Tsunami Second Anniversary 26 December 2006
I was on my way to Prasanna’s almsgiving, when I saw these boats freshly painted and this boy and some of his friends fishing under the bridge. I’ve passed this bridge many times since but has never seen the same number of boats.
Bala Malli– is a creation of Bennie (Bhasura) Kirtisinghe — what this generation would call an avatar. Bennie is my father and his letters were signed by Father B or by his avatar Bala Malli. Cool is what he was. Some of the stories will be by Bala Malli, some by me.
Bala Malli has been the fly in the wall at the family house of the Kirtisinghes called “Siri Niwasa.” It was built by my grand father K.H Bastian by the coral reefs of Hikkaduwa. I hope this blog will give a glimpse of a past where life was easy and flowed gently — there were no TV’s, i-pods, Internet or email but a house that was always full of interesting visitors – some were even famous –in a day and a time when there were no hotels and Hikkaduwa had only a small government rest house and we had a freshly washed beach to do geometry!! I won’t argue that it was the best time but it was pretty unique.
It is dedicated to the many generations of Kirtisinghes and their extended families . It is specifically dedicated to my two nieces Annemarie in Melbourne, Australia and Eshanie in Vancouver, Canada. They have taken the time to read the past blog entries – when there were not many. There is also my nephew Ushantha who just remineded me that I didn’t have any new blog family stories. I hope their thirst for news of their family roots will be met somewhat and it will encourage the globally dispersed cousins to meet in blog space and even contribute and introduce the 3rd and 4th generation. Some I have met only on Face Book. As Father B would say “such is life!” — we now no longer meet at family birthday parties, dane’s (alms givings) or even at funerals.
And also I hope it will spur my akka- Bennie’s eldest daughter Yasoja - a techno phobic to get on the net to read the blog. She has an old fashioned very orderly scrap book of family history – but then she and I were always different . …
Dear Chuli,
I was moved by your articles and the history of your family. Having had holidays in Hikkaduwa - it brought back memories of your Father and Mother and your beloved brother Prasanna and his family. Keep it up. Congratulations on your photography - it is just beautiful. Wondered whether I could use “boy fishing at Dodanduwa” for a brochure for my Sri Lankan cooking classes.
All good wishes for 2008 and belated Birthday wishes too.
Look forward to reading more.
Heather
Hi My favourite photographer,
you are now world class pretty lady. They say a woman that can handle a Camera so well, knows all the angles in life as well. Good work my friend, keep it up.
janath
Great Nice shot.. Nice perspective.