Sri Lanka is a weird and beautiful place to live. With tales tinged with gal arrack and magic coconuts, legendary creatures like giant crocodiles and men descended from lions, plus plenty of hilarious political intrigue, we don't need fiction when our reality is so deliciously strange. Here are our favourite moments from 2016.
Titles are links to news articles, in case you want proof.
1. That ginormous crocodile
A 17-foot croc hung out in the Nilwala river. This is the stuff Japanese horror films are made of. Also potentially around 40 handbags.
2. Oh Christmas Tree!
What was meant to be the world's biggest Christmas tree ended up being the world's biggest flip flop. Despite all the inaccurate facts being published in newspapers, the random and pointless social media outcry, the changed plans that resulted in a sparkly spaceship structure, the tree is finally up. How did the Grinch steal Christmas? One Tweet at a time.
3. My3 beats people with sting ray tails, his son beats people with flower pots
No, we couldn't make this stuff up if we tried.
4. Sri Lanka made the Google sex list…again
Ah, sexual repression! Bosom (lol) friend of hormonal boys the island over.
5. Bus Drivers went on strike because they want the right to strike….pedestrians
Well not exactly. But they did go on strike because they felt the newly proposed minimum traffic violation fine should not be imposed on them. Because they are divine flashing behemoths of the mean streets of Colombo, transporting souls even as they help them depart to the nether life, and normal mortal rules shouldn't stick to them. Only massive blue flame decals should.
6. Fishy Business : A rat hung out in Keells
A rat explored the icy largesse of Keells Super's seafood section. The unfazed attendants carried on as though this was normal, so we assume it was part of the merchandise. At Rs. 44 on the kg, that's quite a lot of rat for your rupee, so we're not complaining.
7. Aiyo made it into the Oxford dictionary
Ok, so this might be a hat tip to South India, but we'll take what we can. Who knows what could be next? Bakamoona? Ammatasiri?
8. Mirissa waiters forgot they were brown
With numerous instances of restaurants and bars in Mirissa refusing to serve locals, it's pretty clear racism is as prevalent as Russians with sunburns on our sunny shores. Move over, Joanne the Scammer, we thought we were racist Caucasians wayy before you got cracking.
9. Giniyam Rae was a thing
10. Local mums were deemed too seductive to be seen in jeans when picking up their children
Sari, not sorry ladies. All the ammis of St Joseph's school were told their bodies needed to be hidden under 9 yards of cultural shame before they picked up their own sons. Hello, sexual repression and misogyny, is that you again?
11. Lankan pilot got too sloshed to fly plane
A stalwart of our already spectacular aviation industry, this Sri Lankan pilot took "flying high" a bit too seriously and got too drunk in Frankfurt to be allowed to fly. Hilarious or scary? Both, much like everything else on this list. If you want to learn how to be like him, use our guide to putting a bothal party.
12. A bunch of politicians broke a lovely bunch of coconuts, got their wallets stolen
The Joint Opposition queued up at Seenigama Devalaya to dash coconuts. This totally effective ritual was mean to compel the gods to stop the activities of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division." Ironically enough, a bunch of their wallets were stolen mid fervent dashing.
Is this the greatest news story of all time? Yes.
13. Sri Lankan uncles made it to the Panama Papers
A country famous for its paper and hats, Panama's list of secret financial accounts were released. Lo and behold, dozens of Lankan businessmen and their savoury cohorts were featured. Basically the Hi! magazine of dodgy financial activity.
14. Beyonce enslaved rural Sri Lankan women
Bastion of ethical, well-researched journalism, the UK's Sun newspaper published a radical expose about Beyonce's "enslavement" of Sri Lankan women…via yoga pants.
15. Tupac-themed Christmas carols!
A recent Christmas carol sesh organized by the archdiocese of Colombo had lyric booklets featuring Tupac's Hail Mary. of Sadly, refrains of Tupac's angelic chorus "Makaveli in this… Killuminati, all through your body/ The blow's like a twelve gauge shotty/ Uh, feel me!" did not ring out.
Here's hoping 2017 continues in the same vein of oddity! Jayaweva, my gentle fellow islanders.
