A lasting tribute to Sri Lanka from a British Sri Lankan

Christine Spittle Wilson, Christine, a memoir:

by Ranga Chandrarathne

Christine Spittle Wilson, daughter of famous Dr. R.L Spittle, a man who perhaps, described as anthropologist and brilliant literary figure, has come out with her memoirs, capturing the very formative years she spent under the shadow of her father travelling into the wild and her eventual return to Sri Lanka.

Candid in diction, 'Christine, a memoir' not only codifies an important period in pre-colonial Sri Lanka but also looks intimately into social life of the Colonial administrators in Sri Lanka, pangs of Second World War, bombing of Colombo by Japanese and many other events, from a perspective of a truly British Sri Lankan.

Eventually, the Spittle family settled down in Colombo in a house, in Cinnamon Garden known as 'Wycherley' which now houses primary section of Wycherley international School. The house witnessed many an important event not only of Christine but also of Sri Lanka as it was virtually turned into a hospital during the height of the Second World War, especially Japanese dropped bombs on Colombo.

'Last night I dreamt I saw Kaira again. He stood before me as he had stood long ago, bare-bodied, his wild hair clotted on his shoulders, his skin grayed with the dust of age, and even in my dream I saw, above all, the wild eyes with the look of a stricken animal. The Child my father had saved from the jungle and brought home to be my play mate.

I shake the vision from my thoughts. Outside my window two crew pheasants call, the deep note of the male answered by the softer one of the female.

At some time during the day the two calls will come from a single branch, but now, a Koha joins them with a different song. So thoughts come and go, each reiterating in some way the other. The past slides into view, clear, clearer than the present writes Christine before commencing her fascinating journey into the past which invariably constituted an important part of the collective memory of the nation.

Among other interesting passages, Christine recalled her childhood play mate Kaira, a Veddah boy brought to Colombo by her father. Although the Veddah boy leant elementary letter and numbers, he was stranded in the wilderness of concrete civilisation and eventually Kaira escaped into the madning crowd.

'Through letters I learn that all was not well at home with Kaira. They said he was getting plump and lazy; he was insolent to one of the nurses in the nursing home, who complained to my father.

They said a watch another nurse left on her dressing table had gone missing. The next morning Kaira was gone. Caught few days later, he was sentenced to three years at the Penitentiary. 'Reminiscent of Kaira and the failed experiment by her father to tame a wild boy.

One of the commonalities between father and daughter is that both are much closer to the Veddas and enjoy occasional sojourn in the wilderness of Sri Lanka studying the Veddas' life. The book also records brief but exciting time Alistair and Christine spent in Africa before making a decision to return to Sri Lanka for good.

Unexpectedly the question arises: 'What would my father have said if he were alive.' The question remained unanswered, but later I woke as if he had spoken.

He would have said out of his great knowledge, the choice is yours. But remember wherever you have been, whatever you do, there are halls of gold in our island. Remember the vast caves in our forests, large enough to house a cohort of soldiers, and inscribed with the ancient pali ward, 'To Tissa beloved of the gods'.

Remember, a great rock-hewn swimming pool, with a cobalt reflection of the sky. I remember things the present generation has never seen, but you have. writes Christine on their decision to return to Sri Lanka.

Candid in diction, Christine writes her life and time in Sri Lanka in a most heart rendering manner, taking readers through her chapters of life from the Second World War to the time she spent in Africa, her memorable childhood spent at Wycherley and her journeys into the wild with her surgeon father.

'Christine, a memoir' is a must read for all Sri Lankans who love this country and are enthusiastic to learn the post-colonial history of Sri Lanka and the immense contribution expatriates made to make Sri Lanka for what it is today.

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Fifty is company

Sandya Tukuram

Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne is a journalist who has been writing for well over forty years. She began her career at the Sun Newspaper under D.B. Dhanapala. A subsequently glittering career as the wife of a minister under both J.R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa did not prevent her pursuing her first love, writing, and she continues to do so to this day.

This love of writing is immediately obvious in her first book, Fifty Is Company. It is not merely a collection of fifty interviews the author has conducted over the years, giving facts and figures about the various personalities therein: in other words it is not merely journalism.

There is a gentle quality about the writing, where you feel the author is genuinely trying to come to grips with the personality involved, trying to understand the various twists and turns that have brought the subject to where he or she is today.

And this fact is indeed striking when you read the book: how so many of these successful people seem to have got to their present position by the merest whim of fancy or chance!

In addition this commentary is laced with Ilica's own opinions, which are never too judgemental, and full of sound common sense, and the writing has a simplicity and great elegance of style which many a verbose young writer of today would do well to emulate.

But if you think this book is all sweetness and light and will put you to sleep after five minutes, think again. In amongst all those polished phrases and general bonhomie there are some well-aimed and juicy barbs that will take your breath away by their sheer wit and unexpectedness!

A critique is not a critique however without some form of criticism. What did strike me is that Ilica's choice of fifty people is a rather eclectic one. Of course there are many of the great and the good included. But the book is notable as much for its omissions as for its admissions.

There are many people whom you would expect to be in this book who are not; and by contrast there are some very dark horses in this race, nightmares even! But these fifty people are the ones who in Illica's opinion will shape our behaviour, for better or worse, in the twenty years to come: the way we dress, the food we eat, the books we read. Most especially the way we think.

And if Ilica has chosen to put good money on them, let us all take note: her judgement has proved uncannily accurate in the past. Even those very dark horses may romp home yet, with a comfortable three lengths to spare.

In-depth information on Sri Lanka's burgeoning hospitality industry

by R. S. Karunaratne

"Helvetica" TOURISM: Tourists, tour operators, tourist hotels, tourist guides, students following courses in tourism and others interested in this subject will be delighted to have access to a comprehensive guide to information on Sri Lanka.

The monumental work running into 583 pages has been compiled and edited by an authority on the subject. He is J. F. Ranjith Perera who was one time Administrative Assistant and later Director General and Competent Authority of the Ceylon Tourist Board. He has wide experience in the tourist industry here and other foreign countries in Europe, South East Asia, North Africa and North America.

Tourist guides published in Sri Lanka were mostly travel guides or pictorials. Sometimes the emphasis of such publications was on cultural tourism. However, the current publication covers diverse topics such as geographical location and climate, social profile, the economy, the government, the banking and financial systems, Sri Lanka as an investment destination, the legal systems of Sri Lanka, the history of the island, and the sources of Sri Lankan history.

Section 2 deals with cultural tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, and spiritual tourism. This section gives a detailed account of world heritage sites declared by the UNESCO, sites and things of touristic interest at various tourist destinations. Under nature tourism the author gives a graphic account of the national parks, fauna and flora.

Adventure tourism is mainly targeted at foreign tourists who would wish to know details of adventure destinations, adventure sports, trekking, golf and wind surfing. These are necessary to sell Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.

This is perhaps the first tourist publication that promotes spiritual tourism. In this section different types of meditation are discussed. Apart from meditation, Meththa Bhavana or Ana Pana Sathi Bhavana, the author gives us a full list of monasteries teaching and practising authentic meditation.

The book opens with the National Anthem of Sri Lanka. It is followed by brief sketches of the National Flag, the National Tree, the National Flower, the State emblem, and a traditional greeting to the visitor to this enchanted island.

Some of the information found in the book is good for any average student who wishes to know the names of our rivers, catchment areas, and water falls. The social profile deals with the ethnic distribution of the people, their religions, literacy rate and density of population.

The author has given the essence of all the religions practised in Sri Lanka. Writing on the country's economy the book explains various trends in economic growth and traces the history in the post independence era with special emphasis on Mahinda Chinthana.

The chapter on "Sri Lanka as an investment destination" is timely. It gives the economic policies and investment opportunities available in the island. Meanwhile, "Sri Lanka's hydraulic civilization" spells out the rise and fall of the ancient system of irrigation.

"Authentic Sri Lanka cuisine" will titillate the taste buds of tourists coming to Sri Lanka. Since the government has recognised the potential of tourism industry, books of this nature should be promoted locally and overseas.

Tourist hotels should have at least a few copies of this book for visitors to read because some of the staff members are woefully unaware of tourist information. On another level this volume can be treated as a book of history. It gives a graphic account of the history of Sri Lanka from the pre-historic period upto the present.

It is amazing to see that the island had been ruled by nearly 200 kings. A short review of this nature cannot do justice to a volume that has dealt with so many subjects relating to tourism. As Sri Lankans we should be proud of this book which has not left out any important details.

For the record I will mention a few more topics included in the book: ancient literature, masks, handicrafts, puppetry, national festivals, architecture, coins and maps. I am sure anyone who lays his hands on this book will be tempted to visit this thrice-blessed island.

Amuthu Mama children's novel with a moral message

by Ranga Chandrarathne

Amuthu Mama, children's novel by young talented writer, journalist, and a dramatist Janapriya Jayasinghe is a candid attempt by the author to fulfil a long-felt need in Sinhala literature for children's novels.

Though belongs to a genre of thriller, Amuthu Mama is different from other Sinhalese children novels which were modeled on western thrillers or translations such as Treasure Island. Janapriya Jayasinghe's attempt is commendable as it tries to raise curiosity of the children in a spirit to lead them on a journey of discovery.

It is something that Sri Lankan children lost since the parents started to coach them for examinations, totally disregarding other faculties such as sports, music and ability to appreciate nature and art that in the long run led to the birth of generation of socially misfit professionals devoid of human qualities.

Process of education should not confine itself to producing robotic professionals, especially medical doctors and engineers but also a process which would build character of children with a sense of justice.

Here Janapriya tries to explore complex network of human relations in a much more humane manner with a moral message lased to it. He understands the inherent strengths in youth and attempts to take contemporary Sri Lankan youth out of the confines of consumerism which has, in a way, confined their lives to a set- schedule of studies, clubbing and attending tuition classes with prime aim of becoming professional such as a medical doctor or an engineer.

This creation of a genius shed light on myriad aspects of children's literature in Sinhalese medium and the writing coerce children out of their customary milieu to rejoice and explore life. Janapriya attempts to build a healthier world for children who are traumatized since they are compelled to engage in the rat race.

The book provides a creative outlet for everyone who is wired in this desolate valley of tears where they are seared in the flames of withering injustice. Janapriya Jayasinghe is a journalist by profession.

Viyapara Lokaye Neethiya

(Law of Business World), a practical guide to business law:

by Indeewara Thilakarathne

The latest book by Attorney -at-Law Kapila Gamini Jayasinghe is a timely publication in Sinhala as it would be immensely beneficial to lawyers, businessmen and general public as a practical guide book to business law.

The book covers the business law in the areas from Law of Contracts to Registration of Companies and laws with regard to leasing and settlements. Though there are a large number of publications in Sinhala on Business Law, it is rare that a book on application of business law in real life situations, has been available that would provide laws in specific areas affecting the most day-to-day transactions in the world of Business.

The book will fulfil important requirements for a guide book on theoretical and practical application in laws relating to business in the Sinhala medium. It will be of great aid for students of Business Administration, lawyers who could use the book as a reference and practical guide and serves an educative tool for general public and business men.

Kapila is a multifaceted personality who excelled in diverse field including fiction and drama, law and in the arena of journalism. He is a practising lawyer and authored several books on the application of law including Adineda Jevitayata Neethiya (2005), Sivil Neetiye Nawa Prawanata (2006) and Neetiye Prabawa ha Ayatana (2007).