My first recollection of Reggie Abeyweera was when I was nine years old and my father built a house at Athula Mawatha off Templers Road at the then De Soysa Estate in Ratmalana. Mr. Abeyweera was one of the first residents in De Soysa Estate. Maybe a few years back, he constructed a two-storey house which was a luxury at that time for all of us to admire.
Babiyan, as he was fondly known, would be chuckling from his heavenly abode, having observed with humility his earthly farewell – especially the singing of his well-loved hymns complete with harmonies, the way he would like them, full-bodied! These were sung by members of the former Cantata Singers, a choral ensemble founded by Babiyan in the late 1960s. The spontaneity with which they assembled at his farewell out of duty and devotion speaks muc
March 22 marks World Water Day, but what significance does this really hold? This year’s theme is ‘Leaving no one behind’, adapting the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that as sustainable......
These have resulted in misguiding the public towards obtaining short-term popularity and fulfilling opportunistic political aims. Against a context of several selfish, opportunistic and anarchist political leaders, a significant number of people in Sri Lanka....
Young Don Stephen (DS) and his two brothers FR and DC inspired by Buddhism and anti-colonialism were connected with the ‘Temperance Movement of Ceylon’ which was formed in 1912. The movement also played a leading role in the Independence Movement.
The Central Ceylon Muslim Ladies’ Union, Kandy marked International Women’s day recently, with a large crowd present. The two guest speaks at the occasion were Dr. Kalyani Pethiyagoda, Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya.....
The ninth annual ‘Leelananda Memorial Debate’ between Isipathana College and Anula Vidyalaya concluded successfully on March 8 at the main hall of Isipathana College. It was organised by the academic staff and Old Boys’ Association (OBA) of Isipathana.
World TB Day, observed on March 24 each year, is designed to raise awareness on tuberculosis that remains an epidemic in many parts of the world and is responsible for the deaths of nearly one and a half million people annually, mostly in developing countries.
Drunken driving has become a serious issue in the society due to the harsh outcomes it has and it could cause. Due to this reason, the law has set its frames tight around drunken driving. This is very visible when comparing Section 151(1) of the Motor Traffic Act No.14 of 1951 and its amendment by Act No. 31 of 1979. The former states that “No person shall drive a motor
The tobacco industry is known for it’s interference and influence of the public and Governments. The influences reported from all over the world are commonest from the multinational cigarette companies, collectively known as ‘Big Tobacco’. In Sri Lanka, it is represented by the British American Tobacco (BAT) and its subsidiary Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC). They
With 119 members voting in favour, the second reading of the Budget for the 2019 fiscal year was approved in parliament last week. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in his Budget speech stressed on the government’s belief in growth led by private enterprise, well illustrated in its pursual of a liberal outward oriented economy. Speculation was rife, prior to its tabling, that the Budget would inclu
We see Dinithi in close-up almost all the time, yet she seems distanced from us. The action is limited to the interiors, and Dinithi does what little she can inside the house. But then even something as innocuous as a telephone conversation has to be muffled. (In the first few scenes we see her from behind a latticed wall when she’s talking over the phone.) We realise there’s something wrong in this family, an
A Choreographic dance production by Aru Sri Art Theatre with eminent danseuse Rama Vaidyanathan On 22 March 2019 at 7 pm at Bishops college auditorium Celebrating 150 years of Mahatma-“Ahimsa”, a choreographic dance production blended together with thematic concepts using performing arts will be presented by Aru Sri Art Theatre in collaboration with the High Commission of India, Colombo on March 22, 2019 at 7.00 pm at Bishop’s College Auditorium
The Pali Tipitaka volumes form the foundation source of the Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition. Tipitaka Dharma constitutes of the Sutra Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and the Abhidharma Pitaka apart from including the Atthakatha and Teeka. This is the most prominent sacred heritage in the world history which has been brought forward for generations by listening to verbal recitation and memorising. Since the first Dhamma Sangayana to the transcription of th
In recognition of the services rendered by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to the Buddha Sasana and the society in general, the Most Ven. Maha Nayaka Maha Thera and the Sangha Sabha of the Malwatta Chapter of the Siam Sect have decided to felicitate him by conferring him the Honorary title of “Sasana Keerthi Sri Deshabhimani” at a special ceremony held in Kandy. Jayasuriya was born in Siyane Korale; the home town of patriotic leaders who led the freedom
One of the urgent needs to overhaul the educational system in the country is to make compulsory the study of Moral Science or Ethics in all schools from Grade 1 to Grade 7 so that the young become aware of what is right and wrong to observe and the correct way of living.
Sri Shirdi Sai Trust of Sri Lanka and trustees of Sri Varatharaja Vinayagar - Sai Nathanin Saranalayam in Kotahena have jointly organised a devotional classical Bharatanatyam dance performance by renowned Indian classical dancer Sri Pavithra Krishna Bhat today at 6.30 p.m.at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. The event aims at raising awareness on the magnificent Shirdi Sai consciousness that is happening globally and to seek support for the upcom
It was yet another routine Thursday night when I decided to nestle in bed after a long day’s mundane work and running errands and doing the chores, and since my parents had flown to KSA for my elder sister’s confinement and to perform Umrah(pilgrimage), I’d wanted my newly-wedded brother and his wife to rough out at our rather capacious house that would totally fit us youngsters. With all energy drained on the demanding weekday, I’d fallen into d
Born to righteous parents in the village of Kurukulawa in Ragama was my beloved aunt, Ciline. She grew up with honours and esteem. Aunt Ciline excelled in her studies and graduated from Peradeniya University. Later, she took up to teaching. She served the education sector as a teacher for four decades, finally ending up as the Vice Principal of Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya in Kelaniya. She was a faithful wife to Oliver Samaranayake, a dedicated mot
Ranbanda Seneviratne will be remembered, more than anything else, as the writer of ‘Landune.’ In the course of that song, Ranbanda compares the titular girl, a prostitute, to Patachara and Kisa Gotami, “without a husband,” “aimlessly wandering,” “sinning in secret,” “with only your breasts, and not soul, to see.”
IMF review for Sri Lanka delayed
Canada issues travel advisory over serious risk in Arugam Bay
More countries issue travel advisories
Sri Lanka Tourism invites global travellers for upcoming season
Russian embassy urges citizens to stay vigilant in Arugam Bay
Immigration authorities to crack down on overstaying Russians, Israelis
Sri Lanka may face another economic turmoil: Sajith