Bringing your own style into your own space
To internationally renowned property entrepreneur John Hitchcox, the founder and Chairman of ‘Yoo’- a residential and hotel design company, a home is the most important place in a person’s life because it represents many different things. That’s just why he aims to create a space that makes you comfortable and content. As he puts it, [...]
Pipe by pipe, key by key, a silent organ comes to life
It would have been a very special day at the Wolvendhaal Church in Colombo when, over a century ago, the faithful gathered for prayers and heard for the first time the notes emanating from the newly installed pipe organ. Placed on the organ loft, the instrument with its 336 pipes and six different stops brought [...]
Letters to the Editor
Look into the chaotic passport system at the Dept. of Immigration My passport which was valid for 10 years had only a few months more of validity, so I applied for a new passport. After waiting about three weeks and not receiving it, I tried calling the Department to find out what was happening, but [...]
Appreciations
The loving and simple man behind the great legal mind Shibly Aziz It’s a week since I lost my father-in-law. A week since he said, ‘Hi Azhara, what’s your plan today?” - a typical thing for him to say. A week since I kissed him on his forehead and said, “I will see you tomorrow.” [...]
George Keyt to star in Sotheby’s London sale
Three important works by George Keyt (1901-1993), one of the founding fathers of Sri Lankan Modernism will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s London sale of Modern and Contemporary South Asian art next week. Ishrat Kanga, Head of Sotheby’s London Sale of Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, said: “The influence of the western avant-garde [...]
Kalattawa murder: Our picture prompts a reporter’s tale
It was all about the photograph that appeared in the PLUS of the Sunday Times of October 7 in the piece on the Kalattawa double murder headlined ‘Enter two saronged johnnies’. “I too am in the photograph taken in Anuradhapura in the late 1960s,” said the caller who telephoned the Sunday Times. He was not [...]
Hats off, although it didn’t always hit the mark
The stats are enough to make anyone say, ‘But how did they do that??’ Using 10 directors, six musical directors and six choreographers, the Workshop Players managed to co-ordinate a cast of 200 and perform excerpts from 26 musicals over the span of six shows. It’s a daunting thing to do, but the Players took [...]
Ravana Sithabhilashaya on stage once again
Namel Weeramuni’s Ravana Sithabhilashaya which opened to much interest and acclaim will go on the boards again on October 23 at 7 p.m. at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre. The play, an innovative interpretation of the Ravana legend, a traditionally metaphoric musicalized rendition is collaboratively scripted by Emeritus Professor J. B. Disanayaka and Namel Weeramuni, [...]
Tanya’s second solo album launched worldwide
Internationally acclaimed British-Sri Lankan composer/pianist Tanya Ekanayaka’s second solo album (of her works for solo piano) was launched worldwide by Naxos Records (Grand Piano) in September. The album, titled ‘Twelve Piano Prisms’ was performed and produced by Tanya. The 12 prisms in this album evolved between 2016 and 2017 and correspond to the twelve primary [...]
Speak to us, not about us
Sarah Kabir trips nimbly down her unpolished wooden staircase to meet us. Looking up I see a petite young woman with elfin looks who gives off an air of mature calmness and assurance. It is easy to see her brave the hinterlands of the Vanni, and to see the victims of the war opening up [...]
SOSL to perform Beethoven’s favourite Symphony
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) will perform Beethoven’s ‘Heroic’ Symphony when they presents their Masterworks concert on November 3 at the Ladies’ College hall, under the baton of dynamic resident conductor, Dushyanthi Perera. The performance is dedicated to Dr. Earle de Fonseka who was the conductor of the SOSL from 1960 to 2000. [...]
A.N.S. Kulasinghe Memorial Lecture
The Deshabandu Vidya Jyothi Eng (Dr) A.N.S. Kulasinghe Memorial Lecture will be held on Friday, October 26, at 5. 15 p.m. at the Wimalasurendra Auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, 120/15, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. The lecture titled ‘The Exceptional Engineer’ will be delivered by Eng. U.S. Karunaratne, CEO, Central Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd.
National Trust lecture: Ludowyk and the University of Ceylon’s early years
In preparation for his original lecture on Professor E.F.C. Ludowyke given at Peradeniya early this year, Tissa Jayatilaka read widely about Professor Ludowyk and his contribution as an academic and citizen. He was struck by how few seemed aware of Ludowyk’s significant contribution to the country as a whole. The majority know only of his [...]
Celebrating life’s joys through her paintings
Abigail Schaffter’s first solo-art exhibition, “Reflections” will be held on October 27 and 28 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery with the best of her paintings collected since she began painting last year. Using oil, acrylic, watercolours, soft pastels and inks, the paintings trace Abigail’s journey and the lessons she has learnt. “Reflections” she says, [...]
The Choir of St Francis of Assisi presents a worship experience
The Choir of St Francis of Assisi will present ‘Honoured, Glorified, Exalted!’ – a soul-stirring worship experience on Wednesday, October 24 (poya day) at 5 p.m. at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 80, Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia. With arrangements by Jay Rouse and devotions by Randy Vader, this worship experience includes a variety [...]
TEDxColombo 2018 presents The story of I, You, We
TEDxColombo 2018: The story of I, You, We will be held on October 28 at 3 p.m. at Nelum Pokuna. The theme is focused on sparking an actionable understanding of identity and how it can be used as a tool for building empathy, trust and solidarity within and across cultures. Starting at the root of [...]
Africa’s wilds beckon
A photographer of rare sensitivity, his stunning images of this country’s fauna and flora are well known. Yet throughout his career, first associated with Studio Times and that legend Nihal Fernando and later striking out on his own, Luxshman Nadaraja has essentially steered clear of the limelight, save for when an exhibition or the release [...]
Fresh and spicy, Oporto comes to CC
Australia’s much loved fresh- grilled chicken and burger franchise Oporto, is here in Colombo, opening its doors to Sri Lankan fast food fans. Being a Portuguese themed ‘dine –in’ and ‘take-away’ restaurant, Oporto is popular for its very own Portuguese style chicken and burger recipes. The brand name Oporto coming from Porto, a Portuguese city [...]
A taste of Thailand’s rich culinary heritage
Cinnamon Lakeside’s Thai Food Festival showcasing the best of Thai cuisine, complete with food, décor and music, is on till October 28 at the Royal Thai restaurant and terrace, overlooking the pool and Beira Lake. Offering an extensive spread featuring some of the most popular dishes from the different regions of Thailand for just Rs. [...]
Vap Poya: Signifying the start to the Katina Pinkama
From the earliest years of the Gautama Buddha, the Sangha traversed the face of the earth, through terrains others had not trod before, meeting people and preaching them the Buddha’s teachings. With the Buddha having said “Go forth O monks for the good of many….,” the Sangha, who had renounced the world as disciples of [...]