In search of echoes of a novel
Have you heard the story about Gabriel García Márquez’s 80th birthday party? Gabo was famous by this time, his years as a poverty stricken journalist having given way to his career as Colombia’s most famous novelist. At 55, he had become the first of his countrymen to win a Nobel Prize for Literature. At 80, [...]
Sinking of the Tricolor: Getting to the bottom of the mystery
When underwater photographer Dharshana Jayawardena received an intriguing email from Olav Anders Rasting from Norway in May 2013, he was excited. In the email, Olav claimed that he was the great-grandson of Arthur Wold, the Captain of the ill-fated Norwegian ship MV Tricolor that sank off the west coast of Sri Lanka in 1931. “Olav [...]
An Englishman sets out to ‘discover’ King Asoka
It might be difficult to imagine it today, but 180 years ago nobody really knew anything authentic about King Asoka. To explain what I mean it might be best to say that there are two king Asokas; the Asoka of legend and the Asoka of history. The first of these Asokas has, of course, been [...]
Jerusalem – Seeing and being in the presence of a sacred city
Having entered the old city through the famed Damascus Gate I strolled down Al-Wad Street, the narrow stepped way sloping down towards the Via Dolorosa. On either side of this constricted street were stalls selling not only souvenirs and clothes but also foods ranging from sticky baklavas and ice creams to delicious falafels and lamb [...]
A green weave with a green view
The factory is no longer visible from the road, much as architect Tilak Samarawickrema envisioned in his original plan. Now you can’t see it at all, it’s the way I wanted it, he notes with satisfaction. Shrouded in greenery, it blends in with the hillside in this forested area. The factory, the veteran architect is [...]
Uncluttered space for young uncluttered minds
Narrow alleys, choked with traffic, hemmed in by 3-4 storeyed buildings on all sides, the site in the dusty heart of Maligawatta, was anything but picturesque. Yet the young team at Axis Chartered Architects headed by Ranga Dayasena saw beyond the mundane surroundings; for them, the renovation and extension of the Carlton Pre-School represented a [...]
Appreciations
The Muslim community has lost an inimitable adornment Izeth Hussain The passing of N.M.M. Izeth Hussain removes one of few illustrious civil servants who embodied great intellectual grasp, exacting personal integrity and consequential professionalism in our nation’s public service. A career diplomat by profession, he served his country with great distinction but retained a low [...]
Letters to the Editor
Where is the justice for depositors of failed finance companies? A few years back, with the collapse of Golden Key and other Ceylinco Group finance companies, it was widely perceived by the public that this collapse would have a domino effect on other finance companies too, as the trend had been set by the Central [...]
Making his mark on walls
When a friend from Paris brought him a magazine which had pictures of graffiti on it when he was 15, street artist Alber was entranced. He later found a box full of spray paints and decided to paint his first name on an old building. But he misjudged the dimensions of the wall and some [...]
Unlabelled paintings give freedom of perceptions
As an Ordinary Level student, Vikum Bandara noticed that he could draw better than his peers. Today, presenting an exhibition of his work at the Gallery Café, he as a professional artist has a lot of ideas to share about the subject. An abstract artist, Vikum does not like to label his art and limit [...]
SOSL’s Junior Orchestra to take centrestage
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka turns the spotlight on the Junior Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka at its Young Musicians in Concert on July 1 at 7 p.m. at the Ladies’ College Hall. The HSBC bank will sponsor this concert for the 22nd consecutive year, supporting the SOSL to foster [...]
Art as a Place – The Self as Agency
“Previously there was a lot of blaming the past and being trapped in it,” says Jaffna-based artist and curator T. Shanaathanan. “Now it’s more about self-interrogation.” Speaking on the eighth anniversary of the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, Shanaathanan is discussing the latest phase of art exploring issues largely derived from the conflict. [...]
A little bit of Creole and kaffringa to keep heritage alive in Batticaloa
BATTICALOA – In a tiny corner of Batticaloa’s vast eastern region, a group of children are studying the language of one of Sri Lanka’s three foreign invaders though it’s of no more use in this country. German, French, Hindi or even Mandarin is fine but why Creole? To retain the culture, heritage and traditions of [...]
Lylie’s legacy lives on
The neighbourhood has changed beyond recognition but there has been a ‘constant’ for 55 long years. Powerful male voices rise in praise of God and thanksgiving for blessings, every Tuesday evening at 207, Allan Avenue, Karagampitiya, a stone’s throw from the Dehiwela Police Station. Music, song, laughter and camaraderie, all in one, can be experienced [...]
Int’l Yoga Day marked with series of events in Kandy
The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2015. Now known as “International Yoga Day”, it is celebrated in many countries. “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to [...]
National Trust lecture: ‘Sinhala attitude to knowledge’
Dr. G. Usvatte-aratchi will deliver the National Trust lecture for June at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29. He will speak on ‘Sinhala attitude to knowledge’. Dr Usvatte-aratchi will examine, mainly with literary evidence, a few main features of Sinhala writings [...]
Swim Week Colombo: Going green from start to finish
This year’s edition of Swim Week Colombo aims to promote fashion which is eco-friendly. Working under the theme ‘Green conscious and earth sensitive’, the designers hope to promote ethically sourced eco-friendly designs. Here, a few of the designers speak to the Sunday Times about their eco-friendly designs. Founder of Swim Week Colombo Ajai Vir Singh [...]
Furniture for every taste
Offering a range of upmarket brands, Fine Furniture opened its spacious Department Store at Nawala Road, Rajagiriya recently with invitees enjoying a look at the elegant interiors that had been set up.
An evening of virtuoso performances
Renowned pianist Rohan de Silva’s infrequent appearances in Colombo are always a sell-out and when he chose this time to partner with the popular De Lanerolle Brothers, a full house was guaranteed. The crowd at the Colombo Hilton on Sunday June 4 enjoyed a memorable evening – virtuoso performances by the three as they laid [...]
Ceaseless Chatter of Demons at BC
The British Council was the venue for a reading from Ashok Ferrey’s most recently released book ‘ The Ceaseless Chatter of Demons’. Tanya Warnakulasuriya, Savithri Rodrigo and the Ferrey himself read the extracts to an attentive audience.
Looking to transform beauty pageants here
One of the world’s top three beauty pageants, Miss Intercontinental has appointed Joyce James Gunawardene, Managing Director of Exceptional Entertainment as the global franchise holder and National Director to spearhead this ‘International Festival of Beauty and Elegance’. Looking to transform the concept of beauty pageants being held in Sri Lanka by making the participating women [...]
Sandwich Factory and Fit.lk give you Go Keto Bootcamp
Two seemingly unlikely allies have joined forces for a 40-day body transformation challenge. The Sandwich Factory is partnering with personal trainers Fit.lk for the Go Keto Bootcamp – a one and a half month challenge to commit to the Ketosis diet. Only 10 places are available on the programme –those interested can apply now on [...]