Events

A new Buddhist VIhara, the Jambudvipa - Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple was opened in Benares, Isipatana, Sarnath where the Buddha preached his first sermon. The temple was built by the Indo- Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association. High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in India Prasad Kariyawasam was the chief guest at the opening.

Our picture shows the first Buddha pooja being held after the unveiling of the Buddha image. (Left to right) Most Ven. Kirama Wimalajoti Nayaka Thera, Buddhist Cultural Centre, Dehiwela, Most Ven. Nagoda Amarawansa Nayaka Thera, Director, Sri Lanka Vidyalaya, Colombo, Most Ven. Keppetiyagoda Gunawansa Nayaka Thera, Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain, Ven. Wannadhaja of the Burmese temple, Sarnath, Ven. Dr. Kahawatte Sri Sumedha Thera, Chief Priest of the Jambudvipa Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple and president of the Indo-Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association, Sarnath, Kaushalendra Sigh, Mayor of Varanasi, Ravindra Samath, District Magistrate of Varnasi, Prasad Kariyawasam, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in India, Sunil Kumar Jha, Asst. Superintendent, ASI Dept Sarnath, Most Ven. Rajakiya Pandita Ampitiye Siriwimala Nayake Maha Thera, Chief Priest, Ampitiya Jemson International Buddhist Centre.

Dinner dance and more to celebrate silver jubilee of S. Thomas ‘OL Class of 78’

Members of the S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, 'OL Class of 78' who are celebrating the 25th year of the formation of their Class Group have organized a dinner dance and reunion at the Hotel Taj Samudra on Saturday, March 3. The event will also mark the countdown to the 50th birthday of many of their members in 2012/13.

Over 200 classmates, wives and family members are expected at this mega event at which music will be provided by 'Anno Domini' & a DJ, while the event will be compered by an old Thomian. The proceeds of the dinner/dance would be utilized to bolster the Scholarship Fund which has assisted children of deceased members in their education for the past 15 years.

To commemorate 25 years of existence, the 'O/LClass of 78' is publishing a souvenir which will include some rare photographs of classmates taken 25 years ago as well as articles recounting the good old days from teachers, classmates and family members which would evoke nostalgic memories.

'O/L Class of 78' members would also participate in the College cycle/truck parade on March 7, the day before the Royal-Thomian cricket match. Gaily decorated vintage vehicles, sports cars and four- wheel drive vehicles driven by 'O/L Class of 78' members would add glamour to the event.

The grand finale in the celebrations would be at the usual "Stables Tent" organized by the 'Class of 79' at the 133rd Royal Thomian cricket match on March 8, 9 and 10 to cheer on the STC cricket team captained by Sachin Peiris who is a son of one of the 'O/L Class of 78'.

Star jazz guitarist to perform in Colombo

Internationally known jazz guitarist Martin Taylor will be performing in concert with a blend of local artists including Amarasiri Pieris, Nirosha Virajini, Kasun Kalhara and Bathiya and Santhush at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on February 19 at 7 p.m.

Martin Taylor has won many accolades across the globe and is recognized for his virtuoso solo jazz guitar work. He is a trustee and Vice President of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara and is a patron of My Wish Charity, U.K. The concert is held in aid of supporting terminally ill children and building a cancer support centre for children.

Although completely self-taught, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning five decades, during which he has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated by guitarists all over the world. He is also a master concert artist, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, with a strong stage presence.

September Song 2 proceeds to Colombo Medical Faculty

The proceeds of the opera 'September Song 2' directed by Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu amounting to Rs. 200,000 were presented by her to the Department of Paediatrics, Colombo Medical Faculty recently. Here Ms. De Fonseka Sahabandu is seen handing over the cheque to the Dean of the Medical Faculty, Prof. Rohan Jayasekara in the presence of Professor in Paediatrics Manouri Senanayake.

Please help Oshadi

Eight-month-old baby Oshadi Upeksha has a rare disease 'Biliary Atresia' and needs a liver transplant according to consultant paediatric surgeon Dr. Malik Samarasinghe. As this surgery is not performed in Sri Lanka she has to be taken to Chennai for the procedure which will cost around Rs. 6 million.

Her parents are appealing to kind donors to contribute whatever sum to help them save their daughter.
Any donations could be sent to Account No: 8220028889 opened in the name of baby Oshadi's father K.D. Kasun Harshana Sumithrawarna at the Commercial Bank, Narahenpita. Her father K.D. Kasun Harshana Sumithrawarna (tel: 0718197748) and mother A. Harsha Dilrukshi Niroshima( 0718221838) can be contacted for further details.

Renovating a Chetiya

An event to renovate the "Chetiya" at the Sri Santharamaya at Colombo 8 was held recently. Picture shows Provincial Councillor and founder of Pragna Pradeepa Sankalpaya Jayantha de Silva and Dhamma Buddhi Mehenin Vahansa participating in the event.

Lecture series on Bhagavad Gita

Sunandaji, the daughter disciple of Swami Parthasarathy the world renowned philosopher will conduct a public lecture series in English on the 13th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita at Kathiresan hall, Bambalapitiya ,from February 13 to 17 from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The 13th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita elucidates the twenty great qualities of a perfect human being - humility, harmlessness, forgiveness, steadfastness, self-control etc that help to achieve enduring success and peace.

Umayalji, senior disciple of Swami Parthsarathy, chief coordinator of the Bhagavad Gita lecture series conducts weekly Bhagavad Gita classes and Vedanta discussion forums in different parts of Colombo. Email vedanta.sl@gmail.com for further information. The lectures and classes are open to all.

Tribute to a Carnatic master

The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo in association with the Hindu Educational Society is organising Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana, an annual musical festival paying homage to the great Carnatic music composer Thyagaraja, on February 17 at 5 p.m. at Saraswathie Auditorium, No. 17, Lorenz Road, Colombo 04.
Musicians, vocalists as well as instrumentalists and percussionists from all over Sri Lanka will come together and render Pancharatna Keerthanas (five songs) of Thyagaraja on this occasion.

Musicians who would like to join the Aradhana may contact the Indian Cultural Centre (Tel no: 2684698) , 16/2, Gregory's Road, Colombo. The rehearsals for the event will be held on February 15 and 16.

Lecture on Turtle conservation in Sri Lanka

Thushan Kapurusinghe, team leader and Committee Chairman of the Marine Turtle Project will deliver a lecture on “Turtle conservation and its relevance to tourism in Sri Lanka”, under the auspices of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, on Thursday February 16 at 6 p.m.

The venue will be the Institute of Engineers (Wimalasurendra Auditorium) 120/15, Vidiya Mawatha, off Wijerama Mw (BMICH end), Colombo -07. The lecture is open to the public and entrance is free.

Tribute to a Carnatic master

The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo in association with the Hindu Educational Society is organising Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana, an annual musical festival paying homage to the great Carnatic music composer Thyagaraja, on February 17 at 5 p.m. at Saraswathie Auditorium, No. 17, Lorenz Road, Colombo 04.
Musicians, vocalists as well as instrumentalists and percussionists from all over Sri Lanka will come together and render Pancharatna Keerthanas (five songs) of Thyagaraja on this occasion.

Musicians who would like to join the Aradhana may contact the Indian Cultural Centre (Tel no: 2684698) , 16/2, Gregory's Road, Colombo. The rehearsals for the event will be held on February 15 and 16.

Local dance and culture to the fore

Sarasi Narthana Prayama - 2, a performance by 10 students of the Nugegoda Shiranga Dance Academy will be staged at the Nelum Pokuna at 6.30 p.m. on Friday, February 17. Susara Sanjeewa of the academy, which has produced dance artists over the past 20 years, with the support of Sirimavo Bandaranaike College dance instructor Shirani Kumarika de Costa and Dayasheela Fernando on choreography, Mithra Kapuge on instrumentals and Shriya Kariyawasam on vocals, hopes to make a gala performance of the first local dance presentation to take the boards at the venue.

Sanjeewa believes that traditional Sri Lankan dance traditions embody not only the graceful movement that complement the motions a human body is capable of, but also have alongside them, rich musical traditions that support them well.

He recognizes that to bring young dancers, parents and choreographers from different walks of life is not an easy thing, but accepts the challenge, in the hope that it will create a synthesis of ideas that will truly reflect Sri Lankan art and culture.

Don’t miss this hilarious comedy

Meeyo Nathuwa Be (Can’t without mice), a hilarious play directed by Keerthi K. Rathnayaka will be staged on Wednesday, February 15 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. at the Tower Hall Theatre, in Colombo 10.

The show will see popular artists such as W. Jayasiri, Ravindra, Madani Malwattage, Mahesh Umagaliya, Ishara Wickramasinghe, Sudarshana Bandara, Samith Warnakula, Chamari Nisansala, Nayana Malithi, Ruvini Dilanthi, Devran Livera, Aruna Sri Kasun Chanidu and Thaniya Rathnayake in the main roles. Music will be by Pradeep Muthukudaarachchi while stage settings will be by Roshan Warnakulasooriya.

Stage management is done by Chandana Nishantha and Susantha Kahandawala while costume designing is by Suvineetha Perera. Makeup is by Wasantha Vittachchi and lighting by Saman Malalasekera.

Meeyo Nethuwa Be, is presented and organized by Jude Sirimal. Tickets are available at Sarasavi Bookshop, Nugegoda, Sadeepa Bookshop, Borella and Tower Hall Theatre.