Look, learn and cherish
Ensconced within a cool and comforting one-hectare haven is a tiny but vibrant showpiece, just 100m off the Negombo-Chilaw Road beyond the 66th km-post at Pambala. It is the first-ever Mangrove Museum in the world and a walk through it opens up the wonders of this crucial ecosystem. A pair of tiny sea-horses keep our [...]
Letters to the Editor
Don’t let sports break the sportsman/woman in your child I have observed the shocking behaviour of basketball coaches in several inter-school girls’ basketball matches. I have yet to see a coach encourage the players during a match but only see them constantly criticising and humiliating these young ones throughout.You see the coaches of both teams [...]
Appreciations
How can one not grieve the loss of such a friend NIRMALADEVI RAMACHANDRAN Our first lady Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, in her own pragmatic matter-of-fact way, decided to leave us on September 21, maintaining dignity of life by saying ‘no, thank-you’ to modern medical technology, with her Medical Professor son Dr. Sudarshan standing steadfastly [...]
“I’m still a child at heart”
It was 1948. Blissfully oblivious to the new political landscape in the country, 19-year-old Sybil de Silva, in a blue pinafore, appeared before the management of the Times of Ceylon Group. Having bid adieu to school – Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya she wanted to be a journalist. “Once a journalist, always a journalist,” Sybil Wettasinghe [...]
Living through a stroke, 2 years on
Two and a half years have elapsed after a Basilar Stroke laid me totally paralysed in a state called “locked in” syndrome, where I was virtually imprisoned in my own body , with no means of communication. It is a particularly horrendous stroke as only 5-10% live, i.e. 90-95% die without intervention. Fortunately for me [...]
Is a woman’s choice of attire a reason to abuse her?
Much to my regret, the pressures of work and family took a toll on “Voice for Women” which resulted in a slight disruption in the column, but there have been so many disturbing issues of late that directly affect us women that it was a matter of great motivation to ensure this column continues! So [...]
Vas season and changing traditions from the time of the Buddha
The dawn of the Il full moon Poya concluded the three months’ vassana or the rainy season in ancient India when monks who took shelter indoors for the rains, went forth to propagate the Dhamma. During the time of the Buddha, monks, being mendicant recluses who had renounced the world as disciples of the Buddha, [...]
Together they sang, sang and sang
It’s said that music transcends languages and boundaries and for the past eight days we saw ample proof of this as choirs from across Asia and parts of Europe descended on the sunny shores of Sri Lanka for the ‘4th Asia Pacific Choir Games’ held from October 21-28. 72 choirs from nine nations participated in [...]
When Indonesia’s stars shone bright
The scenes were one of jubilance and excitement as 72 choirs from 9 nations returned to the Temple Trees on Tuesday, October 24, for the Fourth Annual Asia Pacific Choir Games award ceremony. The first of two award ceremonies, Tuesday’s event saw the announcement of the winners of the Open competition, Asia Pacific Championship and [...]
Away from the music, getting to know each other
Taking place on Wednesday, October 25, the “Parade of Nations” was an evening of festivity and music that celebrated the mid point of the 4th Asia Pacific Choir Games. Speaking to The Sunday Times Mahnaz Fahandej (24) and Setareh Pishva (23) from the “Parse Choir Group” Shiraz, Iran revealed that they were eagerly looking forward [...]
Thought-provoking dance
As dry as it is, number seven has always been a fascination throughout civilization,” says Umeshi Rajeendra, explaining the theme of her latest show presented in collaboration with the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Artistic director and founder of the Mesh Academy of Dance, Umeshi will be bringing together students from her academy and [...]
Alexander McCall Smith could not bid adieu to Precious
Alexander McCall Smith conceived his most famous character while watching a woman chase a chicken. He would tell journalists that his wonderfully eccentric detective, Precious Ramotswe took shape when he was staying with friends in a small town called Mochudi. “A woman in the town wished to give my friends a chicken to celebrate Botswana [...]
More laws needed to protect women: First woman Law College Principal
In the scenario where a woman was appointed for the first time as Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice and a woman functioned as Chief Justice not too long ago, the Sri Lanka Law College has its first woman Principal, President’s Counsel Indira Samarasinghe who spoke on “Women and Law” at the 76th AGM of the [...]
Third generation Abuthahir lawyer
Adnaan Abuthahir ( centre) took his oaths as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court recently. He becomes a third generation lawyer from the well-known Abuthahir family of the Puttalam bar. Adnaan’s grandfather, the late S.M. Abuthahir (left) was also an SLFP politician of the area and his father Fazal Abuthahir currently practises in Puttalam and [...]
Cambridge High Achievement Awards ceremony
The Cambridge High Achievement Awards ceremony and Annual Prize Day 2016/2017 were held at the Bishop’s College auditorium recently. Here MAS Holdings Group Director – Legal and Attorney-at-Law Rajitha Jayasuriya presents the World Prize for Business Studies (GCE London O/L Examination May 2015) to Udayani Perera, a student of Alethea International School. The British Council’s [...]
Cancer awareness sessions for estate staff, by Mithuruwela
Mithuruwela, the Cancer Support Network recently conducted two well-attended Cancer Awareness sessions for the staff of estates belonging to the Finlays’ Group in Ragala in the Nuwara Eliya district. Staff from Delmar, Gordon, Waldemar, Blair lomond and Alnwick estates attended the first session while employees from Court Lodge, Park and Concordia estates were present at [...]
Thalassemia patient needs help
Fourteen-year-old Hashini Imasha Rajapaksa of D.C.Mola Idiripita, Ganewaththa, and Nikadaupola is suffering from Thalassemia major and has to undergo a donor matching test to be followed by a bone marrow transplant (BMT). As BMT facilities are not available in the government sector, the treatment must be done at a private facility in India at their [...]
Feeling at home in the historic city of Lisbon
I must admit that I as a Sri Lankan felt very much at home when I was visiting Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon. Maybe it was the familiarity I felt with their language – like going to a shop when we needed ‘bread’ and ‘soap’ and asking for pão (pronounced paang) and sabão (pronounced sabang). [...]
Lions reach out with fashion show
Eric Suriyasena’s vividly colourful batiks, bridal creations by Salon Waves, Kandy, ethnic styles presented by Raja Lakshmi, menswear by Hameedia and Ramona Oshini’s elegant evening styles were all on the ramp for the Lions, Lion Ladies and their guests who came in their numbers for ‘Fashion Fusion’, a show organised by the Lion Ladies Association [...]
Hilton @ 30
The Colombo Hilton certainly knows how to throw a party and what better celebration than their 30th anniversary? It was a fun night for guests who enjoyed the entertainment, food and great company.