Away from the world, for the sake of the world
As men, women and children in Sri Lanka as well as the far corners of the world gather around the lowly crib of Baby Jesus today to celebrate the birth of this ‘humble’ king, by His side are His beloved mother, Mary, and foster father, Joseph. Iconic is Mary and considered the world’s ‘most powerful [...]
EWC looks forward while remembering with gratitude their founding inspiration
2016 began with cause for celebration and ended with deep grief for the English Writers Collective. The year marked 25 years of existence for a group that has become a Sri Lankan institution, but it also lost a guiding spirit with the recent passing of founder member Anne Ranasinghe. “Quite simply, Anne Ranasinghe was the [...]
Farewell poem for Anne
Well known poet and author Anne Ranasinghe who passed away on December 17 had asked for Jewish and Buddhist rituals at her funeral and her friend, writer Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe read the poem Anne herself had chosen before the cortege left her Rosmead Place home. Anne, born Anneliese Katz was a survivor of the Holocaust [...]
Stone and Words: Indestructible, beautiful homage to poetry
Stone and Words – both things are intertwined mottos in Anne Ranasinghe’s moving poem “The Song Has Died From The Lips Of The King”. Stone: only stone escaped and survived the fire of destruction, as in the case of the burning down by the Nazis of the big synagogue in the city of Essen, Germany, [...]
Christmas painting by Raja Segar
One of Sri Lanka’s most prolific and gifted artists Raja Segar, well known for his cubist style and contemporary themes shared this Christmas painting with the Sunday Times. Titled ‘They came to adore him’ this 72×54 cm, mixed media on watercolour paper, depicts the Magi or Three Wise Men who followed the star to Bethlehem [...]
Christmas shocking from Santa land
“IT’S A LIE!!!” roared Carrot Top. “THEY’RE LYING!” The audience of elves broke into hysterical applause; stamping their feet, shouting, clapping. It was a re-broadcast of the last election rally in Santa land; the post of Headelf usually filled by the next elf-in-waiting had turned into a two way race surprising everybody. Carrot Top turned [...]
The glory of the forgotten ‘Silent Night’
High up in the Austrian Alps was the birthplace of the famous carol Silent Night. There are many versions of the origins of this famous hymn – some of them contradicting each other. However, all traditions agree that it was originally written in German in 1818 by Joseph Mohr, an assistant pastor in St. Nicola [...]
The Christmas bonus
When Allan set out on his bike, he little knew that he was about to begin the most extraordinary evening of his life. He cycled slowly along the quiet tree-lined road, humming to himself. He had reason to be happy. At 23 years of age, he had a job he liked in a computer firm [...]
Take time to reflect on the Prince of Peace
A baby claims our attention every Christmas season; one born in a manger more than 2000 years ago – the baby Jesus. We know enough about Him to realize that the meaning of His life is crucial to meaning in our lives. The one who was laid in a manger, the one who was destined [...]
From the Christmas stable to the Christmas table, take the recipe of joy
Young and old alike, all of us have experienced or learned about momentous happenings that shook our world. Some events are painful to remember: the Nazi campaign of destruction, presidential assassinations, terrorist attacks. Others are joyous news: a war is finally ended, our nation’s independence is protected, a dreaded disease has been eradicated. One event, [...]
The festival of solidarity with victims of history
The birth of Christ is the rebirth of hope for the poor. To celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the liberator and emancipator of the poor and marginalised.To celebrate the birth of the saviour of humankind is to give hope to a broken world.Therefore, solidarity with the poor and the oppressed is the [...]
Jesus the Christmas star
Tenderly Mother Mary held her Baby, And looked at Him with exceeding love. Her heart was filled with joy and wonder, About her miracle baby Christ from above. He was truly the Son of God Was what the Angel told. Her tiny blessed Baby was full of grace, Such a wonder held to her fold. [...]
The historian who plays cricket for Croatia
Dr. Peter Frankopan likes to compare studying the Byzantine period to opening up the best toy box you can imagine; “There are so few people with the language skills to be able to read these texts,” he told a journalist from the Telegraph. The acclaimed historian works at Oxford University, where he is Senior Research [...]
Battery Dance: Story of blood, sweat and tears
When Jonathan Hollander of New York’s world renowned Battery Dance Company took centre stage at a talk for fellow dancers at the American Center on December 9, the veteran dancer and choreographer was brutally candid. “It’s all about sacrifice,” he said. Speaking at the American Center, Hollander recalled the hardships he faced over his 40-year [...]
Art as a place: Canvas of germination and growth
Half-way down Hospital Street – a microcosm of Colombo development, as one of the oldest lanes in the historical Fort district, adjacent to the 17th century Dutch Hospital, and since 2011 part of a high-end shopping, bar and hotel area – a bunch of artists, poets and filmmakers take part in the city’s first “Video [...]
Holidays and the women we love
I for one simply love the holiday season and have enjoyed the benefits of Christmas lunch, dinner and presents from the day I can remember. Despite being a Buddhist, I always celebrated Christmas when I was growing up – probably primarily because we grew up in a mixed faith household. We were often the envy [...]
Going up in life or coming down?
Less than a decade after the end of the war, Colombo’s skyline has undergone a rapid transformation. Across the city, high-rise complexes have sprung up, and are billed as the practical solution to a housing crisis affecting the city’s working poor. The names of these towering structures – Methsara Uyana, Lakmuthu Sevana and Sirisara Uyana [...]
Finally the arrival: That deflating and exhilarating feeling
It is the morning of Day 2 and the family noises become more prominent. The children are taken to school by the gentle-voiced father who reinvents himself as a three wheeler driver with the air of a daily ritual and when he returns he holds my hand in his. ‘’Are you a volunteer?’’ I don’t [...]
Bar Association’s annual VoetLights dinner at Cinnamon Grand Hotel
The Bar Association’s annual VoetLights dinner was held with full attendance by the legal fraternity at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel last week.
National Day of Romania at Galle Face Hotel
Head of the Romanian Mission Dr. Victor Chiujdea and Mrs. Cornelia Marieta Chiujdea hosted a reception at the Galle Face Hotel on the occasion of the National Day of Romania on November 23.
United Arab Emirates National Day in Colombo
The 45th National Day celebration of the United Arab Emirates on December 2 was a colourful affair at the Grand Ballroom of the Colombo Hilton.
Annual get-together of past pupils association of Good Shepherd Convent Kandy’s Colombo branch
Santa dropped in to gladden the hearts of the children and there was also a merry sing-along with loads of festive cheer as the past pupils association of Good Shepherd Convent Kandy’s Colombo branch and their families had their annual get-together at the Capri Club Colombo 3
Letters
Powers that be, come join me on a fun ride! I wish to extend an open invitation to the President, the Prime Minister, Ministers and MPs (of course with their entourage) to join me and enjoy the fun of riding by bus. It is so much fun, you know, I feel sorry for you guys [...]
Appreciations
Prof. Sivasubramanium Raveendranath Memories of this calm and dignified man will forever be etched in our hearts This is a heartfelt tribute to a friend, colleague and former Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka who disappeared ten years ago, i.e. on December 15, 2006, under mysterious circumstances after attending the Annual Sessions of [...]