Actor Ben Stiller, a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. refugee agency, has said it was ’’distressing’’ to hear the experiences of people displaced by the Ukraine conflict, adding he hoped to shine a light on their plight with his visit to the

Many things may have changed after the Aragalaya but the misery continues. There is no silver lining in this very dark cloud. Depression has set in for many people and the number of suicides owing to financial difficulties has also increased. All th

Three months ago the majority of the country were all gung-ho with protests of all sorts, including the setting up of the Aragalaya after the 9th of May incident. People were all outraged, protesting and demonstrating against what was happen

Yet again, the hospitality industry has been hit hard. The rising cost of food and other commodities needed to make an eating place a success have gone through the roof. Trying to keep afloat is the name of the game. This, too, merely to break even,

Queues are a common sight wherever you go: for petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas. Just seeing them depresses you. The desperation in this country is awful. Whilst we were all moaning and concerned about the daily earne

Believers of astrology and the predictions of soothsayers and sorcerers are many in our resplendent isle. We have seen the downfall of a nation where the Rulers were guided by such, especially a Sorceress’ predictions. Soothsayers and s

The past couple of weeks have been the worst ever. The cost of living has gone through the roof. It has pushed the less fortun

A year ago, many people were desperately looking for the second jab of the AstraZeneca Covid shot. The PHIs were kings. Desp

‘Flower power’ became synonymous in the 1960s. The slogan was used to describe the passive, peaceful resistance movement of the time, which was rooted in opposition against the Vietnam War. The flower came to be an iconic symbol of non-violence

Avurudhu is a few days ahead of us and all are hoping that it would be bright, happy and prosperous. With all that is happening around us, including the protests and the hardships people are undergoing, whether a bright, happy and prospero

Many, especially the diaspora, keep calling friends and relatives in Colombo to check on what is happening in Sri Lanka prior to making plans to visit during Avurudu and Easter. When told of the shortages that are being experienced, including gas an

Having previously played DC Comics’ The Joker, Oscar winner Jared Leto takes on Marvel’s Morbius in the first big screen adaptation of the vampire-like character. “It was an incredible opportunity,” Leto told Reuters in an interview. “The

For several decades the hospitality industry has been dealt blow after blow. The past three years were probably the most difficult after the era of fighting terrorism. With low gas supplies and fuel and price hikes of every item, the past month h

The feeling of horror I experienced this past week each time I checked my news alerts was akin to watching an old war movie where a war plane flying over a city keeps dropping bombs onto the city.

Fashion shows are back with a vengeance in Colombo. The pandemic is a forgotten story. Many shows have popped up and highlighted some great clothes. Additionally, Fashion Stores have sprung up like wild daisies in an open field.

In her usual style, Prithi organised a fantastic evening. Celebrating their Ruby Anniversary of love and togetherness it was nothing but a night to remember. The Victoria Room at the Kingsbury was decorated with great taste. There were deli

It was 15 years ago that I was at the Pavilions for thirty days. I was at the Pavilions the past fortnight following a consultation with Dr. Dinesh Edirisinghe, Consultant Ayurvedic Specialist at the Pavilions, who suggested that a two week stay at

I am sure all of us have noticed how people’s eyes are bigger than their stomach and tend to serve far too much food on their plates, more than what they can consume. This is a familiar sight when entertaining at home. The same or worse is visible

The newest sensation in music, Piumi Senanayake, recently launched several covers of vintage songs to add a touch of modernisation to the classic hits of old. Hailing from an artistic background and having a passion for music since school, Piumi has

In her beautifully manicured garden, Trixie and I had tea last week for the first time this year. Visiting with Trixie is always a treat since she has the most fabulous stories to relate, most of which are factual. Trixie was just completing a call

Customer service is the support you offer your customers, both before and after they buy and use your products or services which helps them have an easy and enjoyable experience with you. Today’s customer service goes far beyond the tr

The first long weekend for 2022 was a bonus, four days in a row and was well received by all who had revelled during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Having a good rest was how the majority were ready to enjoy this long weekend. I was invited to an ou

Crocodiles, along with birds are the last remaining survivors of the once-prevalent Archosauria. During the Mesozoic period, this group along with dinosaurs and other reptiles dominated life on all continents and oceans. Most or all of crocodilian ad

A user of local taxi services for most of my getting around Colombo and to the outstations, I have been using the many available taxi services including the three wheelers. Towards the end of Nove

No one has claimed that 2022 is their year after having to juggle their lives in the past two dreadful years. The just past December was celebrated by most as if there was no tomorrow. It may be short lived but nobody seemed to care.

With the year coming to an end Prithi and Ratana hosted a fabulous cocktail party at her penthouse on the 22nd of December. Colombo certainly has a different dimension, looking out of the balcony, the views were fabulous. The hostess wor

The X-Press Pearl inferno is said to be the biggest maritime and environmental disaster that happened in 2021, claiming the lives of over 200 marine animals and causing a major long-term impact on Sri Lanka’s marine environment.

The year has ‘flown by,’ as many would say. What we should remember about this year is that it was not a year where we got everything our hearts desired but it was the year that we learned to appreciate all that we had. Although, t

Oh! Colombo is full of the Judgmental. They can easily be spotted at any function or event since you will see them scanning those around them with those deep staring eyes and no smile. They cannot bear to see people happy in any way, whether

Who would have thought that we would have to celebrate this month of December with the pandemic still being around? Another new mutation of the virus has now sprung up and scientists are yet to figure out whether it is milder or more dangerous than t