King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

The distinction between an official's public duties and private life is a long-standing point of contention, particularly in a country like Sri Lanka. The recent arrest and remand of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on charges of misappropriating state funds for a private trip to London has brought this issue to the forefront. While some view it as a necessary step for accountability, others argue that a head of state's life is inherently public due to security and logistical needs, making such a distinction difficult and potentially politically motivated. The Inherent Public Life of a Head of State The premise that a head of state has no private life due to security concerns is a valid point of debate. The extensive security detail and logistical support required for a president or prime minister blur the lines between official and personal activities. For example, a president's visit to a family member, even if intended as private, still requires state-funded securit...

 

The passing of Judge Frank Caprio has left the world without one of its most compassionate voices. Known globally as the “internet judge,” his unique blend of fairness, empathy, and humanity made him an icon far beyond the courtroom. For many, including myself, his rulings were more than legal decisions—they were lessons in kindness and understanding. I had once hoped to meet him in person. During a visit to the United States, my family and I drove from New Jersey to Boston, with plans to stop in Providence, Rhode Island, specifically to see Judge Caprio. Finding the municipal courthouse proved difficult until a policeman, realising who we sought, smiled and told his colleague, “Oh, that famous internet Judge,” before pointing us in the right direction. At the courthouse parking lot, another officer, upon learning that we had come all the way from Sri Lanka to see Judge Caprio, kindly escorted me inside. Unfortunately, the judge was on leave that day. A staff member, noticing my d...

Discover the iconic Great Highland Bagpipe, a symbol of Scottish culture and heritage.  Learn How to Play Bagpipes    

Unlock the secrets to earning income from your social media creations through affiliate marketing, even before meeting traditional monetisation requirements. This powerful strategy involves partnering with brands to earn a commission on sales made via your unique referral link. Learn how to find relevant products, get your special affiliate links, and share with your audience in video descriptions, blog posts, or bios. While not a get-rich-quick scheme, affiliate marketing can generate a steady side income, helping you focus on your passion without the constant pressure of chasing monetisation goals.  

Discover how to beat inflation and grow your wealth with the powerful 75/15/10 money plan.  Learn practical budgeting, smart investing, and disciplined saving strategies to protect your future from rising prices.  This covers opening the right bank accounts, automating savings, and investing consistently for 10 years to achieve financial freedom.  Perfect for beginners wanting long-term wealth building, debt-free living, and simple financial habits that work in any economy. The 75/15/10 Money Plan “Is there a way to get rich?” Without hesitation, I said, “Yes.” The person who asked was shocked. I continued: “Learn how to beat inflation.” They didn’t look convinced—so I broke it down for them. Why Inflation is Your Silent Enemy Imagine you earn Rs. 1,000 per month : Spend it all → You survive, but stay trapped in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Spend Rs. 1,100 → You fall into debt (credit cards, high-interest loans). Spend Rs. 900 → You...

 

Discover how to "Pay You First" by putting your financial health, time management, physical wellness, emotional resilience, personal growth, and relationships at the forefront.  Learn practical tips to save money, invest early, set boundaries, improve productivity, stay healthy, reduce stress, build confidence, develop skills, and create a happier, more balanced life.  Perfect for anyone seeking self-improvement, long-term wealth, and personal fulfilment. How to Pay You First  

What is Helicopter Parenting and Is it Helping or Hurting Your Child? Helicopter parenting, characterised by overly involved and controlling behaviour in a child's life, has become a prevalent topic of discussion among parents and educators. While stemming from a place of love and a desire to protect, this style of parenting can have significant repercussions on a child's development.   Signs of Helicopter Parenting Recognising helicopter parenting involves observing specific behaviours. Some common signs include: Constantly intervening in a child's tasks, even simple ones. Solving problems for the child instead of allowing them to figure things out. Excessive involvement in schoolwork, extracurriculars, and social interactions. Making excuses for the child's mistakes or shortcomings. Difficulty allowing the child to experience failure or disappointment. Over-scheduling the child's activities. Monitoring the...

The Shiny Apartment Dream That Wasn’t An Eye-Opener on Deceptive Property Ads in Sri Lanka These days, social media feeds are flooded with tempting property advertisements—sleek apartment buildings, attractive payment plans, and prices that seem almost too good to be true. Sadly, in many cases, they are too good to be true. Recently, I came across one such ad from a well-known property developer. Out of curiosity, I decided to dig deeper. What I uncovered was a masterclass in misleading marketing. The Ad That Hooked Me Here’s the gist of what the ad promised (numbers adjusted slightly to avoid identifying the specific company, but very close to reality): Price just above Rs. 30 million. No down payment. No bulk payment. No extra fees. Just “a little over Rs. 100,000” per month. Sounds like a dream deal, right? The Reality Check The moment I called, the picture began to crumble: 1.     Evasive answers: When I asked how many bedrooms were in...

Curious about Bitcoin and how it’s changing the world of finance?  In this beginner-friendly video, we explain what Bitcoin is, how blockchain works, and why it's different from fiat currencies like the Sri Lankan Rupee or US Dollar.  Learn about Bitcoin mining, decentralisation, fixed supply, Bitcoin wallets, transactions, and how crypto privacy impacts you.  Whether you're new to crypto or want to understand digital currency basics, this video breaks it all down simply—no tech jargon, just clear info on the future of money and cryptocurrency adoption.  

Ever felt the pressure of social media's monetisation hurdles?  You're passionate about creating, but the rules for getting paid seem impossible to reach.  Don't give up just yet! While earning directly from platforms like YouTube or TikTok can be a long road, there's another powerful way to turn your creations into cash: affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a simple yet effective strategy.  Instead of relying on a platform's ad revenue, you partner with brands and earn a commission for every sale made through your unique link.  It's a fantastic way to generate income while you build your audience and meet those monetisation requirements. How It Works Find Relevant Products: Think about what you're passionate about.  Do you review books?  Partner with an online bookstore like Amazon.  Are you a fashion influencer?  Get affiliate links from your favourite clothing brands.  From health foods and music to digital products and software, th...

On August 3rd, the inaugural "Happy Streets" event on Marine Drive in Colombo, from Colpetty Railway Station towards the American Embassy, ended with the area covered in trash.  The event, which included music concerts, yoga, Zumba, games, a car show, and food stalls, attracted a large crowd but left the area littered with garbage, including food boxes, plastic bottles, and other waste. දැක්ක නේ රට වෙනස් කරමු කියලා සමාජ ජාලාවල තප්පුලපු සම හරක් අමනයන්ගේ වැඩ.  මුන්ට රට වෙනස් කරන්න මතක් වෙන්නේ චන්දේ දාන්න චන්ද පොලට ගියාම විතරයි.  මේ වගේ අමන මී හරක් ඉන්න රටවල් කවදා දියුණු වෙයිද?  කියන්නේ එකක්, කරන්නේ තව එකක් කරන අමන මීහරක් මේ රටේ ඉන්න කම් අපි හැමදාම මේ අපායේ තමයි.

Bitcoin isn’t like the Sri Lankan Rupee or US Dollar—it’s not issued by any government or central bank. In this, we break down what Bitcoin really is, how it works, who (if anyone) controls it, and why it’s shaking up the global financial system.  From mining and blockchain to privacy and fixed supply, we explain it all in simple terms so you can understand the future of money today. As mentioned, unlike regular currencies like the Sri Lankan Rupee or US Dollar, Bitcoin isn’t issued by any central bank or government.  That’s right—there’s no legally binding authority backing it.  Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 by a mysterious person (or group) known as Satoshi Nakamoto.  Since then, it has run on a decentralised network called the blockchain, maintained by thousands of independent computers worldwide.  So, who’s in charge?  No one. And that's exactly the point.  Bitcoins are “mined” using powerful computers that solve complex mathematical puzzles....

Are you a young investor in South Asia trying to grow wealth through the stock market?  Discover the top 10 common mistakes beginner investors make and learn how to avoid them with practical tips tailored to the realities of emerging markets like Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan .  This video covers everything from falling for stock market rumours to ignoring fundamental analysis.  If you're serious about building long-term wealth through smart stock investing , this is a must-watch guide for new investors, students, and young professionals looking to succeed in the stock market .  

Losing strength and mobility isn’t just a part of ageing—it’s a warning sign. From your 30s onward, muscle loss silently creeps in, and by your 60s, it accelerates rapidly. But here’s the good news: you can take control. With the right kind of movement—specifically, resistance training—you can rebuild muscle, improve balance, and regain the confidence to live life on your terms. In this post, we’ll explore why strength training is a game-changer for healthy ageing—and how to get started safely and effectively, no matter your age or fitness level. Stay Strong, Stay Independent: The Power of Strength Training for Healthy Ageing Ageing is a natural part of life, but losing your strength and independence doesn’t have to be. As we grow older, our bodies undergo several changes—many of which can quietly impact our everyday lives. One of the most significant yet often overlooked changes is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, a condition known as sarcopenia . This decline typ...