Features
Chilaw”s Poet Laureate

By ECB Wijeyasinghe
Number One, Jetty Street, Chilaw, is perhaps the most famous front door in the North-Western Province because it is here that “Gallinago” lived and entertained almost everybody who was anybody in that part of the world.Gallinago, the scientific term for Snipe, was the nom-de-plume of the Poet Laureate of Chilaw, and concealed the identity of the Attorney-at-Law who was christened Joseph Jasper Herschel Gamini Benjamin Pandittesekera.
Herschel died a few days ago, but his witticisms and his songs will be recalled for many decades to come. Ceylon has produced serious poets like Tambimuttu, Alfreda de Silva and D. J. Thamotheram, but in the domain of light verse Herschel was one of the finest products of the age and takes his place alongside Charles Ambrose Lorensz, Edmund de Livera and Hilaire Jansz. Perhaps Mervyn Casie Chetty and Renee David are the only people now able to match the effervescence of his style and both of them happened to be his close friends.One of Herschel’s favourite poets was Omar Khayyam. Like his father C. V. M. Pandittesekere before him, he knew the Rubaiyat by heart. Both father and son were Crown Proctors of Chilaw, but the similarity ended there.
SHOW-PIECE
C. V. M. Pandittesekere was a cousin of the redoubtable Coreas of Chilaw. In addition to being a leading lawyer he was a great horticulturist. He experimented widely with grafts of all kinds. I believe there is a variety of mango named after him. In his orchard at Bowatte in Bingiriya, there was once a citrus tree with four branches which was the show-piece of the village. One branch had orange, another carried clusters of mandarins, the third branch had limes and the fourth and strongest branch bore the burden of the jambola.
But alas! C. V. M. Pandittesekere’s son and heir Herschel, was a fruit-hater. Anybody who flung a ripe plantain at him could be his enemy for life. Going back to Omar Khayyam, there is an interesting story of how Herschel parodied the Persian poet and tried to get his client off a criminal charge. It happened this way. Herschel was appearing for a man who was accused of having altered a cheque. His clever client had changed Rs. 100 to Rs. 400 and attempted to cash it. Herschel got up and told the Court in defence:
Some moving finger wrote, and having writ Moved on; nor all the Prosecutor’s witnesses nor wit Can prove which finger changed ‘One’ to ‘Four’ Nor on my client pin the guilt of it.
The late Mr. A. S. Ponnambalam was the Judge. He asked Herschel to repeat the quatrain and wrote it down word for word, on the Record. He then gave Herschel a benign smile and convicted his client. When the Judge got down from the Bench, Herschel rushed to the Chambers and spouted this verse:
Alas, alas, what boots it to repeat,
Wise judges are not carried off their feet
By putrid poetry, and mine’s of no avail
The paths of Pandittesekere’s clients lead but to the jail.
Mr. Ponnambalam then called to his peon to bring the Record. “No, sir” pleaded Herschel, “please let that not go into the Record.” And the kind judge heard his plea.Herschel’s greatest virtue was his ability to laugh at himself and he excelled in the sport of devaluing his physique, looks, wealth, pedigree, intelligence and everything, except his prowess with a gun. One of his most amusing prose compositions was what he described as his “auto-obituary in advance” which he wrote ten years ago, soon after he relinquished the office of Crown Proctor.
His only child, his daughter, Dilhani, wife of Major Srilal Weerasooriya of the Ceylon Army, who has inherited a good deal of her father’s talents, has preserved his ‘speech’ which was meant to be his own Reference in Court when he passed away. Incidentally, Dilhani and Herschel often corresponded affectionately in verse, and that is not strange, because their forbears were more or less professional poets for many generations and the courts of the Sinhala kings resounded with their wonderful songs.
So much so that one of their ancestors was given the title Pandita –sagara (Sea of Knowledge) a name which has undergone the usual corruptions.Herschel’s auto-obituary is now in the possession of his daughter, and the temptation to quote copiously from this unique document is irresistible. It takes the form of a “reference” in Court and begins with a quick review of his life from the day he lost his mother when he was born, and then five maiden aunts took charge of him.
His father rescued him from the cotton-wool of their tender care and sent him off to S. Thomas College, then in Mutwal. Heeding his grandmother’s plea that the poor innocent, motherless lamb should not be thrown amidst the ravening wolves of a college boarding house, Herschel says he was mollycoddled by a succession of fond boarding mistresses. That is why until his dying day he could never make a cup of tea for himself or take a laundry account. Now, hear what Herschel has to say of himself:
After a protracted stay at the Law College he passed out at last and came to Chilaw to inherit his father’s vast practice, which despite his assiduous efforts he was unable to totally dissipate until the time of his demise. After more than a third of a century at the Bar he could still be described as Mr. Necessity, because necessity knows no law.
But he was not altogether untalented. He had in great measure the gift of nonchalance which has been aptly described as ability to look like an owl after you have behaved like an ass. Yes, Sir, he was indeed a man with a brilliant future behind him. If ever inanity was personified it was personified in him, but such was the amiability of his inanity that he rose on the crest of a wave of tolerant popularity to become Crown Proctor of Chilaw.Over his early love-life Sir, let me draw a kindly veil. Suffice to say that after flitting from flower to flower he came back full circle to marry his own first cousin. What this lovely lady saw in him has been a matter of lively conjecture among his friends. It is indeed his good fortune that his daughter has gone completely after the mother’s side.
SONGS
Herschel then goes on to tell of the 400 popular songs that he “parodied mutilated and maimed” to the accompaniment of the ukulele which he called his “hiramane”, the good old Sinhala word for coconut scraper. He admits that his besetting sin was his idol worship of the gun. As each man kills the thing he loves he went for snipe in a big way.Snipe, as everybody knows, are not natives of Sri Lanka. They come here in thousands every winter from Siberia to enjoy our warmth and worms. And as for the flesh of the snipe any gourmet will tell you there is nothing to match the delicacy of its flavour. It is the champagne of the meats.
Shooting a snipe is not like killing a sitting duck. It requires the highest coordination between eye and arm. In the first place nobody sees the bird till it rises and then it flies like lightning at two or three different angles. In April the birds fly back to Siberia with loads of accumulated fat.
Herschel in his “Obituary” has given this pen-picture of himself:
Hunched like Punch, Chin meeting nose, Crooked of arms, Craggy of toes,
Thin as a mast, Bald as a coot,
But up to the last, He still could shoot.
Though Herschel has written hundreds of parodies of popular songs and his original jokes were legion, he never descended to vulgarity. He hated blasphemy and obscenity and his “Sinhala Belles” which is based on ‘Jingle Bells’ as well as the parody on Bubby Achchi’s Bicycle’ have a touch of genius. They can now be heard on tape records in remote corners of all the five continents.
Herschel had a presentiment that he would cross the border earlier than most of his contemporaries and it was this feeling that prompted him to suggest that when he died W. J. Cory’s immortal lines on Heraclitus could not be improved upon by his friends. Here they are with slight alterations.They told me, Herschel Pandi, they told me you were dead, They brought me bitter news to hear and bitter tears to shed. I wept, as I remembered, how often you and I
Had tired the sun with talking and sent him down the sky. And now that thou art lying my dear old Chilaw guest, A handful of grey ashes long long ago at rest,Still are thy pleasant voices, thy nightingales awake: For Death, he taketh all away but them he cannot take.
(Excerpted from The Good At Their Best first published in 1980)
Features
US withdrawal from UNHRC, a boon to political repression and ultra-nationalism

The US’ reported withdrawal from the UNHRC and some other vital UN agencies could be seen as a fillip to anti-democratic and ultra-nationalistic forces worldwide. Besides, the stark message is being conveyed that the developing regions of the world would from now on suffer further impoverishment and powerlessness.
The UNHRC needs to be more effective and proactive in bringing to book those states that are lagging in upholding and implementing human rights standards. But thus far it has been notable in the main in only ‘naming and shaming’ periodically those countries that stand accused of human rights and associated violations. More states and their rulers who have proved notorious violators of International Law, for instance, need to be brought to justice.
Hopefully, the UNHRC would be more dynamic in carrying out its responsibilities going forward but it needs material, moral and financial sustenance in increasing measure as it goes about trying to implement its brief. By withdrawing its support for the UNHRC at this juncture the US has further weakened the body and thereby provided a stimulant to the forces of repression worldwide.
What ought to be equally disquieting for the ethically-conscious is the withdrawal of US support for the WHO, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees or the UNRWA and the Paris Climate Agreement. With these actions the US under President Donald Trump has forfeited all claims to being the world’s foremost democracy. It could no longer lead from the front, so to speak, in championing human rights and democratic development.
It is no coincidence that almost at the time of these decisions by the US, President Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the time of writing what transpired at these talks is not known to the public but it is plain to see that under the ultra-rightist Israeli Prime Minister, there would be no easy closure to the Middle East conflict and the accompanying blood-letting.
This is in view of the fact that the hawkish Trump administration would be hand-in-glove with the Netanyahu regime right along. There would be no political solution in the foreseeable future nor could it be guaranteed by the main stakeholders to the Middle East question that the current ceasefire would continue.
As mentioned in this column before, Israel would need strong security guarantees from the Palestinian camp and its supporters before it sits earnestly at the negotiating table but a policy of repression by the Israeli state would in no way help in resolving the conflict and in ushering even a measure of peace in the region. With the staunch support of the Trump administration the Netanyahu regime could stave off Palestinian resistance for the time being and save face among its supporters but peace in the Middle East would continue to be a lost cause.
The issues in focus would only be further compounded by the US decision to cease support for the rehabilitation and material sustenance of Palestinian refugees. This policy decision would only result in the further alienation and estrangement of Palestinians from the Western world. Consequently, Intifada-type uprisings should only be expected in the future.
As should be obvious, the US decision to pull out of the WHO would further weaken this vital agency of the UN. A drop in material, medical and financial assistance for the WHO would translate into graver hardships for the suffering civilians in the world’s conflict and war zones. The end result could be the alienation of the communities concerned from the wider international community, resulting in escalating law and order and governance issues worldwide. Among other things, the world would be having on its hands aggravating identity politics consequent to civilian publics being radicalized.
Considering the foregoing, the inference is inescapable that the US is heading in the direction of increasing international isolation and a policy of disengaging from multilateral institutions and arrangements geared to worthy causes that could serve world peace. As matters stand, it would not be wrong to conclude that the Trump administration is quite content with the prevailing ‘international disorder’.
One of the most negative consequences of the US decision to pull out of the UNHRC is the encouragement the forces of repression and ultra-nationalism could gain by it. In almost all the states of South Asia, to consider one region that is notable from this viewpoint, the forces of ultra-nationalism and majoritarian chauvinism could be said to be predominant.
Unfortunately, such forces seem to be on the rise once again in even post-Hasina Bangladesh. In Sri Lanka these forces are somewhat dormant at present but they could erupt to the surface, depending on how diligently the present government guards against their rise.
However, the government of Sri Lanka could not be said to be going the extra mile currently to blunt the appeal of ultra-nationalism, whether it is of the Southern kind or of the Northern kind. Crunch time for the Sri Lankan state would come when it has to seriously cooperate with the UNHRC and help bring those accused of war crimes in Sri Lanka to justice. On whether it could cooperate in this exercise would depend the democratic credentials of the present regime.
The cumulative result of the Trump administration weakening the UN and its agencies would be the relentless rise of anti-democratic, fascistic and repressive regimes the world over. Given this backdrop, one could expect the war in the Ukraine and those wasting civil wars in Africa to rage on. In the case of the Ukraine, the possibility of the US and NATO not being of one mind on ways of ending the war there, could render closure of the conflict any time soon impossible.
However, waiting on the US with the expectation that it would be pulling itself together, so to speak, before long and addressing the issue of international law and order would be tantamount to handing over the world to a most uncertain future. It is highly unlikely that the Trump administration would prove equal to the challenge of bringing even a measure of order out of the current global chaos, given the primacy it would be attaching to what it sees as its national interest.
Rather than wait in suspense, democracy oriented sections the world over would do well to come together in a meeting of minds, with the UN playing a catalytic role in it, to figure out how they could pool all the resources at their command to bring about a world order that would be more respectful of International Law in word and spirit.
Features
‘The Onset: A Short Story’: A philosophical drama attempting to redefine perception and cinema

Debut filmmaker, Thevin Gamage, presents a bold challenge to the time-honoured conventions of cinema. Through his daring short film, Thevin invites audiences to reconsider ‘the truth’ of cinematic rules. The 180-degree rule is broken with seamless subtlety, and a fresh perspective is offered on breaking the fourth wall.
This 13+ minute dialogue-driven drama, ‘The Onset: A Short Story’ featuring two actors and created with the collaboration of a debut cinematographer, was shot entirely in his living room—a testament to ingenuity and creative audacity.
The film not only aims to redefine the language of cinema but also thematically contests one of Plato’s most renowned teachings—The Allegory of the Cave. Thevin offers a fresh lens to examine ‘truth’ blending bold cinematic innovation with a philosophical exploration of perception, arrogance, and enlightenment.
At its heart, this story reflects the universal tension between belief and truth, highlighting the cost of breaking free from illusions. His debut is both a defiant act of rebellion and a bold invitation to shape the evolution of future cinema, leaving audiences with as many questions as answers.
Born into a family of artists in Sri Lanka, Thevin, grew up surrounded by a legacy of creativity yet confined by the traditional expectations of society. His parents achieved success as actors and later as entrepreneurs.
For Thevin, questioning the rules was not rebellion for its own sake—it was a search for freedom, truth, and new perspectives. This drive began in childhood, where strict parental expectations collided with his innate creativity. Movies became his escape, a lens through which he experienced life, love, and possibility.
Yet it wasn’t until his late twenties, after years of academic success and professional detours that he finally embraced his calling as a filmmaker. His audacious short film bridges his personal journey with his artistic vision. By breaking the 180-degree rule and redefining the fourth wall, the film demonstrates that cinematic rules can evolve—not as acts of rebellion, but as purposeful explorations of storytelling.
In the spirit of art and its boundless novelty, Thevin Gamage seeks to induct exactly that: originality.
His debut film is a bold exploration of cinematic boundaries and philosophical inquiry, redefining two foundational principles of cinema. This film invites audiences to experience a narrative that subtly bends the historical rules of the 180-degree rule and the fourth wall—often without them even realizing it.
This debut dares you.
It’s a resolute challenge to tradition and a provocative reminder that “rules” are just a few letters that form a word.
****
About young filmmaker

Thevin Gamage
Thevin Gamage is a South Asian filmmaker whose journey reflects both a profound reverence for tradition and an unrelenting desire to transcend it.
Born into a family of artists in Sri Lanka, Thevin was shaped by a legacy of creativity and resilience. His grandfather, Sri Lanka’s first film makeup artist, pioneered his craft with remarkable dedication, laying the foundation for a family deeply rooted in the arts. Though Thevin never met him, his grandfather Regie de Silva’strailblazing work ethic and passion for storytelling helped shape the family ethos, inspiring Thevin’s mother and, in turn, Thevin himself. Reggie was the first Sri Lankan makeup artist. He went to India for his studies in makeup artistry and was active during the era when B.A.W. Jayamanne and Rukmani Devi pioneered the Sri Lankan film industry.
Thevin’s mother, Kumudumali De Silva, a celebrated Best Supporting Actress winner two decades ago and recent Lifetime Achievement Award honoree for her contributions to the wedding industry, met his father, Nihal Gamage, while on set. Together, they transitioned from the entertainment industry to entrepreneurial success, founding a wedding photography and bridal dressing business. Their ventures flourished, even leading to the publication of their own wedding magazine, providing a middle-class life of success and recognition.
Despite these creative roots, societal expectations in Sri Lanka compelled Thevin to pursue academics. After excelling at the University of Toronto with a degree in Political Science, Economics, and Psychology, Thevin still yearned for storytelling. In his late twenties, after years of professional detours, he enrolled in film school and committed fully to his craft.
Operating outside the framework of traditional film production companies, Thevin embraced the challenges of independence. From conceptualization to execution, his debut film is a testament to his determination, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment to his vision. His journey as an independent filmmaker exemplifies the power of creative freedom to challenge norms and shape unique perspectives.
Thevin’s work invites audiences to question, reimagine, and ultimately transform their understanding of storytelling. His journey is not just one of artistic pursuit but an act of defiance—an effort to inspire others to embrace the power of the arts and forge paths beyond traditional norms.
Features
Top three at 40th Mrs World pageant

While South African model Tshego Gaelae becomes the first Black woman to win the Mrs. World title in its 40-year history, we, too, were in the spotlight, at the finals.
Ishadi Amanda took the No. 02 slot, being the first runner-up at the prestigious pageant, held in Las Vegas, USA, from 29-30 January, 2025.
Thailand’s Ploy Panperm was placed third, as the second runner-up.
Sri Lanka’s Ishadi had support from the audience when her name was announced as one of the three finalists.
The Mrs World pageant winner, from South Africa, expressed her thanks on Instagram, saying, “To God be the glory. Thank you so much for the love and support, I am beyond grateful and elated! My beautiful South Africa, the crown is coming home,” she shared with her followers, encapsulating her elation and gratitude.
The Mrs World pageant, established in 1984, stands as the first international beauty contest solely for married women, providing a platform for married contestants to showcase not just their beauty, but also their intellect and community outreach efforts.
Before being picked as the winner, Mrs South Africa was asked: “What is the biggest challenge you have faced and achieved?” And her answer was brilliant:

Rosy Senanayake: Mrs World 1984
“I was so stressed on social media. Social media people should use it to share knowledge and good things. But it’s used to stress people out. But I stood up for myself without that social media pressure. I used the same social media that stressed me out to share good thoughts and hope to get to the victorious place I am today.”
Gaelae’s success is a testament to the ideals celebrated by the pageant, where diversity and empowerment take centre stage.
Gaelae balances her roles as a devoted mother, wife, labour relations manager, and model.
Being the first black woman to clinch the title at the Mrs World pageant has ignited a sense of pride and celebration among South Africans.
The Mrs South Africa Organisation, which played a crucial role in supporting Gaelae’s remarkable journey, also expressed their pride through a statement: “From Soweto to Vegas and now the World, @mrsworldpageant The Crown is Coming Home! Thank you to everyone who supported our queen on her incredible Journey.”
Gaelae returned home to a triumphant celebration fit for a queen.
At the airport to welcome her were her family, friends, church community, the Mrs South African team board and alumni, and the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg.

The crowning of the 40th Mrs World winner
And, guess what? Gaelae is now in touch with me!
Second Runner-up Mrs Thailand Ploy Panperm is quoted as having said: “I believe that modern married women have the potential to excel in multiple roles – as wives, mothers and even as beauty queens – embodying intelligence, talent and beauty.”
For the record, it was our very own Rosy Senanayake who brought Sri Lanka fame at this pageant … being crowned Mrs World at the very first Mrs World pageant, in 1984.
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