Madduma Bandara - A national hero

My favourite national hero is Madduma Bandara. He showed his heroism to the world at the young age of nine. His brave words and his heroic act gave our nation a cause to be proud, proud of our 'Sinha' blood.

Madduma Bandara was the second son of Ehelapola, who was Minister to Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The king suspected Ehelapola of scheming to usurp the crown, which was a serious allegation. Ehelapola fled to the English. The king in his anger, sought revenge, by ordering the Ehelapola family to be killed. The order was executed on May 17, 1814.

Seeing Lokubandara's fear, Madduma Bandara came forward and said, "Aiyandi, do not be afraid. I will show you how to die." He imperiously ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The moment his head touched the ground, a national hero was born; A hero who will live in history for centuries to come.

Arthur C. Clarke - A famous person I would like to meet

Arthur C. Clarke is an internationally renowned scientist and a writer of scientific fiction. The predictions he made through these novels regarding space travel and satellite communication have become realities of today. A man who could foretell such possibilities is indeed a great man, a man to be honoured and admired. Of all the famous people I know, it is Arthur C. Clarke I would like to meet.

I had the opportunity to read some of his books. Reading these books roused my interest and I was driven to find out more about the life and work of this great man.

His novel '2001: A Space Odyssey' became very famous. His many predictions culminated in 1958 when he published a series of essays which eventually became profiles of the future.
Arthur C. Clarke is an Englishman who later became a Sri Lankan citizen. He was the Chancellor of the International Space University of Moratuwa from 1979 to 2002. Clarke was knighted in 2000. On November 14 he was awarded the 'Sri Lanka Abhimanaya', the highest civilian award of our country.