Things Fall Apart

a history of ideas - mainly my ideas

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Monday, February 4, 2013

65 Years Ago Today

Hoisting the Lion Flag at Independence Square in 1948 

65 years ago, today, hands were shaken, the ink dried on the paper and one flag fell as another was raised. Proud smiles, excited smiles, smiles of relief for some - this was not going to be another nightmare of partition, countless lives wouldn't end dramatically as one country became two. No, that was for another time, another age. And the men of 65 years ago could not foresee the future. Lucky them. They got to make the decisions. We got to suffer the consequences. The fate of millions decided by a few men, as always.

 'Ceylon' - 'free'?

Yes. At last! Her people no longer colonized. No longer othered. No longer demeaned? After 400 years she believes that she is free. 

65 years later Ceylon is no more. She has evolved. She has grown. She has scars - she can show you. Some say she is more beautiful than ever, paradise regained - paradise found. Others say - she is in ruins. She has failed the expectations of 65 years ago.

Sri Lanka, full of new roads and highways, hotels and ports. "Every verdant village" and "every palmy coast", milked for all it is worth. Her people have betrayed her. They look alike but are mostly divided. They speak of justice but practice injustice. All that is right has become wrong. The wise have made way for the mad. 

Sri Lanka robbed, pillaged and plundered. This was not what they envisioned 65 years ago.

65 years ago, Independence was celebrated but today, 65 years later, her people are still in chains. 


Thursday, January 10, 2013

The New Sri Lanka - for Nihilists


Photo courtesy of Vikalpa
What a fantastic start to the New Year.

Vikalpa has uploaded photos of the protests that took place at Hulftsdorp today against the impeachment of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. Protesters who turned up to support the protest organized by the Lawyers' Collective found themselves having to deal with Government thugs and goons holding poles and ready to abuse you in choice language.  Like I said on Facebook

"This is the face of the New Sri Lanka: Post-War the fighting takes place on the streets of Colombo via Govt goons. Gotta love what the Rajapakse's have done with this country - if you have a nihilistic streak in you"


Photo courtesy of Vikalpa
These goons represent the leadership   of this country and sadly their scum of the earth look is not just about appearances - it is who they are and the type of person they represent. So what can we expect from 2013? Sri Lanka as an endangered democracy steadily ascending the dictatorial ladder for despotic regimes. 

Friday, January 4, 2013

Sri Lanka: 2012 in Pictures



Rugam Tank? maybe

The Dalada Maligawa



Pool at Cinnamon

Jesus' little lambs: Street Vendor in Slave Island


View from one of the last overhead pedestrian bridges left in the Colombo Fort


Cargills Building in the Fort


Age of Technology


Independence Square at night


Kandyan Dancers at the Vesak Perahera 


In Passing: Express to Vavuniya


T20 World Cup Match


Sri Lankan supporters at the T20


Student Leader at the FUTA Rally

Willie Blake at 90: Renowned Sri Lankan cinematographer of vintage movies such as Rekava and Gamperaliya


Dessert - Yum


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