Writing about a world he knows all too well
Close without touch. That was the only love permitted, though it was deeply felt among our own. We borrowed idioms and shopped American verses. In our caustic speech we threw out platitudes, in our guts our feisty wit. It was like we lived upon jagged teeth in the dark, in this bone-cold London city. A [...]
Letters to the Editor
One day ID service: Some sent from pillar to post, others not The National Identity Card is an essential document which is required by a Sri Lankan citizen to prove his/her identity when dealing with the authorities. While the authorities have come out with various ways to help the public get their work done efficiently [...]
Appreciations
An unforgettable physician of rare quality Dr. SARATH ABEYAKOON On September 16, last year, my dear friend Sarath passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. He was a vegetarian, teetotaller and did not smoke. He was certainly not overweight and had no family history of heart disease. The shocking news of his passing following a heart attack [...]
It’s the game that matters not the opponent
The only sound breaking the silent concentration of the room was the Scrabble tiles being shaken as you walked into the hall where the Sri Lanka International Open Scrabble Championship (SLIO) was taking place. Held from September 7- 8 at the OZO Hotel Colombo, the competition saw 24 rounds played with 66 competitors, among them [...]
Sri Lankan currency under a different light
UV printing or images that are only visible under Ultra Violet illumination is a security feature on modern currency notes, which most never see. They are seen by bankers and shopkeepers who check currency for authenticity. Even collectors of currency notes, have not paid much attention to these features, which are rarely documented in catalogues. [...]
The last King in a tiny cell? Never
The picture of the “prison cell” in which our last King – Sri Vikrama Rajasinha was purported to have been imprisoned or incarcerated is familiar to Sri Lankan readers. The mystery surrounding this monument was highlighted in the Sunday Times of August 26. Personal records of Henry Marshall as well as other well researched historical [...]
Memory makes us what we are as individuals as well as societies
Professor Sasanka Perera who received both his PhD and Masters in Social Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, is an anthropologist associated with the Colombo University at first and now, with the South Asian University in New Delhi, of which he is Vice President. He is also that rare Sri Lankan academic who [...]
On a 25-year journey with his colourful pen friends
Celebrating 25 years of art with his ballpoint pens, artist Mangala Madanayaka will hold his next exhibition on September 21 and 22 at the Galle Sports Stadium. This will be his 26th show. Recalling that when he started out, there were only four colours available to him, he notes that today with the greater variety [...]
Exhibition by young nature lovers
‘Kin Wild & Young Eye on Nature 2018’- an art and photography exhibition presented by the Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka, will have its official opening on September 21 at 3.30 p.m. at J. D. A. Perera Gallery, Colombo 7, and be open to the public on September 22 and 23. Entrance is free. [...]
All that’s healthy in your own kitchen
‘Kulubadu Rahas’, the latest release from Sagarika Dissanayake, offers an in-depth look at the health and lifestyle benefits of everyday ingredients found in any Sri Lankan home. The book explains in great detail the medicinal values of 23 spices, greens and vegetables commonly found in our kitchens, some of which have been in use since [...]
Fun and laughter as LC’s red and white parade hits Route 66
By 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, Flower Road was filling up and by 2 p.m. all was in place. “Route 66” – as the Ladies’ College Walk 2018 was dubbed was set to take off and notwithstanding the scorching afternoon heat, there was a carnival atmosphere as generations of LCites past and present joined [...]
A sing-along in aid of Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama
‘Memories and Melodies’ – a sing-along show in aid of the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama (Cancer Hospital) will be held on October 6 at Nuga Sevana, BMICH from 7 p.m. onwards. The concert will feature Sohan & the X-periments with Trishell, guest starring Sureshini and Judy and is proudly presented by Symphony (Pvt.) Ltd. The organizers [...]
SURASA home needs a little help to make exhibition, concert a success
The Moratuwa Home for Mentally Retarded Girls now known as SURASA-Moratuwa Special Education School and Home for Girls was founded in 1968, by a few benevolent philanthropists namely H. P. de Mel – MP from Moratuwa, Mrs Ruby de Mel and Dr. L. O. Abeyratne who had a great vision to help girls with disabilities [...]
‘Sing something you love’
“This will be the first step to endless possibilities,” says an elated Kishani Jayasinghe on the upcoming programme of the Colombo Opera Festival which will take place from November 7 – 10. The soprano who made it to the international stage in the world of opera, Kishani is using this platform to make classical music [...]
The many roles of a visionary General
The Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers will release a biography of Deshamanya General Denis Perera, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army with the title “GENERAL DENIS -the Epitome of Leadership”. General Denis Perera, a pioneering and seminal contributor to the expansion and the inculcation and enforcement of high standards in all matters connected [...]
It’s tonight: SOSL’s Pops concert
Tonight’s Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka’s Pops concert features some of our country’s most talented musicians in the fields of both classical and contemporary music. SOSL POPS at the Bishop’s College auditorium at 7 p.m. will shine the spotlight on singers Ashanthi de Alwis, together with Randhir Witana and the choir of the Ashanthi School [...]
Manige Theeruwa columns now out as a book
The newly released book Manige Theeruwa 3 brings within one volume all the editions of the popular Sinhala newspaper column Manige Theeruwa that appeared from 2002 to 2018. The column, by Sundara Nihathamani de Mel, which has been running for almost 30 years, was the first Sinhala column to incorporate live characters into the narrative. [...]
A 30-year feat of music for the children and their fans
Country Roads is back this year for its 30th anniversary concert, making it South Asia’s longest running concert series for children. This year’s show on Saturday, October 20, at the Mount Lavinia Hotel promises an exciting line-up of performers and a pledge to smash through another donation record for the benefit of children. On its [...]
Bollywood songstress wins hearts with an enthralling performance
It was indeed a mesmerizing night for Sri Lankan Bollywood enthusiasts, where their musical dreams came to life with the melodious voice of the singing diva, Shreya Ghoshal. Fans gathering at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on September 8, were all agog, waiting to be engulfed in a memorable vocal extravaganza performed by India’s most celebrated [...]
King of the Mambo to rock Colombo
The sultry sounds of South America will come alive in Colombo with the opening of ‘King of the Mambo’ at the Galle Face Hotel next month. Launched in partnership with Dubai-based management company Infini Concepts, the Latino lounge-restaurant concept will be styled in 50s décor and introduce classic cocktails, creative culinary specialities inviting guests to [...]
Still generating great interest in literature
The 61st State Literary Awards ceremony held at the BMICH last Sunday well reflected the positive development of interest in literature with 45 carrying away awards which symbolised the highest recognition at national level for excellence in literature. The 45 winners, a graduation from last year’s 42, who won for the best literary works with [...]
Leading conservationist to speak on threat to our biodiversity at this month’s WNPS lecture
The monthly lecture of the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society on September 20, at 6 p.m. at the Jasmine Hall of the BMICH will be delivered by Dr. Eric Wikramanayake on ‘Sri Lanka’s biodiversity conservation at crossroads’. Dr. Wikramanayake is a Conservation Biologist with over 25 years of experience throughout Asia, working on landscape-scale spatial [...]
A plea for donations for urgent medical care to regain sight in left eye
W. A. Nuwan Prasad, 36, suffering from severe corneal damage, needs to receive medical care in Chennai, India immediately if he is to regain sight in his left eye. He was the victim of an acid attack in 2004, and regained sight of the left eye after a surgery in 2006. However the sight began [...]
Shehan needs a kidney for transplant surgery urgently
Shehan Mathiasz (25), of E 199, 24th Lane, Isurupura, Malabe has been diagnosed with End Stage Renal disease. Dr. Surjit Somiah, Consultant Nephrologist of Lanka Hospitals, has recommended an urgent Renal Transplant surgery to be performed. Shehan’s mother Sriyani Bulathsinhala requests any kind donor willing to donate a kidney of A Positive, A Negative, O [...]
A book on tour guidance launched
A new book on Tour Guidance by U.P.S. Pathirana, former Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and lecturer in tourism was launched recently. Here, the author is seen presenting the first copy of the book to the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism, Kavan Ratnayake in his office.
Dr. Randenikumara to talk on archaelogical excavations
A lecture on the ‘Food habits of ancient humans in Sri Lanka – archaeological evidence’ will be delivered by Dr. Sankha Randenikumara at 5.30 p.m. tomorrow (September 17) at the Maths Department Auditorium of the Colombo University Main Building (upstairs). The lecture is organized by the Sri Lanka Natural History Society. Dr. Randenikumara is a [...]
Potable water for primary school
The German Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (GAASL) donated Rs. 475,000 to the Gammadde Programme for a project which will provide 160 students attending the Matara Paragala Primary School with clean drinking water. Currently the children depend on surface water and water from a nearby stream for drinking water, both sources of which are not [...]
‘A Healthy You’: GFS holds free health seminar
The Girls Friendly Society will hold a free health awareness seminar titled ‘A Healthy You’ on Saturday, September 22 at 10 a.m. at the GFS Hall, 58, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 3. The programme which is being held to create awareness on surviving cancer will be addressed by Dr. Cynthia Jayasuriya, ENT Specialist and Dr. [...]
Cancer victim needs a helping hand
C. Jayaweera of Polwatta, Weligama is suffering from cancer of the bladder and is currently warded at Maharagama Cancer Hospital. She is the mother of two school-going children. As her husband has no permanent job, the family is seeking the help of kind donors to continue her treatment. Any donation could be sent to Savings [...]