Where victims won’t fear to tread
She stands in the state-of-the-art ‘examination suite’ with a comfortable bed in a muted red close by and goes into the minutest detail about how they are attempting to achieve a two-pronged goal for “victims” or “survivors” of sexual assault. From the sign above the door to the curtained cubicle in the centre to the [...]
A timeless journey
“When we first heard the war was over, we believed a line could be drawn between the mistakes of the past and the promise of the future. One was the place you had been, the other was the place you were going to. We believed there was no need for the two to be connected. [...]
Behind Rebecca
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . . I came upon it suddenly; the approach masked by the unnatural growth of a vast shrub that spread in all directions . . . There was Manderley, our Manderley, secretive and silent as it had always been, the gray stone shining in the [...]
Letters
Amangalle Hotel: I know racism when faced with it Racism is alive and kicking in Amangalle Hotel, Galle. The letter by Mr. Wijegunaratne in the Sunday Times of January 19, relating to the despicable treatment he and his family faced at Amangalle is certainly an eye opener. But this is not an isolated one. My [...]
They will light up ‘Bright Spark’
They shone so bright that they couldn’t escape the notice of the organisers of HSBC Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) 2014 and Ajai Singh and his team are quite delighted to present these designers on the big stage. Nine promising young designers will make a grand entrance at the Bright Spark segment of CFW which begins [...]
Appreciations
A worthy descendant of a great family Balakumaran Mahadeva Deshamanya, Balakumaran Mahadeva, popularly known as Baku Mahadeva passed away at the age of 92 years on November 29, last year after leading a fruitful and illustrious life. He entered the Ceylon Civil Service and through his remarkable conduct and performance he adorned that service. During [...]
Trapped for tourists
There has been much hype in the media about an albino turtle that was supposedly stolen from a commercial hatchery that caters mainly to tourists. In the interest of conserving our natural resources, in this case turtles, it is necessary to focus our attention on these commercial hatcheries and the impact of their activities on [...]
Preserving a precious national heritage
It is heartening to note that alongside vast plans for developing tourism in Sri Lanka, serious plans are afoot in regard to its sustainability by conserving the resources that attract tourists. This was evident at the Forum for Review of Developments and Progress in Marine Conservation recently convened by Dr Hiran Jayewardene, Secretary General Indian [...]
National Trust lecture: ‘Sri Lanka’s nature – Red Alert’
The 58th session of the monthly lecture series of the National Trust Sri Lanka–a lecture by Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala on ‘Sri Lanka’s nature – Red Alert’ will be held on Thursday, January 30 at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 at 6.30 p.m. For a small island, Sri [...]
Race in Sri Lanka: What genetic evidence tells us
Race is a touchy issue almost everywhere in the world but nowhere is this more pronounced than in countries where there is a plurality of peoples. People become more race conscious when another group of people differing in physical features, language, culture and religion live in their midst. The greater the difference, the greater the [...]
A patient, penetrating exploration
The attempt here is merely to draw the attention of readers to this short (about 150 pages) but concentrated and demanding work. It is likely to be of particular interest to Buddhists: they, unlike adherents of other religions, won’t find the title, ‘Religion without God’, oxymoronic or absurd – cf. “Marxism without Marx” – because [...]
‘Making History’ through content and venues
Radhika Hettiarachchi’s usually quiet apartment on Castle Street has been attracting more than its fair share of guests. The new curator of Colomboscope, Radhika has inherited the post (and the new acquaintances that go with it) from author Ashok Ferrey, who helmed it in 2013. An interesting programme shows promise, building on a first year [...]
Going back to known places and faces
Some of the most interesting moments in Aaron Burton’s film ‘My Mother’s Village,’ come when people sit watching themselves. There, captured on the screen, they are as they were over 30 years ago. The passing of time solidifies in that moment, etched in to the very lines of people’s faces. Chandrawathie’s face now, for instance, [...]
Nelson Mandela and his pain of failed marriages
Kalhari read out a passage for us without telling us its source. She began: Perhaps l was blinded to certain things because of the pain I felt for not being able to fulfil my role as a husband to my wife and a father to my children. But just as I am convinced that my [...]
Sans fuss and fanfare
The “Chethana” Foundation which links France and Sri Lanka has been one of the organisations helping Sri Lankans in their own way sans fuss and fanfare for many years. The foundation sponsors more than a 100 handicapped children around the island, providing support in their daily lives. “We started as a small association in 2007,” [...]
Mary Jane in the land of lotus eaters
Is it time for Sri Lanka to consider the legalisation of marijuana? Now don’t get me wrong, dears. I’m not a mournful, soulless, lone voice for the pot-smoking lobby that has been agitating of late to get ganja legalised… far from it! But yours truly will be the first to admit that there’s a perverse [...]
“Colours of My World”- Art competition
On March 21, people across the world will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. The annual observance of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) aims to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and related issues, and to mobilise support and recognition for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons living with Down syndrome. Past WDSD activities [...]
EWC creative writing competition
The English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka (EWC) invites submissions from local writers for their Creative Writing Competition. Short stories and plays of a maximum of 1500 words and poems up to 30 lines will be considered for the prizes and for publication in the 2014 issue of the EWC journal “CHANNELS”. All entries should [...]
RAASL lecture: “Early Artillery of the Sinhalese”
The Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka’s monthly public lecture on “Early Artillery of the Sinhalese” by. Anandalal Nanayakkara (Attorney-at-Law) will be held on Monday January 27 at 5 p.m. at the Gamini Dissanayake Auditorium, No. 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 07. All are welcome.
A taste of Tapas at Taj Samudra
Tapas are considered to be appetisers or snacks in Spanish cuisine and the Taj Samudra, Colombo is serving them at “Pebbles”. While away your afternoons or evenings at Pebbles by simply nibbling on some Mary Tierra which is a delicious tapa with fresh prawns in olive oil garlic and hot dry chilli or Arrosto Alle [...]
Royal College Past Teachers’ Association Office Bearers 2013/2014
Patron: Upali Gunasekara (Principal) President: Mrs. S.N.Amarasekara Vice President: Mrs. Irene Seneviratne, H.M.Dayaratne, Mrs. R.K.M.D.P. Mahatanthila General Secretary: M.T.Munasinghe Asst. Secretary: Ms. Seetha Chelliah, Mrs. Srimathi Weerasuriya, Heras Fernando Social Secretary: Bandula Gunathillake Treasurer: Mrs. Ramya Dharmawardena Asst. Treasurer: H.G.P. Dharmadasa Auditor: Wijedasa Kariyawasam Editor: Bernard de Silva Committee Members: B.Suriarachchi, S.H.Kumarasinghe,R.Edussuriya, Rohini Alles, Ranjith [...]
Negombo Peterites’ walk: “Walk together and Work together”
The Past Pupils Association of St Peter’s College, Negombo will hold a walk titled “Walk together and Work together” on Saturday, February 1 to mark the 110th anniversary of the college. The walk will start from the school premises at 1.30 p.m. and end at the Kadolkelle ground in Negombo around 4.30 p.m. covering a [...]
