From London Fashion Week to CFW
Charini Suriyage turns up for our interview wearing one of her own designs. A shift dress made of light fabric, with a geometric pattern and an asymmetrical hemline. It’s not what you might expect to find in the wardrobe of a microbiologist or the corporate look the Head of Design at MAS Intimates would opt [...]
Fusing with fashion
The fashion may have been a treat at the Colombo Fashion Week’s Resort Wear show 2014, but visitors and participants at the annual event had other feasts lined up for them as well. The four-day show which concluded last night in Negombo, also witnessed a unique confluence of fashion and food. As part of the [...]
Organist from nowhere who became everybody’s accompanist
Becoming Sri Lanka’s best known organist and keyboard accompanist wasn’t handed to Neranjan de Silva on a silver platter. And having had to work hard to get where he is today, he is determined to make it easier for the generations that come after him. Neither Neranjan’s mother nor his sister is musically inclined, though [...]
“Phantom” – A class act
I was not sure what to expect when I went to the Wendt to see “The Phantom of the Opera” on the opening night, given all the hoopla surrounding this production (directed by Jerome de Silva, produced by Akhry Ameer, and choreographed by Shanuki de Alwis). I was pleasantly surprised. It was slick, fast-moving (never [...]
The King and I
It was in early 1956 that I was introduced to a young man named Gamini Fonseka. I was one of the first to be hired to work on the production of “Bridge on the River Kwai”, that was to be filmed on location in Ceylon. Since I had no experience in films, except that I [...]
Six ‘Arlimentarians’ show their talent in Arsikland!
The honorable members of ‘Arliment’ were in fine form when His Excellency Chaminda Pusswedilla and his cronies returned to stage for a one-off show ‘Ars Idle’ at the Waters Edge last month. The event organised by the Thomian Society of Colombo was billed as dinner theatre, and delivered on both accounts to a packed audience [...]
Ramzi turns 40 in beauty culture
The Grand Ballroom of Galadari Hotel, Colombo was a sight to behold on Monday, September 29 as Ramzi Rahaman’s 40th anniversary in the beauty culture arena was celebrated as ‘Hair Couture by Ramzi’- a glamorous night of extravagant hair fashions. Many distinguished guests were present at the event from film stars to other well known [...]
Talking etiquette
Etiquette and protocol being her forte, Nedra Wickremasinghe hosted an evening of high tea for some of her top clients recently at the Arden Institute, which she opened a few months ago as a permanent home for her programmes. Speaking to a select gathering at the event, Nedra expressed her appreciation for those who had [...]
Letters
Isn’t it time that the UNP and JVP came together for the sake of the country UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has clearly indicated in the booklet “Anagatha Abhiyogaya” (future challenges) (that he had published for “Ekama Ratak Ekama Magak” several years ago ) what he proposes for the development of our country and the people. [...]
Appreciations
SOMA JAYAKODY Tribute to a loving mother The smiling face of yours has faded away One year has passed since then Mother you were our guiding light A vacuum created will never be filled Joy and happiness you brought to family and friends A word of appreciation alone cannot tell You were among the girls [...]
China Doll: Breathing new fire to old favourites
Growing up as a little girl at the Chinese Dragon Café, Miriam Solomons didn’t need to know how to cook. The youngest child of Hanchen Suan and Geechin Chang, she remembers that her parents started small and had to work hard. While her mother worked in the kitchen producing signature dishes like the Indonesian prawns, [...]
Tonight’s the night for Country Roads!
The colonial splendour of the Mount Lavinia Hotel will be coloured with shades of the Wild West as the much awaited Country Roads Concert 2014 is held tonight at 6.30 p.m. Country Music Foundation (CMF) president Feizal Samath is convinced “the décor is going to be spectacular.” Cowboy hats, wagon wheels and even a few [...]
The journey of Sinhala literary criticism
Criticism had not been an exciting segment in Sinhala literature till focus was drawn to it by Peradeniya critics. They understood the value of the study and criticism of Sinhala Literature and laid the foundation structured with firm links between literary education and literary criticism. This took place in the 1960s – the era hailed [...]
The cool and not so cool of this land
We are on the expressway to Matara. I have a close friend with me from the USA who is in Sri Lanka after perhaps six years. His wish is to visit the South to see the emerging townships and upcoming infra-structure as well as travel off-the-beaten track, possibly to dig at childhood nostalgia for he [...]
WHO Country Rep made SLMA Honorary Fellow
For the first time in the 127-year history of the prestigious Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), a foreigner has been inducted as an Honorary Fellow. With the decision being taken by the SLMA Council to honour the World Health Organisation’s Country Representative, Dr. Firdosi Rustom Mehta who leaves Sri Lanka on October 15 after being [...]
ACWBC Poya programme
The All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress Vap Full Moon Poya porgramme is as follows: 6.30 a.m. – 7 a.m.: Administration of Sil – Ven . Pemarathana Thero – Kalyani at Dharmashramaya. 7 a.m. – 7.45 a.m.: Heel Dane 7.45 a.m. – 8.45 a.m: Dharma Desana – Ven. Walane Sumana Thero – Mettaramaya 9 a.m. – [...]
Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Oration on Islamic banking
The Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Oration will be held on Friday, October 10 at 4.30 p.m. at the Ghaffoor Hall, Zahira College, Colombo 10. A.I. Marikar, retired banker and consultant on Islamic finance will deliver the oration on the subject of Islamic Banking- Alternate Approach to Finance’. Dr. Azeez was the first Muslim civil servant, one-time [...]
“Dr.” Watson and ‘Wariyapola girl’
All it takes for the gender wars to heat up is for a pretty celebrity to open her mouth and say nothing much in particular about everything important in general. Emma Watson spoke out last week, upping the ante and raising the room temperature several notches. Her ‘He For She’ speech as a UN Goodwill [...]
Learning the noble aspects of Buddha’s wisdom
Several thousands of miles away, in Sydney, participating in a not-so-common Buddhist ‘pinkama’ even in Sri Lanka, was a most satisfying experience. The elaborate ‘pinkama’ woven round 73 noble aspects related to the wisdom of the Buddha. I have attended the pinkama back home at the Narada Centre down Sarana Road and watched the detailed [...]
Clean comedy: Sikura Hathey
Pillai, a Tamil youth loses his parents, his livelihood as well as his house in the 30-year long ethnic conflict. But his story takes a different turn when he eventually falls in love with a rich girl raised in a hostel. From this point on, there is a touch of humour to Sajeewa Malmalaarachchige’s drama, [...]
Bonsai: “Reflections 2014 – Living Images”
Members of the Sri Lanka Bonsai Association, will be holding their 18th exhibition, with the objective of sharing their experience and introducing this wonderful art to all those who are interested. This year’s exhibition, “Reflections 2014- Living Images” will be held on October 10, 11 and 12 at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery, University of Visual [...]
Jayantha Paranathala appointed JP
Jayantha Paranathala who was appointed as a Justice of Peace (All Island) took his oaths before the District Court Judge of Mt. Lavinia on May 29. Mr. Paranathala, a retired DIG, Sri Lankan cricketer, former vice president of SL cricket, and former National cricket selector, is presently the President of BRC, Colombo District Cricket Association [...]
