Two men, two paths, both legends
One of the privileges of being a journalist is the chance we get to interact with people from all walks of life and have them share their lives’ experiences with us. In a week that saw the demise of two legendary Sri Lankans, namely Sam Wijesinha and Bala Tampoe, both of whom I had the [...]
Suicide as a problem solver: Time to say no, no, no
Rid this country of the ‘culture’ of suicide where there is acceptance of harming oneself as a way of sorting out the problems that life throws at us. This is the urgent and fervent appeal from Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya as World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated on September 10 and reports flow in [...]
Applying for U.S. visa? Make note of the changes
Got a question about U.S. visas? The U.S. Embassy in Colombo, in collaboration with The Sunday Times is launching a fortnightly column “Ask the Consul” for all those who want to go the United States. Whether you are a tourist, student, businessman, skilled worker or just hoping to learn more about the Diversity Lottery, an [...]
Stars at Int’l film festival
Stars from the silver screen and the film fraternity were present at the opening dinner of the International Film Festival of Colombo, on Tuesday at the Kingsbury Hotel. The dinner was hosted by Hameedia. The IFF ends today.
Letters
Elections: A chance to weed out the corrupt The Uva Provincial Council elections are to be held on September 20. This is to be followed by either a presidential or a general election. The question in the minds of the people is about who should be sent to these councils and Parliament. If the past [...]
Appreciations
Dr. Ranji Salgado A man of great achievements he was the epitome of humility It is five years since Dr. Ranji Salgado (1929-2009) passed away, but his memory is fresh in the minds of his many friends and colleagues, both in Washington and Colombo. An outstanding development economist who held senior positions in the International [...]
Chinese beauties make a splash
With a graceful wave the top 15 contestants for the prestigious Miss Universe China title bid farewell to Habarana. Arriving in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, August 26 the first leg of the tour organised by Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and Sri Lankan Airlines had been in Habarana where they had spent three eventful days. En [...]
A Celebration of Women
Iromie Wijewardene’s exhibitions are eagerly looked forward to events in art circles and it was an enthusiastic gathering at the opening of the artist’s latest show ‘A Celebration of Women’ at the Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt last month.
Blossoming in an urban setting
With its array of beautiful orchids showcased through the window panes, The Orchidist, the newest orchid store in town opened in mid-August down Horton Place is sure to tempt those passing by to drop in. Over 40 varieties of tissue cultured orchids imported from Bangkok – the Hisaku, Sonia, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Mokara and Vanda [...]
Flag-bearers for special children
The results of the 2013 Ordinary Level (OL) examination were released awhile ago and accolades piled on the high achievers through the media. In two homes in Colombo, there may not be result sheets with nine As, but the elation knows no bounds and not only the parents but also the children are full of [...]
Gathering of Elephants or a gathering of Jeeps!
In the last few years, the ‘Gathering’ of elephants at Minneriya has been the much publicised wildlife spectacle which has lured many tourists to Sri Lanka,, but whether this event will continue to remain as attractive is questionable. On a visit last month to the Minneriya national park we saw some alarming signs of the [...]
World War One: Those postcards to and from Hell
While sorting out some antique picture postcards recently I came across two vastly divergent examples from World War One (WW1). Almost every conceivable subject about the conflict can be found in contemporary picture postcards. My subjects, however, are confined to romance and propaganda. Before the outbreak of WW1, the trade in picture postcards was firmly [...]
Rotary hearing aid project
The Rotary District Sri Lanka launched a Rs. 100 million hearing aid project at Cinnamon Lakeside hotel last Sunday in the presence of the visiting Miss Universe China beauty pageant contestants. Rotary Governor–Sri Lanka and Maldives, Gowri Rajan outlined how an assessment done in Sri Lanka had revealed that almost 1.6 million people are affected [...]
Water world, water wars?
Quick. What’s the cure for water on the brain? Why, it’s a tap on the head! Not so very far from the truth these days… the often-idiotic, all-embracing ice-bucket challenge still being the trending fad online and out there in the real world. With related video posts becoming more numerous than war reportage on some [...]
Jetwing donates water to combat drought in Yala
The Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s renowned wildlife sanctuary is closed this September due to the prevailing drought. To ease the suffering of the animals in the park, Jetwing Yala has teamed up with the Tissamaharama Independent Jeep Drivers’ Association to provide more than 190,000 litres of water to the park. Launched in January this [...]
Mosque Tours launched
Mosque Tours, a unique inter-cultural concept where Islamic religious places are opened to the public, was launched last Sunday at Wekanda Jumma Mosque in Slave Island. Henceforth Wekanda Mosque will have an open mosque day every Sunday (morning and evening) when tourists could visit the mosque and be shown around by experienced tour guides. The [...]
ACWBC Poya programme
The All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress (ACWBC), located at 400 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 will hold its Poya day programme on Monday, September 8: 6.15 – 6. 45 a .m. Administering precepts and Buddha Puja by Ven. Kadawedduwe Pemaratana of Kalyani Dharmashrama 6. 45 – 7. 30 a.m. Offering of Heel Dana 7. 45 – [...]
This toddler needs help for operation
The Sunday Times of August 10 highlighted the plight of Yasiru , a hearing impaired but a very bright youngster. He urgently needs an operation for a cochlear implant and in response to the published appeal, kind donors contributed generously. But more is needed. “We were able to raise four lakhs but we need another [...]
Come October, and you’ll be back on ‘Country Roads’
Rain was pelting down the stately windows of the Mount Lavinia Hotel but those in the Maitland Room last Tuesday barely noticed. They were transported to a barn in a Western ranch set amidst barrels, cacti and wagon wheels. One almost expected a dry gust of wind to sweep the generously piled hay off the [...]
When Toccata brought fun and music with those favourite hits
If Wizard Entertainment promised three extravagant nights, they delivered more than what was promised. Toccata Musical Productions delighted audiences at the BMICH last month with “Best of West End and Broadway: hits from the musicals that we all know and love” and “Sounds of Nostalgia: Classic, Pop, Rock and Country hits”. The productions were of [...]
Art and hospitality in latest city hotel
Michael Ondaatje in his book ‘In the Skin of a Lion’ said, “Everyone has to scratch on walls somewhere or they go crazy!” For Cinnamon Red, the newest city hotel, scratching, or rather painting on surfaces was surely the way to empower young artists to express themselves, to produce colourful expressive art on each floor [...]
Studio K exhibit fusion art
The ‘Art Fusion Exhibition’ which is on tomorrow, September 8 at the Galadari Hotel will showcase the creations of the gifted young artists from ‘Studio K’. The artworks are crafted with gesso paste, paper pulp, magazine paper, wood, wire, dolls made with throw away materials, collage work, fabric craft, etc. The exhibition will be open [...]
18th Nawa Kalakaruwo exhibition
The George Keyt Foundation presents its 18th annual Nawa Kalakaruwo (Emerging Young Artists) exhibition at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery of the University of Visual and Performing Arts at Horton Place, Colombo 7. Minister Sarath Amunugama will open the exhibition which runs from Wednesday, September 10 to 13th.
A Master craftsman bids goodbye
In the D.R. Wijewardene era at Lake House the first entrance as one walked in from Fort, led to a neat studio. The tastefully done studio was named Chitrafoto and was synonymous with highest quality at the time. I remember B.P. Weerawardena, a big name in the world of photography being there. There was also [...]