Features

JUDO FIGHTING IN SRI LANKA – Part 56

Published

3 years ago

2022/07/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

CONFESSIONS OF A GLOBAL GYPSY

By Dr. Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena DPhil

President – Chandi J. Associates Inc. Consulting, Canada

Founder & Administrator – Global Hospitality Forum

chandij@sympatico.ca

Discovering Judo in 1969

Just before I sat for the General Certificate of Education – Ordinary Level (grade 10) examinations in Ceylon in late 1969, I discovered Judo. Growing up in the Bambalapiitya Flats in Colombo, I noticed that the eldest son of the family in our next door flat, Raju Arulanandam. occasionally wore an unusual uniform with a brown linen belt while doing some fitness exercises. I had just turned 16 and Raju was about 10 years older than me. Due to his friendly personality and various athletic talents, Raju was our neighbourhood hero, who was very popular. Raju’s younger brother Roshan was around my age and a close friend of mine.

One day I saw Raju and Roshan (in similar uniforms) going to the beach behind our flat. When I followed them, I was baffled to see Raju throwing poor Roshan around on the beach. “What are you doing, Raju?”, I inquired. “Chandana, I am practicing Judo with Roshan as my sparring partner. I have a couple of fights in an important Judo tournament this weekend”, Raju’s response sparked an interest in me. I was very impressed when Raju did some rolling break falls when he was tackled at a neighbourhood rugby football game that evening. “Raju, I would love to learn Judo. Please introduce me to your Judo club” I requested.

Around that period, my father was in Japan on a scholarship, undergoing some training in publishing books. When he heard of my new interest, he sent me a postcard from Osaka confirming that he would bring me a special present from Japan. It was a ‘Judogi’ or the traditional uniform used for Judo practice and competition. A Judogi comprises of three parts that are usually cut from different fabrics: a very heavy jacket, lighter canvas pants and a cotton belt. My parents included a condition before they let me follow Raju’s footsteps into Judo fighting. I had to complete the grade 10 examinations and pass with at least four credits, which I did. I commenced Judo at the Central YMCA in Colombo on January 2, 1970.

The Origin and the Ranks of Judo

Judo is a martial art that was born in Japan in 1882. It is known around the world as an Olympic sport, since the 1964 Tokyo Olympiad. Judo was created by Jigoro Kano combining jujutsu, a form of close combat with the elements of mental discipline. Judo (

柔道) means “gentle way” in Japanese. Jigoro Kano commenced Judo classes in a Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

Judo practitioners are called a ‘judokas, who are ranked according to their skill and knowledge. Their ranks are indicated by the colours of belts that they wear. There are two broad categories of ranks: those who have attained a level of competency at which they are considered worthy of a black belt or ‘Dan’ degree grades and those who have yet to attain that level, therefore hold ‘Kyu’ grades.

In the current system as used in Japan, there are six student grades ranked in descending numerical order. Beginners are given the rank of sixth kyu white belt, and once they get promoted to the third kyu, they are awarded brown belts. The first kyu is the last kyu rank before promotion to the first-degree black belt (Shodan). There are 10 dan ranks, which are in ascending numerical order (one to ten). Only 15 individuals have been promoted to the rank of 10th dan. The highest-ranking Judoka practicing in Sri Lanka today is a former Judo colleague of mine, A. H. Jinadasa (Jinna), who has the rank of 5th dan.

The objective of competitive judo is to throw an opponent, immobilize them with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke hold. Judo’s international governing body is the International Judo Federation. The Kodokan Judo Institute in Japan is the headquarters of the worldwide Judo community.

Judo in Sri Lanka in the early 1970s

Soon after I started practising Judo in 1970, I had some quick successes. In my third month in Judo, I competed in the national sports festival of Ceylon, and was the runner up of the fifth and sixth kyu heavy wight event. The Japanese ambassador gave away Judo awards at that festival. He also arranged to send a few Judo instructors (sensei) from Japan to teach Judo in Ceylon.

At the Central YMCA in Colombo in 1970, I was inspired by a 20-year-old Judoka – Asoka Jayawardana. Having commenced Judo when he was 14, Asoka had become the youngest national Judo champion in 1969, at the age of 19. Asoka also had a cameo role in the most popular Sinhala movie of 1971, ‘Hathara Denama Sooyayo’ as a Judo fighter at Colombo YMCA, training one of the four heroes of the movie. That movie which ran for over 100 days island-wide during the first release, helped Judo to become more popular in Ceylon.

Asoka was also the Judo team leader of the Colombo YMCA. In 1972, he was awarded a two-year YMCA scholarship to study in Japan. Asoka studied at the Kodokan Judo Institute. Having done a six-month course at the Ceylon Hotel School, he had some interest in a career in the hotel industry. Therefore, during his two-years in Japan, Asoka concurrently studied hotel management. When he returned to Sri Lanka, while continuing Judo, he joined the hotel industry as a manager. In later years, a few more Sri Lankans went to Japan on Kodokan Judo scholarships.

I continued Judo for five years until the end of 1974. I also did wrestling and Karate for short periods. As Judo has a component of ground fighting on the mat, knowledge of wrestling is useful. Some clubs such as Colombo YMBA occasionally recruited top wrestlers of the country to Judo teams, and provided them with basic Judo training prior to major Judo tournaments. That strategy worked well at times.

I won the open category of the Intermediate Judo Championship of Sri Lanka in 1973. Among ten different categories of bouts based on grades and weights of the fighters, the open event was the prime event of any Judo tournament, at that time. My opponent in the open final was stronger, heavier and more experienced in fighting than I. He, S. I. Ratnayake was a tough Inspector of Police. I was still in my late teens and he was ten years older. My opponent was expected to win the final bout of the tournament easily.

However, I had lot of support around the fighting arena from my neighbourhood buddies and Ceylon Hotel School batchmates. My aim was not to disappoint my fans by losing quickly. I held my opponent at bay for the whole duration. Twice, extra fighting time was allocated by the referee. In between, during a short break from fighting, I was kneeling down and adjusting my belt at a corner of the fighting mat. While catching my breath, I told Roshan Arulanandan cheering me by the ringside that my opponent was strong like a big tree. He told me, “Strong trees can also fall down with the right pressure.” To me that summed up a key concept of the art of Judo fighting. Upsetting the balance of the opponent was a good tactic.

During the final three minutes of extra time, my strategy was to be very aggressive. I kept on pushing my opponent while holding his judogi as tightly as possible and pulling his neck down. That angered the police officer and he aggressively pushed me back. At that moment, I used his own strength and weight while pulling him towards me and falling backwards with my right foot pushing his stomach up. This sacrifice throw called ‘Tomoe Nage’ is one of the traditional forty throws of Judo developed by Jigoro Kano. It was not a popular throw, as often it backfired when tried against more senior and heavier opponents. That day it was my last resort. It worked for me like a charm and my opponent went flying over me and fell flat on his back. I won the fight and became a Judo champion.

The next year, I was chosen to be on the five-member team of the Colombo YMCA Judo club. After a hectic, five-bout team event, we won the 1974 national Judo Championship in Sri Lanka. After that, I stopped Judo for six years to focus on building a strong foundation for my career as a resort hotelier on the south coast of Sri Lanka.

Returning to Judo in the early 1980s

Six years later, on re-locating in Colombo in 1981, I re-started Judo at my club, the Central YMCA. I was happy to get an opportunity to practice Judo and hoped to study for Judo grade promotion tests, once again. Unfortunately, my busy work schedule did not allow me to do so. I was still a fourth Kyu level Judoka as I had faced only a couple of grading tests in the early 1970s. However, by 1982, I had improved my fighting and recorded some successes at the tournaments.

One full point in judo is termed in Japanese as ‘Ippon’. The competitor who gets awarded with an Ippon is declared the winner of the match, commonly by throwing the opponent to his back with force, speed and control. This would be considered a ‘perfect throw’ in judo. To the contrary, a half point is termed as ‘Waza-ari’. When two Waza-aris are awarded in a match, then it is equivalent to an Ippon and the match comes to an end.

JUDO There are three other ways to score an Ippon win, which are:

Immobilizing the opponent with a hold-down (grappling) technique for 20 seconds.

Choking the opponent until he ‘taps’ (gives up) or ‘naps’ (passes out). Pressure is applied to the sides of the neck, windpipe or larynx. A properly applied choking technique can cause the opponent to pass out.

Applying an armlock to an opponent’s elbow joint until he gives up or the arm becomes dislocated.

In 1982, I had a scary experience on the Judo mat. At a national tournament, I was fighting an opponent from the Colombo YMBA. This Judoka, Jayantha Seram, was a better and more experienced fighter compared to me. He threw me, but could not win a full point (Ippon) to beat me outright, as I fell sideways on one shoulder. Seram was awarded a Waza-ari. Without wasting anytime, he continued to fight aggressively by trying to hold-me down for 20 seconds, with an aim to score an Ippon win.

Seram was on top of me, but I was able to get a good grip on his Judogi to choke him. I applied pressure to the sides of his neck, as well as windpipe. I felt that it was working as his grip on me was gradually loosening. I took the opportunity to get off the mat and turn Seram down on the mat, while making the choke harder. As he did not tap me to indicate that he is giving up, I continued to choke him, aggressively.

The referee eventually stopped the fight to award me the win by Ippon, as froth came out of Seram’s mouth and he passed out. When I had turned him to the mat Seram had fallen with his hands behind his body, and neither of his hands were therefore free to tap. As the ambulance was taking a long time to arrive, I rushed Seram to the emergency room in my car to save his life. That day, I nearly gave up Judo.

The First Overseas Trip of the National Judo Team

I was surprised when one of the highest-ranking Judokas in Sri Lanka, Kithsiri De Soyza, made an offer to me in 1982. “For the first time in the history of Judo in Sri Lanka, a national team of ten Judokas has been invited to compete in an international Judo tournament. It will be held in Ghaziabad, near New Delhi, next month, with teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Japan. I will be the captain of the national team and SP Upali Sahabandu will be the national team manager. We may also take part in smaller tournaments in two other Indian cities.” Kithsiri told me.

He then added, “Chandana, the Sri Lanka Judo Association has decided to include you as a member of the national team to participate in India.” Rank-wise, I was the most junior Judoka who was chosen to represent Sri Lanka, for the first international Judo tournament, Sri Lanka was invited to take part. I was simply fortunate to become a member of the Sri Lanka national Judo team, within a year of returning to the sport.

Ten members of the national team were selected from four Judo clubs – Four from the Colombo YMCA, four from the Colombo YMBA, one from the Ceylon Police Force and one from the Gampola Judo Club. In the middle of the hot summer of 1982, our team took off to five cities in India for two weeks, with hope, anxiety and ambition. To be continued next Sunday…

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Features

High govt. revenue and low foreign exchange reserves High foreign exchange reserves and low govt. revenue!

Published

13 hours ago

2025/03/21

Thilina Walpola

First shipment of vehicles imported to Sir Lank after the lifting the ban on automobile imports

Government has permitted, after several years, the import of motor cars. Imports, including cars, were cut off because the government then wisely prioritised importing other commodities vital to the everyday life of the general public. It is fair to expect that some pent-up demand for motor vehicles has developed. But at what prices? Government seems to have expected that consumers would pay much higher prices than had prevailed earlier.

The rupee price of foreign exchange had risen by about half from Rs.200 per US$ to Rs.300. In those years, the cost of production of cars also had risen. The government dearly wanted more revenue to meet increasing government expenditure. Usually, motor cars are bought by those with higher incomes or larger amounts of wealth. Taxes on the purchase of cars probably promote equity in the distribution of incomes. The collection of tax on motor cars is convenient. What better commodity to tax?

The announced price of a Toyota Camry is about Rs.34 million. Among us, a Camry is usually bought by those with a substantially higher income than the average middle-income earner. It is not a luxury car like a Mercedes Benz 500/ BMW 700i. Yes, there are some Ferrari drivers. When converted into US dollars, the market price of a Camry 2025 in Sri Lankan amounts to about $110,000. The market price of a Camry in US is about $34,000, where it is usually bought by income earners in the middle-middle class: typically assistant professors in state universities or young executives. Who in Lanka will buy a Camry at Rs.34 million or $110,000 a piece?

How did Treasury experts expect high revenue from the import of motor cars? The price of a Toyota Camry in US markets is about $34,000. GDP per person, a rough measure of income per person in US, was about $ 88,000 in 2024. That mythical ‘average person’ in US in 2024, could spend about 2.5 month’s income and buy a Toyota Camry. Income per person, in Lanka in 2024, was about $ 4,000. The market price of a Camry in Lanka is about $ 133,000. A person in Lanka must pay 33 years of annual income to buy a Toyota Camry in 2025.

Whoever imagined that with those incomes and prices, there would be any sales of Camry in Lanka? After making necessary adjustments (mutatis mutandis), Toyota Camry’s example applies to all import dues increases. Higher import duties will yield some additional revenue to government. How much they will yield cannot be answered without much more work. High import duties will deter people from buying imported goods. There will be no large drawdown of foreign exchange; nor will there be additional government revenue: result, high government foreign exchange reserves and low government revenue.

For people to buy cars at such higher prices in 2025, their incomes must rise substantially (unlikely) or they must shift their preferences for motor cars and drop their demand for other goods and services. There is no reason to believe that any of those changes have taken place. In the 2025 budget, government has an ambitious programme of expenditure. For government to implement that programme, they need high government revenue. If the high rates of duties on imports do not yield higher government revenue as hypothesised earlier, government must borrow in the domestic market. The economy is not worthy of raising funds in international capital markets yet.

If government sells large amounts of bonds, the price of all bonds will fall, i.e. interest rates will rise, with two consequences. First, expenditure on interest payments by government will rise for which they would need more revenue. Second, high interest rates may send money to banks rather than to industry. Finding out how these complexities will work out needs careful, methodically satisfactory work. It is probable that if government borrows heavily to pay for budgetary allocations, the fundamental problem arising out of heavy public debt will not be solved.

The congratulatory comments made by the Manager of IMF applied to the recent limited exercise of handling the severity of balance of payments and public debt problems. The fundamental problem of paying back debt can be solved only when the economy grows fast enough (perhaps 7.5 % annually) for several years. Of that growth, perhaps, half (say 4 % points) need to be paid back for many years to reduce the burden of external debt.

Domestic use of additional resources can increase annually by no more than 3.5 percent, even if the economy grows at 7.5 percent per year. Leaders in society, including scholars in the JJB government, university teachers and others must highlight the problems and seek solutions therefor, rather than repeat over and over again accounts of the problem itself.

Growth must not only be fast and sustained but also exports heavy. The reasoning is as follows. This economy is highly import-dependent. One percent growth in the economy required 0.31% percent increase in imports in 2012 and 0. 21 percent increase in 2024. The scarcity of imports cut down the rate of growth of the economy in 2024. Total GDP will not catch up with what it was in (say) 2017, until the ratio of imports to GDP rises above 30 percent.

The availability of imports is a binding constraint on the rate of growth of the economy. An economy that is free to grow will require much more imports (not only cement and structural steel but also intermediate imports of many kinds). I guess that the required ratio will exceed 35 percent. Import capacity is determined by the value of exports reduced by debt repayments to the rest of the world. The most important structural change in the economy is producing exports to provide adequate import capacity. (The constant chatter by IMF and the Treasury officials about another kind of structural change confuses the issue.) An annual 7.5 percent growth in the economy requires import capacity to grow by about 2.6 percent annually.

This economy needs, besides, resources to pay back accumulated foreign debt. If servicing that accumulation requires, takes 4% points of GDP, import capacity needs to grow by (about) 6.6 percent per year, for many years. Import capacity is created when the economy exports to earn foreign exchange and when persons working overseas remit substantial parts of their earnings to persons in Lanka. Both tourism and remittances from overseas have begun to grow robustly. They must continue to flow in persistently.

There are darkening clouds raised by fires in prominent markets for exports from all countries including those poor. This is a form of race to the bottom, which a prominent economist once called ‘a policy to beggar thy neighbour (even across the wide Pacific)’. Unlike the thirty years from 1995, the next 30 years now seem fraught with much danger to processes of growth aided by open international trade. East Asian economies grew phenomenally by selling in booming rich markets, using technology developed in rich countries.

Lanka weighed down with 2,500 years of high culture ignored that reality. The United States of America now is swinging with might and main a wrecking ball to destroy that structure which they had put up, one thought foolishly, with conviction. Among those storms, many container ships would rather be put to port than brave choppy seas. High rates of growth in export earnings seem a bleak prospect. There yet may be some room in the massive economies of China and India.

Consequently, it is fanciful to expect that living conditions will improve rapidly, beginning with the implementation of the 2025 budget. It will be a major achievement if the 2025 budget is fully implemented, as I have argued earlier. Remarkable efforts to cut down on extravagance, waste and the plunder of public funds will help, somewhat; but not enough. IMF or not, there is no way of paying back accumulated debt without running an export surplus sufficient to service debt obligations.

Exports are necessary to permit the economy to pay off accumulated debt and permit some increase in the standard of living. Austerity will be the order of the day for many years to come. It is most unlikely that the next five years will usher in prosperity.

By Usvatte-aratchi

Features

BLOSSOMS OF HOPE 2025

Published

13 hours ago

2025/03/21

Thilina Walpola

An Ikebana exhibition in aid of pediatric cancer patients

This Ikebana exhibition by the members of Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter #262, brings this ancient art form to life in support of a deeply meaningful cause: aiding the Pediatric Cancer ward of the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Maharagama and offering hope to young warriors in their fight against illness.

Graceful, delicate, and filled with meaning—Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement, is more than just an expression of beauty; it is a reflection of life’s resilience and harmony. “Blossoms of Hope”, is a special Ikebana exhibition, on 29th March from 11a.m. to 7p.m. and 30th March from 10a.m. to 6p.m. at the Ivy Room, Cinnamon Grand Hotel and demonstrations will be from 4p.m. to 5p.m. on both days.

Each floral arrangement in this exhibition is a tribute to strength, renewal, and love. Carefully crafted by skilled Ikebana artists, who are members of the Chapter. These breathtaking displays symbolize the courage of children battling cancer, reminding us that even in adversity, beauty can bloom. The graceful lines, vibrant hues, and thoughtful compositions of Ikebana echo the journey of resilience, inspiring both reflection and compassion.

Visitors will not only experience the tranquility and elegance of Japanese floral art but will also have the opportunity to make a difference. Proceeds from “Blossoms of Hope” will go towards enhancing medical care, providing essential resources, and creating a more comforting environment for young patients and their families.

This exhibition is more than an artistic showcase—it is a gesture of kindness, a symbol of solidarity, and a reminder that hope, like a flower, can grow even in the most unexpected places. By attending and supporting “Blossoms of Hope”, you become a part of this journey, helping to bring light and joy into the lives of children who need it most.

Join in celebrating art, compassion, and the Power of Hope—one flower at a time.

Features

St. Anthony’s Church feast at Kachchativu island

Published

13 hours ago

2025/03/21

Thilina Walpola

Fort Hammenhiel

The famous St. Anthony’s Church feast this year was held on 14 and 15 March. St. Anthony, as per Catholic belief, gives protection and looks after fishermen and seafarers like me. Many Buddhist seafarers are believers in St. Anthony and they usually keep a statue of the saint in their cabins in the ship or craft.

St. Anthony died on 13th June 1231 at age of 35 years, at Padua in Holy Roman Empire and was canonized on 30 May 1232 by Pope Gregory IX.

I was unable to attend last year’s feast as I was away in Pakistan as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner. I was more than happy to learn that Indians were also attending the feast this year and there would be 4,000 devotees.

I decided to travel to Kankesanturai (KKS) Jaffna by train and stay at my usual resting place, Fort Hammenhiel Resort, a Navy-run boutique hotel, which was once a prison, where JVP leaders, including Rohana Wijeweera were held during the 1971 insurrection. I was fortunate to turn this fort on a tiny islet in Kytes lagoon into a four-star boutique hotel and preserve Wijeweera’s handwriting in 2012, when I was the Commander Northern Naval Area.

I invite you to visit Fort Hammenhiel during your next trip to Jaffna and see Wijeweera’s handwriting.

The train left Colombo Fort Railway Station on time (0530 hrs/14th) and reached KKS at 1410 hrs. I was highly impressed with the cleanliness and quality of railway compartments and toilets. When I sent a photograph of my railway compartment to my son, he texted me asking “Dad, are you in an aircraft or in a train compartment? “

Well done Sri Lanka Railways! Please keep up your good work. No wonder foreign tourists love train rides, including the famous Ella Odyssey.

Travelling on board a train is comfortable, relaxed and stress free! As a frequent traveller on A 9 road to Jaffna, which is stressful due to oncoming heavy vehicles on. This was a new experience and I enjoyed the ride, sitting comfortably and reading a book received from my friend in New York- Senaka Senaviratne—’Hillbilly Elegy’ by US Vice President JD Vance. The book is an international best seller.

My buddy, Commodore (E) Dissanayake (Dissa), a brilliant engineer who built Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plants for North, North Central and North Western provinces to help prevent chronic kidney disease is the Commodore Superintendent Engineering in the Northern Naval Area. He was waiting at the KKS railway station to receive me.

I enjoyed a cup of tea at Dissa’s chalet at our Northern Naval Command Headquarters in KKS and proceeded to Fort Hammenhiel at Karainagar, a 35-minute drive from KKS.

The acting Commanding Officer of Karainagar Naval Base (SLNS ELARA) Commander Jayawardena (Jaye) was there at Fort Hammenhiel Restaurant to have late lunch with me.

Jaye was a cadet at Naval and Maritime Academy, (NMA) Trincomalee, when I was Commandant in 2006, NMA was under artillery fire from LTTE twice, when those officers were cadets and until we destroyed enemy gun positions, and the army occupied Sampoor south of the Trincomalee harbour. I feel very proud of Jaye, who is a Commander now (equal to Army rank Lieutenant Colonel) and Commanding a very important Naval Base in Jaffna.

The present Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda had been in SLNS ELARA a few hours before me and he had left for the Delft Island on an inspection tour.

Commander Jaye was very happy because his Divisional Officer, when he was a cadet, was Vice Admiral Kanchana (then Lieutenant Commander). I had lunch and rested for a few hours before leaving Karainagar in an Inshore Patrol Craft heading to Kachchativu Island by1730 hrs.

The sea was very calm due to inter-monsoon weather and we reached Kachchativu Island by 1845 hrs. Devotees from both Sri Lanka and India had already reached the island. The Catholic Bishop of Sivagangai Diocese, Tamil Nadu India His Eminence Lourdu Anandam and Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese Very Rev Fr. PJ Jabaratnam were already there in Kachchativu together with more than 100 priests and nuns from Sri Lanka and India. It was a solid display of brotherhood of two neighbouring nations united together at this tiny island to worship God. They were joined by 8,000 devotees, with 4,000 from each country).

The church

All logistics—food, fresh water, medical facilities—were provided by the Sri Lanka Navy. Now, this festival has become a major annual amphibious operation for Navy’s Landing Craft fleet, led by SLNS Shakthi (Landing Ship tanks). The Navy establishes a temporary base in a remote island which does not have a drop of drinking water, and provides food and water to 8,000 persons. The event is planned and executed commendably well under Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Thusara Karunathilake. The Sri Lankan government allocates Rs 30 million from the annual national budget for this festival, which is now considered a national religious festival.

The Indian devotees enjoy food provided by SLN. They have the highest regard for our Navy. The local devotees are from the Jaffna Diocese, mainly from the Delft Island and helped SLN. Delft Pradeshiya Sabha and AGA Delft Island. A very efficient lady supervised all administrative functions on the Island. Sri Lanka Police established a temporary police station with both male and female officers.

As usual, the Sinhalese devotees came from Negombo, Chilaw, Kurunegala and other areas, bringing food enough for them and their Catholic brothers and sisters from India! Children brought biscuits, milk toffee, kalu dodol and cakes to share with Indian and Jaffna devotees.

In his sermon on 22nd December 2016, when he declared open the new Church built by SLN from financial contributions from Navy officers and sailors, Jaffna Bishop Rt Rev Dr Justin Bernard Ganapragasam said that day “the new Church would be the Church of Reconciliation”.

The church was magnificent at night. Sitting on the beach and looking at the beautiful moon-lit sea, light breeze coming from the North East direction and listening to beautiful hymns sung by devotees praising Saint Anthony, I thanked God and remembered all my friends who patrolled those seas and were no more with us. Their dedication, and bravery out at sea brought lasting peace to our beloved country. But today WHO REMEMBERS THEM?

The rituals continued until midnight. Navy Commander and the Indian Consul General in Jaffna Sai Murali attended the Main Mass.

The following morning (15) the Main Mass was attended by Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and his family. It was a great gesture by the Navy Commander to attend the feast with his family. I had a long discussion with Indian Consul General Jaffna Sai Mulari about frequent incidents of Indian trawlers engaging in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters and what we should do as diplomats to bring a lasting solution to this issue, as I was highly impressed with this young Indian diplomat.

The Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese, my dear friend, Very Rev Father P J Jabarathnam also made an open appeal to all Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen to protect the environment. I was fortunate to attend yet another St. Anthony’s Church feast in Kachchativu.

By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne WV,

RWP& Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn,
Bsc (Hons) (War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras)
Former Navy Commander and Former Chief of Defense Staff
Former Chairman, Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd
Former Managing Director Ceylon Petroleum Corporation
Former High Commissioner to Pakistan