‘Unmasked’ and facing the world with humility
Plunged to the deepest depths of despair, now they have been raised to unimaginable heights. “A terrible curse on my life has turned out to be the greatest blessing,” is the opening line with which 49-year-old Dilhan Fernando guides us through a life challenged to the very core by vitiligo or leucoderma. For Sri Lankans [...]
Good buys, worthy buys this season
It is once again time to give and share. If you are hunting for the best offers amidst sky-rocketing prices, here are some ideas that may lighten your load. HASL: Send a wish and help a cause To wish your loved ones this season, HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) has a range of greeting cards with [...]
Shankari Chandran : My work as a lawyer has had a huge effect on my writing
Shankari Chandran was raised in Canberra, Australia, by parents who were both doctors. She told the Sunday Times, “I grew up in Australia but Sri Lanka feels a part of me because my parents’ and grandparents’ memories are so vivid. I spent my childhood eavesdropping on their conversations and then in my adulthood they enjoyed [...]
12 Angry Men: An interesting take, but with a few hiccups
Cold Theatre 7, under the artistic direction of Kevin Cruze, has had a history of performing murder mysteries (And Then There Were None, The Mousetrap) so it came as no surprise that Reginald Rose’s 12 Angry Men would be their next project. Initially written as a television play in 1954, its ’57 film adaptation garnered [...]
His love for the wilds and tribute
On December 5, Nawaz Vilcassim presented his wildlife themed coffee table book “The Heart of the Wild” to an intimate gathering at the Barefoot Gallery Cafe. “The Heart of the Wild” captures Nawaz’s adventures as a nature enthusiast and amateur photographer in his journey across the globe exploring sights, surroundings and animals from places as [...]
Appreciations
She led a full life, and has left a great void in our lives Shalini Nanayakkara One of a kind, she certainly was; a fountain of kindness untold. It is amazing how Shalini’s heart flew out to those in need, in despair or lonely. Grabbing every opportunity with both hands, to serve a seriously sick [...]
Letters to the Editor
Phone tapping: Urgent need for global methods to maintain highest standards A couple of weeks back, the Sunday Times reported in its front page that the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at a meeting of Senior Police Officers with members of the Police Commission revealed that the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) which functions [...]
Gehan’s pictorial guide to the birds of Sri Lanka launched in UK
A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne was launched in August at the British Bird Watching Fair. Although a number of photographic books and guides to the birds of Sri Lanka have been published, this is the first guide to all 462 species of birds recorded in [...]
Her quest to do what’s right
Shreen Abdul Saroor comes from a ‘sporty’ family. Growing up in Mannar, the daughter of a teacher-father, she was exposed to as many sports as possible from martial arts to weight lifting (admitting to being muscular despite her petite frame). But it was in the 100m race that she found her main event. Her descriptive [...]
Step into a store that takes you beyond porcelainware
Dankotuwa Porcelain, designers of world-class Sri Lankan porcelain tableware, unveiled their two-storeyed Signature Showroom at Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7 on December 7. The Signature Showroom features the finest of Dankotuwa Porcelain’s tableware and giftware taking the brand to the international market. The store also houses global brands such as Portmeirion and Lenox, providing consumers a [...]
Kandy’s GSC girls share an evening of fun
The ‘girls’ of Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy’s Past Pupils Association (and a few friends) held their annual get-together at Colombo’s Raffles reception hall earlier this month, enjoying an evening of fellowship and fond memories.
Get that perfect fit for the season with GFLOCK
GFLOCK launched their Christmas Collection on December 4 at their flagship clothing store in Colombo 3 with Ranil Willaddarage, the brains behind GFLOCK and also the brand’s Chief Designer introducing a line that is simple in design yet contoured for the perfect fit. Special invitees representing the fashion designing industry together with GFLOCK priority customers [...]
Looking for a new shopping experience? head to KiMO
Promising a unique shopping experience, the one-stop Korean and Japanese franchise shop KiMO Ceylon opened its doors on December 12 at No. 8, Galle Road, Colombo 6 (next to Savoy Cinema). The first of many branches to come, KiMO Ceylon features a range of quality lifestyle products from homeware and gift items to electronics. The [...]
Designer lingerie label Ultimo is here
Leading intimate apparel producer MAS Brands introduced the designer lingerie label Ultimo to its Sri Lankan clientele this month. Ultimo was founded by celebrity entrepreneur Michelle Mone OBE in the UK in 1996; this label favoured by celebrities and discerning clients around the world is now owned by MAS Brands, which has embraced the brand’s [...]
Lalanath takes up baton for Messiah
OKTAVE and Friends are excited to be performing the first part of Handel’s Messiah in Sri Lanka after two decades. Part I, which deals with the birth of Christ is popularly performed in the West during Christmastime. Conducting the Messiah will be Dr. Lalanath de Silva, who arrived in Sri Lanka last Sunday to join [...]
Unravelling Priyantha’s pretty world of flora and fauna
Priyantha Udagedara’s works are paradisiacal dreamscapes filled with lush adornments of tropical flora, leaping mythic fauna, and brick ruins overcome with vines. The canvas seems to explode. It is a resplendent treat for the eyes. When initially taken in, the paintings come as quite a surprise. An admittedly unusual feeling in contemporary art; of seeing [...]
Human rights exhibition ends today
The JDA Perera Gallery on Horton Place, Colombo 7, is the scene of a human rights arts festival organised by the Arts Council of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and others, featuring the work of many prominent artists, musicians and dramatists. Opened on December 10, the exhibition has [...]
Kishani returns to the stage with two int’l artistes
Next month, Kishani Jayasinghe will be back on stage with “Kishani Sings …With Friends From The Royal Opera House”. Heralding the new year with music and camaraderie, Kishani will be sharing the stage with two international artists -Grammy award-winning pianist and accompanist Christopher Glynn and Australian baritone Grant Doyle. A celebrated Sri Lankan opera singer [...]
Melbourne: Not just liveable, but visitable too
Every year The Economist magazine computes a Liveability Index, ranking 140 cities using criteria such as infrastructure, culture, healthcare, education, environment, and stability. This year, as it has done for the past seven years, Australia’s south-eastern city of Melbourne took the top spot in The Economist’s list of the world’s most liveable cities! Interestingly, it [...]
Oasis of taste and peace amidst the city hubbub
Opening their doors on November 14, EPICURE is Colombo’s latest dining experience comfortably situated on the somewhat peaceful Gregory’s Road, in the heart of Colombo 7. Offering modern and classical European style cuisine in bold new flavours, the restaurant fundamentally practises a ‘farm to table’ method of service. “We are conscious of what we put [...]
Oman Air celebrates 8th b’day
Oman Air celebrated its 8th anniversary of operations in Colombo with a cocktail reception for clients at Kings Court Cinnamon Lakeside.
Cinnamon Grand’s annual Christmas market returns
Cinnamon Grand’s popular yuletide market has returned for the third consecutive year and is on until December 24 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at the Courtyard Lobby. The market brings to life the hustle and bustle of an international farmers’ market and sells treats that are sure to give patrons a taste of Christmas [...]
“Disjoined Letters”: A rare exhibition of calligraphy
It was beautiful. Historical. Artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture.” Apple’s co-founder the late Steve Jobs passion for calligraphy resonated throughout his 2005 commencement address at Stanford University. The art of calligraphy made a big impact on this billionaire tech mogul’s life’s work. He embedded his knowledge of inscription which he learnt [...]
It’s Christmas time in the city
Christmas delights at Waters Edge the Bakery This holiday season, one of the main attractions at Waters Edge Hotel in Battaramulla will be the Bakery at The Edge which has a wide variety of Christmas delights, both sweet and savoury. The treats and roasts prepared by Executive Chef, Buddhika Samarasekara and Executive Pastry Chef, Nalin [...]
Ranjani Perera shines at this year’s Photography Society exhibition
From an elderly lady laughing as she carries a large stack of driftwood on her back, to the amicable stare down between a rhinoceros and myna bird and the exclusion of a young girl as she gazes at a group of friends whispering to each other – a picture does speak a million words. These [...]
HSBC once again spreads Christmas joy
For over ten years, HSBC has been spreading the joy of the season with those less fortunate. This year too, the bank brought smiles to the faces of over 350 children from four children’s orphanages. The Christmas programme was held from November 28 to December 5 at the Salvation Army Girls School Dehiwela, Paritas Convent [...]
Postage stamp marks 50th anniversary of Mitirigala Forest Hermitage
The 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya (Mitirigala Forest Hermitage) was commemorated at a public meeting held at the Nissarana Vanaya Aranya on Sunday December 3 (Unduvap Poya Day). A postage stamp together with a special commemorative cover was issued by the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts on this [...]
Appointed All Island JP
R.A. Mershe Niroshani Ranatunga of Nagasdeniya, Mandawala, took oaths as a Justice of the Peace for All Island before the Pugoda Magistrate and District Judge Kavindya Nanayakkara at the Pugoda Magistrate Courts recently. A teacher attached to Yashodhara Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha, she is the wife of former Dompe Pradeshiya Sabha member Indika Daya Jayasundara. [...]
Urgently in need of a Kidney
A 48-year-old patient suffering from a critical kidney disease is in immediate need of a kidney of type B+ or O. Generous donors are asked to kindly contact 0788695510.
Cancer patient seeks help
Jagath Prasanna, 45, residing in Horampella, Minuwangoda was diagnosed with a cancer, Papillary carcinoma (PTC) in the thyroid gland in 2007 and underwent surgery at the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama. Since then he is unable to work as he has difficulties in moving his neck. Jagath has two children who are schooling and his wife is [...]
Sanghamitta Theri commemoration ceremony on Tuesday
A commemoration ceremony of Sanghamitta Theri will be held on Tuesday December 19, at 2.30 p.m. at the All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress, 400 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07 with the participation of a large number of Buddhist nuns. After the welcome speech by the President Ramani Rajapaksha, Dr. Hema Goonatilake and Swarna Sumanasekera, President, National [...]
SLT PEO TV tribute to the doyen of Sinhala Cinema
When “Rekhawa” was released on December 28, 1956, it surpassed all contemporary films. A viewer can clearly identify how “Rekhawa” dispensed with the melodramatic features of Sinhala movies influenced by South Indian cinema and captured the people, their lifestyles, their social fabric in a new and insightful way. A world-renowned cinema critic holidaying in Sri [...]