International
Award for 'The Land of Eternal Summer'
 A
promotional film on Sri Lanka titled "The Land of Eternal
Summer" has won the award for the best travel film at Cinevue,
International Film and Video Festival competition held in Seattle,
U.S.A. in March 2002.
The 19 minute film was produced by the Sri Lanka Export Development
Board in collaboration with the Ceylon Tourist Board and former
AirLanka. The film is a complete overview of the country in
brief - all the places of interest, quality exports, investment
opportunities and the national carrier are included.
Variety in the Sri Lankan climate, different attractions to
cater to different moods and the purse, beaches, cool hill country,
food and accommodation, star class hotels and moderately priced
resorts, water sports, golf, water falls, Kataragama, Kandy
Perahera, wild life, zoo and the ancient cities are featured.
It is meant for the busy visitor on a brief stopover with no
time for visiting places, to see the country in just 19 minutes,
for the businessmen and professionals on overseas visits to
give their clients and contacts, a comprehensive picture of
Sri Lanka in brief, an ideal gift to friends and relations abroad
who would like to get a souvenir from Sri Lanka, for those intend
visiting Sri Lanka as a guide to make their tour plans.
The script and direction of the film is by the Publicity Unit
of the EDB and copies could be obtained from them.
Poronduwa
on Sirasa TV
Lovers, Vijendra and Pooja decide to get married against the
wishes of Vijendra's mother. On the way to the celebration,
they meet with an accident that leaves Vijendra with a serious
concussion and Pooja paralized. Pooja, an orphan, is approached
by Vijendra's mother to accept monetary and medical help from
her in exchange for a promise, never to see or ever contact
her son. Under duress, Pooja reluctantly agrees.
Vijendra who is told that Pooja had died in the accident,
is taken to a London hospital. Pooja moves to Kandy for medical
treatment and therapy, which is paid for by Vijendra's mother.
While Vijendra recuperates and then graduates from Law School
in London, Pooja has a friendly relationship with Ajit, her
doctor in Kandy.
Vijendra finally returns to Sri Lanka and is compelled to
take to politics, following in his father's footsteps. Dr.
Ajit has now fallen in love with Pooja, but Pooja is unable
to give her heart to him. Starring Ravindra Randeniya, Vasantha
Chathurani, Asoka Pieris Achala Alles, Irangani Serasinghe
and Manel Jayasekera, Chandran Rathnam's 'Pronduwa' on Sirasa
TV on Sunday April 14 at 1.00 pm.
'A
New Day Has Come' for Celine
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Celine Dion, the star of Titanic theme song 'My Heart Will
Go On', is back in the lime light again with her new album
A New Day Has Come. Celine Dion is the the star of this week's
'Original Music Competition', which is organised by M- Entertainment
in collaboration with TV Times.
On March 25, 2002, superstar Celine Dion released 'A New Day
Has Come' - her first new album since beginning a two-year
career hiatus in 2000, and her first collection of new songs
since "Let's Talk About Love" in 1997. To date,
Celine Dion has sold over 140 million albums worldwide, including
28 million copies of Let's Talk About Love. But with A New
Day Has Come, Celine has created the most accomplished and
diverse music of her extraordinary career. This 17-track collection
ranges from pure 21st century pop ("A New Day Has come,"
"Ten Days")to dramatic ballads ("Have You Ever
Been In Love"), from breathtaking dance music ("Sorry
For Love") to a pair of pre-rock classics from the Great
American Songbook ("At Last," "Nature Boy").
The album's title song, " A New Day Has Come," appears
in two strikingly different versions. The original recording,
produced and arranged by Walter Afanasieff and Aldo Nova,
is all pastel elegance in a delicate, nearly a cappella arrangement.
Then the radio premix raises the rhythmic temperature - and
transforms the song into a jubilant pop masterpiece.
"Ten Days" is a distinct change of pace for Celine,
with its urgent guitar licks and alluring lower-register vocal.
"Ten Days" was composed by French singing star Gerald
De Palmas and Maxime Le Forestier. The album closes on an
intimate note with the Nat King Cole classic " Nature
Boy." Celine's warm, unadorned vocal performance is matched
by the sensitive solo piano accompaniment of Jorge Calandrelli.
On Apri 7, 2002, Celine Dion featured in the one-hour CBS
network special" A New Day Has Come." It was singer's
third CBS special: The first, " These Are Special Times,"
was broadcast November 1998. In March 2003, the singer will
commence her three-year, 600-show engagement at Caesars Palace
in Las Vegas. Celine will perform in a custom-designed, 4000-seat
theater, the Caesar's Palace Coliseum, in a musical and theatrical
presentation directed by Franco Dragone ("O", "Mystere").
The innovative arrangement will also allow Celine to go home
each night to her devoted husband Rene Angelil and their son
Rene-Charles who was born January 25, 2001. In Montreal on
New Year's Eve 1999 , Celine Dion gave her last public performance
before beginning a temporary hiatus from show business to
enjoy her private life.
Billboard once called her "one of the core voices of
the decade." Now, as she enters the third decade of her
career, A New Day Has Come for Celine Dion - and for her millions
of fans around the world. Listen to Celine Dion on Mntertainment
listening stations at selected dealer outlets.
To enter this contest, all you have to do is to answer the
question on the coupon No 71 and send it to the address given
below. The address is "Listen to Original Music Contest,
No. 71, C/o Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt.) Ltd., 330, T. B.
Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10.
Tell: + 941672425-8, Fax + 941699070. E Mail: me@lgo.lk All
the entries must be originals from the TV Times and no photocopies
or faxes will be entertained. All correct entries will be
drawn by a panel of judges. The entries should reach the above
address by April 23, the latest. The decision of the judges
will be final and the names of the winners will be announced
in The Sunday TV Times accordingly.
Here are the winners of contest no. 67 . The winners of two
Sony original CDs are D. Refaie of Colombo 4 and Eromie Fernando
of Kandy. Two audio cassette winners are Imalka Jayawardena
of Rajagiriya and Tania Silva of Moratuwa. 10% off gift Vouchers
go to Chandika Jayawardena of Ragama, T. Aravinthan of Peradeniya,
Mrs. Y.H. Perera of St. Rita Estate, Siya, Rozanne Nanayakkara
of Nugegoda, Dilshani Perera of Seeduwa and Shevan Silva of
Moratuwa.
Posters winner are Jaliya Kasun Hewagamage of Borelasgamuwa,
C.V. Uduwela of 119 Ampitiya Rd., Nelum Ketakubura of Gampola,
Gomida Jayasinghe of Colombo 5 and Ruwan Prabath Maduwala
of Galagedara.
'Smooth'
sails to success
Though the band 'Smooth' started just eight months ago, it
has gained much attention from the most of the popular clubs
in Colombo and resorts in the coastal belt. This six piece
outfit got a load of talent and has a very good front line
singer Lalindra Fernando. They perform at Hotel Sindbad on
Saturdays, mostly to the Sri Lankan holiday makers.
"It is a challenge for us playing for Sri Lankan audiences
is very vibrant than playing for overseas visitors, because
our people are keen music lovers and they know most of the
current hits. But foreigners go for oldies mainly unless otherwise
a young 'tour group' the leader Sampath Mendis said. "Smooth
also performs at MGM Club on Wednesdays and Bally's Club on
Mondays.
The band comprises Sampath Mendis on bass, Samedha on lead
guitar, Chaminda Fernando on keyboards and Nishantha on drums.
Lalindra and Dilki Fernando are the two frontline vocalists.
'Ambu
Daruwo' rated in top five
"Ambu Daruwo", the popular teledrama sponsored by
Swadeshi Industrial Works Ltd., has been rated among the five
most-watched weekly television programmes in Sri Lanka in
the last three weeks of March. The ratings by Survey Research
Lanka (SRL) for the period show that the teledrama reached
the number I spot in the week of March 10 to 16, and has remained
in the top five since.
Telecast over Rupavahini at 8.30 p.m. on Mondays, Ambu Daruwo
is a 37 episode epic directed by Sudath Rohana. It is based
on the popular novel by Jayasena Jayakody and stars Malini
Fonseka, Champa Sriyani, Indrajith Nawinna, P.R. Perera, Palitha
Silva, Damayanthi Fonseka, Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Kanchana
Mendis, Roshan Pilapitiya and many other accomplished actors.
Lankan food at Belgium promo
Sri Lanka Tourism made a huge impression among Belgium leisure
enthusiasts by projecting the unique destination at Vacances
Loisirs, 2002 tourism consumer fair which was held from February
22 to March 3 in Charleroi, Belgium and organized by Sri Lanka
Tourist Board. The Sri Lanka promotion in Charleroi, Belgium
has been acclaimed not only as the most outstanding of similar
"Guest Countries' at the Vacances Loisirs, 2002 and had
attracted over 100,000 French speaking visitors.
A cultural dance troupe performed throughout the consumer
fair, which was packed with visitors who came to experience
Sri Lanka for the first time. The Sigiriya theme with the
display of large paintings of the rock and its Lion Paw surrounded
with the Sigiriya frescoes was the backdrop for the Sri Lanka
restaurant, which operated to packed capacity, Colombo Hilton
sponsored two chefs and a hostess.
The Sri Lanka tea kiosk served tea supplied by the Sri Lanka
Tea Board on one side of the Sri Lanka pavilion with the national
carrier SriLankan airlines on the other side. Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe,
Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Belgium and Ms. Moniqué Decker
Sri Lanka's Consul in Belgium officiated at the opening ceremony
together with the officials of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board
and the SriLankan Airlines.
According to the tourist board the Belgium print and electronic
media gave wide publicity prior and during the promotion.
250.000 copies of the official catalogue dedicated the cover
to Sri Lanka with a detailed description of Sri Lanka tour
undertaken by the nine member media team, who visited Sri
Lanka prior to the promotion in mid January this year.
Live Radio interviews from the mobile radio stations located
adjacent to the Sri Lanka pavilion provided daily coverage
ranging from the Sri Lanka cuisine to the music of the dance
troupe. Belgium national TV covered the visit of the VIP's
to the Sri Lanka Pavilion including the dance performances.
'Lakmedura' and Arts and Crafts Centre has supported this
promotion by supplying arts and crafts on a complimentary
basis to display and give the stand a colourful appearance.
SLTB also said in their release 'The success of the promotion
in Charleroi, Belgium for Sri Lanka was made possible on account
of the personal dedication and commitment of Romesh Jayasinghe,
Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Belgium and his team at the Embassy,
Ranjit de Silva, Director/Sri Lanka Tourist Board office in
UK, Rajeewa Jayaweera, Manager France and Benelux, SriLankan
Airlines, the Colombo Hilton team, Budawatta Dance Troupe,
the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Lakmedura Arts and Crafts Centre.
'
Komalas
changes Service Style
Komalas has changed its self service concept and has introduced
a table service through its friendly staff, while introducing
a transcontinental menu. Keells Restaurants Managing Director
Sumithra Gunasekara told the media that Komalas is the first
restaurant to introduce transcontinental menu in Sri Lanka.
The menu will contain Chinese, Italian and Indian dishes according
to him.
Marketing Manager Shamal Gunawardene said that the service
style was changed because the self service concept was not
the best option as it made the customers to stay in a queue
and order their choice. " With the new concept customers
can enjoy a variety of foods served by our friendly service
staff " he added. He also said that a new life will be
promoted for the vegetarians with the transcontinental menu
while adding value to the service.
Lankan
'Othello' to be staged in Europe
 Chairman
of the Shakespeare Centre of Sri Lanka Obinamuni Gamini de
Silva successfully staged the popular plays 'Othello' and
'Macbeth' for the 12th year in succession to commemorate the
Shakespeare Day on March 31 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
They have made arrangements to stage Othello at Ealing Town
Hall, London on April 23 and to tour France and other European
countries to stage both Othello and Macbeth plays. The Shakespeare
Centre is also holding a workshop for school children on drama
free of charge. Some of the actors in the plays are Sarath
Dickkumbure, Sampath Arunasiri, Sujeewa Sri Pathinisekara,
Nayana Kumari, Ajith Premalal, and Nalin Sanjeewa.
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