journalism – Page 2 – Son of the Morning Light

‘Taking Cool What E’er Befall…’

April 27, 2023May 19, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_1027l1.jpg — Spirits flag in the Wesley stands as their team mounts a futile chase of the Bens’ 241 runs, at the Sinhalese Sports Club, *in Colombo.* *25th March 2023*. *By close of play,* St Benedict’s College had retained the Luke Shield, Wesley College falling short by 19 runs.

^{• 800mm • f/11 • 1/1250 • ISO3200 • Canon R6, with an RF800/11 courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Special Feature – IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAIN OF A GOD: a Visit to the Temples of Saman

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

The legends disagree on the exact method in which Sumana Saman became a god, but what is clear is that Adam’s Peak, or Siripada, is believed to be his earthly home, and the centre of his influence and protection.”

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_8839.jpg — *The Mountain of Saman, Sumanakuta, also known as Siripada and Adam’s Peak, as seen across the Kuru Ganga Valley, close to Ratnapura.*

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0845

April 21, 2023April 21, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_6962.jpg

^{• 90mm • f/5.6 • 1/800 • ISO400 • Canon 600D & EF-S18-200/3.5-5.6 •}

Front Foot, Back Foot

April 19, 2023April 26, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_0884.jpg — St Benedict’s skipper, Chamath Chathurya, pulls one to the boundary on his way to 46, as the Bens beat Wesley College by 19 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club to retain the Luke Shield, on 25th March 2023.

^{• 800mm • f/11 • 1/500 • ISO800 • Canon R6, with an RF800/11 courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/000a6202b.jpg

Je Suis Muslim

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_1460.jpg — Islam in the land of the Buddha. Under an arrogantly fluttering Buddhist flag, against the backdrop of the Independence Memorial Hall, thousands of Sri Lankan Muslims, and well-wishers from other faiths, gather for ifthar, the evening meal that ends the daily fast of Ramazan. *As a muezzin chants the* azaan of the Maghrib Prayer from the top of the hall’s steps, Muslims take a first bite of food or a sip of water. Palm Sunday, April 2023.

^{• 24mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO5000 • R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

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Special Feature — MOUNT EDEN: a Visit to the Daham Sevana Seminary in Kalutara

April 2, 2023April 1, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

I have always had mixed views of the ideological seclusion of the young, be it for political or religious reasons. I have never been convinced that taking young boys and men out of their everyday lives and focusing them to a single purpose is the moral thing to do. Having served in the military, I understood its effectiveness, and its appeal, which made me consider its morality even more.”

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_6300.jpg — *Daham Sevana sits in beautiful peace and seclusion, its chapel built, in the 1950’s, by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.*

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Left Arm, Over the Wicket

March 28, 2023March 27, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/img_0968l1.jpg — *Wesley spinner Jathon Wieman bowls against St Benedict’s, during the Luke Shield one-day encounter on 25th March 2023. St Benedict’s College retained the shield, beating Wesley College by 19 runs.*

^{• 800mm • f/11 • 1/1000 • ISO800 • Canon R6, with an RF800/11 courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/img_0967.jpg

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/img_0968.jpg

Special Feature — THE FORGOTTEN TEMPLE: Dakkinagiriya & the Other Kaludiya Pokuna

March 27, 2023March 26, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

A thousand-year-old ‘mountain monastery’, lost in the Kaludiya Pokuna Forest, east of Dambulla; forgotten by the tour guides, and seemingly by time itself. For the visitor seeking something literally off the beaten track, the Dakkinagiri Viharaya is an intriguing but serene detour away from the well-trodden sites of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.”

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/img_2819.jpg — *The stupa of the 9th century Dakkinagiri Viharaya, with Erawalgala behind it.*

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Planning for Disease

March 23, 2023March 22, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/1u9a4462.jpg — Nadika Fernandopulle, a project manager of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka; shot at the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, de Saram Place, Maradana, on assignment for *Panos Pictures and The Global Fund, in January* 2022.

^{• 50mm • f/1.6 • 1/640 • ISO500 • 5DMkIV & EF 50/1.4 courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Special Feature — The Devil’s Staircase: Travels on the Kalupahana-Ohiya Road

March 19, 2023March 19, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

To call the route connecting Kalupahana to Ohiya a road is quite generous. What it is, is an adventure. Whether you are tough enough to walk its length or mad enough to drive it, this is a journey every adventurer should take.”

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/img_6128-1.jpg — *Sometimes the Devil’s Staircase feels like the edge of Heaven.*

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