King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

Machapuchare: The Mysterious Fishtail Mountain of the Himalayas 30-SECOND READ | TRAVEL & GEOGRAPHY Discover Machapuchare, Nepal's mysterious Fishtail Mountain in the Himalayas. Explore its breathtaking beauty, sacred significance and unclimbed summit. Hidden among the spectacular peaks of the Nepalese Himalayas is Machapuchare, popularly known as Fishtail Mountain. Standing about 6,993 metres above sea level, this extraordinary mountain is famous for its twin summits, which resemble a fish's tail. Located in Nepal's Annapurna region, Machapuchare is considered sacred by many Nepalese. Remarkably, its summit remains unclimbed, with climbing prohibited out of respect for its religious significance. While Mount Everest receives worldwide attention, Fishtail Mountain quietly captivates visitors with its breathtaking beauty, mystery and spiritual significance. Sometimes, the most extraordinary mountains are not necessarily the tallest! #FishtailMountain #Machapu...

Urgent Public Safety Concern at Havelock City Mall: Unmarked Hazards Put Shoppers at Risk A serious safety hazard was recently left unattended right in the middle of the main public walkway at Havelock City Mall.  An unsuspecting visitor, while walking and talking, tripped over the stray concrete-metal block and fell.  While the physical injuries luckily remained minor, a direct fall onto the protruding metal fixture could have resulted in a catastrophic accident. As a premier lifestyle destination heavily patronised by senior citizens, children, and families every day, leaving heavy, unbarricaded objects in high-traffic pedestrian zones is a glaring oversight.  It raises an urgent question: Where was the Safety & Compliance unit when this happened? This post is a public call to action for the management and compliance teams at Havelock City Mall to strengthen safety protocols, clear pathways immediately, and enforce strict, proactive monitoring to prevent a ma...

Navigating Skies and Stereotypes: A Real-World Look at Ryanair, Airport Protocol, and Global Travel Realities   Recent headlines have put budget carrier Ryanair back in the spotlight after Sri Lankan cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara alleged unacceptable behaviour and discrimination by gate personnel at Dublin Airport.   The high-profile incident has sparked widespread conversations across social media about airline customer service, passenger rights, and the subtle, and sometimes overt, biases travellers face at international boarding gates.   While major airlines and budget carriers alike frequently face scrutiny over strict baggage policies and gate enforcement, every traveler’s journey is shaped by a mosaic of contrasting personal experiences.   Reflecting on our own experiences flying across Europe with Ryanair, alongside decades of global travel, reveals a complex picture of how institutional policies and human empathy intersect at airports worldwide...

Aborting a Take-off vs. Engine Failure After Take-off: Which Is More Dangerous? Understand the risks of an aborted take-off and engine failure during the initial climb. Discover how airline pilots handle these critical aviation emergencies. Imagine a passenger aircraft speeding down the runway, preparing to take off. Suddenly, the pilots detect a serious problem. They must decide whether to stop the aircraft or continue into the air. Now imagine a different situation: the aircraft has just lifted off when an engine loses power. The pilots must respond immediately, with little time and limited height to work with. Both situations demand exceptional skill, but an aborted take-off and an engine failure during the initial climb are very different challenges. 1. How difficult is it to abort a take-off? An aborted take-off, also known as a rejected take-off, occurs when pilots decide not to take off and bring the aircraft to a stop on the runway. At lower speeds, stopping is genera...

Bridging the Cash Gap: Why Sri Lanka Lags in Digital Payments and How We Can Fix It   While global neighbours like India and Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam have transformed even the most remote street-side stalls and wet markets into cashless ecosystems, Sri Lanka often feels anchored to cash.   From vendors imposing a 3% surcharge on card transactions to rural shops refusing digital alternatives entirely, navigating the island as a consumer or traveller frequently requires carrying a heavy stack of physical currency notes. Why has Sri Lanka been slower to adopt a seamless digital payment culture, and what can everyday citizens do to accelerate this transition? Why is Sri Lanka Backwards in Digital Payments? Several structural, economic, and behavioural bottlenecks have slowed the adoption of a truly cashless economy in Sri Lanka: The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Burden: Historically, card payments and digital gateways subjected small vendors to merc...

France at a Crossroads: Sovereignty, Immigration, and the Echoes of History Explore how Paris's near-destruction in 1944 shapes modern debates on French sovereignty, border control, security, and EU membership.   Few cities carry the romantic and historical weight of Paris. Known globally as the "City of Light," its streets have witnessed revolutions, world wars, and remarkable cultural renaissances.  Yet, as France navigates the 21st century, public discourse increasingly revolves around a different kind of existential question—one focused on national identity, border security, and the future of European integration. The 1944 Legacy: When Paris Nearly Fell To understand the emotional intensity of contemporary French politics, one must look back to the scorching days of August 1944.  As Allied forces and the French Resistance converged on the capital, a cornered Adolf Hitler issued a devastating directive to German military governor General Dietrich von Choltitz: ...