Pulse Magazine Issue 012

ISSUE 012 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER Rs. 400/- UK £6.00 US $15.00

Anoka Abeyrathne

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

Tel: 00 94 115 882 662

EDITORIAL: Natalie Seneviratne (Events) Sachitha Kalingamudali (Digital)

GUEST WRITERS: Aanisha Cuttilan Aazam Ameen Harith Wirasinha Nawya Ponnamperuma Saruchi Dissanayake Shannon Salgadoe Dr. Tara Coomaraswamy Thushanthi de Silva

LAYOUT: Indika Anuradha (Design Consultant) Ian Mark Subramaniam

SALES & MARKETING: Binoth Geeganage binoth@mangopublishers.lk Walidh Jiffry walidh@mangopublishers.lk

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Ashane Bernard

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Aruna Alwis Kasun Dheegodagamage Kaveeth Milinda Lasantha Perera Ramesh Roshan Ravindra Laksiru R.P. Romesh S S L Aarachchi Sujan Jayasinghe

SPECIAL THANKS: Janeeth Rodrigo Lisa Perera Annika Fernando Eranda Polgasdeniya

PRINTERS: Printage (Pvt) Ltd.

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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Anoka Abeyrathne, who appears on our cover this month, is a young Sri Lankan who is at the forefront of environmental conservation and advocacy. Passionate, intelligent and articulate, Anoka sets a high benchmark for Sri Lanka’s youth – she believes she can make a difference, and so she does. Anoka spoke with us frankly about the things that are going terribly wrong in Sri Lanka; but shared many of the positives that make her hopeful about the future.

It was a few days after we met with Anoka that Greta Thunberg used the stage of the United Nations Climate Summit to chastise the world’s leaders for betraying young people through their lack of action on climate change. The provocative message, where she thundered “How Dare You?” resonated, we hope, with the right people with the power and means to force change. We must support the activism of young people like Greta and Anoka, which will shape a better future for a world desperately in need of urgent climate action.

In this issue, we’ve featured several personalities including Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke, playwright and director whose play “The one who loves you so” won the Gratiaen Prize 2018; his work was praised by the judges for “understanding the power of what is said and what remains unsaid, what is seen and what is surmised”. We chatted with Anu Amarakoon whose interesting choice of career as a wedding photographer has seen her establish Amarante, which records bridal moments in a signature magical and romantic style.

Among the interesting features within these pages is a great guide on stylish locally-made accessories for men, and a guide to experiencing the best of Rome if you sneak the city in for 48 hours on your Euroitinerary. We’ve loved putting together all this and much more inside this magazine, which marks two years since we first launched Pulse in print.

Before the next issue of Pulse is out, Sri Lanka will have a new President.

We sincerely hope the run up to the election will be a peaceful one that allows us to get to know the candidates, their policies and their vision for Sri Lanka. Vote with your conscience for a President that can bring your dreams for tomorrow closer to reality. May the best man win, but more importantly may the nation win!

We are heading into the festive season and Colombo will soon put on its finery as it prepares for Christmas in the city. Our next issue will carry lots of tips and listings to help you navigate the season of good cheer with ease. Make sure you catch up with us next issue too.

Enjoy!

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in this edition of Instafamous

Travel

26 Page

106 Page

Fashion

Sarah Illyas

48 Hours In

Rome

122

Page

Elegent Accessories for Men Entertainment

Personality

96 Page

The Friendship Meter

Shermaine and Romaine Willis

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58 Page

Arun WelandawePrematilleke

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HERTURN IN FRONT OF THE

LENS

Anu Amarakoon talks about her journey as a photographer and discusses her goals for the future

Why are you interviewing me?

The interview starts with a question instead of an answer. Anu Amarakoon is a bit of an enigma.

She’s chatty, but also lapses into comfortable silences. She clearly has a great connection with her clients, evident from all the affectionate comments on Amarante’s Instagram pics. She is always flanked by just one person- the other half of Amarante, her husband Adrian. And her sense of style is understated- jeans, t-shirt and blazer, a dash of lipstick, no accessories. One thing has remained unchanged however in the years I’ve known her since she was just starting out- that is how truly humble she is. Why else would one of Sri Lanka’s best wedding photographers be genuinely incredulous as to why I think she is worth interviewing?

by: Thushanthi de Silva

Why do you ask me that?

Interviews should be with people who could inspire someone. So often we read about a person who is considered successful, but then five years down the line, the business or whatever they were famous for, is non-existent. If you really want to interview someone inspiring, it should be someone who has stuck it out; someone who has survived the industry.

You’ve been in this for more than five years, and judging by your highprofile clients, I think I can safely say you’re a success…

My idea of success is staying in control of the businesses I own with the support of a foolproof system and reliable team (currently I’m like a ninja, micro-managing and multitasking everything!), and still have time to relax and brainstorm, and take breaks when needed to do the things I enjoy like travellingand reading. I think there’s a long way to go for that. The hustle is real!

Photography is our passion project- but there’s no room to scale up in this industry. So, my dream is to build something new that can really grow, while keeping Amarante intimate and niche, the way we like it.

and I wanted to try it out for myself.

I remember buying my first camera.

I was at the start of my career in IT; obviously not earning enough to buy a DSLR. So I went and got myself a credit card, with the sole purpose of buying the camera.

It was a Nikon D3000 and cost around eighty thousand rupees.

How much does your camera cost now? (smiles) Around four hundred and fifty thousand.

You’ve obviously grown so much. When did you decide to take the plunge and turn this into a business?

It happened organically. I don’t think there was ever a point where I had to sit down and decide whether or not to do something.

That’s the beauty of the industry.

But as I said before, we keep it personal. It’s basically just a matter of how much we want to do.

The toughest parts about handling a business?

Finding a good team and then keeping them. You can have someone really talented, but then they’re not punctual, or they don’t turn up to work without informing you. If you want to get anywhere in life, a strong work ethic is a must.

Don’t you ever get sick of it, photographing wedding after wedding?

Amarante comprises of both you and Adrian (the name is a wordplay on their surnames). Is the workload shared, or do you do most of it?

Definitely shared- I would say 50-50. Adrian is the quiet one, and I’m the one who handles all the clients, so it’s assumed I’m the ‘face’ of Amarante. But this is something we do as a couple. You’ll never see just one of us cover a wedding. It’s always both of us.

That’s perfect, isn’t it? A happily married couple, photographing other couples on one of the most important days in their lives. In Sinhalese we call it ‘siriyawanthai’.

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What do you think makes you ‘click’ together so well?

Adrian is extremely relaxed. I’m not. I always feel a surge of adrenaline before each shootthat buzzing energy mixed with some fear.

Having him alongside me balances it out. He doesn’t think too far ahead, just on the task at hand. I have so many ideas and plans, but his focus helps me reel it back in and do what needs to be done. The shoots themselves are seamless, as by now we just fall into sync.

That’s called expertise! How did Amarante come into being? Did you always want to be a photographer?

Portrait photography always fascinated me,

I never get sick of it! I take a personalized approach to each wedding, getting to know them as friends and not just clients. No couple is the same, and their personalities are what keep the job exciting.

You must have a lot of insight into weddings and how they unfold.

What advice would you give a couple preparing for their big day?

Be present! Enjoy the moment! Most couples spend months, years even, planning their wedding, which is an event usually spanning about five hours. It should be such a special experience. But afterwards, they can barely remember what happened, (laughs) or what they ate. Sometimes it’s hard to capture

candids of the couple, because most often they are at two ends of the crowd talking to guests. So, I would advise them to try and enjoy the festivities that they put so much energy into bringing to life. I know it’s easier said than done, I wasn’t the most relaxed at my own wedding. But this is advice I’d give myself too.

Oh, and dance! Have fun.

You have recently started up a new business. Can you tell me a bit more about that?

It’s called Muse, and it’s a graphic designing and production company. I love working with colours, paper, and people; there’s so much you can do! And no, we are not limited to wedding stationery, although that is a specialty. This is part of the long-term plan- something that can grow. I’m hoping this will bring me closer to my goal of being ‘successful’! Will you check on me in ten years?

Contact: For photography: @amarantelifestyle_ studio/amarante.info@gmail.com For graphic design: @findyourmusedesigns/ findyourmusedesigns@gmail.com Location Kiku Colombo

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R&B

Celebrates

20 Years

R&B recently celebrated 20 amazing years of adding flair and exclusivity to Colombo’s night life scene. With a new look and exciting plans for another 20 years of partying, this event was certainly the place to be.

Sharon

Ayesh

Natalie, Karin and Anjuli

Natalee

Shimalka

Christina

Benjamin, Navin, Daithi and Gava

Natalee

Kalpanee

Valeria

Minoli

Linda

Sushmita

Melissa

Louisa

Anika

Shane

Melissa

Shenalee

Tymo

Chathura

Chathura

Dylan

Shabana

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Ronella

Dimithri

Shane

Diren

Ranshan

Danielle

Dinouk

Roshanara

Dexter

Veronica

Robbie

Dimithri

Sheruni

Thiyasha

Ursula

Upeksha

Shaznin

Rahul

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Senalli

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Adventures of a

Balsamic Basil Bomb

Mixologist

‘Wow, it is time again for another Pulse column’, was the thought running through my head when I got a call for the deadline for this edition. Time flies when you are having fun, and the last few months have been exciting for sure!

Dash of Lanka is going through a rebranding and is becoming a fully Sri Lankan company. With these changes come new partners, new drinks and new experiences. Without wanting to sound arrogant, we can now proudly say two top mixologists are running Dash of Lanka with a range of exceptional services.

The event branch of the company, focusing on weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events has become truly unique.

From personalised concept menus to drinks that tell your story, we are ready to take your events to the next level.

For the hospitality industry we are finally taking it up a notch: on top of the trainings we offered before, we are now looking into sustainability, concept development and costing. We bring new principles to bar with root-to-tip practices and the re-use of ingredients.

Last but not least, an experience branch has been launched. You, your friends, and the many tourists coming to Sri Lanka will be able to join in unique whisky and arrack tastings, mixology masterclasses and cocktail workshops.

There hasn’t been much time to develop new drinks the last few weeks, since the full focus has been on the relaunch. We are super excited about all these new experiences and can’t stop talking about it.

And while I know I am supposed to write about my adventures as a mixologist, I honestly don’t think you’d be interested in reading how we sat at our desk, in a coffee shop or in a meeting creating all these new things.

Ingredients:

How to make

• 50 ml vanilla vodka

• Put the strawberry in the shaker and muddle

• 20 ml strawberry liqueur

• Clap the basil leaves so they wake up, and put them in the shaker

• 10-15 ml balsamic vinegar (depends on the brand) • 1 fresh strawberry

• Add the vodka, liqueur, vinegar and black pepper

• 8 fresh basil leaves

• Shake and fine strain into a coupe glass

• 4 grinds of black pepper

• Garnish with strawberry and basil leaves

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

The collection by Ensemble Couture London consists of various brands including Sabya Sachi, and is a vibrantly coloured collection ideal for brides.

The contemporary collection "Aphrodite's Myrtle by Melanie" retails in Colombo and London.

Both collections are available at Melache in Colombo 07.

Designer - Ensemble couture London @Melache Hair and makeup - Romesh Atapattu @Capello salons Photography - Prishan Pandithage Jewellery - Elly Creations Location - Shangri La Hotel, Colombo

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Designer - Ensemble couture London @Melache Hair and makeup - Romesh Atapattu @Capello salons Photography - Prishan Pandithage Jewellery - Elly Creations Location - Shangri La Hotel, Colombo

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Designer - Aphrodite’s Myrtle @Melache Hair and makeup - Romesh Atapattu @Capello salons Photography - Prishan Pandithage Jewellery - Elly Creations Location - Shangri La Hotel, Colombo

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Designer - Aphrodite’s Myrtle @Melache Hair and makeup - Romesh Atapattu @Capello salons Photography - Prishan Pandithage Jewellery - Elly Creations Location - Shangri La Hotel, Colombo

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Rome 48 hours in

Make the most of what this 3000 year old city has to offer in just two days!

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Day 1

Assuming you land late morning or afternoon, be ready to dive straight in!

Late afternoon It is only fitting that your first visit to a church in Rome starts at the Santa Maria Majjiore Basilica, one of the ‘Papal major’ basilicas, meaning it’s one of the four highest ranking Roman Catholic church buildings.

Full of grandeur, this one doesn’t disappoint. There’s a lot to see inside, including a mini museum, so leave at least an hour for this.

Santa Maria Majjiore Basilica

Evening Onto one of ancient Rome’s most preserved buildings, and one of the few that offer a glimpse into the religious practices of its citizens prior to Catholicism.

The Pantheon is a must-see tourist attraction in Rome and so is best to fit into your first day’s itinerary.

The Pantheon

Night

Trevi Fountain

End your day on a high note with a night visit to the famed Trevi Fountain after dinner. The white stone fountain looks especially resplendent lit up against the night sky, and sitting huddled up in the rows watching it, ice cream in hand, is an experience sure to be etched in your memory forever. Remember to make your wish and throw the coin facing backwards to the fountain- right hand over left shoulder! On your way back to the metro station, try and look out for the often overlooked but enchanting Triton Fountain at Piazza Barberini, also a work of Bernini.

Fun fact: all the above attractions don’t have an entrance fee!

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Day 2 Get an early start to cram as much history as you can into your one complete day in the city

Morning Start your day early at Piazza Spagna, a buzzing tourist destination comprising of a number of attractions, the main one being the Spanish Steps. At the base of the sweeping steps lies the Fontana Della Baracaccia (Fountain of the Longboat), and climbing the 174 steps will take you to the Del Monti Church which offers lovely views of the city below. Make sure to walk the fashionable streets near the steps, namely Via Del Condotti, and window shop (or actually shop, if you can afford it!) some of the biggest fashion labels.

Fontana Della Baracaccia

Afternoon Visit the Colossuem, the largest amphitheatre built during the Roman Empire and one of Rome’s famous landmarks, and the subject of many instaworthy captures. This should be combined with visits to nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and is sure to take up your entire afternoon. It is recommended you join a group tour for this, as there is so much history and interesting facts to learn, failing which, be sure to arm yourself with an audio guide. Time to take a break from all the walking and have a late lunch and a chance to feast on- yes, more carbs, but atleast you’ve earned it!

Colossuem

Evening

Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge

Take a leisurely stroll to Piazza Cavour (almost every attraction involves a piazza as you may have now guessed) in time for sunset, and then onto Castel Sant’Angelo, an intriguing castle and fortress which also houses Hadrian’s tomb and a museum. The nearby Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge is beautiful at night, lined with towering statues of angels flanking its passage. Thereafter, go to Piazza Navona, home to three fountains, including the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Surrounding the piazza are many popular restaurants and bars, to end the day on a ‘high’ note!

Fun Fact- The Fountain of the Four Rivers was a prominent feature in Dan Brown’s ‘Angels and Demons’

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Day 3 Your final day in the city should be relaxing

Morning The Villa Borghese is a lovely way to spend a morning in the city. The villa, whose beautiful gardens are an attraction in itself, is home to the Borghese Gallery which is full of paintings, sculptures and other antiquities including those of Bernini and Caravaggio. Entry needs to be pre-booked from a schedule which takes in visitors every two hours, so make sure you get there on time.

The Villa Borghese

Il Vittoriano

Afternoon Bid ciao to the amazing city with a walk around Piazza Venezia- referred to as the heart of Rome, where you can view the immense Il Vittoriano monument and also visit nearby shops to collect some souvenirs from your visit (or in other words, quality Italian ingredients and some vino!)

You’ll be tired but your only regret will be not having an entire week!

Helpful tip: Purchase the 48 hour Roma pass for discounted/free entrance to many museums and unlimited public transportation

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CJS

Store Launch Colombo Jewellery Stores debuted a brand-new collection featuring showstopping faceted gemstones.

Invitees included Jacqueline Fernandez and more of Colombo’s elite.

Jacqueline

Akram

Nadiya

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Crocodile

Upgrade Event Crocodile Lanka recently launched an innovative new menswear collection at an exclusive fashion show held at The Stables in Park Street Mews.

Natalie

Amrita, Evan and Lashni

Rishini Malsha

Viran

Jaish

Minoli

Danu

Ashini Krishan

Sheshadrie

Dinakshie

Saranga

‘ANOMA’ the Monograph – launched in Colombo

Anoma

Encapsulating fifty years of the work of Anoma Wijewardene, the monograph ‘Anoma’ made its Colombo debut in September. The monograph was launched in London on International Women’s Day, at the iconic award winning Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London of which she is an alumna. The Colombo launch, in collaboration with Colombo No 7 Gin, Shangri-La Colombo, AOD Colombo and The Residences at One Galle Face heralded a distinguished gathering including collectors from both Sri Lanka and abroad.

Anoma has amassed international recognition for her works spanning five decades. Her work has focused upon the most crucial issues of our time; for the past eighteen years, her solo exhibitions have centered around climate emergency and coexistence, diversity and unity.

Anoma’s next chapter will focus on supporting women in art through a foundation. A portion of the sales from this book will support and mentor women who aspire to a career in art.

‘Anoma’ is available at Barefoot Bookshop, Colombo 3 and Urban Island, Colombo 7

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Senaka

Danu

Timothy Wright

Rishini

Adilah

Savithri

Aritha

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Hon. PM Ranil Wickremasighe & Anoka

Annie

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figuration and abstraction; the search for new metaphors and forms, to express new and difficult realities. She was the first Sri Lankan artist to explore mixed media installations, digital art and video installation. There is fascinating insight into how Anoma’s creative process unfolds, providing a backstory to some of the works.

‘ANOMA’ the Monograph by Dr. Tara Coomaraswamy This impressive monograph features the artist Anoma Wijewardene, whose career in art and design spans 45 years. Trained at London’s iconic Central St. Martin’s College of Art and Design, her distinctive artworks have been exhibited internationally, including at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, and currently at the famed Venice Biennale. Anoma is the first comprehensive review of her entire output.

Anoma’s exhibitions are presented chronologically, showing stylistic shifts and thematic preoccupations over the course of her career. This shows the tension between

Interspersed with the paintings is a series of insightful essays by eminent persons from different fields, and some lovely poetry by Ramya Jirasinghe, interlocuting Anoma’s work. We hear of Anoma’s diverse sources of inspiration, from religion to poetry. We see the impact of her highly successful career as a textile designer, in the blazing colour and uniquely textural quality of her work. We feel her personal evolution through pain and loss and trace the emergence of feminist and political consciousness.

This is an artist who not only seeks a more transcendental vision of life and existence but also actively engages with current issues.

The richness of her art defies categorization.

It is unique: ethereal yet deep, metaphorical and allusive. It is an art for all places and for all time.

It is a beautiful and honest book about a phenomenal artist and tells the story of a very personal artistic journey which moves, excites and inspires. Stunningly produced, from its aqua and carmine red cover to its 250 glossy pages, this elegant book is a work of art in itself. The art within it is, simply, mesmerising; gloriously colourful yet ethereal, allusive, haunting.

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Backyard

Festival and After Party Here are a few scenes from the Backyard Festival and the after party that followed.

It was a night full of great music and boozy cocktails with Colombo’s latest fashion trends on display.

Shyam

Yamuna

Farshan

Harini

Abdul

Sumesh

Nalitha

Nabeela

Druvi

Sewmi

Charshinie

Amendra

Moin & Wife

Anoka Abeyrathne Anoka Abeyrathne is a great example of how the right passion, commitment and drive can generate a wave of real change.

Anoka was just 13 when the tsunami wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka’s coastal belt; that devastation sparked a passion for environmental protection that began with planting mangroves. In 2005 she co-founded Growin’ Money, which has replanted over 60,000 mangroves, and has trained and supported over 20,000 women and youth across South Asia.

As a conservationist, advocate and social entrepreneur, Anoka’s interests lie in addressing poverty by providing economic and ‘future-ready’ skills that offer better employability and incentives. Growin’ Money offers training in digital readiness, empathy, eco-tourism, and organic produce making, and helps families gain an income through handicrafts, organic farming, and eco-tourism.

At 27, Anoka lays claim to a long list of recognitions and achievements; she is currently the Asia-Pacific Representative to UN-Habitat; has been named in the Forbes 30 under 30; is the youngest Zonta award recipient for Environment in Sri Lanka; was named Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwoman 2019 and was the first female New Champion of the World Economic Forum in Sri Lanka. She is also the first Sri Lankan to receive the World Youth Award presented by President Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt. She is the youngest and first Sri Lankan female Commonwealth Youth Award recipient for her Excellence in Developmental Work. She is also a British Council International Climate Champion and an Associate Fellow of the Institute of National Security Studies of the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka.

An alumnus of the University of London, University of Colombo and Harvard University, Anoka is now reading for a post-graduate degree at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge under Professor Paul Tracey and Dr. Neil Stott, considered among the world’s foremost innovation experts.

We spoke to her about many things… being a young South Asian woman at the forefront of environmental action and advocacy; her passions and motivations; her wish list for Sri Lanka and how we create a generation more aware of their responsibility to the planet.

Photography: Ashane Bernard

Hair and Makeup Viraj Fernando

Location: Tintagel, Colombo

01

How do you define yourself? Has your identity evolved over the years?

I would define myself as a doer, an entrepreneur and a conservationist.

Environment, animals and community are at the heart of everything I do. My passions have certainly evolved over the years, I think mostly to understand that there is a way to combine efforts to create positive change with these components. For example using entrepreneurship as a way to create sustainable business and in turn saving the environment.

02

At 21, you were named one of the world’s most influential and powerful young persons. What did that mean to you and what kind of responsibility did that bring with it?

To me it just meant we were doing something right! The responsibility was an affirmation of what I was doing and an encouragement, to do more for the environment.

03

Where do you find your inspiration?

From Barack Obama to AOC to the late Wanagari Mathai, there’s always so much to learn and be

inspired by incredible people. I’d say that much like Kung Fu Panda, you realise that you cannot always wait for inspiration on the outside but have your passion fueling you from within.

Having said that, the atrocities committed against animals and forests just makes me want to work even harder to make things right.

04

Do you find it frustrating that being a young woman from South Asia has an impact on how you are perceived? How do you navigate that?

Very much so! Most of the time people see you as someone who’d just nod and agree to things, even during negotiations.

There are so many preconceived notions and assumptions about how one sees a young woman from South Asia. It used to frustrate me initially but I have had and continue to have some amazing mentors like Thush and Sanjeevani from the British Council, Asanga from INSSSL, Ashok and Lisa from YF, Prof.

Paul, Dr. Neil and Micheala from the Judge Business School of Cambridge, Prof. Qing Yang from Harvard, and Asako from the UN, who’ve given me the ability to see things differently and make things happen by looking at the big picture.

05

How do you stay motivated?

It takes a lot of effort sometimes, especially when it feels like an uphill battle with advocacy or work. Lots of exercise, meditation, supportive people and thinking about the big picture keeps you going.

06

What does your current work focus on?

We focus on social entrepreneurship, conservation, advocacy and education. Over years we’ve realised it’s stupid to work in silos. For example, thinking we’d just stick to the environment because it’s one problem when in reality it’s a cross-cutting challenge which has a lot more root causes. Our work addresses gender equality as well.

In addition it’s about providing future-ready digital skills to young people with Nisal de Silva, with everything going digital as well as incorporating sustainable practices that also translate to the bottom lines of companies.

07

Tell us about the Growin’ Money project.

It’s come a long way from being a few plants and a few friends doing it.

It’s across the 5 South Asian countries, and we also support entrepreneurs in Latin America and the African continent if they like to engage in similar initiatives. Most of the time, people see just me or a few my colleagues, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The best part about my work is the incredible group of people involved from partners to youth groups to volunteers. It also helps that all of my work is interrelated! We have a franchising system which helps us expand easily with a more localised approach.

08

How do influencers and advocates like you network and collaborate?

As an advocate, collaborating is a great way to maximise impact. But it needs to happen with the right group of people. For example, I

would never collaborate with a corporate that engages in green-washing simply because it goes against what I believe to be right. There’s quite a bit of introductions that come across when you work in a similar sector so you can always explore how to work together for the greater good.

That’s something that happened with the Animal Welfare Bill. The advocacy for it started more than 8 years ago, and I wasn’t involved back then. So many incredible people like Otara Gunewardena, Sharmini Serasinghe, Muditha Katuwawala, Lalani Perera and Chandrika Gadiewasam were pushing for it, and then this year with the interest and engagement, more people joined in to push for the goal of the Welfare Bill becoming actual law. That’s where the petition helped in renewing that process.

I would define myself as a doer, an entrepreneur and a conservationist.

Environment, animals and community are at the heart of everything I do. My passions have certainly evolved over the years, I think mostly to understand that there is a way to combine efforts to create positive change with these components.

09

What have been the most memorable moments in your fight for Earth so far?

When Charlie the dog was killed, I saw that first thing in the morning that day; I was crying and angry and calling people up, and then made the petition about enacting the Animal Welfare Bill. It was incredible to see the support it got within just 24 hours and it kept gaining so much more to become the most signed petition in the history of Sri Lanka. For me it meant that people do care about animals and certainly wanted action!

Meeting and speaking with Her Majesty the Queen was incredible, so was meeting Ban Ki Moon who supported a lot of the environmental and education related initiatives, and genuinely wanted to create a difference.

The other moments I truly cherish are those where I have been able to rally people together to contribute to save an ecosystem and see it full of life. It really hits you that land bordering a lake could have just been cleared out and no life could live there, somewhat like a piece of the Amazon with animals and trees both burnt together.

10

As an advocate and a lobbyist, what are the main items on your wish list for Sri Lanka? And what is the key issue that you think is at tipping point?

Amended laws to put poachers, wildlife traffickers, illegal loggers, forest encroachers and animal abusers away for life. Remember the 7000 rupee fine on any one jaywalking?

That saved so much of money for the country because people didn’t have to stop their vehicle (slap brakes on and waste fuel) every single time someone decided they could endanger everyone including their life and randomly skedaddle across the road.

These little things will make a more disciplined society.

Another is the plastic bag ban. How sad is it that we keep going back and forth with it? Other countries have banned single-use plastics, even places like New York! And banned Styrofoam too. These things don’t just kill marine and land animals but get into us and kill us slowly. There’s a huge rise of cancer in people now.

We need more tax breaks and incentives for sustainable and eco-friendly companies. The “Surya Bala Sangramaya” supported quite a bit of the energy crisis in Sri Lanka and those need to be brought back.

Our economy relies so much on tourism, which let’s be honest, is happening only because of our natural resources. If tourists wanted to see a super developed city and just a bunch of buildings you’d be in Singapore or New York, not Sri Lanka. They come here for the birds, the whales, the beaches and everything in between. So if we don’t have those, nobody is going to fly for 24 hours across multiple time zones and a lot of baggage checks to get here. It’s so important we protect those resources.

Environmental legislation that applies to both corporates and persons with actual repercussions and not only when people start dying of CKD in the water, or toxic dyes in the water.

Our ecosystems are at a tipping point with Wilpattu, Rantambe and Yala being slowly encroached. There’s now a church being illegally constructed inside Wilpattu. Religion can be practiced anywhere, but animals can’t

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live everywhere, so if we truly are the smarter species, we need to be more empathetic and mindful about our environment.

Even the Knuckles mountain ranges are home to incredible species who are going extinct. If you need housing, you don’t need to clear out acres of forest. There is something called apartment buildings that can house a lot more people with less land use. So it’s so important that our forests and ecosystem land and marine life are protected, no matter what.

11

What would you like our corporates do in terms of environmental commitments?

To walk the talk and to stop greenwashing, and to engage in long-term initiatives rather than a one-off tree planting where you won’t even know if the trees would be looked after! There are a lot of CSR and sustainability initiatives (I experienced these first-hand while working in corporate sustainability

as well), which only solve a small portion of the issues. For example: if you use single-use plastics, it’s high time to switch to alternatives, use refill systems or to create actual recycling incentives like a deposit system. A lot can also happen with digital transformation that can help corporates become more sustainable and eco-friendly.

They have to stop making products or packaging that are not fully recyclable or compostable. ‘Bio-degradable’ is used as a term here so that plastics break down into tiny pieces but not really compost. These enter our water and food-systems. Avoid using things like Tetra-Paks that can’t be recycled completely because it’s many layers of polythene and paper and other materials sandwiched in between and difficult to separate.

Apparel is the second biggest polluter of water, so it’s important that they stop releasing toxic dyes into our water and start creating material that can be completely recycled without micro-fibres polluting our waters.

12

What in your eyes are the main barriers to meaningful empowerment of rural communities and women in Sri Lanka?

People who don’t understand the local context as well as economic empowerment.

Too many times I have seen people who have no clue about local culture, or how communities think, try to give solutions that just don’t work.

Economic empowerment is what gives women a voice and ensures engagement.

When we do social enterprise workshops, we budget for the ladies to take a bus from home to the venue because some of them can’t afford it with the budget they have, and if they ask for it from their husbands, they are told to not go for useless things and to stay at home. I also know people who got selected into university but instead found jobs because they couldn’t afford to go to university even with a full scholarship. It’s

Our ecosystems are at a tipping point with Wilpattu, Rantambe and Yala being slowly encroached... so if we truly are the smarter species, we need to be more empathetic and mindful about our environment.

those little things that go an incredibly long way. There’s a whole community out there of people who are really being left behind, and that’s a very sad thing, especially for the country because if it goes on, we’ll just be known for making housemaids, when these girls and women have the ability to create and make things that change the world.

13

Are we doing enough to generate a dialogue on sustainability and the issues surrounding it among our children?

Not enough. Our very existence depends on sustainability and a healthy functioning

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environmental system. And we still don’t seem to understand how much of an impact we tend to have. Schools need to do more with environmental curricula and encourage more outdoor activities. For example when I was schooling at Bishop’s College, our former Vice Principal Ms. Cheryl Cooray (she’s an incredible educator!) made a butterfly garden; that got so many people involved and engaged in the environment.

The current principal and vice principal at Bishop’s are also doing incredible work to support students to engage in creativity and sustainability. At Royal College, they have an urban farm! These are the things that really help children reconnect with nature, be creative and start to think of things they can do.

14

Are there any positive stories coming out of our country and the region that make you hopeful?

Absolutely! A lot more young people are boycotting single-use plastics. There’s a lot more interest in being sustainable. I was part of a tree-planting with AISEC and over 120 university students showed up early morning on a rainy day to do their part by planting native trees in the Attidiya sanctuary before the annual forum. For me the showing up and doing speaks volumes because for far too long, have we had people just trying to talk or blog but not really doing something that could change something. There are brilliant

groups like Embark volunteers who support animal welfare.

These people and stories make me immensely hopeful that we are moving on from the days of talkers to doers. And that’s what we really need!

15

As an environmentalist, what do you see are the simplest ways individuals can become more environmentally friendly?

Look after your own footprint, take your own containers and stop it with the plastic straws! Eat local and eat fresh (processed food really give can you cancer!). Take public transport, now that it’s much easier with Google transit (having said that, we need more air-conditioned mass transit systems because the weather doesn’t help someone trying to get to an office if you’re sweaty and dusty!)

16

You’ve been a supporter of the Animal Welfare Bill… where does it stand now?

When we last checked up on it, it was at the Legal Draftsman’s and ready to become law. However I doubt that it would progress until the elections are over sadly.

17

Being a millennial, how do you see the world harnessing the unique characteristics of your generation to drive awareness and responsibility and change?

The world is kind of confused about our generation. We don’t seem to fit into the usual mold. So as savvy and responsible consumers, we have the ability to ask for companies to be green, for governments to be responsible and accountable and to drive real change. So in reality our generation is harnessing the world in a way never seen before, with technology, social media and action.

18

How do we create more Anokas and Greta Thunbergs?

For me, it’s more about harnessing your unique abilities to make a difference. I think that it’s about following your passion and being supportive towards kids who want to do amazing things or have amazing ideas. If Mark Zuckerburg was told to ‘shut up and finish college’, he’d probably not have created Facebook. So it’s really not about education anymore, but more about what you do, and how you do it.

Nurturing that passion goes a long way!

Email teamsustains@gmail.com or message 0766773328 to talk to Anoka’s team about how you too may get involved in the causes they support.

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Swim Week designers accessorised couture with haute designer eyewear from

Vision Care

Vision Care, the island’s leading eye care solutions provider showcased its designer eyewear at Swim Week Colombo, as the Official Eyewear Partner of the premier fashion event which took place from 3rd10th August 2019. Models sashayed down the ramp in resort and swim wear while accessorising their haute couture designs with a wide variety of chic and modern frames and sunglasses. Vision Care showcased a stunning range of designer brands at the event including Ray Ban, Vogue, Emporio Armani, Carrera, Bvlgari, Prada, Oakley, Burberry, MK, Porsche design, Gucci and Mont Blanc in collaboration with the designers.

These brands from the Milan-based Luxottica Group, the largest eyewear company in the world, showcased its brand portfolio of many proprietary and prestigious licensed brands,

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and were the highlight of the glittering fashion designs on display. The fashion shows were held across Hilton Hotel, Galle Face Hotel and Shangri-la Hotel and feature reputed designers such as Fouzul Hameed, Nivedita Saboo and a host of talented emerging designers.

Celebrate Colombo is a project to revive, restore and reinvigorate the tourism industry of Sri Lanka, the No. 1 ranked tourism destination of 2019 and Swim Week was one of the key events. In creating a week-long festival that celebrated the creative industries of Sri Lanka, this project aims to redirect the domestic and international outlook of the city through art, fashion, film and music. It is a collaborative effort between Colombo Fashion Week and Sri Lanka Tourism to

showcase Colombo as a vibrant city with an active creative community.

Embracing the latest technology, together with qualified professionals, Vision Care offers a wide range of services to customers across the nation. The finest opticians in the country work across the Vision Care network, to ensure that eye tests, orthoptic tests, refraction, colour vision and eye pressure checks can be conducted at any time. The company also provides a range of spectacles, contact lenses and other aids that can be used to address any vision impairments, and possibly help to correct them if they are caught early and are minor in nature.

The

One Who Is

BRILLIANT Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke: actor, playwright, budding film-maker and overall genius gets candid PAGE 58 | www.pulse.lk

For someone who won the 2018 Gratien Award for his bold play ‘The one who loves you so’, Arun Welandawe-Premathilleke, is surprisingly regular. Apart from the fact that the first few moments of our conversation were interspersed by him blowing kisses to the people in the café he knew, something many Sri Lankan men would be uncomfortable doing. But Arun, who also wrote and directed ‘Paraya’ and ‘Blowhards’ among numerous others, says that being able to stage his play and going on to be recognised for it, has given him the freedom to be himself. Unapologetically so. by: Thushanthi de Silva Arun strongly believes that universality in theatre or film can be achieved through specificity. “It was why I didn’t downplay the script at all, or make the experiences more generic. In fact, looking back I wish I had made it even more specific. If a gay person across the world with a different background saw this, and could see themselves in it- well that means I’ve accomplished what I wanted to.”

Arun is well versed in philosophy, theories and concepts. He sprinkles them in almost each sentence he spouts. However, his talent lies in translating these into easily understandable and impactful dialogue and relatable human interactions. His characters, although complex, are endearing. As he seems to be. He owes this mostly to his liberal parents.

“I was lucky to have grown up in an environment that encouraged me to constantly question authority and to never take anything for what it is. Even when I ‘came out’ (he proceeds to explain to me why he thinks this is something that heterosexual people are fascinated by, but is in fact a deeply personal experience), my parents never assumed they ‘always knew’ or ‘never knew’. They understood that it’s not about them, or what they did or didn’t do. It was just who I am.” This comfort and self-acceptance definitely shines through his personality.

Armed with a First class BA in Drama and Theatre Arts from the prestigious Goldsmiths University in London, but still constantly

striving to learn as much as he can about his chosen field(s), Arun says that you can never know enough. “You need to think you are the dumbest person in the room. It is only then that you become more receptive to knowledge”.

How does he make progress then, I ask?

“Insight and maturity are good teachers.

I think back to my past productions and realise how I should maybe have done things differently. But then again, if I was in that place in my life once again, it would probably be the same result”. He also relies

He says all his work is a response to things happening around him that pose a question. “In a way, my plays are how I figure out an answer.

If I had to pick a style of theatre and film I’m drawn to, I would say it would be the ones that show you a unique point of view. It’s what I try to do through my work as well- portray my point of view. If you don’t agree or like it, you’re entitled to that.

But you’re not entitled to tell me I should have another perspective”.

This isn’t arrogance though. It just means he won’t change how he does something to pander to the audience.

Staying authentic is more important than pleasing the viewer.

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heavily on a close network of trusted friends whose creative opinions he trusts. “I get regular feedback from them as I’m writing. I also spend a lot of time before commencing a new project just researching the subject as thoroughly as possible. This results in me being confident about the final product, and less affected by public opinion.”

“Of course, if someone I know is likely to recognise themselves in my plays, I feel it’s courtesy to run the script past them first. You need to take ownership when you intertwine someone else’s story into your own. It’s disingenuous not to”, he says. “You can always

find an alternate way to communicate the message if you want to.”

When asked how he gets funding, he says so far, no corporate entities have come forward to fund any of his productions, which doesn’t surprise him. “Sadly, no corporates are this progressive. For them, sponsoring art is about how many people see their brand logo. It’s hardly ever about actually wanting the artistes to succeed, or making way for a statement to be made. Luckily, I have a loyal set of institutions and businesses who support us, not to mention some amazing individuals who do it privately.”

In the future, he hopes to walk down the path of film making, which has always been his dream, although he says he takes it step by step. “I just focus on what I’m going to do right after this, and am not fixated on a grand plan. I’d like to see where life takes me.”

Currently, he is coordinating location services for a foreign movie being filmed in Sri Lanka through his production company, Scout, while also preparing for the rerun of 'The one who loves you so' which is set to go on stage in January 2020 ("Funding is welcome!").

Audiences can look forward to seeing him in the role of actor once again as well, in an upcoming international production.

I ask him if, in a society that loves to label in order to understand, he minds being pigeonholed as the ‘gay playwright’. “Not at all. I love that I’m seen as a representative of the gay community- it allows me to challenge society’s ideals of what is valued and what isn’t. It gives me the power to say ‘this is my experience, and it is just as valid as yours’.”

Printed copies of Arun’s award-winning play ‘The one who loves you so’ is now available at all leading bookstores in the country.

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DFCC

Mamma Mia! The Party DFCC held their annual dinner dance at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, themed after the iconic Mamma Mia musical.

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the privacy of your own villa. For families that seek to be together, the Premier Family Villa is split into two levels, with the upper floor being tastefully designed to give off a cozy attic-esque atmosphere which is perfect for kids. At Ayana Sea, even the Deluxe Villa is equipped with a large living area and a luxurious spa-like bath.

As you look around and see the relaxing waters of the Indian Ocean gently caressing the golden sandy beaches of Wadduwa, you will be hard pressed to believe that you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. Rather, located just 1 hour away from Colombo, Ayana Sea is unique boutique hotel, positioned among 2 acres of landscaped gardens dotted with coconut palms. In essence, Ayana Sea simply redefines luxury.

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Featuring 16 well appointed rooms, the interiors surround a theme of calming hues of blue and light greys that reflect the palette of the vast ocean outside. Regardless of whether you seek a family gateway or a romantic honeymoon atmosphere, the multitude of room categories cater to the requirements of all guests. The highlights would have to be the Premier Ocean Villas and Premier Pool Villas; both come with their own private plunge pools with the latter housing an intimately designed pool inside

In terms of dining options, the chef and his team focus on curating dishes through fresh and seasonal local produce. One can expect a fusion of cuisine where the traditional east meets a contemporary west. As you indulge in a mouthwatering gastronomic experience, be sure to try out some of their signature dishes which include crab curry, spicy fish on banana leaf and barbecued lobster. As Ayana Sea prides itself on personal experiences, guests are welcomed to accompany staff on a unique fish market-experience, where you can select your own ingredients for that perfect dish. You may even go a step further by joining the chef in the state-ofthe-art kitchen as he plates up your dish of choice. While menus do exist, Ayana Sea would be happy to accommodate the dining requirements of any guest.

If you wish to experience a royal sensory indulgence from a bygone era, be sure to visit

Ayana Sea A relaxing boutique retreat along Sri Lanka’s West Coast

the in-house spa. The Ayurveda treatments on offer will create harmony within the body as they soothe the vata, pitta and kapha energies within you. However, for those guests who would like to get out and about, the team at Ayana Sea can arrange full day excursions to many nearby attractions. These include the estate of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa in Lunuganga and the historic Galle Fort. If a more adrenaline-fueled activity

is what you seek, the team can also arrange watersports and paramotoring excursions to the nearby coastal town of Bentota.

As this hotel has a keen focus on creating personal experiences and personalized service, the staff here a true example of the spirit of this hotel. As you leave the serenity of this boutique resort behind and head back to reality, in addition to the memory of pure luxury and indulgence, you won’t forget the smiling faces that made your vacation feel like a home away from home.

In addition to many of the amenities and services that complement Ayana Sea, any guest who chooses to stay here will notice something that is absent among most hotels.

The relationships that staff establish with guests during their stay are second to none.

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Festive Style Guide with FMLK Fashion Market LK hosted a glamorous afternoon to showcase complete festive style, along with style tips by the expert design crew.

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Otara Names Baby Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Otara Gunawardene was one of twenty-five public figures invited for the annual naming ceremony of endangered baby gorillas in Rwanda. Officially called the Kwita Izina naming ceremony, our very own Sri Lankan animal rights advocate, entrepreneur and philanthropist was invited as an honorary guest by the Rwandan government to name a baby mountain gorilla.

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN). With only 600 mature individuals, the population of this species is fortunately increasing due to efforts to catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change. More than half of this species live in the dense cloud forest of the Virunga Mountains. Thankfully, due to proactive conservation efforts, their status has been improved from critically endangered to endangered in July 2018.

The Rwandan government, through the Rwandan Development Board, holds the gorilla baby naming ceremony on the first Friday of September every year to raise awareness on such conservation efforts.

This traditional baby naming ceremony is a centuries old practice and is an integral part of Rwandan culture. The Kwita Izina began in 2005 to raise awareness on the importance of protecting mountain gorillas from extinction.

The Rwandan Development Board works closely with several conservation partners, the private sector and the community as a whole to further this cause.

Kwita Izina is becoming an increasingly popular platform that is leading the discussion on conservation and sustainable tourism in the African continent. This year, the event witnessed the presence of 1000 VIPs and 4,000 invitees from across the world, including 30,000 people from the Rwandan community. Most of the guests were those who have gained recognition for their conservation efforts. The event was held at Kinigi, Musanze, on the foothills of Volcanoes

National Park and spanned across a week filled with activities and projects related to conservation, education and awareness in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

Otara was one of 25 celebrities, including supermodel Naomi Campbell, invited from across the globe, to be the baby namers in the ceremony. The guests were also given an opportunity to trek through the mountains and witness the gorilla family they will be naming, right in their natural habitat.

Otara is a well-known figure in Sri Lanka who is admired and loved by many for her efforts to create awareness on animal rights and the environment. She channels her advocacy work through two of her organisations, namely Embark – a foundation that focuses on the welfare of street dogs in Sri Lanka and the Otara Foundation – founded in 2015 for environmental and wildlife conservation, in addition to educating future generations.

Commenting on the event, Otara had this to say.

“It is an honour to be recognised by the Rwanda Development Board and to be given this opportunity. Having visited Rwanda with my family last year to address local entrepreneurs at the First Lady’s Imbuto Foundation, I was impressed by the successful conservation efforts undertaken by the country to save not only the Mountain Gorillas but their entire eco system as well.

These magnificent animals share 99 per cent of our DNA but were expected to be extinct by the millennium due to detrimental

human activity. The incredible efforts by the Rwandan government led by President Kagame for whom conservation is a priority is something to be admired. As a passionate wildlife enthusiast and conservationist I am so pleased to be a part of the Rwandan government’s efforts to protect the mountain Gorilla population.”

Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, former Manchester United Manager, Louis Van Gaal, former Arsenal FC Captain, Tony Alexander Adams MBE and Grammy award-winning artist Ne-Yo.

She had the honour of naming the newest member of the Pablo family. Drawing inspiration from the names of her two sons Kiran and Rakhil, Otara named the baby gorilla “Kira” which also coincidentally means “bless you” in Kinyarwanda, the language of Rwanda.

Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer of the Rwandan Development Board took the opportunity to stress on the importance of ensuring the long-term survival of this precious species and how this required collective action. She ended on a happy note stating that despite the mountain gorillas remaining an endangered species, they have grown by 23% since 2010 to 604 individuals in the Virunga Massif – a hopeful sign indeed.

There were more than a few famous faces at this year’s Kwita Izina- held for the 15th consecutive year. Some of them included Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame as Guest of Honour, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, British supermodel Naomi Campbell, Deputy

Let the Kwita Izina and all other ventures that uphold biodiversity conservation efforts across the world continue to serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible potential of collective action in protecting our biodiversity – one of the Earth’s greatest natural resources.

Hyundai Venue Launch Abans Auto recently announced the release of the Hyundai Venue, the latest model from one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world. The car was ceremoniously unveiled at the Colombo City Centre Mall by Mrs. Aban Pestonjee.

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Movenpick

Wedding Fair The Movenpick Wedding Fair was back for the second year on the 28th and 29th of September at the Movenpick Hotel, Colombo.

Kishu

Sangeetha

Natalie

Christina

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Careems Colombo Collection

Launch

Careems, Sri Lanka’s premier luxury jewelry brand recently launched yet another collection featuring stunningly intricate gemstone studded designs.

Hisham

Asherah

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Shehan

Shanthi

Kasun

Shenuka

Yohani

Shezard

Chamara

Alimah

Chamindi

Ferrin

Sumaiya

Rinza

Fazeena

Fianza

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SCAN THIS CODE TO VISIT OUR ONLINE BOUTIQUE

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Most of us who have particular skin concerns find ourselves in a crowded hospital, waiting to see a dermatologist. But why should you have to go through this? Should you be subjected to being mixed with patients suffering from other health issues to get your esthetic concerns diagnosed? Ideally, you shouldn’t. Lush Skin Clinique is the answer to this problem; as pioneers within this market, Lush Skin Clinique prides itself on using the most technologically advanced equipment mixed in with personalised service to take care of issues relating to your skin, hair, body and teeth.

Lush - Narahenpita

Upon entering one of their two clinics conveniently located in Colombo, you will be meet with a spotless ambience that oozes professionalism. This is reflected down to their medical staff as well. Yes, Lush Skin Clinique has a team of over 32 Board Certified consultants that specialise in dermatology, plastic surgery, facial surgery and dental surgery. This makes Lush Skin Clinique unique, as they are among the few places where qualified doctors perform all procedures.

Other clinics resort to using medical technicians and officers who do not have the same level of expertise to carry out such complex procedures.

If you were to visit Lush Skin Clinique for a particular concern, your first interaction will be through their in-house doctor. After a thorough analysis of your condition, you will be guided to choose the right consultant to take your treatment process further. From then on, a customized plan will be curated just for your specific lifestyle, budgetary and time constraint requirements. Getting married in three weeks? No problem, consultants are

Esthetic Excellence

Lush Skin Clinique

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with

ready to listen and will be more than happy to create accelerated plan to make sure you are glowing on that special day.

Unlike other clinics, Lush also stands out due to the fact that they offer dental procedures as well, through their BDS qualified in house dental surgeon who performs general and cosmetic dental procedures. All these extra efforts have been made so that clients will have the most seamless experience. Lush Skin Clinique truly embodies all the components that make up for a polished esthetic that is transferred down to their clients.

As a socially responsible esthetic clinic, Lush refrains from promising immediate results.

Rather, their approach is more towards long term solutions to help clients maintain the effects of treatments. Beauty, perfection and confidence, can only be achieved through taking proper long-term care of your concerns. From post treatment care to lifestyle suggestions, Lush goes the extra mile to ensure that clients can maintain their look outside the clinic.

Lush - Battaramulla

Additionally, all products used at Lush Skin Clinique are certified and approved by the relevant authorities in keeping with their stringent quality standards. Lush also strives to continue to introduce the latest technology by constantly updating a gamut of machines. From advanced CO2 lasers that get rid of scarring and tattoos to groundbreaking Hydrofacial machines that promise to rehydrate even the driest of skin, Lush Skin Clinique has got you covered. Pay a visit to Lush Skin Clinique, so you can see and experience the difference for yourself!

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CJS

Oceanwell

Launch

CJS, Dr. Asha de Vos and Oceanswell unveiled their ‘Love for the Blue Whale’ by launching a special piece of jewelry to celebrate their collective love and passion for the blue whales living around Sri Lankan shores.

Akram

Harshani

Asha

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Akram

Bathiya

Bathiya

Asha

Harshani

Asha

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James

Akram

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Alston

Hannah

Akram

Sharmila

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Namal Wed Limini Namal Rajapakse wed his sweetheart Limini in grand style this September. Featured here are moments from their celebrations. We wish them a magical future together!

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In memory of

Aunty

Oosha

Since her birth in 1931, Oosha Saravanamuttu has gone from a child prodigy and star to an icon of dance, an innovative choreographer and of course, an inspirational ballet teacher whose unique and glamorous personality was a force to be reckoned with in the performing arts scene.

While her passing brings about sorrow to many as Sri Lanka loses yet another legendary personality, this is a look back on her life and her theatric work.

Oosha’s career spanned over seven decades from the 1930s to the 2000s, from child prodigy and star dancer which led to her being known as “Ceylon’s Wonder Baby Star” and the “Shirley Temple of Ceylon” to the founder of the Oosha Garten of Ballet where thousands of students in all leading schools were taught the art of ballet. In addition to being the key choreographer of hundreds of original ballets and productions, she collaborated with several influential directors over the years.

Her body of work and diversity of achievement was present in both the pre and post-independence of our country, being an exponent of both classical ballet and

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contemporary dance. As an individual, she was extremely proud of being completely “Made in Sri Lanka”, as she would say. From studies to performances, she established herself completely in Sri Lanka. In fact, she never had the opportunity of going abroad to study dance; her first glimpse of the rest of the world was in her late 40s, when her travels took her far to visit her children.

Coming back to her childhood, Oosha was considered a child prodigy due to her amazing talent, rare versality in different performing art forms and vivacious performances for which she must have few equals anywhere. Under the guidance of her teacher, Marjorie Sample, she performed

in concerts at the Regal Theatre and Royal College. In addition to ballet and dancing, she played the piano and violin and was a trained mezzo soprano in singing.

Her own ballet school, Oosha Garten of Ballet was established in 1964 and produced 28 shows during its lifetime. Hundreds of students passed through her disciplined and firm mold, taking part in her productions which employed innovative choreography, influenced from both the east and west in creating ballets for Sri Lankans. Her creativity was diverse and involved many styles. Showcasing a deep understanding of music, particularly classical music which facilitated her creative process. Oosha could

choreograph effortlessly which she said was a “gift from God.“ In the 1970s and 1980s, she created ballets based on local and Eastern folklore and myths, such as Sardiel, Rama and Sita, Saliya and Asokamala, and Vijaya and Kuveni, set to Western classical music like the works of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikovsky.

While creating several ballets for young children like Water Babies, Thumbelina, Wild Swans and Hansel and Gretel, she also introduced her students and audiences to the great classical ballets from the West like Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Les Sylphides, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and the great contemporary ballets of Maurice Bejart and Alvin Ailey.

Ballet is a complete art form, it involves movement, music, mime, drama, lighting and décor.

It gives you discipline that stands you through life.

- Oosha

Without a doubt, her students and audiences will remember her in her signature silk or Manipuri saree, flaunting a huge pottu and bright flowers in her hair. As for Sri Lanka as a nation, her contribution to the performing arts will be listed in the history books; it is no surprise that Oosha’s efforts have been awarded at a national level. Oosha was awarded the National Honor of Kalasuri for her contributions to the arts in 2005 and she has also been presented with the Zonta Award for Woman of Achievement in 1989.

Oosha had a profound impact on the island’s greatest performers. To end, here are a few words that had to be shared “Aunty Oosha has been there for me in more ways than one. She has always stood by me, guided me, and advised me, every time I had to make a crucial decision in my life.

Actually, if not for Auntie Oosha, I may have not ended up a dramatist.” - Indu Dharmasena “Practically every choreographer or dancer of note in this country has passed through Oosha, and we know that apart from dancing they have learned a lot more – be it punctuality, discipline, manners, hard work and most importantly, commitment.” - Mary Anne David “Whether we were fat or thin, elegant or gawky, tall or short, we all had a part in her choreography. Auntie Oosha, thank you for everything you have taught me, and for being my friend.” - Senaka De Silva “In my first show with Aunty, I had a dose of Aunty’s “you will get a bit of my tongue!” (Over the years we had much more of it). At that time, I would be very upset, and be even teary eyed sometimes. But I realise it is all the scolding and striving for perfection that has made me who I am today.” - Romina Gyi

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No Covers

2

Allowed Edition

Imorich No Covers Allowed Edition II took place on the 22nd of September at The Steuart by Citrus - &Co Pub and Kitchen.

It was a night of homegrown local talent doing what they do best!

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Be it a mother-daughter duo, siblings or colleagues, there is always a sense of friendship associated with any kind of relationship. In this segment, we tackle the ins and outs of close-knit relationships and test the limits of the Friendship Meter.

with and

Shermaine

Romaine

Willis Sitting down one Thursday afternoon at the lovely Uga Residence, we got chatting to the talented and gorgeous Willis sisters, Shermaine and Romaine, on how they got their start as performers in the Sri Lankan music industry.

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How did you get into music?

Romaine - We also think that our inspiration comes from all things

Romaine - We’ve been exposed to music since we were in our

that surround us within our day-to-day life. People play a major role but so does the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the books we read, the places we go to and what we do in our free time. We feel that what we surround ourselves with literally creates our reality. So we try our best to fill our surroundings with people and things that inspire us and lift us higher.

diapers. Our parents aren’t musicians by any means but music was a huge part of their lives and growing up there was always music of different genres playing in and around the house.

Shermaine -Our dad bought a keyboard for himself and played at parties and family gatherings. He always encouraged us to sing and perform for family and friends at these events which definitely played a part in shaping us into the artists we’ve become.

What made you decide to pick music as a career?

Romaine - The both of us had office jobs before all of this happened. Shermaine was in the airline industry and I was in the hotel industry. While we liked what we did at the time, it wasn’t what we were truly passionate about.

I would always wait impatiently for the end of the day so I could go and perform at a gig after work.

Shermaine - We didn’t really pick it as a career but it worked its way in to our lives so naturally and effortlessly. At the end of the day we believe that life is all about doing things that make you happy.

The more you do it, the happier you’ll be.

Who are your current inspirations?

What was your childhood like? (relationship with your sister) Romaine - We’re blessed with two beautiful souls, our darling mom and dad that did and still do everything they possibly can do to make our lives magical. Growing up, we didn’t really have a big circle of friends and ultimately it was just me and Shermaine through it all.

People came and left but Shermaine was one of the few who came to stay. She’s more than just a sister, she’s my mum, dad, best friend and therapist, all rolled into one.

Shermaine –We weren’t always this close. I guess our relationship grew with time. As you get older, you start to appreciate and cherish the extraordinary bonds you share with people that are special to you. There’s no one in this world that knows us like we know each other. We share the same love language and we just get each other.

We can communicate non-verbally so with just one smile or frown we know what each other is thinking.

Shermaine - Foster the People, Childish Gambino, Coldplay and John Mayer are some personal favourites as well as a few lesser known artists like Tash Sultana, Julia Michaels, Jessie Reyez, Stacy Kent and Tom Misch.

What annoys you most about each other?

Shermaine – I think our main issues are around clothes. She borrows my clothes and does it without asking. It’s okay to take the clothes but tell me! www.pulse.lk | PAGE 97

Romaine - I’m okay with her taking my clothes but she’s not allowed to take pictures while wearing them. Shermaine is also not so great with cleaning, which I’m not a fan of but she cooks amazing food for me which easily makes up for it.

Besides music and performing, what else are you passionate about?

Shermaine - Since I was a kid I’ve been interested in space and astronomy and even aviation - basically anything above me.

I’m also into astrology and how it helps to understand people on a deeper level. I’m also passionate about cooking and experimenting with dishes.

Romaine - I really like photography and I’m hugely passionate about travel. I started travelling more often around three years ago and I absolutely love it. I loved Europe - words can’t describe it. Nepal is also one of the places I love the most.

If I wasn’t a singer who would I be?

A cookbook author and a dentist.

What do you have planned for the future?

Shermaine - We’ve been working on launching our own brand ‘Miss Willis’ at the beginning of next year. We’ve wanted to work together for the longest time, and people would always ask why we aren’t already working together. For some reason or the other it didn’t quite work out, until now. I think we’re in the correct place mentally and physically for this to finally happen. We’re working on songs in both English and Sinhalese and we’ll be releasing these new singles when we launch Miss Willis. It’s challenging but exhilarating at the same time!

What’s the worst thing you have ever done to me as a child?

I lost my 2 front teeth when she ordered me to jump steps from bottom to top.

What are the main factors I look for in a man?

Mental stimulation and emotional/intellectual connection.

And a lot of patience.

If I could resurrect one person who would it be? Avicii

Romaine - We’ve also been working on writing our own music. The purpose of this is to spread awareness through every word we sing. We want to touch people’s hearts and make them think, even if it’s just for a moment. We want our music to speak to them during tough times. And we are also looking forward to talking about real life situations/ issues that we face every day that are often hushed up by the society we live in.

What’s my defense/survival mechanism?

I don’t talk about my feelings and I repress.

More logic and stability before emotions.

My biggest pet peeve?

Keeping in the dark.

Not knowing and the waiting game.

If I could have a superpower what would it be?

Teleport

What is the household chore I hate the most?

Taking out the garbage

What is the best gift I've ever given you?

A dildo

What's our most traumatising childhood memory?

Accidentally stumbling upon a cousin’s adult movies

What are the two things we both love doing together?

Singing and eating

In this segment, we bring together a famous duo to interview each other in a round of intimate, never-asked-before questions that bring out sides to your favourite persona you’ve never seen before.

A Decade of Melodious Glory

The

De Lanerolle

Brothers Celebrating Ten Years on Stage

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They are two of the biggest names in the Sri Lankan music scene, their concerts sell out every time, they have been making glorious music for ten years and they are the De Lanerolle Brothers.

The brothers were a big part in the establishment of the National Unity Orchestra in 2017 and they are trying to change the face of music.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of this wonderful music duo. With their repertoire ranging from Baroque opera to modern pop songs their legacy is truly legendary.

Rohan has an illustrious career as a choral trainer and has been part of many judging panels all over the world including countries like Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Austria and many more. He is the Artistic Director of the Ao Naga Choir in India and the Priscillia Mixed Choir in Indonesia with a repertoire consisting of Caccini all the way to Rutter.

Both of Rohan’s choirs will be performing in Sri Lanka on the 31st of October as part of their Tri-nation Tour for Peace.

Pulse had the pleasure of meeting them at Caramel Pumpkin Colombo 7 over coffee and an awesome conversation. Their story was not only fascinating but there is a lot everyone can learn no matter what we are doing so here is a rather concise version of it.

How it all started Like many singers of their era, the De Lanerolles started their vocal journey with the late Lyle Godridge and later in life they were part of many choirs and were exposed to a large array of music. Rohan had the pleasure of learning singing in London under Professor Kenneth Woollan and these teachings which he shared with his brother had a big impact on their singing.

Rohan had a solo career of his own with performances done in London and America.

In certain instances, Ishan joined him on stage with one such occasion being the opening performance at the Platters’ concert in 2008.

Forming the Duo In the audience of this concert was the then Director of Leo Burnett, Ranil De Silva. Seeing the potential the brothers carried he wanted to make them an act and just like that the “De Lanerolle Brothers” came into being.

According to Rohan and Ishan, this is because they strive to give their audience an experience that transcends the music and the performance. Whether it be the menu at their dinner theatre shows or the invitation cards and how they are presented, the brothers play an active role in every single component of the experience making sure that their brand and passion is in everything.

According to them, crafting the perfect repertoire and an engaging experience is what makes their line of concerts special.

They also made it a point to mention that all of these should be supplementary to the quality of the music as that is the most important component.

Beyond just singing The De Lanerolles are amazing singers but their journey in music goes way beyond just singing.

Ishan has taken it upon himself to share his gifts of music in Sri Lanka through “Voice by Ishan”, providing top of the line vocal training to all ages.

What does the future behold?

After a ten year journey of success, what will the brothers be doing next? For now, they want it to be a surprise but they assured us there are a lot more to come.

That being said they will be bidding changing a few things about their Dinner Theatre Shows and will be offering it as a package for corporate clients.

Over the past ten years, the De Lanerolle Brothers have been impacting what it is to enjoy music, bringing so much more to the stage. We are looking forward to great things from them in the future and wish them all the best for decades to come!

Their iconic dinner theatre shows were the first to start in 2009 and this was a first for Sri Lanka. 2012 saw the debut of their Christmas concert which to this day is a staple of the Colombo Christmas Calendar.

In 2015 their first theatre concert was performed at the BMICH with their “Big Time Band” and over the years this ensemble grew to include instruments like the flute, trombone, French horn and many more.

Crafting the Perfect Experience In an industry as volatile as the performing industry the De Lanerolles have been making a name and growing day by day with all their concerts having a full house.

How do they do it?

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Kanishka Weds

Colombo’s Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Athula hosted a reception at The Mount Lavinia Hotel for their son Kanishka and bride Alanka who recently joined hands in matrimony!

Alanka PAGE 102 | www.pulse.lk

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Flagship Store 11 Cambridge Place, Colombo 07 Hilton Colombo | Jetwing Beach | Jetwing Lighthouse | Jetwing Jie Jie Beach www.careems.com

+94 11 2687444

@careemsjewellers

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Instafamous

Sarah Illyas PAGE 106 | www.pulse.lk

Family and fashion are the focal points of Sarah Illyas’ Instagram feed but when you dive a little deeper into her personality, you would find that Sarah is genuine, inspirational and unquestionably a power woman, juggling multiple things at the same time. With her follower count currently just under 34,000, there’s no doubt she uses Instagram as a tool to influence optimism and happiness in her followers.

1. What are 3 words that perfectly describe Sarah Illyas and why?

Witty, Strong-headed and Clumsy. The latter I have learned to hide well!

2. What is the role that fashion plays in your life and what are your top three go-to brands?

Apart from working in the fashion industry, fashion adds as a feel-good factor to my days – good and bad. Let it be a power suit for a meeting, a body con dress for an event or athleisure to the movies, what I wear impacts my mood and how I feel and carry myself.

Having so many stakeholders in my life

means I have to be feeling on top of my game to carry that energy through and dressing well always lifts my mood. My go-to brands include ZARA, Asos Tall (obviously) and for occasion wear my own label @janaanofficial.

3. Family is an important part of your feed – tell us about your kids and what it is like being a super-mom.

I never grew up feeling the most maternal person but having kids at a young age ‘forced’ me to find those natural instincts that we have in us and bring out my inner mom! I’ve heard a lot about some women “having it all” being “super moms” but I haven’t managed to

master that art. I can’t be a mom and manager at the same time and although being a mom takes precedence over anything, I rather focus 100% on the individual pockets in my life. So when I’m out with my friends, it’s girl time, when I’m at work I’m in the zone and of course when I’m home it’s all about family.

Both my kids are nothing short of rascals and have wild eccentric characters. Their personalities are completely opposite yet they are completely the same – if that makes any sense. Both of them are very competitive, loud, dramatic and will not let it go till they get their way. Both of them are also very stubborn and I’m sure that comes from their

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optimism or inspiration as opposed to fame.

6. How did you begin your journey on social media and what is it like compared to the present day?

Believe it or not I didn’t know the relevance of hashtags till a few years ago and it started out as just of me sharing pictures of my #ootds (using the good old Insta filters).

My journey evolved after I had my kids and I think sharing some of the “real” moments seemed to be relatable to a larger group of people and naturally engagement increased with a wider audience outside only fashion. I do think about the content much more now than in the past and that’s only to be conscious of the message I’m sending or influence I am driving. I try to stay as positive as that’s the energy I want to draw from the community I connect with.

7. How do you maintain consistency and quality throughout your feed?

dad! But as most of my insta-fam can tell, they are also super funny, story tellers and well, just kids. I hope they always share this special bond they have and stay the close and clumsy “Bhaiya and Girly” forever!

with Ayaan). Life caught up and we never got around taking time out for ourselves and exploring together. It’s definitely a new goal we share and something we are looking forward to!

4. You’re constantly travelling, what are a few things that you make sure to experience at any new destination?

5. Would you call yourself Instafamous?

I don’t travel as much as I would like to, but more than where I’m going it’s who I’m going with. The last time my husband and I travelled alone together was five years ago on our honeymoon (and I was six months pregnant

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I think a thousand followers or a million followers; social media has so much impact in the circular environment regardless of being “famous”. The bigger point is being effective in the best way to whoever or however many followers you are speaking to. I would like to hope my content drives some sort of

The human eye is always skewed towards structure and symmetry and you will often find yourself naturally inclined towards somewhat of that consistency even on social media. To make things simple for myself and for followers I stick to the same editing apps, format and filters throughout my feed.

8. What are some tips to taking the perfect Instagram picture?

It’s always 3 things – lighting, elongated posture and smile!

9. What does the future hold for Sarah Illyas?

I wish I knew myself! Hopefully a bigger family and being close and connected with my loved ones living life to the fullest!

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Positive Styles Positive Styles, an evening of fashion and music organised by Positive Sri Lanka was held at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy.

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Mihiri

Ayesh

Shalin

Shermaine

Deepak

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Dishni

Mokshana

Indi

Rushanka

Natasha

Gayani

Tariq

Asanka

Ayesh

Namith

Marguerite

Thiyasha

Savisha

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Launch of

HQ

Colombo

Mr. Pandithage

Hardy

Niro Cook and Subky

HQ Colombo recently launched its brand new sprawling office complex.

Jayantha

Priyanka

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Rishdha

Sajad

Hardy

Manoj

Mr. Muzammil

Suneth

Hardy

Manil

Averil

Rushitha

Yaveen

Shakran

Faraz

Farook

Hardy

Aravinda

Ray

Anushka

Juvenita

Mohan

Sarath

Guruge

Priyani

Saravanan

Mr. Marikkar

Dr. Harsha

Ibrahim

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Beauty Blogging and

International Journeys

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Rosh, having started her journey by simple makeup tutorials has now blossomed into a renowned makeup artist on an international platform. From blogging and vlogging all things beauty, she has taken the makeup industry by storm time and time again. Creating absolutely stunning looks, makeup artist Rosh spoke to us about her journey, her inspirations and her upcoming visit to Colombo!

1. Where did your passion for beauty blogging stem from?

I’ve always loved everything beauty, makeup and fashion. Loved putting on makeup and getting dressed up! I think I got that from my mom. The reason behind my blogging and vlogging about it was my want to share what I know with others. I wanted them to know the tips and tricks I had picked up along the way when it came to makeup and skin care.

I loved sharing my knowledge and helping girls feel and look their best.

2. Tell us about the roots of your journey in the makeup industry.

How did it all start?

It all started with a Facebook page I created in 2016 in which I reviewed and recommended products that I tried and loved. Then Pulse wanted me to film a makeup tutorial in their studios for their online platform and that was the beginning of everything. At this time I had no previous experience in filming or even doing a tutorial, but I dove head first into this experience and I still remember sitting there

thinking, “Ok then, let’s do this!”. It’s been an incredible journey since then.

something. For me, makeup artistry is selfexpression and I love how it has developed to what it is today!

5. Tell us about your experience with Beauty by Rosh internationally.

The first international experience was when I was featured on Vogue India! I was on the ninth anniversary issue as one of the upcoming South Asia bloggers and that was the stepping stone I suppose to many of the international platforms I went on thereafter. I attended my first international event in 2017 in the USA. I went to StyleCon in California and showcased some makeup looks for Heroes beauty.

3. What did you enjoy the most while I also became a writer for the Huffington Post, beauty blogging in Sri Lanka?

For one, it was unchartered territory! When I first started, there was no one else doing this on YouTube within Sri Lanka, at least to my knowledge, so I got a lot of media attention.

I was featured on national newspapers and magazines and my life suddenly became very public and people were interested in seeing more. I also loved making content in Sinhala, which I branched into later on. What I loved was that a lot of girls were genuinely learning from me!

4. Since you first started makeup tutorials, how far have you progressed in terms of technique and artistry?

Well we are always learning something and it’s mainly trial and error. I think we all grow with new techniques, ideas and trends, and it is always great to learn new ways of doing

where I got to contribute to the HuffPost about beauty, fitness and cultural imperatives we face as women. In 2017 I went onto being a Google speaker for their women empowerment initiative WomenWill. I also spoke at the Thailand Google business group events and then went on to speaking at the Colombo GBG WomenWill event.

I was also featured in a Netflix series “Origin of Beauty” produced by Sommer Shiels. I was featured as the resident beauty expert in Sri Lanka where I got to talk about some beauty origins from my home country. Currently, I do live demos at international conferences and expos like Beauty Melbourne, Beauty Expo Australia and the Perth Beauty Expo which was in September.

6. What events are you planning on hosting in Sri Lanka?

I’m doing 4 events the week that I’m in Sri Lanka.

Starting with a Pre Party Pampering event with British Cosmetics on the 30th of October where we will be getting some relaxing services from the BC lifestyle studio. I’ve invited some of my fellow bloggers and Insta-famous friends from Colombo to join me for an evening of pampering together with British cosmetics as my salon partner, HardTalk as my PR partner and Pulse as my official media partner!

I will also be doing a Beauty by Rosh Masterclass on the 2nd of November at Jetwing Colombo Seven and an official After Party together with Ask for Fern, as well as a VIP event called “BeautybyRosh Glam Night at the Chiller room” so stay tuned!

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AdStudio

Cloud Event Nisal

Anoka

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Programmatic and data marketing company, Digital X launched AdStudio, a novel advertising ecosystem at a media event party held at the Elevate rooftop bar.

Ashan

Dino

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Elegant

Accessories for Colombo’s Gentlemen Even though your style says a lot about you, most of us throw on a shirt and pants, followed with a belt, and call it a day. We often forget about the most important part; somehow, your attire looks unfinished, like it is missing something. That’s exactly why it is important for contemporary gentlemen to accessorise in order to make themselves stand out. We’ve gathered a list of a few individuals who are equally passionate about accessorising with the aim of refining Colombo’s gentlemen.

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KOKAINE

KOKAINE was founded by Muralidaran Rajagopal, hailing from a family background in textile and bespoke fashion. Going by the name Darren, he engaged in multiple business ventures starting at the young age of 16 in order to lessen the effects of financial difficulties faced by his family. Darren has tried and failed in executing more than 10 different ventures, but it has been rewarding to him; every time something new came along, his network expanded alongside his knowledge and skill level. KOKAINE stands today as one of his few successful start-ups.

Darren has always been obsessed with shoes; he recalls that he would pin down collections of fashionable men’s shoes which were not available in Sri Lanka. Later, he went on to make a pair for himself from raw materials purchased online. Following the many inquiries he received from his friends regarding his creation, Darren began to carry out some market research to understand the demand for stylish men’s shoes. With his findings gathered, Darren employed a shoe smith to manufacture exclusive designs to create KOKAINE.

Muralidaran Rajagopal

Exclusivity and luxury are the defining elements behind his brand; making it a social status and an elite experience is Darren’s brand objective. Featuring five product ranges which are premium, limited, custom, luxury and wedding, each range has its own values which can cater to the tastes of every gentleman. Every piece is 100% hand made and listed for sale only after a careful inspection by Darren himself. Even though handmade craftsmanship is something that KOKAINE prides itself on, it is not a concept that is generally appreciated in Sri Lanka. This was a significant hurdle to Darren. Ever persistent in his unique brand, Darren has taken the challenge upon himself to change this idea by showcasing his unique footwear masterpieces. www.pulse.lk | PAGE 123

The Butler

Shazni Fazal has always taken a keen interest in dressing sharp. He recalls that from a young age, he’s made it a habit to watch men’s style guides from experts such as Antonio Centeno and Tom Ford. Today, his passion for fashion fuelled him to start his own enterprise called, “The Butler”. When asked how the idea for the brand came up, he says that it was a lightbulb moment; he noticed that even though he enjoyed dressing well, he found one thing to be lacking in both himself and other gentlemen around him; it was the fact that many didn’t make an effort to go the extra mile to accessorise their outfit.

Suits are commonplace in formal settings, but how can one stand out? Shazni says that while choices are plenty, one of the easiest ways to make your mark would be by accessorising wisely, and this is what The Butler aims to solve! Through the Butler, Shazni makes an effort to be the one stop shop for all the styling needs of a man of substance. He’s achieved this by in analysing fashion trends for men across major geographic areas. Shazni’s main inspiration has been British Vogue, of which he selects certain common touch points such as colour families, designs and fabrics.

Shazni Fazal

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When it comes to The Butler’s designing and production, it is handled by international suppliers who cater to their specific requirements in terms of quality and final design. Shazni offers only the best in quality for his clientele as the core aim of the brand is to enhance client experiences and make them feel pampered so that the end result –the outfit– simply oozes with confidence and is very exquisite. This is achieved through his range of unique and inspiring neckties, bowties, cufflinks, lapel pins, tie clips and socks. Shazni believes that through his offerings, gentlemen will be able to express themselves more clearly through their style. After all, fashion trends fade over time, but personal style will remain timeless.

The Ceylon Smith When we think of the word “jewellery,” it’s almost always associated with the glitter and glam of women. But with the introduction of design houses such as The Ceylon Smith, men too, have been given the opportunity to wear stylised elements of precious metals and gemstones. The Ceylon Smith began as a creative means for Mewan Fernando to get his head off the monotonous work that he was involved in with his job in the finance sector. Mewan had a hunch that he would find success by pursuing his creative side and thus The Ceylon Smith was born. Catering to gentlemen through his elegant collection of jewellery, his pieces are some that have not been seen in the market before.

Characteristics of his designs include flaunting bold colours and shapes of natural gemstones, unique finishing techniques, faceted surfaces on the metals and interesting choices of plating definitely set his pieces apart from what already exists. With this in mind, The Ceylon Smith will help you stand out in any setting.

Mewan is confident that these characteristics have given an edge to his brand as to him, innovation is a crucial component when it comes to the designing elements of men’s jewellery. Even though it is a challenge to find quality materials and trustworthy suppliers to work with, you can expect nothing short of the best quality materials and gemstones from The Ceylon Smith.

Mewan enjoys working with 18kt white gold and 14kt yellow gold paired with semi-precious stones such as blue tigers’ eye, back onyx and blue topaz. Some of his pieces also flaunt precious gems like kunzite, morganite and of course, our prized Ceylon sapphires. With certificates issued from Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery Authority for each piece, you can be rest assured that they will hold their value over time. Mewan is elated to know that as Sri Lanka’s gentlemen are now more refined than ever, there is a strong appreciation for his hand-crafted pieces.

Unlike mass produced jewellery, a simple yet valuable piece from The Ceylon Smith will be the ideal way to complete your look!

Mewan Fernando

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Kantala A FUSION OF FASHION AND SUSTAINABILITY

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Kantala is an up and coming local brand which embodies the pride of traditional Sri Lankan crafts. Using a fusion of sustainable vegan materials and the cheerful personality of Sri Lanka’s famed island culture, the brand reflects a commitment to deliver artisanal fashion accessories that brings empowerment and cheer to the world of fashion. To gain a deeper understanding of the roots and objectives of the brand, we spoke to the founders themselves; Vikum Rajapakse and Nadishan Shanthikumar.

The people behind the brand Vikum hailed from a background in asset and portfolio management before becoming fully committed to Kantala. Nadishan’s background in Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Financial Mathematics enabled him to secure a position at MAS Investments. During this time, he met Vikum as they were working together in the same team. Eventually, they realised they had a shared passion to start a venture that fosters a positive impact in their community and environment. This shared vision resulted in the launch of Kantala.

The story behind the name “Kantala” is inspired by the Sanskrit word of the Hana plant – which yields the material

used to create all our products. The Hana plant features a signature rosette of thick leaves which can reach up to 2 meters in length. These plants don’t require fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides or watering, making them a highly sustainable source of material.

Once harvested, the leaves are scraped to extract a fine fibre, which is used to weave all the mats used in our Kantala products.

Inspiration for the brand While on his travels, Vikum found the moment of inspiration in Egypt when he saw a set of hieroglyphics cleverly incorporated into high-end contemporary goods. He became convinced that a contemporary product with elements of traditional Sri Lankan craft was

a viable business opportunity. During his research for the ideal traditional Sri Lankan craft to be used in such a product, he came across the traditional artisans of Henavala, who were continuing a handwoven craft with a history of over 300 years, dating back to Sri Lanka’s last royal kingdom of Kandy.

After Vikum shared his findings with Nadishan, the pair set out to learn more about this traditional craft. Soon they came to realise that both the craft and the natural fibre material used to weave the mats gave the foundation to the positive social and environmental impact that they wanted to create.

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Q: Talk to us on your product range A: We offer a range of handbags, wallets and small travel accessories. At Kantala, we want our customers to feel that they are investing in their handbag. We want them to feel an emotional connection with their Kantala product. All of our products are designed to reflect the brands’ personality, functionality and durability.

We have a few types of tote bags that can be used as day to day bags, work bags or as weekender bags. Our clutch bags have been made to compliment any outfit on a night out or dinner party. We also have three types of wallets which differ in terms of size and design to ensure we meet the requirements of our customers.

Q: Tell us more about your PETA approval and use of vegan materials A: PETA is one of the world’s largest organizations which actively campaigns for the rights of animals. Throughout the world, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the harm and exploitation that animals are subjected to in the process of manufacture. In order to help such concerned consumers identify products which don’t harm animals, PETA created the PETA Approved Vegan Certification. Fashion is something beautiful; it should not come at the cost of another living beings’ life.

Q: Kantala promotes a traditional form of Sri Lankan weaving, how is this achieved?

A: At the core material of every Kantala product is the handwoven natural fibre mat, each product is influenced by the traditional craft which has a history of over 300 years.

Unfortunately, when we first met the artisans of this indigenous weaving technique back in December 2012, the craft was in decline due to a lack of economically viable opportunities.

Our fair-trading policies of a fair wage, timely payment and open communication are central to reviving the craft. With these three factors, we have been able to provide economic benefits to the artisans. While the number of artisans engaged with Kantala kept increasing, one concerning indicator was the average age of the artisans being 60. This highlighted the impending demise of the craft due to a new generation not taking up the craft.

However, as we continued to promote our artisans to an international audience, we have repositioned the craft as a skilled occupation PAGE 128 | www.pulse.lk

with a global recognition. With a significant amount of youth taking up the craft as well, the average age has dropped to 50.

Q: What is next for the brand?

A: Our plans for the next twelve months are centered around expanding our global retail presence. We aim to do this via our own online shop page as well as through sustainable fashion focused online platforms and retailers. We will also be collaborating with leading Sri Lankan designers to create unique ranges of capsule collections to complement Kantala’s seasonal collections.

Kantala will also set up an association for the weavers, in which weavers from the villages of Henavala and Yatawatta will become members. The objective of setting up this association is to organize the sector in a structured and transparent manner and thereby further the development of the sector. Once operational, the association will become a shareholder of Kantala within an agreed time period in recognition of their key contribution to the growth of Kantala.

We always had an ambition of founding our own venture and wanted it to do something that promotes Sri Lanka while helping our planet. We felt that Sri Lanka has more to offer than being just a manufacturing destination for global fashion brands.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 129

Island Lakpa flip flops inspired by the tropical vibes of island life

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Museum. With the onset of the age of exploration, flip flops then traveled to a huge variety of cultures across the world, and with it came the use of different materials to craft this essential item.

Fast forward to the 21st Century in Sri Lanka and you’ll see that the humble flip flop has gone through some significant changes.

Starting with what catches the eye first, Island Lakpa has turned the flip flop into a fashion statement by offering 100 different shades of color. From sunset reds, magentas, yellows, and ocean hues of green, turquoise and blue, making a choice would be quite a challenge.

Flip flops are an essential part of daily life across Sri Lanka. Worn by people of all ages, younger generations tend to feel that it’s okay to wear them when you’re out and about, while elders may sometimes feel that flip flops are a sign of laziness coupled with choosing comfort over style. Either way, Island Lakpa is on a mission to redefine what a flip flop should be, from the eye-catching designs and fusion of colors, to a responsible and sustainable production process, the slapping sound between the sole of your foot and the floor has been given a new meaning.

Beginning with a blast from the past, flip flops have been reported to have originated as early as 4000 BC thanks to the inventive nature of the Ancient Egyptians. An example crafted from papyrus dating back to 1500 BC still exists on display today at the British

But of course, while the hues are inspired by our tropical island, Island Lakpa strives to maintain a sustainable business model; all flip flops are 100% recyclable. Many might disregard the design and manufacture of a flip flop as a simple process, but Island Lakpa goes the extra mile to ensure that their R & D is done right. For example, unlike many others in the market, Island Lakpa does not use polyethylene in their production process. Why? Polyethylene is known to cause discomfort when it comes into contact with human skin. This ensures long term comfort together with a unique fashion statement.

provides sustained socio-economic benefits to the country, Island Lakpa manufactures their products from 100% locally sourced rubber. This also makes their flip flops even more affordable as fashion truly is for everyone.

If you’re wondering about the individual behind the brand, it is Chandra Kannangara, a rubber technologist by profession.

After leaving his job as the manager of a multinational firm in Sri Lanka, he faced many hardships before finally achieving his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. In short, it is quite easy to say that Island Lakpa is a local brand, conceptualized within a local heart.

They are available at Spring & Summer and Daraz

You can also be rest assured that by wearing Island Lakpa flip flops, you will be in full support of our local rubber industries. As the natural rubber industry in Sri Lanka is one of the enduring colonial legacies that www.pulse.lk | PAGE 131

THE SILK BODY’S approach to all-natural skincare

Founded by Taneesha Wijegunawardene, The Silk Body is a brand that promotes chemical free and natural skincare. These 100% Sri Lankan made organic exfoliating products are formulated to hydrate, repair and radiate your skin. As you will read on to find out that the inspiration to promote such products was a rather personal affair, Taneesha personally manufactures all the products and packages them accordingly!

toxic chemicals. I strongly believe that the way forward to living healthy is by living an organically sustainable lifestyle.

What was the turning point for you to build your own skincare brand?

Having personally experienced the downside of severe acne, I was prescribed to a ton of antibiotics and face creams by several dermatologists. These products contained a lot of chemicals, which was only a temporary solution and took a toll on my skin. Therefore, in order to heal acne and the scars I had, I started looking for natural ingredients as an alternative to the products Tell us a bit about yourself I was given. After a year of My name is Taneesha Wijegunawardene and constant research and the search for quality I am the sole owner of The Silk Body. I am a ingredients I was finally able to formulate my past student of Ladies College and currently own concoctions and ended up successfully completing a degree in International Business. treating my skin condition. Sri Lanka is I had no intention of starting a beauty brand blessed with an abundant variety of potent of my own but having personally gone herbal plant-based ingredients, which can through a bad stage of acne in my early 20s, heal you both externally as well as internally.

I ended up healing my skin through my own It was this that inspired me to work on a research and formulations. It was then that I range of skincare products that didn’t contain wanted to start introducing natural skincare any chemicals. products, which do not contain any form of

As we are spoilt for choice when it comes to skincare, how do you stand out?

There are only a very few skincare brands that can proclaim themselves of being completely chemical free. The products available by The Silk Body are unique and could not be found from other skincare brands. For example, the range of body scrubs available is different in texture and has different attributes with each ingredient.

Tell us about your product range The Silk Body has a product range of body scrubs and clay facemasks for the moment.

The latest range introduced this year was the clay facemasks. Each ingredient combined are those that complement each other, and it took a year to formulate and find the right blend.

• Matcha Green Tea Clay Face Mask: an elixir of vibrant Matcha Green Tea energised with detoxifying natural Calcium Bentonite Clay to stimulate and soften your skin.

• Spearmint and Eucalyptus Clay Face Mask: A tingling cleanser of Spearmint fortified with Calcium Bentonite Clay, soothing eucalyptus to leave you feeling breezy and naturally hydrated.

• Sandalwood and Turmeric Clay Face Mask: Celestial sandalwood and healing Turmeric interlaced with mineral rich Calcium Bentonite Clay to gently restore the balance of natural oils leaving you exhilarated.

• Sugarcane and Moringa Clay Face Mask: Supercharged moringa, a touch of beetroot combined with antioxidant rich sugarcane that will leave your skin feeling nourished and wholesome.

Each body scrub available on the other hand is aimed at exfoliating in different ways; • Cocoa Body Scrub: infused with a vanilla bud essence and is antioxidant-rich, nourishing as well as hydrating helps you achieve healthy skin.

• Coconut Peppermint Body Scrub: a minty fresh moisturising scrub helps fight off any bacteria that causes breakouts.

• Coffee Body Scrub: infused with a sweet orange essence helps with dry skin.

• Lavender and Chamomile Body Scrub: the perfect blend to detoxify your skin through both exfoliating as well as aromatherapy.

• Citrus and Lemongrass Body Scrub: packed with a rich source of vitamin C it fight off free radicals and gives you a radiant glow.

How has public reception been so far?

The Silk Body started off through social media and has received a very positive welcome from its inception. The brand is only two years old and is retailed at 13 Stores Island-wide.

Did you encounter any challenges?

The main challenge I faced was to juggle between working at another company, studying for my degree and running my own business. There were a lot of sleepless nights but I overcome that challenge. Last year, I was able to make the conscious decision to quit my job and run The Silk Body full time.

What is next for The Silk Body?

Right now, I’m in the process of formulating new skincare products but it is still a work in progress and will take some time before it is introduced into the market. I am also currently working on a product, which isn’t related to skincare but complements the existing range. There’s always a surprise with The Silk Body and what it offers!

Sun Aqua Pasikuda PAGE 136 | www.pulse.lk

1. Tell us a little bit about the history of Sun Aqua Pasikudah The second brand under the Sun Siyam Resorts was launched in Sri Lanka’s north east coast, in Pasikudah Bay. Sun Aqua Pasikudah is a true showcase of the world renown Maldivian hospitality together with the Sri Lankan charm. In a country where there is so much of history and culture to explore, the Sri Lankan property sits in the heart of everything. Perched on the waterfront, the luxurious Sun Aqua Pasikudah makes the most of its sun-drenched setting with boutique-designed five-star suites, gourmet dining, a fully stocked cellar of Old and New World wines, and excursions through jungles, mountains and underwater terrains. A scenic journey from Colombo and the International Airport, this exclusive address is one of the island’s most serene coastal getaways.

2. Tell us about the rooms and facilities you offer Sun Aqua Pasikudah offers 34 suites, spacious accommodation with lounging open spaces and large ensuite partially open bathrooms.

Some of these suites comes with private plunge pools.

3. What dining options does Sun Aqua boast?

The boutique property offers a variety of dining options. Latitude is the main venue offering buffet meals and all day dining option. We also have The Cellar with the largest wine selection in the east coast, where

wine pairing dinners can be arranged. The cozy Saltwater Pub is located next to the main pool offering extensive beverage menu.

For those seeking an intimate dinner on the beach, the Medium Rare would be the perfect choice with a selection of specialty grill menu.

4. Tell us about Sun Aqua Weddings The venue is the perfect place for a destination wedding or a private affair. We offer customized wedding and events options to cater to the different client needs and budgets.

5. What kinds of excursions and activities do you offer?

Pasikudah sits in the heart of the local culture and heritage. Sri Lanka is a country that has so much to explore. The local fishing villages and towns are a must visit to soak in the sights and sounds of true Sri Lanka.

In close proximity to some of the protected UNESCO sites, we offer excursions to Sigiriya and Dambulla. The wild life is not too far and one can embark on a journey of discovery of elephant herds. Culinary adventure is at the heart of a Sun Aqua experience where we have guests visit local market, understand local cuisine and have cooking classes.

6. Tell us a little bit about your other properties Sun Siyam Resorts is a collection of hotel & resort brands born from the inspiration of Mr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed. Led by his passion for creating a difference in the Maldives

Dilanjith Fernando Manager - Sales & Marketing

Tourism Industry that redefine the luxury hospitality experience. Sun Siyam Resorts has an esteemed portfolio of boutique luxury resorts operating in the Maldives, including The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives, Sun Aqua Iru Veli Maldives and Sun Aqua Vilu Reef Maldives.

7. Why is Pasikuda a great place to explore?

Pasikudah sits on the unspoilt and undiscovered east coast. Privacy and seclusion on a luxury boutique property and be able to explore and experience the amazing Sri Lanka.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 137

The rumour mongers October is here, the rains are here, humidity is here, the election quandary is here and we are all here in confusion.

Things are hotting up with the mystery of final decisions of what hue must be painted across the island, what symbol signifies who, with the current argument over an umbrella and a bud with a swan thrown in the deep end being slapped across lobbies.

While all this excitement goes on, I have had a few bombs going off in my life too.

It must be said that I do not work for any political party, and my opinion of each of the contesting candidates is purely my own, as I am in no way under obligation to anyone, not having been bestowed with political favour of any kind at any time, It has been my belief, that as a civilian it was my duty to adhere to whatever was correct by any Government in power, and having sailed through quite a few Governments in my lifetime, and having closer ties with three, more than most civilians, I think I’m in a position to be firm with my own thoughts.

Rumors, in Sri Lanka have a powerful potency to pass down the ages, and with each tier of spreading, the story automatically growing in detail until it reaches the victim with brand new dimensions, so much so one wonders if it is even possible in hallucinatory terms.

How do I know this? I know it well because rumors keep me ticking alive and well in society, long after I have retired from the public that used to be.

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It is a good thing, when one looks at the funny side of life, when all of my compatriots have greyed and frayed, and slumped into comfy corners doing more productive things like watering their gardens in the pouring rain.

Rumors, it is aid, were concocted by faceless people, and at one time transmitted by the written word in anonymous letters or post cards. It was also spread by mouths at gatherings, with furtive glances in the direction of the victim. Rumors were whispered in hush undertones back in the day, by curious elders within the family circle, by the women at the communal bathing spot and by the men at the tavern.

In the city the stories took a louder tone and were shared around few glasses of the strong stuff and also in the living rooms where the ladies met for tea.

When there was a calamity in the country, rumors spread faster than wild fires causing panic and mayhem, and no persuasion by the authorities would stop people from uttering the “did you hear?”

“just ignore” because you have, skinned the mongers alive in your mind.

My mother used to tell me I should put my wicked thoughts in a bubble and “Phoo” blow it away. I believe I tried it, but it so happened the bubbles multiplied into lots of baby bubbles and my thoughts did likewise. The end result was not good at all.

I still have this issue with the bubbles and less tolerance for situations of this nature. The free access to social media is a dangerous medium to spread false stories, I am sad to say.

Dear Sri Lankans please curb yourselves from indulging in rumors about anyone, especially as we hold tight to our handles as a small contingent contest with one another for the Seat of Power as the Head of the Nation.

Spare them, their families and others who are not even in the fray of terrible tales.

Till next time then,

I wonder if you have ever been the subject of a rumor. I can assure you that it is one of the many unpleasant experiences that comes along life’s way. One can do very little about it apart from shaking one’s head in dismay or denial or both, for as long as one can muster patience and tolerance.

It does not help very much when wellmeaning friends and associated advise you to

By Angela Seneviratne

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 139

Asherah

Launch of

Shehan

CCRC

With a view to making Sri Lanka the best destination for tourists, restaurateurs in and around Colombo came together and formally launched the Colombo City Restaurant Collective at the Stables, Park Street Mews recently.

Danu

Gerald

PAGE 140 | www.pulse.lk

Anusha

Roshan

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 141

Minister John Amarathunge

Amande and Ruta

Melissa

Farah

Mahesh

Nadeem

Tanya

Gerard Mendis

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Hafsa

Anekha

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 143

Home. Is it just a place where you keep your belongings and sleep at night? To me, I didn’t entirely appreciate the concept of having a home until I didn’t have one anymore. I hadn’t ever stopped to recognise the value of having a place where you feel safe and that comforts you after the highs and lows of everyday without question… this to me is the true value of a home.

Building a home with someone you love is a privilege. It teaches you a lot about yourself and reveals just how far you are willing to go to accommodate a different person’s requirements into your own life.

When Uganda and I first met, I was living out of a suitcase on my best friend’s couch, trying to scrape together the money for a deposit on an apartment. He was blessed enough to be living on campus but was feeling regretful because of the exorbitant cost that his parents had to bear. So he was very interested in this lonely Sri Lankan girl trying to make it on her own. It started as an honest friendship, to be honest. He didn’t try anything funny, just politely inquired into how things were going and in college, all the international students spent a lot of time together- studying, eating, relaxing and planning the holidays, doing the best we could to celebrate in our own traditional way. We were all in the same situation- broke and hungry, with barely the necessary essentials collectively among ourselves. But we were happy because we were all together and it’s amazing the kind of joy that comes from being with friends.

Japan had a car I remember and he would help anyone that needed to get around- to go to the supermarket, for airport drops and pickups,

The

driver’s license exams and such. There were also 6 international boys that were renting a house together and they had a TV, so everyone would gather there to watch our favourite sports teams or to watch movies. Everyone would cook something so it was always an international potluck for dinner. It was mostly just the one meal a day. There was usually enough going on around campus where we could find something to sustain ourselves and the international coffee hour every Wednesday at 3pm done by the International Student Office to showcase food from different countries was always a highlight of the week!

Needing to find work was always at the back of our minds and I really learned how to be resourceful and run a good hustle in my twenties. From being a PA to the Professors and running their errands and helping with their academic and personal projects, to cleaning houses, doing people’s laundry, cat sitting, babysitting, making Sri Lankan short eats and selling them to making creative things that people required for parties and weddings, Uganda and I did it all. We were in it together, so there was a huge comfort in knowing someone was with you on the ride. I had been alone up until this point and I don’t think I would have taken as many chances as I did, if not for his support.

The opportunities are always there. It’s up to us to be brave enough to take it. When I moved into my first apartment, I didn’t have one stick of furniture. But it turned out that the University together with

Scarlet

Letters

IKEA were having a creative writing competition where the winner won $1000 worth of IKEA merchandise. I never thought I would have a shot in hell, but I really needed some furniture, so I entered, and won. Thrift stores, garage sales and keeping an ear to the ground when people, especially the Professors, had stuff they were trying to get rid of, helped me to pull together a really lovely apartment which soon became the base of operations for many international student meals and special projects.

The home Uganda and I built was certainly full of love but we were both very young when we met and while both of our intentions were to create a life worth living, we drifted apart and wanted to do different things as time moved on. We never stopped caring for each other but the feelings we had evolved and became more of respect than of romance. Still, to this day, Uganda is only a phone call away and our parting in New York City when I left the US for good is definitely a memory that I will never forget. It was a real genuine sadness knowing that we wouldn’t see each other again. That he wouldn’t be there to fix my broken things, to lift my heavy weights and to comfort me when

things didn’t go to plan. I owe him for showing me what it meant to have a home and what it meant to share it with someone that cared and respected the woman that I had become.

I think a big reason as to why the house I grew up in Sri Lanka never truly felt like my home because it didn’t have much of me in it. There was nothing there that I had chosen or that I had invested my energy in. In fact, the key memory I have of my childhood home is being forced to keep it clean. I was so young when I left the house that when I came back, I couldn’t feel a connection to it. An essential part of making a house a home is the memories and the joy that you build in that space. And while my home in Sri Lanka has always opened its doors to me, the scars of the trauma that have happened within its walls, haven’t yet healed. And they may never do, but it’s up to us, the next generation, to fill it with the sound of laughter and music so that it finally feels like home for those that come after us.

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Stretched

Thin Our Experience at

Barressential

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Try pilates they said. It will be fun they said.

Nothing prepared us for what was to come.

Barressential is a new and hip exercise studio in

According to Narendra, the philosophy of Barreessential is to provide a community as well as focusing on building strength, flexibility, and all the good things that come along with that (yes, weight loss is also part of it).

Apart from their wonderful facilities and amazing people, Barressential also boasts of being Sri Lanka’s only studio that offers reformer Pilates for fitness.

What exactly is all this?

For the uninitiated, barre and pilates can seem quite foreign, but in essence these are exercise routines that focus on building strength, especially in the core area. This is accomplished by incorporating slow and controlled movements. Barre exercises are heavily inspired by classical ballet while Pilates is a system that was developed with specific objectives like improving motion and recovery.

up a host of classes on barre exercises as well as both mat and reformer pilates. If you are looking for a few fun ways to get in shape, you need to pay them a visit.

What exactly is Barressential?

Launched in 2017, Barressential is Sri Lanka’s first barre and Pilates boutique fitness centre. Founded by investment banker turned barre and Pilates instructor Narendra Bandaranayake, Barressential offers up a whole new fitness experience that will leave you wanting more even though the class itself is pure, absolute torture.

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Our Experience

You HAVE to try this out

The other day I had the pleasure of paying a visit to one of their classes and I was honestly excited. From the moment I walked into the studio, I was in love! The ambience was calming yet sophisticated; talking to Narendra and Naamini was a treat; and it felt more like a spa than a conventional gym.

If you are looking to get fit and want to try out something new or if you just want to challenge yourself, you have to pay a visit to Barressential. It’s recommended that you attend 3 to 4 classes a week and I’m sure you will start seeing results.

I was expecting a relaxed workout, but boy, was I wrong! From the very first moment where we started with the stretching, the workout was INTENSE. From barre exercises to mat pilates and later reformer pilates; even the more able-bodied members of our group found it challenging. The movements themselves were quite simple and not at all hard to do, but the fact that the exercise consisted of many repetitions with minimal breaks made it one of the hardest I've done in my entire life!

It was glorious!

I was expecting to be so sore that I would not be able to get out of bed the next day but there I was, only slightly sore and feeling quite good about it. Even though the workout itself was quite intense it was still doable, and according to Narendra, anyone will be able to see results in about 30 days.

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Whether you’re a novice to exercising like me, with literally no flexibility at all or someone who has been doing this for years; Barreessential will be approachable and one of the most challenging things that you will ever do. If you ever walk into their studio on Thimbirigasyaya road, your life will be changed.

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RACE THE PEARL 2019 Race the Pearl, an initiative by Spinner in partnership with Jetwing Adventures was a 24-hour bike challenge held on behalf of the Wheels for Wheels Foundation, which works in partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation to donate wheelchairs to those in need. The annual event took place on the 13th of September to achieve its long term goal of providing 10,000 wheelchairs.

A scenic ride through the breath-taking coastal belt of Sri Lanka, passing historical ruins through lush jungle terrains from Point Dondra to Point Pedro completed the annual ride. This ultra-endurance cycling challenge was taken on by individuals - youngest being 17 - and team cyclists for three key reasons.

First and foremost, to place Sri Lanka on the map of ultra-endurance cycling events as a recognised cycling event in the region similar to events such as Ironman. Secondly, to inspire Sri Lankans living in all corners of the islands to be active and competitive and finally to raise money in order to donate

wheelchairs for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy.

The race which commenced from Dondra Head, was concluded in the northernmost point of Sri Lanka - at Point Pedro, curating a one-of-a-kind experience for all those who took part in it. Point Dondra, cocooned in a town overflowing with Buddhist culture gave the green light to the event which came to a stop in Jaffna, a land rich in Hindu culture where Point Pedro is situated. As such, amalgamated everything the country encompasses into a 24-hour excursion experience.

This year’s challenge saw its first-ever female participant take on the journey along with 29 other cyclists and ground-breaking records were set in its 2019 edition; the 24 hour record-breaker, Francois Comptdaer came in with a final timing of 23:49:20 while the 48 hour winner, Praveen Piyadasa recorded a final timing of 36:10:45. The team relay

winner, Sithira Gamwarige and Team locked in a final timing of 25:27:20.

Jetwing Hotels situated along the route opened up its doors to the riders in true Sri Lankan hospitality, displaying all that the country has to offer. The riders who were prepared at Underneath the Mango Tree

by Jetwing made their way inland towards Wellawaya for their first pit stop at the agro-luxury resort - Jetwing Kaduruketha.

On its closing night, the riders were hosted to a night of cocktails and good spirits at North Gate Jaffna. Honda Motorcycles made available its stations to all cyclists whilst Redbull, Capital Alliance and WrooM Cycling Club too came on board to support this exhilarating adventure.

A ride of a lifetime, Race the Pearl is set to take place in 2020 on the 2nd of October.

The event which has garnered worldwide attention is expecting an international turnout and is geared to deliver a bigger and better challenge.

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Amari

Galle Colours

and Rhythms Amari Galle Sri Lanka held an exclusive night of ‘Colours & Rhythms’ on the 29th of August.

The event unfolded amidst the backdrop of their stunning property.

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The Realist’s

Guide to the

Best Medicine A little while ago, I become rather unwell.

Not just a cold and cough kind of unwell, but proper, had to go to the hospital and spend a few nights there type of unwell. I couldn’t take my kids with me. Those nights in the hospital were the first consecutive nights that I had ever spent without my children, and my first nights completely alone, in nearly ten years.

The experience was just plain horrible. My poor husband tried to convince me that I needed to use the time to rest and recover, but instead I basically spent it worrying, missing my children and second guessing his every move.

My heart broke when the kids came to see me. Despite our best effort to be reassuring, the anxious, ‘trying to be brave’ expressions on their faces were awful to see. Their hugs were so cautious, as though they might break me if they squeezed too hard.

Once I got back home, my enforced bed rest turned our bedroom into mission headquarters, the kids took over and the bed was strewn with everything they owned as they came into our room for play, homework, stories, TV and even batting practice (don’t ask). Their room, normally a disaster zone through which only the brave will wade, ankle deep in treacherous soft toys, Funko bobble heads, colouring books, Lego and Barbies, was now pristine and silent.

One evening my husband flopped onto the bed, and with a sigh observed that if his stress load increased any further he would need to see a Psychiatrist. Our eldest daughter pounced on the new word and asked what it meant. We told her a Psychiatrist was a doctor

who helped people with their feelings and thoughts.

I told her that I was tired and that I don’t know what to make for dinner. That I would give a lot for someone to make me dinner every day, so that I would have space in my head for all the great thoughts I was sure I would have if I didn’t have to think about dinner. I told her that she and her brother had too much homework between them, and that I was fed up of not having a printer at home with which to print out all the pictures they seemed to require.

She took notes with a very serious expression on her face and then told me she would write me a prescription. I thanked her and headed off to find my husband, and convince him that it was definitely a night for Uber Eats.

While I was tucking our daughter in later that night she whispered “My prescription is in your bag”. I promised her I would look at it.

Her notes were as follows:

Fast forward to a few weeks later, and I was up and about doing my usual imitation of a purposeful, albeit rather headless, chicken.

I must have looked slightly less than perky though because when I sat down to take a break my daughter came and arranged herself next to me. She had a notebook, a pencil and an alert look. She cleared her throat and requested politely that I tell her my problems. I gave her some mild side eye and asked who she was supposed to be. “I am your feelings doctor” she replied, and then said, pronouncing it very carefully, “Your sighcry-trist”.

Mama is my patient and she is very tired.

She doesn’t like making dinner. She wishes we had a colour printer because of our homework. My solutions for mama - shoulder massages, hugs and kisses from her daughter.

She can have as many as she likes till she feels better.

I still carry that note around with me. I don’t think I will ever throw it away. Because she had it right – when it comes to the best medicine, there is really nothing a hug from your child can’t cure.

Opening of

Brew 1867

Brew 1867 by Dilmah is now serving hot cuppas at Flower Road.

PAGE 154 | www.pulse.lk

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 155

Standard Chartered Priority Golf Tournament The 5th consecutive Standard Chartered Priority Golf Tournament was concluded recently at the Shangri-La’s Hambantota, Golf Resort & Spa. With 19 unique winners in different categories, Mahela Jayewardena won the Men’s Low gross and Manori Jayakody emerged victorious in the Women’s Low gross.

Ashley Herat - Winner Category C with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

Ruvini Desinghe - Winner Longest Drive Female with Bingumal Thewarathanthri

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

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

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