Taking science across the country
Launched on July 29, 1944, SLAAS’ vision ‘to make Sri Lanka a scientifically advanced nation’ is seen in many dynamic initiatives now being promoted across the country. Young astronomers gain hands-on experience in observing the mysteries of the sky through the ‘Night Sky’ programme while ‘Science day’ programmes enable schoolchildren from rural areas to listen [...]
A night at the theatre that moved many to tears
Theatre performances have never moved me to tears. Yet when Thiru bedraggled and anguished, advanced to the apron of the stage with a band of refugees to face the audience, I teared up. I swear that we looked into each other’s eyes; such was the intensity of that scene. Later, I learned I was far [...]
A journey into local artistic traditions
Samula 2024, an immersive festival focusing on traditional dance, drumming, craftsmanship and other elements of the Kandy Esala Perahera will be held from August 2-4 at Dunhinna Secondary School in Kandy. Presented by the Santani Foundation, the three-day event is set to be a journey into Sri Lanka’s artistic traditions through interactive workshops and educational [...]
Letters to the Editor
Trade unions should think before they strike Sri Lanka’s public trade unions’ objectives appear to have little to do with worker rights and more to do with political goals. With the presidential election only a few months away, the series of strikes appears politically motivated. Whether one likes this government or not, even a student [...]
APPRECIATIONS
An all-rounder in the truest sense Tambyah Murugaser I thought long and hard before I put finger to keyboard to write this eulogy to my father, whose 101st birth anniversary falls today – July 28. Muru, as he was affectionately known, “Appa” to me, was born with the proverbial silver spoon to a prominent Tamil [...]
Why we need leopards in Sri Lanka
To me, the leopard, with its dappled coat, perfectly crafted by nature for camouflage, is the epitome of strength and grace in movement. To me, the leopard is an animal on which I focused for many years of my student life and about whose well-being, my passion continues to this day. However, to a labourer [...]
Soul Sounds shines once again on global stage
The World Choir Games, one of the largest choral competitions worldwide, offers a grand stage for choirs to showcase their talents. For ‘Soul Sounds’ headed by Soundarie David Rodrigo, participating in this prestigious event was not just about the competition, but also about spotlighting Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage on a global platform. And shine [...]
Thenuwara’s memorial to 83 and two other connected exhibitions
Along with presenting his own annual July 83 memorial exhibition at the Saskia Fernando Gallery, this year titled ‘Meta Real’, veteran artist Chandraguptha Thenuwara, also curated the ‘Visual Persuasions’ exhibition at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre last weekend. The exhibition focusing on a range of current issues in the cultural zeitgeist from the perspective of [...]
Anthology that truly captures the essence of Sri Lanka
A package arrived by post the other day. It was “Out Of Sri Lanka”—an amazing collection of poetry put together by three expat Sri Lankan poets, Vidyan Ravinthiran, Seni Seneviratne, and Shash Trevett. The wide range of eclectic poetry included in this unique publication is equalled only by the range of ages of the contributors—twenty [...]
Let the birds return: Saving Kumana Villu from invasive aliens
Kumana Villu…. a hot spot of bird and animal diversity within a network of protected areas in the deep south of Sri Lanka, is overrun by alien invasives. This 500 acre wetland, a designated RAMSAR site and part of the Kumana National Park was home to thousands of native and migrant aquatic birds including a [...]