Ajith de AlwisDeath of substance
‘Let style be your substance’ screams at me from a billboard in Colombo as I find my way through traffic generated by one of our No. 1 imports – motor vehicles. Latest models pass me, blaring their horns in a hurry to get to their destinations and I know that no way are these magnificent crawling machines able to truly express their engine capabilities on most of our roads.
Viva la Simoundou!
Indeed with some Spanish and Ptolemy’s nomenclature, it is our sincere wish ‘long live Sri Lanka’ on passing its 64th year of independence from the British. Our period of independence is not greater than the period we were under, but that is not something we should use as an excuse for slow progress since independence.
Unique you!
A common boat owner’s son, India’s most distinguished living technocrat, ex-President of India, People’s President – whatever the description that you have for A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s love for this man is unquestionable.
Treasure island in nano times: Welcoming 2012 in Sri Lanka
There are many quotes and comments that we Sri Lankans repeatedly reiterate in tourist literature and with pride. As another year dawns, some statements may again be recalled with fond memories as it is important to have that positive outlook.It is also about time that we do adorn other literature with comments and numbers that we all can be proud about stemming from current activities. Well, we do live in an island that was described by Marco Polo as “undoubtedly the finest of its size in all the world”.
Listen with your eyes
With so much emanating from overused vocal cords and much of it senseless utterances with little or no meaning, it is perhaps better to retire into a world of silence avoiding the cacophony and practice and enjoy listening with eyes. Anyway we know that a picture is worth a thousand words and still the science has not matched the capabilities of the human eye in taking in details.
See what you can do for science in Sri Lanka!
As you read this column, an important three-day event in Colombo is coming to an end and as the day ends, it would have resulted in many deliberations, exchanges of different ideas and some concrete suggestions taken down to communicate to planners and rulers to note and take action.
Bringing the world to Sri Lanka
Countries get known for various reasons and some labels stick for long time. Citizens almost always mould the character of the nation.
It is usual to hear the efficiency and punctuality of Germans. We Sri Lankans boast of being known for our hospitality and friendliness – may be at least to outsiders. However, it is also clear that we have not managed to achieve a position of eminence with a feature that sets us apart as a nation which had contributed to the country’s standing as an economically stable nation within the global community.
Good evening, Sri Lanka!
Once I did carry the title ‘Good Morning Sri Lanka!’ for this same column. Times have passed and I do not see any improvements along the lines that I advocated or expected to happen in mornings.
Indeed sad, but in advocacy and especially when you believe that the suggestions are worthwhile, you never give up. After such a ‘brisk’ beginning to our mornings a day would pass by – whether we like it or not – and it is time for a beautiful sunset.
For the betterment of our economy we sincerely hope that many would come from afar and queue to watch this spectacle along the coastline or from up in a hill. Of course it is the beauty of sunset in the Indian Ocean that is unquestionable and if we are out to make some dollars in the process, it is a human decision.
Give me my space, please: Seven billion and counting!
When a little baby girl arrived into this world on the dawning of Monday 31 October, she received a little more attention than usual. She was one of the early members of the seven billion club, to which the human society has now grown.
Demographers at the United Nation’s Population Division had set 31 October 2011 as the ‘date’ when the world population hits seven billion. Of course this is based on birth rates and death rates and is as a result of modelling.
Come to the market please! ‘Show and Tell to Industry’
On 24 and 25 October, the BMICH will see a market place with a difference and an important difference at that, considering current national needs. Hopefully this would spin a differ
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