Professor Ian Stevenson in his work all over the world, with children having appropriate memories. John G. Fuller in his remarkable book “The airmen who would not die” wrote that the evidence “…brought many discerning and even skeptical people to the unalterable conclusion that there is life after death”. The evidence cited by most authors is circumstantial in legal terms.

. Spirits of dead people; also termed Discarnate Entities, DEs are personalities after their death on earth, which then exist in some unidentified celestial abode. These entities can be accessed parapsychologically. They are considered to be helpful to people on earth as when the sister who had died, temporarily disabled a car to be driven by her brother thus preventing his entry to the site of a later bombing. It expresses the bond between the Discarnate Entity and the beneficiary. John G. Fuller wrote two books on this topic. Nobel laureate Maurice Maeterlinck wrote The Unknown Guest, about these cases. DEs seem to have precognitive and psychokinetic abilities.

. Planetary controls in Nature, Astrology, I had numerous experiences with the mundane variety as well as with the 1,400 years-old Indian Palm leaf horoscopes studied by the German author Thomas Ritter. My personal experience was the astrological prediction of my future medical career and my writing of a book on poisons, both of which were realized over the next 20 years. I verified from an expert on snake poisons, that he has Rahu, an indicator or poisons, in the first house of his horoscope representing his mind. Another who had Venus, the controller of sex, in his first house of his horoscope which had Venus as the ruler; he had a tragic end through sexual misadventures. R. S. Offenbach wrote on the palm leaf horoscopic writings from India, about the bombings of New York in 2001. I had a remarkable case of an astrologer who, from the birth data of a scientist, constructed in my absence to avoid telepathy, the fate of this man in a car accident which left him totally disabled and later dead.

Palmistry, This refers to the analysis and prediction of life’s events through the lines on a palm. I was told of three cases by the persons concerned, themselves, of events predicted through the lines on their palms. West & Toonder (1970) noted that “Most professional palmists combine straightforward analysis along traditional lines with clairvoyance and it is not as a rule possible to distinguish between the two”.

5. Anomalous cognition,

Extra-sensory Perception, Clairvoyance is the ability of a psychic to read concealed writings mentally without direct vision. I had an Indian who visited my home in Malaysia, who was able to read and recopy documented but concealed items through the mind alone. Hans Eysenck (London University and pioneer psychologist) commented: ” The only conclusion the unbiased observer can come to must be that there exist a small number of people who obtain knowledge existing wither in other peoples’ minds or in the outer world, by means as yet unknown to modern science”.

. Fore-seeing the future, Precognition, The most remarkable example was the publication of a novel by Morgan Robertson in England in 1894, some 18 years before the predicted event really happened; the congruence between the fictional events and the real event was total. Robertson described fictionally the sinking of the British ship Titan after a collision with an iceberg in the North Atlantic, The real ship the Titanic suffered the identical fate 18 years later, with the loss of 1,500 passengers. Nostradamus the 15^th century French psychic made accurate predictions of global events including the rise of Hitler in Germany and Middle Eastern terrorists.. My personal experience was with a layman-psychic who foresaw the results of my medical research which were totally confirmed by scientists abroad 10 years later. His technical description of the immunological results was e stunningly accurate. He also predicted my foreign tour for work in WHO.

Acts done by the mind alone, Psychokinesis, The performance of physical acts through the mind alone and not through physical means. My experience was my contact with the famous Indian psychic Sai Baba, followed a day later by my recovery of an important lost item. Nobel laureate Brian Josephson wrote his experiences after seeing Mathew Manning perform psychokinesis in Toronto; he said that he then became interested in the paranormal. I corresponded with him. Uri Geller’s psychokinetic performances were confirmed by Dr David Bohm and Dr John Hasted (University of London).

Purely mental communication of information between persons, Telepathy. A classic example was that of the inventor of the electro-encephalograph Hans Berger whose sister was accessed telepathically by him when he had an accident far away. Alan Turing, the inventor of the computer, wrote on telepathy, (1950): “These disturbing phenomena seem to deny all our usual scientific ideas; how we should like to discredit them. Unfortunately the evidence at least for telepathy is overwhelming“.

Prophetic dreams. These are dreams experienced by people about events which concerned their professional or personal interests . The most remarkable was Auguste Kekule’s dream of a snake biting its own tail as a parallel of the circular structure of the Benzene molecule in 1862; Benzene is a key chemical compound in organic chemistry. He was a professor of Chemistry in Belgium. A Sri Lankan parallel of a prophetic dream was a domestic’s dream of her employer’s wife who was hospitalized with a head injury; she visited the hospital to see her employer’s wife, eight years after leaving her service.

My frequent experience of the denial of paranormal phenomena by skeptics, commonly arises from the work of fraudulent or incompetent practitioners, especially astrologers, compounded by incurable skepticism, or beliefs especially of religious origin which negate such experiences and phenomena.

(The writer is an Emeritus Professor of the Peradeniya University and a Founder Fellow of the National Academy of Science, Sri Lanka)

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Features

SL urged to use GSP+ to the fullest to promote export development

Published

22 hours ago

2025/04/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ambassador of the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Carmen Moreno and Chairman, Pathfinder Foundation Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke

Sri Lanka needs to take full stock of its current economic situation and use to the maximum the potential in its GSP+ facility for export sector growth. In the process, it should ensure that it cooperates fully with the European Union. The urgency of undertaking these responsibilities is underscored by the issues growing out of the recent US decision to sweepingly hike tariffs on its imports, though differentially.

These were principal ‘takes’ for participants in the Pathfinder Foundation’s Ambassadors’ Roundtable forum held on April 8th at the Colombo Club of the Taj Samudra. The main presenter at the event was Ms. Carmen Moreno Raymundo, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The forum was chaired by Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman, Pathfinder Foundation. The event brought together a cross-section of the local public, including the media.

Ms. Moreno drew attention to the fact Sri Lanka is at present severely under utilizing its GSP+ facility, which is the main means for Sri Lanka to enter the very vast EU market of 450 million people. In fact the EU has been Sri Lanka’s biggest trading partner. In 2023, for instance, total trade between the partners stood at Euros 3.84 billion. There is no greater market but the EU region for Sri Lanka.

‘However, only Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has seen considerable growth over the years. It is the only export sector in Sri Lanka which could be said to be fully developed. However, wider ranging export growth is possible provided Sri Lanka exploits to the fullest the opportunities presented by GSP+.’

Moreno added, among other things: ‘Sri Lanka is one among only eight countries that have been granted the EU’s GSP+ facility. The wide-ranging export possibilities opened by the facility are waiting to be utilized. In the process, the country needs to participate in world trade in a dynamic way. It cannot opt for a closed economy. As long as economic vibrancy remains unachieved, Sri Lanka cannot enter into world trading arrangements from a strong position. Among other things, Sri Lanka must access the tools that will enable it to spot and make full use of export opportunities.

‘Sri Lanka must facilitate the private sector in a major way and make it possible for foreign investors to enter the local economy with no hassle and compete for local business opportunities unfettered. At present, Lanka lacks the relevant legal framework to make all this happen satisfactorily.

‘Sri Lanka cannot opt for what could be seen as opaque arrangements with bilateral economic partners. Transparency must be made to prevail in its dealings with investors and other relevant quarters. It’s the public good that must be ensured. The EU would like to see the local economy further opening up for foreign investment.

‘However, it is important that Sri Lanka cooperates with the EU in the latter’s efforts to bring about beneficial outcomes for Sri Lankans. Cooperation could be ensured by Sri Lanka fully abiding by the EU conditions that are attendant on the granting of GSP+. There are, for example, a number of commitments and international conventions that Sri Lanka signed up to and had promised to implement on its receipt of GSP+ which have hitherto not been complied with. Some of these relate to human rights and labour regulations.

‘Successive governments have pledged to implement these conventions but thus far nothing has happened by way of compliance. GSP+ must be seen as an opportunity and not a threat and by complying with EU conditions the best fruits could be reaped from GSP+. It is relevant to remember that GSP+ was granted to Sri Lanka in 2005. It was suspended five years later and restored in 2017.

‘The importance of compliance with EU conditions is greatly enhanced at present in view of the fact that Sri Lanka is currently being monitored by the EU with regard to compliance ahead of extending GSP+ next year. A report on Sri Lanka is due next year wherein the country’s performance with regard to cooperating with the EU would be assessed. The continuation of the facility depends on the degree of cooperation.

‘A few statistics would bear out the importance of Sri Lanka’s partnership with the EU. For example, under the facility Sri Lanka benefits from duty free access in over 66% of EU tariff lines. The highest number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka in 2023 was from the EU’s 27 member states. Likewise, the EU’s 27 member states rank second in the origin of inflows of foreign exchange to Sri Lanka; with Italy, France and Germany figuring as the main countries of origin. Eighty five percent of Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU market benefits from GSP+. Thus, the stakes for the country are high.’

Meanwhile, President, In-house Counsel & Legal Advisor, The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, John Wilson said: ‘GSP+ should be seen as not only an opportunity but also as a necessity by Sri Lanka in the current international economic climate. ‘Implementation of local laws is what is needed. Considering the pressures growing out of the US imposed new tariff regime, a good dialogue with the EU is needed.

‘Sri Lanka’s level of business readiness must be upped. Among the imperatives are: An electronic procurement process, Customs reforms, a ‘National Single Window’, stepped-up access to land by investors, for example, a clear policy framework on PPPs and reform of the work permits system.’

It ought to be plain to see from the foregoing that Sri Lanka cannot afford to lose the GSP+ facility if it is stepped-up economic growth that is aimed at. It would be in Sri Lanka’s best interests to remain linked with the EU, considering the aggravated material hardships that could come in the wake of the imposition of the US’ new tariff regime. Sri Lanka would need to remain in a dialogue process with the EU, voice its reservations on matters growing out of GSP+, if any, iron out differences and ensure that its national interest is secured.

Features

SENSITIVE AND PASSIONATE…

Published

22 hours ago

2025/04/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Chit-Chat
Chiara Tissera

Mrs. Queen of the World Sri Lanka 2024, Chiara Tissera, leaves for the finals, in the USA, next month

I had a very interesting chat with her and this is how it all went:

1. How would you describe yourself?

I am a sensitive and passionate individual who deeply cares about the things that matter most to me. I approach life with a heart full of enthusiasm and a desire to make meaningful connections.

2. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Actually, I wouldn’t change a thing about myself because the person I am today, both inside and out, is the result of everything I’ve experienced. Every part of me has shaped who I am, so I embrace both my strengths and imperfections as they make me uniquely me.

3. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

If there’s one thing I could change about my family, it would be having my father back with us. Losing him six years ago left a void that can never be filled, but his memory continues to guide and inspire us every day.

4. School?

I went to St. Jude’s College, Kurana, and I’m really proud to say that the lessons I gained during my time there have shaped who I am today. My school and teachers instilled in me values of hard work, perseverance and the importance of community, and I carry those lessons with me every day. I was a senior prefect and was selected the Deputy Head Prefect of our college during my tenure.

5. Happiest moment?

The happiest moment of my life so far has been winning the Mrs. Sri Lanka 2024 for Queen of the World. It was a dream come true and a truly unforgettable experience, one that fills me with pride and gratitude every time I reflect on it.

6. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Happiness is a deeply personal and multifaceted feeling that often comes from a sense of contentment, fulfillment and well-being. For me, perfect happiness is in moments of joy, peace and accomplishments … and also being surrounded by my loved ones.

7. Are you religious?

Yes, I’m a very religious person. And I’m a firm believer in God. My faith guides me through life, providing strength, dedication and a sense of peace in every situation. I live by the quote, ‘Do your best, and God will do the rest.’

8. Are you superstitious?

I’m not superstitious. I believe in making my own decisions and relying on logic and faith rather than following superstitions.

9. Your ideal guy?

My ideal guy is my husband. He is compassionate, understanding and is always there to support me, no matter what. He’s my rock and my best friend – truly everything I could ever want in a partner.

10. Which living person do you most admire?

The living person I admire the most is definitely my mummy. Her strength, love and unwavering support has shaped me into who I am today. She is my role model and she inspires me every day with her wisdom and kindness.

11. Your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession is my family. They are the heart of my life, providing me with love, support and strength. Their presence is my greatest blessing.

12. If you were marooned on a desert island, who would you like as your companion?

I would like to have my spouse as my companion. Together, we could make the best of the situation, supporting each other, sharing moments of laughter and finding creative ways to survive and thrive.

13. Your most embarrassing moment?

There’s quite a few, for sure, but nothing is really coming to mind right now.

14. Done anything daring?

Yes, stepping out of my comfort zone and taking part in a pageant. I had no experience and was nervous about putting myself out there, but I decided to challenge myself and go for it. It pushed me to grow in so many ways—learning to embrace confidence, handle pressure, and appreciate my own uniqueness. The experience not only boosted my self-esteem but also taught me the value of taking risks and embracing new opportunities, even when they feel intimidating.”

15. Your ideal vacation?

It would be to Paris. The city has such a magical vibe and, of course, exploring the magical Eiffel Tower is in my bucket list. Especially the city being a mix of history culture and modern life in a way that feels timeless, I find it to be the ideal vacation spot for me.

16. What kind of music are you into?

I love romantic songs. I’m drawn to its emotional depth and the way they express love, longing a connection. Whether it’s a slow ballad, a classic love song or a more modern romantic tune these songs speak to my heart.

17. Favourite radio station?

I don’t have a specific radio station that I like, but I tend to enjoy a variety of stations, depending on my mood. Sometimes I’ll tune into one for a mix of popular hits, other times I might go for something more relaxing, or a station with a certain vibe. So I just like to keep it flexible and switch it up.

18. Favourite TV station?

I hardly find the time to sit down and watch TV. But, whenever I do find a little spare time, I tend to do some spontaneous binge – watching, catching whatever interesting show is on at that moment.

19 What would you like to be born as in your next life?

Mmmm, I’ve actually not thought about it, but I’d love to be born as someone who gets to explore the world freely – perhaps a bird soaring across continents.

20. Any major plans for the future?

Let’s say preparing and participating in the international pageant happening in the USA this May. It’s an exciting opportunity to represent myself and my country on a global stage. Alongside this, I am dedicated to continuing my social service work as a title holder, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others through my platform.

Features

Fresher looking skin …

Published

22 hours ago

2025/04/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The formation of wrinkles and fine lines is part of our ageing process. However, if these wrinkles negatively impact appearance, making one look older than they actually are, then trying out some homemade remedies, I’ve listed for you, this week, may help in giving your skin a fresher look.

* Banana:

Bananas are considered to be our skin’s best friend. They contain natural oils and vitamins that work very perfectly to boost our skin health. Skincare experts recommend applying the banana paste to the skin.

Take a ripe banana and mash a quarter of it until it becomes a smooth paste. Apply a thin layer of the banana paste on your skin and allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with warm water.

* Olive Oil:

Olive oil works as a great skin protector and many types of research suggest that even consuming olive oil may protect the skin from developing more wrinkles. Olive oil contains compounds that can increase the skin’s collagen levels. Yes, olive oil can be used as a dressing on your salads, or other food, if you want to consume it, otherwise, you can apply a thin layer of olive oil on your face, neck and hands and let it stay overnight.

* Ginger:

Ginger serves to be a brilliant anti-wrinkle remedy because of the high content of antioxidants in it. Ginger helps in breaking down elastin, which is one of the main reasons for wrinkles. You can have ginger tea or grate ginger and have it with honey, on a regular basis.

* Aloe Vera:

The malic acid present in Aloe Vera helps in improving your skin’s elasticity, which helps in reducing your wrinkles. Apply the gel once you extract it from the plant, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. You can wash it off with warm water.

* Lemons:

Lemons contain citric acid, which is a strong exfoliant that can help you get rid of your dead skin cells and wrinkles. Also, as an astringent and a cleansing agent, it helps to fade your wrinkles and fine lines. You can gently rub a lemon slice in your wrinkled skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse afterwards and repeat this process two to three times a day.

* Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil contains essential fatty acid that moisturises the skin and helps to retain its elasticity. You can directly apply the coconut oil, and leave it overnight, after gently massaging it, for the best results.