Turn back the pages with a click
As the country readies to celebrate Independence Day on February 4, Adilah Ismail talks to the movers behind archiving a pictorial history of our land on social media A faded sepia- tinted picture dated in the 1890s depicts camels transporting crates of Lipton’s Ceylon Tea in front of the pyramids in Egypt. More close to [...]
Letters
Viable projects should be continued for the benefit of all Many ambitious projects were launched by the previous government. A majority of them were the development of existing roadways and construction of a network of expressways. Some thought this to be beneficial to the public while others felt there are more pressing issues in the [...]
Beating to the sounds of culture and religion
The precursor to the modern Navam maha perahera of the Gangarama was a perahera held every July in the early part of the 20th century. It had elephants- not live ones but wooden models covered in sacking, and running on wheels! This perahera was discontinued after the death of its organiser, the Ven. Devundara Sri [...]
Shedding light on Sal trees
You can see it in almost any temple. Its six pastel-pink petals and its strong, almost cloyingly sweet fragrance are unmistakable. It is of course the sal flower, the blossom most favoured by Sinhalese to honour the Buddha with. The sal tree and its flower played a minor but interesting role in the Buddha’s life. [...]
Using humour to tackle heavy issues
The product of many places, Hong Kong, Delhi and Colombo, Chhimi Tenduf-La talks to Adilah Ismail about his debut novel, The Amazing Racist Thilak Rupasinghe is the prototypical Sri Lankan father – you can’t live with him and you can’t live without him. We first encounter Thilak issuing a laundry list of instructions to his [...]
Lanka’s role in the return of Jekyll
A new ITV mini- series, ‘Jekyll & Hyde’, based on the classic but with a twist, is set partly in Ceylon of the 1930s. Here Duvindi Illankoon meets the men behind the scenes It’s past noon and we’re desperate for a picture. Yet the guards at the Bogambara Prison will have none of it. After [...]
There’s nothing quite like it in the world
From a holler of approval from a crowd of 245,000 for former Indian President, Abdul Kalam, screams of excitement for Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor to a sound of silence for controversial literary giant, V.S Naipaul, Smriti Daniel captures the scene at the 2015 Zee Jaipur Literary Festival From the press terrace adjacent to the front [...]
Breezy look from Odel
Inspired by the awakening that is synonymous with spring, Sri Lanka’s favourite department store Odel has adopted the vibrant new theme of ‘Island Life’ for its Spring 2015 collection, a press release said. The exotic and breezy theme will encompass the clothing collection as well as the in-store décor and will cater to the many [...]
Step into Hilton before you tie the knot
Potential brides and grooms can look forward to more than a little help from the Colombo Hilton hotel. Bringing professionals in the wedding business together, Wedding Expo 2015 is designed to showcase the latest trends and fashionable ways to tie the knot. Giving couples the chance to make informed decisions for their big day, the [...]
A toast to Australia!
Australian National Day was celebrated in Colombo with High Commissioner for Australia Robyn Mudie hosting a reception at her residence on Wednesday, January 28. Pix by Ranjith Perera
65th anniversary of India’s Republic Day
Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha and Mrs. Girija Sinha hosted a reception on the spreading lawn of India House to mark the 65th anniversary of India’s Republic Day on January 26. It was a colourful evening with the lady guests, by and large, resplendent in sarees of peacock hues and jewellery to match. Pix by [...]
Celebrating with fusion
It has been the custom for artists of repute to visit Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Republic Day celebrations each year. This time it was the turn of renowned Indian Sitarist Niladri Kumar and his troupe, who performed their brand of musical fusion to the delight of local music lovers on January 25 [...]
An ‘artful’ Sunday
A multitude of stalls set up in two parallel lines along the tree-lined heart of the city allowed visitors to take a leisurely journey through art. A testimony to the popular saying “unity in diversity”, Kala Pola 2015 saw creative minds from the four corners of Sri Lanka coming together to celebrate art. The 22nd [...]
Appreciations
Allen Eustace Gunawardena A light that’s shining through Remembering a loving father and grandfather on his 100th birthday–February 5, 2015 As we look back to the days now gone And shed tears that he is gone, We know how much he loved us He was more than just a thatha and a seeya to us [...]
A brand new L.I.F.E.
It is just beginning to sink in. The decade-long night is over, the dawn is breaking. The old regime is out of power. The new republic is in with potential. The reality of a fresh start is in the air everywhere. Well almost. Today as we as a nation look forward to the Fourth of [...]
Successful completion of English course
The Pragna Pradeepa Foundation conducted English classes at the Sri Dhammasharmaya Temple and certificates were presented by the Founder of the Pragna Pradeepa concept and Western Province Councillor Jayantha de Silva and secretary Sumith Perera to the children who successfully completed the course. Picture shows Mr. de Silva lighting the oil lamp at the beginning [...]
Muduputtu today
Gunasena Galappatty’s play ‘Muduputtu’ will go on the boards today at the Colombo South International School auditorium today at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. The production, directed by Deepthi Sagarika Galappatty is in aid of the Buddhist Society of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.
Barista’s “The Coffee That Gives”, helps remote school
Popular coffee house Barista Lavazza heralded in 2015 with the need to make a difference. The team felt that with the new school year, they should reach out to provide school essentials for children. Niyadhagala Vidyalaya, a remote school in the village of Thanamalwila was selected for the project. Titled “The Coffee That Gives”, Barista’s [...]
Arangetram of four students of Kalai Chelvi Smt. Nirmala John
The arangetram of Manasa Manivannan, student of St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo, Prashangi Chandrasegaram of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, Shankavi Anandaraja of Colombo International School and Nainaselvi Sagadevan who is on the tutorial staff of JMC College International will take place at the New Kathiresan Hall, Bambalapitiya on Saturday, February 7 at 5.30 p.m. The four [...]
