Mangers made with love
While many are out celebrating the Christmas season, he has been working till 10 or 11 every night, adding finishing touches to the face of a statue of baby Jesus or one of the Wise Men, ensuring that every feature is painted perfectly so that the figures in each nativity set he makes instil a [...]
In tsunami-hit Komari, he found purpose in life
When Frank Seevaratnam left Sri Lanka for Canada in 1975—a wife, a daughter and three pounds ten in his pocket—he did not plan to ever return. It was the Indian Ocean tsunami that swept him back three decades later. Watching scenes of unthinkable destruction and grief flash across television screens, Frank, now comfortably settled in [...]
Ask yourself: How do you want to celebrate this Christmas?
As the song goes, maybe we did some wild and meaningless things last Christmas. But, if we want, we can make this Christmas last a lifetime in our memory, by experiencing the same blessings that accompanied the first Christmas. How can this be? On the first Christmas, God came very close to humanity in many [...]
That message of hope
When we begin the Christmas season, we experience the joy of Christmas through nature. We see the preparations, hear the carols and though the majority of Sri Lankans do not celebrate Christmas, they too experience the joy in some measure. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the son of God, who took human nature and [...]
Harmonious performance of friendship and music
2017 has been an eventful year for Kishani Jayasinghe.In addition to her career as a singer she was appointed “Deputy Director of Programmes at the SAARC Cultural Centre” as a member of a team working toward building intercultural ties between SAARC nations through Art and Culture. She also established the “Kishani Jayasinghe School of Voice [...]
A much-loved Broadway treat for the whole family
The hills will come alive this February, as Cinnamon Life in partnership with Broadway Asia International introduces Broadway theatre to Sri Lanka with the Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian Production of the Sound of Music. Rekindling fond memories of raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens, this spectacular event promises to be a memorable [...]
Letters to the Editor
Time for honest young people to step in Needless to say politics is a dirty game and it is said no one gets to be otherwise in today’s political world – especially in Sri Lanka. Every time we think it cannot get any worse, it seems to be getting worse and worse. Yahapalanaya was brought in [...]
Appreciations
An officer of rare stature L.D.C. SAPARAMADU It is indeed a privilege to pen this epitaph as a token of my gratitude to the late Chandra Saparamadu with whom I was privileged to be associated when he served as a Senior Superintendent of Police in the Kurunegala Division and with whom I remained in constant [...]
Bachi Karkaria: Bringing alive a famous “crime passionnel” of 1950s Bombay
Why on earth should anyone be interested in reading a book about a domestic murder case that took place nearly 60 years ago? A reviewer writing in Scroll.in had three reasons: First, the 1959 case was significant from the legal point of view which ultimately resulted in the dismantling of the jury system in India. [...]
The Brothers ring in the joy of Christmas
The De Lanerolle brothers recently held their Christmas concert at the Hilton, Colombo, singing many popular carols in the course of the show. Notable performances included their rendition of ‘Ave Maria’, which was highly requested following last year’s performance. The spirit of Christmas came through when audience members were asked to join in during the [...]
Living in hope and joy in the face of adversity
Washed, brushed and fed and on a day when the rains have been banished by bright sunlight, one is in the tiny hall sketching to his heart’s content while the other two are ‘sunning’ themselves just outside the door. These are not squeaky-clean babies, but a youth of 20, M. Mayuran, and his younger brothers, [...]
The true spirit of Christmas: It’s all about love
If ever there are moments to be savoured, Christmas has them. Why indeed to we bustle so frantically at Christmas time?What moves us? What truly does Christmas mean? Not only carols, the pressing crowds in the shops, the snarl and clutter of traffic. If we pause for a moment, we can sort out our ideas [...]
Blessed times two
What are the odds? They are child prodigies, mathematical geniuses that can manipulate, slice and dice numbers, possess astounding multiplication abilities, are unofficial holders of the Guinness World Record in mental calculation (unofficial only because there was no one else to contest them and hence no title to beat), and they also happen to be [...]
Rediscovering the ruins of Colombo Fort
The harbour of KolonThota or Colombo was a prominent port in ancient Sri Lanka and from the 15th century onwards it was the principal port of the country due to its proximity to the capital city of Kotte. With the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, they made Colombo their main centre establishing [...]
Hooked on alcohol and drugs? Mel Medura can help
This is the time of year when many people make ‘New Year Resolutions’ to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. However, without professional help they quickly slip back into their usual pattern of misuse. Together with Sumithrayo, ‘Mel Medura’ reminds the community of its services to reduce misuse of alcohol and drugs. The Mel Medura [...]
Top architects at RIBA SL event
It was an event for architects as the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Sri Lanka, presented the ‘Best of British Architecture’ by Sterling Prize winner and past president of RIBA Stephen Hodder and a presentation by award-winning Sri Lankan architect Manoharan Ponniah, last month at the Hilton Blue. Nela De Zoysa, on behalf of [...]
Kaema Sutra specials at Shangri-La Colombo
Kaema Sutra recently moved to Shangri-La Hotel , Colombo from the restaurant’s original location at Arcade, Independence Square. Serving up interesting items such as the black hopper(with squid ink) and the roti pizza, the restaurant aims to serve tapas styled cuisine, said Dharshan Munidasa, the mastermind behind Kaema Sutra. Vice President and General Manager of [...]
Jetwing dives into surf resort in Pottuvil
Launching their latest hotel venture with a splash the proud team at Jetwing enthusiastically presented the “Next Big Wave in the East” – Jetwing Surf in Pottuvil Point at a media briefing last month at Jetwing Colombo Seven. Addressing the media Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray, Managing Director at Jetwing Hotels Ruan Samarasinghe, Architect of Jetwing [...]
Help make Lionel Wendt archive a reality
The Lionel Wendt Memorial Fund (LWMF) is presently engaged in creating an archive of Lionel Wendt, his work and the Centre for the Arts built in his memory. The LWMF is the only officially appointed organisation in the world established with the purpose of perpetuating the legacy of Lionel Wendt. The Lionel Wendt Memorial Fund [...]
VSF’s journey of service concludes
The concept of Veera Sebala Foundation (VSF) came from Mangala Boyagoda (Boya) in April 1984 while he was working as an Executive at the Forex Department at the Bank of Ceylon. It was the time when Eelam War One had been officially declared by the then Government against the LTTE and the country had started [...]
Remember the Christ child this Christmas
Well over 2000 years ago a baby was born to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph and this Baby is the One whom Christians call Jesus Christ. All Christians believe that He is the Son of God and on December 25 they recall His birth and give thanks to [...]
PEO TV commemorates the doyen of Sinhala cinema
SLT PEO TV organised a felicitation ceremony to commemorate the work of legendary film-maker Lester James Peries. Titled “Lester – he is the cinema”, the event featured speeches from experts on the work of Lester James Peries, short video clips from his films and live music, also from his films. Lester James Peries is known [...]
“Ravana; the legend untold”: Operatic ballet with a difference by Colombo Uni.
In an attempt to bring forth an aesthetic interpretation of the story of king Ravana, the Arts Council of the University of Colombo in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education presents “Ravana; the legend untold” a Ballet- Opera. The script is composed by veteran novelist Bhadraji Mahinda Jayathilaka and the production has music and [...]
German Embassy helps with finances for Kelaniya Uni’s revamped Rickettsial diagnostics lab
The German Embassy has financed the purchase of a fluorescence microscope in support of the Kelaniya University’s Faculty of Medicine re-location and re-establishment of its Rickettsial Disease Diagnostics and Research Laboratory. Rickettsial Disease, which carries a high mortality, is spread by ticks, mites, fleas and body lice and is present in both urban and rural [...]
AWPA makes appeal for four-legged friends in this season of giving
‘Tis the season for giving and this appeal comes from the Animal Welfare and Protection Association which runs two shelters housing over 450 animals in Colombo. The AWPA is appealing for donations to cover feeding costs which amount to Rs 8,000 per day. Those who are moved to donate could kindly contact Suranganie de Silva, [...]
Indian High Commission holds photography, short film competition to mark Hindi Day
To mark World Hindi Day on January 10, 2018, an innovative islandwide photography and short film competition, “Alok Dhara” will be conducted by the High Commission of India, Colombo. 1) Photography competition with a caption/ title in Hindi. A photograph depicting any one of the following topics can be sent as an entry to the [...]