A Bold Journey from Books to Reels
A Bold Journey from Books to Reels Undergraduate of Visual and Performing Arts university makes a film for public screening View(s): View(s):For the first time in Sri Lanka’s cinema and university history, a group of undergraduates have ventured on a bold and challenging journey to make a full length feature film not only for an academic endeavour but also to be released in public cinemas. This is my reading on cinema,” Mahadivulwewa said. “I am grateful to Ravindra Guruge with just one telephone call agreed to look after the post production of this film”. Head of the University Vice Chanclor Prof. Sarath Chandrajeewa, said there are many future plans to develop cinema in the university. “Making a film from conceptualizing to production and post production is a complex work.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Airlines crash land on ticket sales
Airlines crash land on ticket sales By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):A proposal to fix airline ticket sales in dollars, in the wake of the continued rupee fluctuation, has run into a storm of protests by industry stakeholders with SriLankan Airlines being blamed for supporting foreign carriers in this move. Following a meeting with the Central Bank the BOA had been able to obtain the necessary approvals to carry out their proposal. However, Mr. Rajaratnam pointed out that SriLankan Airlines has also agreed to this move to ensure that airline tickets would be purchased through dollars thereby bringing down the image of the country. When a customer like a government office or corporate request for a quotation on the price of an airline ticket during the latter part of the time period, this price is likely to change when the actual purchase is made, he said. This would mean that the travel agent would be compelled to go for a fresh quotation again, Mr. Rajaratnam said.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Manorathna returns with ‘Handa Nihanda’
Manorathna returns with ‘Handa Nihanda’ View(s):‘Handa Nihanda’, veteran playwright and actor Dr. Jayalath Manoratne’s theatrical presentation will go on the boards at 6.30 pm on February 3 (today) at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort in Colombo 07 (NADA). The drama also addresses the necessity to establish a system dedicated to the upkeep of the senior artistes who lack financial resources. The drama explores the lives of musicians, their creations and their social, economic, political and personal problems. A not-so-subtle theme of the drama is and the tug of war between the artiste and the recording companies. Other main roles are played by experienced stars like Ravindra Yasas, Ferni Roshini, Sudarshana Bandara and Lanka Bandaranayake
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Crafting a future for new hotel recruits
Crafting a future for new hotel recruits By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):Training to become an hotelier can be a challenging task even to the trainer. Sri Lanka has done much through its key state institute to provide a modern curriculum and improve on the programmes made available to students wanting to get ahead in this industry. In fact the institute also ensured that the private hotel schools would register with them to ensure better regulation of these institutes as well. SLITHM, Mr. Dissanayake noted caters to about 70 per cent of the job requirement in the market with the balance provided by the hotel schools established by the industry itself. The former Chairman also noted they had partnered with the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the City Hotels Association of Sri Lanka that engage in regular interaction with the institute of the ongoing issues and how to cater to the future requirements of the industry.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Jaggery from termite mounds
Jaggery from termite mounds View(s):Little Subangi got excited when she came to know that jaggery could be made from termite mound clay! One day, Subangi’s mother who apparently didn’t know why they gathered termite mound clay, asked the men: “What are you doing with mound clay?”“We make jaggery,” one man said. Emerging productionSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as cottage industries such as jaggery production emerged targeting the domestic supply shortage. The export market was a nightmare for many businesses: How can we reach the export market and sell jaggery made of termite mound clay? Just like termite mound clay was in jaggery, sand was mixed into rice to make it heavier.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
No SLPP backing for Sirisena as presidential candidate
He and President Sirisena have maintained more than a cordial relationship after the political honeymoon that lasted 52 days. However unlikely it may seem, President Sirisena secured Cabinet approval last Tuesday for the conduct of Provincial Council (PC) elections before May 31 this year. With the SLPP’s decision now to go it alone with its own alliance, President Sirisena inevitably has found himself isolated. = They place the blame on President Sirisena for events, particularly the weeks before and the weeks after October 26. (Note: President Sirisena in turn has blamed the SLPP for not being able to muster required numbers in Parliament.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Click to find your right tour guide
It was a pattern they encountered more than once – local guides struggled with the challenges of going online. As inveterate travellers themselves, Lina and Jacinta also knew how important meeting the right guide could be. Lina, before you founded Seek Sophie you had a career in finance. Now you can find over 300 activity options across 4 countries on the Seek Sophie platform. What kind of concerns do you see women travellers having and how do you help them get out on the road?
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Chilaw in close win over CCC
Chilaw in close win over CCC Premier super 8 Cricket View(s): View(s):Chilaw Marians registered a close 14 run win over CCC in their Premier Super Eight match concluded at Colts grounds yesterday. Chasing 270 runs to win, the CCC fell short by 14 runs when Sagar Paresh captured 6 for 110 runs to lead Chilaw Marians to a fighting win. Paresh picked up 5 for 38 in the first innings to finish with a match bag of 11 for 148 runs. Avishka Fernando who smashed a swashbuckling double ton in the first innings (223) added 65 runs in the second innings. Sri Lanka Army Sports Club trailed by 129 runs with all ten wickets in hand in their match against Saracens Sc yesterday.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Drama at Westminster court over Lankan diplomat’s case
Last month Brigadier Fernando was found guilty of violating two sections of the Public Order Act and an arrest warrant was issued by the Magistrate’s Court. After diplomatic discussions opened between the two countries, Westminster Magistrate’s Court contacted the FCO which reportedly supplied court with a certificate confirming the Brigadier’s diplomatic status. Subsequently the arrest warrant and possibly the charges too, were withdrawn. At last Friday’s court hearing both Brigadier Fernando and the FCO were represented by legal counsel. The FCO is providing documentation to assist the court.”The case against Brigadier Fernando was filed many months after he left London having been instructed by Colombo to return home.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Rendezvous with tea
Rendezvous with tea View(s):It was just two years ago that Sri Lanka celebrated the 150th year of tea after Scotsman James Taylor planted the first tea seedlings at Loolecondera estate in Galaha in 1867. “Apey tay wathuwala wedakarana lamai-ta thavama honda vatupak labenne ne (Our tea workers are still not getting a decent wage),” said Kussi Amma Sera. There are about 250,000 workers on estates leased by plantation companies and state-owned estates but nearly a million people (workers and their dependents) depend on tea estates for their sustenance. Unions also fear they may lose their grip on tea workers in such a model. So as I drink that strong cup of tea every morning, prepared by Kussi Amma Sera, with the tea coming into the house after being lovingly produced in the tea fields of the country, let’s raise a cup to the improved lives of workers, their families and giving them the dignity of labour.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Cricket as tainted as our politics
Cricket as tainted as our politics View(s):So the latest of Sri Lanka’s sports ministers has taken wing to Australia. It has also to do with the state of Sri Lanka’s national cricket team which seems intent on going down under — six feet or more, metaphorically speaking — of its own volition. The degradation of the game of cricket has led to the invasion of privacy outside the field and to violations of the law. Such is the state of our politics and cricket. All one crazy witches’ broth and the sooner our cricket is cleaned up even if cleaning up politics is an impossible dream, the sooner Sri Lanka can hold its head up again.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Antonians record inspiring innings win over top division Joes
Antonians record inspiring innings win over top division Joes under 19 school cricket View(s): View(s):Theeksha Gunasinghe’s Antonian’s scored one of their grandest wins in recent times when they beat a strong Josephian side by innings and 18 runs at Katugastota to win the Murali-Vaas trophy. The hosts made a strong reply to the Joes first innings total of 218, posting 354 for 7 declared on the back of two centuries from Theekshana Gunasinghe (142) and Kalhara Senarathna (106). They then bowled the visitor out for 119 in the second innings with Nimnaka Jayathilake running through the innings claiming seven for 43 runs. Meanwhile Thaveesha Abishek scored a brilliant century (123) as Richmond College registered first innings win over Wesley College in their U-19 match concluded at Campbell Park. Dinuja Kiriella (95) and Dilum Sudeera (55) hit half centuries to propel their innings.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Foolproof sticker for liquor bottles yet under review
Foolproof sticker for liquor bottles yet under review By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The much-delayed, ambitious scheme of affixing foolproof stickers on legally manufactured liquor bottles is yet under review, following an attempt to hand over the contract to an Indian company, a top official, who declined to be named, told the Business Times. The sticker system announced in the 2016 Budget was scheduled to be introduced with the view to controlling the illicit liquor circulation in the country and to control the leakages, he said. Madras Security Printers had been selected despite the capabilities of the State Printing Corporation and other eligible local firms, several dejected bidders complained. On June 11, 2015, the Cabinet approved the proposal to affix a protective label (sticker) on each legally manufactured bottle of arrack and on bottles of imported liquor before being released by the Customs. This was to prevent illegally manufactured liquor from entering the market.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Sri Lanka undergoes stringent EU GSP + monitoring process
Sri Lanka undergoes stringent EU GSP + monitoring process View(s):The European Union (EU) has voiced concern over the slowdown in the progress of the government’s far reaching reforms and its commitments made to regain General System of Preferences (GSP +) facility. A key development in the EU-Sri Lankan trade relations was the re-grant of GSP + to Sri Lanka by the EU in May 2017. GSP + provides duty free access to the EU market for Sri Lankan products on 66 per cent of the EU tariff lines representing around 6000 products, he disclosed. Sri Lanka will be subjected to stringent monitoring mechanism of the EU on the government’s efforts to meet the requirements to reap GSP+ benefits in the first or second quarter of this year. He noted that higher quality products and following ethical and sustainable practices are necessary to becoming key strengths for Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC
Development lottery luck by chance via mobile phones
Development lottery luck by chance via mobile phones View(s):Development Lotteries Board (DLB) is laying the tracks to build 21st century digital infrastructure to sell lottery tickets via mobile phones —just like the way it revolutionised the trade for the first time by introducing instant lottery for Sri Lankans in 1983. Customers simply have to download the app on their mobile phone and get registered with the DLB to obtain this service, he said. Sri Lanka‘s traditional lottery penetration is low compared to 30 to 35 per cent lottery buyers worldwide, he added. Under the new business development plan, the modernisation of lottery booths of development lottery agents is being carried out countrywide to give it a new outlook for the convenience of sellers attracting buyers, he revealed. Development lotteries offers 11 lottery tickets to the local market along with 10 lotteries draw tickets and the oldest instant lottery of Sri Lanka, the Development instant scratch lottery ticket.
Source:Sunday Times
February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC