‘Handle mega city projects with care’
UN human development expert urges caution on urbanisation Says Lanka is a developed nation in human development category A senior economist this week urged caution when building megacities saying it causes concentration of services and economic activity in the city to the disadvantage of rural communities. “From a number of mega cities that I have [...]
Recognising casualties of battle and war veterans
Introduction Having been an infantry officer, who commanded soldiers in battle, I very often come across retired serviceman known to me from all three services, those who have fallen sick a few years subsequent to their retirement. Majority of them suffer from renal ailments, heart disorders, orthopedic ailments, eye problems and post traumatic stress disorders. [...]
Tully’s tales — passage through India
It’s early in the morning when we meet in Galle. Sir Mark Tully – author, former BBC Bureau Chief in New Delhi, Chair of the jury panel of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2016 and often hailed as India’s best-loved Englishman is in Sri Lanka for the Galle Literary Festival and to announce [...]
Why are India’s Dalit students taking their lives?
“My birth is my fatal accident… I always was rushing. Desperate to start a life… I am not sad. I am just empty. Unconcerned about myself. That’s pathetic. And that’s why I am doing this.” These are excerpts from the last letter – “this kind of letter for the first time” – that Rohith Vemula, [...]
CEPA by any other name
Once a free trade agreement is signed between countries limiting its scope to the movements of goods, trade negotiators are cognizant of the critical importance of addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) including trade facilitation issues, investment and trade in services to achieve greater economic integration for mutual benefit. This larger objective was inevitably the next challenge [...]
Britain’s watershed year
LONDON – On a grey and rain-sodden London day at the beginning of 2016, it can be tough to find reason for optimism. The sun still comes up in the morning. At some point, it will presumably stop raining. My grandchildren offer a ray of sunshine; all Star Wars fans, they can just about convince [...]
Disability rights activist seeks right to equality provision in new constitution
The Committee appointed by the Government to seek public opinion on the proposed reforms to the Constitution began work from Colombo last Monday. Obtaining oral and written public views in Colombo took place until 4.30 p.m. on Friday 22nd January at its secretariat at Visumpaya, Staples Street, Colombo – 02. This committee headed by Senior lawyer [...]
Art exhibition celebrates 50 years of Sri Lanka-Cuba relations
Paying homage to more than half a century of friendship and cooperation between Cuba and Sri Lanka, the first Colombo edition of Reflejos – an exhibition of Cuban and Sri Lankan Art, was inaugurated at J.D.A. Perera Gallery Horton Place on Thursday. The exhibition, which will be on from January 21-31 will showcase selected works [...]
Welcoming new students
A ceremony was held to welcome Grade One children at the C.W.W Kannangara Vidyalaya, Borella. Chief guest Jayantha de Silva, Western Provincial Councilor and founder of the Pragna Pradeepa Sankalpaya is seen here being welcomed by a student of the Vidyalaya. Principal Subodha Wanigasekera was also present.
Mary Anne anniversary show
As Mary Anne David marks 47 years of teaching vocal music, her students- both past and present- are preparing for a tribute show to celebrate her immense contribution to the Sri Lankan talent pool. The show will happen on February 5 and 6 from 7.30 p.m at the Lionel Wendt. Mary Anne’s versatility as a [...]
Award winning author passes away
Award winning author Kala Keerthi Eileen Siriwardena passed away on January 20. She was 87 years old. Mrs. Siriwardena was a prominent educationist and talented author whose novels ‘Delowak Athara’ and ‘Ahasin Polowata’ were even adopted as films. Mrs. Siriwardena began her school career at St. Thomas College, Matara and then moved to Visakha Vidyalaya. [...]
Rwanda-Sri Lanka theatre collaboration
‘Dear Children, Sincerely…’, a unique project which is being done in collaboration with Sri Lankan and Rwandan artistes, attempts to bridge the generation gap by collecting the stories and experiences of the elders and taking them to the youth in the form of live performances. The project in Sri Lanka will include the Rwandan-Sri Lankan [...]
Golden star takes her fans back in time
A singer of yesteryear whose songs were frequently broadcast over the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in the 60s, Amitha Vadisinghe will take her fans back to her era once again, with her upcoming concert ‘Anothaththa Vila’ to be held on January 30 at Ananda Vidyalaya (Kularathne Hall) from 6.30 p.m. A golden star whose [...]