Doomed flight
What really happened to Martinair MP-138 that plunged into the Seven Virgins Mountain Range in Maskeliya 40 years ago killing all 191 on board? Donald Rosa, the engineer who investigated the crash looks back It was on December 4, 1974, that Martinair flight MP 138 crashed in the Seven Virgins mountain range killing the 182 [...]
Letters
One man show: Key stakeholders out of 2015 Budget making The recent seminars held to discuss the 2015 Budget highlighted one thing at least — top Inland Revenue Department (IRD) officials’ lack of familiarity with Budget pronouncements. Logically the formulation of these policies should have had the involvement of these senior IRD officials. It appears [...]
The “King” is “un-dead”! Long live the “un-king”?
There’s something about being a monarch that trumps every other mandate. Priests are often venerated if they are good; poets worshipped if they are bad, mad, and dangerous to know. Prophets have a charismatic edge that often makes even their enemies admire them. Psychologists of an ilk cull profound insights that help them to win [...]
Passing glimpses captured on canvas
There’s a pencil sketch by Harry Pieris in Marie Alles Fernando’s home that she will never tire of. It’s of a young boy’s head, and her mentor’s mastery of restraint and fluidity has her coming back to it time and again. This is what art is for, she muses. It should never cease to inspire, [...]
Walking a tight rope
Tying the Ukunilla (wooden tool holder carrying the sharp knife, wooden hammer and fibre pot) tight around his waist, S.P. Sirisena walks around the coconut cultivation looking for the ‘hera gaha’ – the ascending tree. This identified, he climbs up 16 quick steps on the coconut husk ladder attached right round the tree and is [...]
Prof. not merely of letters but with a caring heart too
While we may safely assume that all eminent Professors have reached their eminence by virtue of their brain-power, not all of them make it clear they have a heart as well, in the genuine concern they show for the welfare of the students they teach. This struck me when I spoke with Prof. Gita Fernando, [...]
The right keys unlock amazing work
Laki’s artistic output is quite extraordinary as shown by this wonderful book. An artist presents us with his work, but we need the right keys if we are to have easy access to it. Some of those keys come through an understanding of the background and experiences of the artist. But if the knowledge of [...]
Getting to know Cliff Richard
Sri Lanka resident, Royston Ellis, has just had a new book published in the UK about the time he toured with Cliff Richard. The book, Cliff Richard and The Shadows, a rock ‘n’ roll memoir, is a true account of the early years of Cliff Richard’s career. It is based on two books that Royston [...]
Building on friendships
As the tiny ‘flotilla’ of fishing boats took off around the Chilaw lagoon in the setting sun, strange seemed the motley group of youth laughingly facing the wind. A mix of female and male, for them it was an unforgettable moment – a different kind of “thank you”. For, the impoverished fisherfolk of Chilaw, nothing [...]
Shape and shades of 2015 man
The inspiration was diverse to say the least: European architecture and the colours of nature. So when Envoy ‘Concept 2015’ was unveiled at the Water’s Edge the audience was treated to nine widely different collections that gave a glimpse of the shape of men’s fashions in 2015, just over a month away! Blue Story, Printed [...]
‘Jai’ of colour
Driving through Horton Place in Colombo 7, you may find yourself glancing at the window display of Aashkii. If the daring sarees aren’t reason enough to take a second glance, the bold prints and splashes of colour draw the observer in with a glamorously exotic aura of their own. Inside, Jaishree Jayesingha has only a [...]
Starry night for Sumitra Peries
The film fraternity was present when veteran film director Sumitra Peries was bestowed the Order of ‘Arts et Lettres’ by the French Government last Monday at the Taj Samudra. Fench Ambassador Jean-Paul Monchau conferred the honour on Sumitra Peries “in recognition of her invaluable contribution as an author, a film director with an aesthetic sense [...]
Celebrated Austrian pianist to perform
To celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Austria and Sri Lanka, the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi together with the Austrian Consulate in Colombo is presenting a performance by renowned pianist Albert Sassman. The classical music piano recital will be held at the Ladies’ College Hall on December 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. [...]
CMSC heralds a classical season
Closing the year in what musical terms would call grandioso the Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMSC) welcomes Colombo’s classical music connoisseurs to “Holiday Season Gala Concert”. Well known singers -sopranos Dhanushi Wijeyakulasuriya and Anagi Perera, and mezzo soprano Peshali Yapa will make guest appearances along with special performances by the Colombo Philharmonic Choir. “We [...]
Beauty and hope at “Imagine” art exhibition
The National Art Gallery plays host to many art exhibitions. However one of the most recent was indeed an exhibition of what art represents; beauty and hope. The students of Lakisha Fernando decked the halls with colour from November 14 to 16 and the singular white room was transformed into a magical world where trees [...]
‘Colours of Nature through the Eyes of a Blue Rose’ art exhibition
‘Colours of Nature through the Eyes of a Blue Rose’ – an art exhibition by Rosita Rankothge will be held on December 6 and 7 at the National Art Gallery East Wing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rosita will be joined by her special needs young friends and there will also be face painting, [...]
Lanka Mahila Samiti’s annual handicraft sale
The Lanka Mahila Samiti’s annual handicraft sale and exhibition will be held on December 2 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A variety of attractive handicrafts, produced by members of the rural Mahila Samitis in villages in 16 districts of the island will be on display. Fine crochet and beeralu [...]
YMCA carol service
The Colombo YMCA’s annual Christmas carol service will be held on Saturday, December 6 at the Racecourse pavilion, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7. The choirs of St. Benedict’s College, De Mazenod College, Kandana, St. Thomas College, Colombo 13, Bishops’ College, the Choir of the Visually Handicapped, the Sri Lanka Army Band and the Salvation Army Band [...]
Sri Lanka’s magical mélange
‘Sri Lanka’s diversity of culture’ has become a hacked phrase because you hear it more often than you actually experience that diversity.Samkathana III, Festival of Devotional Music, organised by the University of Kelaniya, will be an opportunity to view the magic that comes out of a mélange of the many cultures and religions of our [...]
Aerial whale-watching with Trekurious
Trekurious, in partnership with Simplifly is offering travellers to Sri Lanka the unique and exclusive opportunity to take to the skies and experience non-intrusive whale-watching. A first-of-its-kind experience in Sri Lanka, Aerial whale-watching offers travellers the best perspective to appreciate the visual treat of entire pods of Blue Whales and Sperm Whales, as they migrate [...]
AT Same Vihara pre-school prize giving
Western Provincial Councillor and founder of the Pragna Pradeepa concept Jayantha de Silva was the chief guest at the prize giving of the AT Same Vihara pre-school at the YMBA Borella. The picture shows a teacher receiving a prize.
Appreciations
He lived life to the full helping others FELIX DAVID LIONEL DE ALWIS My father Felix David Lionel de Alwis’s birthday fell on November 10. He retired as a Superintendent of Excise in the early 1950s when I was still schooling. His family comprised 13 members and I believe he too wanted a large family [...]
