As evening shadows fell the call for safety rang out
As darkness fell on the evening of March 5, with the Fort Railway Station bustling with people rushing home from work, approximately 300 women and men of all religions, ethnicities and ages, began their walk for safety for women on the streets at night. Each participant carried a torch. Organised by the Women’s Education and [...]
Using their skills to make a difference
Although International Women’s Day is universally celebrated on March 8, the British Council together with several like-minded individuals and trailblazing organisations are hoping to make it a year-long celebration of women and their advancement. The initiative comes after the success of the WOW Festival organised by the British Council, together with the London Southbank Centre [...]
Letters to the Editor
Get priorities right Just before the Presidential election in 2015, politicians in the current “Yahapalana” government talked about white elephants in the Rajapaksa government. When they talked about Hambantota harbour, Mattala airport, Suriyawewa cricket grounds and Hambantota International conference hall, all of us understood that the last government had built those white elephants out of [...]
Appreciations
His youthful fragrance will remain in our memory Adhil Bakeer Markar According to astrology, a child whose zodiac sign and planetary positions align perfectly is said to bring immense fame and glory to all those related to him. His reputation, virtuousness are a distinction to his forefathers and an honour to the future generation. Adhil, [...]
Looking back with pride and looking to the future with optimism
Let alone rooms, they had no chairs to sit on. Trials and tribulations were the order of the early days, with not many teachers, no lecture halls and no hospitals for clinical training. A common sight would be knots of fresh-faced students from the first batch of 139 of the very first Faculty of Medical [...]
In defence of SL armed forces
In the aftermath of the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009 by Government forces, many books have been written both in praise of the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces during the war as well as criticism of them. The latest book that tries to put the record straight on the role of the [...]
Sashane and audience tackle sensitive subject with delicacy and humour
Tackling depression and suicide within the realm of theatre is such a tricky task as it requires great delicacy, dignity, and empathy. All three elements are present in Duncan Macmillan’s fantastic play ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ which saw itself being performed at various Fringe festivals across the UK and even garnered its own HBO film.Given the [...]
Young theatre group brings back old familiar “Well Mudaliyar”
Amphitheatre Productions is bringing back “Well, Mudaliyar!”,the hit comedy by H. C. N. de Lanerolle and E. M. W. Joseph to the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7.30 p.m. on March 23, 24 and 25. The play stars Yasal Ruhunage, Kavinda Gunasekara, Shenilka Perera, Sahan Wijewardene, Anaz Badurdeen, Barana Waidyathilake, Minoli Pieris and Shiwanthi Kahandaliyanage. “Well, [...]
Fashion Week @15 adds a new note
HSBC Colombo Fashion Week has contributed immensely to the growth and expansion of the Sri Lankan fashion industry by providing local designers with a solid platform as well as international exposure. “90% of designers we see in Sri Lanka are a product of Colombo Fashion Week’s design development system,” AjaiVir Singh, Founder and President of [...]
Kottu gets star class treatment
We are greeted by the aroma of spices, fried onions, leeks, carrots and eggs. In goes the finely chopped rotti and the ‘special’ gravy, which the chefs describe as their “secret sauce”. This is followed by the familiar clanging noise that you’ve probably heard at any roadside ‘kade’, when all the ingredients are mixed and [...]
Chic and casual soft drapes
Indian designer Anavila’s latest collection “INBETWEEN Spring Summer ’18 will be launched simultaneously in India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan launch will be at Rithihi, the exclusive saree store on March 17 and 18. ‘Inbetween’, sees Anavila’s new line, all soft pastel hues and delicate floral imagery in whites, beige and muted tones of [...]
Seeing the brightness of life
It’s therapy. It’s a release. I go into the painting and I release my feelings into it,” says artist and musician Priya Goonethillake whose fifth art exhibition, ‘Escape 2’ is on at the Lionel Wendt this weekend. The exhibition features the paintings she’s been working on this past year. A self-taught artist Priya first exhibited [...]
World famous violinist to take music to north and south of country
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMCS) presents world renowned violinist, Midori with the Midori Violin Studio Project. This pioneering 10-day project around Sri Lanka will include master classes, string workshops and concerts sponsored by Fairway Holdings. Midori – recognised as one of the 25 greatest violinists of all [...]
CMF helps set up oriental band at Mahawilachchiya school
The not-for-profit Country Music Foundation (CMF) continued into 2018 its donations for children’s causes from the March 2017 “Country Roads” concert, this time providing musical instruments to set up a school oriental band. On February 5, the CMF presented Rs. 160,000 worth of instruments to the Gamini Public School in Mahawilachchiya, Anuradhapura upon a request [...]
Focus on our film heritage
The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka in association with the Gamini Fonseka Foundation and the Lester James Peries Foundation will present a public lecture titled – ‘Saving Sri Lanka’s Film Heritage’ at 4.45 pm on Wednesday, March 14 at the NFC’s Tharangani Auditorium, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Speaking at this public forum will be [...]
Rasa Sayang by Mabole Malay Association
The Mabole Malay Association (MMA) will hold a musical and cultural show titled “Rasa Sayang 2018” on May 6 at the Bishop’s College auditorium in aid of its social service projects. This project is being organized with the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo. The event will comprise drumming, song and dances depicting the rich culture of [...]
A great communicator and dynamic leader
Shasthravedi Panditha Venerable Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, Colombo 7 who passed away on March 3 at the age of 54 and was accorded a state funeral, was one of the most effective communicators of our time whose pioneering efforts in the dissemination of Buddhism during his 33 years of [...]
A monk with a vision for the future
Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera was hardly known until he took the bold step of setting up ‘The Buddhist’ Radio/TV channel to propagate the Dhamma. Starting on a small scale, it didn’t take long to be popular first among the Buddhists and later even among non-Buddhists since it carried programmes related to Buddhism but of [...]