Sad symphony
Seated in the modest workshop at Gampaha, Shanika Pathirana is putting the finishing touches on a handmade violin before it is carefully packed and sent off to a customer in Europe or the USA. She has mastered the intricate art of hand varnishing the instrument having worked as a violin maker for the past ten [...]
Letters
Getting away with bribery? The recent pronouncement by the Minister of Health that a certain party had offered Rs. 300 million to thwart the introduction of the National Medicinal Drugs Policy Bill in Parliament has raised many an eyebrow, even though the Minister chose not to divulge the identity of the scoundrels who attempted to [...]
Appreciations
Dr. Mark Amerasinghe To Sir, with love Many will write appreciations of Dr. Mark Amerasinghe in the weeks and months ahead of us. Dr. Amerasinghe will be remembered for his contributions to medicine, literature, drama, music, and, of course, his commentaries on Sri Lankan politics. I’m sure others will write about these many accomplishments. I [...]
Celebrating creativity and innovation
Founder and President of the Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) Ajai Vir Singh has a lot to be excited about, with less than a week before Sri Lanka’s premier fashion platform takes the runway on March 12, 13 and 14. “We’re looking forward to the biggest CFW to date, especially since we’re embarking on a new [...]
Celebration time
It has been six years since the De Lanerolle Brothers, well known singers from their very young days became a brand – launching themselves as a duo. Today Rohan and Ishan occupy a special niche in the music scene and keeping to the tradition of their anniversary shows, they presented ‘Live 6’ on March 3 [...]
The joy of experimenting
A frequent visitor to Sri Lanka, Kumar Pereira of Masterchef fame tells Smriti Daniel how his cooking is now all about reinventing old favourites with a healthier twist Kumar Pereira still remembers how his mother used to mix prodigious quantities of her rich cake in a well-scrubbed bathtub. The recipe, which until now was a [...]
French food around the world
The history of food and fine dining is not complete without, at some point alluding to France. Known for gastronomic delights that have become classic dishes over time, French food is considered revolutionary in its own right. Dishes that involve skill and technique, yet simple, elegant and most importantly healthy, French cuisine is an experience [...]
On the trail of a Chinese Admiral
Paediatrician Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe tells Kumudini Hettiarachchi how he has combed Kotte, Jaffna and even travelled to Taiwan in his quest to uncover a tale of trade and palace intrigue in the 15th century Across the oceans, sails billowing, the majestic fleet of the Chinese Navy with a formidable Admiral at its helm came bearing [...]
New honour for Lankan scientist
This year, Ajit Yoganathan becomes only the second Sri Lankan to ever be elected to the National Academy of Engineers (NAE), one of the highest professional honours accorded an engineer in the United States. Academy membership honours those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, as well as to the “pioneering [...]
A time to give back
The school bell rang to indicate that the interval was over. Uniform-clad students scattered all over the corridors rushed to their classrooms while those in sports attire hit the playground for practices. Minutes later, only a 10-year-old boy in uniform was seen hovering around in the long corridor. As he went past a group of [...]
Spock and an artificial intelligence symposium
This week, a childhood hero of mine died. Of course, heroes of the calibre of Mr. Spock never really die. But the mortal coils that hold their glamorous alter egos – ever so briefly, by eternity’s canon – do. So the passing of 83-year-old Leonard Nimoy was – even though neither a shock nor a [...]
The Sound of Music: 50 years on
We remember watching The Sound of Music for the first time. The DVD player had become mainstream and our parents were beside themselves with excitement. “You have to watch this film,” they raved, proceeding to sit down with us for two plus hours of soaring music, lofty mountains, mischievous children, a strait-laced father and a [...]
Protect Wilpattu- a precious national treasure
With reference to the article headlined “Road Closed……….” in the Sunday Times, February 15, 2015 (page 20) by Jayarathna Wickramarachchi from Karuwalagaswewa, I would like to comment ob the article. The re-opening of the Puttalam-Mannar road is a misnomer as it has no legal validity in law. However, while this matter is sub-judice, a number [...]
Animals and culture: Some points to ponder
Culture is defined by some as the totality of socially transmitted behaviour patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. These patterns, traits, and products are considered the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population. Animal welfare refers to the actions that ensure the wellbeing mainly of domestic animals. [...]
Illustrating myth and legend
Ravana wears biker goggles in Alex Stewart’s depiction of him. Clouds cloak his flying chariot as he reaches down – a shower of tender white blossoms cascade out of the palms of rakshasa king’s two hands, while the other four grasp swords. Sita sees only the former, while she appears to dance within the confines [...]
The ideal way to grow old
Once again senior journalist and author D.C. Ranatunga has chosen to write about an illustrious person adding one more book to his popular series, “A Handy Guide”. This time it’s the most versatile children’s author and illustrator of our time Sybil Wettasinghe. Titled ‘Lovable Aththamma’, the book has been released on her 86th birthday. To [...]
RASSL lecture: South Asia and the Out of Africa Story
The Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka (RASSL) monthly public lecture will be by Prof. Michael D. Petraglia of Oxford University on “ South Asia: Central or Peripheral to the Out of Africa Story” . The lecture will be on Friday, March 13 at the Gamini Dissanayake Auditorium, No. 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7. [...]
Aquinas University College workshop on “Customer Care in Libraries”
Aquinas University College, Colombo 8, will be organising a one-day workshop on “Customer Care in Libraries” on Friday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cardinal Cooray Auditorium. The workshop fee is Rs. 2,500 (inclusive of refreshments, lunch and stationery). Those interested should apply on or before Friday, March 20. For more [...]
Zonta Rose Day celebrates progress of women’s rights
Zonta Rose Day, which coincides with International Women’s Day which falls today, March 8, is a day to reflect on the voluntary service carried out by the members of Zonta empowering and enhancing the status of women worldwide. The Zonta Rose, a single yellow rose serves as the symbol of Zonta Rose Day. On this [...]
Battaramulla Rotary Club extends a green helping hand
The Rotary Club of Battaramulla celebrated Rotary Day by taking the message of green living to the community. The club selected the Good Market at Diyatha Uyana for this project, donating 200 indigenous plants to members of the local community who visited the Rotary stall. Included in the bonanza were plants such as Na, mango, [...]
‘Baked’: Ramada’s revamped patisserie
Galle Road’s newest culinary delight is all about good food on the run. ‘Baked’ is the Ramada’s newly revamped patisserie. Snugly located in a corner of the lobby and literally a glass wall away from convenient parking slots, ‘Baked’ is more than just your typical hotel coffee shop. The setting itself is a far cry [...]
Little Methnadi is well thanks to the generosity of ST readers
The look of despair is gone and the father who walks into the Sunday Times offices is all smiles. “My baby is well,” says V.D.A. Namal Nishantha from Bulathgama, Balangoda, showing off all the photographs of Methnadi Uthkarsha who is now just over two years old. Proudly, he plays the songs recorded on his mobile [...]
