Sri Lanka’s Jackal to finally get its day
Sri Lankans are lovers of dogs. A close cousin of these human companions, of course, in the wild is much-maligned and portrayed as cunning and slinking around stealthily. These are the “negative” characteristics which have also been brought to the fore in the political thriller ‘The Day of the Jackal’ based on the popular novel [...]
Gratiaen 2023: And now there are five
Despite the heavy dusk showers, it was a colourful gathering that turned up at the British Council library to cheer the shortlist of the 2023 Gratiaen Prize. In its 31st year, the Gratiaen long list this time comprised eight authors while the shortlist is a bumper with five. On the shortlist are: Pasan Jayasinghe for [...]
Her ‘walk of thoughts’ in black and white
Walking into the Saskia Fernando Gallery you are greeted by life-size installations embodying your invisible thoughts, the silent conversations in your head between positivity and negativity; the good and the bad. The black and the white of your contemplations. Randika de Silva in her first solo exhibition ‘Coexist’- has chosen to look into the intricate [...]
Appreciations
He set his goals high and helped others set theirs high too Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam The greatest high jumper produced by Sri Lanka passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024. Ethir told me that he had a habit of visualising his mother with a glass of water before he went for a competition. He had a [...]
Intrepid naturalist and first woman to publish travelogue on Sri Lanka
Maria Graham, a popular children’s writer and author of books on travel was the first woman to publish a travelogue on Sri Lanka. A gifted watercolourist of landscapes and botanical subjects with a scientific bent, her reflections were more descriptive and personal. With the passage of time, her landmark contribution to botany and geology has [...]
Turning back the pages on May Days past
The first May Day or International Workers Day, was commemorated in Sri Lanka in 1927 by A. E. Goonesinghe, who founded the Ceylon Labour Party as well as Sri Lanka’s first trade union, known today as the Ceylon Mercantile Union. The first commemoration in 1927 and the first rally in 1933 took place amidst major [...]
From Al Hambra to The Ramada: A family hotel story of 50 years
The Ramada celebrated its 50th year in the hotel industry with a big bash last Tuesday, April 30 at its ballroom attended by over 400 guests. Originally known as the Al Hambra and then the Holiday Inn, it was one of the first major hotels to come up after the famous old colonial hotels, the [...]
Beauty products inspired by ayurvedic tradition
Yiva Ceylon founded by Suwani Hitihamu is an innovative skin-care brand rooted in the rich heritage of Sri Lankan traditions with local produce and traditional ingredients. Recently launched, the brand draws inspiration from the ancient Ayurvedic tradition known as Hela Wedakama, and infuses time-tested remedies into its holistic approach to health and beauty. Originally hailing [...]
Blossoms of Hope spreads the beauty of Ikebana
“Blossoms of Hope 2024” presented by the members of Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter #262 will give viewers a chance to experience the rich cultural diversity and aesthetic beauty of Japan. The exhibition takes place at the Ivy Room of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on May 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on [...]
A toast to French cheese and wine
Meet Olivier Poulard as he visits Sri Lanka for the much-anticipated French Cheese Week, hosted by Shangri-La Colombo from May 13 -19. Oliver’s passion and expertise promise an unforgettable exploration of France’s rich cheese heritage. Paired with the expertise of Barton & Guestier’s esteemed French wine Sommelier, visiting from France, each tasting experience promises to [...]
Bookaroo Children’s Literature Festival, a two-day literary feast
It will be a feast of storytelling, fun workshops, books and art & craft for 4–14-year-olds when the Bookaroo Children’s Literature Festival takes place on May 10 and 11 (Friday and Saturday) at the BMICH’s Mihilaka Medura/Kamatha. Presented by LPF Schools and Bridge2Peace Foundation, the festival is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday [...]
RASSL lecture on cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka
Prof. Ankuran Dutta, Director, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (formerly Indian Cultural Centre), High Commission of India, Colombo, will deliver a special lecture on ‘India and Sri Lanka: Culturally Knitted Nations’ at the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka on Monday, May 6 at 5 pm. The venue will be the Council Room of the RASSL, [...]