Get it Write, seminar by EWC
Getting it Write! – the 2015 Seminar conducted by the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka (EWC) will be held at the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women, 96/25, Kithulwatte Rd, Colombo 8 on Saturday, August 29 (Poya) from 9.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. Speakers include Dr. Harshana Rambukwella, Dr. Devika Brendon, Radhika Philip and [...]
The art of being Laki
I find Laki Senanayake perched among his sculptures in the Barefoot gallery, laughing as he talks with the staff. He’s bare-chested, dressed in a bright orange sarong, his modesty preserved by a shawl in bright pink, red and orange slung over his shoulders. He has a red lighter tucked into the fold of fabric at [...]
What are you doing next weekend? Make time to drop by Cinnamon Colomboscope, which begins on Friday – August 21. This year’s Colomboscope finds it focus in Slave Island, and between the arts programme Shadow Scenes and the talks and literature programme there’s something here for everyone. We’ve picked a few exhibits and segments to [...]
Turning a risk play to their advantage
It goes without saying that “adults only” is going to cause a stir. When Colombo bought out tickets for two out of three nights (and nearly also for the third!) of Martin Casella’s “The Irish Curse” produced by Identities Inc., it was for the promise of something feisty and ground-breaking. What it delivered, was something [...]
Relishing her return to radio
“My mouth hurts! It’s been four hours,” says Tracy Holsinger. It’s 10 a.m. and inside the TNL studio on 5th Lane, Holsinger is wrapping up ‘Wake Up with Tracy.’ It’s been a slightly more challenging show than usual – she forgot to email herself her notes and has been forced to improvise. Fortunately, an untidy [...]
Ripples of success across the seas
Swishing floor-length drapes arranged over a glove-fit jacket. Throwing a bikini into the equation seems as mismatched a combination as the concept’s creators- Shivan and Narresh started out. This Delhi based designer duo’s swimwear label however, marrying traditional modesty with swimwear saw them dream up their ‘bikini-saree.’ Having had collections in swimwear festivals in Miami, [...]
The Blue: Bigger and better
The Hilton Colombo welcomed guests to the opening of ‘The Blue’ which many would fondly recall as the “Blue Elephant”. The newly refurbished venue offers many facilities and a plush interior for a range of diverse events.
Inner Wheel Club presents “Comedy with a Cause”
To celebrate their 50th anniversary the Inner Wheel Club of Colombo will present, “Comedy with a Cause”– an evening of dinner theatre, where your laughter and caring will reach out to all parts of this land. It will be held on Tuesday, August 25, at the Ramada Colombo, at 7.45 p.m. Directed by Nafeesa K. [...]
Beauty gurus set up council to spread true value of beauty
Unilever Sri Lanka last week launched the ‘Beauty Council’, an industry body made up of industry experts and role models to inspire women to realise the true value of beauty. Shaziya Syed, Chairperson of Unilever Sri Lanka was present at the event in Colombo. The Beauty Council will comprise industry powerhouses and inspiring role models [...]
Appreciations
Giving thanks for the example of his life E.E.C. (Earle) Abayasekara Ten years since his death, and just over one hundred years after his birth would be a good time to reflect on the life of any man. By the time such a date comes around many of those near to him would have pondered [...]
Making things work again
N.K. Hemawathi was walking to her regular spot at the market when it happened. A flash of colour, the screech of a tyre and she was on the ground. “About 50 people crowded around me,” she remembers. “They started beating the driver through the window and he was so agitated he drove right over my [...]
Letters to the Editor
How many more lives have to be lost to get tough on traffic offenders? Statistics of fatal road accidents point to 7-10 deaths per day in Sri Lanka. From numerous articles/information appearing in both print and electronic media, the general public has been made aware that the number of deaths taking place due to fatal [...]
Voter, what do you think?
If you’re looking for me to tell you whom to vote for, folks, think again. I wouldn’t dare. I don’t care too much about which party or coalition or political grouping wins. As long as we get what we want and don’t lose some of our – yes, our – hard-won victories. The politicos and [...]
Annual sessions of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka
The 32nd annual Academic Congress of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka has been recognized by the Royal College of Anaesthetists ( UK) as an event to be awarded Continuous Professional Development ( CPD) points. The congress will be held from January 27 to February 1, 2016. The pre-congress workshops will be [...]
A ‘hotel away from hotel’ rises in the East
Curiously, some hotels on their websites, like to boast that they are “a home away from home.” That surprises me, as surely guests stay in a hotel to get away from home? I suspect that guests would soon take umbrage at paying for accommodation that seems just like their own home. Fortunately, this hackneyed phrase [...]
Is Sri Lanka still best for Blue Whales?
Can Sri Lanka still claim to have the best encounter rate for Blue Whales on commercial whale watching trips? In May 2008, I broke the story that Sri Lanka was Best for Blue Whale and publicised an encounter rate of 90%. It was a bold claim to make as it was based on a limited [...]
The Sacred Relic that became a symbol of royalty
She is a princess. But she disguises herself as a Brahmin. Her father, the king – gives her a precious item to be delivered to a friendly monarch overseas. The king is aware of the possibility of his daughter and son-in-law being waylaid and the valuable item taken away. The pair set off with the [...]
The Dalada Perahera and the four Devales
The Kandy Esala Perahera Kap Situveema (planting of the Kapa) in each of the four Devales in Kandy was held yesterday, August 15 at the auspicious hour of 5.35 a.m. facing south. Thereafter, for five consecutive days, the Perahera will be conducted in the Devala premises following traditional rituals. From August 20-24, the Kumbal perahera [...]
Asia’s turning point must be a vote for sustainability
The battle for sustainability will be won – or lost – in Asia. Although it seems dramatic, the concept is not far-fetched. Our region is perhaps the most dynamic in the world, accounting for 40% of global economic output and 2/3 of global growth. Sixty per cent of the world’s population calls Asia home and [...]
People and events
‘Watch this space: Framing the past, untying the future’ Bringing together artists from around the world, the ‘Art of Peace’ exhibition offers an emotive and incisive commentary on post-conflict societies By Smriti Daniel Sanjana Hattotuwa is a day away from the launch of his latest exhibition when he sits down for an interview with the [...]