Former Prime Minister Vajpayee a true friend of Lanka: PM Wickremesinghe
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared on Friday that “deliberate” attempts were being made to implicate former Def... Features & AnalysisBlast from the past as Boyzone leave Lankan fans thrilledIt was a blast from the past as ‘Boyzone’ the Irish band that had ruled the charts in the 90s performed i...Shaggy arrives in the islandAs Cinnamon Life's Colombo Music Festival gets underway tomorrow, headling artist Shaggy is seen arriving a...Singer Diana King arrives in the island ahead of the Colombo Music FestivalIt was a star studded morning at the Cinnamon Grand as headliner Diana King of Cinnamon Life's Colombo Music Fest... In Pictures: Madhu FeastThe Madhu Church festival takes place every year in August when thousands of Catholic devotees flock from all over th...
Source:Sunday Times
August 19, 2018 15:11 UTC
Asian Games 2018: Four top squash players to represent Sri Lanka
SportIn today's News Cricket: Hathurusingha begins to look beyond the Lankan shoresA young and determined team of 4 players-2 Men and 2 Women- will represent Sri Lanka at Squash, at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, this month. The Women's Squash sensation of Sri Lanka, 5-times National champion Mihiliya Methsarani will be the best prospect for medals. Methsarani will lead the Sri Lanka squad at the Games. Methsarani won 2 Bronze in Singles and Team events at the 2016 South Asian Games in India. The 20th ranked in the world Issadeen combined with champion Methsarani to bring Sri Lanka to 7th position in Asian Squash rankings.
Source:Sunday Times
August 19, 2018 07:30 UTC
Asian Games 2018: Tennis player Savini makes it to the games finally
SportTeenage women’s tennis player Savini Jayasuriya this week left to Indonesia to join the rest of the squad competing at the Asian Games but her participation at the game still hangs in the balance. Last week, the Court of Appeal (CA) ordered sports authorities to include a 15-year-old tennis player in a doubles event for the upcoming Asian Games after her parents took legal action to overturn her exclusion from the tournament. Savini Jayasuriya, the country’s number two-ranked tennis player, was directed by the CA to be named for either a women’s or mixed doubles event. However the Asian Games Organisers have rejected request. Meanwhile responding to the Sunday Times' article titled “Women’s tennis conundrum hurt Asian Games process” Daphne Manamperi, the mother of Janali Manamperi said her daughter is the number one ranked tennis player at present contrary to the chairman of selectors Arjun Fernando had uttered.
Source:Sunday Times
August 19, 2018 07:30 UTC
Fashion feast
Fashion feast By Oshani Alwis Moratuwa Uni students bring chic innovations to Arcade Independence Square View(s): View(s):Wrapping up the weeklong exhibition of design and innovation in style, the grand finale fashion show of ‘Sri Lanka Design Week 2018’ last Sunday saw exquisite fashion collections on the ramp at the Arcade Independence Square. The show by the students and graduates of the Department of Integrated Design was curated by Ajai Vir Singh, founder of Colombo Fashion Week. The idea was that by establishing a new fashion logo the students could gain exposure in the fashion industry. The next in line, the Hackathon Collection featured denim worker attires designed by the Hirdaramani Group in collaboration with the Responsible Fashion Movement. Himashi Wijeweera carried away the Young Responsible Fashion Designer award of ‘Sri Lanka Design Week 2018’ presented by the Responsible Fashion Movement.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
A passion for the classics
A passion for the classics View(s):Recently at the Colombo Bike Show our photographer Amila Gamage came across an unusual corner hosted by the Ceylon Scooter Club. This was in 2004, and thereafter the group formed the Ceylon Scooter Club and set up a Facebook account to reach out to other enthusiasts. To date they are 121 members strong. They claim to be the only classic scooter club in Sri Lanka. For more information about the Ceylon Scooter Club log ontoceylonscooterclub@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.ceylonscooterclub.lk
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
Increasing traditional agricultural exports vital in national strategy
Increasing traditional agricultural exports vital in national strategy View(s):While the National Export Strategy (NES) to enhance exports in information technology services, boat building, tourism, new manufactures and several agricultural exports is commendable, the neglect of the three traditional agricultural exports would be a serious flaw in an export increasing strategy. The country’s comparative advantage in agricultural exports must be exploited by increasing agricultural export surpluses, improving productivity and increasing value addition of agricultural exports. In 2017, manufactured exports accounted for 75 percent of total exports with agricultural exports amounting to only 24 percent of total exports. In 2017, tea exports accounted for only 13.5 percent of exports, while industrial exports contributed 75 percent of total exports. Bottom-lineIn the quest for increasing new avenues for increasing exports, there should not be a neglect of the country’s traditional agricultural exports.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
Former UN chief Kofi Annan dies aged 80
Former UN chief Kofi Annan dies aged 80 By Dianne Apen-Sadler View(s): View(s):Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has died at the age of 80 after a short illness. Mr Annan spent his final days at his home in Geneva, Switzerland, with his wife Nane and children Ama, Kojo, and Nina. Ghana’s national flag will fly at half-mast across the country for an entire week from Monday in tribute to Mr Annan. ‘Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good,’ current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today. After stepping down from his role in the United Nations Mr Annan set up the Kofi Annan foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote better global governance.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
Good Market Movement
Good Market Movement By Hiranyada Dewasiri Favouring the earth and its beings View(s): View(s):The Good Market is no new experience for Colombo’s public. “Good market is a movement that tries to resolve social and environmental issues through social entrepreneurship,” she said. Currently experimenting on alternatives for plastic straws, all 660 registered vendors of good market leaves no harmful waste at the end of a market day. He is a member of a team of 12 farmers that found a market for their produce through the good market. The Good Market retail outlet and community deli is now open at Lakpahana, Reid Avenue.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
The greenest of Greens
The greenest of Greens By Dr. Nirmala M. Pieris Continuing our series on ‘Coloured Vegetables’ View(s): View(s):We have all heard these words “Eat your greens” especially when it comes to green leafy vegetables that are rated as some of the best foods. Similarly green vegetables have also been called ‘superfoods’ as the green colour itself contributes in many ways to keeping us healthy. Loaded with vitamin C and beta-carotene, green chillies are great for healthy eyes, skin and the immune system. The vitamin C present in bell peppers helps protect against infection and also contribute to healthy bones, teeth, hair and skin. It is loaded with vitamin C and also contains good amounts of potassium.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
Kandy in festive mood
Kandy in festive mood By D. C. Ranatunga View(s): View(s):Poson Poya attracted devotees from all over the country to Anuradhapura and Mihintale to commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. This is followed by processions within the precincts of each devale until Thursday, August 16 when the Kumbal Perahera begins. The Kumbal Perahera is held covering a few streets of the city until Monday, August 20. Dancers and drummers from different schools perform throughout the Perahera while thousands await the arrival of the tusker carrying the gold casket symbolising the Tooth Relic. Successive kings ensured that the Tooth Relic, which was the symbol of kingship, are securely kept in the places from where they ruled.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
Developing? No way
Developing? “I-say Machan, Sri Lanka still developing for many years, no?” he said in his halting, broken English, after sliding into a chair in the sitting room. Developing? Yes, he meant that Sri Lanka is still a developing nation after 70 years of independence. Maybe she will cook up a few things or two on where Sri Lanka should be positioned on the development path.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:11 UTC
Marking a sombre and reflective anniversary
Marking a sombre and reflective anniversary View(s):The three years during which Sri Lanka breathed (or was it gasped?) Certainly there is no denying that this three year passing is not a marvelous thing of fireworks and wild jubilation. In fact, given the extreme manipulation with which those in the seats of power took their political agendas forward, each one rivaled by the other, a different outcome would not have been possible. But even so, this anniversary calls for a somber and solemn reflection on where we stand three years hence. Indeed, this is the political vacuum that will emerge with all its dire consequences if no credible alternative platform is created.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:07 UTC
Bottoms up in our mad world
Bottoms up in our mad world View(s):How very considerate of the chief minister of the Western Provincial Council. This chief minister Isuru Devapriya wants his fellow councillors to park their sensitive bottoms on comfortable seats during council sittings. Chief Minister Devapriya is not one to rob Peter to pass on any benefits to a friendly Paul. Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine was recently appointed vice president of the World Health Organization (WHO) which resulted in a felicitation ceremony in Colombo that was the subject of much debate. One is the annual World Health Assembly which is convened every year in May for a couple of weeks.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:07 UTC
Heavy fines in play despite bus driver agitation
The move comes amid an abortive attempt by private bus drivers to scuttle transport services demanding that the government reduce higher traffic fines. Lorries were responsible for 182 fatal accidents, while container trucks were involved in causing 10 fatal accidents. From January 1 to June 30 this year, there were 103 fatal accidents caused by private buses and 31 fatal accidents caused by SLTB buses. Another 155 fatal accidents were caused by lorries while container trucks caused six fatal accidents. He suggested that, apart from imposing traffic fines, the roads must be improved and the speed limits modified.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:07 UTC
Col 7 property dispute takes new turn
Col 7 property dispute takes new turn View(s):Investigations into a complaint that a tenant allegedly attempted to take over a valuable property in Colombo 7, owned by an elderly couple, has taken a new twist with a fresh complaint being lodged with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that the tenant had also forcibly taken more than Rs 100 million from them. This development came as the Cinnamon Gardens Police, this week, provided security to the couple on a court directive on the grounds that they were under threat. The couple Wimalsen Fernando and Neelakanthi Fernando sought court intervention to prevent their house and land located in Gregory’s Road being taken over by the tenant Prasad Deshapriya Vitharana on an alleged forged deed. On a court order to the Deputy Inspector General of Police Colombo, two policemen are deployed at the house for security. Meanwhile, the hearing of the court case filed in the Colombo District Court regarding the alleged forged deed will be taken up on August 23.
Source:Sunday Times
August 18, 2018 19:07 UTC