Many highs at 50 years of Bardic brilliance as Othello reigns
It was a starry night of Bardic brilliance when the Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition celebrated its fiftieth year – half a century of fostering English thespians in the country. The winners this year were Visakha Vidyalaya (girls) and St. Joseph’s College (boys), but the other schools were not ‘also-rans’ and the judges obviously were the [...]
“Ayati changed our lives”
‘Ayati’ is not just ‘mother’ to thousands of special children from all corners of Sri Lanka but also to their parents and families. With 14,800 children registered with this state-of-the-art ‘Ayati Centre for Children with Disabilities’ in Ragama and where around 60 children and their parents walk in daily to what is considered their home [...]
Letters to the Editor
Original birth certificate is valid for all official matters There is a widespread misconception circulated by various individuals that the original birth certificate is not valid for official purposes, and that a copy issued within the last six months is required. This has led many citizens to undergo unnecessary hardship, often queuing for hours or [...]
Appreciations
One of the last survivors of the halcyon days of the foreign service Dr. John Gooneratne The recent passing of a stalwart of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS), John Gooneratne, brought to a close the life of a colourful personality who was one of the last survivors of the halcyon days of the foreign [...]
The importance of Vas retreat
The Vas (rains retreat) for Buddhist bhikkhus/bhikkhunis (monks/nuns) that began with the Esala Poya in July will end with Vap Poya on October 6. The Kathina Chivara Masaya (robes month) will begin with the Vap Poya and continue for one month ending with the Il Full Moon Poya in November. Pera vas is when the [...]
Exploration of Catholic priesthood through a personal journey
“Vinividimi Kandaveema” (Priesthood, A Mystery Unveiled): a biographical journey of Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando, written by Ajith Mendis, was launched earlier this week at St. Peter’s College. The event brought together clergy, academics, and well-wishers to celebrate the life and service of Father Camillus. The book describes the life of Father Camillus and also explores [...]
It is sad to get old….
Last week my wife and I went to visit an old friend. Since her husband passed away a few years ago, this lady has been living alone in the small house in which they had spent their more than 50 years of marriage. It was the same house where they had brought up their three [...]
26 years on, a day at the Book Fair is a must
They mill in their thousands around the BMICH, enjoying the crisp smell of paper in the air. The carnival feel is hard to miss and for many, it’s a whole day’s outing. The Colombo International Book Fair, now in its 26th year will take a bow tomorrow. With more than 500 exhibitors, many book launches, [...]
Country Roads…and so it’s back this time at Cinnamon Life
37 years is no short span of time and over the decades many are the memories the Country Roads concert has accumulated. The venues have changed, yet the audiences return for the mellow tunes by ‘the old faithfuls’ in ‘wild wild west’ style. This year Country Roads takes place on Sunday, October 19 at a [...]
Chitra Lane art exhibition: A joyous celebration of creativity
The Art and Craft Exhibition of the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child and the Chitra Lane Children’s Resource Centre was held on Friday, September 26, transforming the school gymnasium into a joyous celebration of creativity and inclusion. The exhibition showcased a captivating array of paintings, drawings, hand-crafted items, and decorative pieces, lovingly created [...]
Songs of gratitude: How Ladies’ College alumni are giving back to their teachers
There is a certain kind of magic in music. A single melody can transport us back in time — to classrooms filled with laughter, to corridors echoing with chatter, to the steady voices of teachers who shaped our lives. And for the alumni of Ladies’ College, Colombo, music is now becoming the bridge between their [...]
Visakhian voices soar in an evening of versatility
Visakha Vidyalaya has a proud history of achievements in western music. Some of her past pupils are classical musicians of local and international repute, both as performers and teachers who inspire generations to come. Most of these musicians were first nurtured in the school choir. It is a choir which obviously evolves as students and [...]