The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) held an official ceremony to unveil the portrait of one of its illustrious former Presidents, Daya Perera, PC. A large number of members were present.
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| Present president W.T. Ellawala unveils the
photograph of Daya Perera |
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| Members of SSC who participated in the ceremony.
Pix by Mangala Weerasekera |
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| W.T. Ellawala (Present President SSC), addressing the gathering. L to R- W.T. Ellawala (Present President SSC), Ranjith Pandithage (Vice President), Daya Perera , Dr. L.S. Attygala (Trustee SSC), Sudeesha Perera (grandson of Daya Perera) and T.S. De Silva(Trustee-SSC) |
JWT gives modern message through Vesak pandal
By Dhananjani Silva
The illuminated panels of this Vesak thorana (pandal) will not carry scenes from Jathaka tales depicting the life of Gautama Buddha. Instead they will carry a timely message which is very much in line with the teachings of the Buddha.
You would see visuals not of Angulimala or Patachara but scenes of how mothers, sisters, wives and daughters are subjected to abuse and violence, contrary to Buddhist doctrines that women should be respected.
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| Tissa puts finishing touches to the pandal. Pix by Saman Kariyawasam |
This is the novel concept that leading advertising firm JWT has come up with for a Vesak thorana to be set up at the Gangaramaya Vesak zone with the important message of ending gender-based violence. The thorana erected at the entrance to Vesak Kalapaya in Nawam Mawatha will be displayed from May 17-21. The project was supported by Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera of the Gangaramaya Temple and Ven Kirinde Assaji Thera.
Mahesh Galabadaarachchi, a senior copy writer at JWT, who came up with this innovative concept said it is a fantastic platform to talk about the abuse and violence against women in Sri Lanka for the simple reason that the thorana is a very Sri Lankan concept which has a captive audience. "What we want to do here is to speak to men directly. This is a good time to make people think," he said.
The pandal will depict about six areas where abuse and violence is inflicted on women- both verbal and physical– at home, the work place, on the road, while travelling in public transport etc.
Visuals of the thorana will be backed by a narrative similar to those that you get in a normal thorana so as to draw a contrast between what happens in society as opposed to what is taught in religion. The panels for this unusual thorana are done by Tissa Weerawardene while Ujitha Silva serves as the production manager.
This is the second initiative for a cause carried out by the JWT- the first being a fundraiser project for war affected children. A non-profit joint venture by JWT and CARE International Sri Lanka, it is supported by sponsors Unilever Sri Lanka and ICL Marketing.
Project Director (EMERGE), CARE International Kamani Jinadasa said men play a significant role in reducing violence against women and it is all about using innovative methods to reach out to the public. It is important in the long term to work closely with different religions to promote gender equality, she added.
Lecture on media in Asia
The Royal Asiatic Society, Sri Lanka presents a lecture on 'Media Studies in Asia: Theory and Practice' by Dr. Kalinga Seneviratne, head of Research and Capacity Building, Asian Media Information and Communication Center (AMIC), Singapore, on Monday, May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Mahaveli Centre, 96, Ananda Commarasawamy Mawatha, Colombo 7.
Using his experience of working with (AMIC) for many years, the speaker will discuss why it is important to develop more Asia-specific course material to train future media practitioners in Asia; the need for Asian countries to cooperate and the barriers which exist in this direction at present;
Dr. Seneviratne is a journalist, radio broadcaster, television documentary maker, media analyst and lecturer.
Get ready with those dancing shoes
Dancefest 2011
Dancefest 2011 - the annual Latin, Ballroom and Salsa competition produced by Footwork will come alive at the Galle Face Hotel Colombo on Sunday, May 22 at 6.30 p.m.
Dancefest is produced by Footwork Events, which throughout the years, has been actively involved in producing Ballroom and Latin American dance championships. Footwork Events is spearheaded by Dharshan Wijesooriya whose involvement in competitive dancing both as a trainer and championship organizer spans over 20 years. Dharshan is also a recognized adjudicator and since 1999 has adjudicated at a total of 84 international dance championships in the Asian region.
Five professional adjudicators from Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka will judge the competition.
One of the highlights of the evening will be belly dance performances by a professional belly dancer from Russia Christina Vlasova who has won many competitions in Russia and a ten-dance Ballroom and Latin American show performed by Malaysian Dance Champions, Bernard Lim who is 17 and Natalie Tan who is 14 years old. "It is very rarely that a couple performs both the sections and it is after a very long time Sri Lankan audiences will get an opportunity to witness a ten dance show," said Dharshan.
Tickets and box plan are available at the Footwork Events office at 955/5A, Royal Gardens, Rajagiriya. Tickets are priced at Rs 2500, 3000, 3500 and 4000. For event inquiries please call 0777 777 111.
The media sponsors for the event are The Sunday Times and Daily Mirror, Entrust Securities, MTV and Yes FM.
Artist of Warakage Sittama
fame holds exhibition
Portrait artist cum cartoonist, Hemantha Warakapitiya is holding his first exhibition at the Lionel Wendt from May 26-28. He has titled his exhibition "Warakage Sittama", after the popular cartoon series in the Daily Lakbima that earned him much acclaim.
Hemantha studied at Gurukula College and after completing his studies worked for many leading papers like 'Suhada', 'Dasuna', 'Hithawatha' and 'Sandarenu'. He is now employed at Triad Advertising as a senior illustrator.
A book of his creations will also be launched at the exhibition.
Association of Former International Civil Servants’ 18th AGM
The Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS-SRI LANKA) held its 18th Annual General Assembly on April 5 at the Auditorium of the Royal Colombo Golf Club, Colombo.
The Association is open to Sri Lankans who have served in the United Nations, UN specialized Agencies, and other inter-governmental organizations. AFICS is one of many national associations spread throughout the world under the umbrella of the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) located at the United Nations in Geneva.
Their principal aim is to promote the message of the United Nations and provide support to its work for the benefit of mankind. Enquiries regarding membership should be addressed to the Secretary-General, AFICS (Sri Lanka), 269D/Araliya Uyana, Hokandara Road, Talawatugoda. Telephone 2773303; E-mail <kumarapelie@gmail.com>.
The following were elected office-bearers for the year 2011-2012.
President - Ranjit Seneviratne (FAO)
Vice Presidents -
Lalit Godamnunne (WFP)
Frank Weeraratne (ADB)
Secretary General -
Vincent Kumarapelie (UNDP)
Treasurer -
Thilak Abeysinghe (UNHCR)
Committee Members -
Dr. Adrian Senadhira (WHO)
Earle Samarasinghe (UNESCO)
Dr. Nihal Abeysundere (WHO)
Earle Fernando (ILO)
K.M.D. Gunaratne (CFTC)
Asela Dassanayake (UNICTY)
Ms. Grace Jayakody (IMO)
Angelic Sounds of at Mahaweli Reach
It was an evening to remember when the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir
visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, performed at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel on May 7. The open air performance was enjoyed by all.
The Choir rated as among the finest in Europe was performing in Sri Lanka as part of their Sri Lanka - India 2011 tour.
Magical evening of Broadway and Disney music
By Shalomi Daniel
Caught up with the hustle and bustle of daily life, what wouldn’t you give to escape into the magical world of Broadway and Disney music and let its soothing melodies wash over you? Well, here is your chance!
Ruvini Hapugalle- an experienced piano teacher and her group of piano students present ‘MuzikAAAle’ an evening of instrumental and vocal medleys from Broadway and Disney. With the music ranging from Annie and the Sound of Music to the Phantom of the Opera, around 50 performers, ranging from preschoolers to young adults are set to entertain the audience with their musical prowess.
The concert will be the culmination of an enriching learning experience and hours of dedicated practice. The little kindermunks and the kinder-singers, as the groups consisting of children around the ages of three to five years old are called, will perform vocal medleys from childhood favourites such as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz.
“This helps to broaden their musical horizons,” says Ruvini adding that the little singers have learned to grasp the intricacies of rhythm and melody via their preparation for the concert.
The junior and intermediate group will showcase their talents in playing duets from Broadway and Disney musicals such as the The Phantom of the Opera, The Flintstones and The Sound of Music.
The senior students will perform instrumental medleys that they themselves have compiled on a variety of instruments in addition to the piano.
“I only gave them the guidelines,” emphasized Ruvini. They will be singing vocal medleys in addition to their instrumental medleys. The Andrew Lloyd Webber vocal and instrumental medley and the Lion King songs sung acappella (singing without instrumental accompaniment) are some of the items to watch out for.
‘MuzikAAAle’ will be held on Sunday June 5 at 5.30 p.m. at the British School auditorium, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 8. Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, Rs. 750, Rs. 500, Rs. 400 and Rs. 250 will be available at The Commons, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7 from May 16.
BOI Vesak at EPZ
Sambuddhathva Jayanthi
To mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi, the BOI's Katunayake staff, in collaboration with the BOI Enterprises, have organized a series of religious events which will begin with a sermon by Ven. Teripehe Siridhamma Thera at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Katunayake office.
A Vesak lantern exhibition will be on display from May 17 to 19 while a Bhakthi Gee competition among BOI factory workers at Katunayake EPZ will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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