When 500 monks went on Pindapatha in Kandy town
The Thrice-Blessed day of Vesak was celebrated throughout Sri Lanka this week and in the hill capital of Kandy, a Pindapatha charikawa (alms round) for 500 bhikkhus (monks) was held on May 2. The bhikkhus were conducted from the Mahamaluwa of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, through Kandy town with 500 schoolboys walking with the monks [...]
The elusive alms bowl of the Buddha
One of the most intriguing relics of the Buddha is his alms bowl – that was by his side as he trudged far and wide barefoot on the dusky plains and mountains and jungles of ancient India. The Enlightened One may have utilised several bowls over a preaching life of 45 years; one of these, [...]
The story of another bowl that leads to Kabul
The Indian tradition has it that the bowl was given to the people of Vesali by the Buddha when he passed through the city on his way to Kusinara. King Kanishka is said to have taken it to Peshawar and in the Islamic period it was taken from mosque to mosque and palace to palace [...]
Celebrating creativity and community ties in Melbourne
Sri Lankan Australian Inc. Art Photo and Book Exhibition in Melbourne last Sunday was a proud showcase of the talent that the Sri Lankan Australian community has to offer, and a reminder of the connection between art and culture, people and place. The event brought together Sri Lankan Australians from across Australia and Sri Lanka. [...]
Letters to the Editor
Rid Nuwara Eliya of these eyesores Once beautiful Nuwara Eliya also known as Little England has been ruined by ugly unauthorised structures and multiple storeyed buildings sprouting up like mushrooms all over. Action should be taken against corrupt UDA and Municipal Council Nuwara Eliya officials who give approval and turn a blind eye to these [...]
Appreciations
Thinking of my uncle on his birthday DINESH SCHAFFTER My moment of sadness is today, as I talk to ChatGPT about pigeons. My fingers move from my laptop towards my phone, and I freeze. I was about to text you excitedly about this bewildering and brilliant new technology. But you are not here. You loved [...]
A canvas of free strokes by Zinufa’s students
Next weekend, the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery will house a colourful collection of paintings produced by the students of artist Zinufa Razik. ‘A Kaleidoscope of Colours’, the exhibition and sale will be the third in a series that began in 2015 with the second held in 2017. This year’s exhibition is after a five-year gap [...]
Up close with Van Gogh
Netherlands Ambassador Bonnie Horbach, will be the Chief Guest when the Sky Gallery and the ‘Fareed Uduman Artforum’ present: ‘Van Gogh In Sri Lanka’ from May 11-21. The collection of 50 beautifully framed museum quality canvas prints of some of Van Gogh’s best works in the exact sizes of the originals will be a feast, [...]
PING! Tackling taboo issues in society
The Stages Youth Ensemble blew their eager audience away with an original production of PING! Virtually everything is fine, directed by Ruwanthie De Chickera and Lihan Mendis. Apart from the title suggesting a straightforward touch on the awareness of the detrimental effects of digital dependence amongst the youth, the play effectively brought to light certain [...]
Raising a hearty cuppa to gentle giant behind famed brew
For decades he has not only been the face of Dilmah but the mascot of 100% pure Ceylon tea as well. As Merrill J. Fernando, with his new autobiography, looks back on 93 years of blessed, serendipitous living, it is occasion to raise a hearty cup of Irish Breakfast or Moroccan Mint to the doyen. [...]
The little Beetle that took off with a mighty roar 70 years ago
It was in April 1953 that the first consignment of Volkswagens arrived on the shores of Lanka with the newly appointed agents M/s Clarence Amerasinghe & Company Ltd., who also shared the agency for Peugeot in Ceylon at the time. The first consignment comprised a batch of Double Glass VW Zwitter Models that belonged to [...]
Composer-pianist Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka releases her latest album
“18 Piano Sutras and 25 South Asian Pianisms” Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka’s most recent collection of compositions was released on Friday, April 28 in partnership with the record label Naxos World. The double album comprises 43 compositions which were composed between June 2021 and March the following year, and recorded in May 2022. It consists of [...]
Await evening of two classical masterpieces
Music enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo prepares to perform two classical masterpieces: Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Festival Overture” at their upcoming 2023/24 Season opening concert on Friday, May 12 at 7.30p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo 7. Music Director and [...]
Bishop Cyril Abeynaike Memorial Lecture
Dr Ravi Fernando will deliver the Bishop Cyril Abeynaike Memorial Lecture on Saturday, May 13 at 5.30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Dr Fernando will speak on ‘Climate Change: Should the Church respond?’. All are welcome. The lecture is one of the programmes being held to mark [...]
A Mother’s Day Blessing
A Mother’s Day Blessing will be held at the St Andrew’s Scots Kirk on Sunday, May 14 at 6.30 p.m. The programme will feature music by Neranjan de Silva, Oktave and Friends, Anushka Abhayaratne, Eshantha de Andrado, Sashyani Rodrigo, Sherene Vas, Srimanthaka Senanayake and the De Lanerolle Brothers. Rev. Roshan Mendis will deliver the message. [...]