April flavours
When April beckons, there are three events which truly herald its advent. The first is the enthusiastic blossoming of ehela trees. Aptly nicknamed ‘Golden Shower’, clusters of gloriously yellow flowers sprinkled around the city only means that April is around the corner. The second is a heightened frequency of the koel’s distinctive cry, immortalized in [...]
Demons, self journeys and shared histories
As one of the Gratiaen trustees remarked at the shortlist for the Gratiaen Prize, it seemed poetically apt to have an event which celebrated books while surrounded by books. For the past two decades the British Council has hosted the shortlist announcement for the Gratiaen Prize in its premises and last Monday, writers and readers [...]
Letters
Where have all the sweepers gone? Thoughts following bird’s eye view of Galle Road I last saw them before January 8, 2015 but never since. I used to and continue to spend most of the mornings of my waning years at my computer set up near a window of my little abode on the third [...]
With a new kidney in her, Dulakshika waits to get back to school
Bright and sunny is the yellow T-shirt that she wears, along with the matching slide to keep her hair in place. Although not visible through the face-mask, the wide smile is tangible as her beautiful eyes light up with a twinkle. Hope is what is obvious not only from the demeanour of the daughter but [...]
Easter, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and the Spring Festival
Easter Sunday falls sometime between late March and late April and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in middle of April. How and when were they defined? The Sun as seen by observers at sunrise does not rise at the same direction (Azimuth). Ancient observers built structures such as Stonehenge to track the azimuth of [...]
The unheard melodies of Avurudu from a distant past
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a time when Sri Lankans by and large, take a break from their usual daily routines and observe customs and traditions. As the New Year dawns, the festivities begin- tables are laden with mouth-watering sweetmeats and there is time to join in the many games that are closely [...]
Remembering the joyful time we knew at New Year
At this time of year my thoughts invariably turn to my childhood and girlhood and take wing to the heartland and homeland which was typified for me by “Andewatte” in Waalawela, Matale. The old folk are gone, the old homestead no longer even rubble and non-existent. But the memories remain because it was here we [...]
Ah for those memories, smells and sounds of New Years then!
The Aluth Avurudu season has arrived for the koha to raucously announce its time for celebration. In reality, though, it is his mating call. Incidentally, his call is still not loud and persistent although we are very close to the festive season. Has the dengue mosquito chasing man with his evil smelling emission-gun decimated the [...]
Voice for Women: Roses are red, violets are blue, girls love pink – could that be true…?
For as long as I can remember, when choosing gifts for a new baby or colours for a layette, by and large, pink has been the preferred colour for baby girls and blue for baby boys. Advertisements popularise it; stores ‘endorse’ it and many people still propagate the myth that this is somehow…appropriate. In modern [...]
Clifford back with evergreens and his creations
After many successful shows, the Golden Voice of Sri Lankan showbiz Clifford Richards will hold his next concert on Sunday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at the Bishop’s College auditorium. A concert that’s stylish, satisfying and full of audience interaction, the 2 ½ hour show will be packed with a great selection of well loved [...]
Helpful tips from former Miss Britain on a ‘healthful’ holiday
Former Miss Britain and model, Amy Kitchingman who is currently based in Dubai filming her new TV show ‘On the Go’ will be in Sri Lanka this week. Her healthy active travel show reflects her passion for health and fitness from a young age. Amy encourages everyone to take care of themselves and adopt a [...]
Siyatha on the lookout for local beauties for world pageant
The hunt is on to find that beautiful and talented young Sri Lankan who could ‘earn’ through hard work and dedication, the coveted Miss Sri Lanka title to represent our motherland on a world platform. Model Shop, for the fourth consecutive year, has embarked on this mission by joining hands with industry experts to tap [...]
Dinuk wins 2016 JUNO Award for composition
Halifax, NS – Nova Scotia’s own Dinuk Wijeratne is the winner of the 2016 JUNO Award for Classical Composition of the Year. Wijeratne is Symphony Nova Scotia’s RBC Composer in Residence, and a fixture in Nova Scotia’s classical and world-music scene. Along with conducting and composing for Symphony Nova Scotia, he also serves as Music [...]
Laki’s missing work to go on display
More than 30 years after he painted them, Laki Senanayake has been reunited with 73 paintings. That their eventual return was made possible by, of all things, Facebook, amuses Laki no end. But the way the paintings first left his care is of equal interest. “It so happened that I was visited by Lady Olga [...]
Whodunnit? Unravelling the mystery behind the tune of Danno Budunge
I phoned a friend to help me with a matter in music. It was a small point, only a problem because my ear is not sensitive enough musically, and he’s a distinguished figure in Western classical music in Sri Lanka, but also a close friend. It had to do with harmony in a choral version [...]
KITTO now in Negombo
KIITO, the leading name in bespoke men’s tailoring opened their new branch in Negombo last weekend. Owner Damith Cooray welcomed friends and well-wishers to see the new store’s designer creations. KITTO now in Negombo
Nelun’s Ohe drapes!
Ohè Island’s latest collection was ably brought to life by established female personalities of all ages who have excelled in fields such as dance, theatre, writing, art and the corporate sphere. Showcased at a fashion show gracefully eschewing all the unwritten rules of a formal fashion show and beauty stereotypes, the collection was unveiled at [...]
Celebrating Bar Association appointment
Amal and Subhani Randeniya hosted friends and colleagues to cocktails at the Galadari Hotel Ballroom to celebrate Amal’s appointment as Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
Appreciations
J.O. YATAWARA A sportsman and gentleman par excellence It is with a deep sense of sorrow and distress that I write this appreciation on the demise of my former boss and dear friend Tissa, who was popularly and affectionately known among his colleagues and friends as ‘JOY’. I had developed a strong and lasting friendship [...]
Reviving the Royal Turf Club
The stakes are high for the Royal Turf Club’s April Horse Racing Festival in Nuwara Eliya. The April racing festival includes the prestigious Kunigal Stud Million championship race, the biggest of the season that has an incredible purse of Rs. 1.75 million. This is significantly higher than for any race in Sri Lanka. The April [...]
eaCyclists and children; a message of caring
A Night Around the Pearl launched the upcoming ten-day bike challenge but also created awareness and funds for Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF). The event held last Monday at the Park Street Mews presented the difficulties of living with Cerebral Palsy but also highlighted the potential these children have as long as their conditions are [...]
ACWBC annual Avurudu pola
The annual Avurudu pola of the All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress was held on March 27. Picture shows the Chief Guest Ms. Rohini Abeysekera being welcomed by President, All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress Ms. Ramani Rajapaksa, Deputy President, Ms. Rani Chandraratne and Hony. Secretary, Ms. Shanta Abeysekera.
Master of the Whirling Dervish to conduct workshops
Ahmed Dede Pattisahusiwa, Master of the Whirling Dervish will be in Sri Lanka to conduct several Whirling Workshops for the public in Colombo and Galle. Pattisahusiwa, teacher of the Whirling Dervish Meditation is one of the most devoted followers of Jalaluddin Rumi, the great Sufi saint, poet, mystic and scholar. Ahmad Dede Pattisahusiwa, with eastern [...]
HelpAge Greeting Cards for needy elders’ cataract surgeries
The name HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) comes to the minds of young and old during festive seasons. Like in previous years this year too HelpAge has produced over 100,000 New Year greeting cards. The proceeds from sales will be utilised to conduct free cataract surgeries for needy senior citizens over 55 years. Any needy elderly [...]
Doing things differently: From the heart with LEGO
‘From caring comes courage.’ - Lao Tzu It is no easy task to be a successful company with unstinted brand loyalty achieving sustainability and solidarity. It is also not enough in this time and age to simply grow your business and ensure it evolves to unprecedented terrain. Enter 2016 and any company worth their salt must possess [...]