Trotting into history
For the first time the Sri Lanka Army with the support of the Pakistani military gets its own Cavalry Unit and Horse Riding Club There are six placards on the ground, swaying in the chilly breeze that comes over the Hokandara lake. As we try to catch a glimpse of what’s written on them, the [...]
Letters to the Editor
Innovative, modern-day parallel behind umbrella gimmick As a Buddhist, Vesak is a significant time in my life. Although not a so-called “practising Buddhist”, it is my honest belief that Buddhism is a way of life as opposed to being a mere religion. It is only through a deep understanding of the Buddhist philosophy that one [...]
Appreciations
The last dribble of one who had a great zest for life Shehan Perera On May 11, a Saturday we played basketball. This was a ritual; every week-end and on holidays the old boys of St. Sebastian’s College gathered to enjoy a wonderful game. Shehan, fondly known in the court as Santa Claus was indeed [...]
Now, even the tiniest baby has a fighting chance to live
Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports on a pilot project launched under the neonatal retrieval concept that will help premature and critically ill newborns An ambulance pulls up to the entrance of the premier children’s hospital in Colombo and a group of health workers in baby pink loads an incubator, with calculated moves, gently but at the same time [...]
Not Aladdin’s magic lamp but Jayawardana’s
More than 30 years after it was invented, the ‘Lanka Lamp’ is finally ready to reach households all over the country It took Lanka Jayawardana over three decades to patent and make public his groundbreaking innovation; the Lanka Lamp was invented in 1980. Mr. Jayawardana, a former civil servant, found that the biggest hurdle in [...]
Jackie and Otara add glamour to CJS
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez was in Colombo last week to launch stunning new additions to Colombo Jewellery Store’s (CJS) Perpetual Grace collection. The CJS Brand Ambassador was joined by Sri Lankan business and fashion icon Otara Gunawardena, who also launched her ‘Hoola’ Collection, the newest addition to her exclusive line for CJS. Jacqueline shot to [...]
Ikebana blossoms with Lankan touch
Ikebana the Japanese form of flower arranging has brought together enthusiasts, fostering a worldwide friendship through flowers within Ikebana International. Ikebana International’s Sri Lanka Chapter 262 which was formed last July will hold its annual exhibition of members’ work on June 15 and 16 at the Monara Hall of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism [...]
The Lanerolle Brothers wow the Bishopians in style
It was a gathering of Bishopians and friends at the ‘Purple Edition’ organised by the Past Pupils Association of Bishop’s College held at the Waters’ Edge last weekend. The performers were the well-loved De Lanerolle Brothers who have in their four years of singing as a duo earned themselves a dedicated fan following. True to [...]
A new dazzle
Premadasa Jewellers opened a new show room at 79, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 last month with many prominent customers attending.
Taking Ayurveda into the 21st century
Guided by his parents , both Ayurvedic physicians Dr. Hasitha Kothalawala practises the ancient art of healing with a modern touch At first glance, Hasitha Kothalawala looks nothing like a traditional Ayurvedic doctor. Dressed in a crisp shirt and tie, his hair smoothly slicked down, he’s the epitome of a successful young executive. In his [...]
Recapturing the glory of ‘College Hall’
The Royal College Main Hall, fondly known as the ‘College Hall’ to generations of Royalists was constructed between 1920 and 1922 and firmly established in 1923, becoming an icon of the college. The grand Victorian design has weathered many storms and stood tall against the winds of wear and tear. But time took its toll and [...]
RCU meets at Royal College Main Hall after 14 years
The first official function of the newly restored Royal College Hall was the 5th Council meeting of the Royal College Union (RCU) on May 8, 2013. The meeting was held at this venue after 14 years with members, distinguished guests and special invitees who were stakeholders of the project in attendance. The meeting was chaired [...]
Here a splash, there a splash: Unseeing eyes take the plunge
Swimming coach Chithra Malalasekara shares the wonder of teaching visually handicapped children under CandleAid’s Swim for Safety programme When she knew she would be coaching blind children, one of the first things Chithra Malalasekara did was to get into the pool blindfolded. She realised immediately that direction was an issue – she frequently found herself [...]
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
The rich are not like us. They have more money. Their lives and lifestyles awe, amuse, and admonish us. “Work hard, play hard!” “Get a life!” “Be a man!” (Their words, not mine.) The poor are playthings for all our wounded psyches. In pitying them, we purge ourselves of psychological traumas of a hundred shades. [...]
Leading artistes and academics to honour Silver screen giant
Lester James Peries Oration Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne will be Chief Guest at the third annual ‘Lester James Peries Oration’ which will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the Committee Room ‘B’ of the BMICH. Guest of Honour on the occasion will be the Ambassador for France in Sri Lanka and the [...]
Baring his bold strokes
Two years ago, Dinusha Uthpala Upasena displayed an impressive collection of work at the Lionel Wendt Gallery. His new solo exhibition of oil paintings, at the same gallery, is called Unmeelana. His pictures reflect his personal interpretation of the teachings of the Tantra and the Upanishads. He rejects totally the notion that human sexuality should [...]
Once upon a time we made fun of each other
Jith and his cast are ready once more with the evergreen, ‘He Comes From Jaffna’ He Comes From Jaffna was written in the early 1900’s…a time when it was acceptable to poke fun at each other and laugh about our intrinsic community differences. When Professor E.F.C. Ludowyke wrote the play he wouldn’t have imagined that [...]
St. Peter’s sings its way to the top
The Senior Choir of St. Peter’s College, Colombo 4, sang their way to success at the All-Island Schools’ Western & Dance Competition 2012/2013 organised by the Ministry of Education held last Sunday at President’s College, Rajagiriya. Beating choirs such as Royal, Trinity and De Mazenod, the Peterite Senior Choir, accompanied by Eshan Denipitiya, became the [...]
St. Peter’s sings its way to the top
The Senior Choir of St. Peter’s College, Colombo 4, sang their way to success at the All-Island Schools’ Western & Dance Competition 2012/2013 organised by the Ministry of Education held last Sunday at President’s College, Rajagiriya. Beating choirs such as Royal, Trinity and De Mazenod, the Peterite Senior Choir, accompanied by Eshan Denipitiya, became the [...]
Alles in Wonderland: Ananda College takes school drama to new level
Ananda College was the winner at “Drama Comp”, one of the premier inter-school English drama competitions. It is no flash in the pan — they were among the top three finalists in the same competition in 2011 (second) and 2012 (third). Ananda’s original play “Alles in Wonderland” is an imaginative satirical political farce with a [...]
Soul Sounds’ young ones perform Broadway hits
Nestled in the busy streets of Colombo 7, the Soul Sounds Academy is filled with the excited chatter of its junior students, as they prepare for their forthcoming concert. Founder and Music Director of Sri Lanka’s premier female ensemble, ‘Soul Sounds’, Soundarie David Rodrigo is heading the concert with Artistic Director Jerome L. DeSilva choreographing. [...]
A feast for art lovers
The George Keyt Foundation’s annual ‘Nawa Kalakaruwo’ exhibition opened at the Harold Peiris gallery of the Lionel Wendt last Sunday unveiling a talented young set of new artists to the public. It was an interested gathering of art lovers at the launch who took time to peruse the work on display with close attention. Today [...]
Eastward Ho from ‘Home Sweet Home’ to Weligama Bay
We—my wife Yoke-Sim and I—gave top priority to visiting my birth village of Pathegama, a couple of kilometres west of Weligama, on my tour of the Deep South early April. We left the Koggala folk culture museum in the early afternoon to enter our village unannounced from the backdoor through Panchaliya. Our driver, Amal Chandrakumara, [...]
Royal College Group of ’49: A batch of exceptional brilliance
Nearly 68% of this batch became professionals – an all-time record! In 1949, a Group of 96 students, was successful in gaining entrance to Royal College having sat an open competitive exam. About 60 of them, were from Royal Prep, while the balance were from other schools such as S.Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia, Trinity College [...]
Seeking refuge via Internet
Notes from Down-Under Forty- four persons from around the world sought and obtained refuge in the Triple Gem -Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha – and the Five Precepts from Ajahn Brahmavamso online during Vesak this year. “This is a unique occasion. It’s the first time that those interested in Buddhism took refuge via internet,” Ajahn Brahm told [...]
Archaeological Society of Sri Lanka honours distinguished linguist
Prof. Vini Vitharana, is one of the most distinguished linguists and scholars this country has produced. As a scholar of Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit and English, he has for several decades made magnificent contributions to the studies and research of culture in Sinhala literature and our national heritage. He was born on June 2, 1928 at [...]
Wayamba University awards Hon. D.Sc. for ‘long term service’
An honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree was awarded to Prof. M.A.K. Lakshman Dissanayake in recognition of the invaluable long-term service rendered by him for the development of scientific research and science education in Sri Lanka, at the General Convocation – 2012 of the Wayamba University held on May 28 at the BMICH. Professor Dissanayake [...]
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Israel celebrates Vesak
Vesak was celebrated on a large scale at the premises of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel with the Nepali Ambassador Prahlad Kumar Prasai gracing the event as the Chief Guest. A large number of Sri Lankans and well wishers from the Israeli community also attended Following the religious observances, a pirith chanting session to [...]
Sri Lankan wins County Council elections in UK
Sri Lankan Sujan Wickremaratchi, a member of the ruling Conservative Party won the County Council elections on May 2 in Hayward’s Heath Town Division, after 25 years of Liberal Democrat rule in this area. He is now a Town Councillor for Hayward’s Heath, with the portfolio – Member Policy & Finance & Planning. He is [...]
Youngest to get BIT first class from Colombo Uni
Buddhika Anjali Ratnayake has received a first class degree in Information Technology (External) from the Colombo University. She also received two gold medals for best performance (Best project for Institute of National Education, Maharagama) at the convocation held at BMICH, Colombo. A product of Musaeus College, Colombo, she received excellent results at the London, O/L [...]
Help for Hiruni
Twenty-year-old Hiruni Hansika Gamaarachchige from Kandy is in need of immediate brain surgery as treatment for an abnormal connection between her arteries and veins in the brain. The condition known as Arteriovenous Malformation (AMV) had been detected in Cyprus when Hiruni was working there and partially treated by embolisation in Greece. Back in Sri Lanka, [...]
“LC Strides” for new Sports Complex
CMS Ladies’ College, founded in 1900, has always laid great emphasis on producing well rounded women, excelling in academic and extracurricular activities. The spacious back garden, complete with netball, tennis and basketball courts has enabled Ladies’ College to excel in many sports particularly athletics, rowing, waterpolo, tennis and basketball. It was one of the first [...]
Fashion extravaganza celebrates ‘real women’
48 women, all of them new to the ramp, took the spotlight at the Cinnamon Grand on May 28 as Unilever, Sri Lanka’s premier hair care brand Dove, together with beautician Nayana Karunaratne and choreographer Lou Ching Wong, presented the ‘Dove Real Women, Real Beauty’ hair show. With the theme being ‘Real Women’, all 48 [...]
President to felicitate 3,500 blood donors
3,500 blood donors and Mobile Blood Donation Camp organisers will be felicitated under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on June 14 at Temple Trees to commemorate World Blood Donor Day. The felicitation comes as the Global Celebration of World Blood Donor Day next year (2014) has been offered to Sri Lanka, the first time [...]
Vesak celebrations at London Buddhist Vihara
Vesak celebrations were held at the London Buddhist Vihara, the oldest Buddhist temple in the UK last month with a large gathering of Sri Lankans and others present.
Japanese honour for Lankan
The Japanese Government conferred Dr. Sabhapathi Mudiyanselage Punchi Banda, Senior Advisor – JICA Sri Lanka Office, with one of its distinguished honours “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” on April 29, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in enhancing the relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka. Commenting on the award Ambassador [...]
