Ray as they remember him
Philip Revatha Wijewardene’s was a private life full of surprises. He had kayaked down the Mahaweli with Major Roland Raven-Hart, could wield the blow pipe like a native of Sarawak, and loved old-fashioned English lavender cologne… Such nuggets emerge as we delve into the life of this legendary scientist and inventor away from the public [...]
Taking time to seek and explore
Anupama Kundoo began the Geoffrey Bawa memorial lecture, telling the audience gathered at the SLFI auditorium that Friday evening how much she enjoyed staying in Bawa’s Colombo residence off Bagatalle Road and how she felt moved to share some common ground. “Living there and noticing just the life that is at the centre of his [...]
Letters to the Editor
A plea to the next President of Sri Lanka In order to safeguard democracy for us and future generations I implore you to exercise your powers to make the following changes which may even transform our island nation to a ‘second Singapore’ : 1. Abolish the Executive Presidency and revert to true Parliamentary democracy as [...]
APPRECIATIONS
A tribute to my young counsel and friend Vishwaka Peiris Life is a mystery which the mind can never truly comprehend. We try to explain the unexplainable through religion, spirituality, medicine, psychology or even philosophy. However the reality is that life is beyond mere human understanding. Such was the case in the demise of my [...]
Meepeni poojawa at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, a ritual connected with the Esala Perahera
The Sri Dalada Perahera (pageant) or Esala Perahera which parades the streets of Kandy for ten nights is preceded by many age-old customs and rituals. The first on August 5, was the ‘kap situweema’ (placing of a stump of a tree with a milky sap such as Jak) in the four Devalas: Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama [...]
Gathering of giants: The beauty and importance of preserving it
‘World Elephant Day’, which was marked on Monday, August 12 is significant to Sri Lanka in many ways. From a tourism aspect, the ‘Elephant Gathering’ in Sri Lanka, now happening in Kaudulla and Minneriya after a lapse of some years, is a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. The annual Gathering, occurring from July to October, [...]
The Departure Lounge
I remember the day I was introduced to the Departure Lounge. It was many years ago – at the time that I was still working as a specialist at the Colombo Children’s Hospital – and I had promised my father that after I finished my Sunday morning ward round that day, I would pick him [...]
Get ready for an evening of laughter with Ray Cooney’s “Caught in the Net’
One man. Two wives. Two families. Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs with Ray Cooney’s ‘Caught in the Net’, a brilliant British comedy from the Arts Foundation of St. Peter’s College, under the SPC Old Boys’ Union on August 30, 31 and September 1 at 7 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Well known Peterites [...]
Dushy and Ramya in first full recital for cello and piano
Dushyanthi Perera (cello) and Ramya De Livera Perera (piano) – both recognised as leading exponents of their respective instruments have a long history of friendship and musical collaboration but their concert on August 22 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, marks the first full recital for cello and piano they have presented. Dushy has been performing [...]
Lines and shapes, S. H. Sarath’s latest exhibition
S.H. Sarath’s latest exhibition”Rekha Sankha” (Lines and Shapes) will be held from August 16 – 21 at the Artist’s Gallery, No 18A, Sarasavi Gardens, Nawala Road, Nugegoda. It will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sarath is focusing on the theme of goodness projected through fine lines in his latest [...]
Clutch Plays Theatre brings to stage an inspiring story
A heartwarming story that aims to inspire and uplift, ‘The Amazing Lemonade Girl’ presented by Clutch Plays Theatre and directed by Mayaan Haputantri and Hasanga Liyanagunawardena will be staged at the Kamatha Hall, BMICH, from September 5 – 8 at 7.30 p.m. On the 7th and 8th (Saturday and Sunday) there will be matinée shows [...]