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100 years is a time period of significance. In the last century people have seen world war, slavery, colonialism, apartheid, nuclear bombs invented and used, the emergence of technology, mobile phones, the internet, and most recently a global pandemic that shuttered the world and will soon have claimed the lives of over 2 million people in the last year alone.
The world has changed so much in the last century, and few people have been lucky enough to bear witness to this transformation with a sound mind. One of these fortunate individuals was my grandmother, Viola Welikala. Her elegant soul made it to the age of 100, made it through the tumultuous year 2020, and peacefully departed this world on January 1, 2021. Through the century that was her life, her mind was as sharp as a nail, and she took in all that life had to offer. It was this way right up to the last few days of her life.
The new year greetings of hope for 2021 were marred by the news that ‘Master’ Weerasingham, an English teacher of excellent repute at Royal College who subsequently settled in Canberra had passed away at age 92
Tiddy Wijeratne, Don Abey, Beryl Dias Abeysinghe (widow of a former High Commissioner) and ‘Master’, as he was fondly referred to, were the Canberra senior seniors who graced all our Mission functions regularly despite being handicapped by mobility issues that are normal for those beyond four score and ten.
They graciously lit the Lamp to celebrate events and their blessings stayed with us throughout the year.
BATAVIA: Sultan Shahriar, the Indonesian Premier, narrowly escaped death today [Dec 26] when a bullet was fired at his car. Shahriar and an Indonesian passenger escaped without injury, however, and British military police arrested five Eurasians. Shahriar said that an automobile containing five young Eurasians halted his car and opened fire. One shot hit the radiator. Then a Eurasian leaped in front of the Prime Minister and fired his pistol again but it jammed, Shahriar added. At that point, the Prime Minister continued, 15 Eurasians in Dutch uniforms approached but left when a British military patrol car rushed to the scene.
A British officer, Captain I.A. Clarke, brought about the release of 73 Netherlanders held in South Bandoeng by Indonesian extremists, the Netherlands News Agency reported today.
You have been pleased to send unto us a certain prohibition or command that we should not receive or entertain any of those people called Quakers because they are supposed to be, by some, seducers of the people. For our part we cannot condemn them in this case, neither can we stretch out our hands against them…We desire therefore in this case not to judge lest we be judged, neither to condemn lest we be condemned, but rather let every man stand or fall to his own Master. We are bound by the law to do good unto all men, especially to those of the household of faith.
WATERVLIET, N.Y. â When Mayor Charles Patricelli took the oath of office in January, he appeared to be ready to hit the ground running.
He did so by filling positions with some new hires such as hiring Joe LaCivta as the city general manager. Patricelli also named Amanda Austin to the role of director of finance. Dave Wheatley was also appointed to become the next city clerk and clerk to a new City Council.
Although Patricelli started his tenure off in the right direction, once March came around, he had to change his game plan due to the coronavirus pandemic.