A 'salpila' of books on Sri Lanka

Interest in books on Sri Lanka has increased in recent years. A large number of new publications are now in bookstalls while reprints of early publications have also been made available. Several local publishers have taken the initiative in locating these early titles and getting them reprinted. The interest among foreign publishers is most encouraging.

Visidunu Publishers who have an impressive record of reprinting early publications have now gone one step further. When I walked into their newly opened bookshop in Nugegoda (its name is 'Kiyavana Nuvana') I was pleasantly surprised to see a fine collection of old and new publications on Sri Lanka. To mark the opening of the bookshop, a 'salpila' is now on, offering the customer attractive discounts on them.

The collection is an impressive one. The books cover a wide range of themes including natural beauty, biodiversity, folk culture, history, cultural heritage, fine arts, politics and sociological issues. The titles are in both English and Sinhala. They are from a wide group of publishers - Sooriya, Thisara, Vijitha Yapa, Gunasena, Godage and Visidunu. Possibly it's the first time that all of them are displayed under a single roof. A boon to the reader!

A rather unusual aspect is the availability of a selection of early publications by the Museums Department, Cultural Department and the Archeological Department. Professor Senerat Paranavitana's writings on inscriptions of Ceylon and Sigiri Graffiti are among these. Cultural Triangle publications as well as those by the Archives Department will also be made available soon.

Also on display are a limited collection of paintings featuring indigenous fauna and flora by four artists - Karunasiri Wijesinghe, Lester Perera, Tharanga Herath and Jagath Gunawardena.

Gevindu Kumaratunga , the brains behind the venture, is keen to create awareness of the

rich collection of books on Sri Lanka and to build up a readership who would appreciate the country's heritage.

Ajahn's Brahm's talks on VCDs

The recent visit of Ajahn Brahmavamso from Australia created a lot of excitement among people of all faiths. Being such a pleasing personality and a great meditation teacher, enthusiastic crowds turned up in numbers wherever he delivered Dhamma talks.

Ajahn Brahm's Dhamma talks as well as recorded question & answer sessions at the four- day meditation retreat he conducted, are now available in VCDs produced by Dharmavahini Foundation, a non-profit making organisation involved in the propagation of the Dhamma.

The VCDs can be purchased at several outlets in and around Colombo including the Narada Centre Bookshop, Sambodhi Vihara, Nedimale Cultural Centre & its branches and the Dharmavahini Foundation office at Kohuwala Road, Nugegoda.

Dhamma talks delivered by Ajahn Brahm at the Sambodhi Vihara, Gangarama Vihara, Maharagama Dharmayatanaya, BMICH, Nauyana Meditation Centre and at Kalutara Bodhi are available on VCD format in addition to the Q & A sessions.