Missing Sinhala Newyear for the First Time

Sinhala new year is the favorite festival of most Sri Lankans and I am one of them. According to the traditional calendar, April(Bak in Sinhala) is the first month of the year. The auspicious time is defined when the Sun moves from house of Pisces (Meena raashiya) to house of Aries (Mesha raashiya). Spring begins....Paddies make harvest.....Koha starts singing....buds become flowers.....Simply, the nature's heart is blooming.

So this is the first time we (Saliya and me) are missing it. We both celebrated the last new year with our own families.  We used to play Panchi in many newyear times. It was a one hell of a fun time. Everyone (male, female, old, young no matter what) was participating. No words to say how much I miss it. I miss my beloved Aththamma who always volunteers to resolve disputes in a way that makes everyone (in her team) happy :)).  I miss our Loku nenda and Maama, who quarrel like kids as they were always separated into two teams :). I miss my mother, father who join us mainly to catch cheaters, so my father never gets caught ;). I miss my brothers, cousin brothers and sisters who make the game a funny mess. They must be having the fun without me this time. Hmm no......they can't do the same without their pebble moving genius :D

Think my brothers are enjoying the sweets and fire crackers alone this time (the cracker thief is missing). Cleaning the oil lamp, grating coconut for kiribath and organizing the Aurudu table are the tasks which should be accomplished by someone else this time. Anyone is welcome to light up the vacant slot of the oil lamp too. I imagine my father, announcing the time second by second to amma, who is preparing for the auspicious time near the fire place. It is the time all five of us get together to observe the milk pot till it overflows. Finally, I really miss our funny little Aurudu trip with cousins.

After all this is the first new year we (me and my husband) spend together. Isn't that great? We will celebrate it at our best though we are not in our home country. We wish a happy and prosperous Sinhala new year to every Sri Lankan.

My Sinhala Poems

I thought to make an online archive of my Sinhala Poems. Those were written sometime back and now it is hard to find many of those as they were kept here and there.  So I thought it is worth keeping atleast the remainings in an accessible place :)

This idea came to me after seeing Tharindu's blog, in which he has kept his creations. Thanks to him I am having an online archive of my poems now. Also, thanks to Saminda I am typing Sinhala well now:). He has implemented a Sinhalaadd-on for firefox too.

62nd Independence day - Sri Lanka

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We, Sri lankans celebrated our 62nd independence day on 4th Feb 2010.  We achieved  independence and self rule from the British empire 62 years ago (in 1948). This is considered as a remarkable milestone of Sri Lankan history as the country (or a part of  it) was always under some foreign custody since 1505 A.D.

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1505 - Portuguese come in

1660 - Dutch take over the control

1802 - British get the Dutch controlled areas

1815 - British take the control of whole island by defeating last kingdom (Kandy) of the country

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4th Feb 1948 is the day we got the full political freedom after about three and half centuries. So no doubt it is a glorious day we should celebrate. However this time independence day celebration was very much special. Actually it was a celebration of real independence after 30 years of war(people like me who were born in the era of war, had not ever witnessed a real independence). It was the first independence day celebration after defeating Tamil tiger terrorist group (LTTE) which is responsible for 30 year war in Sri Lanka. The day the LTTE leader "Velupille Prabhakaran" was killed (18th May 2009), should be the second independence day of Sri Lanka.

Deviating from the tradition, this independence day celebration was held in Kandy,  being the last sovereign kingdom of the country, seems to be the most suitable place for the purpose.

Good Bye 2009 - The year I Loved in Every Aspect

It's 1.08 a.m., 01st JAN 2010. Beginning of another Happy New Year. Well it's bit special this time because, hereafter the tens position will remain  positive for another 90 years :)

Anyway 2009 was a very special and joyful year for me. It was my busiest year too. I had my registration, wedding, graduation in a line. I got my first promotion in my career too. The most important thing is, I could feel the unity of my country under one throne for the first time of my life.

Afterall.....What a wonderful year !!!

Good bye 2009. May this new year bring everyone joy, peace and prosperity.

Small Miracle - Serendib

My home....My land....I care for you....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT0e3Lw9_lc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sM9vcAIYyc

This is the place I ever want to be....Some call it small miracle.... Some say "Serendib". Proud to be a Sri Lankan.

Convocation - B. Sc. Engineering, University of Moratuwa

We (2004 batch) had our convocation on 25th June 2009. Yes it's a day to remember but I feel it as the last get together of our batch. Anyway it was a nice and bit tough experience :). Bad thing we couldn't get all our people at least for a one last pic because they were here and there busy taking their graduation pics.

Finally....we are graduates. The essence of 17 yrs education. I am really thankful to my dear parents who brought me up here, from the very first day of my school life. I'm sure they were so happy to witness that moment. Also, to Saliya who encouraged me through out my university life.

Isuru (our field top) got the gold medal which was awarded for the highest GPA.  Well....he is bit worried coz he has to keep aside a piece of gold :) - just kidding.Congratulations friend. Well done.

United Sri Lanka, Under one Flag

The day we have been waiting for.......After about 30 years, we have come to an end of  stupid terrorism of  Tamil tigers. The death of  tiger leader Velupille Prabhakaran, is not yet officially announced but seems everyone got the news anyhow.

A rebellion who's responsible for thousands of innocent civilian's deaths,  must have a destiny like this. Hope there will be no more Tamil Eelam dreams in anyone's mind hereafter. There's no doubt.....we got president Mahinda Rajapaksha for the sake of our nation. Wonder why any other leader couldn't do the right  for our motherland.

Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka and Brigadier Shavendra Silva (In my personal favor, as the most performed commander) should be honored by every citizen in SL.

A united SL, never got a chance to feel it in my lifetime. So what can I say.....shouldn't this be the most valuable day of my life?

There is no home like one you got.....coz that home belongs to you.....

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P.S. 19.05.2009

President Mahinda Rajapakshe addressed the nation today. A new era begins. Feel so lucky to witness this historical day. This is how Nugegoda people celebrated the victory.

[caption id="attachment_107" align="alignleft" width="768" caption="nugegoda - victory"][/caption]