Maldives and Sri Lanka: Democracy between a rock and a hard place
The signs are unmistakable. Defensiveness edged with barely veiled annoyance underlies the responses of the Maldivian ruling party officials as they respond to concerns regarding the Rule of Law in the Indian Ocean archipelago. There is a sense of déjà vu in the experience. The resistance brings back disquieting personal memories of life under the [...]
Aping the Americans
Being now in my seventies I am old enough to remember people like Ranasinghe Premadasa, Gamini Dissanayake, Lalith Athulathmudali, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Ranjan Wijeratne, C.V Gooneratne, Appapillai Amirthalingam and Mohamed Ashraf. These folk represented the crème de la crème of the political leadership of our country during the latter part of the twentieth century. Unfortunately they [...]
The invisible star
The ever present star of movies for over ten decades was never to be seen. Like the movie magic which was generated through that stars contribution, the presence was to be experienced yet visible in each movie image. There was no fan mail, adulation, swooning fans. Yet a ‘star’ it was. Some star. That star [...]
Tea without sympathy for our witty envoy
UNITED NATIONS – After Iraq’s invasion of neighbouring Kuwait in August 1990, the UN Security Council hit back with rigid economic and military sanctions against the Saddam Hussein regime in Baghdad. In the arid, water-starved Kuwait, there was a joke that every time the Kuwaitis dug for water, they struck oil. So the boundless oil [...]
Drawing out the creativity of women
An exhibition of contemporary visual arts by a group of women artists ‘Space’ will open at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery at Horton Place on March 8 at 5.30 p.m. The exhibition features the work of women graduates of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. On display will be paintings, sculpture, installations and performance art [...]
Mind Adventures presents Legend of the Amazon
‘Legend of the Amazon: The Secret of Wonder Woman’ will be presented by the British Council and Mind Adventures theatre company on March 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. at the British Council Library. Directed by Arun Welandawe Prematilleke, the show which stars Thanuja Jayawardene, Ruvin De Silva, Tehani Chitty, Vindhya Fernando [...]
Annual Royal Thomian Past Cricketers’ dinner
The 26th Royal Thomian Past Cricketers’ annual dinner will be held on March 12 at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand hotel from 7.30 p.m. onwards. All past Coloursmen are invited. The dress code is shirt and college tie. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Bauddhaloka Viharaya prize giving
The prize giving of the Pre-School of Bauddhaloka Viharaya Colombo 8 was held recently with the chief guest being Western Province Councillor and Pragna Pradeepa founder Jayantha de Silva. Picture shows Mr. de Silva lighting the traditional oil lamp at the ceremony
Jordan Mogey concert: A tribute to country and western legends
Jordan Mogey considered one of the most promising music talents to emerge from Ireland will be performing at the BMICH on Monday, March 14 at 8pm. His first experience in Sri Lanka was when he toured with Mary Duff October last year and he thrilled the audience with songs made popular by Johnny Cash and [...]