Fortnightly news magazine

I found this picture in the last edition of ‘Counterpoint’, the recently launched fortnightly news magazine, much more lively and vibrant than the ones I saw in the dailies which covered the same event. 

It is a simple picture, one may say, and ask what’s so special about it. True – it is a simple picture of a simple event of the arrival of the 2019 World Cup trophy now on its global tour. It does not need a highly professional cameraman to photograph. But the Counterpoint picture offered much more. 

The full picture of Arjuna Ranatunga, the 1996 World Cup winning captain entering the Independence Hall, guard-of-honour by school cricketers, the crowds watching the event made it much more interesting and meaningful. The picture was used with the article ‘DUMPED! – Lanka Cricket Plunges to New All-time Low’ by columnist Don Michael. 

The thought-provoking article analysed in detail the recent weak performance by the team and discussed what the writer felt was the way to go. The article ended thus: “Sri Lanka needs picking up the pieces and begin training in earnest and in this respect picking a squad at the earliest possible date will be a good move. Remember Sri Lanka is already right at the bottom – from here the only way is up!” (The article was written before the team was picked for the England tour in Sri Lanka).

Counterpoint – started a little over six months back – is well structured and presented in five sections. Cover Story discusses a current topic of public interest. Vishvanath examines the political scene under ‘Politics’. I always look forward to Wasantha Siriwardena’s ‘Comic Strip’ which covers a recent happening – political or otherwise. Last issue was on cricket – a well-built Sri Lankan batsman getting bowled by the infant Afghanistan who is still unable to walk and moves on his knees. Wasantha produces the most stimulating cartoons and as for political cartoons, he is arguably the best today.

The Photo Essay, as the title suggests, is a pictorial presentation on an interesting theme or event.  After a brief introduction of the subject at least a dozen exciting photographs are used in the feature. The one on the Kandy Perahera in the last edition was a treat.

Counterpoint has built up a regular team of columnists, who again select current topics to present their point of view.  

Under Archives the reader can easily go back to a previous issue and pick up a subject he has missed or one that he would like to go back again.

A rarely seen composite picture of the Parliament Chamber used with article by Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu