The aftermath of the devastating tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004 is etched in the collective memory of the country as one of the bleakest times the country has witnessed in recent history.
It has also become an incident around which many stories have come to be woven, that help keep alive the memory of those who fell victim to the disaster and remind us that amidst the acts of goodness and heroism we witnessed, there was also an ugly side to the way in which the victims of the tragedy had to face many forms of exploitation.
"Poseidon's Wrath", is a novel by Lucky de Chickera which revolves around a fishing family in the southern coastal belt who are caught up in the tsunami whose lives are forever changed within a few minutes on that Sunday morning. The book also deals with the unscrupulous elements that moved in quickly to exploit people when they were at their weakest.
Lucky de Chickera has chosen to set the story and pay particular attention to his hometown of Hikkaduwa and its hinterland Narigama and the impact the tsunami had on the area and the Southern coastal region in general.
"Poseidon's Wrath" looks at the role that international drug peddlers and flesh traders who moved in quickly to capitalize on the human tragedy played while a weak and inadequate official machinery tried but failed to do very much to arrest such exploitation.
No story on the tsunami can be entirely fictional given the fact that most Sri Lankans witnessed the unfolding human tragedy that dark December, even if not physically present but via television. The author has hence drawn from incidents such as the Peraliya train disaster and how the hospitals had to deal with the mounting body count as the real extent of the tsunami became clearer in the hours and days after it had struck.
In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the God of the Sea, whose anger can turn the seas violent, trigger earth quakes and volcanoes and hence "Poseidon's Wrath" is a fitting title to a novel based on a real incident where the sea God showed little mercy to the dwellers on the earth.
It's the second novel by Lucky de Chickera, the first being the "Tigress of Kilinochchi "which has been well received.
Poseidon's Wrath was launched recently and is now available at most leading book stores and with the author at lucky.eldece.dechickera@gmail.com.
Don’t miss today’s DBU sale
The DBU will be transformed into a marketplace for literally everything. A veritable pot-pourri of merchandise will be on offer today - from plants to penholders and from art to underwear.
Additionally (and traditionally!) the DBU Sale will feature the full complement of delicious, well-loved home-made Burgher food - lompris, love cake, broeder, foguetti, a wide range of Dutch and Portuguese sweets and savouries, milk wine, ginger beer and a whole lot more.
Moratuwa Cancer Society Christmas party
The Sri Lanka Cancer Society, Moratuwa will hold its Christmas party for the cancer patients registered with the society, today, December 5 at the Lagoon View Hall, Moratuwa. The Society supports 60 patients, giving them a grant of Rs 750 a month.
Magician Priyantha Gamage and musician Clinton Gunawardena will provide the entertainment. The Society request the public to send in any donations towards this worthy cause of helping them in their mission. All cheques should be drawn in favour of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society. For more information contact tel: 011- 2647391. The society is based at No. 4, Mendis Avenue, Idama, Moratuwa.
Christmas carols
The familiar strains of Christmas carols and vibrant decorations herald the festive season of Christmas. Undaunted by the inclement weather, many are making preparations to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. In keeping with tradition and the spirit of Christmas, carol services have been organized by schools and churches throughout the month.
Here is a quick guide to some of the carol services for those who enjoy a time of inspiring and enjoyable Christmas music! Entrance will be free of charge except where indicated.
December 5 - St Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia carol service at the college chapel at 6 p.m
December 8 - Methodist College carol service at the Kollupitiya Methodist Church at 6 p.m
December 8 - Bishop's College carol service at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Polwatte (Kollupitiya) at 6 p.m
December 8 - Carol service organized by St. Anthony's College, Kandy, at 9 a.m at the college main hall
December 9 - Ladies' College, Colombo 7 carol service at the school chapel at 6.30 p.m
December 9 - Carol Service by Stafford International School at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Colombo 7 at 6 p.m
December 11- Family Christmas concert by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, at 7.30 p.m at the Ladies' College hall. Tickets can be purchased at Titus Stores, Liberty Plaza, from November 22
December 12 - Carol service of St. Peter's College, Colombo 4 at the college hall at 6.30 p.m
December 13 - St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo 7 carol service at 5 p.m in the school auditorium
December 19 - Carol Service at St. Paul's Church Milagiriya, Church Hall at 6 p.m
December 19 and 20 - The Colombo Gospel Tabernacle 'Capturing the moment'-A Christmas worship festival at 6 p.m on both days. Entrance by ticket (free of charge). Tickets available from the December 12- contact 011-2581787 or 011-2363662
December 19 - Carol service at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, 368 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo-7 at 6 p.m
December 21 - Carol service at the Christ Church Galle Face, at 6 p.m
December 24 - The Kollupitiya Methodist Church carol presents 'Gift' at the Church Hall at 6 p.m
December 24 - Carol service at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Polwatte (Kollupitiya) at 6 p.m at the church premises.
December 24 - Carol service at All Saints Church Borella at 11 p.m (followed by midnight mass)
Await exciting music at the Electric Peacock Festival
From December 17 to 19, the best talent from the UK, US and Maldives will perform on the beaches of Negombo. The scene is set for the Electric Peacock Festival, a musical spectacular that will bring the best of the global music festival scene to Sri Lanka for the first time.
The festival line-up will feature a number of artists from a variety of genres including Roger Sanchez, the world renowned, Grammy Award winning Superstar DJ and party icon; The Duke Spirit, a London-based rock sensation; Covert Boom, a breakbeat/hip hop/indie group from Hereford, UK; and Fasylive, a progressive rock/metal band from the Maldives; as well as many more.
There will be additional activities and attractions that will feature throughout. These will including kite-surfing, installation art, karaoke, face-painting and much more.
In addition, it's not just about having fun, the Electric Peacock Festival is supporting worthy causes. Speaking at a news conference at Colombo's trendiest night club Amuseum, at the Galle Face Hotel, Festival Director Tasha Marikkar said that the event aims to raise funds for two exemplary charities; the Grassroots Foundation, which does work towards alleviating poverty in rural areas of Sri Lanka, and the Sunshine Charity, which runs a day-care centre in Trincomalee for children affected by the Tsunami and the war.
"The Electric Peacock Festival is part of our greater vision, so we are really excited to have such an amazing line up of DJs and bands playing, helping us to create awareness about great music while also benefiting charitable causes.
As you can see even Amuseum, the venue for the press conference to announce the launch the festival, was carefully selected, so that we could give everyone a taste of the quality that is to come," says Tasha.
Concert to mark Intl Day of the Disabled
An entertaining day of dance, drama and song will unfold at the S.de S. Jayasinghe Memorial Hall, Dehiwela tomorrow from 1p.m. to 6 p.m. The performing arts competition 'Sahan Eliya' (Light of Dawn) is organized by the Ceylon Association for the Mentally Retarded (CAMR) for the fourth consecutive year and will see the participation of some 400 youth from some 27 homes across the island.
The competition is being held to mark the International Day of the Disabled on December 3.
The chief guest for the event will be Senior Deputy General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon Ms. W.A. Nalini and the guest of honour Prof. Manouri Senanyake. Tickets priced at Rs 500, 200 and 100 can be purchased at the entrance.
Each home will present an item and cash prizes will be awarded.
Best student award
Prasad Senaka Luke Jayasekera won the Best Student award (gold medal) for the Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (Sri Lanka) 2010 at the recent Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing awards ceremony.
Director Health Services Southern Province
Deputy Hospital Director, Karapiitya Dr. Hemachandra Edirimanne assumed duties on Nov:19 as Director of Health Services, Southern Province.
He has held several senior posts as DMO, MOH and Regional Director of Health Services, Galle and Deputy Director Karapitiya Hospital before his appointment as Southern Province Director of Health Services. During his tenure as Regional Director of Health Services in Galle, the region won third place in the Health Excellence award for the year 2007 and 2008.
Lanka Health Promotion Day to mark Diabetes Day
Diabetes is claiming victims at an alarming rate in Sri Lanka and throughout the world. One in five persons over the age of 20 in Sri Lanka, are inflicted with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
As part of the events organized to commemorate World Diabetes Day which fell on November 14, the NIROGI Lanka project of the Sri Lanka Medical Association held the NIROGI Lanka Health Promotion Day on November 9, 2010. The venue for the event was the Folk Art Theatre, Jana Kala Kendraya, Battaramulla.
The NIROGI Lanka project focuses on enhancing diabetic care and its delivery. The target groups are the public, persons suffering from Diabetes Mellitus and those at risk of Diabetes, with special emphasis on the lower socio-economic groups in Colombo and the suburban sector.
The primary goal of the health promotion aspect is to empower the society through activities that would inspire both community and family participation.
Over the past year various projects had been aimed at the Kotte and Kolonnawa Ministry of Health areas, working with over 50 communities, in order to create awareness about diabetes and other Non-communicable diseases.
The project has reached out to approximately 1500 people from these regions, enlightening them on areas such as health awareness and sustained health promotion.
On November 9, the activities and results of these projects were to be presented. It is believed that this presentation will enable the effective planning of ways to strive against Diabetes and other Non-communicable diseases.
Furthermore, necessary information to educate and encourage the public to achieve a wholesome and disease-free lifestyle was also imparted.
Meanwhile 'Walk for Life' - a walk on November 14, 2010 - was organized by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The walk was followed by a Stakeholder meeting and Exhibition at the BMICH. Free health screening facilities, free dietary, foot care and exercise advice and much more were offered to the participants of the walk. |
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