King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

Alexander “Sascha” Zverev became a two-time Grand Slam champion , defeating Ben Shelton to win the 2026 US Open. But the night's most powerful moment had little to do with the trophy. It was about his mother. Zverev was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just four years old . His parents were told by doctors that his life — and his ability to participate in sport — could be severely limited. But his mother refused to accept that his diagnosis would determine his destiny. She essentially told him: “My son will be whatever he wants to be. If he wants to be a tennis player, he will be a tennis player. If he wants to do something else, he will do something else. But this illness will not define us.” Years later, standing with the US Open trophy in his hands, Zverev became emotional as he paid tribute to her. He called his mother “the most important and strongest person I know.” And what a journey it has been. There were Grand Slam disappointments. Three ...

Wings of Empire and Industry: The Untold Story of Sri Lanka's Private Aviation Pioneers   Long before modern business jets dotted South Asian skies, Sri Lankan aviators broke intercontinental flight records and reshaped regional air transit. The island nation’s private aviation history dates back to the twilight of British rule in Ceylon, marked by audacious long-distance journeys, corporate fleet expansion, and one of aviation's most enduring maritime mysteries.   The Epic 1946 Journey of J.P. Obeyesekere   In November 1946—over a year before Ceylon gained independence—a young pilot named James Peter Obeyesekere III accomplished a monumental aviation milestone. Departing from Cambridge, England, Obeyesekere piloted a single-engine Auster J/1 Autocrat on an extraordinary flight home to Ratmalana Airport near Colombo. Navigating across continents without modern GPS, satellite communications, or sophisticated avionics, he completed 31 intermediate refuelling stops ...

In-depth fundamental analysis of Union Bank of Colombo PLC (CSE: UBC.N0000 | ISIN: LK0306N00007), covering H1 2026 earnings growth, valuation metrics, capital adequacy, and overall financial health. Fundamental Summary Union Bank of Colombo PLC demonstrates strong operational earnings momentum with an 84% year-on-year increase in 1H 2026 Profit Before Tax (PBT) and trades at a steep discount to net asset value (P/B ~0.65x), though historical Return on Equity (ROE) remains depressed relative to sector peers. Key Strengths ·          Accelerating Profitability & Earnings Momentum: Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose 84% YoY to LKR 881 Mn for 1H 2026 (PAT up 134% to LKR 587 Mn), supported by a 22% increase in Net Interest Income (NII) and 36% growth in fee/commission revenue. ·          Attractive Asset Discount (Margin of Safety): The stock trades at a Price-to-Book Value (P/B) ratio of ~0.65x again...

Veera Puran Appu : Hero or Wanted Outlaw? Foreign Perspectives on the 1848 Uprising Discover how British dispatches and foreign historians view Veera Puran Appu. Explore the complex line between fugitive outlaw and hero in the 1848 Matale Rebellion.   The historical narrative surrounding Veera Puran Appu (born Weerahennedige Francisco Fernando) reveals a complex figure. Outside historians, British colonial authorities, and Western comparative scholars portray him not through a single lens, but through a combination of official condemnation, pragmatic fear, and social analysis. British records confirm that Puran Appu was an escaped convict and a wanted man before the 1848 Matale Uprising. However, non-Sri Lankan sources present his transformation into a rebel leader with notable complexity. 1. British Colonial Dispatches: The "Desperate Robber" Who Earned Begrudging Respect Contemporary British administrators and military officers viewed Puran Appu as a criminal out...

Reflecting on 24 years of rapid suburban development near the Makumbura Multimodal Centre and Expressway E01, and our next chapter of downsizing to a high-rise apartment. Twenty-four years ago today, we breathed life into a patch of earth that whispered only of wild grass and hidden boundaries. Back then, there were no paved roads, only a humble footpath threading through untamed greenery, untouched by municipal waterlines or the hum of telephone wires. We paid our youthful optimism's tax, a little overcharged by a clever seller, unaware that time and progress would weave magic into this very soil. The arrival of the Southern Expressway , the pulsing heartbeat of the Makumbura Multimodal Centre , and the whispered promise of electric, dual-track railways turned our forgotten corner into a golden oasis, sending land values soaring far beyond our wildest daydreams. Yet, our truest triumph was the quiet alchemy of home. We wrestled water and connection from the earth, and wi...