The dawn of Poson and the significance of Thanthirimale
On Poson Poya we commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka centuries ago. Some historians record that King Ashoka of India after his battle at Kalinga met a young Buddhist prelate and was so impressed by his tranquil demeanour, that he embraced this new doctrine. Keen to spread this to countries in the region, [...]
The arrival of Anubudu Mihindu Himi or the Light of Lanka
The arrival of Mahinda Thera, the son of the Emperor of India, Ashoka, with five other Bhikkhus and a layman, on the Missaka mountain on the full moon day of the month of Poson, 2,265 years ago, marked the greatest event in the long history of this island. In his Pali Literature of Ceylon (pg [...]
Letters to the Editor
If change is to come to our nation it must begin with us, ordinary citizens No one realized early in the morning of Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, that events later would shatter all our lives. Although many of us did not lose a loved one or a friend – the numbness, sense of shock [...]
Appreciations
She showed the way of simplicity, kindness and service to others Susila Samaranayaka Our devoted Ammi, Susila Samaranayaka, passed away at the age of 72 on March 14, 1997 after a brief illness, leaving a tremendous void in our lives especially because both our beloved parents passed away within the short span of one year. [...]
So close yet so far: The broken link between Odisha and Sri Lanka
Can you mark the state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) on a map of India? I can wager that 24 out of 25 Sri Lankans won’t be able to. And yet, there is arguably no other Indian state that has such historical links with Lanka as the State of Odisha. Sri Lankan history is replete with [...]
Unique scholar with a rich yin and yang of cultures
The 26th Gratiaen Prize for creative writing in English, and the H. A. I. Goonetileke Prize for Translation were awarded last Sunday at the BMICH. Prof. Neloufer de Mel, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, toasted a ‘serendipitous’ year which began with The English Patient, the 1992 Booker Prize winner by Michael Ondaatje which triggered [...]
With love from Italy: Music to heal Lanka
The ‘Italy Sri Lanka Charity Concert’ held on June 11 by the Italian Embassy to show their support and solidarity with Sri Lanka after the recent terror attacks featured a line-up of impressive musicians from Italy who performed for a select audience at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo. Internationally renowned violin soloist Gennaro Cardaropoli and [...]
A month of all things French with Spring Festival
The French Spring Festival has returned for its 8th edition with a diverse set of 10 cultural events spanning a month from June 13 to July 14. Organised by the French Embassy and the network of Alliance Française in Sri Lanka, the festival will promote French literature, music, art, cinema and fashion. The Festival was [...]