When the lines in the sand were drawn
As I wrote in my story “Bewitched by the Syrian Desert” in The Last Colonial, until 2009 I had never visited Syria – where the great and scandalous Sir Richard Burton spent two intense years as Her Majesty’s Consul from 1869-1871 with his adoring wife Isabel. Eventually the allure of Syria was too much for [...]
There’s a sparkle in his eye and he tells us why
It’s more than three decades since well-known gem exporter Deshabandu Nimal Pathirana gifted a 22 carat blue sapphire to Queen Elizabeth II. His eyes still sparkle with delight when he recollects the day he gifted the stone to the Queen when they met at the President’s House in Colombo in 1981. “The sapphire was one [...]
Letters to the Editor
Facebook: Beware of virtual world’s predators and other dangers The inventors of Facebook might have developed the popular social networking site with the intention of bringing people closer but it is quickly becoming a social nightmare and actually driving people apart. The Internet is truly a marvellous tool but if used improperly the repercussions of [...]
Appreciations
A legend of the Army and true son of Mother Lanka General J. E. D. Perera The Commander of the Army, all officers and other ranks express their immense grief with intense feeling and profound sorrow on the demise of General Deshamanya J. E. D. Perera, VSV, D Litt (Honoris Causa) FCMI (UK) FIMgt (SL) [...]
The opera that rocked the world
In the 1970s, Jerome L. De Silva was obsessed with rock music. Working as a radio announcer, he became one of the first to play the genre on air. In fact he played so much of it that he was fined. It was a good time for rock – Black Sabbath released eight albums, Led [...]
Setting the stage for French beauties
The Miss France beauty pageant is one of the biggest held annually in the world. This year the Miss France pageant has decided on a pre-pageant tour of Sri Lanka as part of their contest experience. The tour will be a part of the pageant’s official agenda, following regional selections that will culminate in the [...]
Look at the similarities and the uniqueness
It was a chance encounter that brought Jiratha Narapittayanart to the shores of Sri Lanka. She was asked to accompany Ven. Bhikkuni Dhammananda Thera (Dr. Chatsuman Kabilsingh) on her quest to complete her book on Sri Lanka in celebration of 260 years of Syamavamsa. Jiratha’s task was to record the various sites with her photography. [...]
It’s a rail-long journey
With the end of the ‘Eelam War’, the spotlight has now turned to the Northern Province. The on-going joint effort with aid from India, expending over the USD 400 million to re-establish beyond Mankulam upto Kankesanthurai, the destroyed railway service complete with several new railway stations reminds one of the dark years when terrorist activity [...]
I have to disagree with something that ate me
You are what you eat. This discomforting thought strikes me in the solar plexus every time I put on a few surplus pounds. That dollop of butter, cream or mayonnaise; that second helping of gravy-laden meat; that extra heap of sugar in the old char. All these tell in the end – the rear end, [...]
Son of Elara, amidst deities at Lankathilaka Raja Maha Vihare
Unlike the Hindus or other believers of divinity, Sinhala Buddhists do not consider the power they believe in to be all mighty. But they are heavily dependent on such metaphysical powers for their day-to-day survival. One such interesting belief system is preserved at the Lankathilaka Raja Maha Vihare / Devale in Udu Nuwara (five km [...]
Laws needed urgently to stop cruelty to animals
“No person has the right to kill, consume or sell flesh of another under the ethic of Ahimsa in Buddhist Teachings. Nor has he the right to depend on another’s flesh. “And if an animal is to be killed, it is only morally correct that the animal be given the right to fight and allow him [...]
Bevan’s back at Barefoot
He lives mostly in the UK so when veteran artist George Bevan holds an exhibition back home in Sri Lanka, it is a special occasion, one much anticipated by art fans. ‘Heritage’ an exhibition of his paintings opened on September 5 at the Barefoot Gallery and will continue until September 29. Fellow artists, art lovers [...]
Addressing human need rather than human greed
The concept of networks to carry forward an agenda or cause is recognised today as an important strategy for initiating political, economic and social change. Access to the internet has made networking swift and effective eliminating boundaries of culture, locality and space. No longer do we need drummers, town criers and posters to spread our [...]
Building new roads for women
Vasanthi (or Vasi, as she is generally known), is one of two pioneering women from Jaffna who were the first to do engineering. (The other, Pushpa Nagaratnam, left Sri Lanka early on, after her marriage.) Vasi had her schooling at Chundikuli Girls’ College up to O/Levels and then went to St. John’s College for A/Levels. [...]
A young girl’s dreams in convents of a bygone era
She writes about growing up in convents in the hill country decades ago. She must be one of those delicately built, demure ladies in saree, graying hair pulled neatly into a bun at the back of her head. Not so. Bernie Hay launched her second book, “Love, Learning and Laughter” on Saturday, September 7. The [...]
She did what many would not have dared to do
“My orientation to the job was being asked to write my last will,” said author and former UN aid worker, Anoja Wijeyesekera speaking of her posting in Afghanistan. Her book, “Facing The Taliban” is a detailed account of her experiences in war-torn Afghanistan during the rule of the Taliban. Her posting as the head of [...]
The Lanerolle bros are back with classical greats and yes, a bit of Broadway too
Performing classical music is not easy. While doing justice to compositions by the Greats such as Mozart and Mendelssohn requires intense concentration and technique, a performer has to be able to captivate his audience throughout the show. Why not add a voice harmony; and if it didn’t already seem challenging enough, throw in a few [...]
‘Paraya’: Getting curiouser and curiouser
It’s close to 6 p.m. and the three wheeler driver throws me a dubious look when I tell him to take me to Rio cinema in Slave Island. Once there, I’m happy to leave the cinema’s two solitary patrons to their film to follow Subha Wijesiriwardena and Tracy Holsinger on their way to a rehearsal. [...]
ACWBC elects new Executive Committee
The All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress (ACWBC) elected its new Executive Committee for 2013/2014 at the Annual General Meeting held recently. President: Mrs. Jeevani Sugunadasa Deputy President: Mrs. Savitri Peiris Vice Presidents: Mrs. Clodagh Fernando, Mrs. Malini H. Perera, Mrs. Sheila Jayaratne Mrs. Indra De Silva Secretary: Mrs. Rani Bandara Jayaweera Asst. Secretaries: Mrs. Indrani [...]
Alpha Course at Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour
The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 invites all those who want to find out more about Christianity, new Christians, and those who want to brush up on the basics, to come and join the Alpha Course at the Cathedral, commencing on September 18. The course will be held for 10 [...]
Bishop of Galle blesses crowd at annual church feast
The Bishop of Galle, Most Rev. Raymond Wickremasinghe blessing the crowds who had gathered from all over the island with the Statue of our Lady of Matara at the annual church feast. Pic by Dunstan Wickremaratne
Rashika wins gold medal for her cakes
Rashika Ranasinghe, the teacher of Home Economics at St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo 7 was recently awarded Gold Medals in all categories for the Fancy Cake (Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs) and Wedding Cake Structure at the recently concluded Course of Cake Decoration conducted by the Prima Baking Training Centre. She received the Gold Medals [...]
Looking for a state-of-the-art kitchen?
The well-known German-made Häcker kitchens announced their entry to Sri Lanka with the opening of their showroom at 593 1/1, Nawala Road, Rajagiriya recently. Häcker in Sri Lanka has joined hands with Bosch home appliances, Europe’s biggest supplier and manufacturer of home appliances, to provide complete and unique kitchens solutions. The company goes to the extent [...]
New stage play for schoolchildren
Students from ten schools in the Kalutara district will be seen on stage on September 20, when ‘Thatu Salanna Ida Harinna’ a stage play directed by Nalaka Swarnathilake goes on the boards at the Kalutara Holy Cross auditorium. There will be two shows for schoolchildren at 8.30 a.m and 11.30 a.m. and a public show at [...]
Lankadeepa journalist to launch four
Award-winning Sunday Lankadeepa journalist Sanjeewika Samaratunga will launch four of her latest publications at the Colombo International Book Fair at the BMICH. They include three novels titled ‘Sapemini Mohothak’, ‘Ganga Numba Hendu Tharam’ and ‘Sanda Arundathi’. The fourth ‘Sonduru Pathiniya’ is a compilation of Buddhist teachings and valuable advice that will help women achieve a [...]
Workshops on preventing child injuries
The Family Health Bureau organised two consultative workshops on September 4 and 5 to integrate Child Injury Prevention in Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Networks with the participation of national level experts and WHO officials. This was in addition to the national consultation meeting on the same topic organised jointly with the Non-Communicable Disease Unit [...]
Women in Management Inspirational Award
Dr. Soma Edirisinghe, Founder/Chairperson of the Janasarana Foundation receiving a Women in Management Inspirational Award 2012/2013 from Australian High Commissioner Robin Mudy on August 22. Chairperson, /Managing Director of Women in Management Mrs Sulochana
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to launch 26th publication
“Janamaadya Niyamanaya”, the 26th publication by the Media Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and journalism scholar Daya Sri Narendra Rajapaksa, will be launched on September 18, at 12.30 pm at the Colombo International Book Fair. Minister for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Rajitha Senaratne and Dr. Sujatha Senaratne will be the guests [...]
Mettasena launches first book of poetry
‘Tharuwa Nam Marg’, veteran photographer Padmakumar P. Mettasena’s first book of poetry will be launched today, Sunday September 15, at 12 noon at the International Book Fair now on at the BMICH. All are welcome for the launch. The book is published by RIght Minds (Pvt) Ltd.
20-year-old Sri Lankan performs Arangetram in Kuala Lumpur
Niroshini Hemadasa was only a baby when her mother Dayani formed the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society Sinhala Cultural Dance Troupe in Kuala Lumpur. Born to Sri Lankan parents in the Malaysian capital, Niroshini grew up with a strong foundation in dance so it’s no surprise that aged just 20, she performed her Arangetram (Bharata Natyam [...]
Mother of Sorrows Church Panadura celebrates Diamond Jubilee
The Mother of Sorrows Church Panadura celebrates its 75th Diamond Jubilee of becoming a separate parish today. The history of the Panadura church dates back to Portuguese times with the start of the Church of Mary Magdalene. After the capture by the Dutch and the persecution of the faithful, the church was re-established in the [...]
