A boom from the past
If only Fort Ostenberg in Trincomalee could talk, it would brag of its lost glory: the wars waged to claim the prized naval base it watched over and the cannon which were fired over it. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, suspicious of the entire world, would not compromise the coastal defence of their [...]
The “Freedom Principle” demonstrated in Colombo
In confluence with the 70th anniversary of Ceylon’s Independence from British rule, was the marking of seven decades of diplomatic relations betwixt Washington and Colombo; that was the compelling rationale for the US State Department to arrange that the US Embassy in Colombo host the visit of trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and the International All Stars [...]
Letters to the Editor
Tuition posters:The writing is on the wall for our education system I wish to bring to the notice of the public as well as the relevant authorities the harm done to the environment by tuition posters that are on every wall, bus shelter, pillar and post by the roadside. They are not only an eyesore [...]
Right to eat animal flesh – right to painless slaughter
One’s right to consume what one desires is one’s choice, unless restricted for some reason or the other. The choices are many, as are the reasons. Some relish animal flesh, vegetarians abstain from eating flesh and vegans avoid all animal products. The reasons too are varied – health, religious or compassion to animals. But, animals [...]
Taking art of mindfulness to schools, universities and Parliament
Sati is mindfulness in Pali. To be mindful is to live in the present moment and experience it consciously through one’s senses. The Sati Pasala programme launched with the aim of sharing mindfulness with students, teachers, private and public sector personnel and other communities within and outside Sri Lanka is now being practised in schools [...]
Artists and art lovers; they were all there
It wass indeed a free space to enjoy art! Green Path was crowded with hundreds of locals and foreigners last Sunday strolling leisurely among the roadside stalls full of colourful paintings and creative sculptures. Kala Pola, the annual open air art fair organized by the George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Holdings, was celebrating its [...]
Exhibition of Classen’s work back in Colombo
An exhibition of original paintings/ drawings and prints of George Claessen will be held at the Paradise Road Galleries from March 9 -April 12. It is 18 years since the death of George Claessen, aged 89, in London and 69 years since he left the shores of this island for the last time, in 1949. [...]
My own delight was shared by many
Music Beyond Borders presented by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka featuring internationally renowned Pianist Marialena Fernandez and Conductor Viswa Subbaraman on February 7 at the Ladies College Hall I write in response to a request not for a review, but for my own reflections on the concert of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka [...]
Young law students to take prosecution to the stage
In 1933, renowned crime writer Agatha Christie published “Witness for the Prosecution”, a short story she had previously written for a weekly publication. Like most of her portfolio of work, it centred around a murder mystery which unfolds through the court proceedings of the case. This month, the “Sri Lanka Law College Drama Circle” present [...]
Ajai gets chance to talk Lankan fashion with Duchess of Cambridge
When recently reappointed Commonwealth Fashion Council member, Ajai Vir Singh landed in London late last month, he already had reasons to be excited. Along with his reappointment to the Council, Ajai was invited to attend a reception hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex at Buckingham Palace for the Commonwealth Fashion [...]
Ever wonder about our own wonders?
Sri Lankans travel far and wide within the country, taking in picture-postcard like scenery, being entranced by waterfalls splashing down mountain sides, peering deeply down gorges or gazing in amazement at wide vistas of flatland. But, how many ponder over the passionate love affair, going back aeons, among the elements, particularly earth, water and wind [...]
Dhananath’s freemarket think tank that hopes to build a fairer society
To own and live in your own house is the dream of most Sri Lankans. Sadly for over 2.5 million families it will only be just that, a dream. According to the housing needs assessment and data survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Construction, over 2.5 million families either live in temporary housing, [...]
Touching lives, the Chitra Lane way
The Chitra Lane School for the Special Child was founded in 1967 by Delysia Gunewardene. The institution grew and its mission helped an overlooked section of children immensely over the next 50 years. So it was fitting that the school would choose to celebrate half a century of altruistic service with The Chitra Lane Way: [...]
Mannar’s splendour: To explore and protect
When presented with a wealth of material, one may wonder why this review begins with a reference to photographs but it is hard not to get carried away by the beauty of the images in this new coffeetable book on Mannar. If you wanted to know why many consider Mannar unique here is the photographic [...]
Delightful reading and food for thought stories
Not all reach the top. But “Impressions” is written by one of Sri Lanka’s greatest entrepreneurs who started an enterprise and reached the top in his profession during his lifetime and made his product a household name. These were observations made by D. C. R. A. Goonetilleke, Emeritus Professor of English, University of Kelaniya to [...]
Appreciations
A leading planter who went places but never lost his humble touch Leslie Dharmaratne It is one year since the friend and mentor of so many, Leslie Dharmaratne, departed this earth on that fateful day – March 3. Leslie after an illustrious career at his alma mater – Kingswood College – joined that exclusive agency [...]
Priya returns with an exhibition in her inimitable style
‘Escape 02’, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Priya Goonetilleke will be held over the weekend of March 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery in Colombo 7. Priya has been showcasing her work since 1972 with annual exhibitions of the Ceylon Society of Arts, at [...]
Life in the tea plantations that gave impetus to humanitarian work
Saitha Rezel’ s birthday parties growing up, are what today’s instagrammers could only dream of. Her 19th birthday in particular stands out: memories of the pool and dancing against the backdrop of the old world charm of the tea estates in Gampola and Kurunegala where she grew up. On March 8, Saitha will launch ‘Steeping’ [...]
Little Yasiru needs your help
Seven-year-old Yasiru Bandara was born being unable to hear. An operation to give him a hearing aid costing Rs 20 lakhs was done after his mother K.L.H. Dayawathi made an appeal in the newspapers. That was in 2015. Now the hearing aid needs new batteries which cost Rs.70,000. Dayawathi says Yasiru is now in Grade [...]
Photography as a tool for conservation
This month’s Wildlife and Nature Protection Society’s lecture will be on ‘Photography – Tool for Conservation’. To be held on on March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Lotus Hall of the BMICH, the talk will be delivered by Lakshitha Karunarathna, who was the Grand Prize Winner for Nature’s Best Photography awarded by the Smithsonian [...]