Making headlines!
They are the people behind the news- the ones whose names you may read in the newspaper but who are rarely themselves in the spotlight. Last Tuesday, the 15th edition of the annual Journalism Awards for Excellence drew the publishers, editors, reporters, photo-journalists, sub-editors and others from the print media away from their computers and [...]
Letters
Act before a tragedy happens at Navinna railway crossing Residents of Railway Avenue at Navinna (off Highlevel Road end) are grateful to the authorities for renovating the road some months ago. The railway crossing section was also properly done and vehicles passed smoothly without getting stuck. However, a problem has arisen at the elevated level [...]
Appreciations
Instructor Commander M. G. S. Perera Time to recognise services of this teacher to the Navy It is 15 years since Instructor Commander M.G.S. Perera, the man who trained generations of officers and sailors and, the man who created the Naval and Maritime Academy, left us for ‘the other shore’. As the last of his [...]
Bhavatarana: Moving away from story-telling
Young film-maker Daevinda Kongahage envisions a different future for films in Sri Lanka. With his maiden feature film, Bhavatarana as the launching pad, his aim is to navigate the next generation of film-makers to explore different genres and expose audiences to wider perspectives. Daevinda believes that when compared to the global film world, Sri Lanka [...]
A spiritual escape
It is early Saturday evening and the Galle Road at Bambalapitiya is a comfortable cacophony of weekend activity but a turn into Lauries’ Road, finds the Mettaramaya; an escape from the noisy sights and sounds. The temple this evening is a peaceful hum of activity as a few individuals make their way past the stupa [...]
Studying our distant cousins
Elusive and tiny they are, with overwhelmingly large soulful eyes, and certainly not considered a match for the majestic and enigmatic mammals that Sri Lanka boasts of. In a corner of the vast Dry Zone, a humble researcher from Polonnaruwa, however, has not only shone the spotlight on this creature but also taken the public, [...]
Welcome to the wide wicked world of “waterboarding”
As the week started, I heard the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. It was a plaintive cry, a woman’s wail. She was bemoaning the almost unbearable fate that had beset her. That water cut. No water to cook, clean, launder clothes, or conduct usual ablutions. Meant to last a mere thirty-six hours, [...]
Toccata: Spreading the music of West End and Broadway
Dr. Sunil Paulraj knew he wanted to be a pediatrician. But he also loved his music, and cherished his involvement with choirs and his solo work as a tenor. Considering the fact that a solid formal training in Western Classical music was hard to come by in his home-country, India, in 2002 Paulraj decided to [...]
Putting their corporate skills into a fashion show for charity
The young, soon to be alumni of the MAS Holdings, Deutsche Bank, Dialog Axiata and 3M Summer Internship 2014 programme know that it’s not just what you do that matters-it’s how you do it that really counts. So when they present ‘Akasha’, a fashion show for charity next weekend, you can only expect the team [...]
A play that fits into the mission of Zonta Club 111
“Good is towing the line, being behaved, being quiet, being passive, fitting in, being liked, and great is being messy, having a belly, speaking your mind, standing up for what you believe in, fighting for another paradigm, not letting people talk you out of what you know to be true.” Playwright Eve Ensler showed no [...]
Where a legend creates the present
Premini Amerasinghe’s latest book, The Golden Deer, is a contemporary novel that surprises readers by its use of the magical and the mythic in the most mundane and material setting. It is a story that appears seemingly impossible, a narrative of fabulous imaginings, unless the reader is aware of the contradictions of South Asian society [...]
Familiar people living extraordinary lives
Anthea Senaratna’s latest collection of short stories, The Flash of Red and Other Stories can be considered a series of fictional sketches of familiar people living extraordinary lives. Flashes of red touch most of the stories in some form of human frailty. So at the outset it appears that the book is full of the [...]
A lifetime devoted to books, both as a collector and author
Dr. C. G. Uragoda, the eminent author, has published this year the complementary volume to his earlier publication on authors of Sri Lanka, 1976-1948 (British period). The current issue covers a part of the post Independence period. I understand a third volume covering a further period is due soon. This publication, written in a concise [...]
Ruby Ariaratnam – a truly grand old lady
She smiled serenely at me when I asked her whether, when she was younger, she had thought she might live to be a hundred. Gently shaking her head, she said, “Never! But by the grace of God, here I am.” Everybody calls her Ruby, but her given names when she was born on August 5th, [...]
It all began with an Irish mission
Saturday August 2 was a special day for the Redemptorists Fathers and Brothers, when they celebrated 75 years of the Redemptorist Congregation ministry in Sri Lanka. Several visiting Redemptorists from Asia-Oceania, including Fr. Michael Brehl, Superior General of the Congregation from Rome, graced the occasion which though initially threatened with rain, fortunately could be held [...]
Glittering finale for Miss World Sri Lanka
A radiant Chulakshi Ranathunga was crowned Siyatha Lux Miss World Sri Lanka 2014 at a glittering finale to the pageant held at the Grand Ballroom of the Colombo Hilton on Wednesday. Ashwini Peiris was adjudged first runner-up and Anita Rapali was second-runner up. The pageant saw the finalists take the ramp in the customary costumes, [...]
Welcome ceremony for Lions Club District Governor-elect
International Association of Lions Clubs District 306B 1 organised a welcome ceremony for District Governor-elect 2014/15, Lion Ignatious Camilus MJF and Lion Lady Roshni Camilus at Pegasus Hotel, Hendala recently. PDG Dr. W.A. Ferdinand, PDG Sarath Gunasekera, PDG S. Sivapathasunderam, PDG Lakshman Wijesinghe, PDG Priyantha Fernando, Cabinet Secretary Nimal Selvarathne, Cabinet Treasurer Charith Abeysekera and [...]
All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress AGM
Prof. Sumanapala Galmangoda, Chief Guest at the Annual General Meeting of the All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress held on July 26, in his speech, focused on the need for members of the premier Buddhist women’s organisation to observe the ancient cultural and religious traditions Sri Lanka has inherited and also to impart them to the [...]
Dance extravaganza: “Light up the stage – 2”
A scintillating show of Modern and Latin American dancing will hit the boards on August 16 at the Bishops College Auditorium when the “Ballroom Kids” of ADC (Antonio’s Dance Circle) light up the stage. This concert, at which around eighty children between the ages of four and 16 will perform, will showcase the skills and [...]
Smart deaf and dumb toddler needs help for operation
Little Yasiru who celebrates his third birthday today, August 10 cannot hear or speak. Yet he is a clever little boy and has a very good memory, says his mother K.L.H Dayawathie who had come with Yasiru all the way from Embilipitiya to the Wijeya Newspapers office to seek assistance. Yasiru is her only child [...]
Asoka Weeraratna – 15th death anniversary commemoration
The German Dharmaduta Society and the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya Sanrakshana Mandalaya will jointly commemorate the 15th death anniversary of Asoka Weeraratna (Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanisanthi Thera), the founder of the German Dharmaduta Society, Berlin Vihara and the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya (Forest Hermitage) at a pinkama to be held at the Mitirigala Forest Hermitage on Sunday, August [...]
Home Makers’ Haven 2014
The grand Ballroom of the Kingsbury Hotel will be the venue for “Home Makers’ Haven 2014” organised by the Sri Lanka Housewives’ Association on Saturday August 16. This popular event catering to an audience of over 500 members and guests, will have an entertaining programme of music, dance, comic skits, fashion spots with many surprises [...]
“Silgath Kokku” at Kadawatha
“Silgath Kokku” the latest drama directed by Ranjith de Alwis will be staged at the KCP Hall at Kadawatha on Sunday August 17 (Sunday) at 3.30 and 6.30 p.m. in aid of Old Youth Catholic Club. Saranga Dissasekara, Lochana Imashi, Manohari Wimalatunga, Sandhya Rambukkanage, Nilanthi Heendeniya, Anura Mapitigama, Givantha Arthasad and others will be among [...]
After the hate and violence, a lesson in empathy
Shell Shock to Palali Syndrome is an impressive endeavour to put together all experiences from different dramatic and tragic situations in a war impacted society. This book is for me the monumental example of sufferings including disasters that left heavy consequences on actual and future generations. This takes the description and elaboration of all sufferings [...]
