|
| Colombo by double decker |
As a kid, doing the pandal and free food stall round on Vesak Day, or going Vesak Balanna-fying, as I like to call it, was something yours truly would wait for with baited breath, every year. By dusk, on Vesak Day, I would team up with my cousins and hit the streets, taking in every single multi-coloured light bulb and free glass of iced coffee – well into the night. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Govt. grapples with ways of increasing revenue |
The Sri Lankan government, grappling with ways to increase revenue through the 2010 budget while maintaining the deficit at 8% of GDP, is likely to introduce new taxes while reducing some of current ones, outside the budget. Some taxes through the budget is also being contemplated, official sources said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Foreign policy: Russia hits the reset button |
NATO soldiers marching in Red Square on V-E Day; Moscow agreeing on a compromise resolution of the 40-year-old sea-boundary dispute with Norway; the sight of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin kneeling at the memorial to the Polish officers murdered by Stalin at Katyn: these are a few glimpses of what a European newspaper described as a kinder, gentler Russia. But three questions immediately arise: Is this real? Why the change? And how to respond to Russia's new foreign policy? |
|
|
|
|
|
| All set for ‘Future Minds 2010’ Educational Exhibition |
According to a survey, only 2% of the children admitted to the Kindergarten get the opportunity to enter university. The other 98% will be disappointed. Less than 18,000 students are admitted to universities annually. Only those who complete their degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Science, Law and Management get priority in obtaining suitable jobs. |
|
|
|
|
| Dear Mr. Minister, you are walking naked |
We feel that a prerequisite to indulge in present day politics is the ability to walk naked in public. Reason: Once you do that you get rid of all shame and self respect that you have and learn the art of just hanging by the rope and keep on dancing whenever the puppeteer upstairs pulls the string. |
|
|
|
|
|
| EDITORIAL |
| "Beware, Mahinda" |
Whether the net result of rushing in to host the IIFA event had a positive or negative impact can be gone into later, but it clearly revealed the intricate connections the LTTE had with the Tamil Nadu film industry which itself is intertwined with the state's political system. Now that we have played good hosts to the visiting Indians at whatever cost, President Mahinda Rajapaksa goes to India next week in this backdrop to discuss serious issues of state and bilateral relations. |
|
| COLUMNS |
| After the show, a showdown with India -- Political Column |
The tempo built up by an extravagant Indian International Film Academy awards (IIFA) in Colombo this week, no doubt lent an air of goodwill. Yet, it had little or no impact in India with most of the frontline film artistes keeping away from Colombo. Perhaps due to the unofficial nature of the event, even officials in the Indian High Commission in Colombo were conspicuous by their absence. |
| We too have all the makings of stars! -- 5th Column |
“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “what is all this fuss about the Indians?”
“What fuss is that?” Bindu’s father Percy wanted to know.
“Why, thaaththa, everyone is talking about this Indian film festival and all the film stars who have come here for that…” Bindu explained.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Searching for more heights to conquer |
When Charles Jencks, considered the godfather of the postmodern movement in architecture, compiled a list of the world’s ten most influential modern buildings for the BBC in the late 90’s, one man’s name figured prominently- seven times to be exact. Cecil Balmond, the Sri Lankan born structural engineer though not enjoying the widespread acclaim that has been accorded to his architect peers, nevertheless has been a dominant influence in contemporary architecture. |
|
|
|
|
|
| From Tambapanni to Sri Lanka |
It is 38 years since our country came to be officially named as Sri Lanka. Earlier, it was known as Ceylon in English and Lanka in Sinhala. On
May 22, 1972, the country was re-named Sri Lanka when it was declared a Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic. |
|
|
|
|
|
