Ten youngsters for Scrabble WYC
Ten youth will be featured at World Youth Scrabble Championship Ten students from Sri Lanka will participate in this year’s World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC), to be held from October 31 to November 2 in Perth, Australia. This is the 10th WYSC with youth from all over the world taking part in an exciting battle [...]
Hidden history rises from the ashes
A peek into clay urns, large and small, unearthed in Ibbankatuwa, a stone’s throw from the World Heritage Site of the Dambulla cave temple, will give Sri Lankans a glimpse into the distant past, as far back as any time between 1,000 to 300 years BC. Agog with excitement and expectation, a team from the [...]
Temple, mansion and cemetery: Going back to the era of Confucius
Rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages cruise past a fortified complex standing tall in Qufu in China’s Shangdong Province. This is dedicated to the revered Chinese philosopher, statesman and the founder of Confucianism, Confucius – who advocated a strict code of moral and social values for society. Confucius who was born in 551 BC and died in [...]
Letters
Old vehicles are not the ‘wrong-doers’ on the road “Sri Lanka considering removing old vehicles off roads” read the headline of an article in the Sunday Times Business page of September 27. Old vehicles could be categorised into: i) used by one owner for personal use which has done hardly 150,000 km over 20 years [...]
Appreciations
Beatrice Balaratnarajah She will always be my true comrade Beatrice, fondly known as Beta was my close confidante and comrade, a much loved, unpretentious friend of the family as well. My close association with unassuming Beta grew fonder over the years as I began to cherish our invaluable bond of friendship: A friend who will [...]
Words of reconciliation: The way forward for state literary awards
At the 58th State Literary Awards ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre which brought forth the diversity of Lankan culture, eleven writers engaged in Tamil literature received the highest national awards. This was out of the 15 categories set apart for the Tamil literati. Last year, only three Tamil contestants won national awards. President [...]
‘As a proud Indian, I will stand up for my rights’
In the last month, over 40 Indian authors and poets have made headlines around the world as they returned their awards and prize money to the country’s prestigious Sahitya Akademi. The authors are united against what they believe is a growing atmosphere of intolerance in India. All went on record to lay the blame for [...]
Eat your way around the world
What are you in the mood to eat today? Vietnamese wonton noodle soup, a calzone or Chinese hot and sour prawns? Or perhaps sashimi, baba ghanoush or a hearty German breakfast? Or have you started dieting again and need to keep a firm eye on your calorie count? If that’s the case, pick up a [...]
Repertoire: Animals in action and more
The word Repertoire is defined as “a stock of plays or dances that a performer knows or is prepared to perform”. Be it a male Jungle fowl flapping its wings to mark its territory, a mongoose jumping just a split second before the lethal fangs of a cobra attack it or bats navigating through dark [...]
Seafood delight amidst the breeze and sunset
Pegasus Reef Beach Hotel officially launched its latest seafood bar and restaurant, The Fishery, on October 17. Offering diners a versatile fine dining experience, The Fishery sports a lovely atmosphere with all four sides open to the sea breeze, and a deck that boasts spectacular views of sunsets. At the helm of its spacious, open [...]
Cosy cottage in the hills
The Villa Collection by Jetwing is all about intimate comfort and privacy, and features the largest selection of small luxury experiences in Sri Lanka. Their latest offering is located in Nuwara Eliya town – a lovingly restored colonial bungalow featuring three rooms – two suites and a deluxe room – The Cottage by Jetwing. Complete [...]
British author opens new chapter here
British novelist Sebastian Faulks is the latest member of the Fairways Galle Literary Festival team. His job description, as he puts it is to act as “a sort of go-between” for authors being invited to the festival and the organisers themselves. Formerly the first literary editor of The Independent and now the author of over [...]
From classical to toe-tapping fun; it’s all there in Yamaha Music School show
The Yamaha School of Music is usually buzzing during weekday afternoons and weekends. Youngsters and adults alike walk in carrying compact violin and recorder cases or bulkier instruments. These days, the cacophony of chords and regular exercises has been turned in for different strains of music that reverberate through the walls of Yamaha’s practice rooms [...]
Colours of Nigeria
Colourful African national costumes were the cynosure of all eyes at the Nigerian Independence Day reception held at the Kingsbury on October 1.
A time for fun and fellowship
The Colombo Law Society held its annual dinner dance ‘Rendezvous 2015’ on October 9 at the JAIC Hilton Colombo with the legal fraternity enjoying an evening of fun and fellowship.
Korean National Day celebrations
A large gathering of diplomats were present at the Korean National Day celebrations held on October 6 at the Taj Samudra Hotel.
Bags that will brighten lives
The Tea Tang boutique on Havelock Road, just past the Thunmulla junction has as you would expect – an array of tea in its shop window. Curiously enough –it has also displayed invitingly – a selection of colourful bags. If you do walk in, you won’t regret it for the tea and paintings by artist [...]
Meet the nimble-fingered ladies behind Knit and Chat
As we walk toward the Parish Hall of the Methodist Church down Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia, we hear the buzz of laughter and chatter one would expect from the educational institute on the other side of the road. Inside sit a group of elderly ladies, sewing, and knitting, others inspecting long tables covered from end [...]
Head to the carnival with your four-legged friend
On Sunday November 1, one hundred lucky dogs and their owners will come together in Sri Lanka’s first ever Canine Carnival, organised by the Ceylon Kennel Club, to be held from 2 p.m. onwards at Excel World. ‘Unleash’ is open to dog-owners and dog-lovers alike and will feature fun activities such as a fancy dress [...]
Most Distinguished Past Pupil Award
Mrs. Seela Narangoda Ebert, the former Asia regional director of the Commonwealth Youth program and a former Sri Lanka administrative officer (SLAS) was awarded the ‘Most Distinguished Past Pupil Award’ at the annual prize giving of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo recently. She received the award from another distinguished past pupil Mrs. Tharangani Keernawinna Dissanayaka, the [...]
Worship musical ‘Grace’
A worship musical that reminds us to ‘Live the Grace’ will be presented by the choir of St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Lavinia on October 31 at 6 p.m. at the church of St. Francis of Assissi. Based on the book ‘GRACE’ by Max Lucado, Travis Cottrell was inspired to write a worship musical of [...]
INTERLACE 2015 – Dinner Dance
‘Interlace 2015’ – a dinner dance organised by the past pupils associations of St. Aloysius College, Galle and Sacred Heart Convent, Galle, will be held on October 31 at the Chaaya Hikkaduwa. This will be the first time the two prestigious Galle schools are holding a joint celebration.
Two Pianos: An entertaining evening of music
Zonta Club III of Colombo presents an entertaining evening of music on two pianos by Ramya de Livera Perera and Soundarie David Rodrigo. Featuring enthralling music from the works of Bach, Max Bruch, Saint-Saens and Lutoslawski, the concert will be on November 12 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7.30 p.m. and will also feature [...]
2015 Gratiaen Prize open for submissions
Submissions for the Gratiaen Prize 2015 will be open from December 1-31. The prize covers a wide range of genres including fiction, poetry, creative prose and literary memoir. More details on prize submission and regulations can be found on www.gratiaen.com The Gratiaen Prize has the singular distinction of being the only prize for Sri Lankan [...]
‘The Pasts of the National Flag’
‘The Pasts of the National Flag: Some unorthodox views on the invention of Tradition’ will be the theme of the 78th monthly lecture of the National Trust – Sri Lanka. The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Gananath Obeysekere on Thursday, October 29 at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, [...]
14 Floors Mixed Development foundation stone ceremony
The foundation stone ceremony of 14 Floors Mixed Development project at No. 349, Galle Road, Colombo 3 was held on October 8 at the auspicious time of 7 a.m.. The Lee Hedges Investments Ltd Managing Director S. R. Vamathevan, and Directors L. Samarasinghe, S. Balaratnam and Lalith Senanayake, Executive Officer Sujani Jayaweera were present with [...]
Sir Cyril de Zoysa: His foresight and services to Buddhism
Among the great lay Buddhist leaders of Sri Lanka Sir Cyril de Zoysa indeed commands a unique place, for the invaluable services he rendered to the Sambudddha Sasana and the Sinhala community. His services were not confined to a single arena. The reach of the call that steered him from the past to the present [...]