‘Baby’ of Medical Faculties takes big strides
It has come of age taking its place among the vibrant state Medical Faculties in the country, building on the rubble of a controversial private medical college. The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya which more or less rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the North Colombo Medical College (NCMC) is [...]
They came, they cleaned and want you to do the same
The beautiful Morawala beach in Pitipana, Negombo is a popular attraction for residents and tourists alike. Many parents find the natural reefs forming a protective barrier a little way into the water allows their children to swim safely in this area. The rocks which separate the beach from the road are also appealing because they [...]
Write to Reconcile opens up to broader participation
With each new edition of Write to Reconcile, Shyam Selvadurai becomes more ambitious for his writers, more determined to support stories that hold up a mirror to Sri Lanka as it is now. The free creative writing programme which he runs has already produced two anthologies and it kicks off its new year with an [...]
Unique crafts at Shilpa Kala
Chanchal Kumar Chakraborty from Delhi, India has come to the Shilpa Kala exhibition at the BMICH with the unique contemporary brass ornamental crafts he has created, using traditional techniques. Chanchal Kumar is pleased that most of the visitors who came to the exhibition liked his crafts as they understood the workmanship behind the products. The [...]
“Pretty Woman Walking Down the Street…”
Most of us know the song immortalised by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees. We have sung it on occasion…danced to it at weddings…and hummed the tune more often than we think. It’s a song that somehow makes us feel happy and upbeat. It’s been a personal favourite for a long time and taken at face [...]
Letters
Coconuts to bless, Alupuhul to curse The so- called joint opposition headed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched a coconut – dashing campaign to bring down the Government. The plan was to dash 100,000 coconuts and I thought that they would continue the campaign till the Govt. fell but it has fizzled out even before [...]
Germany shoots down France as Cannonball race grips Galle Face
After last year’s refurbishment, the annual Cannonball Run was back in style at the Galle Face Hotel. With perfectly manicured lawns, glorious sunshine and, thankfully for the runners, a refreshing sea breeze, the famous colonial hotel was looking the part for this historic event. The runners are generally members of the diplomatic community and competing [...]
Step into snazzy sarongs and beat the heat
Menswear has come a long way from the usual shirt-trouser combination. Hameedia, a brand which needs little introduction in the fashion scene for men stepped out of the norm last week. Sleek shoes and snappy shirts on display at the Envoy Mansion were outshone as the brand launched “Colours of Linen”. Ethnic wear crafted out [...]
Pakistan celebrates National day
Pakistan High Commissioner Maj Gen (Retd) Syed Shakeel Hussain hosted an evening reception on at the Cinnamon Lakeside’s King’s Court to celebrate Pakistan’s 76th National Day on March 23. The gathering included many political figures, diplomats and a cross section of society. Earlier that morning the High Commissioner held a flag hoisting ceremony at the [...]
Horses, fashion and races hit the hills
As the rest of the country sweltered in the heat, in cool Nuwara Eliya, the newly formed Royal Turf Club held its first race for the season in a carnival atmosphere. The day’s proceedings began with Minister Navin Dissanayake unveiling a plaque commemorating the inaugural race meeting of the Royal Turf Club, Nuwara Eliya. Among [...]
Appreciations
V.L. Wijemanne A son of Kalutara who did much for the upliftment of Buddhism Yet another leader who worked for the upliftment of Buddhism in the Kalutara electoral district passed away on March 21, 1990. Vincent Leonold Wijemanne was a former Member of Parliament and a former Deputy Minister of State Plantations. Born on October [...]
Clayderman to perform here
Richard Clayderman, the French classical pianist will perform in Sri Lanka at the Nelum Pokuna on April 8. The best-selling record artist and concert performer has established for himself a status as the most successful French act globally, having recorded over 1,300 melodies and created a new romantic style through a repertoire which combines his [...]
1930s Nice for some lights, music and light-hearted fun
Divorce Me Darling, a production by Bishop’s College and S. Thomas College on March 18, 19 and 20 at the Bishop’s College auditorium Reviewed by Vinusha Paulraj Trousers for women had only just come into vogue, hats and suits were every gentleman’s staple ensemble. It was the age of the incomparable duo, Fred Astaire and [...]
V Day Tenderness: Laugh at how ridiculous reality can be
Directed by Jith Peiris and Hans Billimoria, ‘V Day 2016: Tenderness’, an adults only production is based on interviews and discussions with people from around Sri Lanka on gender based and intimate partner violence. This year’s collection of performance pieces are stories that people hardly discuss, because sometimes it’s just too difficult to tell anyone. [...]
More than staple street food troika–kotthu, pittu and hoppers
His name is Nalir but he says you can call him Dudley. In true Sri Lankan fashion, ‘Uncle’ or ‘Maama’ is also suffixed to his name. Dudley Maama’s cream shirt is patterned with pineapples and foliage and his black and white checked sarong is hitched up to his knees, as he directs both customers and [...]
The civil servant who was more at home among rural hoi polloi than in Colombo board rooms
When I joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1963, C.P. de Silva, leading Minister and ex-CCS was already a legend. We learnt about his childhood at Randombe in Balapitiya and his outstanding record as a student at S. Thomas’ College, having won all the prizes for mathematics. Mathematics was his forte. He entered the university, [...]
DBU Easter sale
The DBU’s Easter Sale will be held on Sunday, April 3 from 9 a.m. onwards. There will be a whole new range of items, including linen, pottery, jewellery, garments and plenty of food, including the famous Burgher delicacies such as Boroa, Fougetti, Bolo fiado, Lamprais, Milk Wine, home-made Ginger Beer, Beef Smore, Black Pork Curry [...]
“Never Thirst Again”: Easter fundraiser for Cancer Hospital
This Easter, join the Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour as they present “Never Thirst Again”, a programme to raise funds for patients at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. The programme will be on Monday, March 28 at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour on Bauddhaloka Mawatha (next to the BMICH). The [...]
Archaeology and the Crucifixion
There is evidence that the crucifixion of Christ may be the only day on which a Blood moon, noonday darkness and global or multi-tectonic earthquake coincided. But what about the bloody moon? – Crucifixion April 3 AD 33. Blood moon is when sometimes in a total lunar eclipse, the earth which comes between sun & [...]
GFS sale
A Sale of miscellaneous items will be held at the GFS Hall, Green Path, Colombo 3 on Monday, March 28. The proceeds will be towards the development of the GFS, particularly its Hostel for working girls. The Hostel was set up in 1957 to assist girls from the outstations who needed a safe place to [...]
The symbolism of Easter
The story of Easter in all its glory has been told and retold countless times during the past 2000 years, starting with the chronicles of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. Along the way, these tales have been adorned with a wealth of folklore and legend, thus making myth and symbol play an important part in [...]
Easter choral reflection: “On Angels’ Wings”
Promising an evening of reflective, spirit-filled choral music to celebrate Easter, the Prestantia Chorale in collaboration with Chraft (Christian Arts Foundation) will present “On Angels’ Wings” – a choral reflection to celebrate this Easter season. The programme, which is free and open to all will be held at the St. Paul’s Milagiriya Church, Bambalapitiya, on [...]