Hooked on ‘digital cocaine’?
Cocaine. It strikes fear in most hearts. Unfortunately, there is a ‘drug’ equally to be feared that is invading our homes, our workplaces and is with us almost everywhere we go. You might even be reading this now with its aid. That new drug is technology. In Sri Lanka last month, American author and teacher [...]
Letters to the Editor
Lessons to learn from current political crisis We must be very careful when taking important decisions. Wrong decisions have caused the current crisis. Before you can make a good decision, you need to think clearly and outline the issues. Deal with your emotions. Do not overload yourself with information. Consider multiple options. Remove yourself from [...]
Appreciations
He excelled as a multi-faceted leader Rajan Yatawara Rajan Yatawara’s first death anniversary fell a few weeks ago -born on 16.06.1946, he departed from this world on 07.11.2017. I was a close associate and key subordinate when he was Managing Director / CEO of Haycarb Limited of the blue chip Hayleys Group. What comes to [...]
Tapping and packaging the goodness of a backyard crop
The delicate, feathery Murunga tree, called the Drumstick Tree because of the knobbly seed pods that festoon it like witches’ fingers, can thrive in the most arid soil, but it is easy not to pick up its quivering bushy frame in a country with a landscape daubed in a million greens. It grows obscurely in [...]
Savouring a cuppa and a view of Kandy
I am seated in a prettily manicured garden as dusk is falling, sipping a cup of fragrant Highland tea and gazing out at the vista of Kandy stretched out below me. Far in the distance, standing out like a beacon, is the floodlit white stupa of the Asgiriya Viharaya. To the right in front of [...]
If all you want for Christmas is Japanese fare; this is the place
’Tis the season to be jolly, and for many of us having a good meal with friends and family is an intrinsic part of the festive cheer. Ikoi-Tei offers a refreshing alternative to the standard heavy holiday fare as they launch their new menu just in time for the season. Located at the bustling Dutch [...]
Business lunch in a box
Located right in the corporate hub of the city, the Kingsbury Hotel is the ideal location for a swift lunch that tastes good or a lunch meeting, quick bite with your friends or even a date. The Kingsbury now offers business lunches at the hotel’s four restaurants – the Ocean, CÉ LA VI, Harbour Court [...]
OZO all set for a Christmas feast
OZO Colombo is ringing in Christmas with their campaign ‘Kisses and Wishes’ starting from Christmas Eve through to Christmas Day. One way in which they are celebrating is with their Christmas Day all-you-can-eat brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s been four years since they launched their Christmas Day Brunch and it has already [...]
Madeleine Thien:Writing about her mixed heritage
Madeleine Thien, though she was born in Canada with English as her mother tongue, was heir to several colourful cultures. Her mother was a Cantonese speaker from Hong Kong while her father is Hakka, ethnic Chinese but born in a part of Malaysia that was once the British protectorate of north Borneo. The couple would [...]
’Tis the time to light up
Red and gold, stars and Santas, yes, the bright lights and baubles are back as the Christmas season comes to the city of Colombo. Many hotels and popular venues switched on their Christmas lights and the festivities that will continue throughout the month began. Our photographers captured these scenes at the Park Street Mews, Galadari [...]
According to Matthew
Director Chandran Ratnam, leading man Alston Koch (top left) and several other prominent personalities attended the premiere of “According to Matthew” at the Regal cinema in Colombo last month.
47th National Day of United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates marked its 47th National Day on December 3 with a reception at the Shangri-La Hotel Ballroom.
HSBC Colombo Fashion Week launches updated website
HSBC Colombo Fashion Week powered by Hi!! recently launched its updated website, keeping up with the revamped focus of its next edition: The Preview. The website – www.colombofashionweek.lk – hosts the official designer applications for those who wish to showcase at the three-day event scheduled to take place in March 2019. Established and aspiring designers [...]
Fairway Lit. awards: No winner in English category
Professor J. B. Disanayaka, the Chief Guest, pointed out that the Fairway National Literary Awards 2018, now in its triumphant fourth year, has moved from Galle Fort to Galle Face- both of them palm-lined, beautifully idyllic colonial settings by the Indian Ocean. The fourth edition held at the Galle Face Hotel last Monday was a [...]
Mamma Mia: Some interesting tidbits
It’s two weeks to the much awaited West End production of MAMMA MIA! and Colombo’s entertainment sphere couldn’t get more exciting! Just when you think, you’ve covered all there is to know about this smash-hit stage play, the magic of ABBA strikes again. Eranga Mendis, an ardent fan of ABBA and Queen has found a [...]
Russian classical duo to entertain audiences
In a month of varied musical offerings, the “Russian Classical Music Duo in Colombo” which takes place on December 18 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7 p.m. features two rising stars in the Russian music scene – Izabella Andriasian and Dmitrii Miachin in an evening that celebrates the rich heritage of Russian classical music. [...]
Mother Sri Lanka marks milestone with leadership camp and products gallery
Mother Sri Lanka celebrated their 10th anniversary with a Youth Leadership and Harmony Ambassador Camp and opened their first ever Sri Lankan products gallery at Battaramulla on November 28. The series of events started with the final award ceremony of Project RUN 2017/18 held at the NSBM Green University auditorium which was the culmination of [...]
Lankan photographers shine at this year’s PSSL competition
From capturing lantern festivals in China, traditional weddings in Romania and cheetahs on the hunt, the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka’s 63rd annual International Competition and Exhibition in Photography showcased a stunning display of special moments captured by the skill of the photographer. The exhibition was ceremonially opened at the China Cultural Centre on November [...]
Klick and Win winners felicitated
The three winners of the ‘Klick and Win Photo Contest’ Zahra Makeen (First Prize of Rs. 25,000), Aaqib Asmone (Second Prize of Rs. 15,000) and Sharban Packeerally (Third Prize of Rs. 10,000) were felicitated at a ceremony held recently. The winning entries were titled ‘Building the future’; ‘Help each other to create a better world [...]
Spice up your Christmas at MA’s Kitchen Gourmet Market
MA’s Kitchen Gourmet Market, the flagship store for MA’s Kitchen is the go-to place for everything related to spice and flavour. Launched in 1986 by husband and wife duo, Mario and Suzette Alwis, MA’s products are enjoyed both locally and internationally especially in Japan. Having provided quality products for over 30 years, the MA’s Kitchen [...]
Commemorating 100th birth anniversary of Asoka Weeraratna
The 100th birth anniversary of Asoka Weeraratna will be commemorated at the Mahaweli Centre, Colombo at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12. Born in Galle, Asoka Weeraratna, played a pioneering role in the dissemination of Buddhism in Germany through the German Dharmaduta Society he founded in 1952. He converted Dr. Paul Dahlke’s Das BuddhistischeHaus in [...]
Ruk Rakaganno 43rd AGM
The 43rd Annual General Meeting of Ruk Rakaganno will be held on Wednesday, December 12 at 3 p.m. at Kithu Sevana(adjoining the Anglican Cathedral on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, ) followed by a lecture presentation at 4.15 on ‘24 hours photographic record of the Sam Popham Arboretum’, by Simon Lazanbutt. The lecture is open to all.
Three Indian artistes to perform here
The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Colombo will present three well known Indian performing artistes in concert this month. A tabla recital by Prof. Mukund Narayan Bhale on December 13 will be followed by Andhra Natyam by Chinmayi Arukula and her guru Kala Ratna Sri Perini Kumar on December 14 at 6 [...]
Lecture on ‘Kitchen Chemistry – Fruits and Herbs for Immunity’
The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Colombo in association with AAYUSH, Sri Lanka and Astanka Yoga Mandir will present a lecture on ‘Kitchen Chemistry – Fruits and Herbs for Immunity’ on Saturday, December 15 from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at the SVCC auditorium, 16/2, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7. Dr Vivian Sathiyaseelan, [...]
EASL holds competition to mark Epilepsy Day
A video/short film competition on epilepsy is being organized by the Epilepsy Association of Sri Lanka (EASL) to mark World Epilepsy Day which falls on February 12, next year (2019). Under the competition now open, with the deadline being December 31, the EASL invites all those interested to create a short film of less than [...]