A love letter to Bawa and to Lanka
Afdhel Aziz grew up with Geoffrey Bawa pretty much always on the horizon. At school at S. Thomas’ Prep Kollupitiya there was that classic building with the giant mural of hornbills in a jungle. When as a boy he went on cycle rides at dusk near home in Kotte, he was ever silhouetted against the [...]
The case of the cat burglar
When a man is charged with kidnapping half a dozen kittens, it appears to be an open and shut case, even for a jury made up of oddballs like a dimwitted PR guy, a quarrelling couple, and a man who is fixated on french fries. Even in the face of mounting evidence, Juror No. 8, [...]
A taste of authentic Malay culture
As part of the Sri Lanka Malay Association’s centenary celebrations, ‘Pasar Malam’, a hawker-street-style food and cultural festival will be held on February 26 – a rare opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lankan Malays. “The evening will be a cultural extravaganza. Demonstrations of exotic cuisine and secret recipes will provide the [...]
A fascinating look at the story of surgery in this land
As the Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Peradeniya, until recently, Professor Channa Ratnatunga’s (CR) fame among the medical fraternity mainly rested on his prowess as a skilled surgeon, excellent teacher and prolific researcher. Now, with the publication of his latest book – ‘The History of Surgery in Sri Lanka’ – CR has shown his [...]
Nat. Trust lecture on GIS based heritage inventory of Anuradhapura
Prof. Nuwan Abeywardane will talk on the “Heritage Management and Preservation of Anuradhapura by Geographical Information System (GIS)” in the monthly lecture of the National Trust of Sri Lanka on Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m. The link to join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89817248226 Prof. Abeywardane’s presentation is an analytical and interpretative study in the [...]
Taking Artra boldly into its second decade
Azara Jaleel is dressed in her signature black: black stiletto heels, elegant black net stockings visible through black split skirt, and black bag. The founder and editor of Artra, the dedicated arts magazine confesses that she loves a ramble in the jungles of Yala and Wilpattu as much as she loves strolling through an urban [...]
Top Singapore award for Lankan
Sri Lankan-born Aravinth Kumarasamy, Artistic Director of Apsaras Art was conferred Singapore’s prestigious Cultural Medallion for 2022 at a ceremony held in December at the Istana, the official residence of the President of Singapore. The Cultural Medallion – the prime accolade for arts practitioners in Singapore recognises those whose artistic excellence, contribution and commitment to [...]
The New Jerusalem: Inspirational
It was a packed gathering on Friday 10th February 2023, that was enthralled with divine music, congregational singing and the exceptional vocal and choral presentation of ‘The New Jerusalem’ by the sought after De Lanerolle Brothers, accompanied to perfection by the choir ‘Oktave’ and the virtuoso organ playing of maestro Neranjan De Silva. The magnificent [...]
Letters to the Editor
Time to revive angampora Last week’s issue of the Sunday Times carried an advertisement from the Department of Physical Education of the University of Colombo calling for qualified persons for instructors in twelve subjects. Some of the subjects are, elle for women and men, kabadi, yoga, scrabble and carrom. I feel it is unfortunate that [...]
appreciations
May she be born again as my mother Rupa Aluwihare Ellepola Rupa Aluwihare Ellepola passed away on February 4, 2023, a couple of months before her 93rd birthday. She was born on March 26, 1930 at Owille Walawwa Aluwihare as the eldest child of Tikiri Banda Aluwihare and Tikiri Kumarihamy Sirimalwatte. Having attended Hillwood College as [...]