‘She ain’t heavy she’s my wife’
Can a sole human being bear so much trial and tribulation but keep striving against all odds to provide the best care possible to a loved one without abandoning her? Is life fair or plain cruel for some of us? Why, oh why? It is, however, not 35-year-old R.P.D.R. Kumara who questions. It is what [...]
Revolutionising Sri Lanka’s education system
A book chronicling the life and work of P. de S. Kularatne, titled ‘Kularatne of Ananda’ was launched on December 4 at the Kularatne Hall of Ananda College. The author, Kamalika Peiris, is also the grand niece of Mr. Kularatne. This is the first comprehensive English biography of Mr. Kularatne to have been released. Professor [...]
All about coming first
In our school days coming first in class was a big achievement. The title of veteran sports journalist Asoka Gunatillaka’s latest book is ‘Palamuveniya’ – coming first. The cover tells the story. It carries pictures of five top sports personalities in Sri Lanka. All are easily recognisable. He talks about those who have brought fame [...]
Thilo Hoffmann:The Saviour of Sinharaja
Informed environmental activism in Sri Lanka owes its beginnings largely to Thilo Hoffmannm, a Swiss national, who made our country his home 69 years ago. His leadership of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and the Ceylon Bird Club proved invaluable in launching a crusade that not only saved Sinharaja but also substantially expanded the [...]
And we all live together under one roof
Austria still offers some of the nicer aspects of our worldly existence. Deer feed in the meadow across the road from our house. They graze contentedly, seemingly oblivious to all else, then suddenly stiffen and look up, alert, staring, when a car, more likely a tractor, passes by. The material aspects of Austria are also [...]
Writing of our times and issues
Kenan Malik Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize in 2010, Kenan Malik, the Indian-born, UK-based writer, confronts in his works the great issues of our day, including migration, inter-racial conflict, the rise of fundamentalism and bioethics. With books such as the ‘From Fatwa to Jihad’ (2009), ‘Strange Fruit: Why Both Sides are Wrong in the Race [...]
Not quite groovy jazz, but an explosion of energy
The Dutch Burgher Union on Friday night, December 4, was jam packed and loud. Every music lover and philanthropist who managed to get their hands on a ticket came out to hear saxophone player Rudresh Mahanthappa and his band, Gamak. Although they might not have got just what they came for, the evening was definitely [...]
Letters
Policeman, policeman do your duty; don’t switch off traffic lights We have experienced huge traffic blocks in Colombo and the suburbs recently. The reason behind this is nothing other than the traffic police controlling the traffic themselves by switching off the traffic lights in every junction. As we have noticed, from very recently, the traffic [...]
Switch off and float into the vastness of Dhrupad
Musical duo, Samvad’s origins has all the whimsicality of a serendipitous meeting in the plot of a movie. In 2006, musicians Virginia and Igino bumped into each other at a local market. Both were carrying their instruments – the saxophone and the silver flute – and began playing together spontaneously. Virginia and Igino hailed from [...]
A journey with Banyan trees
“Twenty years ago, I went to the Andaman Islands in India on a holiday from Pakistan. That is where I first saw Banyan trees,” say Japanese artist Ikuko Deguchi-Peters whose exhibition ‘Banyan Trees in Sri Lanka’ is on display at the Paradise Road Galleries. “Since then, it was deep inside my conscience. Ten years later, [...]
Concept 2016: Giving expression to your personality
The FH Studio will present on Tuesday, December 15, the third edition of its annual ‘Concept’ show at the Envoy Mansion showcasing an exclusive range of menswear to transform the man of today into the man of tomorrow. ‘Concept 2016’, is conceptualised by fashion consultant Fouzul Hameed. ‘Concept 2016’ will showcase a total of nine collections, [...]
Bengali Raw Mango drapes here
Raw Mango’s Sooti Collection, elaborating the glorious heritage of delicate shiny complex cotton weaves will be on display at the Rithithi Alfred House Gardens Store on December 18 and 19. The collection, by founder and designer of the Raw Mango label, Sanjay Garg is inspired by the indigenous Jamdani craft which had its roots during [...]
The wonder of hair
Hair Art 2015 brought out admirably what potential and talent exists in the beauty industry today. The graduating students of the Ramani Fernando Sunsilk Hair and Beauty Academy had the audience at the Colombo Hilton on Tuesday at the edge of their seats with a striking display of styles. Teenage haircuts and colour casual hair [...]
Free and flowing designs from Sarita
When fashion designer and entrepreneur Sarita Rajandran made the jump from marketing to fashion two years ago, she found herself in the deep end. With nothing except her marketing experience and love for fashion backing the new venture, “I was literally selling out of a suitcase,” said Sarita at the recent launch of her label, [...]
Appreciations
RANJIT ERIYAGAMA Beautiful memories are all I have One year has passed since you left me. The pain is still hard to bear. I go through life knowing you will never again be there for me. I have only the beautiful memories of the lovely times we have had and the talk, advice and laughter [...]
Raising the bar
For Indira Samarasinghe, the first woman to hold the important post of Principal of the Sri Lanka Law College in its over 140 year history, it is a return to familiar territory. During her work in the legal field spanning more than three decades, she would often visit the College as a visiting lecturer imparting [...]
‘A Green Christmas’
The choir of St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena will present its sesquicentennial year Christmas Carols ‘A Green Christmas’ on Saturday, December 19 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena. The entrance procession begins at 7.15 p.m. The choir will be accompanied by the Colombo Brass Ensemble and Choro Benedicte and Voice Print will also join in the service. [...]
‘Light Out of the Darkness’
“Light Out of the Darkness”, a worshipful musical by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse, and Rose Aspinall will be sung at the Lighthouse Church, Kandy starting at 5.30 p.m. on Sunday, December 20. The choir is directed by Neson George.
Selyn sale for last minute shoppers
Ushering in the season in their own unique style, Selyn together with Andrea Boekel present “Colours of the Season”. A name synonymous with bold colour and their signature use of handloom fabric, Selyn will include a myriad of clothes and homeware threaded together with the holiday spirit. Joining them is a long time collaborator Andrea [...]
Structure and science in the digital age
The Sri Lankan Exhibition and Convention Centre transformed into a gathering of art, design and innovation as the Sri Lanka Design Festival came to life over the course of three days in late November. Conceptualised in 2009, SLDF has since made a mark for itself as the go to event for budding artists, marketers and [...]
Anne Frank exhibition in Jaffna: Remember, reflect and react
The international travelling exhibition ‘Anne Frank– a history for today’ will go on display at the Jaffna Public Library from December 12 to16. Previously the exhibition was on display in Colombo and in Baddegama. The exhibition places the story of the life of Anne Frank against the background of the Holocaust, with extracts from the [...]
No such thing as personal style
The mere idea of a personal style threatens to bring a yawn to the faces of Paul Roeters and Joeroen Hoedjes. The Studio Kluif founders prefaced their talk at the Sri Lanka Design Festival with a quick explanation: “where we come from,” they said “people are very liberal minded. We question authority and we’re constantly [...]
A butterfly guide this season to inspire time with nature
Butterfly watching – also called butterflying – involves the observation and study of butterflies. With the main aim of popularising interest among the public, the Butterfly Conservation Society of Sri Lanka (BCSSL) will be launching the photographic guide ‘Field Guide to Butterflies of Sri Lanka’ that has more than 600 photos and illustrations of all [...]