Balm for body and mind
Two months after the unexpected demise of her beloved brother, Sharadha Manickawasagar decided to enrol in a yoga class. It was a trying time for her family and her. She was feeling depressed and couldn’t focus on anything. But once she started attending her yoga class regularly, things began to change for the better and [...]
Lessons from our kings of yore for a parched land
Centuries before climate change, water harvesting and water management became buzz-words, our ancient monarchs were ‘modern’ enough to see ‘sustainable development’ through their irrigation marvels. The foresight of Kings such as Parakaramabahu, Mahasen, Wasabha and Datusena of the wewubendirajya or the kingdom of tanks is validated today more than ever before. To enable greater food [...]
Letters to the Editor
Can these politicians get away with ‘ignorance is bliss?’ Don Manu in his Sunday Punch (June 10) has given the kind of punch we have all been waiting for someone to give these thick-skinned politicians who are now running the affairs of this country. They do not see right from wrong. The State Minister in [...]
Appreciations
To my heroic cousin who died for his country Captain Theja Mangala Liyanagamage It is 20 years since the passing away of Mangala Liyanagamage, the gallant young soldier who was gunned down by the LTTE on June 8, 1998 in the Kilinochchi jungles when he was only 27 years old. Although two decades have passed [...]
Individual stories entwined in our post independence history
Ever thought that a saree pota (fall of a saree), maalu paan (fish buns), a teacup or a grinding stone could relate to the post-independence trajectory of our island nation? These familiar objects from our day-to-day existence are ‘transformed into deeply meaningful motifs of decisive junctures of the past 70-year journey of our nation’ in [...]
Hitting a celebratory note with an operatic concert
The Embassy for Italy in Sri Lanka hosted “Homage to Great Italian Opera”, as part of what was termed “Italian Week in Sri Lanka”, and presented an evening of musical performance at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre. A generous concert programme featured the Italian conductor Sipari di Pescasseroli and the Italian soprano Silvana Froli, [...]
“Shikhandi – The inner quest”: Dance indeed is the hidden language of the soul
Himanshu Srivastava, a notable Bharatha natyam dancer and painter from Delhi, India, kept the audience spellbound for about 80 minutes during his Bharatha natyam recital at the Indian Cultural Centre, in Colombo on May 7. A highly promising disciple of Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan, he commenced the recital with “Alarippu” followed by “Shikhandi – The inner [...]
A concert of love and tribute
‘The Musical Journey Continues – with love to the late Mary Billimoria’ goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt on Saturday, June 30 at 7 p.m. The performers – Ramya de Livera Perera, Soundarie David Rodrigo, Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu, Ruvini Hapugalle Gunasekera, Shyama Perera and Priyanthika Wickremasinghe are all students of the late [...]
Call for entries begin for the Fairway National Literary Awards
Four years following its inception the Fairway National Literary Awards has secured for itself a leading role on the literary stage of Sri Lanka. The organizing committee is now calling for entries for the Fairway National Literary Awards 2018 from writers of all three languages. All novels in Sinhala, English and Tamil published for the [...]
All set for a weekend trip to the beach
Fashion Week Colombo, presented by Olu Tropical Water, is back this July and will take place at Colombo’s Shangri-La Hotel, showcasing swimwear and resort wear under a responsible fashion theme. This will be the 4th Fashion Week under this edition. To be held from July 4-7, Fashion Week Colombo aims to position Sri Lanka as [...]
Colombo Music Festival promises rocking reggae all night long
Cinnamon Life unveils the Colombo Music Festival 2018 – the biggest music festival ever to hit the island. With its Caribbean Night theme, the Festival will feature the legends of reggae-fusion and dancehall – Diana King, Shaggy, Maxi Priest and Big Mountain, at the Havelock Sports Club Grounds on August 18. The four world famous [...]
A taste of Italy
A premier Italian brand Casa Rinaldi’s products, sauces, pastas and choice cuts of meats were showcased at the Park Street Gourmet earlier this month. Customers were invited to a special preview to sample a delicious array of dishes – Spaghetti in squid ink, Gnocchi with sea bass in orange and lemon sauce and Beef tartare, [...]
Ramadhan: Detoxification of our body and renewal of the spiritual self
“Why do Muslims fast, what’s the purpose of being in a state of hunger, for a month?” For a believer of Islam who carries out the practice habitually, it is quite easy to overlook the significance of fasting. All religions are based on principles. Islam is founded on five such principles – from which branch [...]
Sunrise: A lively read for those golden years
Sunrise, “the magazine for inspired seniors”, was re-launched by the Sunrise Senior Foundation at an event that was graced by present and former leaders from the business, political, education, media and sports communities. The new magazine, catering exclusively to the senior citizen community, is a revamp of the Sunrise that was briefly published in 2016 [...]
Exceptional experiences make this a handbook for all
A biography is a record of an exemplary personage’s deeds and achievements. They basically are categorized as one’s experiences. It encompasses beyond plain facts of “education, work, relationships, and death”. It’s also a record of how one’s failures have been moulded to be successes by courage and determination. Dr. Walter Jayasinghe’s biography compiled and edited [...]
Books, panel discussions, performances; Kandy Book Fair will have it all
A wonderful opportunity awaits the country’s book lovers as Kandy City Centre is ready yet again to host the ‘Kandy Book Fair’, proudly organized by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association.Featuring stalls of bookstores and book publishers from around the island, the event will offer a wide range to choose from with up to 20% [...]