Thursday, December 31, 2015

Whale watching in Mirissa 31st Dec 2015 - Blue and Bryde Whales - here, there & everywhere

 This post is just to record some photos of today's trip @ Mirissa leaving from the fisheries harbor there.

I will follow up in a later post my observations on the usual failings of our tourism  industry bent on short term greed, in both being unable to make the experience unforgettable not just for the Tourist but also for the Whales.

If you are a whale in the water how would you like 40 boats chasing you whenever you surface. Is it surprising that the deafening sound of engines, much more amplified for the whales is a daily infringement of their freedom to roam the seas?

This is the greatest concentration of blues in the world and we just have no clue how to add value to that experience.

Just hand it to the Americans, and just see how well they will organize the show.

I have gone out to sea in Santa Barbara to see the BLUE whales when I was living and working there, and what a wonderful experience that was to both learn and show respect for the great est living creature on EARTH.

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 Do we have anyone who knows anything about Tourism running this product in this Country? I think not, and high time we do, before even these creatures decide enough is enough and get the Hell our of here, as they cannot take this abuse anymore!






Wednesday, December 30, 2015

A reflection of a year that has flown by and nothing personal achieved


The year started with hope for a new beginning, and I was convinced beyond any doubt that we were about to witness a historic change of fortune for Sri Lanka.

It happened, and I was witness to the taking oath of office of the Ministers of Govt. at the Presidential Secretariat on January 12th 2015. We had a stake in this transition for which we fought tooth and nail for 5 years and finally our efforts were rewarded.

From that point onwards it was downhill all the way. One word that comes to mind and screams at us, DISAPPOINTMENT

Taking over 6,000 calls from people of all walks of life from around the Country, I realized what it was that people looked for from politicians and I really did not like the type of Country, our Politicians had endowed to us.

People believed all their problems could be solved ONLY by politicians as there was no other way, except for the wealthy, to have what they wanted.

It may have been a job, a transfer to somewhere more cushy, a recognition of the work that had been put into the party over the years, redress for wrongful termination and political revenge, a contract for something or another, a position in a board with perks, help to sort out mistreatment at the hands of a superior, paving of a road, now that the power was in our hands, putting a kid into a school, asking for a promotion and the list goes on, is endless!

Personally being unable to satiate the needy (a dependent condition created by politics) my position as a Secretary of one sort or another to a Minister was just not worth the 24hr on call, no good words, just complaints about everything!

The relief of being taken out to get back into the productive world was immense. The realization of how unproductive politics is in Sri Lanka, was a shock. How the whole political system just wastes the national resources when so much needs to be done, convinces me that without any politicians this Country will have a hugely advanced future. Politics is only a drag on development NOT a catalyst for it!


This state of mind resulted in a total blackout of creative writing from which I am just emerging. I will spend next year in suggesting, and creating what a totally new Constitution for Sri Lanka MUST look like, as if the brain dead 225 would even have the time to listen and learn! Let alone comprehend! 

Thursday, December 24, 2015

AN ODE TO LIFE



Year
2015 ends,
Years passed
Wiser and older.
Experience emboldens
Apprehensions are numbed
Technology is harder to grasp
Clarity with which we see the future
Forces us to empower youth, the inheritors
Who’s fate is determined by our actions today.
Let us therefore handover to them to make decisions
Which affect them, and gracefully retreat into oblivion.
Our task is complete, engage the young, and encourage them
To embrace the undertaking with humility and sense of purpose
So that we face the New Year 2016, with optimism for their future,
Knowing that our time has come to be thankful for good health
Happy to have done our duty towards those who come after
Time to reflect on a life lived, how well is our opinion
No time for regrets, even though we may have some
Appreciate all that we have been through in life
Will on the young a glimpse of our past
So that our mistakes are not repeated
Think our goodbyes  to everyone
Lest we not see them again
Especially from offshore.
We take our leave now,
A duty accomplished
To heaven or hell
When called.
Amen



X’mas eve 2015