That timeless Lankan touch
Nadine David’s art takes you back to a more leisurely era, when the likes of David Paynter (her teacher) borrowed the earthy shades of Lanka’s rural soul to paint her dusky people; celebrate ehela trees in full bloom; the quiescent lapis lazuli sea of Ruhuna; and the beauty of village damsels… There is also a [...]
In the footsteps of Lord Buddha; a day in the life of a Mehenin Wahanse
Business as usual, it is for the traders in the market in the heart of Kohuwela town each morning, except on Friday. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of a special person, sometimes alone and at others accompanied by two or three more at around 7 a.m., sales are halted and chit-chat slows down to fill the bowl [...]
A visit to Ratmalana SLAF museum prompts a book on Easter Sunday raid
The Easter Sunday Raid shook the fabric of Ceylon society in April 1942. It was, said Winston Churchill, the “turning point of the of the Japanese advance in the Second War”- to halt Japan in the Indian Ocean, failing which Japan’s global encirclement would have proceeded across the Mediterranean and beyond. A lofty tome (of [...]
Letters to the Editor
Less harmful ways to control wild elephant damage to crops A topic that has aroused a furore after Minister Lalkantha’s ill-thought out statement, however needs a solution. An Oxford University study in Kenya, where, like Sri Lanka settlements are impinging on elephant habitats, showed that beehive fences protected crops 86.3% of the time: “During six [...]
APPRECIATION
Memories of Manna on what would have been a special day Lloyd Russell De Abrew Rajapakse If our brother was alive, he would have celebrated his 75th birthday on December 18. This is a tribute to him. Amma had told me that when I was little I could not say ‘malli’ but had called him [...]
Growing the market for fine art
A charity auction of Modern and Contemporary Sri Lankan Art was conducted by the renowned auction house Sotheby’s under the auspices of the George Keyt Foundation, on December 9, at the Forum, in the new City Of Dreams at Cinnamon Life. There were 46 pieces of modern and contemporary art and sculpture on the auctioneer’s [...]
Versatility is its name
Caryota urens Common/ English name: Fish tail palm Family: Arecaceae (The palm family) Sinhala name: Kitul; Tamil: Tippillipanai These medium-sized trees are native to India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. They are found in the low country, as sub-canopy trees in lowland rainforests. They are also grown scattered in urban areas such as Colombo, as well [...]
Tablescape tales
An old fashioned coconut scraper is the star of this table, deservingly so. Intricately painted by Milinda Gunasekera, it represents not just the young artist’s skill reflecting his days growing up in Sicily but also his heritage – his family owns the coconut estate, where he now lives in Sri Lanka. Surrounding the four-legged scraper [...]
Beauty in discards: Sriyani’s handmade dolls and more at Australia Sri Lanka Craft Expo 2024
An array of patchwork quilts, handmade dolls and up-cycled boxes sit on a wooden table in a quiet house in Colombo 5. They are all embroidered and intricately sewn – lined with flowers, forest animals, cottages and Christmas wreaths of all colours. An advocate for crafting and doll making from a young age, Sriyani Tennekoon [...]
‘Christ Chose a Manger’ at St Mary’s, Bambalapitiya
The St Mary’s Choral Group which originated over 50 years ago will present a novel programme of Christmas Carols and readings from the Old and New Testament of the Bible together with excerpts and poems from modern Christian writers at St Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya on Saturday, December 21. The programme is titled “Christ Chose a [...]
‘Hallelujah – Our God Reigns’ at Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Lavinia
The choir of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Lavinia presents ‘Hallelujah – Our God Reigns’– a worship service of Nine Lessons and Carols, celebrating the nativity of Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 21 at 6 p.m. at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 80, Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia. Interspersed with the [...]
Philharmonic Choir captures the spirit of Christmas with ‘O Radiant Dawn’
The Colombo Philharmonic Choir (CPC) presents ‘O Radiant Dawn’, celebrating the heart and soul of the festive season on Wednesday, December 18, at 7.30 p.m. at Christ Church, Galle Face. The programme for the evening will showcase a selection of Christmas choral masterpieces and traditional carols from around the world, highlighting works by renowned composers [...]