The bridge her grandfather built
Framed within the tunnel, its appearance is first heralded by two long and loud toots, while in reply there are two whistles from the ground. As the blue train from Colombo to Badulla rumbles along at 3.20 in the afternoon, navigating Demodara’s curvy nine-arch bridge, many on the train and the ground gaze in wonder [...]
Letters to the Editor
Time to stop cronies from mouthing useless rhetoric at political rallies Politicians’ mouthpieces, please know that we, the general public are sick and tired of your vociferous, loud-mouthed blabber and rhetoric through diverse radio channels and television broadcasting stations. Further, we are forced to see these outpourings in the newspapers. What madness is this? The [...]
Appreciations
Demise of a ‘colourful’ cousin that leaves a huge void in our lives Dr. R.K. de Silva When I heard the sad news that Raj aiya had passed away, I thought to myself ‘there goes another of my favourite cousins’. He was just days short of his 88th birthday. As the senior elder of my [...]
Tracking the effects of networked protests
Zeynep Tufecki is no stranger to protests. The 90s found the Turkish social scientist in Chiapas, watching as the Zapatistas clashed with the Mexican state; in 2011, she was in Tahrir Square in time for the revolution; that same year found her in lower Manhattan for Occupy Wall Street, where the 99% gathered to demand [...]
A healing musical journey together
There’s a poignant story behind the concert this weekend at ‘The Lighthouse’- the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies. “Those were the Days” presented by Mary Anne David and Mark Thrimawithana sees the renowned music teacher and her former pupil perform together in a concert that was scheduled to be held only [...]
A show that made you want to put on your boogie shoes
Exhilarating and breathtaking till the very last second, Grace and Glory presented by Naomi Rajaratnam was met with a standing ovation as it dominated the stage at Bishop’s College Auditorium last weekend. Naomi once again proved herself to be the powerhouse of dancing expertise she has always been by keeping the show vibrant and current. [...]
Pops concert by the National Unity Orchestra and the Brothers two
The National Unity Orchestra will join the DLB Squared Band and the De Lanerolle Brothers who need no introduction, for a Pops Concert at the BMICH on September 2. The show is directed by Shobi Perera for the fifth year in succession. This year the spotlight falls on the National Unity Orchestra- the brainchild of [...]