Raban rhythms, keeping the heartbeat of avurudu alive
The sounds of the raban playing echoe through towns and villages across the country on New Year’s day (April 14 this year) heralding the dawn of an auspicious time for the country and its people, a tradition that goes back centuries. While New Year celebrations have changed over the years, raban playing remains a much-loved [...]
A whole new world of kolam to welcome the Hindu New Year
Kolam, the brilliantly colourful patterns that adorn Hindu thresholds come Puthandu (as the Tamils call their traditional new year) are a vital a part of the season like the payasam, the pachadi, the peal of kovil bells, the dousing cold bath by the well, and the pooja… In days of yore, kolam were really a [...]
Lighting up their special beat band with gifts of music
A most unexpected high note in their simple lives was achieved on Saturday, March 29, bringing big smiles to their faces and the promise of a brighter future. Expectations and excitement were tangible in the preparations to greet a special visitor. The unexpected happened when the visitor arrived – she did not just sit around [...]
Letters to the Editor
Bring in solutions to problems faced by senior citizens I wish to extend my appreciation firstly to The Sunday Times for publishing articles in your people-friendly newspaper (Letters to Editor) and then to the Senior Citizens who expressed their sad thoughts regarding the new laws introduced by the Government which has led them to a [...]
Appreciations
A two-decade long driving force behind the SSC W.T. Ellawala Recently the curtain descended gently on the incredible life of William Tissa Ellawala – Tommy to his friends and family. A third generation Thomian, W.T. Ellawala – recipient of the Victoria Gold Medal and the Mollamure Prize was appointed Head Prefect of S. Thomas’ College [...]
Finding the path to his own artistic awakening
Wasantha Namaskara’s art adorns the walls of the Paradise Road Gallery depicting fleeting states of mind. Wasantha has come a long way from his village in Badulla, handpicked from the anonymity of the Kala Pola down Green Path by Udayshanth Fernando, Chairman of Paradise Road, today the whole serene gallery dedicated to his talent with [...]
A timeless drape
Unfurl, the Spring Festival 2025 – a stunning saree fashion show showcasing the work of 10 designers will be held at the Barefoot Garden Café on Saturday, April 26 at 6.30 p.m. with 100% of ticket sales going directly to CFS Prithipura Homes. Bringing fresh ideas to this timeless piece of clothing, the show celebrates [...]
Longlist for 32nd Gratiaen Prize
The Gratiaen Trust this week announced the Longlist for the 32nd annual Gratiaen Prize. The longlisted authors are: He Was God’s Child Too – Upali Mahaliyana Her Truth – Binendri Perera Kata Katha: Gossip, Rumours, and Idle Talk – Savin Edirisinghe Nowhere No Return – Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe The Warm South – Vihanga Perera The [...]
Paw-sperity, all for the love of dogs
The successful Paw-sperity Extravaganza, held on Saturday, March 29 at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand, was in aid of Rescue Animals Sri Lanka (RAS). Mrs Sri Lanka and 1st Runner Up to Mrs World 2025, Ishadi Amanda, was the Chief Guest at the event that saw a day filled with fun, food, shopping [...]
Telling the truth with a form that allows formlessness
Ever since she began researching for The Hamilton Case, her first book which included Sri Lankan content, Michelle de Kretser has checked details with me whenever she produces similar work on the grounds that, since she left Sri Lanka at the age of 14, her recollections of the island are murky. Consequently, when she asked [...]