A family famed for botanical illustration now forgotten
By strange twists of fate, personalities in the arts and sciences who have made significant contributions to their fields often remain forgotten by the public and unacknowledged by those in officialdom. The number of artists and scientists whose portraits are represented on a postage stamp or on currency notes is marginal; neither are they honoured [...]
At 105, Tiddy’s life story is a simple but devout one
Two birthday parties – one in the morning and another in the afternoon! He more than deserves both because it is a very special occasion. Tiddy (Theodore) Senapatiratne turned 105 years this week on Tuesday, June 6. The morning was all to do with his faith, with the Baptist Church rallying round him. The evening [...]
Letters to the Editor
A plea to devote more attention to the teaching of Buddhism from a young age Buddhism is not taught to the youth in Sri Lanka with as much enthusiasm as are some other religions. In my own case, although my mother was a devout Buddhist l knew very little of the religion as a youth. [...]
Appreciations
An eminent and visionary academic Emeritus Prof. Dayantha Wijeyesekera In 1970, a tall handsome young man stepped out of a brand new green Triumph 1300cc car at the University of Moratuwa (UoM) premises. The undergraduates were curious about this new visiting lecturer, who I was informed was Eng. Dr. Dayantha Wijeyesekera, a Research Engineer attached [...]
Importance of being active and staying connected
For those of us who have got used to studying and working for most of the first half century of our lives, it usually isn’t easy to accept fulltime retirement. As Shelley eloquently reminded us, we are wont to look before and after – and we pine for what is not. We remember those lands [...]
‘A book dreamt up partly in Pilawoos’
Yudhanjaya Wijeratne has scaled dizzy heights as a sci-fi author and been listed as one of Forbes’ 2021 ‘30 people under 30’- just to enumerate one of his accolades. And here he is on the Gratiaen shortlist… No it’s not the first time he applied, he says. He recalls sending an ‘envelope of text’ while [...]
Selyn showcases local craft in Spain
XTANT, the global craft platform, held its third annual gathering of heritage crafts in Palma Mallorca, Spain and taking part this year was Selyn Textiles from Sri Lanka. Selyn’s team joined 53 artisans from 25 countries at XTANT which this year took fibre, the universal building block of textiles, as its central theme. From exploring [...]
‘Hallelujah!’: Choir festival to mark Anglican Cathedral’s 50th anniversary
Where would you have the opportunity to hear 12 of Sri Lanka’s leading choirs under one roof? It’s happening on Saturday, June 24, at 6.30 p.m. as most of Sri Lanka’s best exponents of choral music are coming together for ‘Hallelujah!’ at the Anglican Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, at Bauddhaloka Mawatha (next to [...]
Well known wildlife researcher to deliver lecture on ‘The Future of Nature in Sri Lanka’
Dr. Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi will deliver the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society’s monthly lecture on June 15 at 6 p.m. at Jasmine Hall, BMICH. His topic will be ‘The Future of Nature in Sri Lanka’. Dr. Manamendra-Arachchi will discuss his 40 years of experience in wildlife research. He will focus the audience’s attention on the ideas [...]
RASSL lecture on ‘Lusitanian Legacy in Sri Lanka’
Portugal’s intervention in Indian Ocean trade began in the Early Modern Period. The Portuguese encounter with Sri Lanka is a consequence of its engagement in international trade and overseas expansion. Whilst the Dutch and British waves that followed the Portuguese have over-shadowed the Portuguese impact, the Lusitanian legacy continues, albeit transformed, in the sociocultural fabric [...]
Mini Eid bazaar and evening of entertainment
The Denara Vocational Training Institute, a subsidiary of the All Ceylon Muslim Women’s Association will hold a full day’s programme comprising a mini Eid bazaar, sale of items produced by the students of Denara and Cuty Rose and an evening of entertainment on Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance tickets to [...]