We grew up cleaning teeth using ground charcoal readily available in most households as ordinary people used firewood for cooking. Then came a noticeable uplift in our living standards when my father finally gave in to Amma’s constant complaining to buy a kerosene cooker! All siblings were pretty excited even to brag about it to classmates! Charcoal gave way to an Indian pink tooth powder called Gopal coming in packs. Notwithstanding the “primitive” stuff, our culture stressed the importance of oral hygiene! It meant just cleaning your teeth itself wasn’t good enough – cleaning your tongue was just as important! I recall my father asking to look into his mouth whether tongue was clean enough after almost making himself sick constantly poking his fingers in the process!

White people are not accustomed to it! No one in the family would be allowed the customary morning cup of black coffee until we have been put through the ablution! Having milk in coffee became possible when Milk Board opened a stall opposite Moratuwa Railway station which meant me trek a good five miles to fetch a bottle! It was 55 cents! All these rituals were in sharp contrast to British culture – cup of tea or coffee is given priority over oral hygiene! I still look down upon this habit though keep my opinion to myself.

After half a century of living in the U.K., I admit to using knife and fork as a force of habit now, though white people think using your fingers is “filthy”! Well, if you cannot trust your own fingers for cleanliness and hygiene as opposed to cutlery, there is something wrong somewhere in your logic!

In all fairness to British strict table etiquette, you are not supposed to talk while eating! More to the point, it’s common sense – we could spit unintentionally especially if we have gaps in our teeth! I am no exception. Also, you should not leave the table until everyone has finished. If you must, excuse yourself.

Something totally hilarious and very embarrassing happened to me in the Majestic shopping mall in Colombo long time ago – my wife and daughter were still enjoying the food when I had to excuse myself to go into the washroom mainly to rinse my mouth as I have gaps in my teeth. There was a row of wash hand basins and a “long mirror” I presumed above.

So, I was busy looking myself in the “mirror” mouth wide open. My wife and daughter not least others were shocked and hugely embarrassed! Not to me as I thought it was simply a reflection from the “mirror”. Need I say walking back to the table wasn’t fun!

Reverting back to Suddhas ways, it is not uncommon to see them giving their dinner plates with leftovers to the pet dogs to finish it off! All these in sharp contrast to their customs saying “Oh, pardon me when you sneeze”, and you are supposed to “Bless you!” Anyway, let me conclude on a happier note, Cheers! Bacchus was the Roman god of wine, fertility, and revelry! My mother enjoyed Southern comfort during our regular visits, saying “Comfort, comfort!”

Saturday 08th March marked our beloved Amma’s death anniversary! May she attain Nibbana! She visited us in UK three times, my father did so twice.

Sunil Dharmabandhu

Wales, UK

No Head of State of Sri Lanka had ever alleged that the country’s security forces were unprofessional until unrecently.

Our forces successfully suppressed two insurgencies in 1971 and 1989, fought a thirty-year war against the world’s most ruthless terrorist group, and emerged victorious. The then-President proudly named his Commander of the Army as the best Commander in the world.

Our forces have been continually selected by the UN to serve as peacekeeping forces globally.

However, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who appointed a his Secretaries of Defence and Public Security and the Deputy Minister of Defence retired personnel from the Army and Police, now claims in Parliament that Sri Lanka’s armed forces are unprofessional.

Does the President wish to go down in world history as the only elected leader who insulted his armed forces?

A Ratnayake

The 75th annual Prince of Wales vs. St. Sebastian’s College Big Match, Moratuwa’s most significant social event, took place at De Soysa Park from February 28 to March 2. This marked the first time the Big Match was played over three days, with both teams thoroughly prepared for the grand occasion. The host, Prince of Wales College, did an excellent job organizing the event. Schoolboys, alumni, and well-wishers from both sides eagerly anticipated the start of the match and traditional pre-match gatherings and parties were held with many choosing to prioritize the sporting spirit over excessive revelry.

Unfortunately, the weather gods had other plans. Showers disrupted play on all three days with a particularly heavy thunderstorm on the evening of the second day forcing a delayed start on the third day. The match concluded at 4:00 PM due to bad light, resulting in a tame draw. But as the saying goes, “For when the one great scorer comes to mark against your name, he writes not if you won or lost, but how you played the game.” Both teams upheld the values of cricket and played with commendable sportsmanship.

While the details of the 75th Big Match may fade from memory, the closing ceremony speech by Prince of Wales Principal, Mr. Hasitha Kesara Weththimuni, will undoubtedly be remembered, especially by those present at the venue. Thanks to social media, courtesy of Sebastianite alumni, this speech is now widely shared. Traditionally, the Big Match is perceived as rivalry between schools. However, Mr. Weththimuni introduced a new culture, emphasizing brotherhood and the true spirit of cricket, setting a positive example for students, alumni, and supporters alike. It is hoped that future Big Matches will reflect this spirit.

Beyond the Big Match, Principal Weththimuni also acknowledged the ongoing Schools League One cricket tournament. Despite Prince of Wales not qualifying for the finals, he paid a heartfelt tribute to the St. Sebastian’s College cricket team for reaching the finals against Royal College, Colombo. He sincerely wished St. Sebestian’s good luck, expressing his hope that they would bring the cup back to Moratuwa, promising that victory celebrations would commence at Prince of Wales College.

Principal Weththimuni, your leadership is commendable. We are proud of your vision, and I am confident that the community of Moratuwa will greatly benefit from your guidance from Prince of Wales College.

Ralph Gunawardena
A former St. Sebastian’s cricketer