Collecting Ceylon
Royston Ellis delves into the stories behind the labels among his old curios As an impulsive collector of unusual items associated with this country, I have many curiosities in my collection, from a coconut scraper made from the frontal bone of an elephant’s skull to rare maps over 400 years old. Since Ceylon ceased to [...]
From the distant boom to blooms
Like the poppies of Flanders an entrepreneur in the north has turned a battle-scarred plot of land into a field of jasmines bringing beauty and business to the area Text and pix by Amila Gamage On a plot of land that was exposed to the worst of the war there now blooms a field of [...]
After Esala Poya, a year of duties at the Dalada Maligawa
Esala(Asahla) Full Moon Poya day which falls on July 19 this year is important to Buddhists as there are many significant events connected with it: the conception of the Bodhisatva in the womb of Queen MahaMaya, Prince Siddhartha Gautama’s Great Renunciation, birth of Prince Rahula, performance of the Twin Miracles (yamaka patihariya) by the Buddha [...]
Shedding light on the Buddha’s views on marriage
By Bhante Dhammika in Australia As understood in most cultures, marriage is the union of two persons which is recognised by some authority be it religious, legal or social. There are and always have been many types of marriage – polygamous and polyandrous, there are cousin marriages, forced marriages, and in parts of the Islamic [...]
The soul amidst the skyscrapers
It’s red sails in the sunset as we set off in a junk boat -a traditional Chinese boat (in this case a boat built using traditional shipbuilding methods) along Hong Kong’s famed Victoria Harbour on a slightly drizzly evening; as part of a three-day media familiarisation tour by Cathay Pacific Airlines. There is no better [...]
It’s time to think anew on how to protect the Plains
‘Horton Plains under Threat’ will be the subject of the monthly Wildlife and Nature Protection Society lecture to be delivered by Rohan Pethiyagoda on July 21, Thursday, at 6 p.m. at the Dutch Burgher Union (DBU), 114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4 (Thunmulla Junction). Everyone who has visited Horton Plains recently will be aware of the [...]
Tea and talk
As part of the French Film Festival, the Galle Face Hotel hosted French author and filmmaker Daniel Foenkinos in conversation with Ashok Ferrey When French author Daniel Foenkinos sat down for a short conversation with author Ashok Ferrey on Wednesday, July 13, he couldn’t keep his eyes off the cake. “When am I getting my [...]
Not just an ‘also ran’ but ‘also contributor’ to local book scene
The book did not win the Gratiaen Prize or the State Literary Award. Nor was it short-listed in these prestigious accolades. But, does that mean it is not a worthy read? Does that say it is less in readability and will not lean on a book-shelf adding yet another totally Sri Lankan novel to someone’s [...]
A wide and varied canvas
From astounding temple murals to elegant portraits of the affluent women of Colombo 7, ‘Brush Strokes of Old Masters’ features 26 artists who pioneered and influenced the contemporary art scene in Sri Lanka. Written by well-known water colourist Tissa Hewavitarane, the book highlights the golden age of artists in Sri Lanka. The genesis of the [...]
Words from the heart, autographs and photographs at the Mount
The much awaited literary celebration of the Mount Lavinia Hotel’s 210th anniversary- “Words on the Mount” took place last weekend. The celebration began in style with a grand reception on Friday night with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe as special guests. On Saturday, the invited authors Louis de Bernieres, Peter Grimsdale, Stephanie [...]
“Grandfather’s Letters”: A maverick in vintage Ceylon
Standing behind a podium at the Barefoot cafe, Radhika Coomaraswamy describes the late C. Suntharalingam in one word: a maverick. A grand niece of sorts to the Professor, scholar, lawyer and subsequent politician, Radhika was one of the two guest speakers at the launch of “Grandfather’s Letters”. A collection of letters from the controversial, enigmatic [...]
Jaffna:Building back better with value-added research
The three-decade long civil conflict in Jaffna severely impinged on the daily lives of the communities who lived on the peninsula. Although education — at all levels — continued despite the adversities, biological field research suffered and stalled for 30 years. Post 2009, the picture is very different. With freedom to move around, universities in [...]
Women need to be kinder to themselves and kinder to each other
I was recently a guest speaker – along with several other outstanding and inspiring women – at a conference celebrating women, their accomplishments and amongst other things, their resilient nature which has allowed them to flourish around the world in a multitude of professions and environments. At the end of the conference, each speaker was [...]
Appreciations
A great boss and true friend BARBARA GUNASEKARA It is nine months since Barbara Gunasekara passed away, and it is fitting to pay tribute to her on her 89th birth anniversary which falls on July 22. I had known Mrs.Gunasekara for over four decades. She was the Principal of St. Paul’s Girls School Milagiriya. She [...]
‘Never give up on a child’
SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka launch their latest advocacy initiative By Kaveesha Fernando ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ – the African proverb has become famous because it holds true universally. Children need a loving environment to thrive and face many difficulties when their needs are not met. Such ‘at risk’ children do [...]
Trinity College London prizegiving
The Trinity College London prizegiving was held in June at the Bishop’s College auditorium. Pictured here are students of Mrs. Varuni Jayasekera who obtained their ATCL diplomas. Seated left to right; Karishma Welgama, Senanee Abeywickrema, Oshadi Samaranayake, Mrs Varuni Jayasekera, Aseka Jayaweera, Shalindri Fernando, Kavisha Mudalige. Standing ( left to right): Tarini Pilapitiya, Janine Ludowyke, [...]
Sri Lanka Council for the Blind presents educational equipment to visually impaired students
The Sri Lanka Council for the Blind held a ceremony recently to present educational equipment to Advanced Level and other students who are visually impaired. Picture shows Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake presenting the equipment to a student. Also in the picture are South Korea’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka and members of the South [...]
Please help Samuth
Samuth Sandaruwan Fernando (aged 10) residing at 416, Samudrasena Road, Angulana, Moratuwa is suffering from T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) and has been treated at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital and then at Lanka Hospitals under Dr.Saman Hewamanna, at which point it was advised that he receive continuous treatment for three years. However, the cost of the treatment [...]
Senior Anandians get-together
“The Senior Old Anandians” will have their annual get-together on July 31 at the Women’s International Club, Guildford Crescent , Colombo 7 ( adjoining the Lionel Wendt Theatre) from 9.30 a.m. onwards. All former Anandians over 60 years of age are welcome to be a part of this get-together and reminisce the happenings of days [...]
A legend of Visakha: Susan George Pulimood
The Pulimod memorial oration is held annually in July to commemorate the life and work of Susan George Pulimood, the beloved principal of Visakha Vidyalaya. This oration is a tribute to a gracious lady, who was not only a much loved principal but also a scientist, a botanist, an educationist, an administrator and above all, [...]
Letters to the Editor
Speedy and easy availability of ambulance services can save lives in all cities Health reasons, accidents and forensic events can precipitate the need for the urgent availability of emergency transport with a trained staff to handle many a protean situation. The universal availability of mobile phones has made it possible for each major city in [...]