Proudly Pasta !

By Carl Muller

The main dining hall of Kandy's Hotel Topaz has on display , a replica of the hotel ....in pasta.

It was Kitchen Executive Derek Melder's brainwave. Very efficient with his hands he spent a lot of his off-time at home, making a large plywood model of the hotel, while his wife, Minette gave it a gloss of paint - windows, doors, archways. Then came the incredible pasta art to cover the surfaces, lay out the garden, even the driveway light, the third- story balcony, the flower beds.

The Hotel has a separate pasta corner in the main dining hall and the model stands proudly on its own base, surrounded by a special pasta buffet that has become a hot favourite among guests.

It will be a permanent display. Derek said, because raw pasta has an indefinite life span. And no, it's not for eating. After all, it's not like Hansel's and Gretel's gingerbread house!

Re-opening

First outlet to re-open at the Queen's was the Pub Royale - the pub with that old colonial flavour. Chief Executive Officer, Chula Madugalle, said that at first assessment, damage to the Queen's is in the region of Rs. 8 to 9 million. "We have not closed, as many seem to think, but we have informed travel agencies of our inability to accommodate groups right now. Many of our rooms have lost window glass and it is not possible to offer bulk accommodation right away."

He revealed that the hotel was taking a loss of about Rs. I million a day. "We lose much on cancellations of wedding parties and like functions which is what this hotel has always been first choice for." He added that, with insurance cover of ten million, such may only cover immediate repairs, but until the Queen's is back on her feet, losses in custom and in the many service areas would be tremendous.

"We now operate at the side entrance and cater to casual bookings. Our main entrance is sealed off. We are realistic. There is no sense in proclaiming 'business as usual'. The main thing is to get our many outlets operative again while the rooms are being repaired."

The Pastry Shop, a favourite spot for city shoppers is to be opened next. Kitchens are in operation although the hotel's hot water system has suffered. Chula smiled. 'There's plenty of life in the old girl yet. She will go on, stronger than ever."

The drug sex nexus

By Hiranthi Fernando

Drug abuse, prostitution and exploitation of children as sex workers are problems that are causing grave concern in Sri Lanka as well in several other Asian countries.

A delegation of government officials from Vietnam is presently on a tour in Sri Lanka to study the situation with relation to drug abuse and sex workers in this country. Learning from the experiences in Sri Lanka, they hope to implement regulations and preventive measures to reduce the incidence of these social evils in their own country.

Tran Xuan Nhat, acted as interpreter for the delegation of six high level government officers. Five key Ministries namely, Labour & Social Affairs, Planning & Investment, Finance, Justice and Interiors were represented in the delegation, thus underlining the importance of their mission. Mr. Tran who works as a specialist in the Department for Social Evils Prevention in the Ministry of Labour, said that the two main functions of this department are focused on the drug abuse problem and prostitution. "We are studying these problems in other countries and the methods of prevention so that we could learn from their experiences," Mr. Tran said. "Last year, we visited Thailand and Cambodia."

"It is a very useful experience for us to visit Sri Lanka," Mr. Tran continued. "Studying the situation concerning drug abuse, prostitution and child sex workers and how they are dealt with, will help us in our policy formulation.

In the future, we can introduce more effective regulations and improve our activities in this field."

"Drug abuse and prostitution are escalating problems everywhere," Mr. Tran commented. "Our government is taking steps to curb the problems. We are working with the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association (SLANA) on drug abuse."

Director of SLANA Kumar Nadesan speaking to the delegation on drug abuse and its prevention in Sri Lanka, introduced to them a former drug addict who now works with SLANA. Sarath (not his name), says he used to spend Rs. 300 per day on Heroin. He inhaled Heroin for some years. When he saw how much his family suffered as a result of his addiction, he decided to stop. "I thought to myself, this is not life. I have to change. So I just stayed at home. I did not go to a rehabilitation centre or get treatment.

"If one has the willpower, it can be done. My parents helped me," Sarath said. Mr.Nadesan said that SLANA is trying to help Sarath and others like him to break the habit permanently by getting them involved in sports and other activities.

"SLANA was requested to co-ordinate a study tour on "Sex Workers in Sri Lanka," said Dharshanie Guniyangoda, Associate Director of SLANA. "We have organised programmes on drugs and AIDS. We find many common factors in all these. For instance, we have to focus on risk reduction. They are all deviations from the norm."

"Although many people think that heroin use is not a female problem, we find that females are into drugs," Dharshinie commented. "We also find that prostitution and drug abuse are often inter related. To maintain the drug habit many women turn to prostitution. It is also seen that many prostitutes take to drugs. It is even more difficult for women to maintain the drug habit than it is for men.

Men will resort to drug peddling or petty thieving. For women, the most easily available source of income is through prostitution."

Speaking of the Vietnamese study tour, Dharshinie said that SLANA had organised a two day seminar covering a range of topics concerning prostitution of women and children, the social implications, its prevention and law enforcement, and the rehabilitation of the victims. Field visits have also been arranged to some rehabilitation centres for sex workers.

This might leave you neurotic

Stage2 and Set presents "Bodies," at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, on March 14 and 15 at 7 pm. Written by James Saunders, the play is directed by Sanjeeva Balasuriya. Tickets are limited, and are available in advance at Alliance Francaise (Kandy), or at the gate.

"Bodies" is a serious modern psychological tragedy with adult themes. The cast consists of two couples, who are meeting each other nine years after tumultuous events changed their lives. Their story emerges through dialogues, monologues and drawing room conversation, transcending both space and time. Flirting dangerously with good taste, morality, philosophy, art and trauma, "Bodies" is an emotional experience which may well leave you neurotic!

The play is presented in an intimate setting for a select audience. The style is minimalistic, and is fuelled by Stage2 and Set's strength in Method Acting. Aparna Halpe, Chiranthi Rajapakse, Arjuna Koralegama and Sanjeeva Balasuriya play the four "Bodies," in a production which aims to maintain the standards of Stage2 and Set's first production, Ernest MacIntyre's "The Education of Miss Asia." Stage2 and Set is a revival of Stage and Set, the theatre group which included such celebrities as Iranganie Serasinghe, Jayantha Dhanapala, Karen Breckenridge and Ernest MacIntyre.

Second Pradeepanjali coming up

Sitarist Pradeep Ratnayake will hold the second in his concert series 'Pradeepanjali'- Pradeep in Concert-on March 17 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7 p.m.

'Pradeepanjali' is a series which explores the new dimensions of Sitar music, taking this classical instrument to new levels of experience, while retaining its traditional beauty as well. The first concert at the Lionel Wendt in November, played to a packed audience whose appreciation was evident in their response to the music that evening and in the spate of reviews that followed.

Ratnayake's uniqueness lies in the fact that he has extended his virtuosity to other aspects of music, like songs and styles of jazz, experimenting with the variety possible on the Sitar, always seeking to explore and break its limits.

'Pradeepanjali' is the series in which he ensures that people here will have a continuous choice in music. He feels that right now, there is no availability of a steady alternative music scene in Sri Lanka, which provides Eastern classical and fusion music.

"For me, music should be an experience shared by the musicians and the people listening," says Pradeep Ratnayake. " It is a feeling that should be created and should exist in performance. It is a sense of having shared something wonderful and even spiritual, that I want to give the audience when they come to hear these concerts."

Ratnayake says that it is this belief of a shared experience that makes him determined to have his classical and fusion music concerts at least twice a year in this country.

"I have made some new compositions which will be played at this concert," says Ratnayake.

"Each concert of this series will be slightly different from the other. I might lean more to one aspect of music in each of these concerts, like the Hindustani Classical angle, or the Jazz aspect, or say, more orchestrated work, but I want the audience to come and find that out. It is all music. It is all part of the experience,"

Those who have joined Pradeep Ratnayake in his efforts this time are also some of the best musicians in this country. Wijeratne Ranatunge, Ravibandu Vidyapati, Krishna, Lakshman Joseph de Saram, Lalanath de Silva, Piyasara Shilpadhipati are some of the artistes who will be performing in the March Show.

The Hatton National Bank and the Muslim Commercial Bank have borne the cost of producing the second concert of 'Pradeepanjali,' TNL/YA TV is the official TV station. Tickets will be available at the Lionel Wendt from Friday March 6 1998.

Appeals

Heart surgery

45 year old P. Waragodaarachchi of No. 454 Parakrama Road, Matthumagala, Ragama has to undergo a coronary artery by-pass graft surgery as recommended by Cardiac Surgeon Dr Y. K. M. Lathie MS FRCS. This operation is now being performed at Nawaloka hospital and the cost is Rs. 283,000.00.

Waragodaarachchi is a mason with three school going children and seeks public help to save his life. He has also appealed to the President's Fund. Lions Club of Matthumagala has opened a savings account at Seylan Bank Kiribathgoda. A.C. No. 0060 338682-101 and appeals to the public to contribute to save his life. All donations will be acknowledged by the Lions Club of Matthumagala.

Kidney treatment

S.M.S. Perera (Nolly) of 125, Kerawalapitiya, Hendala, Wattala is suffering from a kidney disease. He is a prominent social worker in Kerawalapitiya, Hendala. Mr. Perera is at the Jayawardenapura Hospital and is being treated by Dr. Chula Herath who has advised him to have a kidney transplant at the Wellington Hospital in India. For this operation Rs 7,00, 000 is needed. Generous donors could help him by contributing to The National Savings Bank, Wattala. Branch A/C No- 610021122.

Return to the Plus Contents