Bellanwila Esala Perahera: A religious and cultural icon

For the 69th successful time, the annual Bellanwila Esala Perahera will parade the streets this month. Since its commencement in 1950, this remarkable cultural and religious event has – except on a few occasions – taken to the streets in grandeur.

Kelaniya Flood Prevention Every Storm-Water Drain Counts

To Kelaniya residents, flooding is a recurrent horror story. The intermittent disruption caused to their day to day lives, the anger and frustration of being removed from their homes, and the damage caused to person and property, have tormented them for years.

Running on Empty Govt. policies are killing the Electronic vehicle system in Sri Lanka

Despite many popular automobiles such as the Toyota Aqua and Prius being seen as low to mid-range vehicles in international markets, successive Sri Lankan Governments’ aggressive taxation regimes and tariffs mean that they are priced as luxury vehicles in Sri Lanka and are out of the reach of most buyers.

Dr. Antony to conduct workshops on Acupressure

‘Acupressure program for a healthy life’, a programme organised by one of Sri Lanka’s leading acupuncturists, Deshamanya Master Dr. Cyril Antony will be held on August 25 and September 8 from 9 am onwards in Wattala.

Moratuwa undergrads design industrial chair

A wearable robotic exoskeleton chair, named ChairX, which aids industrial workers to sit while working, has been developed by a group of undergraduates attached to the Bionics Laboratory of Department of Mechanical Engineering at University of Moratuwa.

A people’s movement to shelve party politics Towards a non-violent political revolution in SL

As the country’s political arena is taking new turns with the upcoming Presidential Polls, several candidates – amateur and senior- have expressed their interests. It’s in this backdrop that the National Peoples Movement (NPM) has been established to attract professionals in order to make a change. The Movement believes that existing politician-centred culture has led Sri Lanka

Captive elephants and the way forward As Tikiri continues to live..

Her worn-down, skeletal frame flooded social media posts in a matter of seconds. Online petitions were signed, others called for justice, some called to boycott peraheras while the international wildlife community criticised us once again. All this was for Tikiri – a 70-year-old female elephant who was seen parading a pageant organised by the Sri Maha Vishnu Devalaya, one of the

In an attempt to save the planet, Millennials are going child-free

Millennials (born between 1981-1996) and Post-Millennials (born 1997-present) are causing a stir by announcing they would not have children (or limit the amount of children they have), due to the uncertain future surrounding climate change.

Mega Pride: Of lions, humans and evolutionary lessons

Mega Pride, a three-day photographic exhibition featuring images of lions captured by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka during his African tours, was launched yesterday at the Dutch Hospital in Fort. Below is a statement issued by Minister Ranawaka on the occasion.

Assault on Methodist Church trainee Freedom of religion denied, yet again

On August 4 (Sunday) 28-year-old evangelist and father of four, training under the Methodist Church, was allegedly attacked by three Buddhist monks after finishing a service at a house in Weragantota, Mahiyanganaya, Bishop Asiri Perera disclosed.

Art for art’s sake Keti Katha Kiyawamu

Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticism was revisited at Keti Katha Kiyawamu, a literary discourse held at the Colombo Public Library recently. Discussing three stories, Sunnadduli by Ajith Thilakasena...

The romance that probably never was

Readers would remember that in my previous article, I made mention that our college (Jaffna College) was co-educational and that a little more than a third of the students were girls, with varying degrees of good looks.

Shiv Kumar Sharma’s Santoor recital at the BMICH: A fitting finale to Indian I-Day

A thrilling performance by Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma’s Santoor ensemble at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) here on Thursday, was a fitting finale to the Indian Independence Day celebrations in the Sri Lankan capital.

Colombo University Alumni Association: 37th AGM and felicitation of senior distinguished alumni

The 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Colombo University Alumni Association was concluded recently at the Senate Hall, College House, Colombo University. Alumni President Rajeev Amarasuriya and office-bearers were elected for a further term.

Vernon Francis Siriwardene (1935-2019): A great father, voracious reader and teacher of life

It gives me a great sense of pleasure to pen an appreciation to celebrate the life of my beloved father. Vernon Francis Siriwardene passed away peacefully on Sunday eve, the day after Vesak full moon Poya day, three months ago.

With love to the late Rev. Fr. Elmo Dias: God welcomes a favoured son again

Each star that rises in dusky twilight, Each flower that opens petals small and white, Growing through the day and dangers all, At day’s end will fade and fall.

Patachara found her true refuge

Lord Buddha was at an assembly addressing monks when Patachara, grieving the loss of her entire family, stark, naked, raving mad, with no mind of her own, ran to the compassionate one.

Our permanent umbilical connectivity to India...

Yesterday was India’s Independence Day and was celebrated by India’s Jaffna Consulate – an event that Jaffna looked forward to as one of its important festivals with good food and Indian artistes com

‘Flygskam’ Is it possible to be an eco-friendly flyer?

Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate activist and Olympic athlete Björn Ferry have stopped flying in an attempt to save the environment. This idea around reducing (or not flying at all) has become so well-known in their home country of Sweden that there is now even a word for it -- ’Flygskam’ (pronounced fleeg-skahm) or ‘flying shame.’

Time to reform laws which protect children

Nimansa* has spent most of her life in a Child Care Institution (CCI). She was first raped at the CCI at the age of eight. She was raped again and impregnated at the age of 14, during which time she was physically abused by the police. She was convinced to give the child up for adoption by her Probation Officer (PO). After being forced to sign an affidavit that listed her age as 27 despite being 15, her baby’

How health promotion is changing lives in Rajarata

People in under-developed areas consider life as a burden. But bringing about a change in their lives in terms of looking at life positively means the world to them. After identifying issues that keep people from enjoying their lives, a group of academics decided to do things differently. This is how the Degree in Health Promotion was introduced at the University of Rajarata; which programme is the first in South Asia. Many years later, the Depar

Sanitary project Aruwakkalu landfill another white elephant?

Sri Lanka is facing a garbage crisis among other crises. It’s clear that we haven’t learned any lesson from the Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse which also claimed 32 lives. While the Government proposed the Aruwakkalu sanitary landfill project as a long-term viable option, it seems to be a threat to Puttalam,

A reader’s response to DM editorial on August 9 Choosing the right candidate for UNP

I write to you regarding the editorial that was published in your newspaper on August 9, 2019, titled Populist waves and political fortune. I wish to respond to the comments made by the author of this editorial with some key facts about Presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa. I will be grateful if you publish my response in full, as I believe it is important that your readers are provided with the facts about Premadasa.

Carbon and Energy Footprint of a Garment Manufactured in Sri Lanka

The apparel industry in Sri Lanka is –historically- a recent addition to the economy of the country, first showing significant growth in the 1980s and then grew much more significantly under the Multi Fibre Agreement that brought about quota restrictions to stimulate and rationalise the apparel industry throughout the world.

Continuing with the tradition of providing elephant attire

I hold no brief for Kandy City Centre Chairman Tusitha Wijesena, but what he has done for the Kandy Esala Perahera should be praised, so that those who fatten their purse during the time of the Kandy pageant could henceforth remind themselves what should be done to continue with this historic ritual.

Can this pageant retain its place of pride ?

Kandy Esala Perahera (Kandy pageant), which is now winding through the streets of Kandy in all its splendour, is yet to be acknowledged as a pageant one of its kind. Despite its historic significance, cultural diversity along with pomp and glory, international recognition for it has so far been illusive.

How the less affluent perished from devil’s brew

The huge urge to guzzle down a cup of Kasippu to salvage their day’s spent energy at dusk is perhaps the ultimate satisfying feeling for a daily paid minor labourer, who is into drinking. Driven out of exhaustion most underprivileged workers in Sri Lanka rely on an affordable swig of illicitly brewed liquor to enliven the spirits of gloomy lifestyles and also have a peaceful sleep. But no

The role of media in ethnic reconciliation

A free, professional and plural media contributes greatly to good governance and the development of society. Having a vibrant media, enables access to information and dialogue, encourages accountability and people to express views and causes greater political participation. In the wake of the tragedy faced by this nation on April 21, followed by heightened tensions

Tribute to Jean Arasanayagam: A farewell to the Nightingale of Kandy

Jean Arasanayagam writes these lines in her poem titled ‘Mortality’, which appeared in her poetry collection Life of a Poet. As it represents, being mortal humans, we all live lives with one sure destiny....

Wang’s Art: Stepping back into Past

The exhibition of watercolour paintings, ceramics and calligraphy by Chinese artist Wang Rongmao held at the J. D. A. Perera Gallery, the University of Fine Arts, Colombo, gave a rare opportunity....