Diyatalawa: Taking off from the very beginning
Three Air Force veterans are on a mission to write a book on the oldest training station of the SLAF that will tell the tale of one big family-from the cook to the pilot to the Air Force Commanders. Here they speak to Renuka Sadanandan Diyatalawa’s size belies its importance. The picturesque little town sandwiched [...]
Our dance tradition to Australia
Against the ritualistic setting of chanting and drumming on stage, emerges a dancer who, with her sharp rhythmic moves and great stamina, attempts to prove her prowess and devotion to her guru. A celebration of diversified beliefs, rituals and worship within Sri Lanka’s dance tradition, Devanjali is the latest in a long line of productions [...]
Another Christmas with De Lanerolles
The spirit of Christmas infectiously caught on at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Colombo on December 3 when the De Lanerolle Brothers ushered in the family holiday with their take on The Night before Christmas. The guests added to the Christmassy atmosphere attired as requested, with added touches of red. Keeping to their signature [...]
Jackie breezes in for Tommy Hilfiger store opening
Last Friday (December 5) was a prime example of the madness that is a day in the life of Jacqueline Fernandez. She flew into Sri Lanka, went straight into the passport office, followed by lunch, and later breezed into the newly opened Tommy Hilfiger store at the Arcade as a ‘friend of the brand’. Later [...]
Jai, the latest local designer wear in town
Fashion designer Jaishree Jayasingha of the well known brand ‘Aashkii’, unveiled her latest collection ‘Jai’ at their Arcade Independence Square showroom last week. The new collection revolves around sarees as well as resort and casual wear, of vibrant batik patterns and unique motifs in silk, satin, linen and cotton. The impressive and colourful collection was [...]
Eye say, this is the limit!
Well, dears, ‘Nomination Day’ has come and gone… with a few surprises, and not a little “name-calling”! And, you can bet your sweet X-over that more ‘nominations’ (i.e. “naming of names”) will ensue before the ‘month’ between December 8 and January 8 is dusted and done with… Or, do I mean done for? Sitting on [...]
Letters
Remember the old adage about the cock and its comb? There has never ever been such a flood of cut-outs, hoardings, banners and posters of one man hung and plastered all over fouling up the environment. This questionable image-building campaign spending millions has probably been launched as the stakes are high at the upcoming polls. [...]
Beware! Parkinsonia is no innocent weed
Parkinsonia scientifically known as Parkinsonia Aculeata is an invasive species in the world. My recent visit to Sri Lanka provided me the opportunity to locate a small infestation of Parkinsonia about 10 km north of Anuradhapura where the climatic and soil conditions are ideal for this invasive plant found in Queensland, Australia and where it [...]
Dompe landfill site gets off the ground
The recent commissioning of a fully-fledged sanitary landfill in Dompe, with a capacity of 165,000 cubic metres of waste, marked a landmark development in Sri Lanka’s country’s solid waste management. Spread across a land extent of two hectares within a commercial forest in Maligawatte, Dompe , this Rs. 450 million garbage disposal project funded by [...]
Multi-faceted findings on a mountain
In this second part of the article on Rajagala, Duvindi Illankoon and Vinusha Paulraj talk to the key people behind the excavations and conservation of this historical site Sheets of blue polythene suspended ad hoc give the ancient stupa added cover under the thick protection of forest growth. A splash of water from a bucket [...]
Goodbye, my friend!
Much has been written about Professor Tissa Kariyawasam over the past week or more following his death. He certainly deserves a tribute in ‘Kala Korner’ for his immense service, particularly in the fields of Sinhala theatre and literature. He was as an academic, researcher, communicator and administrator. My association with Tissa goes back to the [...]
A day-long give and take session on writing and publishing
The outside was a bleak Saturday afternoon of incessant rain and the cold damp feeling accompanying it, but the cosy room of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women was a constant stream of ideas and the invigorating conversations of the enthusiastic writers who had gathered for the annual seminar on creative writing organised by [...]
Helping others break free
Diagnosed as being mentally ill two decades ago, this is the story of Sujeewa Senanayake, who not only overcame his condition following treatment, but also gives a helping hand to others in a similar situation. Kumudini Hettiarchchi reports He has been there and knows what it is like. This is why he volunteers to help [...]
Appreciations
Rev. Brian Jayawardhana ‘Giving honour to him where honour is due’ With a grieving heart I bemoan the irreparable loss of Fr. Brian, a kinsman from my parents’ side. He knew his health was deteriorating but managed his illness bravely until the last. I recall an instance when I addressed him as Rev. Fr. Brian. [...]
Vaseline cream gets boost from teledrama actress
Ever wondered what the story that was doing its rounds on social media over the weeks involving popular teledrama actress Sheshadri Priyasad that she took away 10,000 bottles of Vaseline, is all about? At a glamorous event titled Vaseline Glow Affair held at Park Street Mews last Wednesday, the young actress put to rest weeks [...]
Weaving in Lankan lace into Denmark fashions
Susila Rajapakse joins her palms together in welcome as she hurries to greet visitors to the Dickwella Lace Centre with a smile. Custodian of the art form she learned from her mother, in the seven years of overseeing productions at the Centre she is now quite accustomed to the curious few who walk in. “People [...]
Bharata Natyam exponent from India to perform
Sahana Balasubramanya, a Bharata Natyam exponent from India will present a recital at 6 p.m. on December 16 at the Indian Cultural Centre auditorium at 16/2 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7. Twenty two-year-old Sahana is one of the most promising young artists of today. She underwent training at Ganesa Natyalaya, Delhi, under the renowned Guru Saroja [...]
Brighten someone’s life with HelpAge cards this season
HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) has produced over 100,000 seasonal greeting cards for Christmas and the New Year season. Proceeds from their sale will be utilized to conduct free cataract surgeries and mobile medical camps for underprivileged senior citizens in the country. The greeting cards are adorned with colourful photographs, paintings and graphic designs. The greeting [...]
Art in the wild: An exhibition by father and daughter
A journey through the wilds of Sri Lanka spanning 35 years is what nature photographer Chitral Jayatilake will offer visitors in collaboration with his daughter Ashvini Jayatilake when they present ‘Art in the Wild’. The exhibition by the father-daughter duo will be open to the public on December 17 and 18. Chitral has had a [...]
Lecture by wildlife expert
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne will deliver the monthly lecture of the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka on Thursday, December 18 at 6.30 p.m. at the Department of Metereology auditorium. His subject will be ‘Why Sri Lanka is super-rich for wildlife’. Gehan has published several books on Sri Lanka’s rich bio diversity and [...]
