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The last rebel
(since mid-1970’s)

N. Sri Lanka’s ‘so-called’ terrorists of Mullaitivu
All jazzed-up in full review
Of self-serving agendas
Child soldiers, cyanides and suicide bombers
An island of the fallen
A criminal court for a ‘homeland’

Irene de Silva
Colombo 5

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Commemorating Intentional Women’s Day

The history in brief

International Women’s Day an occasion marked by women’s groups
around the world
Designated in many countries as a national holiday, oh behold?
Tradition representing nine decades of struggle for justice, peace ’n equality
Women in all continents flock together for sake of noble unity.

IWD the story of ordinary women, makers of history
The idea of IWD arose at the turn of the twentieth century
In 1913 Russian women observed the first IWD on last Sunday of February
Women held rallies to protest the war or to express their solidarity

In World War I two million Russian soldiers died in war for peace
Russian women chose last Sunday of February to strike for bread ‘n peace
Women were granted right to vote, the historic Sunday fell on 23rd February
From early years IWD assumed a new global dimension in many a country

The UN supported, promoted, protected, equal rights of women
In San Francisco in 1945 the charter of UN signed to advance status of women
The first international agreement to proclaim gender equality
The organisation helped worldwide to create a historic legacy

An official holiday in Albania, Brazil, China, Cuba, Italy, Israeli, Bosnia
Kazakastan, Macedonia, Mongolia, Poland, Vietnam, and Ukraine many
more ‘n Zambia
Observed as an equivalent of Mothers Day with small gifts ‘n flowers
Children also give small presents to their mothers ‘n grandmothers

Significant celebrations are held during the day in India in dignity
This portrays the power of women in modern era, their role vital in society
Usually on the night of 8th March in Portugal, Romania such countries
Groups of women celebrate ‘women only’ dinners ‘n other parties

In 1975 UN granted official sanction, began sponsoring IWD
Many government organisations worldwide support IWD
Women’s groups hold many events some even close libraries to men sternly
Today global interest in IWD shows an increase so steadily.

Kumari Kumarasinghe Tennakoon

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Mega plastic bottles keep cats and dogs away!

Recently on my way to visit a cousin of mine at Saalamulla, Kollonawa I noticed mega bottles filled with water placed adjoining the walls of most of the houses. When I inquired from my cousin, I was told that these bottles keep away the dogs and cats which otherwise come and pollute these places either by urinating or defecating.

The other day when I was walking down ‘Trellis Garden’ in Layard’s Broadway, I saw one side of the lane has been lined with a mix of green and transparent mega bottles filled with water and saw cat’s faeces very close to a few of these bottles. Would any reader like to comment on how the water-filled bottles can keep away the animals and / or efficacy of placing these bottles to keep the place free of faecal matter of household pets like cats and dogs?

Yesterday, would you believe, I also saw mega bottles kept hanging from trees almost touching the ground in another place!!
Mohamed Zahran

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                                                                                       Appreciation                                                                                    

Tita Nathanielsz

Memorable innings comes to a close

A beacon of Sri Lankan sport, Tita Nathanielsz, was called to his Maker after a long and fruitful stint leaving behind a legacy that will not be easily paralleled. He was 89.

The human catapult (slingshot) he was referred to as a tearaway speedster, Tita was one of the finest fast bowlers in Sri Lanka cricket during his formative days at a time when Sri Lanka (Ceylon) cricket was a warm up for visiting Test teams.

He was first noticed as a young Wesleyite and then for his beloved Colts Cricket Club terrorising batsmen off just a few paces with speed and accuracy before being quickly gobbled up by the All Ceylon team.

His action was reminiscent of Australian Jeff Thomson, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Ratnayake and Lasith Malinga and Aussie new boy Shaun Tait but the distinct difference was that he delivered the ball at an astonishing speed off just three paces. He has played alongside some of the best legends of Ceylon and Sri Lankan teams before Test status and left the game with their utmost respect.
He left an indelible mark in Sri Lankan sport after his long career spanning many decades, spreading his natural talent in all that he undertook notably golf and dancing. He was also an outstanding athlete.

He was a writer of no mean repute and had a regular column in the Sunday Times ‘Off the tee with Tita Nathanielsz’ which was widely read and followed by golf enthusiasts in Sri Lanka. He was President of the Royal Colombo Golf Club in 2004 and 2005 a year when the club celebrated its 125th year celebrations in which he wrote a book depicting the history of the game in the country.

One of his other achievements in a life that was full and hectic was his forming of the famous Capri Club in Colombo, he also founded the Jazz Club and the Apex Club and was President of the Sri Lanka-America Society, receiving Life Membership for four decades of meritorious service. He was a life member and former President of the Ceylon, Australia and New Zealand Association, founder of the Colombo Toastmaster Club, founder of the Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand Business Council, former President of the Lions Host Club and founder of the Ceylon Amateur Dancing Association. All of this evidence points to a man of substance and dynamic enthusiasm who obviously believed in the old cliché that “time and tide waits for no man”.

Tita was a legend at his cricket club Colts being recently made a life member and the club went further by naming one of its rooms, ‘The Tita Nathanielsz Lounge’, after him.

Much has been written and said about Tita during his long and hectic lifestyle which took him around the globe where he forged many friendships and I was privileged to receive a call from him during his last visit to Australia where he made contact with me through his nephew living here, Ben Nathanielsz of Melbourne dance band Midnight Mist fame.

Tita rang me to say that he was a keen follower of my write-ups in the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka and wanted to touch base with me and perhaps share a beer. Our meeting was sadly not to be as he was called away interstate on a family request but he rang me and promised that we would meet the next time he visited here. But fate decreed that it was not to be.
Sri Lanka will miss a great legend with his passing. He leaves behind devoted wife Jeanne.
May the turf lay lightly on him

Trevine Rodrigo
Melbourne

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