King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

Heroes are born instantly.  Some get due recognition and others fade in to obscurity. When the Captain of the airliner ditched his aircraft safely in the Hudson River, few weeks back, he was transformed instantaneously in to a hero. Indeed, it was a heroic act and he deserves all the credit he gets from media and others. Unfortunately, when the coach driver of the Sri Lankan Cricket team drove his coach to safety amidst gun fire in Lahore recently, he did not even get mentioned in the media. My understanding is that aircraft pilots are taught and trained to glide aircraft without engine power and ditch in water. It is part of their training. But I do not think that anywhere in the world, coach drivers are being trained to drive with deflated tires and that too amidst gun fire. If one puts those two incidents juxtapose, one has performed an act that he was taught and trained to perform successfully and became a hero.  The other too has successfully performed an act th...

What happened in Lahore Pakistan this morning was despicable and shocking but it was something that was expected to happen sooner or later. Pakistan has been a friend of Sri Lanka, politically and sportingly for many years. We all remember their support given, during the 1996 World cup cricket tournament times. However, not that we were concerned about some issues going on there, but we were like a hapless but concerned fellow watching his good old friend going on a destructive path. The predicament, our good old is in now, reminds me of an old Sinhalese saying that says “when you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas”.  

My salutations to all those invisible (invincible too) guys, who were manning the anti-aircraft batteries for job well done. If the intelligent reports are spot on then the score is, three down and only two to get only. Six air-strips are already in Army’s control and one more to fall soon. Do not blame the government, if there is another island-wide power failure again. This is another defense mechanism introduced to protect us only. Let’s stop watching all those imported soap operas being telecasted every night. Instead let’s all scan our skis for any intruders. Like the President once said, let us use our own resources and know-how to protect our own land than depending on more expensive and sophisticated equipment. Finally, let us stop using Fire-crackers, whenever there is anything military or otherwise to be celebrated, instead use beating of drums like the good old days to show our appreciation. It would also be a boon to those who are there to mai...

What is wrong with calling joker a joker? The Sri Lankan Army chief’s recent remarks about some of the south Indian politicians have not gone down well in some segments. One becomes a real joker only when he or she fails to perform his/her entrusted duties. The Sri Lankan Army chief is a decorated soldier and not a politician and his entrusted duty is to defend the country. He has achieved great success, so far as a soldier. The catcalls hear from across the strait is an affirmation of his success. Can the same be told about those politicians that he branded as JOKERS? No, I do not think so.   My supplication is to those who are unduly perturbed by his remarks is to get on with your own works. Feed, cloth, educate and take care of your own people FIRST. In that respect, they still have a lot to achieve, when compared to Sarath Fonseka’s achievements’ as a decorated soldier defending his beloved Motherland.

I ought to update my previous blog. Now the service provider has listen to my wife’s complaint and agreed to investigate thoroughly. If investigated as promised, unlike like the Commissions & Omissions, we Sri Lankans are so notorious for, would bring positive findings, beneficial to both parties Further, we will get a refund and an apology from them. I hope it would also be as easy as dialing 123.

Is the island’s one of the leading mobile phone service provider, surreptitiously fleecing it's customers? Yes, they are and here is my story. First, read it carefully, and then keep your ears and eyes opened. Guaranteed, sooner than later that you too would have your own “Ah Ha” moment. I have a prepaid connection with them but use it only when I returned to the island for a vacation every six month or so. But keep the registration valid by regularly topping it up. Recently, after a sports accident and a corrective operation, I was asked to rest for 3 months and completely assigned to the bed. Few days in to my forced holiday, I got bored watching whatever the television channels available on our television. Thank God, I did not go for the much hyped satellite channels. Then I am sure I would have had a much ruder shock! My phone was constantly ON and beside me because that was my contact line with friends and colleagues, local and overseas. One day, I saw one...

Indeed, it was a stunning victory for Lightning (Barak) Obama . As most of the people in the rest of the World dreamt and expected, this will be a new beginning for everybody. Congratulations and may God give you time, courage and strength to deliver things that you have promised during your campaign. What we as Sri Lankans can learn from this victory? Though people despise and hate Americans for their domineering policies, they as a nation should be admired for their commitment and determination to put their pressing national issues first in this election than petty other issues. I think, this is what as Sri Lankans, we can learn from this American Presidential Elections 2008. “ Master Sir, Api Mithuran Way Do ? Eda Dawasa Udawevudo ? ”.