A time for honour and reflection
On Tuesday last week Anne Ranasinghe received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the highest tribute the nation can pay to individuals. An ornate red cross was pinned to her white blouse as the poet sat surrounded by a small circle of friends and admirers in her home on Rosmead Place. [...]
From orphan of the Empire to Admiral of the Fleet
Discrimination can take many forms. Surprising as it may seem, children of British parents born in Ceylon during colonial times were not looked upon with favour by Britons born in the British Isles. Even though they had no ‘native’ genes, the fact that these children were born in such a distant and culturally alien land [...]
Not an uncommon problem: Thalassaemia in Sri Lanka
Thalassaemia is not necessarily a household word to many people in Sri Lanka. But this disease is, in fact, an important health problem in this country. Thalassaemia is an inherited (genetic) blood disorder, occurring throughout the island, in which haemoglobin, the main protein (oxygen carrier) of the red blood cell, is not produced in sufficient [...]
A vintage affair
Tucked in amongst the many knick-knacks in Imran Saibo’s office there’s a book titled ‘Event Planning for Dummies’. We’re amused, because Saibo is the last person you would imagine reading the book for tips – as the founder of Funtime, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest event production companies, he’s an experienced hand when it comes [...]
Remembering the lovable lyric maverick
The 113th birth anniversary of Wijayananda Dahanayake of Galle, the former caretaker Prime Minister of our nation, falls on Thursday. He was born on October 22, 1902 as a twin in a conservative Kachcheri Mudliyar’s family. Wijeyananda Dahanayake, perhaps more than any other politician, was a sphinx-like and captivating individualist. They say that mavericks may [...]
A love he cannot let go of
A central concept of Buddhism is awareness; awareness that the world is all but an interpretation of the mind. Understanding this fact allows us to see the true nature of life and to let go of things we are attached to, be it those we love or something as simple as an activity we enjoy. [...]
Appreciations
Al haj M.H.M. Saeedul Akram We will do our best to carry on your legacy He was a gift from God, an irreplaceable blessing, a gem of a person. There aren’t enough words that could describe his kindness and his impact on the lives of so many people. I was blessed enough to call him [...]
Chennai’s hospitals fuel hospitality boom
Tamil Nadu recorded the year’s highest influx of tourists both domestic and international. Extraordinarily, Rajasthan’s tourism was surpassed. Many and wondrous though the charms of Tamil Nadu, doubtless the state’s staggering tourist numbers owe much to medical tourism in Chennai, lately become a phenomenon. Kerala might have engaged tennis legend Steffi Graff to promote “Ayurveda [...]
Letters
Power blackout: CEB seems to be in the dark regarding its own shortcomings In a news report in the Sunday Times of October 4, the President of the CEB Engineers’ Union has offered an explanation to the total blackout on September 27, saying that the blackout was caused by high voltage in the power system [...]
Congregation turns choristers
On Tuesday, October 27 at 7.30 p.m., the whole congregation at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour will become one choir, lifting their voice in glorious sounds, to the lofts of the magnificient church. “Celebration with Song” with Neranjan de Silva, Adele Bibile, Eshantha de Andrado and the De Lanerolle Brothers will be a [...]
A book not just for students and teachers of Lit
This book provides a foundation course in Literary Criticism. It is essential reading for success-oriented students in G.C.E. (Ordinary and Advanced Level) classes and for those following undergraduate studies as internal or external students. It is also addressed to teachers of Literature as a means of enabling them to open up the minds of their [...]
Moments, inspired by the human condition
Well known artist Rubert Soysa who is exhibiting his latest works at the Paradise Road Galleries says this exhibition titled ‘Moments’ is inspired by human life, the milestones, relationships, aspirations we have and how we react to them. A follower of Willem de Kooning, Frank Auerbach, and of course Pablo Picasso, he says oils are [...]
Professionalism was the star, at the end of the day
I was at my wit’s end just the other afternoon when the Actress had an idea to blow the cobwebs away. “Bishop,” she warbled, “Let’s go for a Les Mis matinée!” Being in a sunny frame of mind, I acquiesced. And later wondered whether it would end in tears? Because many of our outings to [...]
That good old country feeling
The Wild West Express took off last weekend at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. The Country Roads Concert for Children 2015 launched its audience on yet another musical journey. Supporting causes through music, this year’s edition raised funds for the Children’s Heart Project, Meth Mihira School of special needs education and the Kudaligama Central College in [...]
Going back to Jaffna
The Unity Mission Trust (UMT) is returning to Jaffna, where their story started. It has been six years since the Trust was born following a simple act of donating school supplies to children of the North. Today this volunteer-driven organisation has reached over 6,000 student leaders around the country with their regional Unity Mission Camps. [...]
Lancôme celebrates 80th b’day with new fragrance
In 1935, Armand Petitjean created a line of makeup and skincare products in the midst of France’s economic depression. Petitjean’s vision for cosmetics has stamped its place in the world of beauty care, through his brand Lancôme. The firm celebrated their 80th anniversary as one of the world’s leading brands in make-up, skincare and fragrance [...]
Beading together many strands
If a new and exotic genre of jewellery is likely to take your fancy, book a date next Saturday (October 24) to see ‘Pabalu’, an exhibition of finely-crafted beadwork necklaces, earrings and pendants at the Lionel Wendt, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition shows the creative talents of Janaki Pethiyagoda, who employs ‘kumihimo’, [...]
CFW Flair off the ramp
Dainty prints, jaunty stripes, draped dresses and cool linens- the historic Galle Fort was the colourful setting for invitees at the Colombo Fashion Week’s Resort Show to display their fashion styles to perfection.
More international dancers at this year’s Dancesport
It is that time of year where local dance enthusiasts get to be a part of an amazing international dance experience when Footwork Events, headed by Dharshan Wijesooriya, presents the country’s biggest annual dancing competition. Dancesport Sri Lanka – the International Ballroom and Latin American Dance Championship organised for the 20th consecutive year, will yet [...]
The ‘heart of England’ now in the heart of Colombo
Nestled between Chatham Street and the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, is a gastronomic passport to Britain. Located inside the boutique business hotel, The Steuart by Citrus, the initial idea for & Co Pub and Kitchen was a simple one – to open a British pub with a Scottish theme. The themes interlaced within the hotel [...]
Don’t let these sights disappear from our parks
The photographs are stunning – one of Sri Lanka’s iconic mammals, the leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), in all its majesty in the pristine Wilpattu National Park. This is the National Park, like many others scattered across the country, which is under threat……..and not only for mammals such as the leopard, the top predator, but numerous [...]
Preserving the goodness of food
Popular playwright Indu Dharmasena does his part again in the form of a creative script which drives among other messages, a punch on preserving the goodness of the basic need of all human beings – food, to be well nourished and healthy. The Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka presents the latest hilarious edition of the [...]
Elizabeth Moir receives MBE
Well known educationist Elizabeth Moir was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of her ‘services to British education and the teaching of English in Sri Lanka’. Picture shows Mrs Moir receiving her award from the Queen at the investiture ceremony held in [...]
Scissors Salon receives international award
The Scissors Salon- a leading unisex hair and beauty Salon in Sri Lanka received the prestigious International Business Initiative Directions (BID) Quality Award in Geneva recently. Addressing a press conference held to announce the international award, the Chairman of Scissors Salon, Mohamed Afthab recalled the humble beginnings of the Scissors Salon, in 2008 when its [...]
Charity show in aid of animals
November 5 will see an evening of music and entertainment at the Dutch Burgher Union Hall featuring several artists; the De Lanerolle Brothers, Ryan Henderling, Vithma Kumarage, Darren Stork and Dinukshi Hettige, Roshanara and Roshana Tissaaratchy and Melanie Bibile. The event organised by the Animal Protection Trust focuses on the eradication of Rabies throughout Sri [...]
ICC painting, drawing and writing competition for Children’s Day
To commemorate Children’s Day, which falls on November 14, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Colombo will organise a painting, drawing and writing competition for children on Saturday, November 14 from 9.30 a.m. to 1. p.m at the Indian Cultural Centre, [...]
Chundikuli Girls’ College AGM
The President and members of the Committee of the PPA, Colombo branch of Chundikuli Girls’ College, Jaffna invite all old girls for the Annual General Meeting on October 24 at Mirage Hotel (on Marine Drive) No.61, Moor Road, Colombo 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A day of fellowship and thanksgiving has been planned. [...]
AGM of SLFUW
The annual general meeting of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women will be held on Saturday, October 31st. Registration begins at 8.30 a.m. in the SLFUW auditorium. Those interested in getting Nomination Papers can collect them from the office – they must be handed over by October 26th. A fellowship lunch will be held [...]
Celebrating 66 years: Cora Abraham student exhibition
The Cora Abraham Art Classes continuing 66 years of the vision of founder Cora Abraham, a pioneer in Education-through-Art and Freedom of Expression, will present the creative work of students in different age-groups at an exhibition at the art school, 26 Boteju Road, Colombo 5 this weekend. A walk through the exhibition will enable parents [...]
Mary Duff in concert: Get your tickets fast
Tickets for Irish singer Mary Duff in concert on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday October 25 at the BMICH are selling out fast. Damayantha Kuruppu, the promoter of the concert says most of the reserved tickets for both shows have been sold and urges those interested to get their tickets without delay to avoid disappointment. [...]
Colours of Africa in “Earth Hands”
“Earth Hands” a home décor product line created by two enterprising women Therica and Marina was launched on October 9 at the Premier Pacific Apartment Club House. The products celebrate the abundance of nature that can be created into objects of beauty to adorn our homes. The products are mainly handmade using natural raw material [...]