A quiet stone: Ceylon’s original war memorial
On August 20, 1919, a large crowd gathered at the Kanatte General Cemetery in Borella, then an outer suburb of Ceylon’s colonial capital Colombo. At 5.30 p.m. the Mayor, R. W. Byrde, unveiled a plain stone memorial which was covered in floral tributes. The gravestone bore the inscription: “IN MEMORY OF THE CEYLONESE FALLEN IN [...]
Supporting communities and saving the leopard
Oft Sri Lanka has sighed and cried over brutal and heart-rending photographs of dead majestic leopards battered, poisoned or noosed either around their necks or agonizingly around their stomachs and hanging on trees. Soon after, we have forgotten these terrible incidents and moved on until the next killing. Déjà vu seems to have been the [...]
‘It’s About Time’: Travelling history museum at the Public Library
Whether you are a lover of history or not, ‘It’s About Time’ – a travelling history museum, welcomes all to come and immerse themselves in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history at their exhibition that takes place from August 19 to 23 at the Colombo Public Library. Admission is free. The exhibition will feature hands-on exhibits, interactive [...]
Appreciations
An exemplary public servant K.H.J. Wijayadasa When Charmalee asked if I could write an appreciation of her father, K.H.J.Wijayadasa, to mark his second death anniversary, I readily agreed, not because I am much of a writer but due to my very enjoyable and enriching association with him for well over 40 years. An outstanding product [...]
Sincere ode to Sri Lanka rarely found in history textbooks
When the Sunday Times Plus last met Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha, it was a decade and one year ago, and he had just published Strangers on the Camino- a book on the 800-kilometre walk along the Camino De Santiago pilgrim trail that he undertook with his son. This time we are meeting to discuss a trail [...]
Beyond the weave: Textile as art
Marie Gnanaraj is soft spoken, but with firm views about textiles. Her new exhibition n Texture Matters is a rallying cry that we regard textiles as art. “I am challenging the idea that a loom just makes fabric. I am manipulating the loom to divide space, to knot and to twist. …and find new textures,” [...]
The perfect recipe for laughter back in Colombo
Run For Your Wife is back on the Colombo stage under the aegis of Cold Theatre 7 and director Kevin Cruze. Having been earlier done by Mohamed Adamaly (twice) and Indu Dharmasena to great acclaim, the familiar play promises an evening of laughter and fun. Written by Ray Cooney, the plot centres around London’s ‘cabby’ [...]