Vanda thwaitesii blooms from extinction
A chance encounter with a Landmaster carrying logs for a bakery furnace has led to the uncovering of an orchid which has been hidden from human view for more than 150 years. Researcher and environmentalist Ajantha Palihawadana with a passion for native orchids was on his way to the east when he overtook the Landmaster [...]
When ‘justice’ flies in stormy weather
Aircraft rarely fall out of the sky. But when they start to do so, it seems like a deluge. The past fortnight was a case in point. First there was the ill-fated MH17 – adding severe injury (298 surmised dead) to the serious insult (239 surely missing) of the MH370 mystery of earlier this year. [...]
Veneration, blessings and a show of all shows
The streets light up, the dancers leap and twirl, the whips crack like the sound of thunder and the caparisoned elephants make their stately way through the streets of Kandy. Thousands of people gather every August to watch the Kandy Esala Perahera, keeping the flame of tradition alive as they venerate the Sacred Tooth Relic [...]
Susan and Kushan – reception
It was an elegant reception at the Oak Room of the Cinnamon Grand as family and friends gathered to celebrate the nuptials of Susan and Kushan. Susan is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Dawson and Kushan the son of Brigadier J.P.A. Jayawardena and Mrs. Jayawardana. The reception was preceded by a service at [...]
Amani for every size, shape and budget
Amani is the newest clothing store to hit Colombo. What makes it different, you may ask? Owner, Amrita Hapuarachchi replies, “We provide export quality clothing at competitive pricing. You do not have to have a deep pocket to look good, we have clothes for every size, shape and budget.” The clothing is mostly bright cottons, [...]
Celebrating excellence
The shortlist had been announced three months earlier and for the nine architects in the running for the 2013/2014 Geoffrey Bawa Award for Excellence in Architecture, it was a tense period. The final announcement came on July 23 at an elegant evening ceremony organised by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust at the Park Street Mews. Pradeep [...]
She can once again hear the voices of her loved ones
We take our senses for granted. We all do. Those of us who can hear, smell, taste, see and feel, never think twice about how any one step in the development of any one of those special sensory organs would leave us deaf, blind or anosmic for life. We go on with our daily lives [...]
Another chapter in her life
Sonali Deraniyagala has graduated from writing in bed to writing in a room that overlooks her garden. It’s smaller than the other rooms in her London home, but the cosy space suits her well. In a cupboard behind her are the things that belonged to Nikhil and Vikram, her two little boys, and that comforts [...]
Letters
The dream soon turned into a nightmare I wrote a couple of months back, about the wonderful work that had been done, down the Millenium Drive, Malabe, by the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse, where a ‘Walkers’ Path’ had been built with paved roads, side-walk benches, solar lights and outdoor gym. It was a dream come [...]
Jaffna street dogs have something to wag their tails about
A slight tug on its leash and a firm whisper “Blackey!” is all it takes for the four-month -old pup to release its sister’s tail and fall back into line. Sitting with commendable poise despite being the littlest of the lot, Blackey is among the rows of dogs lined up by their handlers’ preparing to [...]
Appreciations
Doris Corea A faithful and true friend to Sri Lanka When Doris Corea of Neuwied, Germany died of cancer one year ago on August 3, 2013, Sri Lanka lost a faithful and true friend. Doris was married for almost 30 years to Sri Lankan-born Lester Corea. She was the daughter-in-law of Ambassador Ernest Corea, and [...]
An evening of Chamber Music
Well known artistes Dushy Perera (cello), Ajit Abeysekera (clarinet) and Soundari David Rodrigo (piano) will present an intimate evening of Chamber Music celebrating the works of Grieg, Duparc , Brahms and Schumann at the Russian Centre, 10, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, August 9. Baritone Dhilan Gnanadurai will appear as guest [...]
D.A.S H.: An evening of performing arts to raise awareness against domestic violence
Broken, scarred, humiliated, manipulated… These don’t even begin to describe the emotions of women who are abused or violated in their own homes. These young people believe it is time to make a change, to help those living under the overbearing shadow of abuse to stand up to the injustice and take control of their [...]
15th Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture on community learning and reconciliation
The 15th Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture titled “Stone and Flower: Truth as a Foundation for Community Learning and Reconciliation”, will be delivered by Ms. Galuh Wandita Soedjatmoko from Indonesia today, Sunday, August 3 at 6 p.m. at the BMICH, Committee Room A. This is the 15th lecture held in memory of Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam who [...]
‘A voyage through Sri Lankan eyes’ in Helsinki
Two years ago photographer Mithra Weerakone celebrated his 50th birthday with an exhibition titled ‘Odyssey of Mine Eyes’. Now it’s ‘A Voyage through Sri Lankan Eyes,’ a joint exhibition of his photographs along with paintings by his artist friend Dr Damith Subasinghe in Helsinki, Finland. ‘Voyage through Sri Lankan Eyes’ opens at 6 p.m. on [...]
Shakespeare Drama Workshop for students
A drama workshop introducing Shakespeare to 10 to 13-year-old students will be held at the Russian Centre auditorium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on August 5th, 6th and 8th. The workshop, designed in a fun and practical style, will explore scenes from a few famous plays. The students will engage with the language, plot [...]
Promoting Sri Lankan culture
Seven years ago, when she took wing to the US, Ritani Solanga took with her, not only her dance skills but also the Sri Lankan culture and traditions. This professional dancer, who has been dancing for 50 years now, gave young Sri Lankans living in Houston, an opportunity to re-connect with their culture, when she [...]
JICA Alumni Association Executive Committee
The following were elected to the JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka Executive Committee – 2014/2015 Patron : Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of Japan. Vice Patron : Kiyoshi Amada, Chief Representative, JICA President : Chitral Jayawardane Hony. Secretary : Upali S. Jayasekera Treasurer : Sam Chandrasena Vice Presidents : Camillus Abeygoonewardena, Thusitha Munindradasa, Jagath Goonewardena, Rohan [...]
Prize giving at the Sevana Children’s Home
The prize giving of the Sevana Children’s Home was held recently with Chief Guest, Member of the Western Provincial Council and founder of the Pragna Pradeepa concept Jayantha Silva presenting the prizes.
