Raising a cuppa to a legacy
There are two antiquated words which embody Sir Thomas Lipton’s entrepreneurial spirit and commercial success – chutzpah and gumption. You need both to make it in the business world and Sir Thomas Lipton had large quantities of both these qualities. There are traces of it visible in his early life. The youngest of five children, [...]
Letters to the Editor
Perahera: Hotel woes mar the spectacle There was much excitement when we decided to go up to Kandy to view the Kandy Perahera. We thought we were fortunate to get a room in a landmark hotel in Kandy to watch the glorious final night. Being senior citizens, in spite of exorbitant rates, we decided to [...]
Appreciations
He lived, tried new things, invented and tested Dr. Ray Wijewardene “I am a good aircraft designer!” This must be the only egotistic sentence I ever heard from him. He elaborated, “I say this with certainty, because all bad aircraft designers are six feet under, and are pushing daisies!” Two decades after our first encounter, [...]
A different kind of ‘Batman’
A striking fiery orange and pitch black mix — this is the elusive creature that he yearns to catch a glimpse of hidden amidst the twirl of withered banana leaves. Hundreds, nay thousands has Prof. Brock Fenton seen on his journeys across the world into cavernous caves or peering into tree canopies or hollows. But this [...]
Hope for a mine-free future
Damian O’Brien has worked in Somalia and the West Bank, but he’s never seen minefields quite like those in Sri Lanka. O’Brien is a Programme Manager with the HALO Trust, and has been based in the North of the island since April 2014. When he got here, his organisation was already neck deep in their [...]
The battle to save his son has not ended
The battle has been long and intense…….being waged since 2002 and this father has been able to save his son from the very jaws of death. Now, he needs to keep death at bay. It is only 13 years after every single cent from the sale of the family’s property, the leasing of the printing [...]
Stratford Ave: Fine dining to cosy cafes
Our first in the Eat Street series is Stratford Avenue in Kirulapone. On one half of Stratford Avenue – or the Gandhara Street as it is commonly referred to – is a temple and a smorgasbord of small, assorted shops hugging the canal. On the other half of the road is a lifestyle store, galleries, [...]
A taste of vintage in Yarra Valley
I am seated with a few friends – mainly expatriate Sri Lankans from Melbourne – out on the deck of this winery restaurant, with a panoramic view of vineyards stretching out beyond the establishment’s well-manicured lawn and picturesque lake. It is a glorious spring day and in the far distance we can see the rolling [...]
Haritha Collection: Leisure and nature in harmony
“Haritha” in Sinhala, describes a lush and green vista. “The Haritha Collection” was launched on Wednesday, September 2, with four distinct tourism brands amalgamating their interests under the brand name: The Haritha Collection. Within this Collection is the flagship, Horathapola Coconut Estate–a 50-acre organic coconut plantation surrounding a stylishly refurbished plantation bungalow, Kudakalliya Bungalows in [...]
CFW: Making waves off the ramp
The focus was quite naturally on the creations unveiled on the ramp but Colombo’s young fashionistas present at the Colombo Fashion Week ‘Swim’ held in August scored high on the fashion ratings with their striking styles for the poolside show.
New Mini roars into Castle Street
Prestige Automobiles unveiled the new Mini amongst a gathering of car enthusiasts at their showroom on Castle Street last week. Pix by Amila Gamage
A ray of elegance
The elegant award ceremony for the Ray Award was held at the Balmoral, Kingsbury on August 24 and after the much awaited announcement of the winner, invitees, judges, trustees, award winners and their families enjoyed the reception that followed. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Rousing sing-a-long with Rukshan
It was a sell-out event as the old girls of Methodist College Colombo 3, rallied round for the worthy cause of raising funds for their beloved school .‘Meth Sing-A –Long 2015’ organised by the Class of 87 had well-known singer Rukshan Perera leading the gathering in an evening of rousing singing and dancing in aid [...]
To be religious is to be one with nature and environment
Pope Francis is the head of the largest religious denomination, numbering about 1.2 billion people, and this appeal has been translated into several of the world’s languages. His wish and attempt is “to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home” (emphasis added). The violence in our hearts is “reflected in the symptoms [...]
Children’s book with a truly Lankan touch
It is difficult to say whether Shari Amara-suriya’s love for children or art came first. A combination of both is what ‘The Sunday Fair’ is all about. She wrote and illustrated this book initially for her god-daughter Nyika. It was subsequently published by Popsicle Books, an imprint of the Perera Hussein Publishing House. Following her [...]
Grading and reporting: Are we on the correct path?
As we approach a new term at school, I felt that the time is ripe to reflect on an appropriate grading and reporting system that could be adopted in our schools. A recent school report that I was shown had a percentage score for each subject as the term test mark and comments such as [...]
RIO projects a thought-provoking show
RIO. Rio Grande. Rio Rita. Rio Tinto. Dolores del Rio. Rio de Janeiro. RIO Cinema. RIO Hotel. There, all the RIOs that came to mind dashed off in a line. The first is an animated movie about a macaw called Blu. The second is a great river in the US. The third a mining and [...]
Film favourites from Contempo
‘Reel Music’, a concert organised by the choir Contempo will be held at the St Bridget’s Convent Auditorium at 7 p.m. on September 19 and 20. Contempo, a choir formed by past pupils of St Bridget’s Convent, will bring to life songs from favourite movies such as the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My Best Friend’s [...]
Sangeethya.lk presents Marians
The Marians are back! “The Drift- Retrovival” on September 12 at the Musaeus College auditorium at 6.30 p.m. sees the veteran group bring their rhythms to Colombo city. The concert is presented by “Sangeethaya.lk” a web-based portal with a difference, created by a group of music lovers and veterans in the fields of music and [...]
Hindi Diwas celebrated on Sept. 14
The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo is organising ‘Hindi Diwas’ on Monday, September 14, at 4 p.m. at its auditorium at 16/2 Gregory’s Road, Colombo – 7. Hindi Diwas is celebrated on September 14 every year to remember the historic occasion of Hindi written in Devnagari script being approved as an official language by the Constituent [...]
Scholarships for estate children
Applications are invited from the children of estate workers, who are residents of estates, for award of scholarships by the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET). These scholarships are available for G.C.E. Advanced Level, Undergraduate courses and for students undergoing Vocational/ Technical education in any of the Government Technical colleges in Sri Lanka, a press [...]
‘Sing-a-long for St. Anne’s College old boys
All old boys and their families can enjoy a fun-filled evening when St. Anne’s College Kurunegala Colombo Union presents a ‘Sing-a –long with Sohan and the Experiments’ on September 12 from 7 p.m. at the Grand Orient Hotel, Colombo 1. The guest artist will be Sunil Perera of the Gypsies. Tickets priced at Rs. 2,500 [...]
“Horu Hondai” at Tower Hall
The stage drama “Horu Hondai” directed and produced by well-known dramatist Ananda Athukorale and presented by Lions Club of Biyagama North will go on the boards at the Tower Hall, Maradana on Saturday September 12 at 3.30 and 6.30 p.m. Cast includes leading actors Rodney, Ananda,Anusha, Suranga, Shiromika, Damayantha (of ‘Kopi Kade’ fame) and Indika. [...]
Jaela – Pamunugama Leo Club instals new President
G.Wiranga A.Perera (23) was installed as President of the Jaela – Pamunugama Leo Club 306BI, on August 15 at a ceremony held at the Salsa Restaurant, Jaela. The other office-bearers are D.A.J. Irantha Fernando — Vice President, T. Umendra Nilupulee -Secretary and T.Dilupa Sewwandika -Treasurer. An old Royalist, Wiranga is presently employed at SriLankan Cargo, Katunayake. [...]