Monastic site that exudes spiritual wisdom
Seruwila in many ways is Sri Lanka’s best kept secret, and, although the temple complex with its impressive 100 feet bubble shaped white stupa wrapped around with red ribbon is not exactly the equivalent of the Pyramids of Giza or the tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, scratch the surface and you [...]
Looking back at Ena’s role in our artistic renaissance
This October marks the hundredth birth anniversary of Ena de Silva, a legendary figure in the revival of arts and crafts in this country. Ena passed away at the age of 92 in 2015 and architects Channa Daswatte and Amila de Mel, who had worked closely with her since the latter part of the ’80s [...]
Dmitri strikes a new note with Sinhala classics
No stranger to Colombo’s music and theatre scene, the very talented Dmitri Gunathilake is venturing into a new sphere for her with “Mathakayan”, a tribute to much loved Sinhala classics, ranging from the golden 70s’ through the more modern eras. Much like the language duality seen in the name of the recital, Dmitri wishes to [...]
The doctor whose legacy altered the medical landscape of then Ceylon
The lives of great men and women leave indelible marks on the pages of history. Dr. Samuel Fisk Green was an inspiring figure whose vision and legacy altered the medical landscape of the island of Ceylon in ways that he may not have fully comprehended at the time. On his 200th birth anniversary on October [...]
Saving Mannar’s haven for migratory birds
‘From Manike to Mary to the Hanuman Plover – to keep the magic of Mannar alive’. This month’s Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) lecture will be delivered by Prof. Sampath Seneviratne, Research Scientist, University of Colombo, on October 20 at 6 p.m at the Jasmine Hall, BMICH. Being one of the southernmost landmasses of [...]
Reel life of ‘Little Bike Lost’ comes alive again
Father Noel Crusz was a presbyter whose name is carved among the most ‘maverick’ clergymen Ceylon has known. In the 1960s, the handsome priest was to obtain a dispensation from the Pope to marry in church his cousin Marie Tirzah Crusz, after leaving the priesthood. He is also known for his 2001 book, The Cocos [...]
Celebrating Prestantia School of Music’s 10-year journey
2022 marks a very musical ten years for the Prestantia School of Music. Founded by Dr Priyeshni Peiris Perera, an alumnus of the Texas Tech University in the USA, with the hope of advancing music education in Sri Lanka, the school’s two choirs have seen notable success. On Saturday, October 15, they will celebrate the [...]
Letters to the Editor
Holding unproductive elections a severe burden for taxpayers The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has declared that arrangements are afoot to hold the ‘Local Govt. (LG) election’ by March/April 2023. He stated that the last LG election held in 2018 produced 8,600 LG members at a cost of Rs.4,000 million and that the [...]
APPRECIATIONS
A life of piety, energy and vision Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar, the tenth custodian of the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (December 15, 1964 – October 9, 2021) was born on January 15, 1929 to Ragunatha Maapaana Mudaliyar IV, (the great great grandson of Ragunatha Maapaana Mudaliyar I, the founder of the present Nallur Kandaswamy [...]