Pulse Magazine Issue 011

ISSUE 011 | JULY/AUGUST Rs. 400/- UK £6.00 US $15.00

Beauty

Romesh Atapattu Fashion

Annika Fernando

Swarna and Narendra

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PUBLISHING HOUSE: Mango Publishers (Pvt) Ltd. No. 320, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.

Tel: 00 94 115 882 662

EDITORIAL: Mayanthi Hatharasinghe (Events) Sachitha Kalingamudali (Digital)

GUEST WRITERS: Aanisha Cuttilan Aazam Ameen Ashwini Vethakan Christalin Casinader Deana Claessen Harith Wirasinha Nawya Ponnamperuma Renushi Ubeyratne Saruchi Dissanayake Thushanthi de Silva

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Kesara Ratnavibhushana

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CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS: Mango Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Sales Office: 45/6, Alwis Place, Colombo 03 Tel: +94 11 588 26 62 sales@mangopublishers.lk No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission of the publisher.

Pulse magazine is published in co-operation with Pulse website www.pulse.lk

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The cover story of this edition of Pulse features the mother daughter duo of actress extraordinaire Swarna Mallawarachchi and Narendra Bandaranayake, finance professional turned entrepreneur and founder of Barressential. In their first interview together, Swarna and Nare open up about what it takes to be strong, empowered women with the confidence, courage and conviction to live life on their own terms.

This issue of Pulse is full of inspiring stories of young women who’ve pursued their dreams by bravely breaking the mould – from conservationist Anya Ratnayake who’s chosen to champion the Small Cat species of Sri Lanka, to Ashanthi Soris Mirchandani who gave up her corporate career to set up Breakthrough Studio and Jani Subasinghe - a PR and Communications professional who now spends her time on an estate as a planter.

The quintessentially stylish Annika Fernando gives us her take on fashion, the evolution of her PR Concept Store and the lessons she’s learnt as an Entrepreneur. Gamya Wijayadasa speaks to us about her unstoppable trajectory in the ten years since winning the Derana Miss Sri Lanka title in 2009.

In our fashion and beauty features, gifted bridal stylist Dhananjaya Bandara who has a huge cult following talks of the small steps he took on his journey to making it big while Romesh Atapattu of Capello Salons tracks his shear-happy journey from sweeping salon floors and serving coffee to learning the ropes and establishing himself as one of the top stylists in the country today.

All these and more inspiring, fascinating and absorbing content awaits you inside. Happy reading!

M A P U T O

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in this edition of Instafamous

Health and Fitness

32 Page

76 Page

Meet the Boss Lady

Breakthrough Studio

Fashion

Shenelle Rodrigo

108

Page

Dhananjaya Bandara Conservationist

Personality

66 Page

Anya Ratnayaka Sri Lanka’s very own small cat advocate PAGE 10 | www.pulse.lk

82 Page

Jani Subasinghe

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Annika

Fernando Meet The Woman Who Runs Colombo’s Chic-defining Fashion Store

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The PR Concept Store is where Colombo’s most style conscious go when they need to shop. Sitting in a chic space on Horton Place, PR is a store with a definite vision and identity that adds colour to the city’s retail landscape. The store offers one-of-a-kind pieces of clothing, accessories and select homeware from a variety of Sri Lankan and international designers. Each piece is expertly curated, has a story of its own and can spark a conversation or even stop some serious traffic. We sat down with the innately stylish owner of PR, Annika Fernando, to ask her about her journey as a female entrepreneur in Sri Lanka’s fashion space.

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How did you get started in the fashion world?

I’m a designer, I qualified in interior architecture and I have been in the field for 19 years, but I opened PR in 2013 and at the same time I started my brand Maus.

Why did you decide to open your own boutique?

My passion is retail. So the idea to open a store had been simmering for many years because retail is the backbone of our family business, Paradise Road. But opening my own boutique was a way of expanding the business with my own independence and my design point of view. I still take on interior design projects and I run PR at the same time, and I am happy doing both.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Inspiration is a very organic process for me, it’s not necessarily something I seek. It instinctively comes to me through what I do and what I see. Usually, when I finish a collection or a design project I can look at it and identify perhaps certain elements or moods that I’ve been inspired by. This is what I find is true for me, because during the creative process I am so involved in it that I don’t identify inspiration while I am actually creating. I simply create, and later I am able to pinpoint certain things that I have been influenced by.

How has the store evolved since you first opened?

That’s been interesting, because I get to be my own interior designer. Actually though, designing for myself is probably the hardest since I can just do an endless number of things depending on my creative mood. I just knew when I opened that I wanted a store with beautiful things and I wanted to offer that to people who were perhaps also looking for the same thing. When we first opened, we started out in a tiny space, it’s actually the section where we display our jewelry now.

But over the years the space has grown and so has the brand’s identity with it.

How would you describe PR’s identity?

To simplify it, PR is a store that appreciates beautiful things and finds beauty in our world. It gives us joy to share this with our customers.

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“I’d rather buy one beautiful piece that’s of high quality and enjoy it, rather than buying several items of clothing that are not made with the same quality or attention to detail.”

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important for designers to know how to sustain their business.

“You need to

What does a typical day for you involve?

follow a passion and work really hard on it to bring it to life.”

What has being a fashion designer and store owner been like for you?

I’d say it’s been interesting, challenging and exciting. Maus has grown over the years and PR has kept me on my toes! As a designer and a boutique owner I love that I am in touch with new, fresh and young design. I also go from visual merchandiser to mentor to someone in administration and the business side and they all play equal roles.

Can you tell us about your label Maus?

Maus is the in-house label of PR. I started Maus because I wanted an in-house label that would set the aesthetic of the store.

Everything is made locally and we don’t use plastic. We now have an organic line, we’ve dabbled in menswear, and launched an accessories line. I’m currently working on my fourth collection which will be swimwear.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part is undoubtedly the people, whether it’s with designers, my customers or my staff - I have a great team that I am very thankful for. With age, I find that I am becoming more introverted, so increasingly I am more comfortable and open in my own spaces doing what I love with the people whom I love whether it’s with family or with my team at work.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is learning to balance the design with the business, but it’s a very important part of what I do. Creatives need to understand and manage the business side of design. It’s

My typical day is pretty chaotic.

Between school runs, various extracurricular activities, balancing my work roles, exercising and managing a household and family – yeah things can get a little crazy!

Do you shop for yourself when you shop for the store?

I’d say yes and no. When I shop for the store or when I look at a collection, I look at what I like and I purchase things that I would like to own. However, within that I also ask the question of would my customers enjoy these pieces, would they wear them? So I find that balance where everything I have in the store is reflective of what I’d wear and enjoy, but they also appeal to my customers.

What does style mean to you?

Less is more. My style is personal and it reflects my lifestyle and choices. I do wear clothing and designers that retail with me.

More and more I prefer buying less – so I’d rather buy one beautiful piece that’s of high quality and enjoy it, rather than buying several items of clothing that are not made with the same quality or attention to detail.

What are some of your favorite pieces in your closet?

I have several and they take turns! Every designer I have in my store features in my wardrobe – as I said I wear what I sell. Some current staples are Sonali Dharmawardena dresses, Anuk kimonos, Kur dresses, Papillon du The totem earrings, my Maus organic line and La Pard intimate wear.

What are your views on the Sri Lankan fashion consumer?

Look, I think we’re evolving, and the fashion industry is evolving. The female customer loves to experiment and gets excited by design. The male customers are more challenging because they are little bit more conservative and don’t take too many sartorial risks.

What are your thoughts on Sri Lankan design talent?

think with our skills we need to learn to direct the design and hone our individuality. I also think we need to be more business savvy and learn how to be comfortable with numbers because design without business sense is deeply disappointing for the creator.

What are your views on the future of Sri Lankan design?

I don’t think I can comment on this right now, especially because we are trying to get our bearings with the current situation in our country. I think if we each focus on our own responsibilities and work on our businesses and talents, we can make a difference and get back on our feet as a community.

What would you say has been important to your success?

I don’t hold the secret to success by any means, but in what I do I like to be present, surround myself with positive people, make time for family and stay healthy. This is success to me. When it comes to work, I have a lot of focus. I work with blinders on and compete with myself – I want my work to continually improve and reflect a better version of what it was before.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from starting and running your own business?

I’ve learned many valuable lessons taught to me by my parents who started out with one little store and grew a business. They taught me to cut your coat according to your cloth, and pay on time among many others.

From personal experience, I’ve learned to trust my instincts.

What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

I think it’s important to make sure that your ideas are true soul-filled ideas. You need to follow a passion and work really hard on it to bring it to life.

Can you tell us about what PR has in store for the future?

We have a pop-up in Mumbai at Clove and they have been insanely welcoming. I am looking forward to the pop-up because I want to give my designers the opportunity to reach different markets and in my own little way I want to be able to spread Sri Lankan positivity because we do have a lot of talent and potential to share with the world.

Sri Lanka is rich in design talent, we have skilled craftspeople and a definitive style. I

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Nimali

Isuru

Praveeni

Launch of Shenali

Dinesha

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Tribe

Rajitha

Harini

Tribe Colombo, the treandiest new place to be in Colombo was launched recently

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Rukshika

Alvin

Louzanne

Jonathan and Sanjeewan

Sandu

Hasara

Charith

Shiyani

Nadeeka

Nishi

Suwi

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Danushi

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What you need: • 50 ml Scotch whisky • 25 ml lemon juice • 15-25 ml kithul treacle (depends on the brand) • 1 bar spoon ginger juice • 20 ml egg white

Golden Rain Adventures of a Mixologist Consistency is key As many people know, I have been focussing my bartending trainings the last couple of months on the newest Beach Club in Sri Lanka. When training a team there are many challenges, but one of the biggest challenges is to get every cocktail consistent.

When I am in a bar having cocktails, I want every drink to taste, look and feel exactly the same as the last time I drank it. No matter the time of day or the bartender making it, each mojito, cosmopolitan or margarita coming from the bar, should be perfectly standardized.

A lot of bartenders however, do not have the habit of measuring exactly. The alcohol is always measured properly, because those are high cost products. Once you look at juices and syrups however, a lot of bartenders are measuring on sight, or based on what they think looks like a good quality.

• 1 dash chocolate bitters

How to make • Put all the ingredients in the shaker • Shake vigorously with ice • Fine strain back into the shaker • Shake without ice • Decorate the rim of the glass with gold dusted sugar • Pour into the glass and garnish with dehydrated orange

To make the gold dusted sugar: • Mix 20 g white sugar with 1 teaspoon of edible gold dust

When I am developing recipes, I work 4-6 hours to create the final version of a drink. Testing different levels of balance to see what are the perfect quantities for this recipe; bringing out all the flavours that I want to bring forward in the drink.

A lot of my staff look at me in a weird manner, when I say I want to increase or decrease the amount of lime juice by 25 ml in the drink, to taste the difference. They don’t believe the difference in flavour is substantial, until they taste it.

Behind the bars I work, I make my team throw away a drink when away I see them not measuring exactly. But I also make them throw a garnish when it is not up to standard. If the recipe says the garnish is lime - berry - berry; this is not the same as berry - lime - berry on a garnish pick.

Perfection and eye for detail ensure consistent drinks.

Consistent drinks make sure that the guest perfectly knows what to expect when he orders a cocktail. So the next time you see your bartender just throwing some lime juice and sugar syrup in his shaker without measuring, just realise: your next drink will never taste exactly the same.

Jeroen Misseghers is a mixologist, whose passion is to create distinctive customized cocktails that draw inspiration from an occasion or hosts or guests, weaving a story into the drink served. Jeroen finds Sri Lanka an amazing place for a mixologist, with its many fascinating spices, teas and tropical fruit. He runs Dash of Lanka www.dashoflanka.com

Standard Chartered Cup 2019 The annual Standard Chartered Cup took place recently at the Racecourse Grounds with the participation of 17 teams from leading commercial institutions.

The winners (L-R) Misako Tanaka - Runner Up - Women's Net, Manori Jayakoddy Women's Champion, Mahela Jayawardene - Men's Champion, Kushal Johnpillai - Runner Up - Men's Net

(L-R) Rohan Amirthiah, Nat Ramaiah, Priyantha Kapuwatte, Dinesh Saparamadu

(L-R) Misako Tanaka, Elizabeth Tendufla, Roshini Sangani, Manori Jayakoddy

(L-R) Maharajendra Selvaratnam, Kirk Jobsz, Ashley Herath, Percy Wijenayake

(L-R) Suren Madanayake, Avancka Herat, Tyeab Akberally, Ranil Pathirana

Ashley Herat - Winner Category C with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

Ruvini Desinghe - Winner Longest Drive Female with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

L-R) Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Mahela Jayawardena, Anil Hirdaramani, Vish Govindasamy

Priyanga Hapugalle - 2nd Runner Up Category B with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

(L-R) Maharajendra Selvaratnam, Kirk Jobsz, Ashley Herath, Percy Wijenayake

Toshiaki Tanaka - 1st Runner Up - Category B with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

Avancka Herat - Winner Category A with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

(L-R) W. A. K. Fernando, Kushal Johnpillai, Shamal Perera, Druvi Sirisena

W. A. K. Fernando - 1st Runner Up - Category A with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

Manori Jayakoddy Women’s Champion with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

Thejan De Silva - 2nd Runner Up - Category C with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

Ong Seon Winner Closest to the pin with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

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Consultations and CanapĂŠs by

Infinity Derma Institute Infinity Derma Institute together with Dr. Sahan Mendis recently introduced the most advanced non-invasive facial firming (HIFU) and body sculpting procedures, in an event combining consultations and canapĂŠs at the Estheti Centre.

Natalie

Soraya

Christina

Michelle

Shamindri

Chanaki

Dulanga

Boss The

Lady Helping Colombo

Break Through

Ashanthi Soris Mirchandani is the founder and owner of Breakthrough Studio, which has in a short span of time, become the home of many inspiring fitness journeys ad incredible transformations.

A graduate in Food Science and Technology from the University of Victoria, Australia, Ashanthi gave up her corporate career a few years ago to embrace her passion for fitness by becoming a personal trainer.

Ashanthi is the first certified coach in Sri Lanka for TRX suspension and Rip Training – a form of exercise that uses body strength to build, burn, tone and strengthen. TRX – or Total Resistance Exercise – simultaneously builds strength, flexibility, balance, and core stability. Along with a mix of workouts, she also offers clients dietary guidance and motivation to help them reach their weight loss and fitness goals.

Breakthrough Studio is located on Perahera Mawatha, Colombo 03 and is hard to miss with its distinct blue door. The studio offers group sessions and personal training with Ashanthi and her team of 3 professional coaches throughout the day and is outfitted with TRX certified straps and other equipment.

We recently caught up with the Breakthrough Boss Lady for a chat about her Studio and about staying fit.

2. Do your workouts stay general to all participants or do you craft them according to each individual's needs?

The sessions held at the studio are group sessions, we have a small group of 12-16 at a time – when it’s a group class the schedule remains the same for the group.

We also conduct personal training(PT) sessions at the studio or at home.

When it’s a PT session the workouts are designed to suit the client needs and expectations.

1. What drew you into the fitness industry?

I have always been a fitness enthusiast; fitness has been a passion, a hobby, and something I incorporated in my daily routine. I started my fitness journey as a personal trainer a year and a half before I started the Breakthrough Studio.

Personal training became tough.

We used to live in Battaramulla then, and I had about six clients a day I used to train in Colombo. The driving from place to place became a bit much, and I didn’t see a future in it for me to grow in that area. I wanted to build a brand in fitness using TRX and create a business out of it. Having a little studio meant that I could do just that. And that I would be able to serve more people at the same time.

3. Many people start off enthusiastically and then eventually quit- what do you think the main causes are for this?

• I think the biggest reason for this is not having awareness about why they are starting a fitness journey. For example, not being aware of what fitness is, the short and long term benefits of fitness, and why it’s important that everyone should have a fitness journey. In other words starting with the wrong mindset, for the wrong reasons.

• Another cause is starting without a proper goal in mind. Starting any fitness journey without a proper goal as to what you want to achieve, what it entails you to do, the time that you need to allocate to achieve the goal.

• Starting with workouts that you don’t enjoy doing – if you don’t enjoy your workout chances are that you won’t continue it. You need to choose a workout, a routine, a sport etc, that you enjoy.

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• Having expectations that aren’t realistic – your expectations of what you want to achieve when need to be realistic. You need to be patient and consistent with your workouts for the results to show.

• Not complementing your diet with the workouts- if you eat junk all day you can’t expect to lose weight or get stronger – don’t give up because you can’t discipline yourself where food is concerned.

• Just because the scale doesn’t move! Don’t quit because the scale doesn’t move. Fat takes up more space than muscle, so go by inch loss. If you are losing a dress size, it’s a better indication of you losing fat.

4. What are your personal views when it comes to shows such as The Biggest Loser and Revenge Body

by Khloe Kardashian? Are they a healthy view on weight loss and the value of getting fit?

I haven’t watched Revenge Body but I have watched the biggest loser. I know that the

contestants are made to lose weight in short periods of time, where working out becomes all they do for the duration of the show. There are cases when some contestants gain back the weight they lost, when they get back to living a normal life which does not give room for hours of workouts.

The show definitely gives hope to over weight people and a sense of I CAN DO IT if I workout. But at the same time, a sense of “I need to invest time, energy, and effort; be consistent with my diet and patient with my body to get there” which needs to be highlighted. Fitness for health, longevity and an illness free life has to be the focus, other than only weightloss for short term look good / feel good reasons.

5. Tell us about Breakthrough Studio- How did you first start the business venture? Were there any challenges at the beginning?

At the beginning of my career as a coach and an entrepreneur, I used to take 7 classes a day, and that I did for 1.5 years. It was a lot of

work although at that time it didn’t feel like it was! I couldn’t take time off, I couldn’t cancel classes, I knew that my clients were coming with enthusiasm and they had goals and were eager to achieve them. I couldn’t take any time off.

The challenge was finding other coaches who would serve clients as you yourself would - I think finding the right people who love their jobs, are passionate about serving and are committed is a challenge for any business.

It was only a few months ago that I found like-minded coaches who shared my passion; I now have a team of three coaches who train from 6am to 8pm at the Studio.

6. What sets you apart from the other gyms found in Sri Lanka?

At Breakthrough Studio, the focus is on serving the clients to the best of our abilities to achieve their goals. Our workouts are never the same, each workout is designed for maximum impact on your body in a short period of time. The schedules are never

repeated and are different everyday so that the body does not go into a plateau. We offer 6 different types of workouts, 6 days of the week. Keeping it challenging, interesting and motivating. We provide loads of individual attention – because the groups are a max of 12-16 people. Our coaches are very people oriented and coach with passion and dedication. We focus on technique! That may be why we don’t have injuries at the studio.

Our coaches are trained by a TRX certified coach (myself ) to push your limits, motivate you and guide you.

7. Tell us a bit about the story behind the Breakthrough Mug The concept of the mug was to say thank you for not giving up on yourself! I wanted to create a little gift from me to the client that would be a constant reminder of the hard work they have put in, to achieve their goals.

Something that would remind them that they could achieve anything they want to achieve if they put their mind to it, and focus on being consistent. Not only in the area of fitness but in all areas of their life.

8. What age groups do you cater to?

We don’t have a particular age group as such.

If an older client wants to join, we get them to do a trial session and see if they are happy with the intensity of the workout, weather they require some personal training.

9. If there was one piece of advice you'd like to give a potential client through this article- what would it be?

It doesn’t happen overnight; it needs consistency, hard work and discipline, and it’s a way of life, it’s a long journey and there are no short term solutions to achieving the perfect body for you. It requires an investment of time, energy and money. Make it a lifestyle, for a stronger, healthier, younger body which will help you to live longer!

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INCREDIBLE

INDIA Being among the oldest civilizations in the world that features an array of variety and cultural heritage, it is no wonder why India has long been a sought-after travel destination. It goes without saying that a land as diverse as this is home to an unending list of attractions within its borders. However, even though we are neighbours to this giant, we often look towards other eastern travel destinations when we narrow down our vacay spots. With this carefully compiled list of not to be missed destinations in India, you will surely want to plan that itinerary in a heartbeat!

Arambol beach aerial view landscape, Goa

Agra

Varanasi

The alluring love story surrounding Agra’s Taj Mahal has always drawn tourists to this awesome feat of architecture. Despite the overwhelming crowds, the experience is as good as you’ve heard, for some things cannot be captured in pictures alone. Yet, the Taj is not Agra’s only attraction. Thanks to the legacy of the Mughal empire, magnificent forts, fascinating tombs and mausoleums are ready to be checked off your list. To experience the spirit of this city, visiting the bustling marketplaces referred to as ‘chowks’ are not to be missed.

Varanasi is the representation of India in your imagination.

Being one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, pilgrims come to the Ganges here to wash away sins in the sacred waters, to cremate their loved ones, or simply to die here, hoping for liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Take note though, this city is not for the faint hearted. Intimate rituals celebrating life and death take place in public and these sights can be intense. Most visitors will leave Varanasi with an undeniable feeling of enlightenment and appreciation of how cultures differ.

Delhi Drowned in history while filled to the brim with modern city life, Delhi is one of the few cities in the world that has a pulsating heartbeat that will leave any visitor in awe.

Sure, it is full of people, traffic and noise but it is still impossible to ignore. From the shopping sprees to be had in Delhi’s vibrant bazaars to the splendor of the Red Fort, you will not forget your time in this chaotic city.

The food too, deserves a write up for its own; Delhi tantalizes your taste buds with flavours from every corner of the subcontinent: Breakfast on South Indian idly; lunch on Punjabi kulchas; then, come evening, dine on rich Mughlai curries.

Goa Featuring an uninterrupted string of golden-sand beaches, this is undoubtedly Goa’s biggest draw. The long coastline is home to numerous beach communities that have developed their own

Hindu priests perform religious Ganga Aarti ritual in Varanasi

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personality and identity thanks to the hippie days of the 60’s. Catering the whims of every traveler, on one end you’ll see backpackers hanging out at beach bars and hippie markets, while the contemporary structures of exclusive luxurious resorts will often house A list celebs and Bollywood stars.

Manali

India Gate, New Delhi

Adrenaline junkie? Look no further than Manali. With mountain adventures beckoning from all directions, numerous agents offer trekking, climbing, rafting and skiing according to season. What many don’t know is you don’t have to travel far from home to experience snow for the first time, yes India is diverse even in her weather patterns!

While this destination has been seeing a lot of tourist activity lately, it isn’t difficult to get off the main tourist trail – if you can handle the rough terrain coupled with the icy cold temperature.

Darjeeling

People in snow covered landscapes of Manali

For many, Darjeeling is a premier west Bengal destination. Situated on a steep mountain ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations, Darjeeling is home to the Great Five-Peaked Snow Fortress – at 8598m it's the world’s third-highest mountain. Not be missed is a ride on the 140-year-old steambillowing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – simply put, it is one of the most romantic rail journeys one can make. Visit the bazaars at the foot of the town and take home products from far flung places of tall tales, think Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. And of course, don’t forget to end the day with a steaming Darjeeling brew.

Puducherry Affectionately known as ‘Pondi’, Puducherry was under French rule until 1954. As a result, some people here still speak French and the city itself is a canvas of the seductive Frenchsubcontinental aesthetic. Hotels, restaurants and shops give off a vibe that can be found no where else in India and thus, this lifestyle has attracted many creative types that now call Pondi their home. This is the ultimate destination for where new age chic meets old world charm.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puducherry

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Sustainable Gastronomy with Mount Lavinia Hotel’s

Vegan Poya Day Buffet

A little over a decade ago, the Mount Lavinia Hotel commenced a Vegetarian Buffet for Lunch every Poya Day. At the time, this was a novel initiative that focused on promoting healthy eating. Being a leader in introducing culinary trends to Sri Lankans, the Poya Lunch Buffet is now presented as a completely Vegan Experience, without any animal products used in preparation and presentation.

While to many Sri Lankans the concept of veganism is relatively new to our gastronomy scene, Poya Day vegan lunch buffets at the

Mount Lavinia Hotel have been generating a lot of buzz lately, and for good reason. This initiative is all part of the hotel’s commitment to healthy living and widespread awareness on sustainably sourced products without skimping on quality.

chefs have to look for alternative ingredients and substitutes for animal products. But, with the positive reception from the public, it can be seen that for the unsuspecting diner, you wouldn’t even know that you are indulging in vegan dishes.

The talented team of chefs at Mount Lavinia Hotel has given detailed attention to each dish on offer during the course of preparation.

The international spread including Sri Lankan, Western, Chinese and Indian dishes, are all crafted accordingly. Of course, crafting vegan dishes comes with its fair set of challenges as

To experience this, we invited a few guests to try out the buffet and share their thoughts with us. And we’re happy to report, they left quite content with the array of dishes on offer.

“It was no easy task to pull this off and we have been having trial runs throughout the past few months. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our chefs, I’m proud to say that we are one of the few hotels to provide one of the healthiest and nourishing meals to our guests”

- Ralf Vogt, Director of Operations Food and Beverage, MLH.

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Koluu

I eagerly accepted the invitation to a vegan lunch at the Mt Lavinia Hotel.

Veganism is a vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animalderived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines. Chef-in-Charge, Ralph, produced an entire range of very interesting food, with a great choice of starters and mains of local, continental and far eastern cuisine. I opted for the local cuisine and was absolutely pleased with my choice; the curries and sambols, tempered cashewnuts with thith batu, soya meat, mango curry and kos mallum were among my favourites. It was an enjoyable lunch and, yes, I would be happy to have a vegan meal of such making anytime.

Michael

Starters: A lot of the starters and salads have a bit of a pickle-y aftertaste. The chefs had prepared many interesting combinations of fruits and vegetables that went well with the vinegars and oils on offer Mains: I am not a vegan at all so from that point of view the mains were a little underwhelming, but the sauces and condiments complimented everything well.

Overall: Some dishes were better than others, but the combinations opened my eyes to many possibilities.

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Udyami

Starters: I really loved the hummus and the pickled vegetables. I think everything worked very well together when considering the different flavours and textures.

Mains: I loved the vegetable tempura! Mixing the eastern and western combinations really helped to enhance the flavour profiles.

Overall: Overall, I came with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised.

Yasmin

Starters: I loved the fact that there was a blend of different Asian flavours. It was an Interesting mix to get my palate warmed up for other things. Starters were an ace!

Mains: The soy was a bit too dry for me but the variety of leaf mallums were amazing!

Overall: Being a vegetarian myself, I was more than happy with the spread, I’m sure even non vegans and vegetarians will appreciate the efforts of the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

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Ronali

Starters: It was very colorful and there was a wide variety. Although I felt like they are lacking with nuts and seeds.

Mains: My favorite was the Sri Lankan rice and curry, it didn’t even feel like I was having vegan food.

Overall: I thought I’ll be hungry after, but I’m stuffed. This is definitely something that I will try again.

In conclusion, not only is the Vegan Poya Day buffet delicious, it’s also good for your health, our communities, and our planet, bringing new meaning to sustainable gastronomy. A cruelty-free vegan meal is a great way to celebrate any Poya Day your beloved family and friends so go ahead and try it out for yourself!

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Empowered

Women Empower Women Swarna and Nare open up to Thushanthi de Silva about what it takes to be a strong woman!

Photography: Kesara Ratnavibhushana

Attire: Rithihi

Hair and Makeup Prabath of Kess

Location: Spice Boutique

Although Swarna Mallawarachchi is a household name in Sri Lanka, her beautiful and intelligent daughter Narendra Bandaranayake has always been away from the limelight. Now she too is emerging into her own as a successful entrepreneur, and has therefore agreed to the first interview she has done together with her mother exclusively for Pulse.

A 50 year career, and 28 awards. It is impossible to talk to Swarna without wanting to know more about the memorable characters she’s built over the years. When asked how she feels when watching her movies today, she says that she almost forgets they were shot decades ago. “Nothing really distracts from the acting and the story, and they’ve all been good scripts. So it doesn’t really matter that it was filmed 20-30 years ago. I was extremely selective about the roles I chose. There’s nothing superficial or unnatural about my characters. All the movies I’ve been in successfully depict real life, and I think they performed well owing to this fact as well. Dadayama was in fact a true story, as horrific as it was. And after my recent movie, Age Asa Aga, which revolves around an extra marital affair, I had many women coming up to me telling me that they’ve been in similar situations. So I think the themes are still valid, even in this era”.

I never let my acting seep into my personal life. I don’t think about one when I’m doing the otherthey’re completely separate.

Narendra who her mom fondly calls ‘my best critic’, adds that she loves that her mother’s movies are so raw. “I think she is hands down the best actress there ever was. All her movies have substance. Real life is not singing and dancing around trees” (“I danced in one movie!” says Swarna, to which Nare quips, “Yes, I didn’t much care for that one”).

Her multi-faceted characters also had something else in common- they were often the main protagonists of the movie. Much like how she has chosen to live her life. Here is a woman who, once she made up her mind to do something, went ahead and did it.

“I didn’t have any training in acting. And although an ardent reader, I never read any books on acting, only novels that I could get my hands on from the library. When bringing a character to life I would draw on what I’d read as well as my personal life experiences. And when that camera comes on- oh that’s my favourite noise! It’s like my cue to switch into my character- everything else disappears”. She says she sorely misses the noisy whirr of the camera of the bygone era, which has been replaced by the silent digital versions. And as immersive as her experience is when in character, she also knows when to switch off. “I am not the type to live in my role outside filming. If I did, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my wits about and raise her the way I did!” she says gesturing at her daughter. When asked if any of those roles had attributes that she would have liked for Nare, she says she has never thought about it from that perspective.

“I never let my acting seep into my personal life. I don’t think about one when I’m doing the other- they’re completely separate”, she adds, with an air of complete confidence that only an actress of her calibre could possess.

Narendra, who has been watching her mother with a look of fondness, patiently accommodating Swarna reaching over to fix her saree or straighten her blouse, (pointing out that the border was stitched on by her mother who likes to sew in her spare time), is apparently the opposite of her mother. “I’m the one who talks a lot, she’s very camera shy”, says Swarna.

When asked why, Nare said, “It was possibly growing up around famous parents. In fact I pretty much grew up on set, watching her perform, or him direct. Seeing how much

Narendra who her mom fondly calls ‘my best critic’, adds that she loves that her mother’s movies are so raw.

“I think she is hands down the best actress there ever was. All her movies have substance.

attention they received, how everyone was always looking at them, it made me want the opposite. I don’t think anyone even knows I’m her daughter. I’m a very private person”.

Swarna says of her daughter’s personality, “She would never use my fame for her advantage.

Everything she has done, she’s done with her own perseverance. She is very independent, and that’s how I always wanted it. Even at age 5, she’d know how to pick an appropriate outfit for herself when we had to go somewhere. I didn’t even have to push her to study.”

As creative as her mother is, Narendra admits she hasn’t got the artistic genes- apart from writing, which she is good at, and which she would like to turn into an attempt at scriptwriting someday. In fact, her ambition was to become a doctor. “I somehow got fixated on medicine as a career path. I didn’t think of any other alternative. Although I could have pursued medicine, I decided I wanted to study in UK, by which time it was too late to apply for medicine at my preferred university. I got the opportunity to study at King’s College London where I did my undergrad in Neurosciences. Being in the UK really opened up my eyes to my options. I pursued my Masters in Finance at the University of Cambridge, and ended up working for

some of the biggest names in finance, including Goldman Sachs and Ares Management. I absolutely loved it.”

Then why the change, we asked her? She credits God for giving her the direction she needed, saying that although moving back was always a part of the plan, her eventual move wasn’t motivated by fear. The fear that she speaks of was that she would lose her mother. Swarna was diagnosed with breast cancer 06 years ago. She successfully overcame it, even going onto star in the sequel to Dadayama directed by the Oncologist Surgeon who treated her, Dr. Neomal Perera!

Nare contines, “I took the plunge after receiving a message of hope from God, that I should be in Sri Lanka for a reason that is yet to unfold. However, after 13 years of working in leverage finance in London, the career options in finance that were available here didn’t interest me. I was also missing my regular barre workouts, which were very popular in London, but wasn’t available or heard of here” With the encouragement received through her faith, she decided to be the one to start. “I got the necessary qualifications. Initially I was a one (wo)man show-

everything from finances to managing social media to conducting the classes was done by me. And it really took off- we had 300 people signed up after just one week!”

“Barre is really a niche offering, and that’s what I’ve created at our new studio in Colombo 5 - it doesn’t feel like a place you come to sweat it out- it’s a place you come to meet your friends, and have fun while improving your fitness. We don’t focus on weight loss. We are fully versed in anatomy and kinesiology and focus on proper technique, thereby avoiding injuries”. She also offers Reformer Pilates, which is done on a reformer machine, and is especially effective in post-injury rehabilitation.

One has survived brain surgery and breast cancer, and the other is dedicated to introducing a new form of fitness to the country, and they are both advocates for women looking after their health better. “We always put ourselves last, making sure everyone else in the house has eaten before we decide to eat. This way of thinking starts with a woman

though, when the mother decides to treat her son differently to how she treats her daughter. We often discuss violence against women by men, but sometimes it’s women working against women!”, says Swarna, of the cultural norms she feels should change.

Nare says her goal is to entice those who don’t like to work out, because she thinks women should realise the benefits of prioritizing their health. Admitting that she too used to dislike ‘exercise’, “My hope is to encourage them by making them understand that there is a workout for everybody. Keep looking for options till you find something that suits you. If there was one workout I embraced, it was Barre and Reformer Pilates. So I’m glad I am able to continue it in Sri Lanka, and also be able to introduce it to those here!”.

Education is another area she is passionate about, and she is determined to be a change maker in this sphere in Sri Lanka. Although her own education has spanned wildly different areas, nothing has gone to waste. “It never occurred

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reached the pinnacle, and as a mother, I have raised a wonderful daughter”.

to me before that there are other avenues I could pursue education and career wise.

In UK, what is valued are transferrable skills.

The question is, how can I use what I’ve learned doing x when I’m doing y. This helps us always be curious in what we study, to see how it can be used practically. Today, running Barressential, I am able to use both my education in neurosciences and finance.

The former because I’m working with the body, and the latter because you can’t run a profitable business if you don’t have your strategy and finances in order!.”

Both Narendra and Swarna believe that empowering women starts with education, which was the aim of the setting up the Swarna Mallawarachchi Foundation. Swarna is currently working on a project with an Indian partner organisation to teach women the art

of high quality palmyrah weaving. Narendra too has been meeting with decision makers on multiple levels to get started on her plans to bridge the gaps in our education system.

“Almost every problem we see in today’s society stems from the lack of a proper education. Even when they are educated, they lack the ability to market their skills, to be assertive, to think critically instead of rote learning”, she says.

Swarna is the epitome of female empowerment, but she doesn’t think she did anything special, claiming that she simply took life in its stride. Nare disagrees, saying that it is her mother’s positive outlook on life that made everything seem easy, even when it wasn’t. “I never worried too much about how things will happen, I just kept doing, and enjoying what I did. In my career, I have

I’m curious as to how has her mother’s free spirit shaped her own ideals, especially on marriage and motherhood. “Everyone is constantly trying to make you fit into a mould, but my mother broke out of that mould 35 years ago.

If there is a ‘conventional’ way to live life, then I’m not aware of it.

There’s a lot of pressure created by Lankan society to be married- the notion that you aren’t a success if you aren’t (“And that you haven’t done your duty as a mom if your daughter isn’t!” says Swarna incredulously). But my mother has taught me how to be strong, and also how to be courageous. You don’t need a man to be all that. She’s shown me that you can do all of it on your own, and do it in the best way possible too”. She adds that a strong support system is vital, and it’s evident that they are each other’s greatest strengths.

Two inspirational ladies, both fearless enough to follow their heart and turn their passions into success. It reminds me a quote which read “I am a strong woman, because a strong woman raised me.”

I ask Swarna how she came to be this person, someone who lives life on her own terms.

“Well, it’s just like Sinatra said. I did it my way”, she says with an enigmatic smile.

I never worried too much about how things will happen, I just kept doing, and enjoying what I did. In my career, I have reached the pinnacle, and as a mother, I have raised a wonderful daughter.

My mother has taught me how to be strong, and also how to be courageous. You don’t need a man to be all that. She’s shown me that you can do all of it on your own, and do it in the best way possible too.

Tiesh Blue Empress Tiesh launched their latest collection, Blue Empress on the 24th of July

Kumar

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Thiyasha

Angela

Ayesh

Anissa

De Fonseka Family

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Mercedes Trophy National Final Sri Lanka 2019

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Mercedes recently hosted the National Final for the Mercedes Trophy Golf Tournament.

Vision Care Academy celebrates Optometry Day with knowledge sharing sessions and student awards

03rd July 2019 Colombo: Resolute in its mission to deliver enhanced eye care outcomes to people in Sri Lanka, the pioneering eye care company, Vision Care, successfully concluded its 10th Optometry Day and Annual Scientific Session on the 9th of June 2019, at Galle Face Hotel. The event was organized by the Vision Care Academy, under the theme ‘For a Vision with clarity’.

In keeping with its sustainable approach to business, Vision Care leverages on such occasions to promote eye care amongst the general public and share best practices in collaboration with eye care experts, so that people may benefit from top quality eye care.

The sessions provided the ideal platform for the nation’s leading optometrists to discuss and debate the latest scientific advances in Biometry and Ocular Diagnostic, Refraction and Low Vision and Vision Therapy, Contact Lenses and Dispensing, and Hearing Care.

This conference was an opportune occasion to gain knowledge about eye care and to feature the creative and artistic talent of students of the Vision Care Academy.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Madhuwanthi Dissanayake, Consultant Eye Surgeon, Special advisor to the Vision Care Academy and Senior Lecturer at the University of Colombo said, “For years, the students and staff of Vision Care Academy have put together a great effort to be the pioneering institution in optometry and visual science education

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on par with international standards.

This academic forum offers an excellent opportunity for research, exchange of views and sharing of information in the field of optometry and visual science." The welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Vidya Jayarathna (Head of Vision Care Academy) while the Guest of Honour was Ms. Rowena McNamara (Head Orthoptist, Imperial College London.)

The keynote speakers at the event included Dr. (Mrs) Maduwanthi Dissanayake, Dr Chameera Bandara, Mr. Shajan Adolph, and Dr. Devanand Jha. The Special Invitees on the occasion were Dr Clifford Parker and Dr Upali Mendis. The luminaries presented awards to the winners and to the students of the Vision Care Academy, which was started by Vision Care Optical Services Pvt Ltd in 2008. The winners of the 10th Optometry Day and scientific session 2019 are Ms. Piyumi Liyanarachchi, Mrs. Isuri Peiris, Mrs. Aloka Prematilake, Mr. Nimantha Viduranga, Mrs. Charika Wijesesna, Ms. Lashani Kaushalya, Ms. Anusha Manel, Mr. Suresh Sulaxan, Mrs. Sai Sumithra

Baanushan, Ms. P.G.S Madushani and Mr. Kavipriya Ramesh. The judging panel consisted of Dr. Saminda Paranahewa, Dr. Rohith Jayawardena, Dr Lahiru P Hettige, Dr. Devanand Jha and Mr. Shajan Adolph.

Set up in 2008, the Vision Care Academy provides in-house training for the staff of Vision Care and offers qualifications such as Diploma in Optometry, Certificate for Ophthalmic Assistants, Certificate in Dispensing Optics and Certificate in Audiometry. Winners get the opportunity to participate in international conferences.

The Vision Care Academy is training a new generation of eye care specialists who will go on to make a big impact in the eye care industry while carving out a brighter future for themselves.

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Anya

Ratnayaka Sri Lanka’s very own small cat advocate Anya Ratnayaka is a graduate in Wildlife and Conservation Management from the University of Queensland, Australia. As a Global Wildlife Conservation Associate Conservation Scientist, she has a strong interest in Sri Lankan wildlife and in particular, small wild cat conservation.

Since her return to Sri Lanka, she founded SCAR – Small Cat Advocacy and Research, which operates out of its base at the Diyasaru Wetland Park in Thalawathugoda where we caught up with her.

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Can you tell us where your passion for wildlife came from?

I have always been attracted to all sorts of animal life. My mum will tell you that even at birthday parties of friends, I was always around their pets. I also think this interest stems from the fact that I get very nervous around people. Animals over people, any day.

Can you recall a moment when you were first truly impressed by a feat of wildlife?

During every school holiday, my family would visit our estate in Deniyaya. During one of these visits, I was playing in the garden, as I looked up, I saw the nest of a Serpent Eagle. I remember looking at it and then suddenly, she took off and flew right over me. Just seeing the silhouette of the eagle in flight had me captivated. I guess that was an encounter that really took my breath away.

What inspired you to work on the conservation of Sri Lanka’s small cats?

While I was in school, I was very much into big cats; that’s all you hear about and see on TV. So, after I returned from university, I started a proposal for a research project on the Sri Lankan Leopard. While this was going on, a colleague asked if I would like to see a fishing cat. This was the first time I had heard about such a cat so needless to say, I dropped my writing and accompanied her to a house where this cat was kept. I was asked to walk into a room and to sit quietly by the window. While walking in, I noticed

Photo by: Thejani Tennakoon

shining eyes under the bed. Eventually, a funny looking creature that looked like a leopard approached me, it was a fishing cat in the flesh! As it was still a kitten, it had an adorable purple sock hanging out of its mouth! After spending a good three hours there, I came home to do more research and learned that it is one of 34 species of small cat found around the world. I was so intrigued by the lack of studies on this animal in Sri Lanka; I scrapped my Leopard proposal and began writing a new one on fishing cats.

Photo by: Yanik Tissera

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What is the importance of urban wetlands?

Wetlands in general do incredible things that include carbon sequencing, flood control, water purification and disease mitigation.

If managed properly, urban wetlands have the same functions. Essentially acting like a sponge; wetlands soak up excess water to prevent floods. If we didn’t clear up the wetlands for development after the war ended, we would not have had to face that freak flood back in 2010. Ecologically, they act as homes for wildlife that you find in cities from birds to crocodiles and of course, the fishing cat.

Tell us about Sri Lanka’s small cat species Sri Lanka has three species of small cat. First, we have the fishing cat; people think they are little leopards and are sometimes even mistaken for the Indian civet. Adult males weigh around 12-15 kilos whereas females average out at 6-10 kilos. The fishing cats that we have in Colombo are the only population in the world that live within a city. Locally, they are listed as endangered while they are globally vulnerable. Then there is the jungle cat, around twice the size of domestic cat. We mainly see them in the dry and arid zones of the island. Locally, they are threatened and globally, they fall into the least concern category. Last but not least, we have the rusty

spotted cat – this is the smallest species of cat in the world, being half the size of a domestic cat. When born, they weigh less than an egg but what they lack in size, they make up for in personality. They are endangered in Sri Lanka while near threatened globally.

What happens when someone reports a sighting?

We have an online form at save.cat. Whether live, injured or dead, the public can access this online form to fill in the required details.

We use that information and plot it on a map to understand the distribution of these cats. These maps are important for us to find hotspots and help us identify where most of these cats get killed on the roads.

What does harmony between humans and nature mean to you?

In a perfect world there needs to be a lot of awareness. People need to learn before they freak out about something. “Are they going to kill me?” “Are they going to take my child?” are all questions that have been directed at me in the past. These cats have been living here for generations, so no, they will not kill you or take your child. In a perfect world, people would understand and appreciate them more. In other words, they would care about what is going on outside their little bubble.

How has the public reception been for urban wetlands such as Diyasaru?

It is strange because usually the rich enjoy the park and the poor just hate it as the cats steal their chickens and they think it is a waste of space, where the rich see a beautiful wetland, the poor see space in which they can grow paddy. The more educated have a better appreciation for it. Yet, the poor should not be shut down, we need to figure out why they dislike the wetland and change their mindset.

However, ironically, they do understand that they have encroached into this land. So, I guess it’s a paradox of sorts.

Is the survival of our small cats promising?

Habitat loss is a huge factor when it comes to the survival of these species. As long as their habitats remain intact, our three small cats will be okay. The government too, is showing some form of support as well. I’d like to encourage everyone to learn about something new; conservation is limited by the fact that people don’t really care about learning something new. Trust me. Wildlife is far more interesting than the color of the Kardashian’s toenails.

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“ In a perfect world, people would understand and appreciate them more. In other words, they would care about what is going on outside their little bubble.�

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#Share SriLanka by

Urban Island

Urban Island recently hosted another #ShareSriLanka, this time launching the brands La Ceylone, Seventh Script and ARII Jewels with new collections from many others.

Sheziha

Thiyasha

Ayesh

Kosh

Shane

Indula

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The Insta-Famous

Shenelle

Rodrigo Model, Content Creator, Boss Lady

From walking the ramp at Colombo Fashion Week to adventuring through trails in Wilpattu, Shenelle Rodrigo is beautiful, smart and witty. We sat down for a quick chat with this versatile personality about her beginnings on Instagram, her 13,000 follower base, and her #thisissrilanka round trip of the entire island that is currently blowing up on social media with her vlogs showing a comprehensive and unseen side to each major city of the country.

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bigger accounts doing bigger things and if you want to call someone Insta-Famous, I think they really deserve it. My profile is a growing following but I still don’t think I’m Insta-Famous.

How do you maintain consistency and quality throughout your feed?

I like to batch my work. So when I go on a trip, I like to take as many different pictures as possible and then release them online slowly and that gives me a buffer where I can create more content.

What are some tips everyone should follow when using Instagram as a platform to develop a personal brand?

I think it’s important to not get lost trying to replicate what other people are doing.

Yes it worked for them and it’s good to look at successful people but only mimic what they’re doing to find out what works for you.

After that, make your own style and bring your own thing to the table. That’s how you can grow organically.

Tell us about #thisissrilanka, the experience, the feedback and the aftereffects. #thisissrilanka was the biggest experience of my life for sure. Getting to know the country that you call home on such a ground level has been absolutely amazing. I feel like it’s a trip I have to do at least another two times over to hit all the spots that I missed and I think us as Sri Lankans need to travel more; not just for fun, but to get to know the place you call home more, it’s so important. With everything we have going on, I think something we need to understand is that we are not what you or I think. We are a culmination of so many different types of people that have added so much value to the word “Sri Lanka”.

That’s what this trip has taught me so I think everyone needs to do it!

What are 3 words that perfectly describe Shenelle Rodrigo Adventurous, carefree and determined.

Do you tend to take on different personalities when you play the role of a model, influencer and traveller respectively?

Yes and no. I think some personalities are the same in all areas and others are different. With

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modelling, I’m the same Shenelle backstage but I tend to take on different personalities onstage according to my outfit. But as a traveller and a content creator, I try to remain the same.

Would you call yourself Instafamous?

I don’t like the term “Insta-famous” just because of the fact that I feel like there are

How has your journey in the fashion industry been and what are some things you learnt from it?

I’ve been in the fashion industry for 10 years now. I’ve definitely learnt a lot because I’ve been around a very difficult industry.

An important thing that I learnt through modelling and even travel and editing is that I didn’t think I can do it and I had that fear but I had to take steps to overcome it. I learnt from myself that you can actually do something you want to do if you take the steps for it and if you work hard for it. And it’s something I’ve

kept as a lesson throughout my life. Creation is such an important thing. If your soul or if your person feels like there’s something it wants to create, you have to let that happen.

That is I think the most important thing I learnt.

What are a few tips you can give to young girls venturing into the industry?

I feel you should make sure you’re working around legitimate people. Get yourself a really good manager. My manager was great and she had a lot of experience in the field.

Because I had her, I was okay, but I feel like if I was on my own, a lot of people would have taken advantage of me or tried to exploit me.

Number two is maintaining professionalism.

If you think that this job is not important enough for you to look at as a corporate job then don’t pursue it. Because what everyone is looking for is for someone to come and do a job and maintain professionalism. So your cooperation, your good attitude, good vibes and maintaining positivity are very important.

The next is don’t let the industry give you too many insecurities. Because I did and I went through quite a few struggles but after some time, I’ve come to the realisation that my body is my body, it’s doing what it needs to be doing. You don’t have to feel anything about the way your body looks!

Travel has become a career to you now, what are some things you make sure to do at any new destination?

I think the Instagram pictures are very important, I won’t lie, but Shehan and I both love travelling to learn about the culture and to just learn about how people live in different parts of the world. For me, I love architecture. I love to go and see how architecture has impacted places and how it tells a story. I like to discover things and beautiful Instagram pictures come from doing that kind of thing. The culture, the people, the food, those are the most important things to me.

What does the future hold for Shenelle Rodrigo?

I feel like the future holds a lot of travel, a lot of content creation and just good things!

Location Kava Island Bar

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Yashodara

Nadiya

A Destination Wedding Pop Up A Destination Wedding Pop-Up by Fashionmarket.lk in collaboration with major brands was held on the 14th of June at Green Path.

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Upeka

Nelum

Kesara

Lashinika

Kinita

How to trade your

corporate

office for a

career

in

planting It’s not every day that you hear of someone with a diverse background in the corporate sector venturing into the age-old field of planting and estate work. Comparing a Colombo office to an estate is somewhat like comparing apples to oranges. Yet, to Jani Subasinghe, the change was more than welcome; imagine an office among picturesque green surroundings, away from the bustles of city life. After visiting her new “office” in Pannala, we were quite sold on the idea of trading in a desk and a computer for acres of lush greenery. Here is the story of one of Sri Lanka’s few female planters.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself I am Jani Subasinghe and I am proud to say that I am a planter. In terms of my background I received my primary and secondary education at Ladies’ College in Colombo, following this I moved to Melbourne, Australia to pursue a degree in Mass Media Communications & Public Relations at Monash University. I always knew I wanted to come back to Sri Lanka and be close to my parents so within a week of graduating I was

back home. When I’m not out and about the estate you’ll either find me cooking, dabbling in fashion and of course attending to my biggest joy which is my 20 dogs and 3 cats.

Walk us through the history of this estate This is a 60+ acre estate that has been in my family for three generations and it is now in my hands. The primary cultivation of this estate has always been Coconut with

inter-crops changing with each generation.

Currently we have pepper, ginger, turmeric and other vegetation along with the coconut , and my new venture which I started over an year ago which is cinnamon cultivation.

With a background in PR and Comms, why the sudden change in career?

Why not the change? Before I settled in my current profession I worked in advertising, www.pulse.lk | PAGE 83

travel and even spa management. So I have worked in few industries before realising that a normal 9 to 5 desk job was not for me, additionally as I am only child I knew at some point I would have to look into the family businesses so I took a leap of faith and took over the responsibility which turned out great. Truth be told there was an adjustment period but being able to surround myself with nature and to give back to the earth which we have taken so much from is truly gratifying.

How does an average day in your life unfold?

To be honest there is never an “average” or normal day as such. Each day comes with its own tasks and challenges along with whatever is going on at the estate, be it harvesting, fertilization or planting programmes. I also divide my time with the other family business where we produce terra-cotta roofing tiles. I’m currently working on expanding this into a range of earthenware.

We are an all organic estate so it’s twice as much work if not more to ensure that we are pest and disease free at all times as they could wipe out crops completely.

Have you applied anything from the corporate world into your planting What are some operational aspects Well there are the general things like planting, career? irrigating, weeding, fertilization and the maintenance of equipment and machinery.

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I’m currently taking baby steps but something I truly value is that this is not just

a business, my stakeholders come from all walks of life and I would say I have had to apply a lot of patience and understanding to know where the other person is coming from.

Building relationships is what’s important to me much like in the corporate world and as this is a family business there are many things to uphold and I try to honour this to the best of my abilities.

What is the biggest challenge that you face?

Human resource management is not an easy task, so I would have to say my biggest challenge is labour. And as this is a high risk job ensuring the safety of all our employees and families within the estate is also very important. Another very regular challenge we encounter but cannot control would be the weather and it’s unpredictability which affects the crops if preventive measures are not undertaken.

How do people react when you tell them that you are a planter?

In a culture where planting is considered predominantly run by males, I’m always met with a lot of curiosity and questions; however, that shouldn’t be the case. I personally think that careers like this should be exposed and encouraged at a grass root level, especially in schools. If a man can do it, a woman can too.

You don’t need to own acres of land to call yourself a planter. Even if you manage a little herb garden in your home, you’re a planter in my books.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 85

Dr. Tuwani

Nadiya

Ramona

PAGE 86 | www.pulse.lk

Dr. Thanuki

Zudhora

X Outhouse

Zudhora hosted a jewellery lineup

by Outhouse at Taj Samudra, showcasing breathtaking designs on the 21st and 22nd of July.

Yashodara

Charini

Rosy

Kaabia

Alanki

Shivani

Alanki

Charini

Ramona

Harshini

Gayathri

Kaabia

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 87

Ramona

Kaabia

Rosy

Charini

Anusha

Ramani

Gerald

PAGE 88 | www.pulse.lk

Shobana

Shivani

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Your Skin and the Importance of

Night time Nourishment There are many misconceptions about how men and women age, but it is often more a case of how they are permitted to age. For too long myths have been propagated by a society and its media machine tolerant and supportive of male maturity while being intolerant and critical of the same natural processes in women.

As we age the physiology of (human!) skin changes. Dryness and thinning from reduction in certain proteins like collagen mean a woman’s skin really benefits from extra nourishment at night. Some rich moisturisers and balms are too much to apply as a day cream - but will protect and feed the skin as we sleep.

However, both men and women go through ageing similarly, natural atrophy, gravity, exposure to sun, weather and toxins are factors that damage and age male and female skin equally.

Collagen is the supportive protein structure in the skin with elastic fibres providing an ability to 'bounce back'. The drop in collagen and elastic fibres as we age accelerates wrinkling and sagging in a woman’s skin and is known as Elastosis. For women, the decrease in B-Estradiol during menopause can also intensify the ageing of the skin over a shorter period.

Women may experience more intense periods of change due to hormonal production while hormonal changes are acute during menopause, which can impact on the appearance of the skin.

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Blood flow through the dermal capillaries reduces as we age too, but for women,

particularly during menopause, less nutrients and oxygen are available to the Basal Cell layers of the epidermis. This contributes to the thinning of the epidermis and a slower cell renewal rate, which can lead to water loss and much dryer skin.

Night moisturisers with certain anti-oxidants can help to build collagen and fight or protect against free radicals - which are proven to age the skin. Massaging the skin with a good quality, toxin free oil based product before sleep will also increase bloodflow to the epidermis, help to reduce thinning by replacing lost oils and nutrients, and lock in moisture as you sleep, minimising dullness as a result of dehydration. The skin does a lot of its repairing and rejuvenating during the night so feeding it with a potent cocktail of plant extracts, vitamins and essential oils will help it with its work.

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Romesh Atapattu’s Story

Shears

and

of

Brushes

With over 22 years of experience at the tips of his creative fingers, Romesh Atapattu has long been seen as an ambassador within the hair and beauty space in Sri Lanka. From humble beginnings that included sweeping hair and serving coffee to clients, a determined Romesh rose to the top by bringing home numerous international accolades. We caught up with this busy hair and makeup guru to gain some insight on his success.

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What drew you to this particular field?

During my time studying at St Peters College, I used to sing with the Mary Anne David choir. Ramani Fernando used to do hair and makeup work for all of us, so that was probably a defining element that directed me to get involved with this field. Eventually I started working with Ramani; I was mentored

by Cheryl Gooneratne who taught me all my skills within a year.

Can you tell us about some moments that defined your career?

While I was still a junior at Ramani’s, the Hair Asia Pacific Competition was set to take place in India.

What would you do if you had to choose a career outside this field?

I can’t imagine doing anything other than hairdressing. I used to always play with my mother’s hair when I was small so that also made me develop an interest in this trade. I guess it was something that was instilled in me from the very beginning.

What do you think is the difference between drug store hair products and high-end brands?

I would have to say that Salon products usually have a higher quality composition of ingredients that are better for your hair. Think of the difference between salon products and drugstore brands like comparing a fine wine to a cheaper alternative.

What are your go-to products for hair and make-up?

I practiced day in and day out at the Elibank Road Salon and was able to find my own sponsors. A great lady by the name of Savithri Edirisinghe agreed to fully sponsor me and so I left for India with my models. I returned as the Sri Lankan Champion, bringing home awards in two categories. Following this, I also took part in another iteration of Hair Asia Pacific held in Singapore where I won in four categories.

Ramani Fernando was impressed by this which led her to sponsor me to attend higher training in the UK at a leading academy.

During your participation at these contests, were you ever nervous?

In the beginning I was really nervous, I was once so jittery that I cut my fingers in the midst of a competition! But still I persevered and was able to get through it all.

When it comes to makeup, I use a multitude of products from different brands including Mac, Bobby Brown, Urban Decay and Sephora. In terms of hair, we use brands such as Jeval and Loreal at the salon. However, clients sometimes bring in their own products for application which we are more than happy to accommodate.

What is the best advice you can give women for hair loss and damaged hair?

To prevent this, try not to iron as much as possible. If you have no choice, always use a heat protectant spray. This acts as a buffer between the iron and the hair, so it is only the product that gets burnt off. Never shower in hot water, lukewarm is the best way to go. It is also advisable to get your hair oiled twice a week. Diet is another key factor, try to watch you eat by staying away from processed food.

When working on a client, how do you work out what best suits her face and frame when it comes to hair and makeup?

First, I ask the client what their best side is and then I frame the face depending on their facial structure. For example, a square shaped face would require light framing with hair falling on the cheek bones. In terms of makeup, I try to be subtle. It’s all about bringing out the client’s natural beauty rather than caking on layers of product.

Have you ever come across a “bridezilla” or a difficult client?

If so, how do you tackle them?

I so far have not encountered any such clients.

I think that if I have to face such a situation, I will advise the client to not proceed in this

manner. But of course, if they are adamant in terms of their requirements I will deliver.

However, there is always the concern that it may backfire on my reputation as a stylist.

Name three people that you would love to work with • My mother • Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex • Nadeera Abayakoon

Who do you think inspires you when it comes to your work?

Ramani Fernando

How do you innovate while at work?

I innovate on a whim. While cutting hair, ideas pop into my head and I ask the client if we can proceed in such a manner. Usually the client will see the potential of that look and we go ahead with it together.

Is there anything that you would change within the local industry?

In this country, no one wants to work together because of jealousy and other personal agendas. If only they realise the potential that we can reach as a region if we just put our differences aside.

Do you have any advice for budding stylists that seek to reach your level of expertise?

This industry is extremely cutthroat, so be prepared for a lot of b****hing around.

Having said that, never give up. Always have the vision of where you want to be at the back of your mind and one day, you will get there.

The

Blue Bird in the Island PAGE 96 | www.pulse.lk

It made me truly jump around with joy to know that a lady lawyer in Sri Lanka had the initiative to set up a body of people to assist women and children in legal matters and that too free of charge!!

Sisters at Law will be a source of strength and dependability to those who seek legal redress but cannot and will not due to the merciless fees charged by scrupulous lawyers. If I hurt the feelings of some, I do apologize even before I proceed with this column. I am sorry but it is no secret that the local adage, “gahen vatunu minihata gona anna wage” (the man who fell from the tree being attacked by a bull) is in all reality what a person experiences, when assigning one’s case to a lawyer!!

I wonder, at times, how a person representing you, get to know your difficulty and the suffering you are going through and yet charges you for arguing your case. Just because the Court does not permit a plaintiff or respondent to talk for himself!

In most cases, the plaintiff or respondent merely turns up in Court, stands meekly on whichever side of the room he is supposed to, bewildered at the few minutes the lawyers on either side discuss seemingly what they have not already, and step down, with the proceedings postponed. I used to think about this the very many times I sought justice and now realise it is almost an “arrangement”.

How else would the lawyer pay his utility bills, send his children to school, provide for his wife, maintain a car and live?

It is a means of procuring one’s pathway to sustenance. That sounds nice, doesn’t it?

I suppose I have to look at this from the point of view of the lawyer too, in which case I will take up the personae of a carnivore and swoop on a kill!!

It is irksome that the arm of the law also involves the services of the lawyers for even

a simple task such as getting a copy of a complaint made in a station.

I had the most unfortunate experience of being bullied online by an individual recently and I sought the assistance of the Women’s and Children’s Bureau for advice. When I explained my circumstances to the Officer in Charge, and was then directed to a Constable to whom I repeated the entire story, so that she could fill her log book. On the second day I was questioned as to what I expected of the Arm of the Law, as in would I be filing a case in the Courts. Was it just to warn the accused or was it so that the arm of law could make their own case against the accused?

Why ask me? Were they not decisive enough to make their own conclusions as to how serious the matter was?

picture of being the victim, without any proof, character assassinated me, and turned the story to his benefit!!

Is it a surprise that I gave up on the entire system?

The aftermath of this was that the cyber bullying did not stop. Yes, there is a division for such, but considering the protocol of apprehending a wrong doer in Sri Lanka, I think I just have to suffer the lack of proper action in justice.

So, hail to you, Sisters at Law, your Mascot, the Blue Bird will be indeed be a friend of all women and children.

Till next time then, be safe, dear hearts!

Day three was the dreaded confrontation of the other party and myself in the presence of the Officer-in-Charge, the indignity of listening to the concocted defense and also a series of fabrications.

This was followed by the statements that needed to be made to a constable, not familiar to the case, in the presence of both parties!!

The other party receives a stern warning and I am released from the station with the advice that I could obtain a copy of these statements in three days on the presentation of a letter of request.

By Angela Seneviratne

The fourth visit was to hand over the said letter and they say that I need a letter from a lawyer (who was not present at any stage) Finding a lawyer, relating the entire episode, getting a letter and going back to the station would be yet another grueling, time consuming, emotionally upsetting experience.

And in the meantime, it is discovered that the aforesaid accused has not only misled the Arm of the Law with false information, but also deliberately lied, AND made a whole new

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 97

ACulinary and Cultural Evening at

the

Galle Face Hotel

The Galle Face Hotel alongside Turkish Airlines recently hosted a Culinary and Cultural Evening full of opera and gastronomical adventure.

Harshani

Marguerite

PAGE 98 | www.pulse.lk

Asanka

Shehan

Denise

Lucky

Anjani

Sonali

Maggi

Niall

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 99

Eric

Trevor and Murat

Herve

PAGE 100 | www.pulse.lk

Raju

Fransis

Barbara Segal

Anne

Cassie

Annie

Natashiya

Cathrina

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 101

Sundari

Lakshitha

Harsha

Patrick

Sabine

Nirosha

Inge

Dimuth

Clive

Exposition de Mode by

ModArt

International Mod’Art International recently hosted Exposition de Mode, an exhibition celebrating the French Spring Festival.

PAGE 104 | www.pulse.lk

Anne

Mineli

Sanji

Himadri, Ariane, Lea and Marine

Navine

Gerald

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 105

Annie

Ramzi

PAGE 106 | www.pulse.lk

Eric

Randel

Kumar

Stephanie

Kavishka

Tung-Lai

Fabienne

Mona

Shyam

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 107

DHA NAN JAYA

the story of Sri Lanka’s selfmade stylist

BANDARA Dhananjaya Bandara is among the few stylists in Sri Lanka who have reached an almost cult like status of recommendations and fame. He owes all of this to years in the industry, starting out at the young age of 16, backed by the support of his loving mother. With a firm outlook on ensuring that the end product is flawless, it is no wonder that he has worked with an endless list of clients and celebrities. To understand more about his journey to the top, we were able to catch up with this very dynamic personality for an insider’s perspective.

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“The most memorable wedding would have to be my first which was a wedding within a ministerial family. It was a VIP event at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, and I recall it to be extremely grand. I was still an amateur, so I was so grateful that the family trusted me enough to handover the responsibility of the wedding to me.�

PAGE 110 | www.pulse.lk

ministerial family. It was a VIP event at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, and I recall it to be extremely grand. I was still an amateur, so I was so grateful that the family trusted me enough to handover the responsibility of the wedding to me. This would have to be not only my most memorable wedding, but the most challenging one as well.

Is there anything that needs to change in Sri Lanka with regard to professionals like yourself?

People need to learn the differences between the many professions that fall under this industry. For example, I am a stylist but yet I get categorised as a beautician and so on. In reality this terminology is totally wrong and creates a wrong impression when looking for the right people for a specific job. This also has to do with the individual concerned as well.

You need to know what your role is before anyone else does, in the present day, so called “beauticians” take on the roll of catering services as well!

Have you ever had any challenging clients?

Tell us about your background My initial education was at St. John’s Private School in Panadura; I studied here up until grade six before moving to Royal College Panadura where I completed my Advanced Level exams. As a child, I always had something in my hands, more often than not this had creative outcomes.

As a young child, who inspired you?

I have always enjoyed watching my mother and grandmother dress brides within our family. This was a huge form of inspiration for me when I saw the smiles on the faces of gleaming brides. My mother always remained a pillar of support for me and I can say that she still inspires me to this very day.

Tell us about a career defining moment In 1999 I attended a bridal workshop organised by Harris Wijesinghe; this was a defining moment for me as my bride fell into the category of the best 200 brides. Needless to say, this gave me the push I needed to remain in this industry. As a result, I also gained a lot of media fame and thus began the road to my establishment.

What was the biggest challenge that you overcame?

I was able to create and establish my brand name while I was in Panadura. There is a stereotype which exists; it claims that if you want to setup a business, you must move to Colombo. So, there were many challenges associated with this but yet, while in my 20’s I became a name among the leaders in the industry at the time. I think this was the greatest challenge that I overcame, from weddings of numerous celebrities and cricketers, I was able to show Colombo that you can in fact, be successful away from the capital city.

Are you a fan of creative experimentation?

I experiment with new ideas every day. I try to fuse contemporary trends with tradition and cultural norms resulting in a hybrid look that is quite unique. I believe that it is important to maintain your originality while keeping up with modern trends.

In the beginning, more than the client specific requirement, my main concern was that the end product should be a reflection of my skills and talents. This got me into arguments with some clients but yet in the end I won because I was able to deliver the highest quality product. Over the years I learned to listen to my clients and deliver on what they require. I guess this stubbornness was a result of me building this business all by myself, I didn’t want anything to put this in jeopardy.

For anyone out there who seeks to follow in your footsteps, what advice do you have for them?

Whatever you do, do it the right way and make sure to exude enthusiasm. It is also important to master your skill before venturing out on your own, you need to have at least a minimum of five years of experience. The trend these days is to follow a short three-month course and then establish your own salon or studio. Sadly, this ruins the outlook of the industry as you tend to offer a poor end result for cheap prices.

Can you recall your most memorable wedding?

Most memorable wedding would have to be my first which was a wedding within a

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 111

The Australian High Commissioner David Holly, Minister Sagala Ratnayake, officials from UTS and Anusha David

Launch of the

University of Technology Sydney

Gerald

PAGE 112 | www.pulse.lk

The launch of UTS Degree Pathway Programmes in Sri Lanka was recently hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Mr Alex Murphy

Sunanda Rao

HE High Commissioner for Australia David Holly

Rohan

Danu

Peter Harris

Minister Sagala Ratnayake

Management of UTS with the Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe

Latika

Anusha

Belinda

Mr Iain Watt

Prof John Wood

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 113

Happy Birthday

Prithi Prithi celebrated her birthday in elegent style surrounded by friends and family. Her children surprised her with an elegent party held in the United Kingdom.

PAGE 114 | www.pulse.lk

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 115

Real Skin: Fight the Good Fight!

by Soraya de Zoysa of the Esthéti Centre During my 20 years in the beauty industry it has been a continuous journey to discover the most effective solutions to get to great skin. Given the fact that I was not naturally blessed with perfect skin, it made this journey all the more personal.

I have been battling with acne since my late teens, pigmentation since my late thirties and now the inevitable signs of aging in my forties! It sure has been one hell of a ride!

My ‘beauty’ battles however has given me an edge, at being able to better understand what works and what doesn’t. The one thing I have learnt is that there is no ‘one solution’ to any problem. Most skin conditions need to be addressed from different angles for best results and it is the synergy, of in-salon treatments, home care and life style changes that make the difference.

Starting with acne, I feel most people make the mistake of ignoring this problem assuming that it will just go away some day. While this may be true for some of us, others can be traumatized with spots well into their adult life. Acne is predominantly a hormonal condition, so it cannot be completely cured until such time that your hormones decide to settle down. So in certain cases a hormone remedy maybe necessary. However, there are other triggers such as food especially nuts, sugar, dairy, cocoa, meats containing hormones etc. Daily preventives are a must when treating acne - Ideally products containing Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acids, Retinoid and Tea Tree Oil work best. Oral supplements containing Zinc will also help. Professional treatments such as peels, Iight therapy and clean ups performed at the right time will definitely give your skin a boost.

Skin radiance, dark marks and dark eye circles are among the top priorities many clients seek advice on. Given our sunny climate and genetic disposition we are at a bit of a disadvantage, however here again a 360 degree approach will give you the best solution.

The main contributing factor to dull and discoloured skin is UV radiation and toxin buildup.

So the first thing is choosing a sun block to suit your skin - Especially if you’re prone to spots.

Professional treatments are a great way of giving your skin an instant ‘pick me up’. Choose treatments containing mild peels, Vitamin C , Ferulac, Azelac and Kojic Acids to improve radiance, even out your skin tone and reduce dark circles, although deeper peels may be required if you have a dermal pigment. Unfortunately, there are no permanent solutions for dermal pigments and the best way to treat skin conditions such as Melasma is to protect and prevent.

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Here again oral supplements such as Transexamic Acid and Glutathione are recommended under a doctor’s supervision.

When it comes to anti-ageing treatments, I believe we need to have realistic expectations. We are never going to regain our lost youth 100% but we certainly can look great at any age. Looking good as we age has a lot to do with our outlook on life, our sense of style and how much effort we are prepared to put into it.

Let’s face it; we are not going to look the same rolling out of bed at 40+ as we did when we were 18. The only prep we probably needed back then was to pull on a T shirt and stroll out the door. So yes, we do need to spend a little bit more time in the morning fixing our not so luscious locks, slapping on some anti-wrinkle serums and taking a little more effort with our make -up, along with a few more visits to our beauticians.

The good news is that there are some amazing non -invasive treatments such as Radio Frequency, High Focused Ultra Sound, Lazers, Peels and Collagen Hyaluronic facials to blur out the effects of time.

And a bit of advice to our younger readers out there…

Don’t strive for the perfection you see on your Instagram filters. Real skin has imperfections and its ok!

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 117

Launch of

Nikki

Quintessential Beauty Lounge

‘Quintessential’, Sri Lanka’s first hypoallergenic beauty care lounge opened its doors to customers on July, located at Battaramulla Sabrina

Tharanga

Sharmila

PAGE 118 | www.pulse.lk

Miththa

Natasha

Fiona

Zanu

Stephanie

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 119

Who are We to Worry

about

Huawei Huawei is one of the world's biggest electronics manufacturers, and being a Chinese company its relationship with the United States of America has not been the best. Although these issues have been festering for some time, they made it into the mainstream when Google announced that they were pulling out the Android License for Huawei.

This sent Huawei users into a frenzy and rightly so. The Android operating system has taken the world by storm and Google is an integral part of this system. If Google will no longer be in the picture what does this mean to Huawei and its many customers?

Let’s try to figure this out.

The background to the problem Although the US-China trade war has been in existence for some time, the bi-partisan bill to address concerns relating to Chinese tech companies produced on the 4th of January 2019 caused some serious effects. This brought some negative attention towards Huawei which has close ties with China.

President Donald Trump later issued an executive order to ban the Chinese owned company from US networks, and Google being an American tech company had no choice but to follow through. With Google being one of the biggest names in the tech industry, not having them on board does seem bleak.

Google has given Huawei a grace period till the 19th of August to come up with a solution for the issue.

What does Huawei say?

In a statement made by the company, Huawei states that “Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key

global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefited both users and the industry. Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally.”

In a statement made by Google they said that "For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices." On top of this, Huawei will also be providing security updates for all their products so there will be nothing to worry about.

What this means is that apart from a few features that heavily rely on Google, Huawei will still be able to provide their users with the Android operating system we all love.

Looking into the future

What’s going to happen to current users?

In short, nothing bad is going to happen as none of Huawei’s current models will be affected by this ban.

Even though current Huawei phones will not be affected, Android powered by Google will not be available for future Huawei models if the trade ban continues. Huawei can, however, use the Android Open Source Platform (AOSP) and they are also in the process of developing their version of Android.

This is alternate operating system is set to be launched in early 2020.

Even though the outcome of this conundrum is not yet clear, Huawei being the giant that it is, will work on ensuring that their current and future customers will be delivered a good product. The Huawei phone in your pocket will not be obsolete so you don’t have to worry too much.

No Covers Allowed Presented by

Island Pulse

Sri Lanka’s newest digital radio platform, Island Pulse, recently hosted No Covers Allowed at The Steuart by Citrus, boasting a myriad of Sri Lankan singers and bands playing completely original music. Featuring punk rock, rap, pop and heavy metal bands, the night was a celebration of incredible homegrown talent, positivity and most importantly, a growing local culture.

Roshan

Sanghavi

PAGE 122 | www.pulse.lk

506, New Galle Road, Weligama T:+94 (41) 225 4422 E: reservations@w15.lk www.w15.lk

Mahavihara Road, Ahangama Kanda, Ahangama T: +94 (91) 228 3672 E: reservations@w15escape.lk www.w15escape.lk

Alexandra Villas No 18, Alexandra Road, Colombo 06 T: +94 76 898 5922 E: reservations@av15.lk www.av15.lk

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 123

Harinie

Nathasha

Chamari

Sahan

Devaka

Jessica

Alvin

Suralini

Thiyasha

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Treshan

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 125

The Realist’s

Guide to

Oooops.

Game Playing Recently, in an entirely self serving effort to promote quieter past times, I began encouraging ‘family time’ spent playing card, word and board games.

Now I come from a large, extended, game playing family, and as one of its youngest members I was used to a life in which I a) rarely won and b) was teased mercilessly when I lost. Having shed my share of tears over everything from ‘Girls, boys, fruits, flowers’ and Boggle, to Monopoly, Scrabble and Bingo; my competitive instinct as an adult is well under control. I play as well as I can, but if I lose, well, that’s fine.

My husband on the other hand, while a genuinely nice guy and a strong candidate for World’s Best Dad, has a strong competitive streak. That this would play a role in our family game time didn’t really occur to me because, well, it just didn’t.

We managed Uno, Scrabble and Junior Pictionary without bloodshed, so when the children asked to be taught Monopoly (fascinated by our Game of Thrones themed set) we agreed. It was then that his competitive instinct came to the fore.

My husband played Monopoly with his eye on all seven kingdoms. He was like Daenerys, but in our version Jon never knifes her at all, she just flies off on Drogon and torches everything, and basically rules a kingdom of deep fried corpses and ruins. The children and I played the roles of, basically, piles of ash.

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The fault in this case was therefore entirely mine. Caught up in the spirit of the whole thing, I carelessly proceeded to win three games in a row.

By the time he had won his fourth game of Monopoly in this manner, the children were in open rebellion. They were enthusiastic buyers of various properties, spending their money with wild abandon, and then finding themselves bankrupt and with their beloved properties mortgaged to the bank (sadly, played by myself ). After yet another teary eyed conclusion to a game, I felt that it would be best if we moved on to less traumatic pastures.

Cluedo seemed like an excellent notion, and it certainly started off that way. Our daughter really enjoyed herself, and our son played for the pure pleasure of accusing as many people as he could as loudly as he could, taking a particular delight in repeatedly accusing whichever character his sister was playing at the time. The biggest advantage though, was that my husband found the game quite long winded and tedious.

This being the case he allowed his mind to wander and his attention with it.

Surrounded by unimpressed and indignant offspring, we decided to return to simpler times and that staple of family entertainment – Uno. The game depends on luck as well as skill, and the children were soon dominating the scene in terms of wins. It was however difficult to miss a definite trend in their rules of engagement - they were ganging up, not so much to win, but to ensure that their father, lost. While I was spared the deadly Draw 4, and irritating Skip cards, he received them left, right and centre. Choruses of delight greeted his ever growing pile of cards.

I stoically decided to let them have their day, but he was beginning to look very doleful so I leaned over and whispered “Just let them have their fun” to which he indignantly and accurately replied “I haven’t seen you Draw 2 six times in a row!”

When he left the table, I remonstrated with the vengeful pair and suggested that they might be being rather unkind to their father.

“No!” declared our son “He took ALL our cash!”

“Yes!” agreed our daughter “He bought King’s Landing and built on it, and we had to give up ALL our countries!”

Two life lessons learned: 1. Competitive instincts run in the genes 2. Hell hath no fury like two kids who don’t like to lose

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 127

Gamya Wijayadasa Beauty, Style and Integrity

PAGE 128 | www.pulse.lk

Known to many as the titleholder of Derana Veet Miss Sri Lanka 2009, Gamya Wijayadasa captivated Sri Lankan hearts with her enchanting eyes and charismatic personality. She has since been an unstoppable force to reckon with, venturing into the film industry, becoming a designer and forging on with her passion for social work as well as modelling.

Tailor-made for the girl who embraces her roots, Gamya’s label - Waidurya is an ethnic wear brand that is sought after by many; so much so that she caters to over 25 countries, from Melbourne to Mumbai to Colombo. Completing a decade since winning the pageant, we speak to Gamya about her journey!

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Gamya Wijayadasa - Derana Veet Miss Sri Lanka 2009. 10 years on, what did winning this title mean to you?

Winning this title meant everything to me. I was a simple girl living in Melbourne with no idea about beauty, who dreamt of winning this coveted title because I wanted to make Sri Lanka proud. I knew I had something that was more than the way I looked. Unfortunately having the title doesn’t automatically launch you into anything in our country, but for me, because I was determined to do what I set out to do in my life, it opened a lot of doors that wouldn’t have otherwise. Wearing the sash that said “Sri Lanka” gives you enormous pride and courage. It stays with you all your life. A decade down, I am still as dedicated to being worthy of my crown as I ever was.

Winning this title solidified the idea that dreams do come true if you work hard at it.

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Since winning the title, how has your life changed?

I stepped into showbiz through the hardest industry - Bollywood. Working there and then working with the Sri Lankan and Australian film and television industry has opened up a lot of new avenues for me professionally.

Personally, I’m the same person. A decade down, I haven’t let my career progress change who I am and I don’t think it ever will.

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I brought my own sense of style to my label and while it was so different, people embraced it quite quickly and I’m so grateful.

My colour palettes are quite different from the norm. My aesthetics are also a bit different but different is good.

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Define style to us in your own words

For me, it’s an expression of self. Style is a very personal thing and it comes innately.

Everyone has it and it’s about finding and perfecting it. My sense of style is not definitive as it changes with my mood and where I am at any given time, but the fundamentals remain the same. Simplicity and comfort are very important to me.

I will not wear something that feels unnatural to me. Maybe “effortlessly chic” is my style decoded.

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What are some important fashion tips you can give for the everyday Sri Lankan girl?

Pick good fabrics, dress for your shape, dress to reflect who you are. Stylist Rachel Zoe said that style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. I think this is true. It forms the first impression of you so we have to be mindful of the image we project. You can always find a way to dress well if you understand who you are and your body well.

That’s the way to highlight your features and mask your flaws. Flaws are not bad. We all have them. We have to know how to work with them.

• I’m still in the very early stages of my path towards my goals and there’s a lot left to do.

Making Sri Lanka proud is a huge deal for me and I take that very seriously. I started my designer label ‘Waidurya’ six years ago and it’s given me a whole new direction in life as an entrepreneur. We have an international presence and it’s very humbling to make each dream come true.

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You became much more than “Miss Sri Lanka”, by venturing into the fashion as well as the film industry. How did this come along?

I believe in preparation a lot. Opportunities will come at their own pace and time but you must be prepared at all times. I started preparing for Miss Sri Lanka years before I even applied. Whether it’s perfecting your physique, fixing your teeth, learning about world matters and studying past pageants and queens, I went through a whole process.

Same goes for acting. I learned acting, as well as a lot that goes with it, like dance and martial arts. I’ve always been a dancer so that helped a lot. For Bollywood, I perfected Hindi and worked on my Punjabi, Tamil and Marathi.

I did a lot of auditions and met a lot of people.

Got rejected a lot and accepted a few times too. I never compromised on my values for any opportunity or for any open doors. It’s been a rough road but it’s fully worth it!

Dreams are only worth it for me if I get there with my integrity intact.

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Who and what are your inspirations for your label Waidurya?

I’m inspired by nature, architecture, history and some amazing designers who revolutionise fashion. Sabyasachi is a personal favourite and then there’s Coco Chanel who helps me justify my love for black, white and neutrals. I also draw inspiration from Indian, Turkish and Moroccan architecture.

What’s the single most important message you want to leave behind as a former Miss Sri Lanka, an actress, a social worker as well as a fashion designer?

I don't know if I want to leave behind a message purposely because that's a heavy task, but I think the way I live, love and conduct myself should naturally imprint on the world who I am. My only purpose is to live as my authentic self, unapologetically. Own my flaws and grow from them each day and become a better version of myself with each passing day.

If you want just the one message, I’d say live with compassion, passion and integrity.

“Live with compassion, passion and integrity�

Get Your Wings Wet by

Angel Beach “Get Your Wings Wet” was an event organised by Angel Beach in Unawatuna. A day filled with good food and good vibes.

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Dilush Goonetilleke A Wholesome Path to Wellness “Arogya parama labha.” (Health is the greatest wealth) –Lord Buddha Health and wellness are some of the most important aspects of our lives and rightly so as we need our bodies to be in good shape to benefit from the plethora of experiences life has to offer.

Dilush Goonetilleke is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Yoga Instructor based in New York who's taking a new and exciting approach to health and wellness.

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A little bit about Dilush Despite her international success, Dilush is Sri Lankan by birth and moved to the US for her higher studies at the State University of New York. Her desire to help people along with her passion for yoga, led her up this path. She has an 800-Hour Certification in Jivamukti Yoga and is also Board Certified by The American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

We are what we eat As a clinical nutritionist Dilush’s main job is to treat people through what they eat. She treats a wide variety of conditions from more common food-related conditions like cholesterol and blood sugar to conditions like Autism which can be affected quite a lot through diet.

As a Yoga Instructor with a passion for this ancient practise she tries to incorporate a little bit of mind and body alignment into her practice as well.

Dilush’s guide to a healthier existence As someone passionate about living a healthy life, Dilush has come up with a few steps that anyone can follow to be a better version of themselves and she was happy to share this information with us.

• Get enough sleep It’s common knowledge that we need seven to eight hours of sleep a day and according to Dilush this is THE most import thing that you can do for a healthier life. Apart from the duration of your sleep, the time you sleep is also very important as you have to be in deep sleep between ten in the evening to two in the morning to get the full benefits of it. If you're only doing one thing from this list this should be it.

• Drinking water The usual eight glasses a day might not be the best guideline for everyone. According to Dilush, you need to drink at least half your body weight (measured in pounds) in ounces throughout the day.

• Bowel Movements Regular bowel movements is vital to flush our body of toxins and doing this at least once a day preferably in the morning is very important.

• Get on your feet Humans are supposed to be active animals and it's vital that you walk for at least one hour each day if you want to stay healthy.

This should not be too intensive on your body as you don't want to induce any stress hormones. A nice walk at a relaxed pace can do wonders.

• An attitude of gratitude A healthy life is a combination of both mind and body and having an attitude of gratitude can do wonders to improve our mental wellbeing. Dilush urges everyone to maintain a gratitude journal that we use to write a few things that we are thankful for each morning.

How can we benefit from her services?

Lucky for us Dilush extends her practice to Sri Lanka as she visits her homeland every six months and if someone is interested in her services you can contact her through her website at www.ankora.us. She does consult through WhatsApp too.

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Dealing with separation anxiety and moving back to the US, I began the journey of finishing what I had started. This was to be the first controlled decision that I had made in my life towards achieving a goal to build a future for myself and my child.

The ride to the airport was a silent one. Nobody spoke of what was about to happen. Baby was blissfully unaware that the source of her sustenance was leaving. In a way I was glad. If baby had been awake and realised I was leaving, she would have called out to me and I don’t know if I would have had the strength to leave her behind. I looked at her sleeping on the pillow on my lap and the sadness I felt is indescribable. I couldn’t imagine not being there when she woke up and the fear that she would forget me was a horrible feeling. As we approached the departure terminal, I started to feel like I couldn’t go through with it. My mother was sitting right beside me and she hadn’t said a word. Because of how I was feeling, I didn’t think about what she must be going through having to take on an infant by herself. I transferred the pillow with my sleeping baby to my mother and she told me not to worry, that everything would be okay and that baby would be in good hands. I never doubted it. But the guilt of putting both my mother and my child through what was sure to be a tough time, was weighing down on me heavily. I turned and walked into the airport before my mother could see the tears in my eyes and I cried all the way to the US. I was miserable for the first few weeks back. My mother informed me that baby was doing just fine. She had woken up, cried and when offered a bottle of milk, happily gulped it down. Children, especially when very young, are more resilient and capable of adapting than we give them credit for. The fears we have are what we project on to our kids. On their own, they are more than satisfied with whatever they have. If not exposed to it, they don’t know they want it. I know my mother was nervous about taking care of a baby with only my 13 year old sister to help. With the recent divorce of my parents, my mother was still reeling from the devastation of the separation and the lack of resources at her disposal. Yet, they managed and never once complained about the situation I had put them in. Whenever my mother spoke to me she was always glowing about how well baby was growing and how happy they were to have baby with them.

My misery was soon replaced with a different set of problems. Since I had been away for two months, the apartment which I had been sharing with Baby Daddy had evicted me. Thankfully, international students all help each other out and my friend from Sierra Leone, who had on campus housing, agreed to let me sleep on her couch until I could figure out my living situation. She used to fill her lunch and dinner

take away box from the student cafeteria with enough food for the both of us and then come back and share with me. What a blessing she was. The university did all they could to find me on campus employment and within two months, I was able to start looking for an apartment. I found a two bedroom not too far away from campus and put up an ad for a roommate. A girl and her boyfriend took up the spare bedroom and we split the rent 3 ways. That was the only way I could afford the rent. It was awkward and I knew there was something fishy about these two but without knowing what it was for sure, I didn’t want to create a situation where I wouldn’t have paying roommates.

It was now that I met Uganda. He was a freshman at College and had become friends with my Sierra Leone saviour. We met for the first time at her apartment and even though it wasn’t love at first sight, I liked his very serious, very practical demeanour and he was the very definition of tall, dark and handsome. Our friendship was fast tracked by need. He was new to Cincinnati and looking for company and I hadn’t been close to anyone since I was 16, except Baby Daddy. We clicked, and I would say that he was solely responsible for making the next 6 years, some of the most memorable of my life. Although there certainly were moments where the physical strength of having a man around was appreciated, I valued Uganda more for the emotional support he provided and the kindness that he showed me. Being with him reduced the fear that I had to pursue my ambitions and he was the first real man that I had ever been with. Over the years, he taught me to drive, and believe me that took some patience. He moved my furniture to 4 different apartments over the years without once complaining. He showed me what it was build a life with someone.

His presence was a huge source of comfort and support for me and the timing of meeting him could only have been a gift from God after everything I had been through.

With Uganda by my side, I began to set about rebuilding my life. It was the first time that there were no major impending calamities and it felt wonderful to think about normal things without the fear of taking my eyes off baby for a second. I focussed on my studies and started attending classes regularly again. With a place of my own now, and someone to share it with, I finally felt like I had a home.

The

Scarlet

Letters

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Launch of

Aesthtic & Cosmetic Centre

by Ninewells The Aesthetic and Cosmetic Centre by Ninewells is an initiative to empower people of all ages to embrace and celebrate their life to the fullest! Here’s how the launch unfolded.