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Historic Images Of Old Ceylon - Automotive And Otherwise


Sampath Gunasekera

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Before the Bull-Dozers (1882)

Labugama Reservoir – Elephants transporting rocks for the building of the dam across the Wak Oya for the Colombo Water Scheme in 1882.

"Centenary Volume of the Colombo Municipal Council 1865-1965" - (September 1965)

By Mr. H.A.J. Hulugalle

labugama.jpg

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I'm guessing this must be Galle Road somewhere in the mid 1970s? I can't for the life of me figure out exactly where this is, and yet it all looks so familiar...especially those two phillips signs...any ideas? I didn't check the FB group yet.

Yes it is Galle Road Kollupitiya, and the Phillips signs are on the Maurice Roche building. They were the one time agent for Phillips in Sri Lanka. The building is there even today though Maurice Roche is seemingly not.

The Green and yellow three wheelers made their appearence under the Self Employment Project (SEP) of the UNP govt of the time and had the letters "SEP" painted on either side in front. This picture seemingly is from the early eighties (81ish)

Edited by CJ5
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Mr.Sampath Gunasekera,(3 ) You are correct they had engines mounted under driver's seat. All those three wheelers were chain driven.No battery, AC current is generated by the flywheel permanent magnets had very funny noise AC frequency horns when the engine speed is high more noise, cannot hear the AC horns noise now days.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

Few days ago, I saw 16 Sri Bajaj tuk tuk (1989) with original Bajaj badges.

"Bajaj Electric" badge was on rear side and it just recalled my memory. I think this is later developed model with a battery and named as "Bajaj Electric".

[We have a 85 Sri Vespa Scooter bough brand new in early 80's (1982 I guess) and no battery, no signal lights , no side mirrors.]

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(3 ) You are correct they had engines mounted under driver's seat. All those three wheelers were chain driven.No battery, AC current is generated by the flywheel permanent magnets had very funny noise AC frequency horns when the engine speed is high more noise, cannot hear the AC horns noise now days.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

Interestingly those "engine under driver" chain driven small tuk tuks are still found in abundance in India. Wonder if they are still being manufactured and its a case that SL does not import them anymore.

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1992 Sri Lanka - New Zealand Test Series (14 December 1992, Daily News)

Who can remember Roshan Mahanama's maiden test century (153) at Tyronne Fernando Stadium ?
He was so nervous on 90s and was waiting around 10-15 minutes to score 100.
Superb innings ended at 153.
He scored another century (109) in the second test match. Good series of matches ....

Here is an advertisement with signatures of Kiwis.

22126184.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

One of oldest businessmen in Pettha, once told me that People’s Park Shipping Complex, Pettha was built up after demolishing the vegetable market at same land. Up to now I couldn’t find even a single old photo of this place.

However these photos show the back side of the Old Town Hall (Pettha) faced to People’s Park , Bodhiraja Mawatha (Gaswork Street) end (previous vegetable market).

Views from the People’s Park Side.....

oldrarepicinsrilanka2.jpg

(I believe this view from People's Park side and not from the 4th Cross Street side, as roof domes and decorations of old town hall can't see in left side of the photo)

444pj.jpg

In 1976 (Photo By Andress Czieborowski)

1976z.jpg

In 2012 (I clicked this photo few months ago)

p1812120752.jpg

Edited by Sampath Gunasekera
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Rupavahini & ITN Programme Schedule - 21 March 1989 , Daily News, 24 years ago

(Seems it was a Poya Day)

Only 5 hours telecast,

No Mega Tele-dramas,

No tele-drams about full time weeping women,

No Superstars,

No disturbance from tuition masters with soft skin spotless faces (not even single pimple on their faces),

No disturbance from cricketers who are very much concern on our bones,

No disturbance from beautician skin specialists never done Science at least in their A/Ls , but prescribe Vitamin E to public…..

Simplest ......

rupavahini.jpg

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Revenue License - 1977

(Source: Facebook-Old Ceylon)

61713821.jpg

I guess 131.25 is the license fee (Rs.131.25) . As far as remember, it was Rs.150.00 for my father's Morris Minor in 1977.

If I am correct at that time all licenses had to be renewed at the RMV before Jan 1st and during the last week of December it had been chaos and pandemonium at the RMV license renewal counter as vehicle owners from all over the country were at the RMV counter.

Anyone with that experience????

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If I am correct at that time all licenses had to be renewed at the RMV before Jan 1st and during the last week of December it had been chaos and pandemonium at the RMV license renewal counter as vehicle owners from all over the country were at the RMV counter.

Anyone with that experience????

CJ5,

Your post is perfect correct. I too had gone their (RMV) early morning 6.30 am and be on a (POLIMA) to getout by 10 AM.

Later when motor vehicles registered more and more, then SL Government changed the licencing time to be the day of FIRST registration.

365 days later new licence. Plenty of people (touts) living on helping motorists to get the revenue licences. Lost their end of year income.

I remember when one CHIEF was transferred from RMV. The near by bars went out of stocks. ENTIRE STAFF WAS VERY HAPPY.

Most minor staff officers were also involved in making money by helping their friends who were regular touts roming round RMV.

At present RMV Colombo and WERAHARA is a plesent place to get any requarements done.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

Edited by Sylvi
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  • 1 month later...
Friends,

This is an e-mail I received from Mr. H. D. I. Anthony (Anthony Hettiarachchi) , a retired Senior Railway Guard of CGR, as a result of reading this thread & seen old photos.

Now he is at 78 and on the verge of publishing a book with his experience at CGR . Recently I had a chance to read few chapters at proof reading level and really amazing and interesting. I am waiting to see the final product soon which will be a historical document with some valuable illustrations.

I attached same e-mail as JEPGs, as otherwise it will be difficult to read Singhala words.

Enjoy this…..

---------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Sampath,

Any updates on the book project by Mr. Hettiarachchi?

Thanks.

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  • 2 months later...

You're a library Sampath... you have showed it every where you've post not even in this thread. Keep it up. It makes tears of happy while read the history and feel bit sad because our country couldn't keep that momentum because 30 year length war.

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Guys, can you guess below places? Specially Mr.Silvy.....

Photo 1

qxo4.jpg

Photo 2

ek6e.jpg

Photo 3

0wl2.jpg

My guesses are

1. Photo 1 - Taken from where current Hilton Hotel is.

2. Photo 2 - This photo has been flipped. Look at the first Morris Minor's license plate. This is most probably where current SLECC is, opposite Lake House

3. Photo 3 - Almost impossible to guess. But my guess is Chalmer's Granary

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You're a library Sampath... you have showed it every where you've post not even in this thread. Keep it up. It makes tears of happy while read the history and feel bit sad because our country couldn't keep that momentum because 30 year length war.

Thanks Charith. :)

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