From Sri Lanka To South Puget Sound: My First Nine Months In Puyallup
It took me nearly two months to get my tongue around pronouncing the name Puyallup. I challenge any Sri Lankan to pronounce this name correctly. The fact is, I have had many Americans ask ME how to pronounce it. So here goes: – It is pronounced pew- our- lupand means Generous People.
The author’s son, Kieran, attended summer camp for the first time this year. Photo by Frederica Jansz.
Our arrival in Puyallup – a fast growing city to the south of Seattle – was accidental. Having left Sri Lanka in a hurry with only three suitcases, our throats constricted with unshed tears and the flu, my two sons and I arrived in Seattle.
Initially the plan was for cousins to sponsor us to come to Canada. But that plan misfired and my cousins were forced to leave us at the border and drive back home to Vancouver. I had no idea what to do. I was stuck with the two boys in a country where I had no family and no friends. And going back was no longer even a choice.
My cousin then contacted a Sri Lankan family they had met briefly, and who lived in Puyallup, appealing to them for assistance.
Help they did. They were amazing. Inviting us to come and stay in their home before convincing me to settle in Puyallup. During which time they cheated me of a large sum of money…but that is another story.
And so while I struggled to stitch my tattered life back together, my heart heavy and homesick, I met and made other friends. This time, they were Americans.
Reflections On The History Of Jaffna College
Silan Kadirgamar
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Jaffna Colleg Alumni Association – Colombo Branch, and 190th anniversary of the Batticotta (Vaddukoddai) Seminary (1823) and Jaffna College (1872) 3rd August 2013.
One recalls an event in 1953, the annual dinner of the Academy. Three formal annual dinners took place in the college those days. These were that of the Alumni, the Academy (the literary association of students in the university entrance classes) and that of the Undergraduates’ Union. Distinguished chief guests often from the South graced these occasions. The dinners consisted of four or five courses with six speeches – the toast to the College, toast to the association and the toast to the guests with the respective responses. For students these were hilarious and memorable occasions, several dressed in full suit and tie for the first time. The speeches were humorous and of a high order. Alcohol prohibited in the college the glasses raised was filled with Machado ginger beer. In the dinner term the students in their wisdom and at times by consensus elected the most competent public speakers in English.
Jaffna College Entrance & Administration Block
