Finally, a home for Paynter’s paintings
Nineteen paintings of one of Sri Lanka’s most distinguished artists David Shillingford Paynter have finally found a fitting home in a permanent gallery at the J.D.A.Perera Gallery at the Faculty of Visual Arts of the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo. The journey of the paintings from the home of the late artist [...]
Letters to the Editor
What has happened to my dear Kandy? To get a true picture of this city one has to walk along its streets as most budget tourists do. Kandy which we all are so proud of needs urgent attention of the authorities to rectify the disgraceful state of certain areas in the city. Born in Kandy [...]
Appreciations
Blessed with humility she made a selfless contribution to society SIVA OBEYESEKERE I count myself very fortunate and privileged to have the opportunity to pay a tribute to Deshamanya Siva Obeyesekere. She was one of our dedicated politicians, who was tireless in helping people in all walks of life. She made a selfless contribution to [...]
Don’t bulldoze our colonial shop houses into oblivion
The last of the Shop House- style buildings in Slave Island is facing demolition. Once the headquarters of the prestigious firm of H.W.Cave & Co which from 1877 was the country’s leading publisher and printer of exquisitely bound antiquarian travel books on Sri Lanka, this remarkable gem of colonial architecture and century-old heritage building on [...]
Cinnamon’s spicy trail fast losing its pungency
It is the pungency of our spices, notably cinnamon which launched many a ship towards this tiny island. Botanically known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum, no part of this tree goes unused. Although southern Sri Lanka today prides itself on this globally prized spice rich in medicinal properties, history has it that even present-day Cinnamon Gardens was [...]
Fun Home: Daring theatre, but a little lacking in character maturity
Sashane Perera has a knack for picking plays that are of importance given the context of where it is being performed. Earlier on in the year, he directed ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ which dealt with themes of suicide and depression which was important when considering how Sri Lanka has a high suicide rate. Similarly with ‘Fun [...]
To Lester who taught me the ABCs of filmmaking
I first met the veteran filmmaker Lester James Peiris in 1978, at the time when his wife, film director Sumitra Peiris’s first film Gehenu Lamai was released. After watching the film several times, I was transfixed by the freshness of the cinematic narrative. I immediately wrote a review on the film titled “Gehenu Lamainey Koheda [...]
Exponent of Bharata natyam and Kathak here
A Bharatha natyam recital by Divya Ravi, an established exponent of two Indian classical dance styles Bharata natyam zand Kathak will be held on May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Indian Cultural Centre auditorium, 16/2 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7. Divya Ravi trained for 20 years under the guidance of Guru Dr. Soundarya Srivathsa. She [...]
Tulips and more at Netherlands Day
Against a backdrop of stunning flower panels the National Day of Netherlands was celebrated in Colombo with a reception hosted by Netherlands Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard at the Trace Export City auditorium in Maradana on April 25.
EU Day celebrations
Europe Day was celebrated in Colombo this week with Ambassador of the European Union Tung-Lai Margue hosting a reception at the Galle Face Hotel.
All aboard: The Senior Station brings weekly adventures
On a bright Tuesday morning just before Avurudu, a group of senior citizens gathers in an air-conditioned hall at the Ladies’ College Institute of Professional Studies, Colombo 3. Dressed in bright Avurudu attire, they are ready to celebrate. The excitement is palpable as they greet each other, full of happy anticipation of the programme ahead. [...]
Why I made the choices I made
Ritsu Nacken, mother of Julius, wife of Peter, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Sri Lanka and Country Director in the Maldives writes on Mother’s Day that falls today Dear Julius, Today is a special day for mothers all over the world. It’s a day where mothers are celebrated and honoured for [...]
Lions Club donates multi-monitor to Apeksha Hospital
It was at a simple ceremony that District Governor of Lions Clubs International District 306B1, Lion Camilus Fernando, handed over a multi-monitor costing more than Rs. 1 million to the Apeksha Hospital (Cancer Hospital) at Maharagama on April 3. The request to help the Apeksha Hospital with this multi-monitor for the Paediatric Unit had come [...]
Wesley OBU to honour outstanding old boys
The Wesley College Old Boys’ Union has instituted the “Double Blue Living Legends” award to confer recognition and honour upon the distinguished old boys who have excelled in their respective professions to national / international acclaim, bringing honour to their ‘alma mater.’ The OBU Colombo is taking steps to make this event a night to [...]
SL Ikebana marks 10 years with ‘Pretty ‘N Pink
The Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter 262 will celebrate its 10th anniversary with ‘Pretty ‘N Pink ‘ – an exciting programme with an exhibition from three schools of Ikebana, a dance and drum recital and a demonstration by floral artist Christopher Lim. Pretty ‘N’Pink will be held on May 20 at the Grand Ballroom of [...]
Talk on wildlife photography and more
A talk on wildlife photography and Sri Lanka as a wildlife travel destination titled ‘In the wilds of Sri Lanka’ by Riaz Cader will be held by the Sri Lanka Natural History Society (SLNHS) in association with the Colombo Natural History Museum on May 21 from 4.45 to 6 p.m. at the Colombo Museum Department [...]