Fulfilling that early ‘exceptional promise’
Of the many fairy tales, real and fictional, that are interwoven in the magic carpet that is Hiran Abeysekera’s career, among the most moving is that of his first work visa application in the United Kingdom. Hiran had completed his studies after receiving a scholarship from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London [...]
A survivor’s memories 30 years after
Sri Lanka had already endured a long series of bombings even before the Central Bank bomb attack. Fear was part of daily life. The victims of a bomb explosion were often identified by their clothing. I remember leaving home each morning, asking my mother to look carefully at what I was wearing, because rumours were [...]
Letters to the Editor
The malaise of our public servants and politicians The NPP promised during the election campaign to clean up and make the public service efficient. Yet nothing has happened. Now they claim government employees are sabotaging their efforts because they oppose the administration. But let us not forget it was the public servants who voted to [...]
Appreciations
A life of great selfless service PERIN CAPTAIN Perin Captain devoted more than 65 years of selfless voluntary service to the cause of cancer care and patient welfare and stands as one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society. She was just 21 when she started working with [...]
A day of much significance for the Sangha
Of many events that took place on a Navam Full Moon Poya in Buddhist history, there are two of special significance. The first Sangha sammelanaya, the congregation of the Sangha (monks) numbering more than 1000 was held in the Buddha’s time, about nine months after His Enlightenment. A discourse, ovadha patimokkha (Sanskrit –Prathimoksha) which included [...]
Sharing the beats of hope and creativity
I moved from Sri Lanka to the United States over 40 years ago. Each year I spend December back in Sri Lanka, with my family living in the country as well as those living in the United Kingdom, Dubai, and the United States. It’s been a tradition for us to celebrate the holidays where it [...]
Memories of February 4, 1948 and very different times
78 years have passed since that momentous day in 1948 when the Lion flag, fashioned out of banners of yore including that of King Dutugemunu, whipped victorious in the skies of newly-independent Ceylon, freed of almost four centuries under foreign yoke. The date was February 4, 1948. Amidst the few people alive who can hark [...]
The Kandyan roots of the struggle for independence
When Sri Lanka gained independence from British Colonial rule on February 4, 1948, it marked the end of almost a century and a half of subjugation. It was on March 2, 1815, that the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British Crown. The signing of the Treaty – the Kandyan Convention (Udarata Givisuma) took place [...]
Waves of Hope: Book your table now
The momentum behind ‘Waves of Hope’, the charity concert on Sunday, February 8 organised by the Western Musicians Association (WMA) in collaboration with Rotary District 3220, continues to build as the event rapidly approaches a full house. The concert is being held in aid of communities and families affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The event brings [...]
Series of talks by CHDM for Independence
The Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory will host four events in the first two weeks of February relating to Sri Lanka’s history and memory. On Tuesday, February 3 at 5 p.m., Ravibandhu Vidyapathy will speak on the dance and design of Somabandhu Vidyapathy and his contribution to 20th century art. On Thursday, the 5th, [...]
Pottery as both craft and reflection
‘Shadows of a Pre-Renaissance Era’, an exhibition by master potter Ajith Mohan Perera, highlighting the cultural and artistic significance of pottery as both craft and reflection on society will be held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams on February 2 and 3. With decades of experience behind him, Ajith Mohan Perera, sees the art [...]
Kala Pola: Your favourite open-air art fair is back
Sri Lanka’s renowned open-air art fair, Kala Pola, returns for its 33rd edition on Sunday, February 8, along Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path), Colombo 07. Conceptualised and introduced by the George Keyt Foundation in 1993, and sponsored and co-presented by the John Keells Group since 1994, Kala Pola has grown into a cultural landmark that continues to [...]
When tuk-tuks become mobile canvases
At the 2026 Matara Festival for the Arts (MFA) which takes place this February 20-23, tuk-tuks will take on a leading role. They will be transformed into mobile artworks, created in a collaboration between Sri Lankan contemporary artists, a regional artist from India, youth from Matara, and of course, local tuk drivers. The project, supported [...]