𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒂𝒊𝒍 ( දුක් ගන්නා රාළ )

 

 

I am thrilled to announce the release of my latest novel,  " The Unseen Thread ," now available on Amazon!  The link is given below👇 The Unseen Thread As an author, there is nothing more rewarding than hearing directly from you, my readers.  Your insights, your thoughts, and your honest feedback are incredibly valuable to me.  They not only help me grow as a storyteller but also inspire my future creations.  Therefore, I wholeheartedly invite you to embark on this new journey with me. Pick up your copy of "The Unseen Thread" on Amazon today, and once you have turned the final page, please consider sharing your thoughts.  What did you connect with?  What resonated with you?  I genuinely look forward to hearing what you think of the content.  Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support and for being such an integral part of my writing adventure.

 

 

 

 

Nature’s Art Gallery: Wildlife Skyscrapers   Dead trees often receive a bad reputation, perceived as decaying and lifeless. However, these standing dead trees, also known as wildlife trees, are far from it—they're vibrant hubs of activity, teeming with life and frequently more biodiverse than their living counterparts.   Wildlife Skyscrapers While a live tree provides leaves for photosynthesis and shelter, a wildlife tree offers a completely different set of resources. Its softening wood becomes an ideal medium for cavity-nesting birds like woodpeckers, owls, and chickadees, which excavate homes within its trunk. These cavities, once abandoned, are then occupied by a myriad of other creatures, from squirrels and raccoons to bats and insects.   The decaying wood also serves as a vital food source. It's a smorgasbord for insects like beetles and their larvae, which in turn become a crucial part of the diet for insectivorous birds and small mammals. This abundance of p...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has been a perennial financial burden since its inception as Air Lanka in 1979. Despite decades of operation, the airline has never turned a profit since being re-nationalised in 2008 and continues to operate at a significant loss, relying heavily on government bailouts funded by taxpayers. The airline’s chronic financial woes are no secret. Key reasons for its downfall include political appointments in critical decision-making roles, non-transparent procurement processes, and an excessive workforce far beyond operational needs. These systemic issues have led to inefficiencies and wasteful spending, with two-thirds of its routes running at a loss while the airline continues to spend recklessly, confident that the treasury will cover its deficits. In recent years, attempts to address these problems have been made, such as the appointment of a committee led by renowned human rights lawyer Mr. Weliammuna to investigate and recomme...

 

 

 

Yes, it can be a strategic move for a company to alternate between dividends and share splits rather than issuing annual dividend payments.  However, whether it's a good idea depends on the company’s growth stage, industry, and investor base.  Here’s a breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks:  

 

 

Understanding how Sri Lanka’s energy network keeps the country running and what lies ahead The electricity grid is one of the most vital systems in any modern country, and in Sri Lanka, it plays a crucial role in supporting everything from households and hospitals to industries and government services. Though largely invisible to the average citizen, this complex network operates continuously, ensuring power reaches millions of people every second of the day. As our economy grows and our climate becomes more unpredictable, understanding how this system works—and how it must evolve—is more important than ever. A Mix of Local and Imported Energy Sri Lanka’s power generation comes from a diverse mix of sources. Historically, hydroelectric power has dominated, thanks to our abundant rivers and central highlands. Major hydro plants like Victoria, Randenigala, and Upper Kotmale still supply a significant portion of our national electricity. However, hydro power is seasonal and vuln...

 

Did you know that your craving for salt is a relic from the Ocean?  

For centuries, the heart of Sri Lanka has pulsed with the spirit of dana, of selfless giving. During sacred times like Vesak , our streets transform into vibrant avenues of generosity, where overflowing stalls offer everything from steaming rice and crispy roti to sweet ice cream and refreshing drinks, freely shared with all. This isn't about charity for the poor alone; it's a profound act of liberation, a shedding of attachment that enriches both giver and receiver. Anyone who has ever offered a simple biscuit to a stray dog or a comforting yoghurt to a lonely cat understands the subtle joy, the unclutching that comes with giving. Imagine, then, the immense blessing felt by those who orchestrate these grand acts of community giving during our Buddhist festivals. For days, the spirit of merit and compassion permeates the air, a testament to a deeply ingrained cultural and religious value. Yet, a troubling discord is emerging. From the shadowy corners of social media, a chor...

Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry: A Philosophy for Lifelong Growth “Stay foolish, stay hungry,” a phrase that sounds simple yet holds the secret to a meaningful life. What if embracing your ignorance and chasing curiosity could lead to deeper happiness and lifelong growth? In this article, we explore how humility and an insatiable thirst for learning can transform the way we live, think, and grow at any age. Ready to rethink what it means to be wise? In a world obsessed with certainty and status, the phrase “Stay foolish, stay hungry” may sound simplistic, even odd. Yet, when examined deeply, it carries profound wisdom. This mantra, made popular by the late Steve Jobs during his iconic Stanford commencement address, is more than a motivational soundbite. It’s a call to embrace humility and curiosity as lifelong companions. The first part,  “stay foolish,” invites us to let go of the illusion of knowing it all. Socrates, one of history’s greatest philosophers, once said, “The only true ...

 

 

නිකන් කන්න බොන්න දීපු කෝප්ප, තියලා තියෙන භාජන වලට නොදා, තැන තැන දාලා යන, අමන මළපෙරේතයෝ පිරිච්ච රටක් කවදා දියුණු වෙයිද?  

Both frequent stock splits and widespread adoption of fractional share buying aim to make high-value shares more accessible and increase market liquidity, but their impacts differ in scale, efficiency, and long-term benefit to the economy. Here is why.  Stock Splits: Impact and Limitations Advantages: Increased Liquidity: Stock splits increase the number of shares outstanding and lower the price per share, making the stock more affordable and improving liquidity. Attracting Retail Investors: Lower prices can attract new investors, especially those previously priced out, and may boost trading activity in the short term . Market Perception: A split can signal management’s confidence in the company’s growth prospects and may result in a temporary increase in share price and trading volume . Employee Participation: Lower share prices post-split make it easier for employees to participate in stock ownership programs . Drawbacks: Short-lived Effects: The positive...

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Lanka's public road transport has long been a menace on the roads. For decades, citizens have endured the daily trauma of riding in filthy, overcrowded, and dangerously maintained buses, often driven by men who appear to treat roads like racetracks. Public transport, instead of being a symbol of convenience and safety, has mutated into a moving hazard. What’s worse is the widespread sense of impunity that emboldens such behaviour. Passengers are neither treated with dignity nor transported with care. Many are forced to cling to handrails for dear life, endure ear-splitting music, and inhale noxious exhaust fumes. Add to that the daily reports of reckless overtaking, red-light jumping, and frequent collisions, and it becomes painfully clear: the system is broken. The Sri Lanka Police, tasked with upholding road safety, appears more interested in extracting bribes than enforcing the law. Traffic violations go unchecked, and in the rare event that a serious accident draws medi...

 

 

 

Did you know about this special training before HUET, which stands for Helicopter Underwater Escape Training ? What is HUET ? HUET is a specialised safety training course designed for individuals who travel by helicopter to offshore oil rigs, platforms, or other remote maritime locations. It prepares passengers to survive an emergency ditching (forced landing) into water and escape from a submerged and possibly inverted aircraft. Key Components of HUET Classroom Instruction: Introduction to helicopters: Design, emergency exits, flotation devices, seatbelts, etc. Ditching procedures: What happens during an emergency landing in water? Physiological effects: Disorientation, panic, cold water shock, and breath control. Survival equipment: life jackets, emergency breathing systems (EBS), life rafts, and personal locator beacons. Pool Training (Simulated Ditching): This is the core of HUET and includes multiple drills in a specially designed dunker simulator—a mock helicopter cabin that ca...

 

 

 

Did you know this before? Consuming sprouted onions, garlic, and potatoes has different implications for human health: Sprouted Onions: Generally Safe: Sprouted onions are generally safe to eat. The sprouting process is a natural part of the onion's growth cycle. Taste and Texture Changes: The onion might become softer and develop a slightly more bitter taste as it sprouts because the sugars are converted to fuel the new growth. How to Use: It's best to use sprouted onions in cooked dishes where the change in texture and slight bitterness will be less noticeable. You can also chop the green sprouts and use them like green onions. When to Discard: If the onion is mushy, smells bad, or shows signs of mould, it should be thrown away. Sprouted Garlic: Safe to Eat: Sprouted garlic is also safe to eat. Flavour May Change: The green sprout in the centre of the clove can taste bitter. Some people recommend re...

 

 

 

What do you know about World War Two that ravaged the whole world? The cost of waging war was immense for all parties, but this situation warranted a new approach for many, and the “Enigma” was one of them.  Let’s find out what this Enigmatic “Enigma code” is now. The " Enigma code " refers to the encryption system used by Nazi Germany during World War II, centered around the Enigma machine-a sophisticated electromechanical device that scrambled messages using a series of rotors and a plugboard, resulting in billions of possible combinations. This made Enigma-encoded communications seem unbreakable for years. Polish Breakthroughs In the early 1930s, Polish mathematicians Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki, and Henryk Zygalski, who worked at the Polish Cypher Bureau, were the first to break the Enigma cypher. Rejewski deduced the machine's wiring using mathematical analysis and procedural flaws in German message handling. The Polish team developed tools such as the ...

 

 

 

Ever wanted to own a piece of a big company like Google or Apple, but their stock prices seemed too high? Well, there's a new way to get a foot in the door, and it's called fractional shares. Think of it like this: imagine a delicious pizza. Instead of having to buy the whole pie, fractional shares let you buy just a slice – or even a tiny sliver! In the stock market, a fractional share represents a portion of a single company share. Why are fractional shares a big deal? For a long time, if a company's stock cost $1,000 per share, you needed to have at least $1,000 to invest in that company. This could be a barrier for many people who want to start investing with smaller amounts of money. Fractional shares break down this barrier. Now, instead of needing $1,000 for one share, you could invest just $50 and own 0.05 of a share (that's 50 divided by 1000). This means you can: Start investing with less money: You don't need a large sum to begin building...

A Gym Pocket Guide with Exercise illustrations & Step-By-Step Instructions. A Strength Training library that fits in your pocket: 130 gym exercise illustrations with clear, concise form tips - Male illustrations. 👇👇👇👇 Read more  

 

 

 

Why Politics Still Matters — Especially for Us Seniors Many people shy away from discussing politics. It’s seen as messy, divisive, or even dangerous. But whether we like it or not, nearly everything in life — our pensions, healthcare, cost of living, security, and dignity — eventually boils down to politics. And politics, when stripped of its rhetoric and drama, is just a numbers game. Whoever holds the larger number wins. That’s how decisions are made. That’s who calls the shots. We seniors often feel powerless, sidelined, or ignored. But here’s the overlooked truth: we have the numbers too. The real question is, how do we harness this strength for our common good? Protest Isn’t the Only Way Street protests, rallies, and sit-ins are one way to show dissatisfaction. But let’s be realistic — they’re not ideal for us. Age brings not just wisdom, but physical limitations. Harsh weather, the threat of unruly mobs, or politically motivated police crackdowns — none of these are risks we sho...