On the road less travelled
About six km away from Pooneryn, Ruvan Ranatunga could almost taste the salt on his tongue as a warm wind swept the scent of dried villus toward him. Ahead lay the Indian Ocean and the end of his long journey. By his side, on this final stretch, were family and friends, among them Indunil de [...]
Letters to the editor
Apathy towards Sansoni Commission main reason for Black July Black July 1983 received worldwide attention. In spite of all the publicity it took 18 long years for the government to appoint the Truth Commission. In fact Black July could easily have been avoided but for that we need to go back to the 1977 communal [...]
Appreciations
He came from Kandy, she from Jaffna and what a match they made James Thiagarajah Arulanantham James Thiagarajah Arulanantham, son of the late Rev. Gnanamuttu Rowlands Arulanantham and of the late Mary Ratnam Arulanantham passed away in California, on November 17 last year at the age of 85. To say that he was a unique [...]
Gearing to save more lives
Involved in an accident or emergency anywhere across the country, any man, woman or child would have the best chance of survival, with the development of services in state hospitals within the next five years. Thirty Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services are to be established in state hospitals island-wide from 2014 to 2018, the Sunday [...]
Some paint, a street and voila!
P413 is at the Colpetty end of Marine Drive. He has just stumbled upon the perfect canvas; a crumbling wall on the sea front, just perfect for the consistency of the wall paint he likes using for his work. He has just begun to slap some of it on when a policeman approaches. “What’re you [...]
Then there were politicians who truly served the people
Gregory’s Road, in the heart of Colombo 7 has its own stately air, with its colonial buildings and tree-lined pavements. On July 16, Gregory’s Road will be renamed R. G. Senanayake Mawatha, in honour of a man who fought hard for the progress of the common man – Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake. “There’s a dining table [...]
Something more than fishing
For generations, fishermen have made a living on Negombo lagoon by using traditional methods in tune with the environment and their pace of life. But times are rapidly changing, and many are now facing growing financial hardship and an uncertain future. Step in local artist and businesswoman Indira Tibblin, who is determined to provide opportunities for [...]
Lest we forget: How they saw the war and after
‘War and Peace: Visual Narratives from Contemporary Sri Lanka’ brings together paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations produced during and after the 30-year war in Sri Lanka. The exhibition invites viewers to pause and reflect on this traumatic period, now on the verge of being forgotten in this age of reconciliation and rebuilding. Curated by Jagath [...]
SOSL highlights young musicians
This year, the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka will feature a talented young pianist at its Young Soloists Concert on July 31 at the Navarangahala. With the generous aid of HSBC, the SOSL has, for the last 17 years, encouraged young musicians to pursue their musical dreams by showcasing their talent at the Young Soloists [...]
Celebrating best loved hymns
St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk presents “Hymnfest ’13” – a Festival of Hymns with special arrangements for congregation, choirs, brass and organ today, Sunday, July 14 at 7.30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk, No. 73, Galle Road Colombo 3. The evening will feature some of the best loved hymns that have been based on the [...]
Just nature and you, away from the cacophony of Colombo
“Give me a price,” the owner of Templeberg said when I asked her the room rate to stay in her bungalow near Galle. “Everything’s negotiable.” She went on to explain that sometimes young foreign volunteers teaching in a local school come to stay, and they pay a token rate for a room. For tourists, the [...]
BnS launch La Fiesta, a “Mexican experience”
Colombo’s foodies now have the option of sampling something novel: Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. La Fiesta Restaurant and Bar is the newly opened eatery that infuses hand-picked traditional Mexican recipes with diverse contemporary cuisine. La Fiesta is also the newest celebrity-owned restaurant in Sri Lanka with well known entertainers Bathiya and Santhush (BnS) pairing up [...]
Fashion Bug is 19 years old
Leading retail clothing store Fashion Bug marked its 19th birthday on June 29 with a gala celebration at Fashion Bug’s outlet on Duplication Road, Colpetty and a 19% discount for all shoppers. Member of Parliament, Rosy Senanayake, along with filmstars Anarkali Akarsha and Sabeetha Perera Jayasinghe were chief guests, while well known personalities in the [...]
New hair product from Australia
Jeval Australia, a haircare and colour range was launched last week by filmstar Yashoda Wimaladharma under her company YW International. Describing the range – Yashoda who is also its brand ambassador said it was gentle on the scalp, preserving and protecting the hair. “Using Jeval, an all natural product gives a good feeling,” she said. [...]
Ladies, Charles and Keith is now in town
Shoe aficionados will be jubilant. In response to the growing demand for branded apparel in the country, Charles & Keith, a well known footwear and accessories brand launched their new store in Sri Lanka on July 10. Located at No. 1/1D Bagatalle Road, Colombo 3, Charles & Keith offers the modern woman, trendy products ranging [...]
Women from a different angle
Selvarajah Seanthan is a Grama Niladhari for the Karachi division in the Killinochchi district. His picture at the ‘Women –Out of the Frame’ photography exhibition held last week at the Lionel Wendt Gallery depicted a woman trying single-handedly to build a house for her and her two children. She has only one hand. “The picture [...]
Soul of the Island
Sir Christopher Ondaatje reveals some of the origins and different forms of Sri Lankan dancing Dance has always been an important soul of ceremony, rituals, celebrations, and entertainment well before the very earliest of human civilisations. There have been traces of dance from prehistoric times and rock shelter paintings in India show dancing figures as [...]
Wanted – a proper home for Sinhala theatre
It was good to read that the John de Silva Memorial Theatre behind the Art Gallery is to get a facelift. It needed one badly. We did enjoy Sinhala theatre there for over two decades but there was something lacking. In fact, it was the preferred theatre for the annual Sinhala drama festival which in [...]
Van Gollenesse’s dream
Once, the majestic white-painted Wolvendaal Church towering above the Fort of Colombo, served as a beacon for the approaching sailing ships of the Dutch United East India Company (VOC). Now the building is hidden between large structures of doubtful architecture, ironically with a green painted mosque as a direct neighbour. Wolvendahl street in Pettah climbs [...]
Our not so great railway journey
The explosive derailment of a runaway train in Lac-Mégantic, Canada, dominated headlines this week. With investigations continuing into the possibility of sabotage over simple negligence, it edged out another tragic happening – the crash-landing of a Boeing 777 in San Francisco, which has been deemed pilot error. In Sri Lanka, we can relate more to [...]
Sri Lanka’s first PhD in news journalism
Sri Lanka’s first PhD on news journalism in local language newspapers was awarded to a research thesis by Ranga Kalansooriya at the Sri Jayawardenepura University convocation held at the BMICH on Thursday, July 11. The research paper titled “Reporting Ethnicity in Vernacular Press in Sri Lanka” discusses the professional standards in Sinhala and Tamil news [...]
Blue, white and gold flies high
St. Peter’s College, Colombo takes first place at the National Cadet Corps’ Assessment Camp St. Peter’s College, Colombo with a vibrant flood of blue, white and gold won first place at the recently concluded Annual Assessment Camp of National Cadet Corps’ Air Wing Cadets (Boys) held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Station Diyatalawa under [...]
64th ACWBC AGM
The 64th Annual General Meeting of the All Ceylon Women’s Buddhist Congress will be held on Saturday, July 27 at 9.30 a.m at its Headquarters at No 400, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.
The British Scholars’ Association AGM
The 27th Annual General Meeting of The British Scholars’ Association will be held at the auditorium of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 2 on Thursday, July 18 at 6.00 p.m. Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy, the Guest speaker will talk on “Sri Lankan Economy – opportunities and challenges”. Admission is for members only but [...]
Lanka – Japan Friendship Society
Office bearers Lanka – Japan Friendship Society elected the following office bearers and executive committee members for 2013-2014. Patron: Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka Vice Patrons: Akihiko Nakauchi, Mrs. Lalitha Rajapaksa,Daya Weththasinghe, Kosala Wickremanayake. President: Deepal S. Gunaratne Vice Presidents: Dr. Vijaya Corea, Dr. Mrs. Soma Edirisinghe, Kumara Semage, Rajah Sinnathuray Hony. General Secretary: [...]
Buddhism : Towards an end to man’s inhumanity to animals
A Dharma Deshana by the reputed Bana preacher Ven. Rajakiye Panditha Dodampahala Sri Rahula Thero on the topic ‘ Buddhism : Towards an End to Man’s Inhumanity to Animals’ will be delivered at a Pinkama to be held on Esala Poya Day (Monday, July 22) from 3.15 p.m. – 5 p.m., at the All Ceylon [...]
Unilever launches ‘Astra Fried Rice’
Housewives tired of the same old fried rice and children looking for tasty food will find some answers in an old favourite- ‘Astra’. Unilever introduces ‘Astra Fried Rice’, a new recipe that can be made with ease and that also saves time using Astra margarine instead of oil. The company says Astra is an excellent [...]
Healthy Living Centre from the Joan de Mel Trust
We’ve all heard that old adage about prevention being better than cure yet how many of us actually live it? You’ll be surprised, say the brains behind the upcoming Healthy Living Centre to be opened in Horton Place, Colombo 7. The well-being centre for holistic and healthy living describes its mission as ‘to evoke a [...]
Lend your voice to promote unity
A Sing-Along in aid of Unity Mission Trust with versatile musician Rukshan Perera and featuring the golden voice of Noeline Honter will be held at the Grand Monarch Hotel at Thalawathugoda on July 21 at 7 p.m. All proceeds will be utilised for Unity Camp – 6 to be held in Kilinochchi in October for [...]
