The new generation
After years spent getting a feel of post-Bawa architecture, Robert Powell talks to Duvindi Illankoon about his recent book ‘The New Sri Lankan House’ Robert Powell remembers his first conversation with Geoffrey Bawa as if it were yesterday. Powell had rung the legendary Sri Lankan architect to request for an appointment to talk about Sri [...]
Letters
Will we get landed over land deeds in Port City? It has been reported that according to the Port City agreement the Chinese will get land on lease (99 years) and also Sinnakara land. What will be the situation if the Chinese decide to plant their missiles on this land and anchor their nuclear submarines [...]
Appreciations
Kairshasp Nariman Choksy Good thoughts, words and deeds guided him through his life Kairshasp Nariman Choksy, PC, MP (February 7, 1933 – February 5, 2015), the former Minister of Constitutional and State Affairs, former Minister of Finance, and distinguished constitutional lawyer passed on to heavenly courts just two days short of his 82nd birthday. K. [...]
Lichen hunter
Clambering up a tall tree in the dark and dank Sinharaja to get a closer look at some lichens on a branch, she was assailed by an uncanny feeling of being watched. A sideways glance and Lichenologist Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon found herself mesmerised by an unblinking gaze. Watching her intently, as if questioning what she [...]
Are we all waiting until Unawatuna bay is washed away?
Unawatuna beach is renowned for its natural beauty and safe swimming all year round. A year ago the two kilometre swim to the island reef, directly south from the base of the horse-shoe shaped bay, was through deep water. I swim every day, weather permitting. The azure blue water of the Indian Ocean, sometimes cloudy [...]
Coffee, civets and conservation
I wake up to scuffling sounds from the balcony. Burglars, I think immediately. My heart lurches as I reach for the phone — which is not there. In the moonlight, I can see it through my bedroom door on the coffee table in the living room. Grabbing a stout walking stick, I creep towards the [...]
Understanding the ‘war years’ through empathy
Teaching creative writing can be in equal parts exhausting and inspiring, just ask Shyam Selvadurai. ‘Write to Reconcile’, the programme he founded with sponsorship from the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the American Centre, is in its second year, and Selvadurai has his hands full. As is now tradition, the creative writing workshops and online forums [...]
How to break out of a Mousetrap
MURDER he said. Teeth clenched, eyes blazing, the preteen projected all the hate, (yes, hate) that one 12-year-old can muster towards another. The object of loathing was a fat classmate who had just committed a corpulent crime – a Crime against the Enjoyment of Art. The crime was serious, it was “murder” – murder of [...]
Serving up a high-end treat for CFW
Colombo Fashion Week begins in ten days’ time and promises to be bigger, better and braver. While all eyes are on the catwalk, this year CFW will embrace food as well by introducing its Fashion+Food segment, which will see six restaurants in Colombo partner with the brand to offer special menus designed exclusively for the [...]
Annual ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards
It was a glamorous gathering as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ( ACCA) held their annual ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards at the Oak Room of the Cinnamon Grand. Deputy Minister of Highways, Higher Education and Investment Promotion Eran Wickremaratne was the chief guest at the event.
Top trends at this year’s Oscars
2015 marked a shift towards elegance for those attending the Oscars. The actresses walking the red carpet last Sunday mainly kept their look sleek and glamorous, but there were some key trends that came from the evening. Actresses at this year’s Oscars shared a number of key fashion trends, including masculine tailoring, slimming panels and [...]
Spot epilepsy through canvas
The International Epilepsy Day commemorative art competition 2015 organised by the Departments of Paediatric Neurology at the Anuradhapura and Kurunegala Teaching Hospitals draws a great response Epilepsy is a common malady endured by people with no racial, geographical or social class boundaries. Although it is a manageable health problem, lack of knowledge and rationality has [...]
Seeking truth more accurately
A well-written article titled ‘Goddess Pattini and Our Lady of Madhu’ by Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere appeared in the Sunday Times of February 8, 2015. According to the author, it was written with the objective of (1) leading the Buddhist and Catholics to understand each other in inter- religious communication and (2) to fill in what [...]
Talent and hard work at ECEDF bi-annual concert
The room echoes with the joyful noise one associates with children. In the background, Hindi music plays while a few practise their dance moves. In less than a week the Exceptional Children’s Educational Development Foundation (ECEDF) will showcase their talent and hard work at their bi-annual concert. The foundation is the brainchild of a few [...]
Babes-in-arms, attacks, and back to barracks…
A week ago, I went to a seminar on how to make babies. Although, in hindsight, it was more about how not to make babies. Because the main speaker was a medical professional with a post-grad degree in neonatal care and a theological inclination with clear sharp ideas about creation. A dangerous combination for cosmetic [...]
Launch of new book “Hithu Matha”
A book authored by Imthiaz Bakeer Markar titled “Hithu Matha”, a collection of weekly newspaper columns, on topics relating to politics, socioeconomic and ethno-religious aspects viewed in a national and international context was launched on Wednesday, February 18. A panel discussion on the themes highlighted in the columns also took place with the participation of [...]
Ananda College donation
Ananda College, Colombo, recently recived library equipment, including bookshelves, worth Rs 100,000, gathered through the sales in Australia of Hudakalawe Avarjana, a book authored by veteran journalist S. Piyasena who is himself an old Anandian. Rs. 60,000, raised through the sales of this book, was augmented by a further sum of Rs. 40,000 donated by [...]
University of Peradeniya Colombo Chapter AGM
The 24th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya, Colombo Chapter will be held on Sunday, March 8 at 9.30 a.m. at Bird Park, Buthgamuwa Road, Kalapaluwawa, Rajagiriya. Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya will be the chief guest andPresident of the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) Athauda Jayawardena will be [...]
New office for JSS Railway branch
The new office of the Jathika Seveka Sangamaya was opened recently at Railway garage premises in Dematagoda. The chief guest was Western Province councillor and founder of the Pragna Pradeepa foundation Jayantha Silva seen here presenting the documents and declaring open the office.
Preparing for Commonwealth Association of Architects Golden Jubilee
Rukshan Widyalankara, President of the Commonwealth Association of Architects was in London recently to see the arrangements at the Royal Institute of British Architects for the upcoming two-day international summit organised to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Commonwealth Association of Architects to be held from June 17 – 18. During his visit, Mr. Widyalankara [...]
Nigerian Archbishop in Sri Lanka
The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria is currently in Sri Lanka. He preaches this morning at the 8.15 a.m. Sunday service at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour and is also conducting a programme of Lenten Reflections this week at the Cathedral. The Lenten Reflections at the Cathedral on Bauddhaloka [...]
Lessons learned through bitter encounters
Photo journalist Padmakumar P. Mettasena has, from time to time, ventured into different avenues during his career. Having started as a picture story writer in 1980, Mettasena made a name for himself in the field of fashion photography whilst experimenting with the multiple talents he possesses as a song writer and a short film director. [...]
Encouraging creativity through theatre
Growing up, Sashi Mendis’s theatrical experiences were no different from any school going youngster, taking the stage with a Shakespearean flair for acting. It was during her college days, studying Law at the University of Colombo that Sashi found herself a part of the street dramas they would perform within other State campuses. Now with [...]
