My latest paintings- ND Amerasekera

MY LATEST PAINTINGS

Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

At my request, ND sent me two of his latest paintings. They are beautiful and ample demonstrations of his artistic abilities. Nihal provided the information accompanying the paintings, which enhanced his presentation. I hope viewers enjoy them as much as I did.

Mahendra Gonsalkorale.

SOUTHWOLD

Southwold is a quaint village by the sea along the Suffolk coast. It has been described as quintessentially British and I have no reason to disagree. It lies at the mouth of the river Blyth and is a place of outstanding natural beauty. It is indeed an ancient village mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086. Like most villages by the sea it is nature that has decided its fate. Storms and tidal waves have changed the course of its river which have affected the way of life of its inhabitants. A fire in 1659 destroyed much of the village but much of it was never rebuilt and was left as village greens.

It is a picturesque seaside town with sandy beaches and many beach huts. The town is a magnet for tourists all year round. Southwold has a lighthouse commissioned in 1890 which still guides ships that navigate the East Coast. Southwold Pier stretches 190 metres into the sea and houses shops and places of entertainment. The pier also has the famous Water Clock that raises a smile every 30 minutes.

St Edmund’s Church in Southwold, considered one of Suffolks finest, was built in the 1400’s and remains a functioning church and also attracts many visitors.

Southwold is home to the Adnam’s Brewery a famous brand established in 1872.

The famous author George Orwell who wrote ‘Animal farm’ and ‘1984’ lived in Southwold for 20 years from 1921 and wrote much of his work from there.

I first came to this beautiful village in 2007 when my elder son got married to a girl from the area. They arranged the wedding in the ‘village’ which is now described as a town. Southwold will always have a place close to my heart for those wonderful memories I cherish.

PEAK DISTRICT

It has been a family tradition for many years to go away to some place in the UK and stay together in a house or a hotel for a week.  There is no cooking or washing the dishes, just a lot of driving, plenty of music and some good wine. Last year it was Rye in  Sussex and this time round it was the beautiful Peak District.

The Peak District has been designated as a National Park since 1951. The park lies in the heart of England and covers 555 sq miles covering five counties: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. To me its pristine peaks and troughs are a great reminder of Diyatalawa and Bandarawela .  When I part the curtains in the morning the rolling mist that cover the mountains takes me back to the hill country in Sri Lanka.

We stayed in a hotel in the Hope Valley in Derbyshire surrounded by some of the most picturesque scenery. Thirteen million visit the Peak District every year to enjoy walking, climbing, cycling, mountain biking and caving.  There are many disused mines which have been used for quarrying grit stone since the 13^th century.

There are seven rivers in the Peak District and 3 large reservoirs providing water to the local population and for irrigation. The Peak District has some of the purest natural mineral water in the world, and is famous for brands including Buxton and Ashbourne.

The area has inspired writers for generations, from Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte to William Wordsworth and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I was born in Kandy, that beautiful citadel in the hills. I am well aware of the affection Sri Lankans have for the hill country and the mountains. The peak district in the summer is simply beautiful and will most certainly transport your mind back to those visits you’ve enjoyed in Sri Lanka.

MY PAINTINGS OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 2 -Chirasri Jayaweera Bandara

MY PAINTINGS OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS  2  

Dr Chirasri Jayaweera Bandara 

This is my second post with my paintings of butterflies and moths. The first appeared on the 3rd of July.
Here is the link if you want to access it easily: -

https://colombomedgrads1962.blogspot.com/2024/07/my-paintings-of-butterflies-and-moths.html

I shall commence with some general observations on butterflies and moths. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS?

Although both these fluttering insects come under the Classification LEPIDOPTERA, they possess many differences that classify them as a Butterfly or a Moth.

(The above differences are given in detail in the previous post). 

Butterflies can be found in nearly all types of habitats, including deserts, wetlands, grassland, forest and alpine. Some butterflies in the Family Lycaenidae spend part of their lives underground! Moths are found everywhere, from the seaside to almost bare mountain tops, in fact, wherever there are plants for caterpillars to eat. (This is also part of what I wrote in detail in my earlier post.) 

                                              BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

 13  PINK FANTASY BUTTERFLY                                          14  DOGNIN’S PINK BULLSEYE MOTH
                                                                                                                  Wingspan 3.5 Inches

 

    15  AFRICAN MOCKER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY             16   COMET MOTH
                                                                                                                        Wingspan 20cms
                                                                                                                           Tailspan  15cms 

    17  COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY                        18  AFRICAN WHITE RINGED ATLAS MOTH                                
                                                                                                            Wingspan  10 – 13 cms

                                                                

    19  MONARCH BUTTERFLY                                              20  FEATHERWING MOTH ALUCITA
                                                                                                                      Wingspan  1.5 cms

    21  DRAGON TAIL BUTTERFLY                                      22  GIANT LEOPARD MOTH
                                                                                                          Wingspan Female 2.25” Male 3.6”

    23  MALACHITE BUTTERFLY                                         24   LIME HAWK MOTH

                                                                                                                   Wingspan 55 – 70 mm 

  25  BUTTERFLY                                                                26  PURPLE LUNA MOTH

                                                                                                                   Wingspan 3 – 5 Inches

If you click on any of the images, they will appear on a separate tab and be bigger and clearer. At the bottom of the page, you will see ALL the images arranged in horizontal order, and you can move along (click)to any that you fancy a closer look. Once you finish,click on the white cross in a black box icon at the top Right. 

Nuggets of Humour from a book - by Srianee (Bunter) Dias

Nuggets of Humour from Shehan Karunatilleka’s book, “Seven Moons of Maali Almeida”

An interesting contribution from Srianee (Bunter ) Dias

Hello Mahen,
I was recently attempting to organize my “stuff” and came across a notebook in which I had collected ’nuggets' from the “Seven Moons of Maali Almeida” while I was reading it a few years ago. Many of them refer to Sri Lanka! While it was not a humorous book, in the midst of this rather gory story, nuggets of humour emerged.  Later, I was in attendance at a couple of the Literary Festivals in Galle and Colombo in January 2024 when Shehan Karunatilleka was interviewed. I found that he was a warm human being with a very quirky sense of humour.  I think our friends may enjoy my collection.
Srianee

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The afterlife is like a tax office.  Everyone is waiting for a rebate

           He was still a perfect 10 on scale of 1-13

Look at our flag. What an achaaru!  It has everything.  Horizontal lines, vertical lines, animal symbols…

           Everyone should pray to Whoever. Then no one gets offended.

All stories are recycled and all stories are unfair.  Many get luck, and many get misery.  Many are born to homes with books, many grow up in the swamps of war.  In the end, all become dust.  All stories conclude with a fade to black.

          You are thinking of that most impossible of all mythical creatures: The Honest Politician.

(I came across a similar one- “Trying to find an honest politician is like trying to find a virgin in a brothel!” )

             You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget.

          At least death frees you from Galle Road traffic, Parliament Road drivers and checkpoints on every street.

    As if our betel chewing fools go to dentists.

Facts from the Reader’s Digest might be the last thing the brain lets go of.

    I make what all the millionaires do not - enough!

       The pain (headache) is your stupidity trying to escape.

Like many Sri Lankans pangolins have big tongues, thick hides and small brains.

     Kola kenda, the green medicinal porridge with the consistency of vomit…

Humans believe they make their own thoughts and possess their own will.  This is yet another placebo that we swallow after birth.  Thoughts are whispers that come from without as well as within.

  This island is a beautiful place despite being filled with fools and savages.

Virginia de Vos (nee Swan) has published a book

Virginia de Vos (nee Swan) has published a book.

I was delighted to receive the news from Srianee (Bunter) and Rohini Ana that our batchmate Virginia, who emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, has published a book, the details of which are below. I have not communicated directly with her, and I am unaware of any other literary achievements she has made. Well done, Virginia, I hope we will see more books from you.

This is what she sent Srianee.

I’m happy to inform my friends that I have just released a shortish novel on Amazon.  Titled  Crime and Terror in the Jungle. The print version is now available & the e-pub comes out next week. It is set in SL and Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. If anyone is not registered on Amazon I’m told it is easy to do by googling amazon.com.au in Aus & amazon .co.uk   & amazon.com  in other countries. & follow the prompts. The prices are in US dollars.

Thank you
Love & Best regards
Virginia

Here is the link to Amazon. It costs US$15.99, and the Kindle edition $5.99
https://www.amazon.com/Crime-Terror-Jungle-Virginia-Vos/dp/1763516008

Crime And Terror In The Jungle Paperback – June 16, 2024

by Virginia de Vos 

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Years ago poachers stole his baby elephant. Now he's looking for justice.

Digby Trott has a deep-seated hatred of poachers. When he was a child visiting his grandparents on their tea estate in Sri Lanka, he was cared for a baby elephant. Until one day poachers stole it.

Years later he took up a position to lead a team of conservationists into the jungles of Sri Lanka to apprehend poachers killing elephants. In one game park he was attacked along with his team, causing brain trauma and a changed personality.

Now mentally and physically damaged, he needs help from his doctors, family, friends and loyal girlfriend, with her own demons to overcome. Advised to return to scene of his injury, he finds himself once again in danger. only surviving in the nick of time. The trauma provides him with the path he needs to recover. And finally he can set his sights on the poachers and masterminds.

Crime and Terror in the Jungle is a tale of survival in an exotic land, with descriptive skyscapes, and culture shocks vividly described. Buy your copy today.

Gwendoline Herath (nee Perera) passes away peacefully

Gwendoline Herath (nee Perera) passes away peacefully.

I received news from Suri that another batchmate passed away in late June this year. She was Miss Gwendoline Perera before she married Lakshman Herath. She was a Peradeniya transfer and a very quiet person. She is the 57th loss in our Batch.

Please join me in passing our condolences to her family. May she Rest in Peace.

This is the Obituary Notice that appeared in the Daily News, Sri Lanka.  The photo is from the Sig book.

HERATH – DR (MRS) GWENDOLINE HENRIETTA (NELUM) (Retired Medical Officer,​ Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation),​ beloved wife of Mr Lakshman Herath (Retired Aviation Engineer),​ loving mother of Lilanthi,​ Rukmal and Ramila,​ sister of Victorine Joseph and late Prasanna Perera,​ passed away peacefully,​ surrounded by family. Remains lie at A.F. Raymonds,​ Borella from 28th June. Service to celebrate her life will be held at the Parlour at 3 p.m. on 30th June,​ followed by Burial at General Cemetery,​ Borella – Catholic Section at 4 p.m.    042744

MY PAINTINGS OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS - Dr Chirasri Jayaweera Bandara

MY PAINTINGS OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

DR. C.D. JAYAWEERA BANDARA

I shall commence with some general observations on butterflies and moths before showing my paintings.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS?

Although both of these fluttering insects come under the Classification LEPIDOPTERA, they possess many differences that classify them as a Butterfly or a Moth.

•    THEIR WINGS ON RESTING

One of the most obvious differences between Butterflies and Moths is their resting position. Moths rest with their wings open (horizontal), whereas Butterflies tend to rest with their wings closed (vertical). However, many Butterflies ‘sun bake’ with their wings open. 

•     NOCTURNAL VS DIURNAL

Butterflies are primarily active during the day (diurnal), whereas Moths are generally active at night (nocturnal), although there are a few exceptions

•      ANTENNA SHAPE

Butterflies and Moths have very different Antennae. Moth antennae tend to be leaf or feather-shaped. Butterfly antennae tend to be long, bare, and eject from the head in a club shape. They also have a bulb at the end. Although this is normally the case, some moths have slender antennae rather than feathered. 

•      FRENULUMS

Moths have a Frenulum, which is a wing coupling device that ensures the wings travel together during flight. Butterflies do not have this. 

•     PUPAE

In the metamorphism from caterpillar to Butterfly, caterpillars spin a Pupa consisting of hardened protein. On the other hand, Moth caterpillars form a silk pupa, which is known as a cocoon.

However, there are exceptions, where Moths form pupae that resemble that of a Butterfly and Butterfly, which makes a cocoon.  

•     GENERAL APPEARANCE

Widely speaking, Moths tend to be stockier and have furry bodies, whereas Butterflies are smooth and lean. This difference in appearance is due to scale size; Butterflies possess far smaller scales. 

•     EYES

As Moths are nocturnal and Butterflies are diurnal, it makes sense that the two species would adapt to have different eyes to suit their light conditions. In general, Moths have superposition eyes, which reflect light at the same angle that they take it in. This type of eye creates images up to 1000 times brighter than acquisition eyes but sacrifices image quality. On the other hand, Butterflies have apposition eyes, which gather multiple images and combine them in the brain. 

•     COLOUR

In general, Moths tend to be duller and less vibrant in colour, with less intricate and striking patterns. Although this is a generalised rule, some Moths are incredibly colourful and striking.

 

                                                            BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies can be found in nearly all types of habitats, including deserts, wetlands, grassland, forest and alpine. Some butterflies in the Family Lycaenidae spend part of their lives underground!

The Natural History Museum in London has identified Colombia as a country with the most species of butterflies in the world.

Butterflies can be seen almost anywhere in the world except in Antarctica. 

                                                               MOTHS

Moths are found everywhere, from the seaside to almost bare mountain tops, in fact, wherever there are plants for caterpillars to eat.

Moths are found on old walls during the day. They are found on the bark of trees and on the underside of leaves in the shrubs.

Moths avoid light and are most commonly found in dark locations such as basements, attics and closets. Within these locations, moths can be found in the folds of fabrics, or hiding in corners.

The largest moths are found in New Guinea and Australia.

                                                      BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Butterflies are beautiful, and some moths are even more beautiful.

Some of the moths resemble butterflies. Hence, the names of all the moths are given to confirm that they are really moths and not butterflies. In addition, the moths' wingspan is given in all the pictures to judge their real size, as the paintings are large.

The names and wingspan of the moths will confirm their authenticity. Some of the names of the butterflies are given, but where the names are not, they are obvious butterflies.

1. GOLDEN TAILED HAIR STREAK BUTTERFLY             2.  ATLAS MOTH                                                                                                                                                                          WINGSPAN   24 cms ( 9.4 inches )

3.  BUTTERFLY                                                                                                       4.  ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH                                                                                                                                                                                      WINGSPAN    45 – 60 mm

5. BATWING BUTTERFLY                                                                                        6.  PROMETHEA MOTH                                                                                                                                                                      WINGSPAN  7.5 – 10cms

7.  BUTTERFLY                                                                                                        8. ZODIAC MOTH                                                                                                                                                                                         wingspan 10 cm    

    9. TWO TAILED SWALLOW BUTTERFLY                                         10. LUNA MOTH                                                                                                                                                    WING SPAN  3 – 4.5 inches

11. PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY                                       12. BLUE NOCTUID MOTH                                                                                                                                                      WINGSPAN   0.8 – 30.5 cms