My story
I was a perfectly healthy individual who had only a mild elevation of blood pressure, kept under control with medication. I did not smoke and always had normal cholesterol levels and blood sugar. A very active seventy two to boot. In March of 2015, I had a stroke. It was a ‘Basilar stroke’, the worst [...]
Letters
Are the President and PM playing a ‘back scratching game?’ It can be argued that most Sri Lankans who voted for this Government are getting impatient and sometimes pessimistic over bringing perpetrators of crime and a host of other nefarious activities during the previous regime, into the limelight and having them punished for their deeds. [...]
To run and run
Around the 30th kilometre of his first marathon, Chinthaka Jayaweera began questioning his sanity. By the 35th it had begun to pour, he was freezing and his body was protesting heavily; “I was about to give up,” he says, “but then I saw my wife and younger daughter standing in the rain with signs of [...]
Kumara knows he is not alone in his troubles
As the New Year dawns, there is renewed hope not only of a better life but also in the goodness of people, for R.P.D.R. Kumara and his family toiling under a heavy burden. For, soon after the story headlined, ‘She ain’t heavy she’s my wife’ was published in the PLUS of December 13, of their [...]
Unravelling deep insights in familiar Jataka tales
In literary, as well as in common usage in Sinhala, the word vahanse added as a suffix to a noun denotes reverence, respect, or sanctity, eg. Bodhinvahanse, Swameenvahanse. Sometimes it is used even when reference is made to the mother or father maniyanvahanse/ piyananvahanse. However, when it comes to books, this suffix has been used [...]
Pointing out the need to transcend parochial religious sentiments
The Good Life: An Introduction to Religion and Consciousness by Iromi Dharmawardhane is a welcome addition to the scholarly writings on religion and philosophy as well as on the moral foundation and cultural values in the contemporary world. The author extracts key moral and philosophical guidelines in four world religions, namely Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and [...]
The interplay of religions from then to now
Dr. Leonard Pinto’s book, “Being a Christian in Sri Lanka: Historical, Political, Social and Religious Considerations” was recently launched in Sydney. The chief guest was Fr. Gerald Gleeson PhD, former professor of Philosophy and Theology at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and current Vicar General of Sydney Catholic Archdiocese. Special guest was Lal Wicrematunga, the [...]
Renowned classical actor and crime writer
Fiona Shaw Aunt Petunia is coming to visit. Tony Award Nominee Fiona Shaw might prefer that you remember her for the stage performances that twice won her a Lawrence Olivier Theatre Award and another two London Critics Circle Theatre Awards – after all she is a much admired classical actor – but to an international [...]
Literary experience for children – not to be missed
The Fairway Galle Literary Festival is just a few days away and there’s exciting news! The MAS children’s programme at the Fairway Galle Literary Festival gives the opportunity for children to take part in their own mini Lit Fest! The Fairway Galle Literary Festival has partnered with MAS Holdings to present the MAS Children’s Programme! [...]
Shepherdians flock together
It was a grand reunion when the Past Pupils’ Association of Good Shepherd Convent Kandy, Colombo branch had their annual Christmas gathering at the 80 Club.
A hypnotic evening with Alan Bates
UK Comedy Hypnotist Alan Bates will perform live in Sri Lanka on January 12 at the Ballroom, Hilton Colombo. This charity dinner show is in aid of Sooriyawewa Weliwewa Pradeepa pre-school to help construct a building and provide related school equipment. In addition to Alan Bates’s interactive stage show, guests will enjoy pre-dinner cocktails and [...]
Enter 2016: It’s party-time
A time of hope, a time for celebration, a time for fun and fellowship with family, friends and loved ones as hotels laid on their best entertainment for the party folk. As the countdown began for the New Year and the strains of Auld Lang Syne were heard, bursts of fireworks lit up the sky. [...]
Appreciations
Enid Madugalle Hulangamuwa A gallant lady from the central hills The radiant smile which was the hallmark of this genuine and warm-hearted lady is no more; she departed silently a little over a year ago, just three months short of her 90th birthday. On that unfortunate dawn of August 21, 2014, as she drifted away [...]
Glossary of sign words for sexual and reproductive health launched
Picture this… A hearing impaired woman at a police station is reporting an incident of assault when she suddenly stops. Not because she is too traumatised to speak or because she does not know what happened to her, but because she literally does not have the words to describe her ordeal. This situation is all [...]
Royal College Union celebrates 125 years with gala dinner
As part of the celebrations to mark the ‘125th Anniversary of the Royal College Union’, a formal dinner will be held on Sunday, January 17 at 7 p.m. at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. This gala sit down dinner exclusively for former Royalists and their spouses will commence with a cocktail reception at the Atrium of [...]
World Hindi Day celebrations here
The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo will hold their “World Hindi Day-2016” celebrations on Monday, January 11 from 4 p.m. at the ICC auditorium at 16/2 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7. The ICC has organised many competitions for students studying Hindi in different institutions in Sri Lanka. As a part of the celebrations certificates will be distributed [...]
‘Prisoners of the Boer War’: Revised editon now out
Deloraine Brohier and Robin A. Woodruff launched their revised edition of ‘Prisoners of the Boer War’ – (the original work was published by R.L. Brohier, Deloraine’s father) on December 28 at the Dutch Burgher Union. Speaking at the event Mr. Woodruff said that his interest in the Boer war was sparked by his purchase of [...]
Galle Face Hotel spreads Christmas cheer among children
Colombo’s Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel in its continuous efforts to give back to society, lit up the lives of many children with a grand Christmas celebration at the hotel. A group of 30 children from the World Vision Christian Relief Programme were invited to be a part of a memorable afternoon on December [...]
Celebrating the life of Prof. Manique Gunasekera
‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’ -Robert Frost- “Prof. Manique’s Gunasekera’s departure marks the end of an era at the Department of English of the University of Kelaniya. Her cheerful smile, sharp intellect, and inherent humaneness endeared her to generations of students. Even though she is no longer here with us, she is immortal in our hearts [...]
Ashley Furniture HomeStore comes to Lanka
Ashley Furniture HomeStore opened its first architecturally designed 10,000 square-foot showroom, owned and operated by licensee D’Décor. Located in Colombo 5, the store named ‘Heritage House’ includes the latest casual lifestyle elements and complete home furniture room settings down to the final detail of table lamps and area rugs. “Ashley Furniture HomeStore provides an amazing [...]
Colombo’s first boutique salon
Last month saw the launch of Colombo’s first boutique salon – Luminaire. From haircuts to hair colouring, Luminaire’s internationally-trained and experienced salon artists are aiming to create stylish looks for Colombo’s fashionistas. A beautiful, plush bespoke interior, located in a quiet cul de sac off Jawatte Road in Colombo 5, inspires clients to relax and [...]
Smile Sri Lanka holds carnival for underprivileged children
Smile Foundation Ceylon, a registered charity also known as ‘Smile Sri Lanka’ organised a carnival for around 2000 underprivileged children at the Mount Lavinia Park on December 26. Many sponsors supported the carnival in various ways. Smile Sri Lanka’s President and founder Vivek Jayasuriya told the Sunday Times, “We began the project by helping around [...]