From Dhaka to Lanka, what a feeling it was!
Just like that fairytale ’96 World Cup, this promises to be a story that will be retold, over and over again. As the last ball hurtled through the air and the resounding thunk of it hitting the willow reverberated through the Sher-e Bangla stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh for the final time that night, here in [...]
Letters
A bus service that would be of great service to the people There is no bus service from Kuliyapitiya or from Welipennagahamulla through Navasigahawatte junction to Kandanegedara. The state bus service which operates from Kuliyapitiya through Horatapola ends journey at Navasigahawatte junction while private buses from Welipennagahamulla go to Kuliyapitiya through Navasigahawatte junction. As a [...]
Appreciations
Ashmore Atapattu A spectacular sunset: He lived his life his way The Delhi sun was setting when I boarded a plane to return to Colombo the day after Ashmore died. I thought it was symbolic because about 15 hours before that, the sun had set on the life of a giant of a man. A [...]
Once it was simple rural fun
The Aluth Avurudda which dawns tomorrow, opens a window to the past, a past when the Avurudda lifted the spirit of our rural folk and stimulated their creativity. The result is the wealth of folk games, songs, verse and practices that have come down to us making the Aluth Avurudda an enriching cultural experience. Lankans [...]
Childhood days in the zoo
The father-son tale inextricably linked to the Dehiwela National Zoological Gardens drew a huge response. Headlined ‘Once it was David’s big garden with lots of animals’ published in the PLUS on March 30, it was about Major Aubrey Neil Weinman the second Superintendent and first Director of the Zoo through the eyes of his son, [...]
Bonding time, families and communities
When Kamala Kumara was a lass, the Avurudu ganudenu (exchange) was not just for bright-eyed young children eagerly awaiting some pocket money. It was a custom for the great outdoors as well- in particular, for the dark depths of the Kalu Ganga that snakes its way through the Kalutara town. “Many villagers would go down [...]
Lankan fans add to Yanni’s universality
Hot on the heels of a long overdue World Cup win, another long overdue performance looks set to take the country by storm when the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium hosts Yanni next Sunday, April 20. Tickets are almost sold out (although there might be a couple available, so do check with the organisers) and it’s impossible [...]
Cuppa of all flavours under one roof
Known for producing the finest black tea in the world, Sri Lanka prides itself in producing according to uncompromising traditional methods and standards. Defining, protecting and promoting Ceylon tea is one of the Sri Lanka Tea Board’s aims and in line with this, they opened their first tea house ‘Ceylon Tea Moments’ on April 3 [...]
Ramani’s story more than skin deep
Ramani Fernando, the undisputed legend when it comes to beauty culture, launched her biography titled, “A Journey with Style” last Tuesday at the Colombo Hilton presenting the first copy of the book to First Lady Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa. The glamorous event was attended by many well known society personalities- understandably, as Ramani is undoubtedly one [...]
It’s time for ‘Mei Avurudu Kaale’
The call of the Koha and sounds of Raban playing tells us that Avurudu is around the corner. During this Avurudu season, folk songs are commonly listened to and enjoyed by many Sri Lankans. While both commercialised and traditional folk songs reach our ears, it is thanks to the efforts of musicians like Lionel Ranwala [...]
Sweetmeat-maker’s life is far from sweet
Avurudu is a season of not just laughter, happiness and family fun, but for most people, especially the young, it’s the season to just indulge in as many sweetmeats as you possibly could eat. Back in the day, all the Avurudu Kevili were made by the mother of the house together with the daughters, but [...]
T20 – from celebration to country character
The feeling was fabulous. The feeling is always fabulous when Sri Lanka wins at cricket, and when it is a world cup in any form of the game, the sensation is so intense it could be carnival and the second coming all rolled into one! But it doesn’t last… When the last light goes out [...]
Man of non-sober habits seeks wild girl….caste, creed immaterial!
I am not sure how Queen Victoria ever got married. She was not a very pretty girl to start off with and she was quite formidable and not easily amused! She however, had the distinct advantage that she was the Monarch, as well as the Empress of India. Taken together, these must have constituted a [...]
Soft skills: What professionals really need to know
Professionals in the 21st century are faced with many challenges. Skilled employees are the foundation of true, long-lasting competitive differentiation—companies have to attract and retain these key resources, and manage them effectively. In order to sharpen the skills of our professionals we need to develop essential skills which are not taught in University lecture rooms [...]
University of Peradeniya Colombo Chapter AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya Colombo Chapter was held on March 9 at Shalika Hall Narahenpita. The following were elected as office bearers for 2014/2015: President: C. Sooriyaarachchi General Secretary: D.M.D.V.Jayampathi Vice Presidents: G.H.P. Dharmaratna, Ms. Nalini de Silva, Godwin Perera, G.P. Piyasena, Jinith de Silva Assistant [...]
Bimba Jayasinghe Tillekeratne appointed Acting Solicitor General
Senior Additional Solicitor General, Mrs. Bimba Jayasinghe Tillekeratne, President’s Counsel has been appointed as Acting Solicitor General with effect from April 4, 2014. She is a law graduate of the University of Colombo and was called to the Bar on September 24, 1981. She joined the Attorney General’s Department in 1983 and has worked in [...]
Inland fishing in Sri Lanka – can you help?
Somasiri Devendra, Jayantha Jayewardene and Stefan D’ Silva are gathering information for a detailed publication on inland fishing in Sri Lanka. It will not be a scholarly publication but one aimed at preserving a fast-vanishing way of life. The material will be for the interested reader who has a love for Sri Lanka. They will [...]
Long-awaited film archive opens
It was a poignant moment when the National Film, Television and Sound Archives was opened at the National Archives on Saturday, April 5, the event being held in honour of the 95th birthday of the doyen of Sinhala cinema, Dr. Lester James Peries amidst a gathering of stars of the silver screen and Government Ministers [...]
Ratmalana Welfare Asssociation inviting new members
Established in 1968, the Ratmalana Welfare Association has provided welfare amenities to residents and a children’s playground for the recreational needs of the children. Deputy Mayor of Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Kesaralal Gunasekera, praised the work of the Association saying “Last year, I had the pleasure of joining you all in the customary Avurudu Uthsavaya and also [...]
New musical drama from SLBC
The drama society of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation will present a new musical drama ‘Himagatha Arana- Sripada Puranaya’ which will be broadcast on the national service on April 14, New Year’s Day from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on City FM. The script and lyrics for this [...]
Palm Sunday service at St. Michael’s
The Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatte, Colombo 3 will have a Devotion for Choir and Congregation titled “Cross of Christ” today, Palm Sunday, April 13 at 6 p.m. The Devotion will be in seven parts from the Foretelling of the Cross to the final acclamation of Christ Triumphant. The Anthems and Chorales [...]
