The young comrades who took on Colombo’s ‘Comprador Capitalists’
Peace, land, bread! This was the rallying cry which changed the course of world history, the very core of not just a revolution, but the ‘Great’ October Revolution. Even though the vibrations of the Great October Revolution in Russia — the 100th anniversary of which is being celebrated with much pageantry and fanfare in Sri [...]
Letters to the Editor
When public demonstrations go against the public Political and other demonstrations for the slightest provocation or problem has become a fashion today. It happens almost on a daily basis somewhere in the country. It is understood, under a democratic set-up, people have the right to exercise their freedom of speech and right to demonstrate unhindered, [...]
Appreciations
Those unforgettable and informative demonstrations Prof. Milindu Lakshaman Tennekoon Kannangara Emeritus Professor of Physics and a former Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Colombo Professor Lakshaman Kannangara, passed away on September 26. Like his many students, I was immensely privileged to have known him, first as a teacher and later as [...]
The blossoming of ‘Parasathu mal’
When Chithra Balasuriya set out to produce a film about an aristocratic landowner given to wine, women and song titled ‘ Parasathu mal’ , little did he realize that five decades later, the film would continue to generate the same kind of interest it did when it was first released in 1966. The success of [...]
A resuscitated CJMS turns a new leaf
Up on the screen is a familiar iconic building, with its signature clock tower — the Colombo Medical Faculty and it was within it that a simple but epoch-making event aptly named ‘Turning a new leaf’ took place on the morning of October 24. It was the re-launch of the Ceylon Journal of Medical Science [...]
Step by step, a window to the real world
It is essentially a place which nurtures ‘big’ dreams. While one sees herself donning the cloak of justice, another dreams of designing happy homes for others. With essential spoken English coupled with self-defence skills, computer knowledge and saving tips, nine young women at the Emerge Centre for Reintegration are confident to face the world. Emerge [...]
Amit Chaudhuri: The modernist writer with a fascination for Calcutta
Amit Chaudhuri has long been haunted by Calcutta. The place of his birth, it has appeared in a multiplicity of forms across his five novels. For instance, his second novel, ‘Afternoon Raag,’ drew on his personal experience, and was about being an Indian student at Oxford and his memories of Calcutta. His third novel, ‘Freedom [...]
She inspired them all to do it her way
One thing I wanted was to grow up and play alongside her and this is the closest I will ever get to that,” says Dhanushka Seneviratne. Dhanushka is taking part in a concert in memory of his mother – the beloved singing teacher Ruwani Seimon, who died of cancer ten years ago. The tribute concert [...]
EWC pays tribute to Anne
An evening of poetry and music organised by the English Writers Cooperative dedicated to Anne Ranasinghe (1925-2016), the celebrated poet, will be held at the Goethe Institut on November 18, at 6 p.m. Anne Ranasinghe nee Katz of German descent arrived in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) with her husband in the early 1950s and proceeded [...]
“Hanthana Pirumpuma”: Celebrating life and arts at Pera Uni
The University of Peradeniya, surrounded by the beautiful Hanthana mountain range is one of the most beautiful universities in the world. Arts and culture have always had a unique and special place here and the University has been a fertile background for many renowned artists who have nurtured the Sinhala arts and culture in the [...]
Fashion
The Mercedes Benz Centre of Excellence (DIMO 800) played host to Sri Lanka’s first International Fashion Week from October 27 to 30. The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, conceptualised by the Academy of Design and powered by Mercedes Benz Sri Lanka and Dimo, provided a platform for Sri Lankan designers and the apparel industry to showcase [...]
Druvinka returns with her canvas of timeless spirituality
Druvinka Madawela and Pinky Madawela’s Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings is now on at the Barefoot Gallery and will continue until November 19. Playing with dark and light She slithers into the depths of unknown realms; Swaying to its magical rhythms, Connecting with the mystical sprits For what’s blind to our eyes, Live amongst us. [...]
Swept away (mostly!) by the magic of My Fair Lady
The Workshop Players take the Lionel Wendt stage year after year, with production after production of plays and musicals that – for the most part – keep improving the standard for Colombo’s theatre-goers. But rarely – indeed the last recorded sighting was 17 years ago – does one see that which took place on stage [...]
Tony Christie will be here to take you to ‘Amarillo’
Lankan fans will get to see legendary British singer,composer and actor Tony Christie live in concert on Saturday, November 11 at 7 p.m. at the BMICH accompanied by his 7 piece backing band from the UK. The show is put together by DK Promotions. Tony Christie broke into the UK music scene in 1971 with [...]
Ikebana creations by group of upcoming artists
Few artistic pursuits have been around as long as Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement dating back to 7th century Japan. Ikebana has always had a faithful, if small following in Sri Lanka,and now a new wave of upcoming artists will be displaying their talents for the first time, November 11 and 12 at the [...]
They shopped to their hearts content
Under a Grand Marquee amidst the landscaped gardens of the Taj Samudra, Colombo VIP Night presented its second Shop Til U Drop 2017 and it was an enthusiastic crowd that spent the day shopping to their hearts’ content. L’Atelier Touche, Amberry for men’s accessories, Bdazzle, Fusion 14, Karat, Livill Shoes, LOVI Ceylon, Melache, Nuki, Rum [...]
CurioCity to hit the ramp with the modern man in mind
Well known menswear brand Hameedia will be presenting their fashion show ’Envoy Concept 2018’ for the fifth time this year. The theme for this year is ‘CurioCity’, which is meant to inspire the fashion sense of the modern Sri Lankan man “Our collections can be worn by anyone who understands fashion,” states Managing Director of [...]
Getting the best from your employees: Sanjeev shows the way
While discussing your monthly performance with your supervisor, imagine if he says, “Hmm… Not bad, let’s see if you can do this next month also, ah?” in a challenging tone that implies that you can’t. Sounds demotivating, doesn’t it? It is scenarios like this which motivational coach Sanjeev Jayaratnam’s upcoming programme ‘Power to the People’ [...]
Ban elephants in school parades- Let’s protect our children and animals
The Elephant is the acclaimed “star’ of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. Majestic and magnificent, elephants should live in the wilds, foraging, browsing, bathing, playing in rivers, roaming vast territories, and being herd animals, socializing. But, elephants are increasingly seized from their natural habitats and end up in captivity heavily chained and exploited for human benefit – [...]
Ex-planters show gratitude to people who are the backbone of the industry
With the 150th anniversary of Ceylon Tea being celebrated in grand style with numerous festivities in Colombo, hardly any recognition was given to the personnel on the estates who are the backbone of the industry. The Association of Ex-Planters decided to duly recognize and show gratitude to those who had contributed immensely towards the industry [...]
Free medical camp today at the Kirulapone Jumma Masjid
The Trustees of the Kirulapone Jumma Masjid will hold a free medical camp in collaboration with the Kirulapone Police from 9 a.m. today, Sunday, November 5 at the Kirulapone Jumma Masjid at High Level Road, Colombo 6. Open to all, the camp will offer a wide range of facilities and medical services covering Paediatrics, Gynaecology, [...]
Leading Indian designers at Hi Life exhibition
For all who fancy the glamour and rich culture of India, this is the exhibition and show you cannot miss. The Hi Life exhibition at the Cinnamon Lakeside on November 6, 7 and 8 brings together 80 of India’s finest designers from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Jaipur and Hyderabad under one roof in [...]
Pera Uni Colombo chapter alumni’s annual get-together
The Colombo Chapter of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya will hold its annual family get-together on Sunday, November 12 at the eco-friendly Bird Park, Buthgamuwa Road, Kalapahuwa, Rajagiriya from 10 a.m. All alumni of the Peradeniya University are invited. Many activities, games, competitions, prizes and surprises have been planned, with Music by [...]