‘Dingiri Dingaale’ The Tamil film song liked by many Sinhalese

This article focuses on the evergreen ‘Dingiri Dingaale’ song from the Tamil film ‘Anbu Engey?’ (Where is love?) that was first screened 65 years ago. Although a Tamil film song, the number was hugely popular among Sinhalese too. I have written about this song in my blog earlier.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Matale District JVP Insurgency

Former Sri Lankan President and ex-defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa known generally as Gota figured prominently in an Associated Press (AP) news report dated June 22, 2023.

BBS, Gnanasara Thera and the Kalutara Violence

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga recently raised a pertinent question on Twitter about Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and others of his ilk. She asked in her tweet why no action had ever been taken against Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and others, who had insulted other religions practised in the country.

The Tamil Leader who refused to Kowtow before the Tigers

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization ceased to be a functional entity in Sri Lanka after being militarily defeated by the armed forces in May 2009. The LTTE known widely as the Tigers was a powerful armed militant group which ruled over swathes of land in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the Island for several years.

Karunanidhi; From Film Script Writer to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

If cinema and politics are intertwined in Tamil Nadu, then Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s family continues to be immersed in both with great rewards. This is due to the patriarch’s path-breaking venture from films into politics in the past

The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE

Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 21 May 1991. He was killed at a place called Sriperumbhudur in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Death came in the form of Dhanu a young Tamil woman from Sri Lanka. Dressed in a churidar she came up to the smiling Rajiv and garlanded him. The girl bent low to touch his feet as a mark of respect. Then came the deadly explosion. Rajiv Ga

Little-known facts about LTTE leader Prabhakaran

The name Prabhakaran means the Sun or Sooriyan. Later his sycophants and acolytes began calling him Sooriyathevan or Sun God. Being the youngest in the family he was called Thambi or younger brother. This pet name continued to be in vogue when he entered militant ranks as he was then perhaps the youngest of all

Lankan Actor Ramdas gained fame for his “Marikkar” Role

Ramdas, who worked for many years at Colonial Motors in Union Place, used to live in Polhengoda then. He rode a scooter and used to give me a few rides those days. We have enjoyed each other’s company at gatherings hosted by members of the Sri Lankan film fraternity

Ranasinghe Premadasa’s rocky road to Presidency

Former President Ranasinghe Premadasa was killed 30 years ago on 1 May 1993 at 12. 45 p.m. along with 17 others in a bomb explosion that also injured 38 more persons at the Grandpass Road – Armour Street Junction in Colombo.

How the Wanda Pethi canard fomented 2018 anti - Muslim violence

Five years have passed since anti-Muslim violence erupted in the Amparai/Ampara Town in February 2018. Soon afterwards, in the first week of March, there was anti-Muslim violence in Digana.

Sajith, SJB face gathering political storm

The leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and his party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are very much in the news lately.

Versatile and vibrant playback singer TMS

Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin (MK Stalin) the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State in India, unveiled the name board of a road with a new name on March 24 2023.

With IMF boost, Ranil will target 2024 Presidential poll

Friday, March 24 was the 74th birthday of Ranil Sriyan Wickremesinghe. The Sri Lankan President was born in Colombo on 24 March 1949.

How Lanka’s National anthem was amended due to superstition

Sri Lanka is presently experiencing a tremendous economic crisis. Several knowledgeable persons describe the current period as the worst-ever phase in the Island nation’s 75-year post-Independence history.

Defeat in Ananthapuram Battle denoted the LTTE’s end

Many battles were fought during the long war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Among these was the five-day battle fought at Ananthapuram in the Mullaitheevu District from March 31 to April 4, 2009.

Fake news fraud using Prabha and family

Members of a dozen Sri Lankan Tamil families gathered in the evening at the residence of a fellow Tamil in Switzerland in early November 2022.

Jaffna gets State of the Art Cultural Centre from India

Jaffna City the capital of Sri Lanka’s predominantly Tamil speaking northern province was described as the cultural capital of the Tamils of Sri Lanka during its halcyon days.

Upali: Mighty magnate with Midas touch

40 years ago on February 13, 1983, a privately owned Lear jet flew out of Malaysia’s Subang Airport at 8.41 p.m. with six on board.

75 Years of Independence and the Tamils of Sri Lanka

The resplendent Island of Sri Lanka celebrates her seventy-fifth anniversary of Independence from Britain today - February 4th 2023.

Jeevan sets a record as Lanka’s youngest-ever Cabinet Minister

Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and Nuwara-Eliya district MP Jeevan Kumaravel Thondaman, was inducted as Cabinet Minister into the Government headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe last week.

TNA was Born in 2001 Due to Elections Shock of 2000

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with 10 seats in Parliament is currently facing an internal crisis.

Canada’s targeted sanctioning of Gota and Mahinda

History was made last week when two former executive presidents of Sri Lanka were sanctioned by the Government of Canada.

Lasantha was a Fearless Editor who Spoke Truth to Power

Friends,Family members, colleagues, schoolmates and admirers of Lasantha Wickrematunge are scheduled to meet on Sunday January 8th at the Kanatte cemetery in Borella.

President Ranil’s initiative to resolve Tamil national question

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader and Colombo District MP, Mano Ganesan received a telephone call from Ranil Wickremesinghe on 19 July 2022

Murugeysen Tiruchelvam and Koneswaram Issue

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader and Trincomalee district MP Rajavarothayam Sampanthan wrote a politically important letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 14, 2022. In that detailed missive, the veteran Tamil MP pinpointed several measures being enacted under the current regime affecting th

Downfall and death of LTTE’s Mahathaya

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ceased to exist as a functioning entity after its military defeat on the shores of Nandhikkadal lagoon in May 2009.

How and why MGR launched ADMK 50 years ago

17 October 1972 was a Tuesday. Fifty years ago on that auspicious day, a new political party was launched in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Amitabh Bachchan: Evergreen Emperor of Hindi cinema turns 80

Well-known Hindi film actor Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his eightieth birthday on October 11. The veteran thespian continues to be active,

MHM Ashraff; From Muslim Leader to National Statesman

On the fateful morning of 16th September 2000, Mohammed Hussein Muhammad Ashraff(MHM Ashraff) boarded a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Mi-17 helicopter at the Police grounds in Bambalapitiya.

Pop Singer A. E. Manoharan Flopped as a Film Actor

Blessed are those Sri Lankans who have lived in different parts of the country, travelled widely within its borders and interacted with all people cutting across ethnic and religious barriers during times of peace and tranquillity in the past. Those who have had such broad experiences unsullied by narrow sectarianism know that the Island is truly “God’s own country” populated by friendly, good-natured people.