The don who helped Afghan students’ flight to freedom
Just before Afghanistan – a theatre of landmines and terror, again went under Taliban rule in August 2021, Dr. Kamal Ahmad got frantic messages from his students in the beleaguered land of ancient Gandhara. It was not COVID that was any longer the issue, but the imminent coup by the Taliban fighters. Dr. Ahmad’s Afghan [...]
Life in the dark: From bad to worse
Tuesday, March 15: 2 p.m. Watched news coverage of Sri Lankan citizens pouring into Colombo. Amazed at how vehemently dignified people are despite their seething anger. If only our politicians could act thus, as they were remitted to do when voted in. I am hoarse from cheering at the television as citizens openly express their [...]
Letters to the Editor
Squandering dollars and living in Alice in Wonder-land ‘Indian credit lines to set up 14,000 home shops favouring SLPP supporters’ states the headline of the Business Times of March 27. I looked again, in disbelief, and read on…the US $one billion credit line is to be used for this purpose! Are we living in Alice [...]
Appreciations
My beloved Nangi who radiated so much love and joy Nilmani Peiris Our beloved Nangi, Nilmani more affectionately known to many as Nimmi, went to be with the Lord just over a month ago. Although we thought that time will reduce our grief, her loss has created a deep void in our lives and the [...]
Prithipura Home fundraiser at Good Market
A staggering 20 percent of all children in Sri Lanka have some form of mental or physical disability. Despite disability being an ever-increasing problem in the country, it is often regarded as an unapproachable subject. The differently-abled are subject to myths and negative stereotyping that result in parents keeping their child hidden from the world [...]
The story of College House now as a new coffee table book
College House is the oldest university building in this country with historical links to the first University College (1921) and then to the University of Ceylon (1942). It is now the subject of a new coffee table book — ‘College House: The Cradle of Sri Lanka’s University Education’ edited by Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa and Dr. [...]
A journey to success amidst trials
From a Medical Rep to a CEO-by T. Sayandhan “I remember that day I was running a high fever from fear, the fear of death.” Only 11 years old when forced to remain hidden with his family above the ceiling of their home in 1983 as rioters approached, Thiru Sayandhan’s autobiographical “From a Medical Rep [...]
Tamil Women’s Union honours 4 high achievers
The Sri Lanka Tamil Women’s Union honoured four high achievers from different fields as part of their celebrations for International Women’s Day (March 8). Veteran dancer and teacher Deshamanya Vajira Chitrasena, Group CEO, Hemas Holdings Kasturi Chellaraja, Director of Fairway Holdings Rifa Musthapha and the first woman civil engineer to practise in Sri Lanka Vasanthy [...]
EWC invites entries for annual literary competition
The English Writers Collective of Sri Lanka (EWC) invites entries for their annual literary competition of creative prose writing and poetry. Literary articles,reviews, short stories of up to 2500 words and poems of 32 lines or less, are welcome. Two prose entries and not more than five poems could be submitted by a competitor. Entries [...]
Flavours of hummus
Hilton Colombo will be showcasing a variety of hummus at Cafe Kai and Graze Kitchen during the month of Ramadan. In addition to the special break-fast items, seven different flavours of hummus will be introduced to these restaurants for a month from today. An Iftar delivery menu will also be available on the website www.shop.hiltoncolombo1.com
Tea-based sparkling beverage from Raffles
Raffles Consolidated, a leading name in the hospitality and tourism industry for over 20 years recently announced its partnership with Liquid Island Pvt) Ltd. Liquid Island (Pvt) Ltd manufactures and imports premium non-alcoholic beverages. In 2015, the company launched its flagship brand, Olu Tropical Water. They are also the sole agents for Fever Tree and [...]