By a concerned Kandyan: Dr Sudath Gunasekara. Mahanuwara

Naming newly acquired bear cubs in the Dehiwala Zoo.

I read that these two cubs have been named as Nilame and Menike.I regret very much this foolish decision made by the Zoo authorities. This is highly defamatory and malicious.Therefore, I demand this foolish and defamatory decision should be withdrawn immediately and corrected in the press and the YOUTUBE as it is an attempt made by some scruples donkey, to defame the Kandyans and humiliate them, with the intention of doing so or not. He should withdraw it immediately. I also demand that the man or the woman who made this decision should be punished.

Thereafter, pl find a suitable name for a bear.

The term Nilame was coined and used to designate a faithful servant of the King in traditional Kandyan Sinhala society. It means the bearer of a high position in the service of the King and the People and the Sasana as all three were one, as the Mahavansa says. The term Menike was used to call the lady of the house.Both terms were used in an honorary sense. The father was called Loku Nilame and the lady Loku Menike The male children Podi Nilame and females Podi Manike. The person whether an officer or a Minister must be ashamed to have defamed and humiliated great clan of our society who fought for nearly 350 year against the Portuguese, Dutch and the British invaders to save the Sinhale Kingdom and Sinhala nation together with the Buddha Sasana for have a land for all of us to live without being disappearing like the Natives of North and South America,,Australia and New Zealand. As such instead of honoring those Great people and paying respect to them, nobody should be allowed to humiliate them by resorting to this type of low and unsavory tactics. Dr Sudath Gunasekara. Mahanuwara 28.3.2025