Good News From Jayam July 15, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 items
Good News From Jayam July 15, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 items
Thusitha and Sudarshani de Silva Presented their 43rd Production “Serving the Sri Lankan Community in California with Pride and Purpose”
On the evening of June 21st, 2025, the elegant ballroom of the Glendale Hilton came alive as T & S Productions USA hosted their 43rd spectacular event. The night featured the sensational Sarith Surith & The News, with special guests Centigradz, delivering a high-energy musical experience that had the entire Sri Lankan community singing, dancing, and celebrating in unison.
The show was a resounding success—yet another feather in the cap for T & S Productions, known for consistently bringing world-class Sri Lankan entertainment to the United States. From timeless hits to electrifying modern beats, the performers captivated the audience with talent, charisma, and powerful stage presence.
St. Joseph Hospital – Negombo “To Live is a Privilege” Proudly Managed by Kids & Teens Medical Group
Dirk Tissera, Editor, Anchorman, Toronto with Miss America Contestant from Wisconsin and George Rutnam from Los Angeles, at the Westgate Hotel (Formerly the Las Vegas Hilton)
Roger Weerasinghe of Thousand Oaks, Ca. played St Andrews in Scotland with his three Golfing Buddies, according to Roger, it was a blast!
Conversation on Travel with Zahirah Marty
Dubai-based presenter and travel journalist Zahirah Marty, visiting Sri Lanka to film an episode of her show My Travel Diary. When asked about her experience in Sri Lanka so far, Marty said, “Incredible. When you travel a lot, there are small things that make a difference. It’s that first impression of how easily I can get off the plane and into my hotel. Sri Lanka’s one of those that’s super easy. They were super friendly. It was quick. There were no major long transfers between airport and hotel.” She praised how easy and accessible Colombo was, highlighting how straight forward it was to explore the city.
25 Wins, 503 Lessons: What Losing Taught Me About Greatness – Yevan David – TEDxColombo (Please click on arrow)
Yevan shares his journey of winning 25 of the 528 races he has taken part in his career, emphasizing that the true lessons came not from victory, but from setbacks. By embracing failure, studying competitors, and cultivating mental clarity through meditation. Yevan transforms adversity of setbacks into awareness and growth. Racing became not just a sport, but a practice in presence, resilience, and inner strength. Yevan “being at the back isn’t defeat, it’s preparation for greatness” Yevan David is a rising star in international motorsport and Sri Lanka’s most promising Formula racing talent. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Fifty years of faith, forgiveness, and fearless advocacy – Cardinal Ranjith
On 29 June 2025, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith celebrated 50 years in the priesthood—a significant milestone in a life dedicated to faith, service, justice, and the pursuit of peace. During a special sermon marking this anniversary, Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera, former Director of Catholic Education, described him as “a principled advocate of justice and reconciliation.” In a world often fractured by religious intolerance and violent extremism, genuine peace-builders emerge as beacons of hope.
utravel.com
“The Little Hut” in Mount Lavinia is back Sri Lanka’s first nightclub reopens with a bang
The Little Hut, the country’s first-ever nightclub originally launched in 1957 at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, officially reopened its doors last Friday, 27 June, with a spectacular retro night that brought back the magic of a golden era. The event featured a live performance by Inner Vision, led by the legendary Benjy Ranabahu, delivering a nostalgic tribute to The Beatles and an unforgettable line-up of early rock ’n’ roll, pop classics. The night drew an enthusiastic crowd of long-time patrons who once danced the nights away at The Little Hut, as well as a new generation of music lovers eager to experience the charm of the iconic club.
Jayam’s Choice Dean Martin and the Mills Brothers “Paper Doll” (Please click on arrow)
“BORN FREE” John Barry Piano Cover By Thaminie Perera (Please click on arrow)
Sri Lanka America Association (SLAASC) Presents ” Neka Maatra”Fundraising Dinner Night Saturday August 2nd, 2025
Kaleidoscope July 3rd, 2025 (Please click on arrow)
On the show today – Jeremy Irons – Green Reporting – Medhini Igoor – Le Jardin du Fort – Rizana – A Caged Bird – Hungary’s Pride – Shark Day – Zombie Fly – Stocks – Oil and Gold prices – Economy and more
Top banker Delvin Pereira – new Rotary Governor Sri Lanka and Maldives
One of Sri Lanka’s top banking personalities Delvin Pereira has been appointed as the Governor of Rotary Sri Lanka and Maldives for the year 2025/26. An outstanding corporate professional with 37 years of excellence in the banking and financial services sector he was appointed to lead Rotary uncontested. His depth of service, vision, and character were the key characteristics that led to the Rotary community selecting Delvin Pereira to the top position of the most admired service organisation globally. Starting his banking career at Commercial Bank, he went to become the Deputy General Manager of Seylan Bank and now serves as a Director at Amana Bank. His leadership span has been across functional areas such as trade finance, SME lending, retail banking and risk management.
Obituaries – Sad News
Ananda Niyerapola (88) of Montrose, Ca. passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025.
Husband of Ranjini, father of Nirosha, Ranesha, and Harshini; sons-in-law Thom Noble, Allen Pierson, and William Kirk; niece and nephew-in-law Manomi and Rohan Hatharasinghe; and grandchildren Nicole Peltier, Daisy Maddox, Isabella Piersol, and Noah Maddox. Ananda was a long-time and respected member of the Sri Lankan American community in Los Angeles. He was a President of the SLAASC.
Celebration of Life
Thursday, July 10, 2025
at 3 p.m.
Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills,
6300 Forest Lawn Drive,
Maureen Hingert (88) Of La Canada, Ca. Passed away on June 30th, 2025. Daughter of Lionel Hingert and Lorna Mabel de Run. Wife of William J. Ballard and Mario Zamparelli. Mother of Regina Gina Zamperelli, Marisa and Andrea.
In 1955, Hingert was crowned Miss Ceylon and subsequently selected as a contestant in the 1955 Miss Universe pageant. She remains the only Ceylonese representative to win an award at a Miss Universe pageant, after finishing as the second runner-up at the 1955 event.
Bradman Weerakoon (94), passed away in Sri Lanka on July 7, 2025. Husband of the late Damayanthi, father of Asela. Distinguished Sri Lankan civil servant who served nine presidents and prime ministers. He was a revered figure in Sri Lankan governance, held numerous senior positions during his decades-long career, earning widespread respect for his dedication to public service.
The Beautiful 2026 Ferrari Concept Supercar (Place your order now!)
Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen
Moussaka
FOR THE MEAT SAUCE:
- 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped (about 2 ½ cups)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb 80% lean ground beef
- ½ cup dry red wine
- ½ cup canned crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 Tbs. tomato paste
- ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- FOR THE EGGPLANT:
- 3 lb. eggplant (about two medium or 5 to 6 baby eggplant), trimmed and sliced crosswise about ¼ inch thick
- Kosher salt
- 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper
- FOR THE POTATOES:
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium russet potatoes (about two and a half pounds), rinsed and dried
- Kosher salt
FOR THE BÉCHAMEL:
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 oz. (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 2 ¼ oz. (½ cup) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ oz. finely grated Grana Padano, Parmigiana- Reggiano, or Pecorino Romano (½ cup)
- ⅛ tsp. Freshly grated nutmeg; more to taste
- Kosher salt
MAKING THE MEAT SAUCE
Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, a generous pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until translucent-5 to 8 minutes.
Turn the heat up to medium high. Add the beef, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat until browned-7 to 10 minutes. Add the wine; turn the heat down to medium and cook, stirring occasionally until absorbed-about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, parsley, tomato paste and nutmeg, stirring to combine. Turn the heat down to low and gently simmer to meld the flavors, stirring once or twice- about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside. (The meat sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months).
SALT THE EGGPLANT
Cover the bottom and sides of a large colander with a single layer of the eggplant slices and sprinkle generously with salt. Top with more layers of eggplant, salting each layer until all the slices have been used. Let sit in the sink or over a large bowl for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
PAN-FRY THE POTATOES
Heat the oil in a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat until shimmering hot (about 375°F).
Meanwhile, slice the potatoes crosswise into ¼-inch rounds, discarding the end slices. Working in batches, fry 10-15 slices in a single layer, flipping once until the potatoes are tender-about 4 minutes.
Blot excess oil with paper towels and lightly season with salt.
ROAST THE EGGPLANT
Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat oven to about 350°F.
Rinse the eggplant in cold water to remove excess salt. Press the slices between paper towels or clean kitchen towels to dry, then arrange them in a single layer on two large rimmed baking sheets. Lightly brush both sides off each slice with the olive oil and lightly season both sides with salt and pepper. Roast, flipping once, until tender and lightly browned- 30 to 35 minutes total.
MAKE THE BÉCHAMEL
Heat the milk in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until steaming; set aside.Melt the butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium low heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until golden-about 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the hot milk and then simmer gently, whisking until the raw flour taste is gone and the sauce thickens- about 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to low and gradually whisk in the eggs; whisk vigorously to combine. Remove from the heat. Set aside one Tbs. of the cheese for assembly and add the remaining cheese to the sauce along with the nutmeg and one tsp. salt; Whisk until smooth. Season to taste with more salt and nutmeg.
ASSEMBLE AND BAKE
Position a rack in center of oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 9×13 -inch baking dish.
Arrange potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the dish, overlapping the slices like shingles. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tsp. of the reserved cheese.
Arrange the eggplant slices as you did the potatoes and evenly sprinkle with 1 tsp. of the remaining cheese. Spread the meat sauce in an even layer on top of the eggplant. Pour the béchamel over the meat sauce and spread in an even layer. Evenly sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp. cheese. Bake until the top is golden brown-50 to 60 minutes. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving
This favorite casserole of Greeks and non-Greeks alike takes some time to prepare, but it is oh so worth the effort.
2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California
Jayam2424@yahoo.com
George Rutnam wiith his wife Sonya and children Patrick and Gavin
LOS ANGELES – George Rutnam is a talented Sri Lankan-born businessman. Blessed with an infectious sense of humour and wit, this charmer has done it all in the USA having met the King of Rock, Elvis Presley to boxing legend the great Muhammad Ali and other famous Hollywood celebrities. The Rutnams were one of the first Sri Lankan families to arrive in the US, and have stamped their sheer class in the community.
George Rurnam and Sonya Tucker-Rutnam, the former Miss Sri Lanka (1981) and Miss World 1981 contestant, at the 31st edition of pageant, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK), are proud parents to their two sons, Patrick and Gavin.
In an exclusive in-person interview with The Sri Lankan ANCHORMAN, George shares with me an insight on his life and times both at home in Sri Lanka and his successful onward journey as a teenager to the US.
Q: Give us a small background of your life in Sri Lanka before leaving for the USA? Family, school attended, town you were brought up in and any other interesting tid-bits.
A: I was born on March 4, 1952, in Colombo, Sri Lanka to James and Evelyn Rutnam. Although living at Guildford Crescent opposite the police station did not give me enough time to get into too much trouble, I attended St. Thomas’ Boarding school, Gurutalawa for two years. I was only 12 years old when a surgery mishap claimed the life of my beloved mother at 52 years. Being the youngest of nine children, I was the apple of her eyes and the bond that we shared was an extremely close one. I grappled with this devastating loss and the sudden shock of losing her at such a tender age was extremely traumatic to me. She had visited the US the previous year and nurtured a dream and a vision of sending my siblings and me there for a great education and fulfillment in life in that country.
Q: Was settling down into the USA an easy one?
A: I was only 14 years old when I arrived in Los Angeles, California in April 1966. Still coping with the devastating loss of my mother, I had to deal with the cultural shock of adapting to a completely different country and way of life. We had to settle on the fly and blend into the system, including schooling. Those early years bring back many memories, mostly happy ones, having successfully navigated psychological changes and insecurities that comes with being a teenager. I lived with my brother Chandran, his wife Judy and their young children for four years before I took the plunge and moved out on my own at 18 years.
Times that followed weren’t easy and I had limited experience. Sheer determination, hard work and perseverance paid off as I worked my way up learning the hard way to never take anything for granted. Special mention goes to Judy, my late sister-in- law, who made me feel like I was one of her own children. At 18 years and alone in the US with my future at stake, it was up to me to succeed in life. Thankfully, the good values that my parents instilled in us, coupled with my own wisdom won over and chartered my path to success.
Q: When did you start your freight-forwarding business and who gave you the idea? Tell us something about your business and clientele?
A: I fell into it quite accidentally. I was actually very interested in film and music, while I was in Junior College. After the first year, I got a summer job as a messenger for one of the largest freight forwarding companies thanks to my brother, Jayam, who made an introduction. During that time, I began to acquire the thirst for money and a career. At the end of that summer, management asked me if I would like to stay on as there was a vacancy in the air logistics operations division. I accepted that offer and my career took off.
From there on and within less than a year, I was managing a team in that division. It was 1972 and from there, I worked for a couple more companies finally heading Sales and Operations. I subsequently decided to start my own company as I already had a book of loyal clients who would only work with me, wherever I went. My sister Padmini and brother-in-law, John, helped me with the start-up funding, for which I am ever so thankful. I launched my company Master Forwarding Network Inc. in 1980, handling Forbes 100 Global Brands like Nestle, Lipton, Yum Foods, Haagen Daz and Dreyers, amongst other companies. We also had the distinction of being the first Sri Lankan owned freight forwarder in the US, having secured the Federal Maritime License in 1980. We were also the first freight forwarder handling shipments for the EX PAT Sri Lankan community in the Westcoast, starting in 1990.
Q: When and where did you tie the knot to your wife Sonya Tucker? Would you like to touch on her beauty pageants?
A: Yes, I met her in 1980. While on a holiday, a mutual friend, Carl Fernando, introduced us. For me, it was love at first sight! Sonya was one of five daughters born to Fortune and Edward Tucker (a former Trinity Lion). A good person inside and out, she was a reluctant contestant but her parents and sisters convinced her to participate and she represented Sri Lanka in the prestigious Miss World Pageant in 1981.
After three years of courting, we got engaged in 1984 and were married at St Mary’s Church in Dehiwela with the former minister Mr. Nissanka Wijeratne presiding as our witness. Racial tensions were at an all-time high, but our wedding reception went off very well at the Capri, with a diverse crowd of Sinhalese, Tamils, Burghers, Muslims, and various dignitaries in attendance. At least peace was restored for that night, as we also had a DIG Colombo friend at our reception.
Q: Tell me about how you feel as a dad regards your two son’s Patrick and Gavin’s accomplishments in their respective fields?
A: I am so proud of them both. They achieved their goals and have become exemplary young men, who are respectful, courteous and knowledgeable. The best thing I did was to invest in their education and everything I did with them was first class, with no short cuts. They attended private Catholic schools and private universities and did it pay off! It was not all about money, it was an investment in shaping and building caring men with good character, conscience, and respect! Aside from being a father, I will always live up to my promise to Gavin and Patrick that I will also be their forever friend! Anyone who tells you fatherhood is the greatest thing that can happen to you understand it. Patrick, is an actor, having graduated from New York University Tisch School of Arts and Gavin has his Masters as a licensed (Family Marriage Therapist LFMT). It is always good to have one of those in the family!
Q: I know you are a big time Elvis Presley fan … Have you met Elvis in person and watched him perform live? Also tell us about your meeting with Muhammad Ali and if you ever watched him live in the ring? Any other celebrities you have met?
A: I think that Elvis and Ali, are easily two of the most iconic figures. There have been others but too many. Let’s start with Elvis. I met him in Vegas in 1969, with my sister Padmini. We were at the International Hotel in Vegas, and this was his first engagement. It was awesome, and we were fortunate to go backstage through connections with the famous Don Mills of The Mills Brothers, who were also promoted by the same promoter, Bill Miller. I saw him live in concert between Vegas and Los Angeles about 25 times from 1969 to 1976. These are very poignant and sweet memories. As for Ali, I met him on three different occasions, once at his house in Hancock Park where we spent a couple of hours by the fireplace chatting about Sri Lanka, religion, and life. His wife Veronica was there at the time, and we had her dressed in a sari!
On another occasion, we were in Vegas at a big party attended by lots of celebrities after the Spinks-Holmes fight. Ali was at the next table, and we had a another long chat. I also met Colonel Tom Parker at the same event and told him how huge Elvis was in Sri Lanka.
Q: What made you settle down in Los Angeles?
A: Los Angeles has got the works! It has everything – the weather, mountains, snow, and great diversity. I can’t see myself living in any other place than Los Angeles. It’s the entertainment capital of the world, lots of red carpet events, and great sports teams, like the Dodgers, Lakers and the Kings.
Q: You said you were present with your brother Chandran Rutnam when Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Tell us what that fateful day was like?
A: It was June 5, 1968, a sad day for America and the world. It was also a very sad day on a personal level for my brother Chandran and me. RFK Senior was campaigning for the Presidential Primaries in California. Chandran was a campaign supporter, and he was privy to his schedule. We were distributing campaign advertising in the two months preceding all over Los Angeles, pushing voters to vote for RFK. Three days before the assassination, we greeted him at the Orange County Airport, now called John Wayne Airport. Back then it was a small airport and there was no security with mostly smaller aircraft landing there. Knowing RFK’s schedule, we went to greet him as he landed. There wasn’t a big crowd. My cousin, Roger, and I were 15 and 12 respectively at the time and we were the first to reach him as he got off the twin engine aircraft. He lifted us in his arms one on each side, regrettably, there were no cameras, as that picture would speak volumes today. Chandran, of course, was with us, and met him.
A few days later, he was winning the primary and on June 5, 1968, there was a celebration planned at the former Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, mainly for his campaign workers and supporters. We were in the back of the room when we heard like balloons popping off. It turned out to be gun shots and RFK was gravely wounded fighting for his life. Most of the others shot were taken past us, but RFK was whisked away through the kitchen into the ambulance and to the Good Samaritan Hospital where he died the following day. It was a traumatic experience and I wondered what the hell life was about, when the good were taken away from us. It was inconceivable for a 15-year-old and very hard to comprehend. Hard lessons that only God can answer!
Q: I know you cook a mean crab curry … how did you learn how to cook it? What’s your favorite food?
A: Alone in this big country at 18 years and with no Indian or Sri Lankan restaurants, there was no choice but for me to learn on the fly. However, the crab specialty came in years later. The key is the ingredients, and a special touch of the Chef’s key cooking secrets combined with the timing of the cooking procedure.
Q: How well do you get along with the Sri Lankan community in Los Angeles? And how often do you travel to Sri Lanka?
A: I get along very well with the Sri Lankan community. We were one of the first early families in the Los Angeles community with about six families who would get together often and that was it. Slowly, the numbers started growing and now it is a totally different animal, so to speak developing into a very big community here in LA. I have been involved in the Sri Lanka American Association of Southern California, as a founder member in 1972 and we keep involved in the community’s affairs and events.
I travel to Sri Lanka, once a year during Christmas when it’s decorated beautifully to visit family and friends and the house is filled with lots of expats and lots of events, too. Those are great times!
Q: What is your ultimate dream in life? And who has been your inspiration in life?
A: My inspiration, I would say would be three of my biggest influencers, Presley, Ali and Lennon, in that order. God knows how I survived when I lost my mother at age 12. Losing her at that age was very traumatic, but listening to Elvis’s music particularly his gospel songs, gave me hope and inspiration.
My dream in life would be to see both my sons get married and making me a grandfather! What better dream than that! Hint for my sons: ‘Guys get going, I ain’t getting younger!’
Q: What are your interests in life and hobbies if any?
A: Anything to do with music and movies interests me. Cooking is a hobby and I love estate sales, influenced by my mother and the hunt to find unique items at a bargain. I also collect rare vinyl records, coins and art.
Q: In a nutshell … tell us a little about your daily routine and what makes you tick?
A: I work hard, and I play hard. But this past year I have slowed down the “play hard part”. Daily routine is work, exercise, and relax by watching my favorite television shows. On the weekends, I love to go out to concerts, movies, and fine dining. And oh yes, anything that has humor in it. Because without humor, life would be boring.
Ananda Niyarepola Celebration of Life Thursday July 10th, 2025 Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills, Ca.
Ananda Niyarepola Celebration of Life Thursday July 10th, 2025 Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills, Ca.
Ananda Niyarepola (88) of Montrose, Ca. Passed Away on June 26th, 2025
Ananda Niyarepola (88) of Montrose, Ca. Passed Away on June 26th, 2025
In Loving Memory of Ananda Niyarepola
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved father, and husband, Ananda Niyarepola on June 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his devoted wife Ranjini, and cherished daughters Nirosha, Ranesha, and Harshini; sons-in-law Thom Noble, Allen Pierson, and William Kirk; niece and nephew-in-law Manomi and Rohan Hatharasinghe; and loving grandchildren Nicole Peltier, Daisy Maddox, Isabella Piersol, and Noah Maddox.
A long-time and respected member of the Sri Lankan American community in Los Angeles, he will be remembered for his warmth, humility, and unwavering commitment to family and community. He touched the lives of many with his kindness, wisdom, and generous spirit.
We invite all who knew and loved him to join us in honoring a great man whose legacy will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Further details regarding memorial services will be shared soon.
With love and gratitude,
The Niyarepola Family
Good News From Jayam – July 1, 2025
Good News From Jayam – July 1, 2025
Award Winning Hollywood Actor
Jeremy Irons Arrives in Sri Lanka
to star in Movie “Rizana – A Caged Bird”
Oscar and Emmy Award-winning British actor Jeremy Irons arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on the night of June 17 to star in the internationally-backed film
“A Caged Bird”, directed by veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam. According to a spokesperson from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, this marks the first time in over 12 years that a Hollywood A-lister of such acclaim has visited Sri Lanka for a film production. Upon arrival, Irons was welcomed by Harendra Wijewardene, Deputy Director of the Tourism Promotion Bureau, and Chaminda Munasinghe, Assistant Director of the International Filmmaking and Promotion Division.
“Rizana – A Caged Bird”
Director Chandran Rutnam Unveils
Name of His New Cinematic Masterpiece
Stars of the Silver Screen Shine
The 2025 Silver Screen Awards Ceremony
was held on June 13 at the (BMICH)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was the chief guest. The aim of this year’s awards ceremony was appreciating artistes who enriched Sri Lanka’s cinema industry from 1970–1975. Renowned actress Iranganie Serasinghe, 98, was presented the Sumith Bibile Memorial Gold Award by the Prime Minister. Minister of Culture and Buddhist Affairs Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Chairman, National Film Corporation Sudath Mahadivulwewa, renowned actors Ravindra Randeniya and Jeevan Kumaratunga were also present. Iranganie acted in the blockbuster Steven Spielberg film “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” which was made partly in Sri Lanka and released in 1984.
‘Sri Siddhartha Gautama’ star Gagan Malik returns to Sri Lanka
Gagan Malik ‘s most recent visit to Sri Lanka earlier this month wasn’t simply another appearance. It was a return to the island that offered him more than fame or artistic success. It was here that he first connected deeply with the Dhamma. This homecoming was rooted in a film that forever linked Malik to Sri Lanka: ‘Sri Siddhartha Gautama’, a cinematic portrayal of the life of the Buddha that became a cultural milestone in the country’s film history. Behind its production was Light of Asia Foundation Chair Navin Gooneratne, whose vision/commitment guided the project to success. This movie was directed by Chandran Rutnam.
“Danu on Fire” Visits Hollywood for Book Signing of “JaffnaBoy” at the Kurrypinch Restaurant
Danu Innasithamby , famous television personality in Sri Lanka, visited Hollywood recently, for a book signing of his book “Jaffna Boy”.Here with famous Los Angeles compere Sajee Pe. Danu Innasithamby, is a Sri Lankan media personality, talk show host and Actor. Innasithamby is best known for his talk show program on Hi TV, Date with Danu and Danu on Fire for HI!! Online, as well as Danuta Kiyanna for Lankadeepa, where he conducts interviews with celebrities from or relevant to Sri Lanka.
Old Josephian Association of California (OJAC) AGM and Committee
Meeting in Corona, Ca.
The Annual General Meeting of the Old Josephians’ Association of California (OJAC) was held on June 22, 2025, at the elegant “Seneviratne Walauwa” residence of Rohith and Lilamani Seneviratne in Corona, California. Longtime member and former Committee stalwart Lalith Perera of Palm Springs, Ca. was elected President, with Samantha Kurera as Vice President and Suranjan Karunanayake as President-Elect. OJAC Founder Manilal Fernando, in his trademark passionate style, declared, “If I cut my wrist, I will bleed Josephian blue blood!”
Golden Nostalgia: “Ron Soya” Shines at Cinnamon Grand
On June 14, 2025, the Cinnamon Grand Colombo courtyard was filled with timeless melodies as Chaminda and Preetysha Walpola—the youngest son and daughter-in-law of music legends Dharmadasa and Latha Walpola—took the stage for their sold-out concert, “Ron Soya.”
Presented by Upul Dharmadasa Productions and UD Productions, the event blended Sinhala and Bollywood classics, backed by the popular Peshkara Band.
Preetysha’s soulful tributes to Lata Mangeshkar and Kalasuri Latha Walpola, sung in both Hindi and Sinhala, and Chaminda’s renditions of Dharmadasa Walpola’s hits captivated the audience. With flawless duets and Chaminda’s dynamic guitar solos, the evening offered elegant entertainment under the stars—music, wine, dining, and dance. Ron Soya marks UD Productions’ 8th milestone event, reaffirming its role as a leader in premium musical experiences in Sri Lanka.
Barbara Dharmadasa, Himali and Raja Nanayakkara
Anjani Perera and Omesh Wijeratne
Nalin Welgama and Mrs. Welgama
Mr and Mrs R. K. Lionel
First Burgher Woman elected
Mayor of Colombo
Vraie Cally Balthazaar
Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council following a secret ballot. She secured 61 votes, while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) mayoral candidate Riza Zarook received 54 votes. The newly elected Colombo Municipal Council convened for its inaugural session this morning following the Local Government (LG) elections held on May 6.
Happy Birthday Dr. Lilamani Wijayaratna
(here with sisters Rohini, Chandra and Manel in Colombo )
Jayam’s Choice
“All of Me”
Frank Sinatra
Happy Birthday Jayam
(Here with Gina Rutnam in Los Angeles)
“Wine Dine and Dance – Peterite Style” California Peterite Alumni Association Special thanks to Jude Abeyguneratne.
At the Beautiful home of
Dr Janesri and Sunil de Silva in Pasadena, Ca.
The Old Boys of St Peter’s College sing their Colege Anthem
Jude and Nedra Abeyguneratne
Sunil and Dr Janesri de Silva and family
The Band was excellent
Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo June 19th, 2025
(Please click on arrow)
Rose Month – Professor Gregory Pardlo – Manaram Gamage Dilshan Wirasekara – Earth Photo 2025 – GDP and more
Obituaries – Sad News
Gabriel Rockwood (38) passed away in ACT Australia. Beloved son of late Mohan Rockwood and Rohini (Singham) Rockwood. Devoted husband of Shavi. Father of Sebastian and Tessa. Brother of Shahnaz. Saturday June 28, 2025
12:00 13:00
The Chapel of Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street Mitchell, ACT, 2911 Australia
Premini Gnanapragasam nee Mather. Daughter of the late William and Rosemalar, wife of Lakshman, mother of Roshan and Alicia, sister of Shanthi and Upali, Selvan and Nithya Ruki and late Viji, Renuka and late Rajan, sister-in-law of Nalini and Rohini. Passed away peacefully at home. Cremation was on June 22nd, 2025 at General Cemetery,Borella
Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen
Tangy Crab Salad Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 8oz (250g) cooked or canned crabmeat
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 4 fresh tofu buns or poppy seed bread
- or all grain bread rolls
- 1 teaspoon finely sliced Thai basil leaves,to serve
Chilli Dressing
- 1 to 2 tablespoons minced red finger-length
- chilli
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 shallots or 1 small onion, minced
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) water
- 1 1/2tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
1.Make the Chilli Dressing by combining all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over high heat for about 6 minutes,stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened. Remove and set aside to cool.
2.Peel the cucumbers, then slice very thinly. If using larger cucumbers, cut in half length- wise first, scrape out the the seeds with a spoon before slicing the cucumbers. Rub the salt into the cucumber slices and mix well, then strain or squeeze the cucumber to remove the liquid. Add all but 1 tablespoon of the Chilli Dressing, crabmeat, lemon or lime juice and pepper to the cucumber slices and toss to combine.
3.Make a slit in the bread rolls and stuff each roll with the cucumber salad mixture and, top with the reserved Chilli Dressing basil leaves.
NOTE: Japanese cucumbers are very small and crunchy, and almost seed less. Baby cucumbers or fresh pickling gherkins make a good substitute.
Makes 4 pieces. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 6 minutes.
Eddie Gray – Making Dreams Come True By Jayam Rutnam (Excerpt from my book – in the works)
Eddie Gray – Making Dreams Come True! (Excerpt from book in the works by Jayam Rutnam)
It was 1969. I was in my early twenties when I arrived in California, managing the only Ceylonese/Indian restaurant in the area, which I named The Taj Mahal. I was both the cook and the manager. The restaurant was owned by my brother Chandran.
One day, my good friend and former schoolmate Randy Gray, who lived in San Diego, dropped by to introduce his uncle, Eddie Gray. Eddie had made a name for himself in Ceylon as a boxer and had even competed as an Olympic athlete. He was a senior officer in the Ceylon Police Force and an accomplished horseman, often seen riding on Galle Face Green alongside Ceylon’s first Prime Minister, D. S. Senanayake. Eddie was handsome in a rugged kind of way.
Eddie was visiting California and staying with Randy. But Randy, busy with his business and family, asked if I could take care of his uncle for a couple of days. I was happy to oblige.
Eddie had a wonderful, outgoing personality, and we quickly hit it off. Though I was juggling responsibilities at the restaurant, I managed to take him on a drive through Hollywood to see the homes of the stars. It was during this drive that Eddie told me there was one person he’d always dreamed of meeting, actress Kim Novak.
At the time, I didn’t have any Hollywood connections, and Universal Studios hadn’t yet started their studio tours. Kim Novak was a major star, so I couldn’t imagine any way I could make that happen. Still, I told him I might be able to arrange a private tour of Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank. He was happy to go along.
I called Carl Schaefer, a close friend of my mother’s and an important figure at Warner Brothers. I introduced myself and asked if I could bring a friend by. Carl was gracious and said we were welcome, though he warned us not to expect much, as only one film was in production at the time: The Great Bank Robbery. The cast included Clint Walker, Zero Mostel, Larry Storch, and, incredibly, Kim Novak.
I didn’t tell Eddie. I wanted to surprise him.
We arrived at Carl’s office, and he assigned a young intern to escort us to the set. We quietly observed the filming from a distance. When Eddie spotted Kim Novak, he turned to me, wide-eyed, and whispered, “Pinch me. Is this real? That’s Kim Novak!”
After about half an hour, the intern let us wander on our own, with strict instructions not to interfere with filming. We nodded obediently. Soon, the director called “Cut!” for a fifteen-minute break, and the actors dispersed to their dressing rooms. That’s when Eddie turned to me and said, “Let’s go meet her.”
Before I could think twice, we were at her dressing room door. We knocked. A voice inside said, “Come in!”
I introduced myself, explained we were from Ceylon, and asked if she might say hello to my friend Eddie Gray, a lifelong admirer. She took Eddie’s hand, looked into his eyes, and for a moment, time stood still. I stepped back and watched in awe. They seemed utterly absorbed in each other.
I heard Eddie inviting her to visit Ceylon. She smiled and said she’d love to. But before long, someone knocked on the door: “Miss Novak, we need you back on set.” After a couple more prompts, she finally said her goodbyes to Eddie and left. Mission accomplished. Eddie was absolutely flying high.
We returned to Carl’s office to thank him. As we approached, we saw him standing dramatically at the top of the stairs, one hand at his side like Yul Brynner in The King and I. Before we reached him, he shouted:
“You cost us thousands of dollars!”
Apparently, filming had been delayed while Kim Novak lingered in conversation with Eddie. We apologized and left, knowing we probably wouldn’t be welcome on the Warner Brothers lot again.
But I didn’t mind. Eddie’s dream had come true, and that, to me, was worth far more than any studio pass.
Jayam2424@yahoo.com
A Night With Sarith Surith & the News With Centigradz – 21 June 2025 – 7.00 PM ONWARDS ( Los Angeles Event)
A Night With Sarith Surith & the News With Centigradz – 21 June 2025 – 7.00 PM ONWARDS ( Los Angeles Event)
T&S PRODUCTIONS USA – 43RD PRODUCTION WITH KP ENTERTAINMENT
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Good News From Jayam June 15, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 Items
Good News From Jayam
Indrani Wye of Westlake Village, Ca.
1935 – 2025
A Tribute to my “big” sister!
“We loved her in life and hold her forever in our hearts!”
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St. Joseph Hospital – Negombo “To Live is a Privilege”
www.utravel.com
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Dr Nirosh Mataraarachchi MD, MS
Guest of Honor Dr Walter Jayasinghe congratulates Dr Nirosh
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The Tres Amigos! Chris Ganlath, Sanjiv Gunasekara and Ajith Jinadasa
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Rohan and Manomi Hatharasinghe
Jayam’s Choice “How Great Thou Art” Elvis Presley (Please Click on arrow)
Queen of Sinhala Cinema – Malini Fonseka Celebration of Life Organized by SLAASC Sponsored by Dr. Lakshman Makandura and Thusitha Makandura
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Wonders of Sri Lanka – The Best Places in Sri Lanka – Travel Video 4K (Please click on arrow)
“Kaleidoscope” June 5th, 2025 (Please click on arrow)
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Obituaries – Sad News
Indrani Chitra Wye (89)
Passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, in Westlake Village, California. Wife of the late Patrick J. Wye. Loving mother of Kshirabdhi Page, Padmini Anne Rio, and Maria Anne Berry. Mother-in-law of Louis Page, Dylan Berry, and Jamie Rio. Grandmother to Rachel, Tara, Louis Page Jr., Devon and Liam Belter, Brixton, and Gracie Berry. Great grand mother of Ella. Sister of the late Rajah Rutnam, Chandran Rutnam, Jayam Rutnam, Iswari Camou, Dennis Rutnam, Padmini Johns, and George Rutnam. Sister-in-law of Patsy Rutnam, the late Judy Rutnam, Nihara Rutnam, Netali Rutnam, Gina Rutnam, Rene Camou, John Johns Jr., and Sonia Rutnam. Aunt of Vanessa, Dennis Andre, James, Daniel, Evelyn, Chanel, Danara, Aliki, Jean-Louis, Jon-Jayam, Jenai, Sheriene, Christopher, Andrew, Patrick, and Gavin. Indrani was the daughter of the late James and Evelyn Rutnam and a proud alumna of Bishop’s College, Colombo. A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor and celebrate her life.
Shirani Gunawardane of Los Angeles, Ca. passed away following a brief illness on May 25, 2025. Wife of Dr.Gamini Gunawardane, Beloved mother of Sajindra Gunawardane and Shalini Jayasundera, Grandmother of Nilshan and Sohan Jayasundera, and Mother-in-Law of
Dr. Thiran Jayasundera.
The family had a private cremation and ceremony.
Cecilia Elizabeth Karunanayake (99) –
Passed away in Sri Lanka on May 24th, 2025. Beloved wife of late Justus Karunanayake, mother of Leonie, late Chrysanthus, Bernadine (USA), Jude, Priyanjan, Florian, Thilak, Nirmaline and Suranjan (USA), mother-in-law of late Shenon Dias, Samantha Kurera (USA), late Therese, Asuntha, Dilani, late Lakshman Fernando, and Shamila (USA). Funeral was on May 26th, at General cemetery Borella, Colombo.
Roderick de Kauwe Husband of late Beulah (nee Arendtsz).Father of Darrel, Sharon, Tarnia, Deadree, Kenneth, late Glen, Roger and father-in-law of Jacqueline, Adrian, Suresh, Gale, Roma, Darryl and Jagath, Papa of Shaun, Tammendra, Melissa, Shianne, Karen, Dillon, late Ammendra, Shallen, Sharlene,Garett, Andrea, Shanaika, Damon, Shanara, Shanriana and Julian, great grandpa of Devyn, Jake, Ethan, Mikayla, Evan and Gianna, called to rest on May 31st 2025. Final rites took place on June 4th 2025, followed by burial at Jawatte Cemetery.
Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen
Pomegranate-Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 large orange, zest finely grated, juiced
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- ⅛ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 6 teaspoons. canola oil
- Kosher salt
- ¾ cup low salt chicken broth
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut onto 1 inch pieces
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced on the diagonal, ¼ inch thick
- 1 red onion, peeled and cut into ¾ inch thick wedges
- 1 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces, trimmed of extra skin and fat, patted dry
- 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Method
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.
In a medium saucepan, combine the orange and pomegranate juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat and reduce to ¼ cup, about 15 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon thyme, cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Divide the mixture between two small bowls. To 1 bowl, add two teaspoons of the oil and ½ teaspoon salt. To the other, add the chicken broth, all but 1teaspoon of the orange zest and ¼ teaspoon salt.
Scatter the sweet potatoes, parsnips, and onion over the bottom of a metal, glass or ceramic baking dish that measures about 10x15x2 inches. Toss with the remaining 4 teaspoons oil and 1 teaspoon thyme. Arrange the chicken pieces skin side up on top of the vegetables and brush with all of the juice-oil mixture. Roast for 30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and reduce the temperature to 375° F. Pour the juice-broth mixture around the chicken pieces and scatter the walnuts around the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast until the vegetables are tender and instant read thermometer registers 165° F in several pieces of chicken, 20-30 minutes.
Transfer the chickento a warm platter. Use a slotted spoon to arrange the vegetables and walnuts around the chicken. Sprinkle the vegetables with a little salt and sprinkle remaining orange zest over all. Tilt the roasting pan so that the juices gather in one corner. With a large shallow spoon, skim as much fat as possible from the pan sauce. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper and pour into a pitcher to pass at the table.
Pomegranate and orange juices form the basis of this dynamite chicken dish that echoes an Eastern Mediterranean flavor combination.
Serves 4-6
The Boarder’s Dormitory Building of St Joseph’s College, Colombo
A Boarder’s Tale: From a Mattress to the Choir by Jayam Rutnam
My boarding school journey began in the most unexpected way, during my kindergarten and preschool years. Since my sister Indrani was already a boarder at Bishop’s College in Colombo, I too was enrolled as a boarder at this all-girls’ school. For a time, no one questioned it. But by the time I reached the second standard, a teacher finally noticed that two boys, including myself and another student, Tony Rankin, had somehow remained in this girls’ school longer than we should have. Our parents were promptly asked to transfer us to a boys’ school.
I was then enrolled at St. Joseph’s College in Colombo. Having seen my older brothers, Rajah and Chandran, pack for their boarding life at St. Thomas’ College in Gurutalawa, with their trunks full of new clothes, canned food, and sweets, I was eager to become a boarder myself. To me, it all looked like an adventure. I had no idea what I was getting into.
Despite living less than five miles from the school, I insisted on boarding. My parents obliged. I remember arriving at the dormitories with them and being given a tour: the study room, the refectory, and finally, the small dormitory lined with metal-framed beds. But there was one glaring omission, mattresses. Each bed had only a mat covered by a thin sheet. I couldn’t imagine sleeping on that and voiced my concerns. Less than an hour later, I saw my father’s car returning with a mattress strapped to the roof. Problem solved, or so I thought. That night, as the dormitory lights went out at 9 p.m., the reality of boarding school life hit me. I suddenly felt like I was in prison.
The next morning, I carefully unpacked all the goodies my mother had sent with me and stored them in the locker by my bed. Meals in the refectory were a culture shock. Breakfast consisted of beef curry and pol sambol with bread. Lunch and dinner were variations of curry and rice. Within a week, I had two eggs and butter added to my breakfast, and special dishes served for lunch and dinner. To avoid standing out, I shared my meals with the others at my table, a gesture that earned their respect.
But the locker incident changed everything. One evening I returned to find the lock broken and all my goodies gone. A hard lesson in reality. Still, as I got to know the others and shared what I had, I became quite popular among the boarders.
In those early weeks, I was coaxed into an arranged fight with a student smaller than me. It was to take place behind the statue of St. Joseph, on the first floor of the dormitory building, at 8:30 p.m., after dinner. Surrounded by cheering students, we assumed our fighting stances. I was confident, until I found myself on the floor within seconds, my face having received five quick punches. It was the first time I ever saw stars. I later learned it was a setup. “Mouse,” the boy I fought, was the best fighter in the dorm. This was my initiation. Though I lost, I was seen as fearless, and that was enough. Mouse and I eventually became good friends.
Once I had settled in, I truly began to enjoy boarding school life.
My popularity only increased, especially after one memorable Parents’ Day visit. My mother came to see me, accompanied by my sister Indrani, who was around seventeen at the time. During the reception on the boarding school grounds, I noticed the senior boarders taking a sudden and keen interest in us. It wasn’t long before I realized why – my sister’s beauty had captivated them. Her visit made me even more popular by association.
Being a boarder at St. Joseph’s came with one non-negotiable requirement: one had to be Catholic. The reasoning was simple. Our days were structured around religious rituals. Morning mass, evening rosary, prayers before every meal. Although I had been baptized an Anglican, my father convinced the Rector that I could convert. I even joined the choir and sometimes led prayers.
A few years later, the Vice Rector, Father Arthur Fernando, asked if I was ready to formally convert to Catholicism. He gave me a copy of the Missal and told me to read it. Two weeks later, he asked me what I thought. I told him honestly: I had read it, but I saw no compelling reason to change my faith. The following year, I was asked to leave the boarding school.
Ironically, years later, the very same Father Arthur Fernando would officiate my wedding to my wife Gina in Van Nuys, California.
After leaving the boarding school, I became a day scholar and rode my bicycle to school. On occasion, I was even picked up by a black Cadillac limousine, courtesy of my neighbor who also went to St. Joseph’s, Henry Smith who was the son of the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy.
Although I initially failed my GCE exam at St. Joseph’s, I later passed it after retaking it at Pembroke Academy, which was within walking distance from my home. Eventually, I went to London to pursue my studies at the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. I earned my Associateship there and gained valuable work experience at David Bruce & Company and J.H. Vavasseur Company.
Looking back, my early years at boarding school were filled with trials, surprises, and friendships that shaped me. I began as a reluctant, mattress-demanding preschooler, and left with stories that would last a lifetime.
(Excerpt from “My Journey” by Jayam Rutnam)
Jayam2424@yahoo.com
Indrani Wye of of Westlake Village, Ca. Passed Away on June 4th, 2025
Indrani Wye of of Westlake Village, Ca. Passed Away on June 4th, 2025
Indrani Chitra Wye (89) Passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, in Westlake Village, California.
Wife of the late Patrick J. Wye. Loving mother of Kshirabdhi Page, Padmini Anne Rio, and Maria Anne Berry. Mother-in-law of Louis Page, Dylan Berry, and Jamie Rio. Grandmother to Rachel, Tara, Louis Page Jr., Devon and Liam Belter, Brixton, and Gracie Berry. Great grand mother of Ella.
Sister of the late Rajah Rutnam, Chandran Rutnam, Jayam Rutnam, Iswari Camou, Dennis Rutnam, Padmini Johns, and George Rutnam. Sister-in-law of Patsy Rutnam, the late Judy Rutnam, Nihara Rutnam, Gina Rutnam, Rene Camou, John Johns Jr., and Sonia Rutnam.
Aunt of Vanessa, Dennis Andre, James, Daniel, Evelyn, Chanel, Danara, Aliki, Jean-Louis, Jon-Jayam, Jenai, Sheriene, Christopher, Andrew, Patrick, and Gavin.
Indrani was the daughter of the late James and Evelyn Rutnam and a proud alumna of Bishop’s College, Colombo.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor and celebrate her life.
Why Has the National Carrier Failed and Will It Ever Recover? By Ceylon Today – May 29, 2025 By Upul Dharmadasa
Why Has the National Carrier Failed and Will It Ever Recover? -By Upul Dharmadasa
By Ceylon Today
Having years of mounting debt and government mismanagement SriLankan Airlines continues its downward spiral, with little hope of recovery in sight. Successive governments have failed to make bold, strategic decisions to turn the airline around, instead dragging the issue along with half-hearted attempts at privatisation that ultimately yielded no results.
Efforts to sell off the national carrier have been unsuccessful, largely because the government insisted on retaining control of profitable units like SriLankan Airlines’ ground handling and catering services. No serious investor was willing to absorb the burden of a failing airline while being denied access to its only viable revenue streams.
The airline’s persistent inefficiency and poor management due to the Government involvement have left no option but to settle massive debt using taxpayers’ money.
Officials now claim that the airline must operate independently without expecting further financial support from the State — A promise made without any clear plan of execution.
Will Sri Lanka ever learn from its past mistakes and take the hard decisions necessary to save its national carrier? The signs so far are far from encouraging.
We had warned that the aviation industry is unlikely to recover given its long history of hardship and mismanagement.
When Air Ceylon ceased operations in 1978, it owned four aircraft — a DC-8, a Trident, and two Avros. Even back then, Air Ceylon was ridiculed as a money
-losing State entity, much like how SriLankan Airlines is viewed today.
Did any government official over the past 77 years thoroughly investigate the root causes behind the national carrier’s losses or identify those responsible? We lost nearly half a billion US dollars due to bilateral aviation agreements signed after 1980. In contrast, those signed before 1980 by General Sepala Attygalle were highly favourable to Sri Lanka. He had the expertise and experience to negotiate successfully on behalf of the country.
After his retirement, however, the government began sending inexperienced officials to these crucial aviation industry negotiations — a practice that continues to this day.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) was established under the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Canada, with the intention of operating independently, outside the direct control of the government — much like the structure of the national cricket board. However, over time, successive ministers, lacking a proper understanding of the aviation sector and the specific role of CAASL, began treating it as a conventional government entity. As a result, undue influence from line ministries and secretaries compromised the organisation’s governance.
For a long time, CAASL has been losing qualified staff who monitor the EJ tax.
This is the sole income of CAASL apart from a few other insignificant avenues. This tax is collected from the type of tickets identified in the industry as SOTO (Sold outside and ticketed outside Sri Lanka) which has accounted for approx. Rs 2 bn annual income. CAASL is lacking the manpower with brain drain due to not keeping with ICAO-guided remuneration, subsequently not having an electronic mechanism to monitor the EJ income.
When CAASL was created originally following the 1997 ICAO Audit, it was changed from a department to an authority adopting the guidelines in accordance with ICAO.
With a unique autonomy granted by the Parliamentary Act No. 34 of 2002 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Act clearly specified under Part II, Powers, Functions and Duties of the Authority Section on Page No. 6 item T as follows:
During my period in CAASL with the leadership of the Vice Chairman at the time, Amith Wijesuriya and the Director General P. A. Jayakantha, I followed the Act precisely to the best of my abilities. CAASL Board is empowered by the Act to retain the qualified staff by paying the industry standard salaries without treasury approval according to the Civil Aviation Act passed in 2002 but still the Board lives in the Stone Age referring to Circulars issued by various government organisations. The reason could be due to a lack of understanding of the Civil Aviation Act passed by the Government in 2002.
The Act is the most-powerful tool with CAASL operations but, due to its Board not making the rightful decisions, today we see most of the staff is dissatisfied and leave for private sector or overseas jobs. Although every sector of the government is vital, the Aviation industry has a unique appearance globally, hence until we pay the ‘aviation industry’ salaries in the Sri Lankan aviation industry will face detrimental results. Especially not to forget that CAASL is regulating a vast industry in Sri Lankan scope and we are grooming unhappy, frustrated hard workers who are underpaid; further, once they travel for overseas jobs these professionals are paid the highest salaries.
I understand that we cannot pay ‘overseas salaries’ but if the CAASL staff is paid at least the industry-stipulated salary and recognises the contribution of the staff regulating a lucrative, highly sophisticated, massive industry in Sri Lanka you may mitigate the exodus to some extent.
Since the PTA fees were relinquished in 2012 the current EJ tax was also created by a CAASL staff Member named Nayoma De Silva.
From 2012 to the present the government of Sri Lanka has generated over Rs 25 bn in revenue through a unique idea by this staff member; did they ever think of rewarding her for the unique idea created and being innovative or a financial reward? Only LKR 100,000 was offered to her at the time. So will Sri Lanka ever create a ‘Bill Gates, Mike Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs’? I strongly doubt it.
This erosion of independence and failure to attract or retain industry experts has become a significant setback for Sri Lanka’s aviation sector — one that must be urgently addressed to restore credibility, efficiency, and growth in the industry.
As far as the national carrier is concerned, the consistent decline from 1948 to the present can be attributed largely to the interference of line Ministers and Ministry Secretaries. Their direct involvement and poor decision-making have played a central role in the downfall of the airline. Government interference has consistently undermined the airline’s ability to operate independently and sustainably since its inception.
The line Minister and the Secretary should have no authority in the airline’s decision-making process. Instead, full operational control should rest with an independent Board — similar to the structure of Sri Lanka Cricket — appointed for a fixed five-year term. The only oversight should come from a Regulatory Board focused solely on monitoring for Financial Irregularities. Operational autonomy must be fully vested in the airline’s Board.
I stepped down from the Civil Aviation Authority in 2023 and submitted a comprehensive report, complete with illustrations, outlining how the national carrier had lost over USD Half a Billion. This was the bulk of the loss due to misguided interventions by Ministers and Secretaries, particularly their decisions to send inexperienced officials to negotiate bilateral aviation agreements — a failure that has caused long-term, irreversible damage to the industry.
This isn’t the fault of the hard
-working staff at the airline. The blame lies squarely with the Secretaries and line ministers who made uninformed decisions.
The 2023 Report, submitted to both the Minister and the Secretary at the time, was ignored. “No one even bothered to read it. Professionals in this industry are thriving abroad because they are recognised and fairly compensated. Unless the government wakes up and starts paying competitive salaries to the qualified experts remaining in Sri Lanka, the ongoing brain drain will push the aviation sector towards total collapse.
“Let the professionals do their jobs and that’s the only way to save this industry.”
I began my career during the era of Air Ceylon before moving to the United States in 1980, where I established my first travel agency. Today, being the founder of Utravel.com, a Los Angeles-based global booking platform — the only Sri Lankan-owned travel booking engine in the world, we operate offices in the USA, Canada, India, and Sri Lanka.
Trained by American Airlines at Dallas-Fort Worth, I am deeply familiar with the aviation industry across all 50 U.S. States and have travelled extensively across the globe. There are a few Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) designations from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents in Massachusetts — a recognition awarded to just 5% of professionals in the field across the USA in addition to numerous accolades from American travel institutions, holding a Master’s Degree from Teesside University in the UK.
Reflecting on the trajectory of the industry since 1948, I see a sharp decline in aviation standards and management in Sri Lanka.
There were a few ministers and Secretaries during my time who respected professionals and allowed them to manage the airline without interference.
However, the long-term decline is primarily due to constant meddling by line Ministers and Ministry Secretaries. Approximately 90% of these Secretaries had no understanding or experience in aviation — yet they were the ones making key decisions, including the selection of those who represented Sri Lanka in bilateral aviation negotiations.
It is time to stand up and say that unqualified authority has led to disastrous outcomes. The ‘unchecked’ power held by Secretaries — who lack the technical knowledge — has brought the aviation industry to its knees. I’ve heard past Secretaries casually discuss critical topics like fifth freedom rights without a clue, and even question irrelevant details like ‘Why are we serving caviar in business class’?
With such superficial understanding and overreach, it’s no surprise that aviation professionals in Sri Lanka are seeking opportunities abroad. There are plenty of well-paid jobs overseas, and unless professionals are respected and empowered at home, the exodus will only continue.
Chronic Political Interference Has Crippled Sri Lanka’s Aviation Industry
The frequent rotation of Ministers and Secretaries every few years has left Sri Lanka’s aviation industry in disarray, Without a proper effective aviation policy on the island and with little hope for sustainable progress.
What a beautiful airline we have inherited with dedicated staff, unique routes, and clear blue skies ahead but years of continued meddling by successive Ministers and Secretaries have brought the national carrier to its knees.
Are there any government officials who have ever studied the success stories of global airlines? For instance, a little
-known Southwest Airlines based in Texas USA— it began in the 1970s with just three small aircraft fast forward. Today, it operates a whopping fleet of 816 aircraft. Has anyone here ever examined such models or reviewed their organisational structures? I seriously doubt it.
“With over 40 years in this field, I can confidently say the single most damaging factor in the decline of Sri Lanka’s national carrier has been the involvement of subject Ministers and Secretaries — individuals who often have no understanding of aviation but wield enormous power.
In most Western countries, politicians do not interfere with the operations of airlines or other commercially failing entities. I am not blaming one specific government or political party. Rather, it is the culture of government interference that has led to incalculable losses. And sadly, it seems we are still on that same path — heading towards another disaster.
I can recall being present during the closure of Air Ceylon, which had been in operation since 1948. It was mismanagement that led to its downfall. Disgusted with the state of the industry, I left for the United States in 1980 and went on to enhance my aviation and travel expertise across many facets of the global industry.
Sri Lanka must break the cycle to save its aviation industry
In my honest opinion, if the Sri Lankan government is truly serious about turning SriLankan Airlines into a profitable and successful venture, it must be willing to make bold sacrifices.
The new NPP government must break from the failed traditions of the past and appoint a Board composed of professionals with international industry experience — including aviation Specialists, Accountants, Sales Strategists, Engineers, IT Experts, Bilateral Experts, Involvement of CAASL Staff, etc. The practice of appointing politically affiliated individuals must come to an end if we are to move forward.
You must study global aviation success stories and learn from past mistakes, rather than endlessly repeating them. Maintaining the status quo will only lead us deeper into this disaster.
Some key recommendations can be
Completely stop Ministerial and Secretarial interference in the airline’s operations.
Appoint a Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) with true industry knowledge — not someone chosen to fill a position but lacking the requisite expertise. “We’ve already had DGCA appointments in the past that ‘damaged’ the sector.
Send only qualified industry professionals to bilateral air service agreement meetings. “Right now, Sri Lanka is giving away valuable route rights to other countries on a silver platter, with no tangible benefit to our national carrier.
When countries send their top aviation negotiators to the table — professionals with the goal of securing at least 25% gains — Sri Lanka sends teams with little to no industry knowledge. And when those seasoned negotiators realize who they’re dealing with, they walk away with 50% or more of the deal handed to them. Why? Pure ignorance.
The real danger is this — They don’t know what they don’t know.’ And a little knowledge is often far more dangerous than none at all.
I witnessed the grounding of the iconic yellow-and-blue Air Ceylon and, like many, placed hope in the rise of Air Lanka. Today, I can only wish good luck to Sri Lanka’s aviation industry — but unless real change happens now, we’re heading towards yet another avoidable collapse.
Good luck to the Sri Lankan aviation industry!
About the Writer:
Upul Dharmadasa
Former Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and a Certified Travel Counselor
Shirani Gunawardane of Southern California Passed Away on May 25th, 2025
Shirani Gunawardane of Southern California Passed Away on May 25th, 2025
Mrs. Shirani Gunawardane, long-time member of our Southern California Sri Lankan Community, passed away following a brief illness on May 25, 2025.
Shirani is the dear wife of Dr. Gamini Gunawardane, Mother of Sajindra Gunawardane and Shalini Jayasundera, Grandmother of Nilshan and Sohan Jayasundera, and Mother-in-Law of Dr. Thiran Jayasundera.
The family will be having a private cremation and ceremony.
In lieu of cards and flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in Shirani’s memory to Sarathchandra Buddhist Center at Zelle: 818-760-8361 or mail: 10717 Oxnard Street, North Hollywood, California 91606.
Good News From Jayam May 15, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 items
Good News From Jayam May 15, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 items
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11th
Louis Page Wows the audience at the Lionel Wendt, Colombo
Louis Page of Encino, CA, returned to the country of his roots, Sri Lanka, to offer a unique and unforgettable experience in classical piano music. The concert, held on April 4th, 2025, was a resounding success with a full house in attendance. The audience was captivated by the performance, which was described as unlike any other. One attendee shared their thoughts, saying, “Although I am not a great fan of classical music, I have changed to like classical music after the concert. I stayed till the very end. Louis played the piano with so much passion, I felt that I was part of the experience.” Louis Page, a child prodigy in classical piano, delivered a performance that not only showcased his immense talent but also stirred deep emotions among listeners. His return to Sri Lanka and his musical gift made the nation proud.
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The SLAASC Inauguration of Aruna Krishantha as President
The Inauguration of President Aruna Krishantha took place on Sunset Avenue in West Covina, Ca. on May 3rd 2025.
Picture shows Past President Keith Ranga congratulating the new President. Special guests were Dr Walter and Ayesha Jayasinghe, Dr Lakshman and Thusitha Makandura,
Dilip Jayasekara, Acting Consul General, Dr Nandasiri Jasentuliyana, Past Presidents Keshini Wijegooneratna and Samantha Kurera, Achala Weerasinghe and Nandakumaran
The SLAASC new Committee for 2025-2026 with President Aruna Krishantha and Vice President Don Wijesinghe
Masters of ceremony (MC’s) Sithara, Sajee Pe and Janesh Ruwanpathirana are the best!
Words of encouragement by Founding President Jayam Rutnam.
Nandasiri Jasentuliyana presents his book to Prime Minister
Recently, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was presented with “Darkness at Daybreak” by its author,
Dr. Nandasiri Jasentuliyana. The book delves into Sri Lanka’s turbulent political history, highlighting conflict and democratic decline. Also in attendance were Nihal Seneviratne, who penned the Foreword, and activist Dhanushki Liyanapatabendi. Dr. Jasentuliyana hinted at a sequel, “Daylight at Daybreak,” which will reflect the nation’s current political transformation.
New Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia Yasoja Gunasekera assumes duties
High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Canberra, Australia, Yasoja Gunasekera, has assumed duties. Addressing the staff, High Commissioner-designate Gunasekera outlined the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka and noted the long-standing and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Australia, as well as the way forward to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
Ceylon Tea conquers Libya: Exports leap 416%
In a world where every strong cuppa tells a unique story, Sri Lanka’s famed Ceylon Tea continues to carve its legacy – one cup at a time. The latest tea export figures for March 2025 reveal a tale of resilience, with total shipments rising to 23.43 million kilograms, up from 21.25 million kgs the previous year. But the real headline is; Libya’s staggering 416% surge in Ceylon Tea imports – marking a bold new chapter in Sri Lanka’s tea trade. While traditional markets like Iraq and Russia held steady, Libya emerged as the ‘breakout star’, importing 5.31 million kgs in the first quarter of 2025 – a jaw-dropping leap from just 1.03 million kgs in 2024.
Sri Lanka and US hold high-level talks in Washington over reciprocal tariffs
A high-level Sri Lankan delegation held key discussions with the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) Office in Washington D.C., following Trump administration’s decision to impose a steep 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports—marking a significant step forward in strengthening trade relations between the two countries. The Sri Lankan delegation, acting on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as the Finance Minister—met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the USTR headquarters.
Young lawyer advocates for women’s leadership in politics
Vishmi Jurangpathy, a 24-year-old final-year student at Sri Lanka Law College, is contesting for the Maharagama Urban Council from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), representing the Wattegedara division. Addressing a recent public meeting, she emphasized the urgent need for educated young women to step into leadership roles. “In the last presidential election, not even one female candidate contested,” she said. Jurangpathy, who holds a degree from the UK, believes that greater female representation is essential for inclusive and representative governance.
The Austin House opens in Colombo
l/r Suranganai Valentine, Anusha , Himali, Shirantha Peries. The Austin House Aesthetic Centre, brainchild of Shirantha Peries, founder of the Mega Pharma group of companies opened to a full house with the fashion conscious and discerning elite availing themselves of the extensive services provided. Peries who has over 250 employees within his group, has diversified his business into diverse areas and the opening of Austin House is a natural progression, keeping in mind his core business.
American Film Institute Tribute to Francis Coppola at the Dolby Theater
Francis Ford Coppola was honored by a star-studded group of friends and collaborators recently as he received this year’s AFI Life Achievement Award at the Dolby Theatre. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio, son Roman and granddaughter Gia all took part in the American Film Institute event, this year celebrating its landmark 50th anniversary. George Rutnam of Los Angeles, Ca. (below) was an invitee.
A Sri Lankan Feast on a Tropical Modernist Estate
Padma Ranasinghe and grandson Jonathan de Silva of La Canada, Ca. Celebrated their birthdays together
Nice family picture, Padma Ranasinghe grandson Jonathan de Silva, Haritha and Darby, Sunil and Dr Janesri de Silva
Harith, Darby, Janesri, Sunil, Shirley, Jonathan, Padma, Leshanthi, Jeremy, Surangi and Zoe Frazier
Jayam Rutnam, Iswari Camou with Padma, Surangi, Zoe and Leshanthi
Exciting News! J Med is Open in Las Vegas NV.
J Med Las Vegas is now officially open for business in Las Vegas, Nevada! This marks a major step forward as we continue our expansion into Utah and Arizona.We celebrated this DC opening with a traditional candle lighting ceremony alongside Team Vegas and a few of our esteemed clients.
With this launch, J Med is one step closer to achieving our mission of becoming the #1 sourcing company in the DME and healthcare industry on the West Coast. Grateful for the support and looking forward to the journey ahead!
By Popular Request Jayam Rutnam of Los Angeles, Ca. Interviewed by Madhava Wijesinghe of Ada Derana Sri Lanka – Almost 10,000 people have watched this! (You must watch this to the end. In English and Sinhala) (Please click on arrow)
www.utravel.com
Colombo Port Welcomes Largest Container Vessel MSC Mariella
Marking a historic milestone for Sri Lanka’s maritime industry, the ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) MSC MARIELLA, one of the largest container vessels in the world and the largest in the MSC fleet, made its maiden call at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at the Port of Colombo (POC). To mark the vessel’s maiden call at the Port of Colombo, plaques were exchanged between the Master of the vessel, Capt. Sanjeev Bhatti and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe.
Ranmal Rodrigo of the San Fernando Valley in California visits with Tharanga Rodrigo at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo recently
A Beautiful Aluth Avurudu Message from Dr Walter Jayasinghe – Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foundation
Celebrating the Birthday of the Queen of Sinhala Cinema Malini Fonseka (Please click on arrow)
Buddhika and Cassie Ekanayake and family of Lancaster, Ca. at SLAASC Aluth Avurudu Celebration
Buddhika and Cassie Ekanayake family celebrated the Sri Lanka Association’s Avurudhu celebrations in Torrance, Ca.
Cassie Ekanayake and her husband Buddhika own the Jewelry Store “Silver Depot” in Lancaster, Ca. The Silver Depot was awarded for the fourth year in a row by the Valley Press as being the BEST in the Antelope Valley.
Here Cassie proudly holds up her recent award.
At the Sri Lanka Association’s (SLAASC) Aluth Avurudu celebrations
Nedra and Jude Abeygunasekera, Mangala Jayakody and Ishani and Sanka Marcelline. The SLAASC put on the best celebrations in California with over 1,000 people in attendance. Most of the participants were in beautiful, colorful traditional Sri Lankan outfits
Alston Koch, Australian Singer and Movie Star, wished Englebert Humperdinck of Los Angeles, Ca. on his 89th Birthday May 2nd.
Sri Lankan Born Cassandra Fernando Retains her Seat as Minister for Holt in Australia
Labor’s Cassandra Fernando has won her second term as the Minister for Holt in Australia. Cassandra was born in Sri Lanka. Fernando addressed the crowd with excitement and tears and thanked her team members.
A Beautiful Poem “Spring is Here” by Charmaine Candappa of Duarte, Ca.
Once again it is the season of bloom
Where marigolds and daylilies
Blaze throughout the noon
Trees stretch forth its branches
Sprouting new leaves and flowers
Birds chirp away happily
Right throughout the hours
The showers of rain have freshened the air
Mother nature has brought forth fruits and flowers
The robin sings at the break of day
Warmed by the morning sun’s soft rays
The great symphony of life goes on and on
The beauty of nature is held spellbound.
“Massachusetts” Bee Gees Piano Cover by Thaminie Perera (Please click on arrow)
Obituaries – Sad News
- Rukman Joseph De Sayrah (64) passed away in Colombo. Husband of Leonie Jayasekera. Son of Royston Peter De Sayrah (Deceased) and Parnel de Sayrah (nee Talayratne). Brother of Sharmini, Nilanthi, Dilkushi and Lalith. Brother-in-Law of Sumith Wickremasekera and Shani Mendis. Uncle of Shehani, Shehara and Ameesha. Cremation was on May 2nd 2025 at Borella General Cemetery.
- Nalina Visvajit (Koiman) de Silva passed away in Sri Lanka. Husband of Champa, father of Garuka Colvin (USA), son of the late Dr Colvin R de Silva and Mrs de Silva, brother of the late Manouri and Shireen. Funeral was on April 30, 2025 at the new crematorium, Kanatte.
Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen
Warm chickpea salad with chili and lime dressing
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 yellow(brown onion), finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/3 cups (14 oz/440g) drained, canned chickpeas
- juice of two limes
- 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/160ml) chili oil
- 1/2 cup (3/4 oz/20g) fresh cilantro (fresh coriander
- leaves
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- crusty bread, warmed, for serving
METHOD.
Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft,3-5 minutes. Add chickpeas and stir until heated through,about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low,add lime juice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add chilli oil and cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with bread.
Serves 4.
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