Colombo soon to see indigo
HSBC Colombo Fashion Week is to paint Colombo blue later this month. Indigo is this year’s inspired theme as the country’s largest fashion festival returns to the ramp for the 13th time. Announcing its arrival, President of CFW Ajai Vir Singh unveiled an exciting collection of events that will unfold from February 20 – 26. [...]
Lakme launches Reinvent
British Cosmetics celebrated its appointment as the sole distributor of Lakmé in Sri Lanka presenting Lakmé’s premium range Lakmé Absolute and Lakmé 9 to 5 at a glamorous launch party attended by filmstars, beauty experts and fashionistas.
Colours of India
It was a colourful gathering on the sprawling lawn of India House as Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha and Mrs Sinha hosted a reception to celebrate India’s Republic Day on January 26.
The ultimate challenge
Imagine this. It’s 1 a.m, the moonlight is playing with your surroundings, and all is quiet. All you can see is sprawling countryside speckled with the sheen of a hundred cyclists, wrapped up in a silvery cocoon of protective gear. There is no sound…until, of course, your thighs start screaming for mercy and you mutter [...]
New cultural winds at the Goethe Institut
Dr. Petra Raymond, the new Director of the Goethe Institut, Sri Lanka, popularly known as the German Cultural Institute, has strong views on the role of culture in contemporary society. Still closely studying the Lankan cultural scene, she says, “I did not bring a suitcase of ideas. I am instead, listening and watching and based [...]
The Owl and the Pussycat Hotel celebrates Valentine’s weekend in style
Thalpe’s newest boutique hotel The Owl and the Pussycat which opened its doors on December 15, 2015, offers guests a luxury long-haul hideaway in the southern coastal town, just a short tuk-tuk ride from the historic Galle Fort. Owners – Reita Gadkari (London and Italy) and Shane Thantirimudalige (Galle) both property developers, have created a [...]
Drafting of the New Constitution
The president of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya Colombo chapter, Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi, stated that suggestions and ideas of Alumni of the Colombo Chapter will be incorporated into recommendations for the New Constitution of Sri Lanka from the association. He invites members to send their proposals and ideas to him addressed to: Chandralal [...]
Help for young Leukemia patient
H.M. Kapilarathne Bandara, 21, (ID no. 940620104) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2015 and requires re- induction chemotherapy and anti fungal treatment. This procedure cannot be done in Sri Lanka and he has to seek treatment in India. It is estimated that the treatment would cost Rs. 8000000 (80 lakhs). His parents [...]
Sri Lanka, Pakistan exchange gifts
President of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship, Trade & Economic Association Ifthikhar Aziz, is seen here presenting visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a welcome plaque. In the picture are Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Ministers Malik Samarawickrema and Sagala Ratnayake, Federal Commerce Minister of Pakistan Khurram Dastagir, High Commissioner of Pakistan Gen. Shakeel, Deputy High [...]
Chariots of devotion
“I am a traditional chariot-maker who inherited this job from my ancestors. Actually I remember we were carrying on this duty from our forefathers’ time. This work is solely based in Hindu temples and done by men. In our village there are around eight traditional chariot workshops. I inherited this job because all my other [...]
Letters
Many nations have national anthems enriched by multiple languages Going by some comments by the general public, it appears that many are unaware that the National Anthem is only of symbolic value and is sung in different languages in many countries. The words or ideas never materialise into anything though it gives hope. Switzerland’s anthem [...]
Canvas of trust
It is not completely uncommon for two artists to collaborate on one work of art if there is a common theme. But Dileepa G.W. and Mahesh Indika in their exhibition at the Lionel Wendt next weekend are pushing their creative boundaries in an original way – fusing together their very different styles, materials and themes [...]
A day of art
‘Art doesn’t sell.’ This is a belief that many have. Artists are discouraged from pursuing a career in art for fear that they would struggle financially and as it’s rather difficult to sell or exhibit art in Sri Lanka, this fear is not completely unfounded. However, artists at Kala Pola – the annual open air [...]
My world of small print
Apologetic note: At the age of 60 I realised that I was developing cataracts. Until then “cataracts”, to me, meant “waterfalls”! It is not funny to be visually impaired and I should know that, but there is much fun to be extracted when one starts to become visually impaired. I hope that readers will understand……. [...]
Finding solace in mindful meditation
Mindfulness is knowing and paying attention to what is most important in the present moment. Mindfulness also involves remembering, but not dwelling in memories. It means readjusting our attention and awareness fully and wholeheartedly to the present moment. A basic definition of mindfulness is ‘moment-by-moment’ awareness. Mindful meditation- breathe in; breathe out while focusing on [...]
Letting the music take control
Tanya Ekanayaka, Sri Lanka’s linguist-musicologist-pianist-composer based in Edinburgh is getting great reviews for and made it to the Naxos Critics Choice page in December 2015 with her debut album “Reinventions: Rhapsodies for Piano”. The album was composed, performed and produced in its entirety by her. While Tanya’s compositions are solid in their classically-influenced structure, and [...]
Getting the jazz and blues out of her was easy
The Colombo Jazz and Blues Festival will be showcasing an excellent line-up of local and international artistes such as Ayanda Jiya who has come all the way from South Africa to Colombo for her very first international event! She is thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to perform in such a beautiful country. As a [...]
Flight back to the past
Air Vice Marshal A.B. Sosa (Retd) recalls the good old days at the Diyatalawa Air Force camp – the meticulous weapons training, the drills, the passing out parades of the Sri Lanka Air Force, and interestingly, the skilled Air Force barber who groomed the young chaps about to start off their career in the Air [...]
Appreciations
Halima Cader Like her hero Elvis, she will always be our rock star My Great Aunty Halima was born on July 2, 1931 at what is now the Galle Fort Hotel, an 18th Century Dutch mansion in the coastal city of Galle. She made her entrance into the illustrious Macan Marker family of gem merchants, [...]