Step into a national shame
Who should took the blame for the sorry state of the National Art Gallery? One visit is enough to put off even the most zealous of art lovers. The imposing building on Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (or Greenpath, as it’s more popularly known) is a mere outer shell; walk in past the stone lions, through the [...]
Hard work helps Chamila win NYCIFF award
Shouts and screams fill Jagath Chamila’s ears as he wakes up each morning— they come from the busy marketplace adjoining his modest house in Moratuwa. But on June 20, it was cheers and applause from around the world, when the actor won top honours at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF). Chamila, 41, [...]
Letters to the editor
CMC and CEB are good for you, they make you laugh! Layard’s Road, Colombo 5, down which I live, has a drain full of empty plastic bottles and containers which have been accumulating for weeks. While no self-respecting dengue mosquito would dream of having little ones there, I have been offended by the eyesore. Today, [...]
Appreciations
Mahes Brito Muthunayagam Without her guidance the light has gone out from our lives Mahes Brito Muthunayagam was the only child of the late J.L.C. Tiruchelvam, who was then the City Coroner and Mrs Tiruchelvam. To the manor born, she lived all her life at Rosmead Place and was educated at St Bridget’s Convent, where [...]
Special dengue unit at Negombo
Marking a first in the world, a 17-bed state-of-the-art centre geared to manage both adults and children. Snuggling up to her mother, cherubic baby Ishani* is fast asleep, smiling contentedly in the world of dreams. Although she is oblivious to the harsh reality that just 10 days ago she had a tryst with death, her [...]
Peradeniya…That ‘Dear Perpetual Place’
In this article written to the souvenir which marks the Golden Jubilee celebration of the 1963 Entrants to the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya to be held on July 14, Professor Ashley Halpe, Emeritus Professor of English, goes back to the very beginnings of this unique place of higher learning. Prof. Halpe was in the first [...]
Why we shouldn’t, but we let it pass…
I like work. I can sit and look at it for hours. My own. As well as that of others. The perks and privileges afforded to highly placed time-wasters, pencil-pushers, clock-watchers, wool-gatherers, sleep-hunters, et al., are the matters of the greatest prestige for a cross section of people in important positions. “I and thou/doing nothing [...]
Growing interest in becoming Buddhist nuns
Notes from Down Under More and more women are showing a keen interest in becoming Buddhist nuns. We met nuns from different countries who have donned the robes and entered the Order. In Sydney, a forest monastery set up by AjahnBrahmavamso in Bandanoon, a rural suburb away from the city for monks, is today a [...]
Talking archives in Colombo next weekend
The culmination of Open Edit will be Open Talk, a series of conversations (and a song) exploring and celebrating our instinct to archive. “It’s not a moment of great fanfare, it’s a moment of pause,” says Sunila. “It’s a kind of a quiet programme.” Sessions on the first day include those by Sabih Ahmed (10-11a.m.) [...]
An exhibition that has inspired another
A collection of books on contemporary Asian art displayed in a Jaffna ashram for three months has created great enthusiasm. Smriti Daniel speaks to the main movers behind the Open Edit: Mobile Library concept on the eve of their Colombo session At first, T. Shanaathanan’s students didn’t quite know what to make of the Open [...]
Out of the history of a place emerges a hotel
Book facts: Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya by Richard Boyle.Reviewed by Richard Simon The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, is a place of mild interest. You could write a modest pamphlet about it. Modest pamphlets, however, are somewhat deficient in pleasurable gravitas, so the owners of the hotel have commissioned a two-hundred-page coffee-table book on it instead. [...]
Want a peacock wake up call?
In his search for unusual hotels to review for a new edition of the Bradt Guide to Sri Lanka, Royston Ellis discovers a rustic guesthouse near the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport A chorus of mewling peacocks greeted the dawn, and woke me up with a start. I gazed at the ceiling of the bedroom and [...]
Raising a blow torch to a Japanese restaurant that’s utterly Sri Lankan
As he introduces an extravagant 10 course menu to celebrate his restaurant’s 18th anniversary, you’d expect Darshan Munidasa to raise a glass of champagne, maybe even two. Instead, Nihonbashi’s founder and chief innovator chooses to wield a blow torch as he serves up lightly charred salmon sushi. As the flame hits the delicate pink meat, [...]
Weaving something new in tourism
Sri Lankan born Cresside Collette, a weaver and tapestry artist well-known in Australia led a group of travellers here to explore Sri Lanka through its weaving and garment craft. A group of tourists is set down at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. They travel to Sigiriya, to Kandy and Galle. So far, so predictable. [...]
Ranmali bids BC adieu after 26 years
Last week, surrounded by friends, colleagues and admirers, Ranmali Mirchandani bid farewell to the British Council after over two decades with them. Known for the creative events she spearheaded that encompassed fashion, design and most notably theatre, Ranmali helped set up an arts programme within the British Council known for its quality and vibrancy. To [...]
Come, look at these women
The Lionel Wendt will be the venue for a unique photographic exhibition which brings together the work of some 45 amateur and professional photographers who seek to present women in a totally different light. ‘Women – Out of The Frame’ will be held from July 5 to 10 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, and [...]
Deepa launches a brand she believes in
Deepa Waharakagama, is a familiar face to those who regularly visit “Skin” by Salon KESS. Currently serving as a senior consultant at Skin, (she was headhunted for the post), she previously worked as Clinic Manager for the local affiliate of Sothy’s Paris. Deepa spent 20 years in Singapore working as an aesthetician and international trainer [...]
Dancing to the beat of aboriginal and modern
Well-known Australian indigenous dancer, choreographer and teacher Albert David was in Sri Lanka from June 24 to 26 for a series of performances and workshops in schools and universities. Having held a workshop for the students of the Abhina Academy of Performing Arts, he performed with them on June 26 at the BMICH, at an [...]
SLANA National Heath Run
The National Heath Run (NHR) organised by The Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association (SLANA) will be held on July 7 beginning at 6 a.m, in conjunction with the commemoration of the United Nations declaration against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The Galle Face Green will be the starting point and the event will take place [...]
MILK Kids’ Book Club to host author reading
The MILK Kids’ Book Club will meet on Saturday, July 6 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon at the store premises – 12, Barnes Place, Colombo 7 for a reading by author Eranda Ginige who recently released his book ‘Ryan to the Moon’. The reading and morning of fun activities is suitable for age group [...]
British Council workshop for aspiring designers
The British Council Kandy presents a workshop for aspiring designers conducted by Associate Professor Julie Ross and Rocio Ruiz- Jarabo of the Raffles Design Institute, Colombo on Saturday, July 6 from 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Fashion design, fashion marketing, interior design, visual communication and multimedia are the topics that will be covered. The workshop [...]
‘Lark of Light’ exhibition
‘Lark of Light’, an exhibition organised by the students batch of May 2012 of the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) will be showcased at the Harold Pieris Gallery, – Lionel Wendt on July 6 and 7. The group includes professionals, students and entrepreneurs.
Success for Ladies’ College MUN team
The Ladies’ College team that took part in the Nottingham University Model United Nations conference held in Malaysia from June 14-16 emerged with remarkable success. The conference was held simulating three committees- UNHRC, UNEP and ASEAN. Awahee Mendis was picked as the Best Delegate in the UNEP, Anika Ahamed received honorary mention in the UNHCR [...]
New District Governor elected at Lions Clubs annual Convention
Lion Sumith Senanayake was elected District Governor at the 8th annual Convention of Lions Clubs International District 306B2. Picture shows him being garlanded by present Governor Lion Chandrasekaran. Also in the picture is First Lady Lion Lalitha Chandrasekeran and Lady Lion Dr. Ran Senanayake.
SLCPI makes donation to Polonnaruwa Buddhist Association
Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries (SLCPI) made a cash donation to the Polonnaruwa Buddhist Association for their humanitarian services including the construction of a pilgrims rest house in Polonnaruwa. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, on behalf of the organisation, accepted the donation from Vish Govindasamy, President of the SLCPI. Several SLCPI officials also took part [...]
D.S. Senanayake College Old Boys Association Batch of ‘98 to hold special General Meeting
The D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7, Old Boys Association, Batch of 1998 will hold a special General Meeting on July 4 at 6.30 p.m. at the OBA auditorium to discuss a special matter regarding the Batch. All members of this batch are requested to attend. For more information, contact Nirmal on 0718-053388, Saman- 0772-889899, Pinto- [...]
Bridgetine Beat 2013
A grand Beat Show organised by the Past Pupils’ Association of St. Bridget’s Convent will take place at the CR & FC grounds, Malalasekera Mawatha on July 6, from 6 p.m. onwards. Enjoy the pulsating music of Daddy Band, Ashanthi, Centigrade, Chinthy, Ronnie and Y FM DJs. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1,000, children under 12 [...]
Nugegoda Baptist Church centenary programmes
The Nugegoda Baptist Church celebrates its centenary in July 2013. Started by a group of four with Sunday services at one of the member’s homes, the present church was built in 1922 on Chapel Road by Mr. and Mrs G.D.D. Perera in memory of their son Ernest who died young. The church grew in strength [...]
New booklet will help prevent heart attacks
Heart health being his forte, Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe has authored a booklet titled ‘Prevent Heart Attacks – My precious five ways’ to spread the word. To live longer and live better, he hopes this booklet will help prevent the worsening of any heart condition or such a condition from arising at all. With [...]
Milestone for motorsports veteran
Well known motor racing driver and motorsports veteran, Sumanapala Manapperuma achieved another milestone in his life becoming an All-Island Justice of Peace. Mannapperuma took his oaths last Thursday, June 20, before Colombo District Judge Mr. W. Aravinda Perera. Manapperuma has been engaged in the sport for nearly five decades and launched the now successful Manapperuma [...]
SAARC empowering women through vocational training
President of the SAARC Women’s Association Sutami Ratnavale accompanied by senior member Mano Candappa and members of the Executive Committee Maya Mahbubanu, Roshnie de Saram and Shermin Chatoor visited a Women in Need project at Borella. This project aims at empowering women through vocational training in the technique of producing handcrafted paper. The picture shows [...]
‘Empowered’ conference for women
‘Empowered’, a conference to encourage Christian women to take their place in society will be held on July 4 -6 at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The registration fee is Rs. 100.
107th AGM of Association of Old Johnians
The 107th AGM and get-together of the Association of Old Johnians of St John’s College, Panadura will be held on Sunday, July 7 at Randiya Holiday Resort , 389, Koralawella, Moratuwa from 9 a.m. The organising committee invites all past students to participate in this event. For more information, please contact – Secretary, Sanjeeva Grero [...]
First Lady attends thanksgiving mass
The Confraternity of the Children of Virgin Mary of the Grandpass Church completed 130 years recently, with First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa attending the thanksgiving mass held to mark the occasion. Also present were Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, President of the Confraternity of the Virgin Mary Nimal Marambe and past president Ranjan De Silva.
Book launch and discussion
Reconciliation in Sri Lanka: Voices from the former War Zone, a book authored by three researchers – Minna Thaheer, Pradeep Peiris and Kasur Pathiraja – will be launched on Wednesday July 3 at 4 p.m. at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies. A discussion on the book, which tries to explain what reconcilliation means to [...]
A montessori away from the hustle of the busy city
The Seekers Montessori in Mount Lavinia, away from the hustle of the busy city is a purpose built facility for early childhood education, committed to the development of pre-school children until they start school. The Montessori will have its next Open Day on July 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 31, De Saram [...]
Sri Lanka College of Journalism awards diplomas to 31 students
The Sri Lanka College of Journalism held their diploma awarding ceremony for the Batch of 2012/2013 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on June 25. Emeritus Prof. Savithri Goonesekere was the chief guest at the ceremony where 31 students who had successfully completed the one-year course received their certificates.
