Uni students as agents of change
Not mere platitudes or lip service but concrete action is what the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been dishing out along with its academic content to all of the 15 state universities spread across the country. With a sharp spotlight on gender equity and equality and ragging, the zero-tolerance policy against ragging and sexual and [...]
Overcoming fear and taking the plunge
Rajan Thananayagam cuts a noticeable figure at the busy NCC grounds. Quietly observing the goings-on around him, his near perfect posture and physique (even when he’s seated) is that of an athlete. “My dad did want me to be a sportsman,” he smiles, but all young Rajan wanted to do was run around in his [...]
Letters to the Editor
LG polls a reflection of people’s disgust I think everyone is surprised by the outcome of the recent Local Government elections. No one expected the Pohottu party to gain so much ground – not even the leaders of that Party. This is mainly because the normal voters have withdrawn into themselves and have not openly [...]
Appreciations
The lone crusader for Justice Kandiah Neelakandan When H.L. de Silva, PC, died, S.L. Gunasekera said that the last of the Mohicans had departed. Today, with the greatest sorrow and trepidation we were informed of the death of a very redoubtable warrior that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has known, from the day [...]
Bringing to life our history
She has a long name and a long and successful career dealing in many areas of human interest. A master gemmologist, geologist, jewellery designer, scientist, and publisher Avanti Jasmine Germani Sri Nissanka Karunaratna put all that aside to pursue a career in art. Having lived and worked in Australia, the USA, France, Japan, New Zealand, [...]
Mental illness: Blaming it all on the stars
The so-called effect of the stars, whether beneficent or maleficent, on mortals has been a fascination as well as a morbid fear that has gripped humankind from time immemorial. The ancients be it the Egyptians, the Greeks or the Romans fell prey to these beliefs and even the Bard, William Shakespeare, has opined on these [...]
The little known historical role played by Dona Catherina
The Indian poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi chose the ravishing beauty of princess Padmavathi and the political chaos it caused to compose his epic poem Padmavathi in 1540CE. Just fifty years later, in Sri Lanka, there appeared Dona Catherina, a real princess, whose life was crucial in Lankan history but who has been largely ignored in [...]
Kala Pola, it’s on today
The silver anniversary edition of Sri Lanka’s acclaimed open-air art fair, Kala Pola, will take place at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha in Colombo 7 today, Sunday February 25. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu will be the chief guest at the opening. Presented by The George Keyt Foundation in association with John [...]
Faces and the stories they tell
Fabienne Francotte’s pieces ask questions about the face and the stories they tell. What layered histories, contexts and experiences live on a person’s face? What stories live beyond it? “It’s Like Someone Took My Soul”, an exhibition of the recent work of this Belgian artist, is now on at the Saskia Fernando Gallery. These works [...]
Lankan producer of Grammy award winning recordings here
The Sooriya Village will host the first Sri Lankan to engineer and produce multiple Grammy award winning recordings, Kavichandran Alexander from March 5 to April 4. Kavichandran Alexander (Kavi), has recorded many top international artists including Padmabushan Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhat, V.G. Jog (Guru of Pandit Amaradeva) and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (son of the [...]
From Bolshoi Theatre with love
Standing tall amidst the many architectural wonders of Moscow is the Bolshoi Theatre that has gained worldwide acclaim as one of the grand venues for opera and ballet productions alike. The Bolshoi has great historical value to Russia. The architectural structure of the building has been influenced by 18th century styles, after which it faced [...]
‘Experiencing God’: A perfect blend of spiritual and musical
‘Experiencing God’ was a rare musical experience. And it had a perfect setting – the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour on Bauddhaloka Mawatha. The Anglican Cathedral for those who have only seen it from the outside, its sprawling garden giving it its tranquil setting will find that same aura of peace and space within. [...]
Breaking barriers through their art
Two special guest artists were the cynosure of many eyes with the third who was absent being given equal attention when the Learning Support Unit of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, presented ‘The Artist in Me’ to the public recently. Referring to ‘Our Guest Artists’, the souvenir distributed at the exhibition and sale of work that [...]
A rare jazz treat for free
Celebrating 70 years of U.S – Sri Lankan partnership (#USASL70), American jazz sensation Wycliffe Gordon, the renowned musician, composer, conductor, and arranger is in Sri Lanka for a series of free performances. Wycliffe Gordon and His International All Stars are touring Sri Lanka from February 24 to 28, staging performances and master classes in Colombo, [...]
High tea and fashion with a view at Grand Kandyan Hotel
The Grand Kandyan Hotel hosted 300 plus guests to a High Tea and fashion show on February 3 at their Sky Lounge which has a bird’s- eye view of the Kandy city. “We started the season with a well- attended Christmas cookery demonstration last December. The Grand Kandyan hotel is planning another event in March [...]
Rooftop reception for fans and cast
When the rigours of opening night were through, the cast and crew of The Sound of Music, the production presented by Cinnamon Life and Broadway Asia International, from February 14- 18 enjoyed a reception at the rooftop of the Nelum Pokuna theatre where they met invitees, most of them great fans of the well-loved musical. [...]
Jaffna comes to Colombo once again
Celebrating diversity, cuisine and culture, for the second year running, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo brings you the Jaffna Festival, which enters its last day today (25). Experiencing the festival in full swing, it was certainly different to what one would usually find in any five star hotel in Colombo. A quick stroll through the lobby, [...]
Ladies VIP night; a grand celebration
The Ladies VIP Night celebrates International Women’s Week 2018 with an evening of empowerment and eco-vision on March 7 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. The event will feature several TEDx Colombo speakers in a panel discussion, an eco-chic fashion show, a “Green inspired” dinner and a celebratory bubbly toast. The evening is all about Empowerment, [...]
Celebrating curry
Better known as “Darling”, Felicia Sorensen, the Queen of Curries together with Chef Amila, Sabah and team of the Curry Leaf, Hilton Colombo’s Sri Lankan and Seafood restaurant, will prepare a celebration of curries, spectacular seafood, and designer hoppers, rotti, and a range of freshly prepared Sri Lankan sweetmeats for the hotel’s latest food festival. [...]
Kele: Savour this sanctuary after the safari
Once you get to Kataragama town, take the Sithulpauwa road and turn left at a sign that simply says “Kele”. Follow the signs from there and you will arrive at “Kele”, a jungle retreat, the creation of owners Nishani and Vasantha Wanigasooriya. It comprises three chalets with six rooms and can accommodate three persons in [...]
South African adventure brought closer to home
At some point in our lives many of us dream of grabbing a backpack, getting on an airplane and setting off on an adventure. And what better place to go do that, than in South Africa, which was selected as the No. 1 adventure destination of the year in the VirtusoLuxe Report 2018. From whale [...]
Navam Perahera: Colombo’s leading religious and cultural pageant begins Wednesday
A grand procession with magnificently caparisoned tuskers and traditional dancers, the Navam Perahera is indeed a cultural showpiece in the heart of Colombo. Held annually in February, the event is eagerly looked forward to by devotees and thousands of tourists. The Navam Maha Perahera is organised by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Viharaya, under the guidance of [...]
Jayanthi and Johann tell Uni students, “Yes you can”
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peries, who pioneered the first ever Sri Lankan Everest Expedition two years ago shared their amazing story once again with local undergraduates of the University of Colombo. The duo delivered a motivational talk earlier this week at the New Arts Theatre , University of Colombo as part of the first year [...]
Dr. Rahim made Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons
Former Royal College and Sri Lanka Junior National rugby coloursman, Dr. Reza Rahim, successfully completed the Fellowship Examination in Orthopaedic surgery and is now a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons with his sub-speciality being spinal disorders. After his initial training at Prince Alfred and Royal Melbourne hospitals in Victoria, Dr. Rahim completed [...]
Wesley College OBU celebrates Founder’s Week
Wesley College Colombo named after John Wesley (1703–1791), the great evangelist and founder of the Methodist Church and administered by the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka was founded on March 2, 1874 (the death anniversary of Rev. John Wesley). The College which is celebrating its 144th anniversary this year provides primary and secondary education to [...]
J’Pura Faculty of Medical Sciences to mark 25 years with ‘MerrimentZ 2018’
It is celebration time as the silver jubilee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura draws near. The first batch of students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences who entered when there was nothing structural at the faculty, is preparing for ‘MerrimentZ 2018’ on March 3 from 9.30 a.m. to [...]