Raging storm over Mahasen

What's in a name? At least for some Sri Lankans, there is a lot more than a mere collection of letters. More so, when it comes to national figures of yore.

It was just a week ago that UPFA leaders took exception to the recent cyclone being named 'Mahasen'.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who addressed the nation during the Victory Day celebrations said "It is those who betrayed the country with the ceasefire agreement ……. in 2003 who proposed to the World Meteorological Organisation that the name of our great king Mahasen who built 16 tanks should be used to name a great storm.

"All international media have mentioned cyclone Mahasen. Will those who sought to insult King Mahasen who was known as 'Minneri Deviyo' for building the Minneriya Wewa, allow your great service to the nation to be recorded in history? Are we ready to forget such action?...."

Now comes the news that a Sri Lankan elephant, now being moved from Baton Rouge to Washington DC has been named "Bozie."

A National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) report said that the 27-year-old pachyderm will be re-united with 38 year old Shanthi. The report added: "The two elephants lived in Sri Lanka briefly at the Elephant Orphanage, Department of Wildlife Conservation before being transported to North America. Bozie will be joining two other elephants at the National Zoo; Shanthi's 11-yearold Kandula and 65-year-old Ambika.

"Social interaction is key to an elephant's mental and physical well-being," Don Moore, associate director of Animal Care Sciences, said. "We do everything we can to encourage these natural social bonds. I'm so jazzed for our herd and elephant team!"