US-based Sri Lankan academic Prof. Ari Ariyaratne publishes text book on cultural anthropology

Professor Ariyaratne is a graduate of University of Kelaniya. Inset: In his university days in the late 70s Prof. Ari Ariyaratne, a university batchmate and now a professor of anthropology at Heartland Community College, Illinois, has created history by publishing…

January 3, 2020 · by soma · 0

End of Sri Lanka’s tea industry?

Scenic Radella tea factory. Inset: Laknath Sanasuriya Sluggish Sri Lankan tea industry is facing uncertain times and if the present trend continues the beloved Ceylon Tea may lose its global dominance.These observations were made by Laknath Sanasuriya, a young entrepreneur…

December 4, 2019 · by soma · 0

Cult figure Prof. Carlo Fonseka dies at 86

Prof. Carlo Fonseka…irreplaceable personality At an exhibition to celebrate hundred years of Colombo Medical Faculty in the early 70s, I saw Prof. Carlo Fonseka and his students walking on live charcoal to debunk a belief that fire-walking had a spiritual…

September 6, 2019 · by soma · 0

I only came to know about terrorist attacks through social media in Singapore: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

President Sirisena: Warning letter was never forwarded to me The English translation of the speech made by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday after the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels killing 253 people and injuring more than…

April 28, 2019 · by soma · 0

Hanthana gang stealing rare wild birds by destroying natural habitats

An organized gang is reported to be destroying natural habitats of wild birds located in the protected Hanthana mountain range to steal newly-hatched chicks for sale. The scenic Hanthana range, considered as the ecological heart of the Kandy region, is…

April 6, 2018 · by soma · 0

Sri Lankan lyricist Sunil R Gamage marks 40 years of his career

Two albums of his melodies unveiled to mark anniversary Since he became a sensation as a school-boy songwriter in the 1970s, Sunil R. Gamage has built a tremendous career with accolades and a massive fan base for his bitter-sweet songs…

March 30, 2018 · by soma · 0

Sri Lankan artist wins first prize in Toronto ice carving competition

Nandasiri and his award-winning ice carving with Sri Lankan motifs Sri Lankan ice carver Nandasiri Meegoda won the first prize of the Bloor Yorkville Ice Fest last month, beating 12 other Canadian competitors in Toronto. Nandasiri who saw real ice and…

March 6, 2018 · by soma · 0

Anuk Arudpragasam: A wounded voice of the war

It is not surprising why Sri Lankan writer Anuk Arudpragasam debut novel, A Story of Brief Marriage, emerged as the best fiction of South Asia at the DSC Literary Prize ($25,000) beating the likes of Arvind Adiga who won the…

March 3, 2018 · by soma · 0

Sri Lankan missing in Toronto since 2010 was victim of alleged serial killer, say police

The case of a Sri Lankan missing since 2010 took a new turn as the Toronto police confirmed on Friday that the human remains found in a landscaper’s flower pots confirmed as belonging to the 40-year-old Skandaraj Navaratnam. Police charged…

February 23, 2018 · by soma · 0

Indian actress’ coy wink makes her an internet celebrity and triggers lawsuit by Muslim activists

A flirty wink of an 18-year-old Indian actress in a music video with more than 35 million Youtube hits has turned her into an international celebrity overnight, becoming the highest-searched google icon in the country replacing a former porn actress of…

February 21, 2018 · by soma · 0