Seeds of unity growing from strength to strength
2009 was a very important year for Sri Lanka. A war which ravaged the country ended. There were celebrations in many parts of the island, but in one home in Thalawathugoda, there were also a lot of other emotions. On seeing the plight of the people in the north of Sri Lanka affected by the [...]
Letters to the Editor
Budget proposals favour only government servants I wish to draw the attention of the President, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and all those who are involved in drafting the Budget proposals for 2019 that ‘all citizens are not Government servants’. A Budget is meant for the whole country; for all the citizens. But our [...]
Appreciations
I have to accept that our memorable time together is complete Roshantha Kulatilake It was February 2, 1973 – the happiest day in our life. A beautiful baby boy was born to Thathi and me at 7.35 a.m. at St. Michael’s Nursing Home in Colombo 3. You started school at Royal College and I remember [...]
Be there when your favourite lit fest turns 10
The Fairway Galle Literary Festival (FGLF) has pranced off the printed page to evolve into something vibrant and dynamic, a colourful celebration not only of the letters but of the whole universe of arts. But there is something that holds the festival together and “that is stories”, says Jill Macdonald who is curator this year, [...]
Asia’s Buddhist animal rights conferences – a first in the region
Around the world, animal rights and animal welfare are gathering momentum – for animals too are sentient beings or non-human persons, increasingly receiving that status not only through laws and judicial determinations, but also through national Constitutions. Many nations host conferences on diverse subjects, sponsored by civil society organisations and by governments, to develop strategies [...]
Nuwan whose plight we highlighted then, now may lose his vision
His saga has not ended. Remember W.A. Nuwan Prasad whom generous readers of the Sunday Times helped to retain the little sight in his left eye. There has been trouble again and by the skin of his teeth he has been able to get his eye attended to. Let’s jog our memories – the Sunday [...]
Drawn to the author’s journey of self-discovery
For a reader aware that the author of this autobiography was a onetime-JVPer, the title, Rebel Meets Liberation, would seem intriguing. Here, then, is someone who professes to have found salvation at the other end of their socialist dream? But no, the 570 something pages of this memoir do not wax lyrical on the key [...]
A little guide to open up interest in local blooms
“A Naturalist’s Guide to the Flowers of Sri Lanka” written and illustrated by co-authors, Gehan de Silva Wijeyratne, Darshani Singhalage and Nadeera Weerasinghe has been released recently. The fourth Naturalist Guide to be published on Sri Lanka by British publishers John Beauufoy Publishing, this book is targeted at “people like me” Gehan is quoted as [...]
Dhatusena-My Son: A book for our times
Mario Perera’s new book ‘Dhatusena-My Son, by Mahathera Mahanama Sthavira’ was released recently. Published here are extracts from the book’s Preface written by Juanita Perera, Ph.D, of the University of Rochester, New York: Even prior to Independence, and especially after the defeat of the LTTE in 2009, opponents of Sinhala – Buddhist Lanka have heavily [...]
A collection of poems from the East
That Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province is a fount of Tamil literature, especially poetry, is no exaggeration. It is against this backdrop that budding poet, M.I. Mohamed Riyal from Maruthamunai in the Eastern Province, has translated his thoughts into English poetry in an attempt to take his creations to the international arena. He says he plans [...]
Highlighting co-existence between communities
‘Springs of Sailan’ by Asiff Hussein, published by the Sailan Muslim Foundation is a compendious work on the Muslim contribution to Sri Lanka. The Muslims have for long lived in peace and harmony with the other communities that have made Sri Lanka their home. Their contribution is not much known due to the dearth of [...]
CMSC makes foray into opera with Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas
The Chamber Music Society of Colombo presents Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, opera in concert, at the Lionel Wendt on Tuesday, October 30 at 7.30 p.m. The female lead Dido will be sung by Sri Lankan soprano Kishani Jayasinghe and male lead Aeneas by British-Australian baritone Grant Doyle, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Chamber [...]
Beethoven’s Eroica and Chopin’s piano Concerto No.2 at SOSL Masterworks
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) will perform Beethoven’s Eroica – aptly named “Heroic,” –after a period of more than 20 years on November 3, at 7 p.m.at the Ladies’ College Hall. One has only to listen to the Eroica to understand its iconic place in the history of symphonic development. Not only is [...]
Four generations of boy bands from Voice.Print
One of Sri Lanka’s most acclaimed vocal-centric acts, Voice.Print, is set to wow audiences with a 2½ hour concert at 6 p.m. the Colombo Viharamahadevi, Amphitheatre on November 4, that pays tribute to the music of boy bands. The concert titled ‘replay’ will showcase the music of boy bands from four generations, from The Temptations [...]
Not just a golfer’s paradise
Every direction you look is breathtaking and scenic, with green pastures of beautifully cut grass and trees all around. The Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Digana sitting pretty on a 500- acre property near the Victoria dam, offers a variety of different activities and unique experiences for visitors. Victoria Golf is known for its [...]
In to Africa
This was going to be our first trip to East Africa. My interest in East Africa commenced due to my hobby of stamp collecting – colourful postage stamps from the British East African Federation comprising the colonies of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. It was nurtured by the stories we used to have as schoolboys of [...]
Coming together to make music and help the children at IDE School
At the IDE School in Rajagyria, children suffering from various mental disorders such as Autism, Downs Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy are taught and guided with loving hands towards being able to function independently in society. The school has a professional staff of trained teachers and visiting therapists under the guidance and supervision of Principal, Kanthi [...]
An exhibition of Kumari’s Jig colouration and others
Today is the last day of a two-day exhibition of Kumari Adikari’s unique artistc creations, that she has termed ‘Jig Colouration’ at the Sakya Gallery, Sama Mawatha, Pelawatte. Her creations made with small pieces of cloth stitched on a grey cloth to form exquisite colour combinations and shades, give the same effect of that of [...]
Catch local designs tonight, the last night of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
The second inaugural Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka that kicked off on Friday October 25 at the Dimo 800 Mercedes-Benz Centre, organised by AOD and their principal sponsor Dimo Mercedes Benz, has its final show tonight. The theme this year was Innovation Island, showcasing designers who break boundaries with their designs. They aim to [...]
It’s time for Oktoberfest at the Hilton
Strap on your lederhosen as Hilton Colombo brings you its 26th annual Oktoberfest celebration from November 1- 10. Every year underneath the colourful canopy and German flag liners, hundreds of people drink brew, eat bratwurst, and dance the chicken dance throughout the night. German-born Executive Chef Robert Mujagic is preparing to cater to more than [...]
Bombay Canteen fever to hit Botanik
In the third instalment of their pop-up dinner series – “Bombay Canteen Takes over Botanik”, Cantaloupe & Co. will be hosting The Bombay Canteen’s executive chef Thomas Zacharias and his team on November 2 and 3. Having made it to the list of the Diner’s Club “World’s 50 best restaurants to look out for”, Bombay [...]
‘Natya Kala Mandhir’ presents “Sri Rama Kavya”- A dance drama on the Ramayana
Reputed dance institution ‘Natya Kala Mandhir’ will present a Dance Drama ‘Sri Rama Kavya’ choreographed and produced by a renowned Bharathanatyam guru Kalasuri Vasugy Jegatheeswaran at the 4th International Ramayana festival in India organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations of India. Well known dance exponents T.K.Thiruchelvam, T.Tharmalingam will perform in this programme along [...]
Special service to remember the departed
A special service to remember all who have gone before us will be held on November 3 at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. The Cathedral Choir will be in attendance, with Blodwen Weeratunga and Neranjan De Silva at the organ. All are welcome.
Morning of fellowship and fun at the Cathedral’s Sunday Family Pola
A morning of fellowship and fun awaits all at the Sunday Family Pola at the premises of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour , 368, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 on November 4 from 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lots of exciting stalls organised by the Cathedral family and others. From a wide variety [...]
Owl and the Pussycat reaches out to aspiring young poets once again!
One of the highlights of the Galle Literary Festival is the Edward Lear Poetry Competition, open to all Sri Lankan citizens between 18 – 30 years of age. This is the third consecutive year it is being held and there are amazing prizes to be won! Entrants must log onto the websitewww.edwardlearprizeforpoetry.com after November 1, [...]
Lal Medawattegedera to talk about the novel at EWC workshop
The English Writers Collective (EWC –formerly known as the English Writers’ Co-operative) will hold a workshop on the novel on Saturday, November 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, 2, Kynsey Terrace, off Kynsey Road, Colombo 7. The workshop will be conducted by Gratiaen Prize winner Lal Medawattegedera [...]
The SLMA’s Rupee Fund launches a photography competition
‘Klick and win’, a photography competition open to all on the theme ‘Children are our future resources’ was launched this week by the Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA) Rupee Fund. Competitors should take a picture using only a smart phone depicting the theme, provide a caption consisting of 15 words or fewer and send their [...]
Dazzling message to save the ocean
Colombo Jewellery Stores celebrated the launch of ‘Ocean Blues’, their new jewellery collection and second major environmental campaign for the brand. The campaign is in partnership with Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organisation Oceanswell, spearheaded by its founder- marine biologist, ocean educator, National Geographic Explorer and pioneer of blue whale research in [...]
Lanka’s polished concrete a hit, says French designer
Internationally acclaimed French designer and architect Philippe Starck was honoured for his contribution to the world of design with an IDF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Indian Design Forum (IDF) held in Colombo earlier this month. Starck who co-founded YOO, one of the most sought after international design companies with property moghul John Hitchcox was [...]