A man of the wilds takes over the reins
He is in one of the hottest seats in Sri Lanka and not because of the current heat wave scorching the country. It is a seat which has been rocked by the strong winds of political pressure and turbulence of accusations against its occupiers over sacrificing duty at the altar of alleged vested interests and [...]
Appreciations
PROF. RUSSEL BOWDEN A distinguished librarian who stood for humanity The demise of Prof. Russell Bowden on January 27 after a brief illness rattled the Library and Information community in Sri Lanka and around the globe. Prof. Russell had a distinguished career in the Library and Information Science (LIS)) field spanning a few decades, in [...]
Letters
Stop these protests that disrupt daily life It is a disgrace that our people get on the roads for various demands and waste time shouting slogans, carrying placards and posters and even burning effigies. They not only waste their time and energy but also cause utmost inconvenience to others – the motorists, school children and [...]
Revisiting a French connection
Standing in front of a room crowded with De Lanerolles, Yasmin Rajapakse introduces them to their ancestor. Curiosity has brought this clan here from all over the city, and young and old both hang on the tales of Pierre Laisnesieur de la Nérolle who, as the first lieutenant of the vessel Le Triomphe, watched as [...]
Lankan art gets world’s attention at Art Dubai
It’s not often that a Sri Lankan artist finds his work splashed across the pages of international magazines. Priyantha Udagedera’s paintings found their way into Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Art Arabia and Wallpaper when the publications covered Art Dubai. The month of March saw Art Dubai’s most diverse and exceptional edition to-date. The tenth edition of [...]
If you are experiencing these symptoms, check them out
Following the unexpected good response both nationally and internationally to “My Story” ( Sunday Times Plus –January 3, 2016 ) I thought it would be a good opportunity to write about some features of my experience with pre-stroke symptoms which like any busy person I ignored with catastrophic consequences. They are often associated with a [...]
The tuk-tuks of our roads!
One day in 1947, Snr. Corradino D’Ascanio, the inventor of the Vespa scooter, consumed too much Italian wine (Chianti, I believe) and fell off the scooter of his own design in the Via Nazionale in Rome. Mrs D’Ascanio who happened to be riding pillion, immediately got up, kicked him viciously and called him an “imbecile”. [...]
It’s not charity they need but acceptance
Sri Lanka has a long tradition of sharing with our disabled citizens the state’s largesse when it comes to welfare. The state provides grants for medical expenses and self-employment, assistive devices free of cost, cash transfers to those who have low incomes and provides youth with vocational training in special institutions. The state also subsidises [...]
Young trainees hopeful of beauty business in the North
After months of extensive training on hair dressing and makeup art by an expert, 14 trainees throughout the North are determined and hopeful to go back to their villages to make a living in the future. For the past two months these students from five districts in the North were given hands-on experience by an [...]
Lankan flavours at London’s Papi’s Pickles
Food is said to have a powerful healing quality and it was out of this belief that London-based company Papi’s Pickles was born. Abi Ramanan, is an Indian Tamil living in London who has grown up her whole life aware of the long and violent conflict in Sri Lanka. But it was not until she [...]
Voice for women: It’s not the mother who signed up to wear the uniform to school!
Dress Codes. Probably the second most important piece of information on an invitation, second only to the details of the event itself. One never fails to glance down at the bottom right/left hand side corner of an invitation card to determine what one should be working towards wearing on the said day. Not too long [...]
New Ceylon Writing returns with promises of something different
The revival of New Ceylon Writing made for a welcome announcement last month, with the noted literary magazine sending out a call for submissions. NCW first published in 1970, enjoyed a 15-year run, during which it is said to have featured some of the best and most significant creative and critical writing in English to [...]
Refreshing free rein to imagination and creativity
It poured in Hong Kong last week. Temperatures dropped to 14 degrees Celsius and the heavens opened up. But the real deluge that descended on Hong Kong all week was art — Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central and The Asia Contemporary Art Fair showed concurrently over the week, with three-four public viewing days. Special [...]
Giving movement and character to his subjects
‘Prediction Extinction’, an exhibition by Firi Rahman opened at the Saskia Fernando Gallery last week. Rahman’s body of work consists entirely of hyper-realist drawings. He held his first solo exhibition at Saskia Fernando Gallery in 2015 after which his work was featured in Colomboscope – Shadow Scenes, a visual art exhibition curated by Natasha Ginwala [...]
‘Elephant- Director’s Cut’ at the British Council
Rehan Mudannayake’s short film Elephant based on a short story written by Ashok Ferrey which he adapted along with Ferrey and Indian writer Sheela Lal, billed as ‘a harrowing drama based around a fictional upper class family in Sri Lanka’ is poignant and dark. ‘Elephant- Director’s Cut’ was screened recently at the British Council to [...]
Rithihi unwraps a wealth of weaves
Rithihi, the designer saree store, lays out a surfeit of weaves to celebrate the festive season this April. With Kalaborate designer Anshuma’s spectacular spring/summer range already at the store from end March, Rithihi is unwrapping a veritable treasure trove of weaves, from Bengal cottons to Bagru hand-block printed cottons and Chanderik silk cottons from Jaipur, [...]
Here comes Michael the bridal guru
A connoisseur of brides and beauty, Michael Wijesuriya celebrated a significant milestone in his career last week at a glittering ceremony held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. A celebration of his 25-year long presence in the bridal industry apart, Michael dedicated the evening to his role model –Julanne Wijesuriya, his beloved mother who died of cancer [...]
Essential reading for literature buffs
This book provides a foundation course in Literary Criticism. It is essential reading for success-oriented students in G.C.E. (Ordinary and Advanced Level) classes and for those following undergraduate studies as internal or external students. It is also addressed to teachers of Literature as a means of enabling them to open up the minds of their [...]
A glance into history through poetry
My indefatigable friend Trixie Marthenesz has chosen a unique literary path this time. She has written comprehensive biographical sketches on seven kings and three queens of her choice in verse. They are; Kings Ravana, Suddhodana, Pandukabhaya, Kublai Khan, Louis the sixteenth; Emperor Ashok, Tsar Nicholas the second; Queens Cleopatra, Victoria and Elizabeth the First. For [...]
Recollections of a disappearing world
Despite its opening line, “I am a ladies’ man”, perhaps intended to provoke the curiosity of the lascivious, Lakshman Ratnapala’s Flickering Fortunes, does not consist of the ruminations of a Sri Lankan Casanova now mentally reliving his conquests while residing happily in San Fransisco with his charming wife. In this volume, he traces in delightful [...]
Schoolday nostalgia
Almost anyone anywhere in the world who has left their school days behind remembers them fondly, with more than a tinge of nostalgia. Those who were fortunate enough to have lived before the digital age would remember a completely different time where life was lived in a simple way and time passed by in a [...]
A journey of a lifetime
From cold, rainy England we are transported to hot, humid and bustling Ceylon, as seen through the eyes of Gwendolyn Hooper, a young British woman eager to start her new life as a married woman. She arrives by ship at the Colombo harbour, her senses immediately overwhelmed by what she sees, hears and smells. Initially [...]
‘C.P. de Silva- The Minneriyo Deviyo’ book launch
‘C.P. de Silva- The Minneriyo Deviyo’ a book by Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, MP, was launched at Committee Room B of the BMICH on Wednesday. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were present at the event which was attended by a large number of politicians and well wishers.
“United in Diversity”: EU call to artists
In celebration of Europe Day 2016, the European Union (EU) Delegation in Colombo invites artists to participate in its “United in Diversity” art workshop . The workshop will not only serve to highlight local talent, but the artists whose paintings are selected will also see their work featured in the Delegation’s 2017 calendar. Local artists [...]
Sifani showcases designs for young leaders
Internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan luxury jewellers, Sifani were given an opportunity to showcase their elegant designs to young leaders attending the recently concluded Young Global Leaders event of the World Economic Forum. Partnering with Sifani for this special event was Sri Lanka’s only multi-brand luxury watch boutique Chatham Luxury. In the midst of a busy [...]
JCI Colombo AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the JCI Colombo South Chapter was held on March 21, 2016. The Colombo South chapter which had been dormant for some time was revived with JCI Sri Lanka National President JC Isuru Samarage as the Chief Guest and JC Senator Upali Mahanama, the founder of the JCI Colombo South Chapter [...]
The Kingsbury set for Avurudu celebrations
From April 10 to 15, the Kingsbury will be full of amazing aromas of kavum and kokis, along with the sound of the ‘raban’ and folk dancers all getting ready for a Avurudu celebration like never before. On April 10, the Caviar and Oyster Brunch at Harbour Court International Cuisine Restaurant will have a special [...]
Harpo’s Pizza & Pasta celebrates anniversary
Harpo’s Pizza & Pasta celebrates the first anniversary of its first stand alone parlour in Nugegoda. As part of the celebrations a week of promotions are planned for all customers from April 4-8. In their One for One deal – with every large( 12”) Pizza one can enjoy a complimentary regular pizza or with every [...]
Raffles Residence launched in Nugegoda
Raffles Residence, a brand new two-banquet venue was launched in the heart of Nugegoda on March 27. Featuring two banquet halls with a seating capacity of 300 and 100, Raffles Residence which is being marketed as a destination for glamorous weddings and events works together with top industry players to provide a service in par [...]
50,000 styles at Kandy Fashion’s UPTOWN
Kandy Fashion launched its newest showroom UPTOWN Kandy Department Store on the 2nd floor of Liberty Plaza last month. The department store will have approximately 50,000 styles, including men’s formal and casual shirts, knit collection, jeans, trousers and shorts, men’s and ladies shoes, bags and accessories, ladies’ smart casuals, jeans, party wear and sarees, lingerie [...]
IWMI marks World Water Day
Scientists, policymakers and civil society organisations, together with representatives from some of Sri Lanka’s biggest companies, gathered for a lively dialogue on the future of the island’s water at the headquarters of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Pelawatte, Battaramulla to mark this year’s World Water Day. Guest of honour at the discussion, entitled [...]