“The Portuguese Burghers of Sri Lanka” by Earl Barthelot (Ceylon Digest)

Sketch of baila dancers from frescoes at the Purvarama Vihara, Kataluwa (1886)

We would like to share a link to read an article written by “The Portuguese Burghers of Sri Lanka” by Earl Barthelot for Ceylon Digest.

Sri Lanka is well known for its diversity with over 22 numerically small communities and majority communities such as Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. Burgher community is one of the numerically small communities. Large proportions of the Burghers do live in the Batticaloa District and a small proportion live both in Trincomalee and Ampara District. At the same time there are Portuguese Burghers living in all parts of the country in small numbers.

 

“Spreading the word of Sri Lankan Portuguese Creole” By Shannine Daniel (The Sunday Times)

   

source: Preserved from 1819: A dictionary of Sri Lankan Portuguese, Sinhala and English published by the Colombo Wesleyan Press

We would like to share a link to read an article written by Shannine Daniel in The Sunday Times on “Spreading the word of Sri Lankan Portuguese Creole“.

Dr Hugo Cardoso, a linguist from the University of Lisbon and his team who have been researching this historical language spoken in the East of Sri Lanka have now taken to social media to preserve this fast fading heritage.

Trinco resident Vyvonne Joseph,  grew up speaking Sri Lankan Portuguese Creole (SLPC) with her parents, younger sister and younger brother. Even though their use of SLPC is somewhat limited as it is only spoken at home and with extended family, Vyvonne says that even their Tamil neighbours have picked up a little SLPC over the years, and speak it to them.

Source: The Sunday Times

“Statement on 25th Anniversary of Mass Killings, Disappearances and Displacement Carried Out in Batticaloa in 1990” by Batticaloa Peace Committee

On the 29th of July 2015, the Batticaloa Peace Committee and friends gathered together to remember all those who died in the senseless violence of 1990 and also those who still live with its consequences. We did this with a deep sense of sadness for the past, but also hope for the future.

see: http://groundviews.org/2015/08/04/statement-on-25th-anniversary-of-mass-killings-disappearances-and-displacement-carried-out-in-batticaloa-in-1990/

“Sri Lanka’s Rainbow Revolution” by Elijah Hoole

Elijah Hoole: “It was around six in the evening. Friendship Villa in the South Eastern University was full of activity. As I made my way through the corridor in search ofdrinking water, a batch mate from Batticaloa beamed at me. He was shaking with excitement. Sinhalese students could be heard shouting from their rooms. I soon came to know the cause of all the commotion: the opposition had unveiled Maithripala Sirisena as the common candidate.”

via: http://storiesofthewind.tumblr.com/post/109775449441/sri-lankas-rainbow-revolution

“Where have all the young men gone?” by Thyagi Ruwanpathirana

The families seemed to have come to terms with the fact that they were probably massacred on the beach, even though their bodies have not been found or even been excavated yet from where they are suspected to be. 24 long years have passed, and loved ones still come before a Commission, like they have in the past, to provide testimony. They want their stories recorded, for history, for posterity.

via: http://groundviews.org/2014/08/07/where-have-all-the-young-men-gone/

“Child abuse at the Vavuniya children’s home: The government’s inaction” by Womens Action Network

At a time when the Sri Lankan government claims to be on a path of peace and development post war and calls Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia in international forums, it is imperative that the violence that is taking place against women and children is stopped, especially violence against women and children from minority communities.

Via http://groundviews.org/2014/01/02/child-abuse-at-the-vavuniya-childrens-home-the-governments-inaction/

source : www.groundviews.org