The crumbling legacy of Colonial splendor

The Crumbling Legacy of Colonial Splendour

We spent the final few days of our trip to Sri Lanka at the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel, also known as the Galkissa Hotel. We went there because a conversation arose among us about the Lavinia train locomotive, and we wanted to see the location associated with that historical story.

This hotel is situated on a very beautiful small hill facing the Indian Ocean. The founder of this splendid Governor’s mansion was Sir Thomas Maitland (1805–1811), a British Governor of Ceylon. He built this mansion on this high cliff extending toward the Indian Ocean as his official summer residence and named it 'Mount Lavinia House'.

As famously detailed in the book by Maureen Seneviratne, the mansion hides a legendary, forbidden romance between the British Governor (nicknamed "King Tom") and Lovina Aponsuwa, a local mestizo dancer. Because British colonial high society fiercely frowned upon a high-ranking official associating with a local low caste dancing girl, their relationship had to remain strictly hidden.

During construction in 1806, Maitland secretly instructed his builders to carve out a clandestine underground passage. One end of the tunnel opened directly inside the mansion's wine cellar, while the other emerged miles away, disguised inside a drinking water well in the compound of Lovina’s father's home. Lovina was routinely smuggled through this passage while grand galas took place on the floors above. The romance met a tragic end in 1811 when the British Foreign Office discovered the affair. Regarded as an unacceptable deviation from "Crown and God," Maitland was abruptly recalled and transferred to Malta, where he later died a bachelor.

After Sir Thomas Maitland, Robert Brownrigg, Edward Paget, and Edward Barnes (after whom many roads in Ceylon were named) were the other governors who lived in this house.

During the 1833 cholera epidemic, this house served as a convalescent home for British military troops, and in 1860, as a lodging establishment. In 1877, it was converted into a hotel named the Mount Lavinia Grand Hotel. Used as a military hospital during World War II, the hotel was also chosen as a location for the famous 1956 film "The Bridge on the River Kwai".

Ceylon's first nightclub was the 'Little Hut', established here in 1957.

Warm Welcomes and a Dream Location for Train Enthusiasts

Despite the property's modern struggles, our arrival was met with true Sri Lankan hospitality. The reception team was incredibly helpful and welcoming from the moment we checked in.

Remnants of the hotel's grandeur still shimmer if you look closely. During our stay, we were fortunate enough to meet Mr. Wijesinghe, a veteran employee who has worked at the hotel for around 40 years. He kindly took us on a personal history tour, guiding us through the legacy of the building.

The property offers an extraordinarily beautiful view from the breakfast room and the swimming pool. The breakfast buffet itself is absolutely amazing, offering a massive variety of food choices with an excellent spread of both traditional Sri Lankan dishes and Western favourites. Eating a world-class breakfast from this high vantage point while looking directly down onto the railway line is unforgettable. With the Galkissa (Mount Lavinia) railway station sitting right under the hotel cliff, it is an absolute paradise for train enthusiasts like me who want to watch the coastal trains click-clack past against the backdrop of the crashing ocean.

When we went there, we got to experience true Sri Lankan hospitality. The reception team was extremely kind and helpful from the very moment we arrived. The doormen at the entrance were dressed in colonial-era uniforms, which I saw as a great way of preserving the hotel's unique identity.

Remnants of the hotel's former glory can still be seen today. During our two-day stay, we were fortunate enough to meet Mr. Wijesinghe, a veteran employee who has served there for over forty years. He very kindly briefed us on the history of the hotel and took us on a special guided tour.

You can see what we observed during that tour in this slide.

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 The view of the Colombo coastline visible from the hotel’s breakfast area and the swimming pool is exceptionally beautiful. From there, one can see Port City—an artificially constructed irony of history. Maitland or Brownrigg would never have imagined such a thing.

The breakfast buffet here is truly excellent, featuring a wide variety of traditional Sri Lankan dishes as well as Western items. Having breakfast from this elevated spot while looking down at the railway track below is an unforgettable experience. Since the Mount Lavinia Railway Station is located directly below the hotel hill, this is a true paradise for train enthusiasts from around the world who love to watch trains running along the coastline.

However, moving beyond this beautiful view to look at the hotel rooms reveals a heartbreaking reality. It appears that the current owners have completely neglected the decline of this national heritage. The hotel rooms are in a somewhat dilapidated state—they are damp, moldy, and emit a strong, unpleasant odor. From what we saw, only a very few rooms in the entire hotel complex remain in a state suitable for human accommodation. Although the air conditioners provided some relief, they did little to change the smell of the air being inhaled. When a mold problem arises in a building, the fungi release millions of microscopic spores, allergens, and irritants into the indoor air. Inhaling these particles can cause numerous short-term as well as long-term health issues. On our second day, we requested a room change to get a better view of the railway track. Since we had moved out of our own choice, we did not complain about it, but that room was filled with air that was even more damp than the first. At night, we opened the balcony door to let the room fill with the salty ocean breeze.

Due to a questionable decision by the hotel management, a large wall has been constructed around its spacious ballrooms. As a result, the world-renowned, beautiful ocean view has been completely blocked for visiting guests.

While the individual staff members working at the hotel are extremely kind and friendly, they seem completely helpless due to a total lack of support or guidance from upper management.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel is not merely a profit-making commercial enterprise; it is a living monument of immense value to Sri Lanka's colonial, architectural, and romantic history. It is deeply painful to watch a place of such cultural significance rot away due to private sector neglect.

Since this hotel is deeply intertwined with Sri Lanka's coastal infrastructure and serves as a major icon of the tourism industry, I feel government intervention is necessary.

Therefore, recognizing its direct connection with the historic Mount Lavinia Railway Station located below, we request the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to intervene in preserving this as a protected urban heritage site. Building hotels adjacent to major railway stations was a feature of British colonial planning—large hotel complexes at Paddington and King's Cross in London serve as examples of this. Even in present-day Japan, similar hotels are designed for railway tourists.

Additionally, we request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to collaborate with the private management to rescue this coastal treasure and prevent such a world-class tourism asset from decaying.

If there is no cooperation from them, the government should immediately intervene to explore whether this property can be reacquired by the state, followed by a complete renovation through public investment. Some may find this idea distasteful as it recalls the colonial era. However, this building belongs to the people and the history of this country. It is a cultural and national heritage of the nation!

29/09/2026 - Ajith Dharmakeerthi

Tenerrife Trip - Levada hiking Trail

 

Today, I am going to write about where we went on our second day in Tenerife. Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain and are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The total land area of this island is about 2,034 square kilometers. As I mentioned in the "Trip to the moon " article, the highest point on the island is Mount Teide, which stands at about 3,715 meters high. This is the highest peak in Spain. Furthermore, this mountain splits the island into two distinct climate and geographical zones: North and South.

The northern region of the island has higher humidity and more natural beauty. Due to strong winds, the north side experiences cool, humid weather. You can see lush pine forests, banana plantations, and volcanic black sand beaches here. The northern side is also home to traditional architecture and historical towns such as La Laguna and Puerto de la Cruz.

The hotel where we stayed was located in the sunnier southern region, in a main tourist resort in the town of Playa de las Américas. Before the arrival of Europeans, an indigenous group called the 'Guanches' lived here. They lived in caves, and the island was divided into nine tribal kingdoms that they ruled over. The Spanish conquest took place between 1494 and 1496. Tenerife was the last Canary Island to fall to the Crown of Castile. The Guanches fought fiercely, but they ultimately had to surrender to Spain.

Due to its location along Atlantic sea routes, Tenerife eventually became a major port for exporting wine and sugar. Consequently, it was frequently targeted by pirates and foreign naval fleets. In 1797, British Admiral Horatio Nelson lost his arm in a battle against Tenerife.

We went to visit the Anaga Rural Park located in the cold northern region. The main thing is that it doesn’t rain vertical rain in Tenerife. As far as anyone knows, it has never rained like that. So where does the water come from? Well, you'll have to find the answer to that question on this journey.

Our tour guide was Ukrainian. He was an engineer in Ukraine, but after the war started, his whole family moved here. He started the trip with a critique of the war. I didn't take to him much at first because he was quite tall and started making a couple of jokes about my height. However, during the main hike, once he saw the way I kept pace, I realized he changed his mind about targeting me 😆. Why we chose him will become clear in the next article.

First, we went to see the Magic Forest (Bosque Encantado / El Pijaral). This forest is millions of years old and is a mystical type of cloud forest known as "Laurisilva." That means this forest contains fossils formed before the Ice Age, roughly 20 million years ago. What makes it special is the constantly moist and nutrient-rich environment created by the water vapor and fog coming from the ocean. The forest is almost always covered in a blanket of damp clouds.

The phenomenon known as horizontal precipitation occurs here due to the fog created by ocean winds and vapor. Droplets of water trickle through the trees, but instead of the normal vertical rain we usually see, it is a horizontal rain—water droplets carried by the wind that condense on the trees. Because of this, there are no rivers or streams on this island. Walking through it—with the massive ferns, moss clinging to the trees, and the thick mist—makes you feel as if you are standing inside an enchanted forest straight out of a magical scene or a movie. This is a natural water-harvesting process. You can see the moss-covered trees in the pictures.

It is strictly forbidden to cut down these trees. If you cause any damage, the fines range from 3,000 to 300,000 Euros. Even in a private garden, cutting down a tree is banned without special permission.

However, I felt a strange shock. Since Tenerife is usually warm, I hadn't worn a jacket. I stood there shivering, feeling as if I were taking a bath in an ice-cold stream

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From there, we went to a place called the "Englishman's Lookout Point," known in Spanish as Mirador Pico del Inglés. Located over 960 meters above sea level, it is a truly spectacular vantage point. The name Pico del Inglés translates to "Englishman's Peak." According to our guide, the name originated from a legend that an English sailor was once held captive on this peak, leading to an arrival of English pirates who came to rescue him. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Anaga mountain range, both the northern and southern coastlines, and even Mount Teide on clear days.

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Since this is getting too long, I will include the next part of the trip in the next article.

We visited Tenerife in December 2025.

Ajith Dharmakeerthi 04/09/2026

Love, Trauma, and the Psychological Odyssey

In Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, the monstrous cyclopes, seductive sirens, and treacherous seas are transformed into physical manifestations of the human psyche. Beneath the grand spectacle lies an intimate, psychological exploration of survival, trauma, and ultimate reconciliation.

Odysseus’s decade-long journey home is not merely a geographic struggle against time and tide. it represents the interior battles we fight through grief, guilt, and existential fatigue. The dangerous stops along his path serve as vivid psychological traps on his path to wholeness. The Lotus-Eaters show the temptation of numbness and forgetting one’s purpose, while Circe and Calypso depict the alluring traps of stagnation and illusionary comfort. Finally, the descent into the Underworld shows confronting ghosted regrets and unresolved trauma before moving forward. Beneath the grand cinematic spectacle, Christopher Nolan anchors the narrative in this grueling mental endurance, proving that the physical monsters Odysseus fights are simply reflections of the internal chaos he must overcome to reach home.

Nolan’s casting and narrative choices ground the Odyssey in a historical Mediterranean that mirrors the ancient world's true complexity.  The excavations at Akrotiri reveal advanced Minoan/Cycladic maritime networks, vibrant frescoes, and multicultural trade routes across Africa and Asia.

When we look beyond the modern cinematic spectacle of ancient epics, we find that these stories are deeply anchored in genuine human history and shared cultural geography. Christopher Nolan’s portrayal of the ancient Mediterranean relies on a sense of grounded, living history—a world that closely matches the archaeological reality revealed at Akrotiri on the island of Santorini. The excavations at Akrotiri showcase a sophisticated Bronze Age Aegean civilization defined by vibrant maritime networks, rich artistic expression, and constant trade across Africa and Asia. The ancient Aegean was never an isolated or homogenous world; it was a bustling crossroad where diverse peoples, complexions, and traditions met. By honoring this historical complexity, the narrative aligns with the true archaeological heritage of the region, where the sea was both a terrifying expanse and a dynamic bridge between cultures.

This historical backdrop provides the canvas for a narrative structure that transcends the bounds of Greece, echoing the core themes of Valmiki’s Ramayana. Both Homer’s The Odyssey and the Ramayana center on an arduous, life-defining quest ignited by separation and driven by an enduring bond of love. Where Odysseus travels across turbulent, mythic seas to return to Penelope, Rama journeys through vast, unforgiving forests and across the ocean to rescue Sita.

In both traditions, the physical trials faced by the heroes reflect an intense inner journey. Odysseus battles internal exile, grief, and the destructive temptation of pride, while Rama embodies moral endurance, self-sacrifice, and unwavering adherence to duty amid immense personal grief.

Equally striking is the strength of the women who anchor these stories. Penelope remains steadfast in Ithaca despite the predatory siege of suitors, using her wit to preserve her household, while Sita maintains her dignity, spiritual purity, and devotion through captivity in Lanka. In both epics, love is not merely a romantic ideal; it is the moral tether that keeps the hero grounded through suffering. Whether reflected in the Bronze Age seafaring trade routes of the Aegean or the ancient Indo-Lankan networks of the Ramayana, both stories prove that the struggle to navigate life’s tempests and find our way back to the ones we love is a universal human journey.

In reviewing the film’s narrative choices, it is essential to address the online discourse surrounding Nolan’s casting decisions—specifically the selection of Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o to play Helen of Troy (alongside her role as Clytemnestra). Online commentary attempting to dismiss this casting through superficial claims of "woke" Hollywood revisionism is fundamentally misleading and completely misses Nolan’s directorial vision.

Helen of Troy is not a documented historical figure whose precise real-world biology must be preserved; she is a divine, otherworldly mythological symbol—the "face that launched a thousand ships." Homer’s classical texts define Helen not by explicit geographic traits, but by her overwhelming, hypnotic impact on those who behold her.

By casting an actress of Nyong'o’s extraordinary presence, authority, and elegance, Nolan highlights Helen's otherworldly status, setting her visually apart from the mortal soldiers around her. Moving past rigid Eurocentric visual tropes does not compromise historical authenticity—it honors the original purpose of classical mythology by depicting grand, universal archetypes.

Critically, focusing the debate on Helen misinterprets the primary thematic conflict of The Odyssey. Helen’s story belongs to The Iliad; in The Odyssey, she acts merely as the distant, catalyst spark for the war that destroyed the ancient world. The actual emotional axis of Nolan’s film rests firmly on Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway)

While Helen represents the origin of distant, external destruction, Penelope represents the psychological anchor, the enduring promise of restoration, emotional safety, and home. Dismissing the film's structural merit over the identity of a supporting mythological figure ignores where the true weight of the story lies: in the painful, long journey back to Penelope.

To truly understand why reacting to Helen’s physical casting misses the point, we can turn to Buddhist literature, specifically the classical Jātaka tales, which dissect the deceptive nature of sensory attraction.

In the tale of 'panchapapa' (A buddhist jathaka story) , a king becomes madly obsessed with a woman described by observers as physically unattractive, coarse, or ill-omened. Yet, despite her appearance, her presence carries an irresistible, overwhelming tactile aura. The moment the king touches her, his mind is instantly clouded by intense desire , wiping out reason, his advisors' warnings, and societal norms as he brings her to his palace as chief queen.

The Buddha uses this story to illustrate that attachment is rarely driven by objective, visual perfection; it is driven by sensory trickery. Desire operates as an internal psychological force that overpowers judgment regardless of external visual tropes.

Just as in the Jātaka tale, Helen's power in classical myth is not a matter of conventional, historical beauty, it is an otherworldly, hypnotic gravity that drives men mad and tearing empires apart. Helen is a symbol of sensory illusion—the prize men wage destruction for, only to realize the true tragedy lies in what they sacrificed to obtain it.While Helen represents the intoxicating, destructive force of external desire, Penelope represents grounded reality, emotional truth, and moral restoration.

Ultimately, Nolan’s adaptation demonstrates that returning home isn't merely a matter of physical navigation. It requires confronting the monsters generated by one's own actions and guilt. Odysseus's true triumph comes not from defeating external beasts, but from laying down the lotus, acknowledging his moral injuries, and allowing himself to step out of war's shadow toward reconciliation.

Watching Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey" on a 70mm IMAX screen from the third row was a wild experience. The sheer scale completely engulfs your view. I will definitely be returning to watch it again from the back row in the near future.

(P.s. - Three pictures are mine—taken on the Greek island of Crete. I have used AI to correct grammer and formulate the sentences.)

panchapapa story 

Ajith Dharmakeerthi 24/08/2026

Our Trip to the moon... to Tenerife

(Image created by Google Gemini fusing my own pictures)

As you know, the four American astronauts who recently joined a space mission to the Moon didn't actually land on the lunar surface. They only orbited the Moon. Still, they traveled further into deep space than any human has ever gone before. Let’s call that a victory for mankind. They also saw the "far side" of the Moon (the side we can't see) for the first time. However, China had previously landed a craft on that far side. That, too, was a victory.

Last year, We took a trip to Tenerife—a journey I haven’t written about on the blog. It was to celebrate our wedding anniversary and to meet Osvaldo Oliva, a Cuban friend who studied with me in the Soviet Union.

In Tenerife, within the Teide mountain range, there is a volcano. Inside the caldera known as Las Cañadas, there is a volcano formed 170,000 years ago that is still considered active. It last erupted in 1909 and has a very high potential to erupt again. The TV movie La Palma is a good fictionalized drama based on true events regarding such occurrences.

We all know that Americans first landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. After that, they went about six more times until 1972. I think it stopped because they realized it was extremely expensive and didn't yield enough profit, even from a research perspective. So, why did America actually go to the Moon?

If we think the way America thought?

Back then, space was actually being conquered by the "infant" Soviet Union. It was a country that had only been established for about sixty years. It was a nation that had faced a World War, lost 20 million people, and yet managed to rise. To make matters worse for the U.S., the Soviets were spreading socialism around the world. Cuba had its revolution in 1953. America’s history was about 200 years old, and by then, it was the most powerful country in the capitalist world. Could they afford to lose to the Communists?

In those days, the "Soviet big shots" were getting all the publicity. By then, they had sent the dog Laika into orbit (though that faces criticism now). After that came Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, and Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman. They were significantly ahead. Europe and other countries weren't even close. To save face, America had to do something radical. So, they prepared the Moon mission.

After America went and brought back soil samples, the Soviet Union sent Luna spacecraft to bring back soil samples using a robotic arm. Those didn't get much publicity back then.

Oliva tells me that scientists say that after the volcano erupted, this area of Tenerife looks like the surface of the Moon or even Mars. When I checked, it turned out to be true. At that moment, I wondered: Did America actually go to the Moon? You can find a vast amount of information on the web claiming they didn't—conspiracy theories. Bill Kaysing, who worked at a company called Rocketdyne, was the first to popularize this story, calling the first Moon landing a hoax.

So, one might truly wonder—since Tenerife belonged to Spain at the time, was sparsely populated with very few tourists, and was part of a relatively poor country—if such a "mission" was filmed there. Did they bring Neil Armstrong there and film the landing? Is that why the American flag appears to wave in the wind? Well, take a look at these pictures.

However, if someone were to ask me now whether America actually went to the Moon in 1969, my answer would be Yes. My reasons include the fact that they brought back about 300kg of moon rocks, and that countries like the Soviet Union and Japan were watching the mission very closely. Furthermore, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has been able to take photos of the equipment left behind by the original astronauts.

But who knows... maybe they did some practicing in Tenerife!

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)

AJITH Dharma 04/05/2026

The Irony of Protection: Why Deepachelvan’s Books are Held at the Border

 

I was investigating the justification for the seizure of Deepachelvan's books by Sri Lankan customs officials. While there is a serious legal challenge to be made for those who oppose the PTA and the ICCPR Act, the reality is that the majority of people in Sri Lanka remain largely indifferent to these issues.

Many readers might not realize the irony: the ICCPR Act was originally designed to protect rights, yet in Sri Lanka, it is frequently used to limit them. Section 3(1) of the Sri Lankan ICCPR Act is the specific part usually cited in these cases. It prohibits "advocating national, racial or religious hatred." Critics argue it is used selectively against minority writers (like Deepachelvan) while ignoring similar rhetoric from other groups.

Pradeepan  Deepachelvan is widely known for his raw, unflinching portrayal of the Tamil experience during and after the Sri Lankan civil war. His work—particularly his novels Nadugal (Memorial Stones) and Bhayagaravadi (The Terrorist)—is deeply critical of the centralized, unitary nature of the Sri Lankan state.

Anti-unitary themes and expressions found in his writing:

1. The State as an "Occupying Force"

In many of his poems and prose pieces, the unitary state is not depicted as a protector, but as an alien presence in the Tamil homelands. He often uses imagery of barbed wire, bunkers, and high-security zones to describe the "unitary" reach of Colombo. FOor Deepachelvan, the unitary state is a physical weight—a structure that occupies the land through military presence rather than through the consent of the people living there.

2. The Erasure of Memory (Cultural Genocide)

A recurring theme in his work is the destruction of Tamil heritage (cemeteries, monuments, and libraries) by the state. He writes extensively about the "bulldozing of history."  He views the unitary state's insistence on a single national identity as an act of violence against Tamil memory. By destroying "Nadugal" (hero stones), the state attempts to finalize its unitary control by making sure only its own version of history remains standing.

3. The Label of the "Terrorist" (Bhayagaravadi)

In his novel Bhayagaravadi, he explores how the unitary state uses legal and political labels to dehumanize Tamil identity. The title itself is a provocation. He explores how anyone who questions the central authority or demands self-determination is automatically branded a "terrorist" by the unitary legal framework. He argues that the unitary state uses the "national security" narrative to suppress any political expression that seeks a federal or separate existence.

4. Language as Resistance

Deepachelvan’s very choice of Tamil is a political act against the unitary linguistic hegemony. He often describes the Tamil language as a "wounded body" that still refuses to die. He portrays the unitary state’s attempts to impose a singular cultural identity as a failure, asserting that the Tamil soul remains "un-unifiable" under the current political terms.

Deepachelvan’s work suggests that the Unitary State (ஒற்றையாட்சி - Otraiyaatchi) is the root cause of the conflict because:

1. It treats the Tamil North/East as a colony rather than a partner.
2. It uses monumental violence to enforce a single national narrative.
3. It denies the right to mourn, which he considers the most basic human right.

Pradeepan Deepachelvan (known as Deepachelvan) has not been officially convicted of "breaking" a law in the sense of a final court verdict, but his work and activism have frequently placed him under the crosshairs of the Sri Lankan security apparatus.

The "laws" his work is often accused of violating are not typically about literary quality, but rather about national security and ethnic harmony. Here is exactly which laws and legal frameworks have been used to target or investigate him and his writing:

1. The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)

This is the most significant law used against writers in the North and East. Deepachelvan has been summoned and interrogated by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) multiple times (notably in 2021 and 2022) regarding his writings and social media posts. The PTA allows for the arrest of anyone suspected of "advocating for secession" or "causing communal disharmony."  His books like Nadugal (Memorial Stones) deal with the remembrance of fallen LTTE fighters. Under the PTA, the state often interprets the act of "memorialization" as "glorifying terrorism" or "inciting a resurgence" of conflict.

2. The ICCPR Act (No. 56 of 2007)

While originally intended to protect human rights, Section 3(1) of Sri Lanka’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act has been frequently used to silence writers. The act prohibits the "advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence." Because Deepachelvan’s work is "anti-unitary" and critiques the Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist nature of the state, authorities have viewed his prose as "inciting communal hatred" against the majority community or the state itself.

3. Penal Code Section 120 (Sedition)

This section deals with "exciting or attempting to excite feelings of disaffection to the Government." Any writing that strongly critiques the "Unitary State" or the military's role in the North can be framed as an attempt to bring the government into "hatred or contempt." Deepachelvan’s depictions of the military as an "occupying force" in his poems are often flagged under this definition of sedition.

While not always a formal parliamentary law, various court injunctions and emergency regulations have been used to ban the specific themes he writes about. Sri Lankan law has often been used to ban any public or literary mention of the "Maaveerar" (Great Heroes) or the use of specific symbols (like the Gloriosa Superba flower) associated with Tamil resistance. Since his book Nadugal is centered entirely on the culture of these memorial stones, the book itself exists in a "legal gray zone" where it can be seized or its launch prevented under the guise of maintaining public order.

As of April 2026, 360 copies of his books imported from Chennai remain detained. Despite a high-level meeting on April 17, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has stalled the release, stating that the Ministry of Defence must now provide clearance. This suggests that in Sri Lanka, literature is still being treated not as art, but as a matter of national security.

Source - Internet

- Ajith Dharmakeerthi

19/04/2026

Allegations of Low-Quality Coal Imports- Previous Governments

Previous Aticle:  Sri Lanka Coal Tender Controversy (2025–2026) 

Analysis of Coal Import Controversies (2011–2022)

Following the recent parliamentary debates, I investigated previous allegations surrounding coal import controversies during the tenures of Patali Champika Ranawaka and Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as Energy Ministers. While controversies abound—and some have even reached the courts—a distinct pattern emerges regarding the nature of these allegations.

Allegations of Low-Quality Coal Imports

• The 2011–2015 Period: Early controversies centered around the procurement process itself. Allegations were made that the coal being imported had higher ash and sulfur content than the plant's design specifications, leading to frequent breakdowns of the boiler units.  (please see below)

• Political "Blame Game"

  Minister	Their Stance
  Champika Ranawaka 2010-2013	Claimed that "coal mafias" were operating within the LCC and CEB to intentionally import low-quality coal for kickbacks.
  Pavithra Wanniarachchi 2013- 2015	Counter-accused Ranawaka’s era of setting up the flawed procurement systems that she was now forced to manage.

   During this period, the controversy wasn't just about "bad coal"; it was about how that bad coal physically damaged the $1.3 billion power plant, leading to the "unreliable" reputation Norochcholai has had ever since.

• The 2016 Scandal: A major Supreme Court case occurred involving a coal tender awarded to a Swiss-Singaporean company. The court ruled the tender process was "procedurally flawed," though the primary focus was on the legality of the tender rather than just the physical quality of the coal. (please see below)

• This one was often cited as one of the most significant procurement controversies in Sri Lanka’s energy history. It centered on a long-term contract for 2.2 million metric tonnes of coal awarded to Swiss Singapore Overseas Enterprises Pte Ltd.

2015	Champika Ranawaka (Briefly returned)
2015 – 2019	Ranjith Siyambalapitiya
2019 – 2020	Mahinda Amaraweera
2020 – 2021	Dullas Alahapperuma
2021 – 2022	Gamini Lokuge
2022	Pavithra Wanniarachchi (Briefly)
2022 – 2024	Kanchana Wijesekera

The Nature of the Allegations

From my understanding, there are no specific allegations that either Minister Ranawaka or Minister Siyambalapitiya personally benefited from these deals or received financial "kickbacks." The same appears to apply to Kumar Jayakody; there is no clear evidence or formal accusation suggesting he received any direct financial incentive.

This raises a pivotal question: If there are no allegations of personal enrichment, where does the "cheating" or "corruption" claim originate? ### The Dilemma of Oversight If improper coal imports persisted between 2011 and 2022, resulting in massive financial losses for the Sri Lankan government, the role of Kumar Jayakody becomes highly scrutinized. We are left with two likely conclusions:

1. Administrative Incompetence: Ministers were utterly incompetent in their oversight duties and failed to verify the quality and pricing of the imports.

2. Systemic Pressure: They were forced to bypass standard protocols and allow these imports due to the dire energy situation and the urgent need to keep the power grid functional.

Despite the lack of proven "kickbacks," the persistent allegations of "substandard" coal since the Norochcholai power plant's inception suggest a failure in the system. Here is a breakdown of the situation:

Key Points of Contention

• Procurement Deviations: Most allegations stem from the bypassing of the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC).

• Quality vs. Urgency: Frequently, the defense for "substandard" coal is the "emergency procurement" argument—claiming that strict quality checks were sacrificed to prevent nationwide blackouts.

• Financial Loss vs. Personal Gain: The "cheating" often referred to in public discourse may relate to Public Property offenses (loss to the state) rather than traditional bribery. Under Sri Lankan law, causing a loss to the state through negligence can be prosecuted similarly to active corruption.

In Sri Lankan administrative law, "Corruption" is often defined broadly. Even if a minister didn't take a cent, if they knowingly signed off on a deal that lost the state money, it can still be legally classified under the "Corruption" umbrella.

 Recent Issues (2025–2026): As of early 2026, a significant controversy is currently unfolding. Reports from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) have flagged that recent shipments from South Africa (supplied via Trident Chemphar) have a lower Gross Calorific Value (GCV) than required.

In short there have been documented instances where coal quality was found to be lower than the required benchmarks, leading to both environmental concerns and increased financial strain on the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Between 2011 and 2015 

Between 2011 and 2015, the coal quality controversy was a major political and technical flashpoint, primarily involving the Lanka Coal Company (LCC) and the then-Ministers of Power and Energy, Champika Ranawaka (2010–2013) and Pavithra Wanniarachchi (2013–2015).

Unlike the 2016 scandal, which was about legal procurement flaws, the 2011–2015 period was defined by technical failures and finger-pointing between different government factions.

1. The Calorific Value (Energy) Dispute

The most public controversy occurred in late 2014, involving a shipment of coal from Indonesia.

• The Conflict: Minister Champika Ranawaka (who had moved to another ministry but remained influential) publicly accused the Ministry of Power (under Pavithra Wanniarachchi) of accepting substandard coal.
• The Findings: Independent tests conducted in Australia confirmed that the coal had a lower Gross Calorific Value (GCV) than the contract required.
• The Result: While the ministry admitted the energy content was lower, they argued it wasn't "dangerous" to the plant but merely "less efficient." This meant the government was paying a premium price for "B-grade" energy.

2. The Ash and Sulfur Controversy

The Norochcholai power plant was designed to burn coal with very specific parameters: Ash content (<11%) and Sulfur content (<0.5%). During this period, reports emerged that imported coal was exceeding these limits.

• Excessive Ash: Shipments were reported to have ash levels near 15–20% at times.
• The Consequence: High ash acts like sandpaper on the internal machinery. It caused rapid erosion of the boiler tubes and the "electrostatic precipitators" (which catch dust). This is widely blamed for the frequent plant breakdowns (tripping) that led to island-wide power cuts during those years.

• Sulfur and Environmental Impact: High sulfur levels lead to the release of Sulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$), which causes acid rain.
• The Community Outery: Farmers and residents in Norochcholai began reporting that a fine layer of "black dust" (fly ash) was covering their crops and homes. Investigations during 2014-2015 revealed that the wind was carrying fly ash from the open-air storage piles because the "wind-fences" were inadequate for the volume of waste being generated by the lower-quality, high-ash coal.

3. The "Emergency" Loophole

A recurring theme from 2011–2015 was the use of "Spot Tenders" and emergency purchases.

• Because the Ceylon Shipping Corporation and Lanka Coal Company often failed to secure long-term contracts on time, they were forced to buy coal "on the fly" from whatever ships were nearby.
• Critics alleged that suppliers used these "emergency" windows to offload lower-quality coal that had been rejected by other countries, knowing Sri Lanka was desperate to keep the lights on.

The 2016 coal scandal 

Here is a breakdown of why it was so controversial and what happened in the courts:

1. The Procurement Violation

The scandal began when the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC) bypassed standard competitive bidding guidelines. Investigations and court filings revealed that Swiss Singapore had secured the deal through what was described as "direct and illegal interference" in the evaluation process. Other bidders, such as Noble Resources, were disqualified on technicalities while the winning company’s irregularities were allegedly overlooked.

2. The Supreme Court's "Shocker" Ruling

In June 2016, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka delivered a stinging judgment (Case: SC FR No. 394/2015). The then-Chief Justice K. Sripavan stated:

"The events which took place in the award of the coal tender to Swiss Singapore... shock the conscience of the Court."

Key Court Findings:

• The decision to award the tender was outside the jurisdiction of the procurement committee and therefore "null and void."
• The Cabinet of Ministers had been misled through inaccurate information provided by the Ministry.
• The Court declared that the government may terminate the contract.

3. The "May" Loopholes and Policy Defiance

Despite the court's harsh words, the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy (then under Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya) did not immediately cancel the contract. They relied on a legal technicality: the Court used the word "may" (discretionary) rather than "must" (mandatory) regarding termination.

The Ministry argued that:

• Canceling the contract would lead to international arbitration.
• It could cause a coal shortage, leading to national blackouts.
• Swiss Singapore threatened to sue the government if the deal was revoked.

4. Financial Impact

An Auditor General’s report later estimated that the procedural flaws and the decision to continue with the flawed contract resulted in a loss of over Rs. 3.9 billion (approx. $26 million at the time) to the state. Critics argued that the price per metric tonne was significantly higher than what could have been secured through a transparent spot-tender process.

The Fallout

Aspect	Detail
Primary Actor	Swiss Singapore Overseas Enterprises
Legal Outcome	Tender declared "null and void," but the contract was allowed to run its course to avoid arbitration.
Public Sentiment	It became a symbol of "crony capitalism," where high-ranking officials were accused of tailoring tender requirements to favor specific companies.
Legacy	It set a precedent for the frequent "emergency" coal purchases we see today, as the lack of a transparent long-term supplier often forces the government into expensive, last-minute deals.

- Researched from the internet

11/04/2026 Ajith