Island in transition
When well-known architect and art historian Ismeth Raheem received a call from New Delhi in May, it was for a project right after his own heart. He was asked to provide background data for a rare exhibition of 19th Century and early 20th Century images of Ceylon. Author of the book ‘Images of British Ceylon [...]
There’s only one word for him, multi-faceted
A rich and vivid tapestry enhanced with diverse patterns emerging and merging, with a single golden thread running through it. In a palatial home exuding old-world charm down Barnes Place in Colombo 7, each and every pattern has been designated its very own corner with only one conspicuously absent. The missing piece to all the [...]
Strangers in the city of El Cid
The ancient city of Burgos in northern Spain achieved fame as the birthplace of the legendary 15th century military hero Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. Better known as El Cid (The Lord), Rodrigo Diaz was made well known to American movie fans of the last generation following the award winning Hollywood movie El Cid which starred [...]
From the jungles and the ocean came the beauties
The lights dimmed and against a backdrop recreating the splendour of medieval Sri Lanka, 13 beautiful queens appeared on stage at the glittering finals of the Siyatha-Facia Miss World Sri Lanka 2015 at the Colombo Hilton Grand Ballroom last Monday. Competing for the prestigious Miss World Sri Lanka title were 13 semi-finalists who had undergone [...]
Letters
Open letter to Wildlife Minister Staying in a hellhole in the wilds Booking a Wildlife park bungalow is no easy task, as any wildlife enthusiast will tell you. It is only a serious enthusiast who will undergo the hassle, – the standing in queues, drawing of lots and the half-day, spent in the effort. One [...]
Appreciations
Dr. Navaratnam Yogaratnam A great scientist and true friend Dr. Navaratnam Yogaratnam was a qualified and experienced tree crop specialist with over 40 years experience both in plantation and smallholder agriculture. He worked as Rubber Consultant, Deputy Director (Research), Tree Crops Agronomist, Human Resources Developer, Project Co-ordinator in the public and private sector, domestic and [...]
He came, he tasted and he’ll be back!
Lately, Matt Preston’s Instagram feed has been filled with images of Sri Lanka: Sigiriya rock, cashew nut curry studded with peas, cobs of corn being steamed at a roadside kade. Online, the MasterChef Australia judge found himself bombarded by local fans wanting to meet him and recommendations on what he should do. In the meantime, [...]
Join Country Roads tonight!
Great country music is on the menu at the Mount Lavinia Hotel tonight. The Country Roads Concert for Children 2015 takes place at the Empire ballroom which will be redolent of the Wild West this evening. Almost three decades since their first edition of Country Roads, the Country Music Foundation (CMF) continues its sterling efforts [...]
Light and flowing
CFW Resort Wear DAY 2: Colombo Fashion Week took its Resort Wear show to the atmospheric heritage city of Galle over three days last weekend. Day One was dedicated to highlighting the Bright Sparks, designers who had promising talent in abundance. Initially planned to be an evening of high fashion under the stars at the [...]
The ‘little ants’ are all set to tell their story
At one end of the hall is a group of children trying to get their ‘ant movements’ right while in a quiet corner a few others are re-painting and patching-up their costumes and stage props. This is the cast of Kumbi Kathawa (Ant Story) working together to bring their latest production to life. The Chitrasena [...]
“The Piano Septet” chamber music at the Goethe
The Chamber Music Society of Colombo sponsored by Fairway Holdings and in association with the Goethe-Institut presents a chamber music concert, “The Piano Septet” at the Goethe-Institute, Colombo 7, on Sunday, October 18 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature Ramya de Livera Perera, piano; Lakshman Joseph de Saram and Othman H. Majid, violins; Avanti [...]
A page turner from a diplomat’s wife
When the traditionally-reared wife of a senior Sri Lankan career diplomat decides to write of her experiences in over a dozen countries, the result makes riveting reading The first hand knowledge of diplomats is rarely written down. The rich and varied experiences of diplomatic wives often pass into their personal history and are never recorded. [...]
Unravelling the world of an autistic child
Sri Lankan dramatherapist, Ravi Ranasinha unveiled the compilation of his latest work on autism at a recent house-packed book launch. This invaluable, one-of-a-kind resource is designed to help parents detect early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disorders and to take steps that can make a dramatic difference in a child’s life. The [...]
An autobiography as fascinating as his fiction
British author Frederick Forsyth’s admittedly last book at age-76 is his fascinating autobiography, The Outsider – My Life in Intrigue, which is as absorbing as every one of his 17-books on fiction, apart from two non-fiction tomes, The Biafra Story and Emeka. In 60-short chapters covering 368-pages, Forsyth reveals the dynamic and dangerous life he [...]
Students of Holy Family Convent present Ravana Hatana
The lights are dim, the audience is hushed and all eyes are riveted on the battle brewing on stage. The intensity of the performance is palpable. This is “Ravana Hatana”, a dance drama presented by the students of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, under the direction of renowned musician and director, Pabalu Wijegoonawardane which depicts the [...]
Question and Answer Dhamma session by Ajahn Sujin
Well known Dhamma teacher Ajahn Sujin, founder of the ‘The Dhamma Study and Support Foundation’ Thailand will conduct a Question and Answer Dhamma session in English on the Anapanasati Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya on Thursday, October 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the Sri Vajiraramya, Vajira Road, Bambalapitiya. Ajahn Sujin has taught for 60 years [...]
EWC ‘Evening of Poetry & Prose’
The English Writers Cooperative (EWC) of Sri Lanka will celebrate distinguished writers Emeritus Professor Yasmine Gooneratne and Kalasuri Punyakante Wijenaike at an Evening of Poetry & Prose on Friday, October 23 from 6.30 p.m. at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, (ICES), 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 7. The evening will also feature writers Shirani, Rajapakse, [...]
Ex-Commando Legion AGM
The Annual General Meeting and get-together of the ex-Commando Legion will be held on October 17 at Ganemulla under the patronage of the President of the Legion, Maj. Gen. (Retd) P. Chandrawansa. The President and members of the Ex-Commando Legion invite all retired members who are not yet members to join them at the AGM.
Workshops and concert by classical guitar maestro
The Guitar Association of Sri Lanka (GASL) is hosting a series of classical guitar workshops and masterclasses with Dr. Paul Cesarczyk from October 20 onwards, culminating in a gala performance by the renowned guitarist on Saturday, October 24 “This is the first workshop to be held in Sri Lanka by a master class guitarist,” says [...]
‘Heal the World’: Charity concert for dialysis patients
‘Heal the World’, a charity concert presented by the Past Guides of Musaeus College Colombo will be held on Friday, October 17 at 7 p.m. at the Musaeus College auditorium for the worthy cause of raising funds for the dialysis patients of Anuradhapura and its environs. The show will feature such topflight talents as Sohan [...]
FLAME” sings for DBU
Since its inception in 1908, the Dutch Burgher Union has been helping the “less advantaged” by supporting their children to obtain a better education. The DBU, through various sponsorship schemes and overseas donors, currently supports the education of more than 350 children, as well as provides financial assistance to around 350 impoverished elderly citizens. In [...]
“Praise in Harmony”: De Lanerolle Brothers take their music back to the hills
The De Lanerolle Brothers will take the sounds of their music back to the hills on Saturday, October 24 with “Praise in Harmony”, a programme of sacred music to be held at St. Paul’s Church Kandy. The choirs of Hillwood College, Good Shepherd Convent, St. Anthony’s College and Trinity College will accompany the brothers, alongside [...]