Amidst the damba trees at Dam Street a school took roots
The school motto ‘Ora Et Labora!’ meaning ‘pray and labour’ was proclaimed proudly throughout the evening in the main hall as the Wesley College fraternity launched their milestone 150th anniversary (March 2024) celebrations this week. Before settling at its current home at Karlshrue Gardens, Borella, Wesley College’s roots were at Dam Street in Pettah where [...]
A botanical treasure trove that grew within the Gardens
A herbarium is where you will find a collection of preserved plant specimens for research on plant life and diversity. These dried specimens are mounted on durable stiff paper sheets, systematically filed and arranged in special cupboards similar to books in a library. Stored separately are tissue materials such as flowers, bulbils, underground parts, e.g., [...]
On a bicycle made for you: Can we go the Dutch way?
The bicycle offers an affordable, comfortable, easy and sustainable way of human mobility for rich and poor alike. As problems related to congestion in the cities in the emerging world continue to grow, investing in facilities for cycling as a clean, healthy alternative to motorbikes and cars can help reduce congestion and pollution. It will [...]
The Walking Dead Syndrome and Depressive Disorder
Early in my career in psychiatry, I met an unusual patient. She was an elderly retired teacher, admitted to our ward, as she refused to eat or drink. She firmly believed that everything she ate leaked into her body, as her gut was all rotted and full of holes. She was in danger of dying [...]
Muhudu Maha Vihara: Where history and mystery still lie buried
From Pottuvil, one heads to Panama to reach the Muhudu Maha Vihara, through the East coast roads that abound with goats, the occasional scuttling mongoose and the dry zone breeziness. The Muhudu Maha Vihara takes you unawares. After 10 kilometres you will reach this land of sand dunes – vast, desolate white sand hills by [...]
Letters to the Editor
The brain drain that will lead to yet another disastrous situation for the country The ongoing massive rush to obtain passports at the Department of Immigration and Emigration reported recently indicates the exodus of our citizens overseas for employment. No wonder. The present parlous and worsening economic, social and political crises as never experienced before, [...]
APPRECIATIONS
Dynamic and much loved chief of Sri Lanka Customs Sarath Jayathilake I saw Subadinghe Arachchilage Christopher Sarath Wijewardena Jayathilake, then Additional Landing Surveyer (Appraising) for the first time on June 3, 1988 during our first training session after recruitment to the Sri Lanka Customs, when he gave a lecture on “Classification of Goods and D [...]
Home bakers: Adapting and still finding joy in what they do
December 2021 was when it began to hit us. It started with dwindling stocks of LP gas and sugar, flour, and milk powder; then came the power cuts and fuel shortages. Now multiple rows of vehicles and unattended empty gas cylinders are everyday sights. All of this has hurt many businesses, including those of the [...]
Self-taught designer with an eye for jewellery
A law student who became the proud founder of the ‘eclectic and whimsical’ brand GAI— self-taught and self-made, Gayanth Karunarathne released his latest Egyptian-inspired jewellery collection mid-June. His journey as a designer only began five – six years ago for Gayanth was a third-year law student following his family’s wishes while working at a retail [...]
Inspired by the Aragalaya: Sankha B’s first music video
My songs are about the harsh realities of life and are meant to open people’s consciousness,” says Sankha Bopearachchie, better known to his fans as Sankha B. Among the many artists who have shown their support for the Aragalaya, Sankha has also been moved to make his contribution “Meh rata mage rata” and “Katadha thiyanneh” [...]
‘Hamlet-Machine’: Be a part of a creative installation at Kandy City Centre
Walk into the third floor of the Kandy City Centre (KCC) today to catch up with the last day of A (Museum) Theatre by Clyde Chabot. This participatory installation, inspired by Heiner Muller’s play ‘Hamlet-Machine’ is a novel and creative concept. Those who visit will get to pick a historical photo from the 20th century [...]
Sade adds new look to CJS
Colombo Jewellery Stores (CJS) has its first youth ambassador collaborating on its newest collection, ‘Sri Lanka – the Sapphire Island’. Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World 2021 Sade Greenwood embodies what CJS envisions for its future – young and energetic with a daring sense of style, a press release from CJS said – the collection [...]