Going beyond books
Close to a two-hour drive from Anuradhapura, off the town of Kebithigollawa is the small school of Wahalkada D2. We reach there a little after the school day has finished, but for a group of 12 students, lessons are still not over. This is no ordinary lesson focused on geography or mathematics. Instead it focuses [...]
Letters to the Editor
Act on President’s concern about LG machinery The President expressing his concern has said that the present increase in the number of ward members should be brought down by half to 4,000 members. No doubt, the current imbroglio aggravated by horse-trading pervading the Local Government (LG) elections and selections would have spurred him to make [...]
Appreciations
Reflections on a teacher and humanist Valentine Joseph Prof. Valentine Joseph left us on March 15, last year. I last met Prof. Joseph at his home in 2001. To my enquiry about his wellbeing, he replied, “growing very old, gracefully, I hope”. Gracefulness, indeed, was his hallmark that readily comes to mind whenever I remember, [...]
It all started with a love for old buildings
Barbara Sansoni’s interest in buildings had begun in her childhood through the high ceilinged, wide verandah residencies occupied by her father as Government Agent in Batticaloa, Kurunegala and Matale. That love affair with architecture crystallized in the early 60s. Disturbed by the destruction of the many beautiful buildings that were being knocked down or remodelled [...]
Here a wall, there a warehouse: Remains of Colombo Fort
The Dutch Fort of Colombo was completed by the end of the 17th century and subjected to modifications over time. When Colombo fell to the British in 1796, the new owners continued to maintain the Dutch fortifications with very few modifications and in 1869 it was decided to demolish the fortifications for the improvement of [...]
The “Flying Dutch monk” who found his spiritual answers in Sri Lanka
If “Monks & Monkeys” is the first coffee-table book written on a Buddhist monk, Bhante Olande Ananda deserves the honours of being its subject. Authored by veteran journalist D.C. Ranatunga, the life story of Bhante Ananda, as narrated by the monk himself, relates the extensive spiritual journey of the young, restless Dutch graduate who was [...]
Sharing the wisdom gained from her clients
Singaporean based guidance counsellor, psychotherapist and career coach, Dinoshi Keiper has for years dealt with clients who feel dissatisfied with their lives. Feelings perhaps most of us have encountered at some time. It was for this reason that Dinoshi decided to pen her experiences in a book titled “Healing the Future” which was launched on [...]
Jessica dishes out her Lankan ties
Draped in a batik saree, Jessica Heath greets invitees with a warm “ayobuwan” welcoming them to the launch of her first cookbook “CEYLOVE: From Sri Lanka with Spice”. The launch was on April 5 at the Kaema Sutra restaurant at Shangri-la, Colombo. Based in the United States, Jessica was born to an American father and [...]
Tribute to Sri Lanka’s unsung heroes in the health sector
Nearly all major achievements in health care in Sri Lanka were made possible by medical administrators, various medical officers working in the field, public health officers, nurses, midwives and other para-medical staff including laboratory staff working under very difficult conditions. We should not forget the medical personnel of the armed forces. The motherland’s gratitude must [...]
Indian Summer brings its burst of flavours to Beruwala
Several Indian restaurants have opened recently along the west coast road from Colombo to Galle, perhaps catering to the Indian tourists who form the majority of visitors to Sri Lanka. While some restaurants have token Indian cooks, they serve uninspiring dishes you wouldn’t want to try again. So it is good to see that a [...]
The legendary Boney M live in Sri Lanka!
Come hear your favourite songs from the past as Boney M performs in Sri Lanka in June. Boney M, featuring Liz Mitchell – the original lead vocalist accompanied by the full 8-piece live band, will be performing in Sri Lanka on June 16 at SLECC. Boney M will be performing all their hits from the [...]
Learning science the fun way
A mixture of hydrogen peroxide, dishwash, potassium iodide, yeast and food colouring creates what Hasanthini Samuel calls “Elephant toothpaste”. Her students watch in amazement as it swirls around the tube – a common reaction at “FunLab” – her innovative way of teaching kids science. Here science is taught in a fun and interesting way to [...]
Abusing animals to amuse humans
Animals are forced to perform, parade, fight and race for human entertainment. For humans, it is fun, a gambling option or a lucrative business. For the animals it is agony. Like us, animals are sentient beings with emotions and an expectation to be free from cruelty, abuse and exploitation. Some argue that getting animals to [...]
Five day Yoga meditation series
“If you do not find peace within, you will not find it anywhere else. The Goal of Life is the attainment of Peace and not the achievement of power, name, fame and wealth.” – Swami Sivananda In today’s stress-inducing world, people often seek alternative forms of healing with the aim of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. [...]
Trilingual conference on craft in Jaffna Uni
An Interdisciplinary and Trilingual Conference on Craft, will be held from May 10–12 at the Department of Fine Arts, Jaffna University Organized by Department of Fine Arts, Jaffna University, American Institute for Lankan Studies (AILS), Colombo, Lanka Decorative Arts (LDA) and the Sri Lanka Archive of Contemporary Art, Architecture & Design, Jaffna, the conveners are [...]
Soundarie pays tribute to Maestro Illayaraja
The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo will present an evening of instrumental music“Celebrating Maestro Illayaraja” by Soundari David Rodrigo & ensemble on April 27 at 6.30 p.m. at the Centre’s auditorium at 16/2 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7. The evening will include Illayaraja’s hits on the piano and other instruments as Soundarie pays tribute to one of [...]