First a jumbo, now a whale makes waves
Shaahima Fahim talks to Nizrana Farook whose second children’s book ‘The Boy Who Met a Whale’ is also making a buzz internationally following her hugely successful debut novel ‘The Girl Who Stole an Elephant’ that opened up a very Sri Lankan setting to children beyond our shores Nizrana Farook, whose debut children’s book ‘The Girl [...]
Prince Philip’s 1956 visit to Moratuwa Church and a right royal remark
Last month saw an outpouring of condolences and remembrances for the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who departed this life at the age of 99 years, after a memorable married life of 73 years, as the Consort to his beloved wife Queen Elizabeth 11. The Royal couple’s links to this island have been well [...]
Letters to the Editor
Travellers to Sri Lanka left confused and helpless No doubt those in power believe that state agencies, especially those regulating foreign travel and COVID-19 protection, are working at a high level to facilitate safe and convenient return for citizens and memorable visits for tourists. But the reality is very disappointing. Travellers are left confused and [...]
Appreciations
A strong, determined personality with a quiet sense of humour Ivy de Fonseka My good friend and batch-mate Ivy de Fonseka nee de Silva passed away peacefully on April 13. Her health had been deteriorating steadily over the past year. In college, Ivy was quiet and studious. She was consistently a high achiever. I really [...]
Battle for Colombo Port- May 1521
The Colombo Port City has become the most discussed topic of the day. Few may remember that exactly 500 years ago an armed conflict to control the port of Colombo took place between the Portuguese and the local forces, which changed the history of the island forever. Although the Portuguese set foot in Sri Lanka [...]
50 voices come together to give voice to better waste practices
Three new documentary short films by Waste Action LK (WALK) highlighting more than 50 voices from across the island, from all walks of life, sharing their example of better waste practices will be released this week. With a particular focus on the reduction of Single Use Plastic, the films are presented under the collective title [...]
Joyfully capturing local experience with all its nuances
Ciara Mandulee Mendis’s collection of short stories, The Red Brick Wall, is refreshing in a literary milieu where we too often get to read about the English speaking- their pseudo-westernized concerns or villagers seen through a passing car window- their lives imagined. This collection’s voice is fresh, crisp, and as Victoria Walker and fellow judges [...]
Maiden exhibition by 2020 Group
The 2020 Group, comprising artists favouring representational art held their maiden exhibition titled ‘Odyssey’ at the Colombo Art Gallery on Stratford Avenue, Colombo 6. Pictured here is the opening on April 24.
EWC creative writing competition: More time to send your entries
The English Writers Collective of Sri Lanka (EWC) has extended the deadline for entries for its annual Creative Writing Competition of literary articles, reviews, short stories of up to 2500 words, and poems not exceeding 32 lines. The closing date is now May 15. More than one entry could be submitted. Entries should not have [...]
Perfect recipe for absorbing novel
What an awesome novel is Aditha Dissanayake’s newest work titled 10.34. It’s her best so far in my opinion. A trove of creativity, cream of beauty for nature lovers, with a dramatic thread in its structure. Thematically it is a revelation of love. Not one that sentimentalizes, but one demandingly spiritual. It comes to light [...]
A fine memoir of a tumultuous era
It took me some time to appreciate Sarath Amunugama’s title of his autobiography. I had never realized how deep rooted was the identification of Kandyan Sinhalese with the kingdom they lost in 1815.This was manifest at the triumph expressed by Sarath’s father at his son’s appointment as the first born and bred Kandyan Government Agent [...]
Prof. Ravindra takes on the murder of a president
“The Assassination of President Premadasa of Sri Lanka” is the latest book by Professor Ravindra Fernando. Political assassinations have occurred down the ages in history. Almost all political assassinations are surrounded by mystery and conspiracy theories. This book describes how President Ranasinghe Premadasa was assassinated by a suicide bomber at the May Day Rally in [...]