In a moment, a young life was shattered
It is past noon when we walk into his bedroom to be introduced by his mother. The handsome youth is seated slightly tilted to a side with colourful stuff on a tray before him. As I say, “Good morning”, he looks at me and then looks up at the wall. I too turn my head [...]
Letters to the Editor
It is the obligation of the Govt. to facilitate local private medical education I feel it is an opportune moment to express some thoughts on private medical education, social responsibility and the current impasse. I hope that by the time these thoughts reach light of day this issue that has been rankling in people’s minds [...]
Appreciations
My brother the leader from small days SSP S.B.Senaratne Senior Superintendent of Police S.B.Senaratne was a leader. He was always with the clergy and temple. He set an example to his children, the way of life and the customs, traditions and the way of life of Buddha to be imbibed, said Chancellor of the University [...]
Flower power
Its roots lie in muddy waters, yet the lotus rises above the mud to bloom; untarnished by its mucky base. Lotus (nelum), with its myriad colours is religiously and culturally symbolic both in the Buddhist and the Hindu canon. Often associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, the lotus which is a motif [...]
Sealing a marriage of importance in pen and ink 80 years ago
An earnest plea from a single powerful voice to a distinguished gathering from a different profession, most probably during a gala event with champagne flowing and a spread of delectable food! Link up, was the plea from none other than the highest legal luminary in the land, then Chief Justice (CJ) Sir Sidney Abrahams, of [...]
Purr yes to kindness and growl no to cruelty: Remember, vote to protect animals and trees
Local Government elections have been announced. And, amidst the political campaigns is a novel campaign – non-political and gaining ground. “We will vote only for those who are compassionate and sensitive towards animals and respect nature” says one of their campaign slogans. ”My vote is only for those who Purr Yes to kindness and Growl [...]
Richard Flanagan: Ghost writing a ghost
Richard Flanagan won the Man Booker prize in 2014 for The Narrow Road to the Deep North. But it was his latest book ‘First Person,’ which has the longer history: “First Person is the book I began before the Booker and which I finished after, while at the same time, trying to surf the mudslide [...]
Banker’s brush with art; now his life’s passion
Though he had always painted with great passion, Bartholameuze Wimalaratne only began a new chapter in his life as a professional artist when he retired from his job as a bank manager at People’s Bank Ratmalana at the age of 55. But whatever time he had lost in those years, he has since made up [...]
Bye bye 2017, hello 2018
2018 arrived with a bang as most city hotels and those in Negombo and Kandy hosted lavish New Year’s Eve parties to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new. Here our Sunday Times photographers Indika Handuwala, Amila Gamage, Priyantha Wickramaarachchi, M.D. Nissanka and Ushan Malshika capture the scenes as young lovers, families, [...]
A walk of faith from centuries past
As far as Catholic pilgrimages go, the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain’s north-western province of Galicia ranks in the same league as the destinations of Jerusalem and Rome. The number of those who undertake the pilgrim’s walk to Santiago – known in Spanish as El Camino de Santiago – has been increasing over [...]
May this new year ring in sound policies
Whereas there is legislation governing sound pollution in Sri Lanka including from religious sources its enforcement is rather limited, especially outside Colombo. It’s heartening to witness the present government appearing to enforce curbs on religious noise, blasting across the airways, or at least allowing the police to exercise their legal powers, but more action is [...]
Laughter’s the best medicine; these docs and medicos should know!
Leaving behind their microscopes, stethoscopes and books, a small mix of doctors and medical students will take to the stage to show off their talents in acting on January 13 and 14 at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre in Borella. They will be presenting the rib-tickling comedy ‘Laughter the Best Medicine’ which comprises four short [...]
‘Anatomy of Violence’, panel discussion with Deepa Mehta
The High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka and Embassy to Maldives, in partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka, and the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies will present a special screening of ‘Anatomy of Violence’ and panel discussion with Academy award nominated Director Deepa Mehta at the Cinema Hall of the BMICH [...]
What’s the buzz? It’s a meeting of the BookBees
On a rainy evening, some children are seated in a circle, on the ground at the Independence memorial hall, clutching their favourite books, excitedly discussing the wonderful places, amazing characters and remarkable stories hidden among those pages. This is a meeting of the BookBees Colombo, the children’s book club founded by Maria Nugara Jayakody (Queen [...]
Lankans elected to Int’l Buddhist body
Dr. Damendra Porage was elected Deputy Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation during its second General Assembly held in New Delhi, India, recently. The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is an umbrella organisation of Buddhists representing 40 countries. IBC’s mission is to gather the collective wisdom of Buddhists from all over the world to speak [...]
Mihimandala Environmental Foundation receives award
The Mihimandala Environmental Foundation was rewarded at the Shramabhimanee 2017 held at BMICH, for their continuous efforts in the protection of nature and also for their AIDS campaign with the government to eliminate the disease by 2025 from Sri Lanka. Formed in November, 2000 by a group of nature lovers, the organisation’s main concern is [...]