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NICK SMITH REVIEWS…CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE’S NEW BOOK “THE POWER OF PAPER”: A HISTORY, A FINANCIAL ADVENTURE, AND A WARNING |
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Photo courtesy: Luke Bradford
It is nearly twenty years since Christopher Ondaatje sold Pagurian, a group of fantastically profitable companies that grew out of a minor Canadian publishing imprint.
Back in the 1960s, while others pitted their wits against book publishing’s twin demons of cash flow and distribution, Ondaatje carefully plotted his way through these hazards.
Without ever borrowing a penny he amassed a colossal personal fortune through stealth, acuity and sheer hard work. |
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THE NITTAEWO: DAGGER - CLAWED LITTLE PEOPLE OF CEYLON
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Imaginary drawing of hairy hominids eviscerating a fallen Veddah with their hands, P.E.P. Deraniyagala, 1963 (Loris, June 1964). With thanks to Siran U. Deraniyagala
“Asia may still hide unknown apes whose mental development is higher than that of the anthropoid apes. Or it may be inhabited by men more primitive than the Australian Aborigines, the Veddahs or the African Bushmen, and still at the Neanderthal stage” - Bernard Heuvelmans, On the Track of Unknown Animals (1958).
The folklore of many countries contains legends concerning pygmies, and Sri Lanka is no exception. From the island’s dimly illuminated past come curious jungle tales of the Nittaewo, a supposedly subhuman or beastlike race, characterised by hairy bodies and extremely long nails. |
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CSLBC CELEBRATES ANNUAL AWARDS GALA
President’s Award Winner is dynamic high achiever…Dr. Indira Samarasekera |
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Photo caption: Dr. Indira Samarasekera speaks at the function. Picture courtesy: Ken Photo
BY UPALI OBEYESEKERE
The Melville Ballroom of the swanky Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Markham was packed to capacity as the Canada-Sri Lanka Business Council (CSLBC) celebrated its annual awards gala on October 27.
The galaxy of distinguished guests included Chief Guest The Honourable Mr. Justice Salvatore Merenda (Ontario Court of Justice), Guest of Honour Hon. Gerry Phillips, MPP (recently appointed Minister of Energy in the Ontario government), His Excellency W.J.S. Karunaratne (Sri Lanka High Commissioner), Citizenship & Immigration Minister Hon. Michael Chan – MPP, Don Valley East Federal Member of Parliament Yasmin Ratansi and Senior Vice President of Small Business Banking at TD Canada Trust, Paul Clark. The gala was a mix of business, fun, entertainment and recognition. |
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RIDING A WAVE OF SUCCESS IN LONDON - THE LIFE OF BRIAN RATNAYAKE |
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Gregory St Elmo Brian Ratnayake left his native land over 42 years ago to advance his career in shipping. It’s a decision he has never regretted – despite originally planning to join the Ceylon Air Force – as Lynda Davies finds out …
Only a few of us manage to turn the dreams of our teenage years into a reality. For some, the dreams faded away as we grew up. But others can still remember the pain of disappointment all those years ago when reality intruded.
Brian Ratnayake had hoped to join the Ceylon Air Force, but at sixteen he was turned down because he did not meet the stringent physical requirements. It was his uncle, Bertie, at the time the manager at the port of Colombo, who suggested he should take up a career in shipping. Bertie introduced him to the shipping director of James Finlay & Co. Ltd., one of the oldest agency houses in Colombo, and after an interview, Brian began work as a junior clerk on July 1, 1954. |
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