Leelawathi’s ‘never too old to learn’ mantra earns her a Master’s
It was only a little short of a world record when 97-year-old Vithanage Leelawathi Asilin Dharmaratne carried home a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies, at the recently held 143rd graduation ceremony of the Kelaniya University. The spry nonagenarian greets us over the phone from her home in Nawalapitiya, her voice still clarion clear as in [...]
What makes Negombo unique; this exhibition brings it to life
In a culturally diverse nation such as Sri Lanka, few places truly serve as living examples of how different communities can coexist peacefully even amidst the complexities of the country’s history like the coastal city of Negombo whose identity is a reflection of the intricate blend of languages, faiths, and traditions that create its distinct [...]
Spotlight on art and design by Ismeth Raheem
‘Art & Design of Ismeth Raheem’ a three-day festival unfolds in Colombo from September 6-8. Organised by the ARTRA Magazine, it will also see the launch of their 67th edition. This edition of the magazine will feature a remarkable collection of over 65 works of art collated across Raheem’s distinguished career as an artist, architect [...]
Letters to the Editor
Seven ‘open’ questions for all presidential candidates Our political landscape has become a spectacle, dominated by flashy promotions and unrealistic, flamboyant promises rather than substantive discourse. Candidates increasingly prioritise eye-catching tactics over meaningful engagement, offering little detail on how or when their vague policies will be implemented. This approach incurs enormous costs, with little regard [...]
Appreciations
Loyalty came naturally to him whether to family, Alma Mater or his friends Dayananda Senanayake Dayananda A. W. Senanayake, fondly addressed by his colleagues as “Sena” or “Daya”, was an amiable person who without hesitation committed himself to assisting others in any need. His vast knowledge on many elaborate and diverse subjects and also in [...]
Buddhism, the human mind and artificial intelligence (AI)
This article will briefly describe the nature of the human mind through experiential learning in vipassana meditation and how AI would interact positively and negatively with it. Humans and other animals are made of three constituents, namely the physical body, mind, and memory. While the physical body is made of matter and energy, the mind [...]
Hitting a bright note with the first beat band of the vision-impaired
Braving the inclement weather and boarding buses or trains at the crack of dawn, nine enthusiasts are gathered in Moratuwa for a joint practice on poya day. Some of them have had no vision since birth, while others have lost it later and one even tragically in a mortar attack when he was just a [...]
The Colombo Wind Orchestra is back with ‘Movie Extravaganza’
The Colombo Wind Orchestra’s second concert for the year - ‘Movie Extravaganza’ will be on Saturday, September 7 at 7 p.m. at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. Conducted by Maestro Keiko Kobayashi, the concert will feature some remarkable pieces written especially for wind orchestra formations. One of the highlights of this much awaited concert will be [...]
Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential to be There, now on at Yale Architecture Gallery
Geoffrey Bawa (1919–2003) once described his modus operandi as follows: “The site gives the most powerful push to a design along with the brief. Without seeing the site I cannot work. It is essential to be there.” That same quote acted as the guiding principle for the Geoffrey Bawa Trust’s major exhibition – Geoffrey Bawa: [...]
Kandygs celebrates timeless artistry of handloom weaving
“Threads of Tradition” the exhibition by Kandygs that is on at the Lionel Wendt today (Sunday, September 1) celebrates the rich legacy of Kandygs handlooms and the timeless artistry of handloom weaving. Founded by Felix and Sita Yahampath in their backyard with just 10 machines, the company name, Kandygs, was derived from the initials of [...]
Be a part of Rotary Honda Purudu Championship Season 4
“Rotary Honda Purudu Championship Season 4” – a nationwide campaign aimed at promoting ethical values among schoolchildren across Sri Lanka, was launched on August 1. Led by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with Rotary, Little Minds Strong Values (LMSV) is an activity-based programme using the performing arts to complement the current curriculum of teaching [...]