The gentle thespian
Jith Pieris, the ineffably modest theatre veteran who, along with the likes of Jerome de Silva, was a senior mentor in the local English drama scene, passed away on Wednesday, January 7. Jith with his signature “plebeian-looking” cap was one of the illustrious Pieris family, and, like his Grand-Uncle Harold Pieris, was a sensitive and [...]
Meet the champion of ‘cool’ reptiles
They do not evoke the oohs and aahs that usually come about on spotting iconic mammals such as the elephant, bear or leopard or birds like the peacock displaying its rainbow coloured train in courtship display. However, there are more of their species on earth than mammals and birds combined and these are the very [...]
Letters to the Editor
Affordability or efficacy: NMRA must get its act together and bring back quality drugs Warren Buffet and Oscar Wilde are known to have clearly differentiated the meaning of ‘price’ and ‘value’. The local drug authority is acting in total ignorance of the services rendered by our pharmaceutical industry to Sri Lanka by showing least respect [...]
Appreciations
Remembering Seeya on his 75th birthday TISSA WIJEMANNE Spending time with my grandfather was more than just visits – it was a time filled with laughter, wisdom and fun. His stories, repeated but never dull, brought the past to life. My life changed forever when he passed away. His rocking chair sat empty, and his [...]
Back pain and bipedalism
The World Health Organisation notes that in 2020, 619 million people worldwide suffered from lower back pain. Globally, lower back pain is the primary cause of disability. I am one of these 619 million people. I have often wondered why low back pain is so common among humans but have learned that the primary cause [...]
Memory carried in bodies, voices and everyday acts
At Colomboscope 2026, taking place from January 21 to 31, the works of Basir Mahmood, Nina Mangalanayagam and Marie Bergqvist unfold through sound, image and gesture, illuminating what lingers when histories fracture, when access is denied, or when language fails. Echoing the overarching theme of this year’s edition, Rhythm Alliances, their works incorporate cinema, choral [...]
Using art to bridge the human-elephant conflict
In a world where our youth are setting their sights on high-rise malls and greener pastures, it is indeed refreshing to come across someone like Janith Weerasinghe, a 32-year-old artist who loves this land and its true heirs –those in far-flung, remote villages who still sing folk poems from atop their huts in chenas to [...]
Mahagama Sekera, the artist on view
Mahagama Sekera (1929 – 1976) – artist, poet, writer, lyricist, playwright and filmmaker remains one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated and multifaceted artists, whose creative genius continues to inspire generations of art and literary enthusiasts. ‘The Art of Mahagama Sekera – a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition’ will be held on January 14 – 15 at the Alliance [...]
Personal perspective on adversity
Think about it: maybe hardship isn’t designed to crush you, but to strengthen you. The subject takes on further significance in the light of Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery, the trust-building efforts of institutions, the reevaluation of future prospects by young people, and the challenges faced by professionals in dealing with burnout and uncertainty. A [...]