A man with empathy for immigrants
Recipient of the MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius Grant” last month, human rights lawyer and director of advocacy and legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, Ahilan Arulanantham talks to Smriti Daniel When Ahilan Arulanantham heard that the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation had named him a recipient of the [...]
Tonight! Beauties on the ramp to the beat of Apache Indian
Jim Beanz, music producer of hit TV series ‘Empire’ among the panel of judges at Miss Intercontinental final Apache Indian, the popular English Asian Ragga star known for cross-cultural musical fusion will perform at the grand finale of the Dulux Ambiance Miss Intercontinental 2016 tonight at Stein Studios, Ratmalana. Tonight’s event marks the pageant’s 45th [...]
Through the mists of time our Moor heritage
By Chandani Kirinde Sri Lankan Moors have a rich and proud history dating back centuries. They have been closely associated with Sinhala kings starting from the time of King Pandukabaya who ruled around 370 BC and through the years of colonial rule as well as in the post-colonial era. The town of Kathankudy, about three [...]
Sahran’s amazing race takes him from Sri Lanka to Surrey
The first time I paid any attention to this man was when I saw him and his teammate Howard, rushing madly from country to country as they raced to get ahead in the internationally popular TV programme, The Amazing Race in 2006. Sometimes his histrionics were funny to say the least. His team lost. But [...]
Will “Vihara and Devalagam Act” be ever revised?
The controversial revision of the “Vihara and Devalagam Act” which has been held back in Parliament because of a fear of a split in the Maha Sangha, is an 85-year -old piece of legislature which covers 11,000 temples, 200,000-300,000 acres of temple property and safeguards the rights of 60,000 bhikkhus. The assets located in the [...]
Is ‘Women in Leadership’ a beautiful impossibility?
The concept of ‘Woman in Leadership’ is a three word phrase bandied about extensively in modern times. It is used to give a feeling of equality and balance and particularly in the corporate world – where one hears it most often – it gives an impression of a female-friendly working environment, which promotes, fosters and [...]
A touch of Bollywood glamour
By Minushi Perera Lakme Sri Lanka Fashion Week by DIVAlicious held from October 8-10 at the Kingsbury Hotel saw a selection of local and Indian designers take the ramp on the 8th. The fifteen designers presenting collections were Neeta Lulla, Nitya Arora, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Sonam & Paras Modi, Babita Malkani, Tymeron Carvello, Nishka Lulla, Sonakshi [...]
It wasn’t roses all the way, but I look back with gratitude
Random thoughts of an octogenarian I halt for a while and look back at the long and winding road I have traversed. I am now at the 85th milepost, very close to the journey’s end. I can hardly believe that I have come such a long way, along this winding road. Where have all the [...]
Immersed in Tilak’s work
Italian architect Piero Trionfera reflects on Tilak Samarawickrema’s 50-year retrospective held last month I met Tilak about a year ago, at a celebration for Bawa, together with other Sri Lankan architects. I was perhaps the only foreign architect there. We started to chat and I rediscovered some of my roots: there is not a large [...]
Italian arias, Kishani’s and Soundarie’s next musical venture
By Namali Premawardhana “Classically Italian” the third episode of the “Royally Classical” series of concerts with soprano Kishani Jayasinghe and pianist Soundarie David will take place on November 10 at the Russian Cultural Centre from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Kishani is a globally acclaimed soprano who is most loved for her operatic performance as [...]
Indian duo in Bharatha Natyam recital
A Bharatha Natyam recital by Seejith Krishna and Anjana Anandh from India will be held on October 17 at the Indian Cultural Centre on Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7 at 6 p.m. Sheejith Krishna studied and then taught at Kalakshetra Foundation, the well known institution for the classical arts in Chennai, India, for 21 years (1989-2010). [...]
Choral music and Shakespeare
The Wesley College DramSoc presents ‘Chorus and the Bard: an evening of Choral Music and Shakespeare’ at 5.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. at the Punchi Theatre, Borella on Thursday, October 20. The evening opens with the Wesley College Choir, trained by Rachael Halliday and led by Taariq Jurangpathy, performing a selection of music from different [...]
With 18 novels, she’s seen it all
“Yes, I’ve seen a whole literary world roll by,” Margaret Drabble told the Guardian in 2011, a week after she turned 72. The author of a staggering 18 novels, the most recent of which was the highly acclaimed ‘Pure Gold Baby,’ Drabble really has seen it all. From an ingénue who dabbled in acting – [...]
Vivid description of a time gone by for the insider and outsider
Are versatility and excellence in a wide spectrum of disparate fields, reinforced by uncommon attributes and a multiplicity of skills, a hallmark of genius? Surely, readers of “Memoirs of a Thomian” will be able to render a balanced judgment. This reviewer, a contemporary of Sarath’s at S. Thomas’ College, Mount. Lavinia, recalls the schoolboy Sarath [...]
Timely publication for MHPSS sector
Transitions in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in Sri Lanka: A Decade in Review (2004-2015) Published by The Asia Foundation under its Victims of Trauma Treatment Programme with support from USAID (United States Agency for International Development.) Excerpts from the presentation by Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the launch of the publication on September 8 [...]
Ladies, get ready to enter a shopper’s haven
On Friday, October 21, the Park Street Mews will be converted into a shopper’s haven as the Ladies at VIP Night put on a shopping extravaganza with over 20 premium vendors under one roof – and entrance is free A special feature of this event will be that guests will not only have the opportunity [...]
Korea’s National Day
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Chang Won-sam hosted a reception at the Galadari Hotel on October 4 in honour of Korea’s National Day. The reception was attended by diplomats and well known members of business and cultural circles.
Day of Unity with German Ambassador
At a glittering event which the new German Ambassador Jorn Rohde hosted on Wednesday, October 5, in the North Lawn of Taj Samudra to celebrate the twenty sixth Day of German Unity, he said that President Maitripala Sirisena to whom he presented his credentials that morning told him that he has come to a beautiful [...]
e-books a new chapter for Toxicology & National Poisons Information Centre
‘Hybrid Medical Pages’ or e-books are the latest contribution of the Toxicology & National Poisons Information Centre, based at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, to keep up with rapidly changing times to play its role effectively in the prevention of poisoning. As the country enters the ‘National Poison Prevention Week’ tomorrow, with the theme [...]
Sigmund Freud’s great grand-daughter here once again to conduct workshops
Caroline Freud-Penney, great-granddaughter of the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, will be in Sri Lanka for the fifth time, conducting workshops for parents and others responsible for teenagers and young adults on October 17 and 18. Workshop schedules will include sessions on the current knowledge of brain changes in adolescence and their impact on teenagers’ [...]
A plea for a kidney to save a life
Shyamali Ranawaka, 38-year-old mother of two is suffering from an End Stage Renal Disease and is awaiting a kidney transplant. She is receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. The doctors have requested for a kidney that is B negative, O positive or O negative for the transplant. Her husband is desperately seeking for someone [...]
Senior Citizens Scrabble Tournament on Nov 6 not Nov 16
The annual All-Island Senior Citizens Scrabble Tournament will be held at the Colombo Hilton on Sunday, November 6 and not on November 16 as mistakenly published last week. Entry forms are available from Mrs. Indrani Atukorale (Tel: 296993) or Mrs. Delryn Wijesinghe ( Tel; 2587094) The entry fee is Rs. 800 and the closing date [...]
Sri Lanka’s small cats in big trouble!
Wildlife and Nature Protection Society monthly lecture Lurking in the shadow of big cats like the leopard, are 34 species of small cats. These animals get little to no media attention, and are some of the most under-researched and under-funded species worldwide. Despite being apex predators and umbrella species in their respective habitats and niches, [...]
Discussion on Buddhist revivalism
A Panel Discussion on ‘Pioneers of Buddhist Revival ‘ featuring Prof. J.B. Disanayaka speaking on Anagarika Dharmapala and Ven. Balangoda Sobhita Thera and Dr. Praneeth Abeysundera on Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera will be held on Friday, October 21 at 4 p.m. at the All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress, No. 400 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. [...]
A sing-along to raise funds for GFS
The GFS of Sri Lanka presents “Spring Along!”, a sing-along with Mariazelle and Wendo on October 29 at the GFS Hall in Green Path, Colombo 3 at 6.30 p.m. to raise funds towards the expansion of its Hostel. For the past 59 years, the GFS Hostel has been meeting a great need – that of [...]
Digital Mammogram machinery: Saving lives with minimal discomfort to patients
Lanka Hospitals holds 4th Can-Sur- Vive workshop “I was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. The news shook my world. But look at me today. I am well. I am happy. Because of the fact that the Mammogram test could detect the cancer at a very early stage, I did not have to go [...]
Colombo Uni Science Faculty Alumni reunion in North America
Edison, New Jersey– More than 200 Colombo University Science Faculty graduates have formed a North American alumni association. An interim committee of 20 alumni from all over the United States and Canada, led by Professor L.M.V. Tillekeratne, had been working together for nearly six months laying the groundwork and communicating with other alumni. Their efforts [...]
Letters
There’s only quantity and no quality in those who are supposed to guide the nation According to a recent report in the Sunday Times, a total of 142 of the 225 M.Ps do not have an ‘A’ level qualification and 94 have not faced the ‘O’ level examination. What a shame. These are the people [...]
Appreciations
Farida Rahim Breathe easy now mum, don’t worry we’ll be fine A year has gone by since my mum Farida Rahim bade final farewell. In retrospect, she was always there for me and my brothers. As a mother she always took her role very seriously and never wavered, come what may. As the saying goes [...]