Pamela Holzinger, President of the Toastmasters Club of Berne, is a citizen of Sri Lanka and has been a resident of Switzerland since 1975.  She is a "burgher," tracing four generations of descent from the first German-Jew who came to Ceylon.  Burghers, of Portuguese, Dutch and British origin, contributed a lot to the culture of the country - which continues to surprise those who are not aware of the multifaceted nature of the island. 

The Toastmasters Club of Berne includes members and guests from more than twenty nations and five continents.  We all enjoy hearing of far-off places - the locations of our dreams - and value the cultural diversity this brings to Switzerland.  We now welcome Pamela, who will tell us of about "Ceylon, the Resplendent Island."

Ayubowan!

Even those who know nothing else about Sri Lanka recognise the island which produces the world's finest teas. 

But tea has been grown in Sri Lanka for only a hundred years, which is just a moment in the time scale of the island's civilization, which has 2000 years of unbroken historical continuity.

Many centuries before the steamships called for chests of tea, other vessels had brought to her shores travellers in quest of gems and spices. Even more precious were the riches of her natural beauties and her religious heritage. 

History survives in the great religious monuments of ancient cities - in the network of "tanks" - massive irrigation schemes which were without parallel when built and still amaze the modern engineers with the skill of their construction - in the fabulous rock fortress of Sigiriya with its cloud-capped places, its frescos of heavenly maidens, and thy lyrics in praise of their beauty incised in the mirror wall.

Sri Lanka's beauties and riches, however, attracted not only travellers, merchants and pilgrims, but also invaders and conquerors. 

First from neighboring India, and later from the expanding empires of the West:  Portugal, Holland and Britain.  Finally in 1948, Sri Lanka gained its independence.

Today, the heritage of her history survives in the county's blend of races and cultures.  Nineteen million people include Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Malays, Portuguese, Dutch and British descendents. Many and various cultures have contributed to the country. The religion of the majority is Buddhism, and Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity help to make up a rich cultural diversity.

Sri Lanka has been one of the pioneers in political democracy in Asia.  For over a quarter century there has been free public education from kindergarten to university, and it is appropriate that she produced the world's first woman prime minister.

Now, engulfed in civil war, Sri Lanka has a tarnished image as "Garden of Eden" and "Pearl of the Indian Ocean".  But in conclusion, may I say, in war or in peace, the good memories will always haunt me, and the shores of Sri Lanka will always be home for me.