Spotted: The black beauty
Random talk of sightings by villagers and a few tragic deaths in snares have kept people’s curiosity piqued about this uniquely beautiful Big Cat. The only Big Cat in Sri Lanka, the graceful and powerful leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is special by itself, but the black of its kind is extra-special. And so it is [...]
A villa, a fictional place and a socio-political commentary on Sri Lanka
In Amanthi Harris’ novel Beautiful Place, the beauty, kindness and joy of a place and its people coexist with violence, cruelty and sorrow. Published in September 2019, the novel is centred around the inhabitants, guests and bystanders at Villa Hibiscus, a house by the sea along Sri Lanka’s south coast. Born in Sri Lanka, Amanthi [...]
Letters to the Editor
Let’s bring commitment and professionalism to our cricket This is an open letter to the Chairman, Cricket Board: I am just completing 70 years of my life and have been a cricket player from the age of 11. I was not selected to play for Ceylon but I have seen every moment of development of [...]
Appreciations
A doyen of towering intellect and exceptional humanity Prof. M.D. DASSANAYAKE Monday January 6, though bright and sunny, was a sombre day for botanists at the Peradeniya University for the remains of late Professor Dassanayake were to be brought to the Department of Botany, allowing his former colleagues and students gathered there to pay their [...]
The future of our classical music is in good hands
To commemorate the 120th anniversary of Lionel Wendt’s birth, the trustees of the Lionel Wendt Memorial Fund are organising a series of events throughout 2020. This programme of events was launched on Friday, January 17 with a tribute to Lionel Wendt’s first love -music. The concert was the second one of its kind showcasing the [...]
BTHVN 2020: SOSL’s tribute concert for the Master
Around the world, BTHVN 2020 signifies the celebration of the 250th birth anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven occasionally signed his compositions with the abbreviation BTHVN and the main themes of his 250th anniversary will be based on these alphabetical characters. B (born in Bonn), T (Tonkünstler = Composer), H (Humanist) V (Visionary) N (Nature [...]
Keep fit: You can do it in your workplace too, says WHO
Bright and airy, the ‘corner’ with colourful posters on its wall beckons…….as the hand stretches towards a shelf stacked with tempting drinks in all their variety, a closer look delays the pick-up action. For alongside each and every drink, be it a cola, a malt, a nectar, an iced tea or more is a tube [...]
A much-needed children’s book with a local flavour
You are what you eat, goes the popular adage, and this applies to the stories we consume. They form an important part of our memories and colour our world view. As Michael Morgan, former Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst says “Stories affect how we live our lives, how we see other [...]
All set for S. Thomas’ Prep Night Walk
It’s time to get your walking shoes on- this time at dusk on Saturday, February 1, as S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, Kollupitiya returns with another school walk, albeit with a difference – it is Sri Lanka’s first-ever school-led Night Walk. The Night Walk is one of the first fund raising projects for a Primary Section [...]
Making a fashion statement with plastic
Making a strong commitment to sustainable fashion, leading clothing brand GFLOCK launched their Recycled Collection earlier this month. All creations in this collection which incorporates street wear, office wear and formal wear have been made with fabric made from plastic PET bottles. The initiative is the brainchild of GFLOCK’s dynamic CEO and founder Ranil Wiladdarage [...]
Gourmet Chinese New Year treat at Shangri-La Colombo
The Chinese New Year dawned on January 25, ushering in the Year of the Rat, seen by many to be a lucky year. Each year represents a particular animal according to Chinese astrology. A symbol of diligence, kindness, and generosity, the rat has also been celebrated in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, [...]
Prosperity Toss heralds Year of the Rat at Hilton
With the dawn of the Lunar New Year 2020 (January 25) comes all the traditional celebrations and ceremonies that ensure the year brings happiness and prosperity. Hilton Colombo ushered in the Year of the Rat with the traditional ceremony of yee sang, also known as yusheng or ‘Prosperity Toss’ on Thursday 23, and launched a [...]