My days with the drummers
Whenever he is in Sri Lanka and that is at least once a year to meet up with doctors to discuss topics of a different realm such as bioethics, he makes time during his busy schedule to journey to the deep south. This is to touch base with those among whom he spent more than [...]
On the streets of Istanbul where a pair of lovers did love
The taxi driver in Istanbul is somewhat mystified. Yes, he knows of the street in Cukercuma but has no idea of a museum located there, let alone a museum set up by Turkey’s most famous literary figure. The street itself is narrow and poorly lit and we drive downhill peering anxiously through the glooming light. [...]
Llangoed Hall: Stepping into luxury and British history
At Llangoed Hall I slept like a Queen — and ended up smelling and shod like one too. The definite luxury British country house hotel in the Wye River valley amongst the Black Mountains in the mid-Wales countryside near Brecon has hosted the Clintons and the Clooneys and Prince Charles. There is a thank you [...]
Organic veggies with farmers and consumers in mind
Agriculture has come a long way from its humble beginnings, believes Founder and Chairman of Saaraketha Holdings, Prasanna Hettiarachchi, who launched his organic initiative five years ago. “It’s not about the amude and kattha anymore,” he says. For, technology has changed how we approach things and farming is no exception. Saaraketha describes itself as “a [...]
Letters
Presidential system and the sins of commission and omission This is a response to the letters published recently in the daily papers from respected scribes and intellectuals like M. Chandrasoma, Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Mr. Laduwahetty et al. The core argument in their letters is that the Presidential system has contributed towards stability in the government [...]
How will you vote?
You have heard their respective cases. And their case – where there was one put forward: Good, bad, or ugly – against the other side. Now you have to decide; vote on it; literally cast your ballot in less than a week. And you don’t know where to begin; make the start; end the long [...]
‘He who controls his hand…….his foot… his speech…him they call a Buddhist monk’
A significant section of Buddhist monks today, dominate the political platform: Divided right at the centre into two camps; they are occupying the front row, pushing the lay politicians to the back-rows. There are three categories of them, one operates through media fora, others at political meetings and still others down on the streets; all [...]
Still learning as a teacher
Haunting strains of the Adiemus Chorus is what greeted us at Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu’s gate. The group of students vocalizing, she tells us, are from the University of Visual and Performing Arts. “I want them to perform at the concert as well.” A Lecturer at the Applied Music Department of the university, all of [...]
Everyone working in a hotel in Sri Lanka should read this book!
As I checked out of the Galadari Hotel a few days ago, the concierge presented me with a book he has written. What? A concierge who is an author? A book detailing the secret foibles of the hotel’s guests? No, this book is more interesting than tittle-tattle. It’s a primer based on the concierge’s own [...]
Await another concert with the inimitable Rukshan
The Bishop’s College Auditorium will throw open its doors to an intimate evening of music as the inimitable Rukshan Perera portrays his combustible energy on January 18 at ‘Rukshan Perera Live In Concert V’. The concert organised by the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan is in aid of the Rotary Foundation. This year Colombo Metropolitan [...]
A magical journey around our land
Life is a magical journey in which anything is possible with a touch of imagination and inspiration. A recent children’s book titled, ‘Luk in Sri Lanka’, is testimony to this. ‘Luk in Sri Lanka’, a picture book, written by Srianjali Gunasena and illustrated by Nuria Lamsdorff is the first in the series ‘The Travels of [...]
Dancing into the New Year
The customary New Year’s eve dances saw glamorous crowds gathering at many a Colombo hotel – Cinnamon Grand, Galadari, Kingsbury, Hilton, Mount Lavinia and Loon Tao – to ring out the old year and ring-in the new. These images were captured by M.A. Pushpa Kumara, Mangala Weerasekera, Susantha Liyanawatte, Indika Handuwala and Anuradha Bandara. Galadari [...]
Appreciations
Dr. Priya De Silva An inspirational life that touched us in many ways Aunty Priya has been an inspiration for me in life and work, although I got acquainted with her only about 20 years ago and in spite of the fact that we were from two very different professional walks of life. Initially I [...]
A story from the life of the Prophet Muhammad
There is a very touching story, one among many, in the life of the Messenger Muhammad (peace be on him) that can move people to tears. It goes like this. One day the blessed one decided to travel to a place called Ta’if in Arabia to convey his message of Islam to the people there. [...]
Oh Muhammad!
Oh Muhammad! You are a man, but unlike other men You are the Beloved of Allah, His Messenger, His Prophet and His Servant Allah sent you as a Mercy to the Worlds You are the Light of the Divine Throne Allah sheltered you when you were an orphan He enriched you when you were poor [...]
Life Saving Association launches Inaugural Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Report
The Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka and Life Saving Victoria recently hosted the launch of the inaugural Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Report for Sri Lanka. Developed in collaboration with Life Saving Victoria and the World Health Organisation, the report analyses the prevalence of drowning related deaths in Sri Lanka and the need for [...]
A day of festive fun for children of Lankadhara Balika Home
Embracing the spirit of the Christmas season, the findmyfare.com team recently shared a day of festive fun with children from the Sri Lankadhara Balika Home. The findmyfare.com team members decorated the home and joined the children for lunch, played games with the children and sang Christmas carols with them. One of the team members dressed [...]
Prof. Wijesinha’s book launched as eBook
‘Tales from my Island: Stories of Friendship – and a Sri Lankan Childhood’ by Prof. Sanjiva Wijesinha has been released as an eBook on December 8 and is now available on all e-readers such as Kindle, Nook and Kobo. It is also available online from sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Bookworld. [...]
Takes oaths as Attorney-at-law
Lahiru Pramodaya Jayamanne of Colombo 10 recently took his oaths as an Attorney-at-Law. He graduated with an Honours Degree in Law from the University of London in 2012 and passed the Final Examination of the Sri Lanka Law College in May 2014. He has also completed his internship at the Attorney General’s Department. Lahiru had [...]
Alzheimer’s Foundation holds public lecture on Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
The Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) begins the new year with a public lecture on Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) by Dr. Chanaka Wijeratne at LAF’s auditorium on Tuesday, January 6 at 2.30 p.m. Sri Lankan-born Dr. Wijeratne who migrated to Sydney, Australia graduated in medicine from the University of New South Wales. He [...]
Distributing prizes to children
The Founder of Pragna Pradeepa and Western Provincial Councillor, Jayantha de Silva, handed over prizes to children who participated in a cultural show held recently at Elliot Road, Colombo 8.
