The Dutch came bearing the Kandyan Royal throne!
An intriguing record substantiated by the Archivist Edmund Reimers at the behest of the Director of the National Museum Joseph Pearson in 1929 was unearthed among the old documents in the National Archives. It is irrefutable proof that the throne of the King of Kandy which occupies pride of place and historical status in our [...]
From apartment in Colombo to resort in the wilderness; the Bawa awards shortlist
The shortlist for the 5th Triennial Geoffrey Bawa Awards for Excellence in Architecture, for 2019/2020, has just been announced. Chosen by a panel of eminent judges comprising Prof. Barry Bergdoll, Meyer Schapiro, Professor of art history in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University; Nadija Tambiah- trustee of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust;Veranjan [...]
Letters to the Editor
Let us put to good use cashew nut shell liquid The whole world is concerned about the economic situation we are entering into in the post pandemic period. We Sri Lankans also should find new ways to boost our economy. There may be many things that are neglected that could be very valuable for the [...]
Appreciations
My amazing mother-the unsung hero Violet Augusta (Siriwardene) Malalgoda Wednesday June 17, was a day of solemn parting from a legend who was a hero in every sense. This was my amazing mother whose quiet contribution to humanity remains known only to those of us who walked beside her. She left a legacy in service [...]
New literary experience as Gratiaen 2019 goes online
The Gratiaen Prize – one of the premier events of the Sri Lankan literary calendar –was experienced this year on a digital platform. We missed the snug shortlist evenings at the British Council library with the literary bonhomie and the crackling atmosphere, the buildup to the suspenseful final crescendo. Another peculiarity of the 2019 Gratiaen [...]
The one that got away – Kesara Ratnavibhushana
Kesara Ratnavibhushana is an artist and photographer, with a practice in Colombo. The son of the architect Anura Ratnavibhushana, he grew up in an environment of famous talents, including the textilist Barbara Sansoni, and Geoffrey Bawa. Arthur C Clarke was the chief guest at his first exhibition. After training in London, where he became the [...]
Farewell Noeline
Well known artist Noeline Fernando passed away this week I first met Noeline as a student at the renowned Melbourne School of Art – a well-known institute at the time where students were taught to enjoy painting and sculpting under the tutelage of the legendary Cora Abraham. Our paths met often thereafter, mostly at art [...]