An ocean of gratefulness still flows
From atop Inginiyagala, he is the master of all he surveys. Spread before him, to his right is the massive ‘Samudraya’ (ocean), with its waters, taking on a golden hue, glistening in the setting sun and to his left are lush paddy-fields in their green glory. Awe-inspiring is the Gal Oya Multipurpose Scheme with its [...]
Proud of their heritage; proud to be Lankans
If you ask most Sri Lankans about the races of Sri Lanka – they will reply that Sri Lanka is home to the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities. Yet, Sri Lanka is also home to many other minorities who over the years have contributed greatly to the colourful tapestry of our society. Although their [...]
John D’Oyly’s ‘fake news’ campaign and the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom
British rule in the Kandyan country was as incompatible as yoking a buffalo and a cow in the same plough.” This view expressed by a subordinate Kandyan chief was related by a British officer who appeared before a Select Committee of the British Parliament on Ceylon which sat between 1849-1850 to inquire into the grievances [...]
Runners, royalty and ‘Rali Palam’
In January 1948, the long evening of colonialism was drawing to a close in that smug little “model Crown Colony” of Ceylon. The dawn of Independence glimmered ever brighter on the horizon. For us, however, freshly released from the bondage of school boyhood on passing the University Entrance exam, what shone even brighter was the [...]
The making of ‘Hardy boys’
Hundreds of students, clutching files or with bags slung over a shoulder troop into the lecture halls of the Hardy Advanced Technological Institute in the bustling town of Ampara each weekday morning. Do they wonder whose footsteps they are re-tracing? Surely they do, for every nook and cranny of this institute set amidst 128 acres, [...]
Monument to freedom
“Four smart white clad relay runners from the ends of Lanka bearing scroll messages of hope and goodwill for the future entered the Independence Square sharp at 4.15 p.m. yesterday to complete the last act of Ceylon’s first anniversary celebrations of independence. It was a magnificent effort of co-ordination. The four scrolls were handed over [...]
If music be the sound of harmony then play on
Celebrating 70 years of Independence, on Wednesday February 7, at the Ladies’ College Hall, musicians from Sri Lanka and India will perform at the highly anticipated concert, “Music Beyond Borders”, spearheaded by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL). Speaking at the media briefing held on January 29 at the Maharaja head office, Resident Conductor [...]
Let that treasure trove of sweet memories come flooding back
“Doe a deer a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun!” what memories do these familiar words and happy tunes evoke in us? Maria running across the beautiful alpine hillside singing “The Hills are Alive”? The singing nuns trying to solve “a problem like Maria”? Kids clothed in curtaining fabric traipsing across the countryside? [...]
‘Tony’s recipes’ spices up Raffles Residence’s 18th b’day
Raffles Residence, in the heart of Nugegoda marked its 18th anniversary with an elegant evening celebration last Sunday at the Grand Ballroom. The evening was paired with the launch of a recipe book by the man behind the venture itself, Tony Bohoran, Raffles Managing Director. Inspired by his 35 years of experience as a chef, [...]
Dazzling reception at India House
Celebrating India’s 68th Republic Day against the gracious backdrop of the stately India House with its spreading lawns, High Commissioner of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu hosted a lavish reception on January 26.
Celebrating Australia Day
Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson hosted a well attended Australia Day reception at his Residence, Australia House, on January 26.
Letters to the Editor
Dumping Colombo’s garbage in Arawakkadu: A disaster in the making? It has been in the news these days that garbage of Colombo and the suburbs is to be transported by rail for disposal in Arawakkadu, an area bordering the Wilpattu National Park. There are over 100 elephants who inhabit this area and this move would [...]
Appreciations
She brightened our lives with her care, inspiration and music Daphne Kulasekere My beloved sister Daphne Kulasekere was called to eternal rest on January 22, 2017, a year ago, leaving a void in the lives of all her loved ones. Born on January 18, 1953, Daphne had her education at Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa. [...]
Pathi, the silent doer is no more
I had just finished reading the article by Rajitha Weerakoon in the Sunday Times last week on a felicitation to Dharmasena Pathiraja (‘Pathi’ as we always called him). My friend Buddhi Galappatti had just then had a cleverly drafted message on his Facebook in Sinhala. Translated into English it read: ‘Pathi, you are now on [...]
I want art in my home, on my walls
Suresh Dominic is one of Sri Lanka’s passionate collectors of art. Though his professional background is in IT, having received his BSc in Mathematics and Computing from the South Bank University in London and he is a consultant for Interblocks, a multinational financial software company in addition to holding board positions in various companies, it [...]
A much looked forward to concert
Next Saturday, February 10, the BMICH will see an international star take the stage when soprano Danielle de Niese performs for a local audience, her concert ‘Celebrating 70 Years of Independence with Danielle De Niese’ perfectly timed to resonate with this milestone occasion. She has only been here once before but her Burgher parents had [...]
A good teacher makes all the difference: Prince Edward
Arriving on a quintessentially humid day in Colombo on January 31 at the Bellatrix Building of Orion City, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the Countess of Wessex, received a warm welcome. Here representing the Queen at the country’s 70th Independence anniversary celebrations on [...]
Seeking financial help for urgent liver transplant
H.K.Krishantha Chandana Gunasekara, 44, was diagnosed with non- alcoholic cirrhosis five years ago. Medical specialists at Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama have recommended an urgent liver transplant as the disease has reached a critical stage. The surgery needs to be done in Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai, India and would cost around Rs. 7,365,000. Krishantha is [...]
Japanese fair at Waters Edge
Waters Edge together with the Japanese Embassy presents the 3rd Annual Japanese Fair on Sunday, February 11 from 4 p.m. onwards at the Grand Lawn. This year’s fair will feature the Aikido Association, the Kyodo Club of Archery, Origami Folders Association, Sri Lanka Bonsai Association, Ikebana International, Shi-En Ikebana and Floral Art Society, Cos-Play Group, [...]