King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

During a recent friendly conversation, one of my friends remarked that the younger generation is far more selfish than those who came before them. I smiled and said, “Good for them.” Needless to say, he was taken aback. Why Being ‘Selfish’ Isn’t Always a Bad Thing The word "selfish" has been burdened with negativity for generations.  We associate it with greed, arrogance, and disregard for others. But in reality, there’s a healthier, more meaningful version of selfishness, one rooted in self-preservation and personal growth . My rationale is simple: If you’re not selfish, you may never be truly successful. And if you’re not successful, how can you possibly help anyone else? A Lesson from 40 Years in Aviation Having spent over four decades in aviation, one piece of advice from every in-flight safety briefing has stayed with me: “In case of a depressurization, oxygen masks will drop from the panel above you. Put on your own mask before assisting others.” T...

 

  A Journey That Sparked Concern During a recent tour across Europe, I flew with several budget airlines — all operating single-aisle aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX . These modern workhorses are designed for efficiency, but many airlines have pushed that concept to the extreme. By reducing seat pitch and removing in-flight entertainment systems , they’ve managed to fit in extra rows of seats — maximising revenue at the expense of passenger comfort. But the consequences go beyond discomfort.  Two serious safety concerns caught my attention.  1. The “Brace” Position Problem In the event of an emergency, passengers are instructed to adopt the brace position to minimise injury. Yet, with today’s seat spacing, many — especially taller passengers — simply can’t comply. When the available space doesn’t allow a person to bend forward adequately, the entire instruction loses its effectiveness. It may check a box on a safety checklist, but in re...

 

Learn the critical difference between casual and engaged subscribers to understand why the YouTube algorithm ignores channels with low subscriber watch time .  Welcome!  We are genuinely excited and thankful that you chose to hit that Subscribe button on King's Exploits Chronicle . It means a lot to us. We are so grateful for your support, but we also want to be very upfront about what a subscription means for our channel and for you. If you loved a specific video and genuinely intend to come back for more exploits and chronics—please, keep that subscription! You help our videos reach more people like you, and you make sure you don't miss our next adventure. However, if you're subscribing just to be polite, or because you liked only one video but don't really see yourself watching the next ones, it's actually better for both of us if you don't subscribe. For You: Your YouTube home feed is precious! We want to make sure it's filled with content you...

Discover the majestic Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, an unmissable Baroque-style fountain and a top tourist attraction.  The newly restored iconic masterpiece, built with Travertine stone, depicts Oceanus, God of water, making it a stunning example of 18th-century architecture.  Find the best time to visit the Trevi Fountain to avoid crowds, learn about the Trevi Fountain coin toss tradition, and admire the massive 86-foot tall landmark.  Visit the famous fountains in the world and capture the perfect photo of this must-see sight in Rome after its 2015 Fendi-sponsored renovation.  

Discover Fado, the UNESCO-recognised Portuguese music genre born in Lisbon, an intensely emotional blend of mournful melodies and deep-rooted saudade (melancholic longing).  Experience the authentic, raw power of a live fadista performance, often accompanied by the iconic, tear-shaped Portuguese guitar.  Learn about this traditional song of fate, the sea, and the harshness of life.  Book your Fado show now to feel the soul of Portugal.  

 

The Alfama Encounter: Vendors, Visitors, and the Critique of the 'Other' My recent travels through Europe, culminating in a visit to the breathtaking seaside Alfama district of Lisbon, Portugal, provided more than just stunning vistas. It offered a firsthand look at the complex, often challenging, intersection of global tourism, economic disparity, and street commerce. Alfama, like many popular tourist hubs, is a magnet for visitors—locals and foreigners alike—and with them, the ubiquitous presence of street vendors. In Alfama, as I observed elsewhere, a significant number of these merchants were of African descent, often utilising their traditional attire to attract attention. While their enterprise is a testament to the universal drive for economic survival, a particular interaction highlighted a troubling undercurrent that moved beyond simple salesmanship. The Question and the Quip The first instance involved a family of Asian appearance. When approached by a street vendor s...

I recently had a great experience with the regular menu items at Crispy Dosa in Hounslow, and I can attest that their food is generally very good. However, this feedback is specifically about the leftover food parcels they bundle up and sell, which are intended to reduce food waste. Hoping to enjoy a bargain and support their sustainability efforts, I recently purchased one of these packages for nearly £4. Unfortunately, the contents were a total disappointment and offered extremely poor value for money. My parcel contained just two idlis, a small portion of rice, and meagre servings of two different curries. Frankly, the quantity and variety in the package felt like it was worth less than half of what I was charged. It certainly didn't feel like a fair deal for almost £4. While I appreciate the concept of selling leftover food to combat waste, the execution needs serious improvement. The price charged must reflect the true value of the food provided. Buyers beware : Before purcha...

 

 

A D eep er Rot: When Public Health Inspectors Forget the Tools of the Trade The recent news item alleging that Public Health Inspectors ( PHIs ) accepted a bribe to release a fish consignment is disturbing enough on its own. It highlights the pervasive problem of corruption, where public servants, funded by taxpayer money, betray their solemn duty for personal gain. Both giving and receiving a bribe are serious crimes under the law. However, the reported detail about the PHIs' conduct, the reason the driver allegedly seized the opportunity to flee, shines a powerful spotlight on a potentially deeper issue of systemic negligence and poor operational discipline .   The Clue in the Missing Temperature Gauge According to the reports, the driver fled while the PHIs allegedly left the scene to fetch a basic tool: a temperature gauge . This single detail raises critical, inescapable questions about their modus operandi (usual way of operating) and professional integrity. F...