Blanket stereotypes ignore resilience of community life
We sit cross-legged on Vadhani Akka’s balcony as she shreds carrots, leeks and tomatoes on her vegetable cutter with a flourish, preparing lunch for her family of five. Her story is one of dukha (suffering), but her narrative style is triumphant. “When I was small, we lived in a hut in Manikwatta. There was a [...]
Silent invaders encroaching on Horton Plains
Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, a blend of undulating hills draped in montane cloud forests, open pathana grasslands, and wetland habitats, Horton Plains harbours an extraordinary array of endemic flora and fauna, including the Sri Lankan sambar deer, leopard, purple-faced leaf monkey, rusty-spotted cat, grizzled giant squirrel, and European otter. It also shelters numerous endemic [...]
Letters to the Editor
A pensioner’s plea 30 to 35 years We toil for the homeland Strike or protest rallies Were not in our blood Three to four decades of hard work Our hands, once strong now shaking. Pension we receive once a month Half or more goes for health care Basic quality essentials We only buy from eyes [...]
Appreciations
Inspired by his professionalism, kindness and integrity PROF. HERBERT ALLAN APONSO A centenarian, Prof. Herbert Aponso’s demise a few days ago grieved his many students, including the writer. They are now doctors in all parts of the world. He was a devout Christian and a pillar of the Church in Kandy. He had given up [...]
Gordie and Pope John Paul II
I realise that old folk like myself tend to repeat ourselves. Younger family members often remind me that I have the habit of repeating stories and anecdotes (tales they have already heard not once but several times) as if these are new stories being told for the first time. That said, I felt I MUST [...]
‘Signature Weekend’ with Deepa Mehta
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts under its Signature Selection brand, is hosting Oscar-nominated filmmaker and producer Deepa Mehta for a special Signature Weekend on May 31 and June 1. Hosted at Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection and Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, the weekend celebrates three iconic films by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker –Midnight’s Children, [...]
Naxos releases Tanya’s sixth solo album inspired by 16 Sri Lankan isles
‘16 Sri Lankan Piano Isles’ – Dr Tanya Ekanayaka’s sixth solo album will be released worldwide by Naxos Records on their Naxos World label on May 23, 2025. Dr Ekanayaka is the first Sri Lankan composer to have entire albums of original music released globally by international record labels, Naxos being one of the world’s [...]
Stories that come from an unseen force
A former English teacher who served in remote government schools for over two decades and journalist for more than 25 years, Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe brings his experiences to his storytelling. He is also a social entrepreneur and activist committed to justice, equality and democratic reform. A published novelist, poet, translator, award-winning short story writer and [...]
Retelling patriarchy: The view of a girl child
Young poet Ranudi Gunawardena explores the wombscape, childhood in rural landscapes and the uncanny in nature, her work already published in literary magazines such as Action, Spectacle, Chestnut Review, Magma and Sho. She studies at Williams College, Massachusetts, USA. Of her collection of poetry shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize titled Wombful of Weeds, she says: [...]
Sister Library in Sri Lanka, a new chapter begins
Inside the airy rooms of the Lakmahal Community Library, voices rise one after another. A single book passes between readers in a quiet ritual of shared discovery. No spotlight, no script – just a circle of people reading together. This is the Sister Library, and it is not your typical library. A travelling archive of [...]
London Grill @ 50 cooks up a feast with Chef Phillip Davenport
Cinnamon Grand Colombo marks the 50th anniversary of its fine-dining restaurant, London Grill, hosting a culinary collaboration with celebrity chef and TV personality Phillip Davenport. This milestone not only celebrates the restaurant’s five decades but also 20 years of the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Area Vice President of Cinnamon Colombo Hotels and General Manager of Cinnamon [...]