Going beyond their religious duties
Reaching out to women in need, are the ‘daughters of Buddha’ at Sakyadhita Sri Lanka monastery. Set in the tranquil environs overlooking the Bolgoda Lake, this monastery shelters five residential Bhikkhunis in addition to the visiting nuns from time to time. Over the years, the Bhikkhunis in the monastery have been a great source of [...]
Fire, fire! Those exciting memories
My father, affectionately known as “Bobby Cox” and referred to in Sinhala as “Ginthera Mahathaya” was born in Teldeniya on March 17, 1901. His father Edwin Arthur Russell Cox was a pioneer English tea planter and his mother, my father recalled, was a gentle beautiful Tamil lady known lovingly in the locality as “Kali Amma”. [...]
Spacious and peaceful, it’s a place made for reflection
The Bawa Awards have been a great stamping ground for Architect Palinda Kannangara. The first time around, his Ginigathhena holiday bungalow won him a Commendation Prize, the second time his Avissawella bungalow was shortlisted and this time he has been similarly shortlisted once more, for the temple pavilions he designed for the Kolonnawa Purana Raja [...]
A wanderer through the landscapes of time
To anyone who knows her, it is clear Jean Arasanayagam is her own most penetrating, most persistent interrogator. In a dance that her readers are familiar with, Jean asks the questions and then finds the answers in her poetry and prose, in fact and fiction. This is nowhere more evident than in latest collection of [...]
They brought out the splendour of ‘serious music’
The two outstanding concerts which featured violinist Stefan Milenkovich and his collaborator pianist Rohan de Silva provided much that resonated beyond the few hours spent at the Lionel Wendt Memorial Theatre. The audiences on both nights (May 28 and 29) were eager to listen and were willing to absorb the delightful elements that these spectacularly [...]
The show is over, there’s some applause…
The best kind of art seems to be the bittersweet, something that ignites the senses but burdens the heart. On Sunday, June 8, the University of Peradeniya DRAMSOC presented the Ambalangoda Sri Anura Puppet Society at the E. O. E. Pereira theatre to a small but appreciative audience. The tale of Dikthala and Kalagola was [...]
‘Settling’ the Nile in a personal way
Among the world’s great rivers, the Nile undoubtedly occupies a unique position in every culture. For a start, it is the world’s longest river at more than 4100 miles (slightly longer than the Amazon). It was also the birthplace of Egyptian civilisation: “the gift of the Nile”, according to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, because [...]
Letters
Highway land robbery by the RDA Under a project funded by the Saudi Government, the Road Development Authority (RDA) is repairing the four-lane Kandy Road from Peliyagoda to Kiribathgoda. At Hathare Kanuwa, Thorana Junction and Kiribathgoda town, the road is being widened to construct six lanes and the RDA is acquiring land from private property [...]
Appreciations
Yogendra Duraiswamy We thank the Almighty for giving us a priceless gift Some of us gathered together at a prayer meeting at your Thithi puja to remember you on your 15th death anniversary, remember the services you had rendered to humanity and thank the Lord Almighty for giving us a priceless gift. I placed the [...]
In the steps of a young boy who became the Sage of Jaffna
The Yogaswami Trust celebrated Swami’s 50th Mahasamadhi, (death anniversary) with traditional puja and aaradhana in all its centres. A special feature of this programme was the launch of an unusual book, “Yogaswami – a Writing Set in Landscapes,” by Sivanandini Duraiswamy. The book is beautifully laid out- the biographical sketches have illustrations relating to young [...]
Enlightening read on the Buddha and Colombo of yore
Age has not diminished the vigour of writer Upali K. Salgado. At 85, Salgado continues writing on Buddhism – a subject that fascinates him. Probably, there had not been a Poya day on which we have not seen his thoughts in print.“Vesak Lipi” which Salgado had been editing for many years, is a leading annual [...]
New York, New York!
New York City is one of the most fascinating places in the world – spend a year exploring and there would still be things left to discover. If you’re planning to visit, here are five things you can do for (relatively) cheap: 1.Visit a Museum:The city is packed with gorgeous museums and they’re all worth [...]
Civil Sri Lankans in an era of rancour
What might it look like to honour the spirit of decency, simple courtesies, and excellence in manners, in our land today? That question keeps resurfacing in my mind… like some bit of bobbing detritus that cannot quite be flushed away at will. This discombobulation is due in no small measure to the ethos that prevails [...]
Colours of Africa at high noon
It was a colourful occasion when African Ambassadors and High Commissioners in collaboration with the African Consular Corps comprising Egypt, South Africa, Libya, Tunisia Nigeria and Sudan celebrated Africa Day on Sunday, May 25 at the Hotel Taj Samudra with a noonday reception.
Soothing, harmonious amulets
Tina Senanayake Jewels has launched their new Amulet Collection, which features the already highly sought after Harmony Ball Necklace. Each piece in this collection is handmade with wishes for the wearer’s protection and good luck. Made with sterling silver, murano glass, precious and semi precious stones and stainless steel, the collection is available for sale [...]
Classic chairs just for you
JAT Holdings set up over 20 years ago with the primary objective of providing only the best brands to the furnishing and finishing industry invited prospective customers to their classy Herman Miller showroom on Havelock Road in Colombo to experience the range of designer products. Herman Miller is a name known for classic and modern [...]
cfwcurates.com: Best of fashion at your fingertips
Bridging the gap between the runway, designers and fashion aficionados, cfwcurates.com launched by Wow.lk and HSBC Colombo Fashion Week is a retail project to bring the best of fashion straight to consumers. Featuring a carefully curated selection by designers from Sri Lanka and South Asia, customers can choose from collections ranging from work wear to [...]
Gloria Jean’s to give fathers a memorable blend of coffee
Coffee shops are fast gaining popularity among both young and old, as an ideal venue to catch up with friends or to hold a business meeting. Gloria Jean’s, down Union Place, is a world renowned coffee chain which started its operations in Sri Lanka, in February this year. Today being Father’s Day, Gloria Jean’s will [...]
People and events
Music and dance to celebrate diversity By Dhananjani Silva It is to say ‘thank you’ to his mother who celebrates her 100th birthday, that Ranjan (he goes by that name alone) took to organising a variety show of song, dance and piano music under the theme ‘Love, Human and Divine’. The show will raise funds [...]
