Good News From Jayam August 15, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 items
City of Dreams – Colombo Grand Opening
Sri Lanka marked a historic milestone on August 2, 2025 as the doors of City of Dreams Sri Lanka (COD SL) – the nation’s largest private investment and South Asia’s first integrated resort swung open, ushering in a new era of economic resurgence and global prestige. Nestled at the heart of Colombo’s evolving skyline, this architectural marvel is more than a luxury destination; it is a testament to Sri Lanka’s resilience, ambition, and creative spirit.
A collaboration between John Keells Holdings and Melco Resorts & Entertainment, COD SL stands as a beacon of innovation, blending world-class hospitality with the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Grand Opening Ceremony City of Dreams – Colombo (Please click on arrow)
New Consul General Appointed for Los Angeles. He will soon be arriving to take up duties!
More countries seek free visa entry into Sri Lanka No more Visa Fees into Sri Lanka for US Nationals
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In the wake of Sri Lanka waiving visa fees for nationals from 40 more countries, many other countries have sought the same facility for their nationals coming here as tourists.
Previously, Sri Lanka had granted the facility to seven countries. The government has now taken a policy decision to add 40 countries to the list. The decision is currently pending with the Attorney General for clearance. The new visa regulation, upon approval by the Attorney General, will be endorsed by Parliament, giving legal effect to the decision. It is expected to be effective by the end of this month. Once it is in effect, people from these countries can apply online for a free visa to travel to Sri Lanka as tourists.
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Dr Walter Jayasinghe Celebrates his 88th Birthday on August 17th 2025
“We wish this wonderful human being, who has done so much for the Sri Lankan community in Southern California, many more years!”
Niran and Achala Weerasinghe of Los Angeles, Ca. What a Lovely Couple! Niran Celebrated his 60th Birthday (Sorry we missed a great party!) (Photos by Moran Moran)
Birthday boy Niran and wife Achala at their high rise apartment in downtown Los Angeles. You were greeted by a saxophone player, dancing girls, cocktails and cuisine by Kurrypinch of Hollywood.
Yevan David set to become first Sri Lankan driver in Formula 3
Eighteen-year-old Yevan David has created another bit of history by becoming the first-ever Sri Lankan driver to compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. He signed with AIX Racing for the 2026 season, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s motorsport journey. The 18-year-old Sri Lankan is currently fighting for the Euroformula title, and has four victories, five other podiums and a pole so far this season in the F3-level series while driving for the dominant Motopark team. He took two wins and a third place from his debut in the final round of 2024. Speaking about his signing with AIX, the 18-year-old said he was proud to become the first driver from his country to compete in the Championship and was grateful for the opportunity.
Beyond Trump Tariffs, Sri Lanka should strive to climb up export ladder (excerpt from Ranga Jayasuriya of Daily Mirror)
Sri Lanka secured a major reduction of Trump’s import tax on goods, placing it on par with its regional competitors. Sri Lanka’s revised tariff rate of 20% would put it on par with Cambodia 19%, Bangladesh 20%, Vietnam 20%, Philippines 19%, Thailand 19% and Pakistan 19%. India, which is still negotiating, is slapped with a 25% plus penalty over energy exports from Russia. While reduced Trump’s import tariffs on goods would not make Sri Lankan exports magically competitive, the steep decrease from an earlier 44% to the current 20% has provided them with a level playing field. The Trump administration in what it called reciprocal tariff was not particularly gung-ho against the smaller nations with a smaller trade volume in its trade with the US — its main gripe was with some of its largest trading partners, which maintain a whopping trade surplus — China US$ 270billion, Mexico US$157 billion, Vietnam US$ 113 billion, Ireland US$ 80 billion etc.
www.utravel.com
MasterChef Sri Lanka fires up island’s culinary scene
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Nice Photo of Four Past Presidents of the SLAASC – Kapila Wimalaratna, Udaya Ranaraja, Sarath Goonetilleke and Dushantha Kurera (Circa 2016)
SLAASC Production of “Neka Maatra” was a Fabulous (Sold Out) Show In North Hollywood, Ca. (A Good Cause – Raising Funds for Cataract Operations in Sri Lanka)
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“Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo August 7th, 2025 (Please click on arrow)
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Obituaries – Sad News
Jim Lovell (97) passed away in Lake Forest, Illinois. The commander of the three-man Apollo 13 spacecraft that survived a near catastrophic explosion as it approached the moon in April 1970, before safely returning to Earth in an extraordinary rescue operation. His family confirmed his death in a statement to NASA. Captain Lovell, a former Navy test pilot, flew for some 715 hours in space, the most of any astronaut in the pioneering Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs forged by the United States as it vied with the Soviet Union to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.
Indrani Fernando – Wife of late Dr. Norman Fernando, mother of Dilrukshi,Nishana, Darshika, Rupika and Rukshan, mother-in-law of Preminda, Lakshaman and Rehan and grandmother of Randima, Gihani and Shalini. Funeral was on August 9th 2025. Cremation was at the General Cemetery, Borella.
Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen
CHILLI CRABS
INGREDIENTS
- 2 Cooked crabs, about 1/2 lbs
- 1/2″ cube shrimp paste
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 fresh red chillies, seeded or
- 1 teaspoon chopped chili from a jar
- 1/2 ” fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
- 4 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1 1/4 cups tomato ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 4 scallions, chopped to garnish cucumber
- chunks and hot toast, to serve (optional)
Method
1.Remove the claws of one crab and turn it onto its back with the head facing away from you. Use use your thumbs to push the body up from the main shell. Discard the stomach sac and “dead men’s fingers,” i.e. lungs and any green matter. Leave the creamy brown meat in the shell and cut the shell in half with a cleaver or very sharp knife. Cut the body section in half and crack the claws with a hard blow from a hammer or cleaver. Avoid splintering the claws. Repeat with the other crab.
2. Grind the shrimp paste, garlic, chillies and ginger to a paste with a pestle and mortar.*(I have an extra coffee grinder that is great for these small jobs)
3. Heat a wok and add the oil. fry the spice paste, stirring constantly, without browning. Stir in the tomato ketchup, sugar and water and mix the sauce well. When just boiling, add all the crab pieces and toss in the sauce until well coated and hot. Serve in a large bowl, sprinkle with the spring onions. Place in the center of the table for every one to help themselves. Accompany this finger-licking dish with cool cucumber chunks and hot toast for mopping up the sauce, if you like.
Jayam2424@yahoo.com
Marriage of My Parents, Evelyn and James Excerpt from My Book (not finished) by Jayam Rutnam
Marriage of My Parents, Evelyn and James by Jayam Rutnam
My father James was a Tamil in Ceylon, and my mother Evelyn, a Sinhalese. “Ceylon” was what the country was known as at that time in the 1930s. A marriage between the two ethnic groups, Tamil and Sinhalese, was not only frowned upon but also forbidden by the parents of both families. Their homes were next to each other, and they met as neighbors, fell in love, and, to avoid any obstacles, eloped.
James’ father was vehemently opposed to the marriage and went to great lengths to banish his son. He also resorted to extreme measures by displaying black flags of mourning and plastering the walls on the streets with posters indicating that his son was “dead.” However, after the birth of the first child, Rajah, the families reconciled and expressed their love for the couple, showering them with more affection than expected. My paternal grandfather spent his last days with my parents.
I was the fourth of eight children. When I was eleven, I was sent to boarding school at St. Joseph’s College. In 1952, my eldest brother Rajah migrated to the United States, a country and lifestyle he found fascinating. Rajah was the first immigrant from Ceylon to the United States. After working on the movie “Bridge on the River Kwai,” which was filmed in Ceylon, my brother Chandran went to Hollywood, California, to pursue his dreams of working in the movie industry. My sister Indrani married Jayanta Padmanabha, who was the Editor of the Ceylon Daily News. They had a daughter, Kshirabdhi.
My father was a successful businessman, historian, and scholar. My mother, besides being a loving and caring mother to all her children, was the charming hostess at the many parties we had at our family home. These gatherings honored politicians, dignitaries, business people, and leaders from many countries. She also held the position of Social Secretary of the United Nations Association of Ceylon for many terms until her untimely passing at the age of 52e.
