Lanka’s friend in need and deed
J.R. Jayewardene entertaining guests on the lawn of the President’s House once asked British MP Michael Morris if he smoked. When he replied no, the President inquired if his father did. Receiving a positive answer he presented Morris with a box of Cuban cigars, saying that President Fidel Castro regularly sent them to him. Back [...]
Letters to the Editor
Make every day a dengue day I have been a doctor working in Sri Lanka for more than 55 years. In the old days there were major epidemics of smallpox, malaria and polio. Despite not having all the facilities that the present generation has – like transport, communication and modern technology, these illnesses were totally [...]
Appreciations
From student days to specialist, he was an inspiration to all Carlo Fonseka We met in a school in Negombo for the first time not being aware that we were related by marriage. This was a time when English reigned supreme. Not coming from an English speaking family and equipped with only a little fluency [...]
The Fort of many colours
“Ma Dakina Galu Kotuwa” (The Galle Fort I See), the 28th solo art exhibition by ballpoint artist Mangala Madanayaka will be held from September 25 to 29 at the Maritime Archaeology Museum, Galle Fort from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition is organised by the Central Cultural Fund in cooperation with the Maritime Archaeology [...]
The Soup Bowl: More than just a wholesome meal
Every Friday between noon and 1 p.m., some125 people wait in line for a meal at Scott Hall next to the Kollupitiya Methodist Church. The lunch they are served is provided to them each week by the Soup Bowl, a charitable organisation that focuses on helping needy elders, children, the homeless and the underprivileged. Started [...]
First steps in building a legacy for his siblings
It’s been 15 days since David Linsey arrived in Sri Lanka. In that time he has met the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health; he has shaken hands with Father Jude at St. Anthony’s Church, sought funding and allies among the business community, and sat at a round table with doctors representing [...]
A sparkle of help for the Blue Whale
A limited collection of delicate sapphire encrusted whale pendants titled ‘Love for the Blue Whale’ were released on September 5 by Colombo Jewellery Stores in partnership with Dr. Asha De Vos alongside Oceanswell to commemorate their joint commitment to making a positive impact on Sri Lanka’s marine conservation efforts. “Basically we launched this partnership in [...]
Coming back home with a song in their heart
It feels like coming home, says a beaming Mrs Maheshini Perera, founder of the Conchord Choir which arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday to a warm and traditional welcome at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel. The choir, made of Sri Lankans of all races and faiths now living in Australia will perform a series of concerts [...]
Link between China’s Kizil Rock-Cut Cave Temple and Buddhist art here
The National Trust – Sri Lanka lecture on Thursday, September 26 will be on “Buddhist art of the Silk Road with special reference to Kizil rock-cut cave temple in Xinjiang province of China”. The lecture will be delivered by Bindu Urugodawatte at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 [...]
Dr. Pilapitiya on ‘Social behaviour of elephants’
A lecture on the ‘Social behaviour of elephants’ will be delivered by Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya on Monday, September 23, at 6.30 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA), 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 7. The lecture is organized by the Sri Lanka Natural History Society. Dr. Pilapitiya has been the [...]
WNPS lecture on HEC in Kandy
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society will hold its first regional public lecture in Kandy on September 28 at Hotel Suisse from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. The lecture by Dr Sumith Pilapitiya on “Human elephant conflict management” is open to all. The documentary film “The great elephant gathering of Asia” by Dilum Alagiyawanna will [...]
Here’s your chance to support Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation
It’s that time again, when friends and supporters of the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation help to create awareness of this rapidly increasing disease. Saturday, September 28 is when people join the LAF Walk of 5 kilometres in and around Colombo starting from the Cinnamon Grand’s Angsana Spa Garden. The event has been sponsored over the years [...]
RASSL lecture on “The marvellous Mahatupa”
The Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka (RASSL), monthly public lecture “The marvellous Mahatupa” by Archt. Shereen Amendra will be held on Monday, September 30 at 5 p.m. at the Gamini Dissanayake Auditorium No. 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7. The Mahatupa is a presentation which explores the seemingly modern knowledge of the ancient people of [...]
The council house girl who always saw the bigger world out there
Chatting with Helen Blakeman feels like chatting with one of your closest friends, settled on a comfy couch with a good cup of tea. The award-winning screenwriter and playwright, the British Council invited her to give a Masterclass, aptly titled ‘Female Filmmakers First’ at the Jaffna Film Festival is buzzing from the aftermath of Jaffna [...]
Open the window, and let the wild waft in
Lilamani Ebell knew a wild Nawala, when a great dark green marsh covered the land beyond her backyard, and the animals included the delightfully skipping Black-naped hare and the elusive Fishing cat that padded about at night, a rare feline phantom who never let his presence be known, let alone left a visiting card unless [...]
Unearthing the story of our gems
‘Gems of Sri Lanka,’ the 7th revised edition is a reference book on gems and the gem industry of Sri Lanka. Compiled by D.H.Ariyaratna, consultant gemmologist, the book provides in-depth information for gemmologists, geologists, mineralogists, geographers and general readers. The book is also approved for school libraries by the Ministry of Education. D.H.Ariyaratna started his [...]
Western Musicians Association’s first band leaders conference
More than 40 band leaders and musicians converged on the Bourgainvillea Ballroom at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo last Monday, September 16, for the first band leaders conference of the Western Musicians Association (WMA). Those who were not already registered as members wasted no time in signing up for membership of the Association which was [...]
EWC creative writing competition winners
The English Writers Collective (EWC) of Sri Lanka has announced the winners of the creative writing (short story and poetry) competition 2019. The first prize for poetry was won by Rifadha Cader for “Poetry!”; the second prize goes to Sunila Nanayakkara for “Breadwinners All “ and joint third prize winners are Keerthimathi Wijekulasuriya for “Kottu [...]
Ravana Sithabhilashaya at Punchi Theatre
Ravana Sithabhilashaya – a Musical, will go on the boards at Namel Malini Punchi Theatre on September 28 at 3.30 and 7 p.m. The play is jointly scripted by Professor J. B. Disanayaka and Namel Weeramuni. The latter has directed the play. Music compositions and training are done by two award winning veterans, Jayantha Aravinda [...]
Laughter after all is the best medicine
Colombo is in laughter mode these days and audiences just can’t have enough of it, it seems. The Colombo Comedy Show held at the Hilton Ballroom earlier this month with stand-up comics from the region drew an enthusiastic audience. Organised in aid of the Kids of Street Charity Project Colombo, the show presented by Taprobane [...]
All things Thai once again
Promising a delightful and authentic Thai culinary experience in Colombo, the Thai Food Festival 2019 was launched on September 19 at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo in partnership with the Royal Thai Embassy. The ten-day Thai Food Festival features over 90 Thai dishes from Cinnamon Lakeside’s Thai master chef Bongkot Sabpong in a buffet-style set-up including salads, [...]
Pakistan Defence Day
Pakistan’s Defence Day celebrations were held on September 6 at the Hotel Galadari Colombo.
Top 50 women have their day
Women in Management held their annual Top 50- ‘The Professional & Career Women Awards’ celebrating women achievers in their respective professions at a glittering ceremony held at the Shangri-La Hotel on September 6.