Sri Lanka Island of Islands

Sri Lanka: Island of Islands new book published by the National Trust Sri Lanka, sponsored by Sail Lanka Authors: Sher

Return to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka seemed like a version of paradise to Razeen Sally as a child, but conflict was soon to follow, tearing the family apart and searing their bond with Sri Lanka. Return to Sri Lanka is the story of a twenty-first century reconciliation between Sally, now a world-class academic and political adviser, and the land of his birth. A travel memoir with deep political concerns, it is a book

A chat with Mr Shef Codes

Quoted as “one of the region’s finest DJs” in Dubai’s THE MAG magazine, Shefan Lantra aka ‘Mr Shef Codes’ is already successful as a well recognized DJ based in Dubai. He plays in some of the biggest clubs in Dubai that are mostly fille

HARI TV: MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

For years, he did everything his way and today he has achieved what he desired to be. Ever since his childhood, Lahiru Mudalige’s dream was to become a media person. He never stopped, but chased his dreams until he landed a job as a radio jockey just a day after he sat for his GCE AL examination. From then onwards it was a story of success through hard work, commitment and of course passion. The bottom line of his story is that he has reaped the

Sam receives British Empire Medal for rescuing strayanimal stars

In 2005 two underground project managers from London, Samantha Green (Sam) and her husband Mark visited Sri Lanka to relieve their post-traumatic stress following a deadly terrorist attack. But the large number of stray dogs that wer

The Billionaire

It must have been a proud moment for Gehan Cooray when his movie “The Billionaire” won the Feature Comedies at the Burbank International Film Festival in September 2020. Sri Lankan born Gehan Cooray, now based in Los Angeles is a

The Disruptor Series: Naveed CADER

“The Disruptor Series” profiles businesspeople and entrepreneurs making waves in their industries; redefining their businesses, spearheading innovation, tackling unprecedented change and disrupting the status quo. In our kick off interview, Naveed Cader, of Chairman of Scope Cinemas and Co-Founder & Deputy Chairman of Food Studio talks about his journey, shares key elements of running a successful business and highlights the importance of pursuin

Gehan Cooray’s The Billionaire

An eccentric, prudish, young gay billionaire of Sri Lankan descent, Victor Ognisanti de Parerga is looking for a suitor. But the suitor must turn $10,000 into $ 3 million in six months as per his father’s conditions. Victor who seems to be the ultimate narcissist but is in fact the old-fashioned romantic at heart eventually meets a handsome and almost ascetically religious French American doctor who

SAILING SHIPS OF SERENDIB In search of lost nautical cultures

THE NATIONAL TRUST – SRI LANKA DR. ROLAND SILVA MEMORIAL LECTURE ON WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 Sri Lanka was linked, by sea, to maritime cultures of the Euro-Asian landmass. Mariners and merchants spread ideas and technology between these cultures. While we had our own vernacular nautica

British Empire Medal for services to animal welfare

Samantha Green, Chief Executive Officer of Dogstar Foundation has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to animal welfare. Samantha began her work in Sri Lanka in 2005, after noticing many local dogs had parasites. S

Multi-faceted Ajith Weerasinghe The businessman who excels in acting and singing

Many people are blessed with various forms of aptitudes but only a few are bestowed with multiple extra ordinary talents. Popular actor and singer Ajith Weerasinghe is one such personality.He has excelled as an actor, singer and successful businessman of repute. He clinched the title in the inaugural Mega Star reality show competition telecast on Swarnavahini a few years ago.

Veteran film technician ‘Karu’ felicitated

Veteran film technician Karunadasa Pathirathna was awarded the Kalabhimani title recently at an event held at the Colombo District Secretariat in recognition of his valued contribution to the Sinhala cinema industry. In a career spanni

CHARIN MENDES RELEASES FOUR NEW SONGS

Sri Lankan Singer-Songwriter and Producer Charin Mendes has released four new songs with the iconic Brian McKnight Jr. Mendes is a chart-topping recording artist with iTunes top 10 and top 100 credits in multiple territories worldwide. His album

“Who We Are”

Most of us in this Island know who Otara Gunawardhane is. Otara is an accomplished businesswoman who launched the concept of a shopping mall in Sri Lanka; the stylish lifestyle Odel mall that sold everything you were looking for in the form of clothing, household items, books, toys, luggage etc. Thereafter arising

Eyes Only by Gayan Prageeth

Gayan Prageeth’s latest exhibition, titled Eyes Only, revolves around the developments of the development of politics and corruption in Sri Lanka post-war. His thought provoking use of intricate illustrations of d

Uniting design and music Sharmini Pereira at SLDF 2021

Press Play is billed as one of the most interesting aspects of The Sri Lanka Design Festival which runs from 15th-17th January. Hosted by the Chief Curator, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka Sharmini Pereira, Press Play is a series of playlists conceived by the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka in collaboration with artists, designers, curators, art historians, and arts organisations in Sri Lanka. The full playlist wil

Changing the fortunes of Sri Lankan crafts Victoria Walker at SLDF 2021

Shining a spotlight on the need to preserve the cultural heritage of local artisans while empowering them through design Sri Lanka Design Forum 2021 will witness a unique discourse by Victoria Walker. AODs Design For Sustainable Development Foundation Honorary Chair Victoria Walker, a passionate flagbearer for the craft movement elucidates a unique narration of Sri Lankan Crafts & the new world.

2021 Year of the “Xin Chou” Yin Metal OX

The Year 2021 is year known as The Year of the Yin Metal OX – Xin Chou Ox is the 2nd animal in the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and is part of the Earth Cycle in the cycle of the season of five elements in Feng

Podi Jothi launches new studio and band

Popular singer T. M. Joldersma popularly known as Podi Jothi has now launched his fully equipped production studio titled J’Tunes Entertainment. He also formed a new music band called ‘Amazing Gang’ comprising eight talented musicians and this outfit will be tunefully launched soon. J’Tunes at Divul

Kavindya Thennakoon Flying the flag for Change Makers at SLDF 2021

Kavindya Thennakoon is a positive change-maker that looks at solving problems in a practical way, especially when it comes to education. Billed as a change maker Kavindya will chair discussions at SLDF 2021. Driven by passion tempered with fearlessness Kavindya is an active campaigner for social justice. In 2014 she won both the Harvard Global Trailblazer Award and the inaugural Queen’s Young Leader Award for a community service project that s

Making a living

The past two years have not been favourable to many people, having lost jobs, taken salary cuts and other losses and reductions that affected their income. There was no choice in the matter. Whilst a number went into great depression and

The Craft of Architecture RUCHI Jeyanathan at SLDF 2021

Drawing parallels between traditional crafts and architecture and exploring the challenges both face in this age of extreme consumerism, as well as speed and scale of development, Ruchi Jeyanathan talks about the practice of keeping detail oriented conversations alive through the semantics of construction, an open ear to available elements, bringing the right craftsmen on board

Grammy Awards postponed to March 14, Recording Academy says

The Grammy Awards ceremony due to take place on Jan. 31 has been rescheduled to March 14 because of the coronavirus surge in Los Angeles, organizers said on Tuesday. The Recording Academy and broadcaster CBS said in a joint statement that the ceremony to present the highest honors in the music industry had been delayed after talks with health experts and musicians

Artist Spotlight of SLDF 2021 Anoma Wijewardene

SLDF 2021, billed as Sri Lanka’s first ever virtual design festival to showcase and highlight ‘Designed and Made in Sri Lanka’ will take place from 15th -17th January 2021. This event will see the participation of respected genre leaders such as artist Anoma Wijewardene who has been selected as the Artist Spotlight of SLDF 2021. An alumna of Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, in London, Anoma has exhibited in many international cit

military aviators Pavithra Gunaratne and Rangana Weerawardana

Last November, Pilot Officers Pavithra Gunarathne and Rangana Weerawardana attached to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) made history as the first Lady Officers to be awarded the prestigious Flying Brevet thereby becoming the pioneering female military aviators of Sri Lanka. With that, they also proved that women could still achieve their dreams even in a largely male-dominated environment. This month Women at Work speaks to two vibrant ladies who w

Jaffna Int’l Film Fest opens Lifetime Achievement Award to K. S. Sivakumaran

The sixth edition of the Jaffna International Cinema Festival opened recently with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to senior journalist and film critic K. S. Sivakumaran. The 6th edition of the festival will continue during the next 3 months upto March 25, 2021, in keeping with the current health and safety guidelines. The festival spearheaded by Agenda 14 led by glob

2021 The new normal in travel

The year that concluded was catastrophic for the travel and tourism industry. The pandemic saw many planes grounded, fleets reduced and some airlines collapse and drift into oblivion. Industry personnel too suffered tremendously wit

IN CONVERSATION with SANDUN SENEVIRATNE ON ‘VIKAARI’ SCREAMFEST 2020 AND FEATURING ON DUST

It’s truly been a year for the arts as Sandun Seneviratne’s short-film ‘Vikaari’ wins ‘Best Short Film’ at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2020. Screamfest is the longest running and largest horror film festival in the US and has premier

An open suggestion to Prime Minister from veteran dramatist Namel Weeramuni Create a fund for theatre sans burden to govt.

Of all the arts in Sri Lanka, theatre is the most uncared, neglected, considered not necessary for the development of societal values, and most importantly the sense of reflection of the embedding of humanity or compassion amongst the populace which seem to be fast disappearing from the minds of the present-day society. It’s very saddening, reg

DVD, Blue Ray of 100 Plus Landmark show released

The much awaited live recording of the landmark concert ‘100 Plus’ organized by Damayantha Kuruppu is now available on DVD and Blue ray.