Pushing boundaries through sport and art
In a small room deep in the recesses of the sprawling Shangri-La Colombo, artist and paralympic champion Gregory Burns is guiding young people to expand their horizons. The ten children he is mentoring are solemnly bent over their canvases, fingers thick with watercolours as they go beyond the familiar parameters, exploring new worlds. Gregory knows [...]
Letters to the Editor
Having faith in the judiciary is of paramount importance In the prevailing political situation, many politicians and citizens have sought judicial intervention on many matters arising out of actions taken by the Executive and on the question of their constitutionality. In this regard many ideas and opinions expressed by politicians, lawyers, civil society activists and [...]
Appreciations
Homage to a true gentleman Joe Karunaratne We appreciate someone through our own eyes and experiences. When that person passes away, we learn more and understand better who he was through the eyes of the world he affected. Joe Karunaratne lived in Colombo and Washington, D.C., spent time in the U.K., and travelled extensively for [...]
Taking to bus stands to drive home the message of sexual harassment
Amidst the hustle of Colombo on a Monday morning with passengers rushing to work and on their daily chores, a group of volunteers gathered for a worthy cause at four main bus stands. Their mission was to raise awareness on some burning social issues that bus travellers face: gender- based violence and sexual harassment on [...]
Next Innings set to bowl you over
Even if you’re not a sports fan and it’s just idle curiosity about the new contender amongst the many popular food and drink havens inside Dutch Hospital that has drawn you in, Next Innings has all the potential to become a new favourite hangout spot. Colombo’s newest sports lounge is the next innings of cricketing [...]
The Hut returns as a music lounge
Back in the 90’s, the Little Hut at the Mount Lavinia Hotel was the spot to celebrate the end of a hectic week. The electric music, retro-vibes and pulsating atmosphere had everyone who was in the know dancing their cares away. Now moving forward to a new era, Mount Lavinia Hotel has handed over the [...]
Carlo Pizzati: Writing while living an idyllic existence in India
Carlo Pizzati has woven himself into the social fabric in Paramankeni, a coastal fishermen’s village south of Chennai, where he has ‘gone native’. Here he lives with his wife Tishani Doshi, the poet, writer and dancer who earned him the pet name of “India’s Italian son-in-law”- a title the Indian newspapers seem to delight in [...]
Jean leads the way in an evening of poetry and music by EWC
Jean Arasanayagam was her “effervescent self, full of ideas popping out, and words that kept bubbling over in a never ending stream….” — to quote EWC chairperson Premini Amerasinghe who later introduced her– as she walked into the ICES auditorium on December 3, heartily greeting those who had arrived already for an evening of prose, [...]
MAMMA MIA: Six reasons not to miss the show
As MAMMA MIA! arrives in Colombo for the very first time, here are six reasons why you shouldn’t miss this theatrical sensation. Tickets for the opening shows on December 22 and 23 are already sold out! MAMMA MIA runs till December 30. 1. First time in South Asia The highly acclaimed West End stage play [...]
Getting to know all about those flitting beauties
Adam’s Peak is known as ‘Samanala Kanda’ (Butterfly Mountain) because large numbers of butterflies fly towards it during the pilgrim season. According to folklore these butterflies fly to pay tribute to the mountain and with the Adam’s Peak season starting next week, this is probably the best time to launch the ‘Field Guide to Butterflies [...]