A forgotten chapter in Buddhist education
The shell of a school building adorned with a swastika symbol still stands, the few remaining chairs and tables awaiting the footfall of youngsters. The school laboratory, once the pride of the South is a store room. As if in a mismatch of architecture, parallel to the colonial-looking buildings, a new single storeyed block shelters [...]
Lankan author’s maiden book shortlisted for DSC Prize
September 27, London: Sri Lankan writer Anuk Arudpragasam is on the shortlist for the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature with his first book ‘The Story of a Brief Marriage’ (Granta Books, UK). The world’s literati had gathered at the renowned London School of Economics & Political Science as the eagerly awaited shortlist for [...]
Letters to the Editor
Our medical profession and regaining fast eroding public confidence I am moved to write to you once again on the subject of the continuing fall from grace of the reputation and perception of the Medical Profession in Sri Lanka in the eyes of the general public. There are two main issues to be addressed if the [...]
Pens and pencils to get those little hearts go ‘boom boody-boom boody-boom’
Just buy a pen or a pencil and help swell the funds being collected to save the little hearts of Sri Lanka……..and it is not just an ordinary pen, but a first in the country, for its shape is triangular. This was the heartfelt plea of Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe who is Chairperson of [...]
Botanik takes local flavours a notch higher with Michelin star touch
High above the concrete jungle that is Colombo, sits a rooftop bar with a tropical jungle vibe to it. Botanik, the newest entrant to the Colombo bar scene, is a rooftop bistro and bar at Fairway Colombo in Fort. Conceptualized by the lifestyle company, Cantaloupe & Co, Botanik brings to the table the best of [...]
Kaema Sutra dishes up Lankan delicacies in Hong Kong
Chef and restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa and actress Jacqueline Fernandez’s contemporary Sri Lankan restaurant Kaema Sutra was invited to host a 10 day pop up event at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Known for conducting several overseas guest chef promotions annually and having hosted three-star Michelin Chefs such as Alain Passard and Massimo Bottura, this was [...]
Get creative with your aromatic brew
Coffee is fast becoming the beverage of choice among Sri Lankan millennials. Whether it’s quiet reflection in solitude, a good conversation with a colleague or catching-up with an old friend, many young adults prefer making these connections over a great cup of coffee. Ask them why and they’ll tell you it holds an aspirational appeal; [...]
From traditional Kimchi to other Korean delicacies
From September 20 the Hilton’s Graze Kitchen all-day dining has been serving up authentic Korean cuisine courtesy Guest chefs Yong Hoi Gu and Hoe Jin from Hilton Colombo’s sister hotel, the Millennium Seoul Hilton. Today is the last day to savour this experience. Graze Kitchen has the advantage of a cool and casual ambience which [...]
Chef Carlos at Jetwing Colombo Seven
Featuring yet another fusion dining experience, this time around the Colombo Supper Club together with Jetwing Colombo Seven will be hosting Chef Carlos from Barcelona at 7 p.m, on October 4 at Restaurant – 57 of Jetwing Colombo Seven. His focus will be Spanish Tapas. Specializing in European cuisine and pastry, Chef Carlos has spent [...]
Getting to the heart of what makes Colombo tick!
Stand-up comedy within Colombo is relatively a new thing. Sure, on occasion, there have been small events for comedians to perform at but it’s certainly an untapped market. This is puzzling because you’d think living in Sri Lanka would produce enough material to sustain any comedian’s career – our social tics, the sheer absurdity of [...]
Designed to inspire
Each one of us knows of an inspiring woman, be it a mother, sister, boss, friend or mentor. One who dares to persevere against the challenges thrown at them, whose strength awes us. It was this strength and inspiration that Amanté used as their muse for their 2017 Autumn/ Winter Collection. Amante the premium lingerie [...]
Jewel of a story
Pakistani jewellery designer Amber Sami recently visited Sri Lanka for a private jewellery show. Her work is Kundan jewellery from the Bahawalpur region in Pakistan which she designs in her own unique style. “It’s not precious metal or semi precious metal or anything which can be labelled. My work tells a story and I use [...]
Mahogany Masterpieces; the journey continues
Mahogany Masterpieces opened their third store last month, at No. 87, Dickmans Road, Colombo 5, adding to their expansive furniture collection from the avant garde to the traditional. The firm also launched Sri Lanka’s first mobile app with virtual reality features for interior design. The story of Mahogany Masterpieces started with Sumith Goonerathne crafting a [...]
Captivating Cape Peninsula and more
The group flew to Livingston, Zimbabwe to see the famous Victoria Falls (known as the “smoke that thunders” resting on the southern bank of the Zambezi River. The falls more than a kilometre long with a height of 100 metres are the largest in the world. Dr. David Livingstone, a Christian missionary discovered the falls [...]
Pets are family
The Oxford Dictionary defines a “pet” as “a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure”.With the evolution of pet ownership, pets have now become part of a human family. Surveys reveal that over 90% of pet owners consider their pet as family as they are protective of people, experience separation anxiety, grieve and [...]
From Ceylon to Canada; Eurasian family’s saga
The British may have left Ceylon in 1948 but they left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan history. Their descendants, the Eurasians faced many challenges both in newly independent Sri Lanka and abroad. Too white for Sri Lanka and too brown for the West, theirs was a story of yet another race unsure of where [...]
Natalee captures the ‘spirit of elegance’
Another night of beauty pageant excitement unfolded on September 24 at the Hilton Grand Ballroom as Natalee Fernando was chosen Crown Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka- 2017. Stephanie Kinson was the 1st runner-up and Maria Al- Kasas emerged the 2nd runner-up, sharing the glory of the night. The pageant was not only about crowning the most [...]
Appreciations
A gem of a human being, alas no more Dr.Sarath Abeykoon News of the sudden death of Dr. S.C.A. Abeykoon (Dr. Sarath Abeykoon or Sarath) brought a mixture of emotions in most of us. In me it was one of disbelief and sorrow, as if everything in the world had been rendered useless. Of all [...]
The Good Market finally comes to Kandy
I first heard about the Good Market in my ‘Colombo days’ a few years ago. Fast forward to 2017 and by chance, I stumble upon the Good Market in the cooler climes of Kandy. Level 1V of Kandy City Centre experienced something new to Kandy city on September 16. The Good Market had finally arrived [...]
Marking Korea-Lanka ties with Segar’s exhibition
Sri Lankan artist D. Raja Segar had the honour of being invited to exhibit his work at the Gonju Art Festival at the Limlip Art Museum in Gonju City Korea in late September and prior to his departure to Korea, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sri Lanka hosted a viewing of the [...]
With time on their hands these over 50s enjoy their day of fellowship and fun
Every Friday from 9 a.m to 12 noon, the members of the Colombo branch of the Sri Lanka Association of Senior Citizens look forward to gathering at St. Paul’s Church Hall, Milagiriya. Here old age does not solely mean grey hair and stiff joints but a time to enjoy some fellowship and fun. The members [...]
Dr. Joseph goes on a musical journey once more for a good cause
The only member of the Winslow Six who still performs is as active as ever. Following her concert last month, Dr. Manella Joseph will be performing again, this month a concert in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of Lanka. As passionate as ever, “As long as God grants me the power to sing I [...]
‘Mute Squalls’ receives State literary award
Niranjali Motha’s book ‘Mute Squalls’ received the State Literary Award 2017 for the best collection of English language short stories at the awards ceremony held at Nelum Pokuna theatre on September 8. The book has a collection of 18 short stories of real life narrations. Niranjali has served a leading INGO for over two decades [...]