Pulse Magazine Issue 04

ISSUE 004 | MAY/JUNE 2018 RS. 400/- UK £6.00 US $15.00

Joyce & Aelian

PAGE 6 | www.pulse.lk

let the adventure begin SPECIAL EDITION WATER-RESITANT UP TO 500 METERS HELIUM RELEASE VALVE AUTOMATIC

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

Tel: 00 94 115 882 662

EDITORIAL: Mayanthi Hatharasinghe (Events) Sachitha Kalingamudali (Digital) Aazam Ameen (Content Provider)

GUEST WRITERS: Aanisha Cuttilan Aazam Ameen Christalin Casinader Erangie Kulatilake Ganga Ratnayake Malinda Seneviratne Nivendra Uduman Ramesh Liyanage Saruchi Dissanayake Sharleen Suwaris Shayana Ameresekere Sherwani Synon Sulochana Perera Thushii Liyanage Vandana Hiranand

On our cover this issue are power couple Aelian and Joyce Gunawardene who invited us into their beautiful home to talk about their lives, loves and motivations, and how they strike a balance in their busy lives. They share candid stories about their life experiences and dispense practical advice

LAYOUT: Indika Anuradha (Design Consultant) Ian Mark Subramaniam

SALES & MARKETING: Binoth Geeganage binoth@mangopublishers.lk Thouseef Hashim thouseef@mangopublishers.lk

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY:

for young people starting out on similar career paths.

This issue also has some great advice on understanding your cravings, sleeping better, and cutting back on your household expenses.

The next few months will see the departure of many Sri

Nadun Baduge

Lankan students who have secured places at Universities

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

overseas; we have featured a few tips to help the aspiring

Aruna Udaya Alwis Avishka Senaratne Kasun Deegodagamage Madhushan Indika De Silva Ravindra Laksiru Sassanda Liyanarachchi

SPECIAL THANKS: Janeeth Rodrigo Eric Wijeratne

graduates adjust to this new chapter of their lives.

Our arts features include a touching tribute to the late Sir Lester James Peiris from Iranganie Serasinghe as well as interviews with the evergreen Derek Wikremanayake and the much raved about band Magic Box Mixup.

PRINTERS:

We’ve been getting encouraging feedback about Pulse

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.

and we’re excited to see our magazines flying off the shelves. To get a fresh copy hot off the press delivered to your doorstep, do fill in and submit the subscription form included in this magazine.

We’ll soon be halfway through 2018: it’s time to take stock of your New Year resolutions and go over your To Do list for

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

PAGE 10 | www.pulse.lk

the year. Good luck!

Enjoy!

.................................................................................

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 11

in this edition of Travel

Entertainment

143 Page

112

The Sensation That is

Magic Box Mixup

Page

Nutrition

?

Kite Surfing in Kalpitiya

Beauty

What Do Your Food Cravings Really Mean?

Lifestyle

84 Page

PAGE 12 | www.pulse.lk

44 Page

56 Page

It’s Time to Minimize Those

10 Habits Every Sri Lankan Needs to Know to

Pores

Sleep Better

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 13

FITNESS

It’s 2018, and young and old people alike are now focused on fitness more than ever before! More and more people have begun to realize the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. If getting fit was your New Year’s resolution and you’ve managed to stick to it all this time, then congratulations! However, many myths about fitness still do exist, and it’s important to know what is really true.

As such, we have compiled a list of the biggest fitness myths and the facts behind them.

PAGE 14 | www.pulse.lk

1

2

Myth: Countless crunches will get you those flat abs The fact is, simply doing tons of crunches won’t get rid of belly fat. Although crunches do tone your abdominal muscles, these strengthened muscles won’t show unless you lose that belly fat, through resistance exercise, cardio, and proper nutrition.

Myth: More gym time is always better

Fact: It is more important to ensure that you receive the right amount of rest days for your body to recover, especially after a particularly difficult workout. Working out every single day will not necessarily make you any fitter – it can be detrimental towards your health.

Don’t forget to mix it up, and take regular breaks.

4

Fact: Each person has a different metabolic system, which means some of us sweat more than others. However, this does not mean that those who sweat less aren’t burning any fat.

Depending upon the focus of your workout, this will differ. As such, try not to place too much importance on this, and concentrate on the actual results.

5 3

Myth: No pain, no gain

Although people do experience a certain level of pain the next day after an intense session, it is important that you do not experience any pain during your session. An exercise should not particularly hurt while you are doing it, unless you have a previous injury causing this pain.

Myth: If you don’t sweat while exercising, your workout is pointless

6

Myth: Mornings are best

7

Myth: You can work off what you eat

8

Myth: You need to drink at least eight glasses of water everyday

Fact: While a morning workout is a great way to start your day, what’s more important is that you pick a time that fits in to your daily routine and allows you to exercise more consistently.

Truth: Exercise is no magic pill for weight loss. Losing weight hinges a lot more on sticking to better dietary habits than on exercise alone. Exercise contributes to an active lifestyle, helps to tone your body and is great for your mental health.

Hydration is vital when it comes to the human body. Nevertheless, every individual has different hydration needs, so it’s good to find out what works for you. It is important to drink enough water to stay healthy, yet not too much either!

Myth: Yoga burns as many calories as working out

Yoga is a highly useful activity which improves your strength and flexibility drastically.

However, if you are looking for a way to lose weight, yoga certainly isn’t it! A 50 minute yoga session burns less than half the calories you would lose from a fast-paced routine.

Well, there you have it! Some of these myths are still believed by a majority of people, and it might be affecting the quality of your fitness lifestyle. Our advice is to read up on what you think you’re doing wrong, and make slow changes for the better. www.pulse.lk | PAGE 15

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www.pulse.lk | PAGE 17

Tarja

Dinesh

Arthur

Asanka

Kumar

Noa

Ministry of Crab Celebration of Asia’s 50 Best

Restaurants

The success of Sri Lanka’s popular restaurants Ministry of Crab & Nihonbashi was recently celebrated as they made it to the ‘Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list once more!

Suzy

Natasha

PAGE 18 | www.pulse.lk

Sanka

Kamini

Alanki

Karen

Himali

Christina

Yehali

Kumar

Chethiya

Dinesh

Suzy

Dharshan

Shalin

Oshadhini

Sahan

Sagala

Jessica

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 19

Tash

Mini

Anusha

PAGE 20 | www.pulse.lk

Suranthi

Rohan

Kinita

Leesha

Harpo

Chani

Nick

Kamran

Prithiva

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Call us on +94 11 4728732 to find out available retailers island wide.

The Three

Collins

The fruitiest months of the year are here, and I am giving you a recipe that can be adapted according to the fruit you find in your market. The cocktail can be made with any kind of fruit, only the sweet - sour balance must be kept in mind. Sweeter fruits will call for a bit less sugar, more sour fruits for a bit less lime.

Ingredients

To make the cocktail:

• 50 ml gin

• Put the fruit of your choice in the cocktail glass and muddle the pieces

• 25 ml lime • 20 ml sugar syrup

• Add the gin, lime and sugar syrup

• Soda water

• Shake and pour through a small tea sieve into the glass

• A fruit of your choice such as Orange, Pineapple, Strawberry, Kiwi or a mix of fruits

• Top off with soda water

Adventures of a Mixologist When I got up this morning, I realized that my favourite time of the year has arrived: fruit season! Markets will be overloaded again with colourful fruits and seriously, they are so much better tasting than in Europe! Sri Lankan fruits are just so full of flavours and so much more juicy. I may have fallen in love with the beauty of the island, but it’s for the fruit that I am staying.

July and August are the best months for mangoes, passion fruit, durian, sapodilla, star fruit,.. But my personal favourites are by far mangosteen and rambutan. The abundance of fruit in these months is a dream for a mixologist. The variety of flavours offers an endless stream of inspiration for new cocktail recipes. Or that is what I would think.

Strangely enough I don’t see this reflected in the cocktail bars. The trend in the hospitality industry all around the world is to work with seasonal ingredients. If an ingredient is in season, it’s not only cheaper, it is also tastier. Sri Lankan chefs tend to work with seasonal products, but most bartenders certainly don’t.

I see cocktails with mangoes, pineapple, strawberry or lychee on the menu, all year round. And worst of all, often the fruits are not fresh but commercial purees, syrups or cans.

Not using the local fruit treasures, is a missed opportunity for the Sri Lankan cocktail lovers and creators in my opinion. It’s almost like you would ignore Sri Lankan tea or sapphires, and start selling salad or grains of sand.

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

Location The Steuart, Colombo

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Kamil

Danu

Romesh

Yolan

Harshani

Himali

Sriyani

Numesh

Delani

Nilusha

PAGE 24 | www.pulse.lk

Christina

Bathiya

Nayana

Brian

Harshini

Soraya

LAUNCHof

UPTOWN LOYALTY CARD

Uptown Liberty Plaza, one of Colombo’s favourite shopping centres, recently launched its new loyalty card program. The event was graced by many known faces and featured a fashion show as well.

Tanya

Charmaine

Ramani

Ajith

Sujeewa

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 25

Ramani

Shaestha

Victoria

Shaestha

Anitra

Channel

Ceylove Book Launch Inspired by the splendour of Sri Lankan spices, CEYLOVE: From Sri Lanka with Spice, by Jessica Heath, includes 97 recipes using whole spices to impart extraordinary flavour to food in a pure and all-natural way!

Dharshan

Brian

PAGE 26 | www.pulse.lk

Jessica

Jessica

Yashodara

Ruki

Prithiva

Jackie

Dharshan

Brian

Rick Jessica

Raahya

Menaka

Rebecca

Anitra

Deepak

Nithesh

Rick

Tarja

Jessica

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 27

Natasha, Nilusha and friend

Dulanjalee, Thouseef, Danesh and friend

Relaunch of

Floor by O! An old favourite among Colombo crowds, Floor by O!, held their much anticipated relaunch recently. Guests included many loyal customers as well as invitees.

Susaan

PAGE 28 | www.pulse.lk

Isaac

Nisthar

Crew from Carsons

Hypnotik Aelian

Joyce

Performs at L.A.B

Hypnotik is a force of diverse and multi-talented performers from around the globe! From May 17th onward, the L.A.B at the Hilton Colombo will transform into one big party venue as they take centre stage and please crowds.

Zarina

Sujee

Sujee

Kings Daphne

Kings

Duleep

Amali PAGE 30 | www.pulse.lk

Easwaran

Danielle

Nimal

Thoshan

Sandamani, Sharon and Thinuk

Amalie and Samathi

Nishantha

Jessica and Yasanthi

Nimal

Madura

Marketed by A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd, 62, Jethawana Road, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka.

Call us on +94 11 4728732 to find out available retailers island wide.

Anusha

Shirendra

Jananath

Tari

Gerald

Ruvini

Joyce

Aelian

Asanthi

Indrajith

THE Santhush

Shamrin

Jana

ONE LAUNCH The ‘One Sri Lanka‘ hospitality and residential towers was officially launched recently. The 500 million project encompasses a mall, commercial office complex, two luxury hotels and 638 apartments.

Amit

Stephanie

PAGE 32 | www.pulse.lk

Dhammika

Angelo

Alex

Shehani

Darshana

Jaideep

Sam

Steven

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 33

The Magic of

Mixology Din Hassan with

PAGE 34 | www.pulse.lk

When we first met Ce La Vi Singapore’s Head Mixologist, Din Hassan, he was busy behind the counter, topping a cocktail glass with a fluffy blob of cotton candy in the midst of preparing the mystifying ‘Celavi Cosmopolitan’.

Pouring a special concoction into the glass with refined dexterity, he allowed the luscious cotton candy to gradually soak in, creating a vivid pink hued cocktail complemented with rich texture and pleasing aroma.

While briskly mixing a potpourri of ingredients for another interesting cocktail fusion, Din cheerfully recounted his story, underscoring his strong passion for making people relish the joy and magic of mixology.

As a Mixologist with nearly 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Din Hassan has reached the zenith of his career. He is a connoisseur of cocktails, a versatile mentor, trainer for aspiring youth, and a veteran judge across a number of countries. Being a bubbly and highly ambitious 18 year old, Din started his career as a Barback in 1992, and quickly ascended the career ladder to become a bartender. Serving in Singapore’s hottest and most happening night clubs and bars, Din has served many roles as a bar supervisor, Operations and Training Manager and escalating to the position of a globally recognized Mixologist.

What inspired you to join this industry?

I was only 18 years old when I first started working as a Barback in 1992 at Holiday Inn Crown Plaza. I was lucky to learn everything from scratch. Discipline was one of the most important traits we learnt at the outset.

Gaining experience over the years, I quickly reached the position of bartender. I’ve worked at various bars, including an Irish bar where I not only gained knowledge, but also learned valuable things like hospitality and food. This inspired me further to start up a bar in Muhammed Sultan.

Can you tell us about your experience and exposure in overseas?

While serving as the Business Development Manager, and thereafter as the Operations and Training Manager, I began to miss working behind the bar and engaging in my most favourite activity, mixing cocktails.

So I had a chat with the CEO of Ce La Vi,

and informed him of my passion to travel, to judge competitions, as well as to create localized flavours since mixing cocktails is my forte. And that’s what brought me here to Ce La Vi Colombo. I have initiated bars in several countries including Cambodia, Jakarta (Indonesia) and Philippines in addition to judging various Cocktail Competitions mainly in Asia, Italy as well as in London.

Is this is this your first time in Sri Lanka? Do you plan to visit Sri Lanka more often?

Yes, this is my first time. And it’s good to be here. I do training for the local staff who will be working at the upcoming Ce La Vi Colombo. And they are very, very keen to learn. I certainly would like to visit Sri Lanka in future. We are going to launch another Ce La Vi in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia as well. So I can look forward to visiting Colombo as well in due course.

and cucumber to name a few. As for spirits I use Gin, Sake or Vodka, depending on the cocktail prepared. Special ingredients like chocolate wafers and the sweet delicacy that everyone loves - cotton candy are also incorporated to bring out unique and rich flavours.

Do you have a cocktail that you’re most proud of?

Yes, and I call it the ‘Retro Sling’. It’s a cocktail I’ve created for a 100 years Anniversary celebration. It’s made with Gin, spiced with Tabasco sauce, and garnished with cherries and a chocolate wafer topping the glass.

We make mixing a cocktail more fun for the customers, and give them something to drink as well as to eat. At Ce La Vi – savouring a cocktail will never be the same.

What kind of experience can guests expect at the upcoming Ce La Vi Colombo?

Our Menus will add a tinge of surprising flavours, where one might see a very complex preparation as very simple and vice versa. Instead of simply mixing and serving, we encourage our staff to have more interaction with our customers, and serve them an unforgettable experience. ‘Ce La Vi Cosmopolitan’ cocktail is one such example, infused with an assortment of pleasant surprises. Ce La Vi Colombo will definitely offer a sensational vibe and one of a kind experience to the city’s cocktail aficionados.

What are your thoughts on localizing a cocktail menu?

Ingredients differ from country to country.

To make certain cocktails you need specific ingredients. However, not all ingredients are available in other countries. And this makes us turn to innovation and creativity, and come up with new fusions with ingredients that can be found locally. Creative fusions with local ingredients not only localize the cocktail menu, but also presents our customers with a unique and nostalgic flavour to look forward to.

Can you name some of the ingredients used in the new menu?

Yes, I use a number of local ingredients like herbs and spices, especially lime, lemongrass, www.pulse.lk | PAGE 35

Ramali

Shyamalee

Rishini

Russel

Jacqui

Gehan

Shayana

Anusha

Merchants

the secret speakeasy’s

1920’s party Sasha

Anarkali

Dawn

Minoli

PAGE 36 | www.pulse.lk

Gehan

Nooni

Dinesh

Colombo's only speakeasy, Ballie Street Merchants, recently held a 1920's themed annual soiree. At Merchants, which is hidden down a small street in the Fort area, they have successfully created an atmosphere of intrigue and secrecy which is vital to a successful speakeasy as are great cocktails and exceptional food, both which they have perfected. Enter through a coffee & tea Merchants, punch in a secret code that opens the door to a beautifully designed restaurant and bar and knock back some of Colombo's finest cocktails paired with some of Colombo's finest food. If you're lucky enough to be in the know or if you stumble across its nondescript doors (we don't want to spoil it for anyone who still hasn't made the pilgrimage) let the good times roll ...

Nilkamal

Anarkali

Krys

Anusha

Rishini

Ranmali

Discover a world of piquant Indian cuisine at Hilton Colombo’s finest multi-faceted restaurant.

GRAZE KITCHEN offers a selection of authentic Indian cuisine prepared

by Chef Chandan and his team of experts.

From rotis to tandoori, biriyani, curries and homemade condiments, this Indian pod offers it’s discerning diners an exotic meal.

Among an array of cuisines offered at Graze Kitchen are; Sri Lankan, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Western, Vietnamese, Turkish and Thai specialties.

Open for Breakfast I Lunch I Dinner

For reservations, please call +94 11 2492 492 / 2544 644 For more information, visit www.hiltoncolombo1.com / HiltonColombo / hiltoncolombo 2 Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha | Colombo 2 | Sri Lanka T: +94 11 2492 492 / +94 11 2544 644 | F: +94 11 254 4657 | E: colombo@hilton.com

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 37

Cono Sur Wine Tasting at

Botanik

The Brand Ambassador of Cono Sur premium wines, Paula Pinilla, recently hosted a series of events in Colombo, including the event at Botanik featured here.

Anuradha

Nadi

PAGE 38 | www.pulse.lk

Kusal

Roshan

Mahes

Dhayangani

Shamini

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 39

Rienze

Prathiba, Azhar, Kavindu and Ashen

Janaka

Krishanthi

Madhu

Dr. Arosha

Nemantha

Roshine

Yudy

Prasanna, Chandana, Kanishka and Kusal

PAGE 40 | www.pulse.lk

WINNING JUST

GOT CLOSER WE OPEN THE

WORLD TO YOU BELLAGIO CASINO

BALLY’S CASINO

430, R. A. DE MEL MAWATHA, COLOMBO 03. +94 11 257 5271

34, D. R. WIJEWARDENA MAWATHA, COLOMBO 10. +94 11 233 1150 / 233 2211 / 555 6555

www.bellagiocolombo.com

www.ballyscolombo.com

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 41

Haresh, Gobind and Prathiba

Chandana

Prasanna

Prasadh

Anjali

Ranjith

Laila

Tharaka

PAGE 42 | www.pulse.lk

Devila and Indhira

Dr. Denzil

Sudharshi

Howard

Marketed by A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd, 62, Jethawana Road, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka.

Call us on +94 11 4728732 to find out available retailers island wide.

What Do Your Food Cravings Really Mean?

While cravings can mean a number of things including psychological reasons, a strong craving usually indicates your body is low in a specific nutrient, vitamin or mineral.

By Shayana Ameresekere MHumNutr (Aus) RNutr (Aus) Nutritionist - Nawaloka Premier Wellness Centre. A specialist in obesity management, gastritis, sports and paediatric nutrition, Shayana is a member of the Australian Society for Medical Research, Nutrition Australia and the Nutrition Society of Australia.

Follow her on Instagram @shayana.ameresekere PAGE 44 | www.pulse.lk

The craving is an indication that the body wants to make sure it gets what it needs. This is different to hunger. Hunger is essentially controlled by the stomach and is all about your survival mechanism, where as a craving is mainly controlled by the brain which is trying to communicate with you about your body’s need.

The difficult part about dealing with cravings is that we have so much processed, unnatural food at our disposal that we often get confused about what our bodies are actually asking for. This is where over eating and unhealthy habits are established.

The foods you crave may not contain the actual nutrient you need and often the person eats unhealthy empty calories in place of nutrient-dense whole-foods.

Having some knowledge of what our cravings may mean, could help us to reduce unhealthy habits and poor food choices.

Overeating can also be attributed to stress, low serotonin and dopamine levels, depression, boredom and more.

So What’s the Deal with Cravings?

There have been a number of studies that have shown sugar can affect the same brain regions as drugs and alcohol and be just at addictive. People may experience a momentary mood improvement from sugar (sugar high) that will then be followed by a serious drop in mood and well-being; this is where individuals tend to reach for that sugary snack again. This pattern will set them up for an addictive cycle.

Food or sugar addiction often goes unnoticed because the food choices change although the essential components remain the same.

Let’s take for example, a person who has a processed white flour and sugar-based cereal for breakfast; mid-morning they eat a few biscuits or a muffin, then for lunch a white bread sandwich, pasta or noodles. For afternoon tea, they crave a sweet for a quick ‘pick-me-up’, then it’s time for dinner and they’re off to grab something quick like a hamburger or slice of pizza.

White flour and sugar have made up the majority of this person’s food intake, with some bad fats. This person will often have strong cravings for refined carbohydrates and sugar on a daily basis and may not even realise this because it’s so natural to them.

What you eat regularly will also be closer to what your body will tend to crave. When a patient tells me that they never crave vegetables but they often crave sugar and salt, this person often doesn’t want them because their body, to some degree, has forgotten that they need vegetables. You can’t really crave something that you eat rarely. So committing yourself to a ‘food reboot’ will engage and remind the body what it actually wants and needs.

The danger with unhealthy food cravings is it can stimulate binge eating in some individuals and this can be a serious health concern as it may contribute to obesity and poor health.

So here is a basic guideline as to what your body may actually need when you are cravings certain foods.

What your food cravings mean

Salt

Chocolate

Always craving something salty? This can be aggravated from stress hormone fluctuations and low levels of electrolytes. B-vitamin rich foods are important during periods of stress.

Consume foods such as nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Similar to sugar cravings, salt cravings can result from under hydration.

A need for excessive chocolate may indicate the need for some of the following; magnesium, chromium, B-vitamins and/ or essential fatty acids. Chocolate is high in magnesium so it is best to reach for the 100% cocoa in smoothies or eat a small piece of the darkest chocolate you can find. Chocolate is also metabolised to serotonin, a mood boosting hormone, so cravings can also be related to an emotional need. Besides healthy cocoa or dark chocolate, reach for a loved one, friend, pet or any activity that makes you feel good.

Carbohydrates Craving processed flours may indicate insulin resistance, hypoglycaemia (blood sugar fluctuations), chromium deficiency or fatigue.

This is separate to sweet cravings and often it can go unnoticed. Such people often crave crackers, savoury biscuits, noodles, white breads, chips, etc. Including more fibre in your diet for better blood sugar control and eating more chromium and magnesium rich fruits and vegetables such as bananas, apples, apricots, capsicum, spinach, beetroot, avocado, broccoli, celery, chard, carrot and parsnip will help overcome this craving.

Sugar Oh, sugar. The most addictive substance of them all. A craving for sugar may indicate blood sugar imbalances and deficiencies of minerals such as chromium and magnesium.

Giving in to biscuits, cakes, lollies, soft drinks or other refined sweets will only make the problem worse and cause a blood sugar roller coaster that leads to more cravings. Instead, choose a piece of fruit when you’re craving sweets. Sugar cravings are also more common when you are dehydrated and may signal a need for more water.

Fried Foods Craving fried foods and other oily foods can indicate a simple essential fatty acid deficiency; eating more good quality fats will help solve this issue. Consume avocados, chia seeds, whole eggs, fatty fish such as salmon, coconuts/coconut oil. A craving for cheese can also indicate an essential fatty acid deficiency.

Pica Cravings for non-food items such as ice, clay, dirt and chalk can often mean an iron deficiency or mineral deficiency in general.

For this, consume plenty of dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds as a preventative. This type of craving is more frequently seen in children and during periods of greater nutritional need such as pregnancy.

So the next time you have a craving for something sweet, ask yourself “is it just sugar I am craving? Will I be satisfied by sucking on a sugar cube or is it something more specific?

Perhaps chocolate?” If the answer is indeed chocolate, it is your body’s way of letting you know you may be deficient in Magnesium.

Knowing this, you can find all the foods that have high content of this nutrient and by slowly adding them to your diet, you can get rid of recurring cravings for good!

PAGE 46 | www.pulse.lk

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 47

Trudy

Raaya

Ashwini

Shanil

Kshamani

Sachin

Contempo: Forever in Song The Past Pupils’ Choir of St. Bridget’s Convent, Contempo held a brilliant Choral Concert ‘Forever in Song’ this April at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

Shanindra

Maheeka

PAGE 48 | www.pulse.lk

Jehani

Devanjanie

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 49

Dhananjaya

Sachindi

Ruwanthi and Ranmali

Rukshika

PAGE 50 | www.pulse.lk

Devanjanie

Mokshini

Rangika and friend

Nuwan

Ranithri

Mr. Nimal Thilekeratne Director/CEO

Sinthuja, Thamara, Nilani, Ivanthi, Deepa

Stephanie

Dushyanth

Winner of Best Branch Award

Winner of Best Retail Banking Unit Award

Winner of Best Area Office Award

Pan Asia Bank

Trailblazers

2018

In a night filled with glitter and glamour, Pan Asia Bank recently held its Trailblazers 2018 Awards ceremony to recognize and reward outstanding performers in the bank.

Upali, Lalith, Richie, Pradeep, Naleen, Nayantha, Umakanthan, Nalaka and Varuni

Richie

Prakash

PAGE 52 | www.pulse.lk

Winners of Trailblazers 2018

The one about

scaling back

We’ve just seen gas prices and fuel prices go up and the knock on effect of that should hit pretty much all of our everyday expenses. The cost of living is a constant complaint and it’s unlikely that much relief is coming any time soon, so we’ve looked at some little things you can do to cut your living expenses, at least a wee bit. And remember, frugality doesn’t make you a cheapskate; instead it just makes you a smarter spender who ultimately has enough money left to enjoy life!

PAGE 54 | www.pulse.lk

Make a budget Have a clear idea about your budget – know exactly what your family’s weekly, monthly and yearly commitments are including school and tuition fees, utility and insurance payments, membership fees and gym subscriptions etc. Don’t forget to factor in some emergency funds for illness or home repairs, sudden travel or even some extra entertainment. Try also to budget towards investing some of the money you earn. This way, you will have a fixed budget in mind for your weekly or monthly food and groceries.

Plan meals and take inventory Plan your weekly meals and shop accordingly, so that you buy what you actually need and not what you may need. At least once a month, take an inventory of what you have stored in your pantry, fridge and freezer. This helps you to plan around items that you may have forgotten, and also to keep track of expiry dates so that you minimize wastage.

Cook in bulk Consider the freezer your friend and cook multiple portions, so that you freeze some meals for another day. This allows you to manage your gas/electricity bills, and is a good way to cook with ingredients that are on seasonal low prices. Many recipes now indicate how long you can freeze them upto (and also at which stage of cooking you can freeze each dish)

Cook at home Finding budget-friendly places to eat out in Colombo is becoming more and more difficult, and you may see an immediate saving if you reduce the number of times you go out for meals. Similarly, try to pack home cooked meals as often as possible to school and work to stay cost-effective, and healthy.

And when you do go out, you may want to skip on the expensive bottle of wine and opt instead for a glass of the house wine (or water!).

Cut down snacks, sweets and drinks Examine your grocery bills – you may be shocked to find how much you spend on often-unhealthy snacks, desserts and sweetened drinks. Cutting down on these is not just great on your wallet but also good for your family’s health. Switch to healthier alternatives like fruit, yoghurt, savoury crackers, home-made juice and water. By all means treat yourself to something nice but less frequently.

Save gas, energy, fuel There are plenty of great, practical tips online about saving these pricey resources..

For instance, you can cut your fuel bill by considering carpooling, clubbing errands together so that you do fewer trips, and resorting to online payments and shopping where available. Similarly, opt for cooking methods such as quick stir fries, steaming and no-cook salads to reduce gas usage.

Make the switch to energy efficient lighting, inculcate the ‘switching off’ habit when leaving rooms, and take stock of the lighting you really need at night.

Entertain on a budget Think about entertaining people over brunch or lunch instead of dinner – you’ll find that dinner usually involves more expensive ingredients, a fancier spread and alcohol. And get your friends on board for bring-a-dish parties that are great on everyone’s pockets and are a fun way to throw an impromptu get together.

Cut back on the kids’ expenses While everyone wants to give the best to their kids, it’s important to remind ourselves that our definition of the best maybe vastly different to theirs. Look for inexpensive ways of giving your kids some great experiences – swap that afternoon at the expensive jungle

gym or the movies for a nice outing at a park, a picnic in your own garden or even a train ride. There are plenty of activities you can do with kids to make great memories that cost virtually nothing.

Curb impulse shopping We’ve all gone into a store to window shop and walked out with a pile of things we had no idea we wanted. If you’re on a budget, try to only shop when you need something specific. Invest in quality rather than quantity – especially when it comes to clothes, and home appliances. Make some effort to also control the time you spend on those amazing ecommerce sites that offer every imaginable kind of thing that you just don’t need.

Stay healthy Illnesses are expensive so it’s important to take charge of your own health to avoid potentially big medical bills. Start eating healthy (often cheaper than expensive unhealthy food), go for a walk or run to stay active, and attend to little health niggles without putting them off. If you are seeing the doctor, don’t be shy to ask whether there are cheaper, generic alternatives to the drugs on your prescription. And if you do have medical insurance, know exactly what it provides for so that you claim your entitlement.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 55

10 Habits Every Sri Lankan Needs to Know to

Sleep Better

by Sherwani Synon - A travel enthusiast who enjoys the beach, writing and music, and who believes that kindness and conscious living are the path to a better world.

Sleep, like oxygen, food, and water are nonnegotiables for a healthy life. However, unlike the latter three, sleep is something that many don’t prioritize with the notion it’s not as important and that one can sleep as much as they want, once their work is done (let’s be honest, work never ends). Despite Sri Lanka’s reputation as a ‘chilled out island’ we are a tired bunch of islanders who do not get the required amount of sleep. On average, a person requires 6-8 hours of sleep in order to feel well-rested and wake up the next morning with sufficient energy to carry on with their day’s work.

That said, recuperation time depends on the person, his or her stress levels and keep in mind that the more overworked you are, the more time you need to recover. However, only some of us actually get this required amount of sleep, leaving the rest of us feeling exhausted, grumpy and with bags under our eyes. This is especially true when you look at our mothers and wives, who function on five or fewer hours of sleep almost every night. Their busy schedules force them to wake up before dawn and PAGE 56 | www.pulse.lk

between juggling work, household chores, and children they only go to bed just before midnight leaving them with barely any rest. They continue this routine for decades without much choice.

When we sleep, our brain uses that break to process the day’s events, develop new brain cells and give our bodies the time it needs to rejuvenate itself in preparation for the next day. When you don’t get the required time your body needs to recuperate not only do you feel exhausted, moody and impulsive, but it also affects the speed at which your brain processes thoughts and your ability to solve problems. So if you work in a field that requires you to come up with smart solutions within minutes and process thoughts quickly (which is a requirement in all jobs) you are doing more harm to your work by sabotaging your sleep when working late. Lack of sleep can also trigger illnesses such as chronic pain, mental health issues such as depression and cause insomnia and hypersomnia. Sleep deprivation for long periods of time could even kill you as a result of exhaustion.

6.

Here are a few ways to make sure you sleep better:

Exercise 2-3 hours before bed time. While exercising is great for your body and mind, there’s a good time and bad time for it. Exercising increases your heart rate and temperature which will make you feel restless when you’re trying to relax and go to sleep.

Have a set time to sleep and wake up every day (yes even during the weekends). This will put you into a routine which will help your body clock identify with the times and prepare you to unwind and sleep better.

Despite popular belief, tossing and turning in bed is not going to help you sleep. So if you’re in bed and don’t fall asleep in 15 minutes, sit on a chair and do something boring – flip through a magazine or read a book.

2.

3.

8.

9.

10.

1.

Make sure that your room has a good,comfortable temperature, not too hot or too cold, and that there are no bright lights when you’re asleep.

Shut off your TV, laptop, tab, phone and all other electronics that emanate lights, 30 minutes before you go to bed. Our obsession with gadgets has increasingly compromised our sleep and therefore we never really get the opportunity to rest well. So do yourself a favour and shut it off. Your FB, Instagram, snapchat and WhatsApp messages can wait for you for a change.

4.

Go easy on the vino or alcoholic drinks at night. While it may help you unwind, wine and alcohol can negatively affect the REM stage of your sleep, which is the deepest most restorative stage of sleep. Research also suggests that alcohol can contribute to the increase of dreams and nightmares in this stage.

7.

Keep a worry diary to write down things that have upset you or you have worried about during the day. This will not only help you feel better but it will also help you sleep better.

Pray or meditate before you sleep. This will help you relax and put you at ease before bed.

Make your bed a sleep and sex only zone. Yes, we are all culprits of working, reading and watching movies but by doing this, it teaches our brain that the bedroom is for other activities than sleeping which negatively affects our sleep and wellbeing. So start practicing a no device, book or movie zone and see how it can improve your overall well-being.

Avoid having caffeine and sugar before bed.

Caffeine can stay in your body for six hours or more so if you end up indulging in a cup of coffee, you are likely to be counting mozzies at night.

In the case of having sugar just before bed, this can increase your blood sugar level and disrupt your sleep. Lack of sleep has also been known to increase blood sugar levels and the risk of becoming diabetic.

5.

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Aelian Joyce &

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Gunawardene

He is an entrepreneurial powerhouse, well-known as a corporate trailblazer who has made a significant impact on our country and put his organization, JAT Holdings, on the map. She had a successful singing career, worked as one of Sri Lanka’s top models for 17 years, earned a degree in Child Psychology and is now the Director Promotions at JAT Holdings. Together, Aelian and Joyce Gunawardene make an indomitable husband and wife duo that has reached the pinnacle of success, all while having as much fun as possible on that journey.

Despite their busy schedules, Pulse was able to sit with this power couple and capture a glimpse into their inspirational lives.

01

How did you two meet?

A: We met quite by accident. Joyce was leaving to Australia so her friends had planned a farewell party for her. My buddies and I happened to be at the same establishment and I was the one who opened the door for Joyce as she walked in.

J: I immediately turned around because I wanted it to be a strictly girls only farewell. I was leaving to Australia the very next day and wanted to spend some time with my friends. But Aelian turned out to be quite the charmer and we ended up merging the two parties. We had a fantastic time singing till dawn – he never left my side!

A: It was a nice pleasant evening like we promised her. After that we didn’t see each other for two years, but when Joyce moved back I sent her a Valentine’s Day present and we met for dinner soon after that. The rest as they say is history.

02 03

How would you describe each other (in three words)?

A: Joyce is confident, sensitive and loving.

J: I would say he’s “simply the best”. As a matter of fact, that’s my favourite song by Tina Turner!

How do you make time for yourselves, between your business and social commitments?

One thing we try to do, especially with social functions, is go together. We rarely go to these on our own, so that gives us more time together. We also try to take a holiday every few months so that we have time to ourselves. During the weekends we do our best to stay away from work and prioritize family time.

04

What do you do to relax?

A: We usually work out at home in the evenings, and do a bit of sport or chill by the pool. We also like to travel to the hills since I am a fan of cooler climates.

J: I love the beach, so we have this agreement where we compromise and alternate our holidays so that he gets to enjoy the hills and I have my time in the sun.

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05

In your lives, how important is keeping fit?

We’ve always been fit and passionate about working out, and playing sports. Joyce has been at peak fitness for as long as I’ve known her! It’s definitely something that we both prioritize. In fact, we bring this passion to our organization as well and try to instill the importance of being healthy and fit. We have annual fitness competitions for our staff and a gym at our office, so we promote sport and fitness in a big way.

06

Where do you like to travel, both at home and abroad?

A: Because of my love for hills, I would say my favourite place to travel to at home is the Tea Trails bungalows.

J: When we travel abroad, we love going to Italy because that was the first trip we ever took together – we went to Tuscany. Since then, we try to go back every year.

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“

would say he’s “simply the best”.

I

”

-Joyce

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 61

“

Joyce is confident, sensitive and loving.

�

-Aelian

07

What makes you happy?

J: What makes me happy is spending quality time with family.

A: I agree, as long as the family is cared for and looked after, I am happy. Efficiency is another thing that makes me happy – I love it when things are organized and in its place whether at home or at work.

08

What inspires you?

J: I am inspired by living life to the fullest, by the Word of God. I inspire to do right in everything that I do.

A: For me it’s about setting targets and achieving them. Every year I set some new goals for myself, particularly with regards to health and work, and whenever I achieve these targets step by step, it encourages me to strive further.

09

Joyce you’ve been a model, performer and also a qualified child psychologist. What have you learnt from each of these experiences?

A: (Laughing) She tries to psycho-analyse me!

J: Yes, I dissect away, and it’s usually directed at Aelian! But in all seriousness, my varied career has given me the opportunity to meet so many people from an array of backgrounds, all different from the other. I have learned something from all of them.

Before I became a performer and a model, I was quite shy. Performing taught me to be comfortable in my own skin and evolve into the person I was on the inside. Certainly my confidence can be attributed to the years on stage and on the ramp.

10

As someone who has built a strong family and career, what is your message to today’s aspiring models?

Be true to yourself. As clichéd as this sounds, I completely stand by it because you can try to impersonate someone, but you will never be that person. So what you can do as an individual is to bring out the best in you and work on yourself because that is what will take you to the top.

“ Be true to yourself.

As clichéd as this sounds, I completely stand by it because you can try to impersonate someone, but you will never be that person.

”

I also think models today need to value themselves more – pick and choose the work you do and work on your career. Command respect, don’t let people insult your dignity.

In fact, this is something the industry as a whole needs to change – models need to be respected as people.

When I was modelling, we had a better support system, and the models were sought after. There needs to be proper training and guidance in today’s modelling industry, and there should be career development for models where they can be trained at a young age and groomed to their full potential.

13

Aelian, JAT has now become a household name - what is your vision for JAT?

Today, JAT is amongst the Top 10 Sri Lankan conglomerates brandwise. We started off with the goal of being the number one in the Finishing industry.

Considering that changing consumer mindsets in Sri Lanka can be challenging at times, we were still able to introduce new technologies and I am proud to say that this has been our success.

My vision for JAT in the future is to add new lines of business. For instance, last year we added a kitchen business and in 6 months we were able to capture almost every residential project out there like Altair and Luna Towers.

We recently got in to real estate development as well. We want to be able to provide our customers with almost everything they would need around the construction industry and be a force in these markets. I must also mention that while we do this, it is extremely important for us to run our operations ethically. We are one of the few privately owned companies that go out of our way to ensure that we are self-governed to the highest standards.

14

What’s it like working together?

It’s been great. We worked very closely together for about 10 years and it was really satisfying because we were able to work together and get our brand to what it is today. We put a lot of hours into crafting the brand and getting it out there. Of course, this meant that we would work long hours and then come home and talk about work some more!

Now we have taken a more conscious decision to prioritize family time while still working together on a more strategic level.

We find that this has worked better because we are better able to manage our time.

15

What did you each bring to the job?

We both brought immense passion and a drive to be

the best. Second best was not good enough for either of us, so we brought that dedication to the table and created a culture of always striving to be the best. Joyce has great people skills and did a lot of work to enhance the JAT brand, especially during the first ten years when we worked more closely together.

16

You’ve built a huge business today – but in that journey, what are the toughest lessons you’ve learnt?

When you start a business it can be quite a challenging process, and you don’t always have a strong support system. I’ve learned that you need to believe in yourself no matter what, back your skill and your idea. You have to have the passion and the commitment to really put in the hours and ensure that your idea is brought to life. I believe that God will never let you face challenges that you cannot

overcome, so this has always grounded me and kept me going even during the toughest of times.

17

What is your advice for young people dreaming of starting out in business?

Starting out in business is not for the fainthearted. If you have an idea that is going to fulfill a market need and you believe in that idea, then you need to put in the effort to make sure that you get the funding and the foundation to get your business off the ground. It can be quite discouraging sometimes when you face challenges and even failures, but never take no for an answer and keep moving forward. The other thing is to constantly educate yourself - constant study at whatever age or maturity, especially if you’re a startup will prepare you for whatever challenges you face.

Photography by Nadun Baduge

1

Jaguar

E Pace Launch Tyesha

Alongside the launch of the sleek Jaguar E Pace, Rumpunch recently launched their latest collection, The Rumpunch Spring 2018 Tribal Dash!

Dimithri

Soraya

Vraie

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Mr. and Mrs. Grahame

Luki

Kinita

Maneesha

Shyama

Sumal

Sherry

Thiyasha

Malik

Nethmi

Senisha

Rukshika

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 67

Mr. and Mrs. Kishan

Karen and Lathika

Ramya

Zamrin and Tasneem

Fatimmazahra

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Naufil

Christina

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 69

Nibasanda Weds

Lishendri Nibasanda Yapa Abeywardana took the hand of Lishendri Jayasekara in marriage on the 7th of May at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo. The grand event was graced by many dignitaries and celebrities alike.

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W AN TE D Undergrad Life Skills In the next couple of months, hordes of 18 years olds will be leaving their homes and heading off to university in various parts of the world. For almost all of them, this will be their first experience living away from home.

Many imagine college life to be all about reveling in their new found independence, staying out as late as they like, making their own decisions, eating whatever they like, with no nagging mum telling them what to do. But ask anyone who’s been through the process recently and they’d tell you of the huge adjustments they’ve had to make and how challenging it was to adapt to their new life, at least in those first few months.

So after the initial euphoria over getting accepted, and the excitement to shop for university life, and the anxiety of applying for visa and getting the right vaccinations are all done, what’s left is to say goodbye and head off, right? Not quite. The window between all that preparation and jetting off is also the little time left to acquire some basic life skills to get the new undergraduates over the next three years or more. Because doting parents, the typical Sri Lankan extended family and household staff will no longer be a yell away.

including their favourite (and eggs, learn to work with eggs). This also means knowing how to operate a cooker/oven, and knowing how to shop for ingredients (think making lists and having a vague idea about how to substitute for missing ingredients). It’s also important that they know how to eat healthy at least most of the time.

You’d probably end up in pretty basic accommodation that’s a far cry from your cosy home. So it’s important to know how to keep that space clean and neat. At least learn to make a bed, dust and vacuum occasionally and definitely, learn how to clean a bathroom.

And learning to unclog a toilet is a skill that’d never go waste.

Laundry Laundry looked so easy when all you did was throw the clothes in the basket and come back home to freshly ironed clothes hanging in your closet. But now suddenly, you’re learning the complexities of using detergent,

Budgeting Most 18 year old Sri Lankans haven’t really had to manage money so that first semester at University is going to be a rude awakening.

It’s important to know exactly what your funds are, to manage all of your expenses and bills with what you have, and how to be careful with your credit cards. It’s not as if you can walk over to your parents and borrow a few thousands smackers!

Time management Being on your own means a lot of selfmotivation and self-discipline. Learn how to organize yourself and stay focused, how to prioritise, and the fine art of balancing your tasks in the precious little time you have left between classes and sleep.

Cooking Everyone should know how to make a cup of tea or coffee, and at least a few basic meals,

separating darks and lights, the various temperature settings in machines and urgh, folding! And while you can get away without ironing a lot of the time, it’s still a skill you’d need.

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Cleaning

Pulse would like to wish the best to everyone going off to university over the next few months. Remember, call your parents often, and tell them you miss them and love them.

We spoke to a few Sri Lankans about the biggest challenges they had to overcome at university when compared to school in Sri Lanka.

frozen face with a bag of crisps while racing to your next lecture.

Only one chance to get it right

No more Spoon Feeding: It’s all on you

The great thing about high school is that you have all these term tests that prepare you for exams, and intensive Parents/Teachers feedback sessions to boot. At university, your assignments will almost all count towards your degree, meaning your life is constantly on the line. There are no dress rehearsals.

You’re probably used to teachers who watch your back and walk you through your academic problems at school in Sri Lanka. Our school teachers are generally kind and spend a lot of time worrying about you and caring about you. In university, you’d usually have to find your own path and figure things out independently.

Bye bye Tuition Ah Sri Lanka and our affection for tuition.

College life is unlikely to involve any tutors.

And while most institutions do make seminars and workshops available in addition to lectures, they won’t be the cosy one-onone sessions at home. So prepare yourself to be extremely self-motivated, and pay attention at your lectures.

Time-tables without intervals Remember impatiently awaiting break time at school to calmly have your snack, enjoy the breeze and chat with friends? At university, there’ll be days when your schedule only allows you enough time to stuff your half

Erangie Kulatilake is an undergrad in England and has these strategies to avoid starvation while also avoiding massive weight gain while in university:

1. The Importance of Variety Many of my friends and I discovered our new favourite meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In my case, breakfast consisted of baked beans, bread and sausages, traditional English style. And this tasted so good that I repeated it almost every day. Never make the mistake of having similar meals too often or you will end up so fed up that like me, you’d be unable to even hold a can of baked beans again. Make sure you mix up the menu.

2. Creating Your Own Combos Here’s to the lazy cooks. If you get creative enough, there are plenty of ingredients you can combine to form good enough meals that take very little time to cook.

Take a creamy pasta for instance. Avoid the complicated preparation of white sauce and chicken separately and instead, throw in a can of pre-made creamy chicken soup.

4. The Beauty of Bulk Cooking Back at home, most of us are lucky enough to get fresh food for most meals. But that’s a luxury you can’t afford when you’re abroad, neck deep in assignments. So here’s what you do. Buy a massive cooking pot, prepare large quantities of rice, and a few curries and keep consuming until you get sick of eating it. Oh don’t whine about the rice getting a bit dry a few days later – you’re supposed to be studying, not fine dining.

5. Carrying the Goods Home Ok so if you’re cooking in bulk, you need to buy in bulk as well. Never ever try to use plastic bags to carry a massive quantity of goods. First off, there’s a good chance those bags are going to rip. Secondly, no matter how well built you are, your fingers are going to ache under all that weight. Best thing to do -grab your hand luggage and pack everything in there. That way you also save the 5 pence you must pay to buy shopping bags.

6. The Necessity for Occasional Takeouts Realistically speaking, you won’t be able to prepare every meal on your own. Don’t feel bad about giving yourself a break and ordering food once in a while. In my experience, the best kind of take-outs are the little mom-and-pop shops as opposed to large chains or even the campus food.

7. The Dessert Temptation Compared to Sri Lanka, most western countries offer an amazing variety of desserts.

Oreo doughnuts, Cadbury cupcakes, KitKat ice-cream and Reese’s Puff cereal… heaven!

But for those of you who lack self-control, know that you could easily end up with a cart full of chocolates and puddings. Sometimes you just have to learn to walk away no matter how loudly that Nutella pancake is calling your name.

3. The Discount Hour Most supermarkets will slash prices at certain times of the day. When I mean slash, I mean a whole roasted chicken is going to come down from £6 to less than £2. You’re basically saving around Rs. 800! The trick is figuring out which time each store will offer the discounted prices. Grab a friend and stake-out your local supermarket.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 77

Asiri Breast Care Centre offers Multi-Disciplinary Team approach enabling effective diagnostic screening and best solutions All women should avail themselves of the easily available screening facilities which are primarily non-invasive, with no injections used, very little radiation emitted and at relatively low cost.

Screening offers high specificity and helps filter-off early cancers accurately, thus the chances of missing cancer is very low.

Globally, the rising rate in the occurrence of cancers is very disturbing. And since of late Sri Lanka has seen a marked increase in cases of breast cancer with over 4000 new cases reported annually. However, it has been documented that mortality rate can be significantly reduced through early detection via routine screening.

For any woman, discovering a breast lump is frightening, yet over 90% of them are benign.

In the event it is not, early detection followed by treatment and care is vital. In addition to minimising patient anxiety, it eliminates the need for radical treatment approaches.

The Asiri Breast Care Centre, located at Central Hospital, Colombo offers a unique, friendly and relaxed atmosphere designed to offer the best possible assessment and treatment.

The importance of breast screening cannot be highlighted enough. Although it’s a disease that affects only half the population, it is the commonest cancer in Sri Lanka.

Although Sri Lankan women do not have access to an established screening programme in the state sector, the screening test for cervical cancer, commonly known as the Pap smear, is freely available. The widespread use of Pap smear tests along with vaccination has reduced deaths caused by cervical cancer.

Early detection saves lives and treatment can be aimed to cure and save breasts by avoiding operations that involve removal.

It is recommended that all women aged 4070 should screen for breast cancer. All they need to do is to walk in to the Centre and the staff will arrange for a mammogram. However, an ultrasound scan may be required in some cases for further assessment and results/ review will be based on a patient’s individual circumstances.

“The centre conducts a triple assessment (clinical, imaging and histopathology) before diagnosis. This is a combination of patient history, examination results and the imaging and histopathology test, where a sample of the affected area is looked at under a

microscope. Multiple consultants then sit as a panel and tailor what is best for that patient and take it from there.

The Centre also advocates for continuous awareness and education among women. A woman should be aware of her risk factors and have regular self-breast examinations.

Advice includes looking for changes systematically and regularly, looking for pain, disfigurement, etc. Anomalies need to be reported to a doctor.

Mothers are encouraged to train their daughters in breast examination from a young age – because breasts change throughout a woman’s life. Routine selfexamination helps detect changes early on, this in turn saves lives.

The Centre also addresses all other breast related issues such as benign breast diseases and cosmetic concerns such as breast augmentation, reduction and gender transition.

The Asiri Breast Care Centre’s multidisciplinary team comprises of consultant surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, nurses and other experienced health professionals, offering the best possible assessment and treatment for all breast related concerns and issues.

Professionalism and ethics are core values in all the Centre’s practices. All consultations will be chaperoned by female staff and the confidentiality of clinical material is ensured.

YOUR SELF EXAMINATION, AS SIMPLE AS TLC Circular

Up and Down

Lay down on a fl at surface, resting y our head on your hand and use y our other hand to check for lumps in either one of the following patterns --> Do you feel any unusual lumps,thick ening or pain either in breasts, armpits or upper chest?

PAGE 78 | www.pulse.lk

Standing in front of a mirror – Observ e changes in size and shape, skin t exture, colour, appearance and direction of nipples, rashes or crusting of nipple or around, Any nipple discharge…

Inwards and Outwards

Anything unusual?

Talk to a doctor as soon as possible

Nadia

Spa Ceylon Negombo

Dulanka

Shalin

Shiwantha

Tarja

Shehara

Shenuka

Launch Spa Ceylon, the well-known luxury Ayurveda chain, recently unveiled its latest luxury spa and retail offering in the heart of Negombo’s tourist area, Lewis Place, Ethukala.

Ronela

Shalin

Sandun

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Shiwantha

Alam

Ranga

Tarja

Stephanie

Kashmira

Alberto

Rachel

Latika

Amith

Minali

Disney and Wife

Suzy

Shalin

Ruwani, Dinasha and Priscilla Karen

Aldrin and Wife

Anu and Nashali

Charini

Dan

Ramona www.pulse.lk | PAGE 81

It’s time to

minimize those

PORES!

In general, its understood that without professional laser treatment at a dermatologist’s clinic, it’s impossible to permanently shrink the pores on your skin. However, a combination of the right makeup and skincare can make them look a lot smaller. But before we get into the commercially available products that you can try, lets start this guide off with some home remedies. These are great for those who aren’t fans of using many products on their skin. Once you find the one that works best for you, stick to it to avoid sensitivity problems.

1. Ice Ice tightens the skin and shrinks pores. Rub ice against your skin for 10 to 20 seconds. Alternatively, you can wash your face with very cold water, but don’t overwash. More is not always better as too much washing can irritate the skin.

2. Baking Soda Exfoliation Baking soda will balance the pH of your skin and remove impurities from the surface of your skin.

Before applying try it on a small area first and then proceed. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of warm water. Apply the mixture using circular motions and massage. Rinse off after thirty seconds.

3. Egg Whites and Lemon Juice Egg whites are known to tighten the skin and draw out excess oil. Lemons on the other hand are extremely versatile. Whisk two egg whites and add the juice of half a lemon. Apply the mix and leave on till dry. Rinse off with cool water.

4. Sugar lemon scrub This is a great way to exfoliate your skin, remove dirt and minimize pores. Mix two tablespoons of sugar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Apply and gently massage for thirty seconds. Wash off with cool water.

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Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

Lifestyle Tips • Eat healthy and avoid processed foods that can inflame your skin and clog pores. Have a diet full of fruits and veggies and give unhealthy fats and oils a break.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Always remove make-up before going to bed.

• Use products that are ‘non-comedogenic’ (check the label), which means they won’t clog pores.

• Minimize sun exposure and always use a good quality sunscreen.

• Have a regular workout routine to sweat out impurities.

However, if you can’t find the time to concoct these remedies within the household, we have got you covered with this four-step routine consisting of the best skincare and makeup products.

1. Treat Dermatologists consider retinol to be the holy grail when it comes to skincare. This vitamin A derivative stimulates collagen production and cell turnover, which evens out and resurfaces the skin, clearing the oil glands and prevents any dead skin from clogging pores.

leaves the senses feeling refreshed

3. Cover

This medium-coverage foundation smooths over your skin without sinking into fine lines or inflamed pores. *Quick tip – use a sponge to apply foundation; a damp beauty blender is the key.

If you want to take your routine a step further, it is advisable to use a setting spray to keep everything in place while giving you a flawless finish.

Laura Geller Spackle Mist Prime, hydrate, and set your make-up with just one spray. This multi-tasking mist instantly absorbs into skin to create a perfect canvas for extended make-up wear and can also be used over make-up. Soothing Aloe Vera Extract and Vitamin B5 help keep skin hydrated throughout.

Start with oil-free skincare by using an oilabsorbing or oil free toner as it’s critical to keeping pores tight.

Milk Makeup Matcha Toner The world’s first solid toner (or at least the first one we’ve come across) deposits a soothing layer of kombucha, witch hazel, cactus and matcha on the skin surface.

FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum If you’re new to the retinol world, this is the perfect starter serum. Formulated for sensitive skin, this serum oozes with vitamin C and E that alleviate the irritation and redness often associated with retinol products.

L.A. Girl PRO Setting HD Matte Finish Setting Spray This is an incredible setting spray that maintains that matte finish you achieve with freshly applied makeup all day long.

2. Exfoliate On nights when you’re not using retinol, a gentle exfoliation to scuff away dead skin cells will work wonders.

Liquid gold, Alpha-H With a name like this, you can expect big things.

This is a non-abrasive liquid exfoliant that is perfect for oily and sensitive skin.

Pineapple papaya facial scrub, Kiehl’s This is a great all-rounder as it is finely-ground and suits all skin types.

It’s tropical fruity scent

Murad Acne Control Clarifying Toner This toner for acne prone skin helps reduce oil and impurities to cool and refresh blemishprone skin. This formula features witch hazel to help tighten pores with a refreshing blend of natural botanicals.

4. Set your base It is essential to use an oil free foundation when you have enlarged pores.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation Every drop is worth the hype. One pump will sufficiently cover your face without the need for concealer, and you won’t be left looking like you’re wearing a mask.

Written by Liyana Jay www.pulse.lk | PAGE 85

The Exquisite and Uniquely Designed Sarees of

Kalynda Taaya & Hiruni de Silva decided to venture out of the corporate world leaving behind her career as a marketeer to follow her passion for designing. After a lot of hard work, the right attitude and commitment, today her brands Kalynda and Taaya are two of the most sought after by her very loyal and growing customer base.

In the following interview, this enterprising fashion designer speaks to us about her love for designing.

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1. Why did you decide to give up a very successful career in the corporate world to pursue fashion designing?

Designing has always been one of my passions. I have been designing and making my own clothes for quite some time. So, while the idea had always been there at the back of my head it never progressed into anything more till a few years back. It was when I was doing my MBA and studying about entrepreneurship that I gave serious thought into starting my own collection.

2. What were the initial steps you took to set up?

After some serious thinking, I spoke to my husband about it and he helped me get started. Together we did a lot of research about the market, the competition, the customer segments and the product. He helped me design the logo and I spent a lot of time looking for the kind of material I wanted to work with and setting up a network of suppliers. I got my mom on board to help me with sewing and we produced a collection of about 10 sarees for our initial set.

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3. What sparked your interest in designing sarees?

I tried my hand at designing sarees because while there were lots of events and functions to attend in the corporate world, I found it really difficult to find sarees that matched my taste. I always looked for pieces that were simple, elegant and unique. For some reason they were very hard to come by. So I wanted to start making my own.

4. Tell us a little bit about your design labels?

I started off making sarees for functions and special occasions under Kalynda. My policy

for Kalynda is one design one saree, which means that what you get is one of a kind.

They are predominantly silk sarees with a lot of detail, work, embroidery and lace.

enthusiast. Yoga keeps me self-sustained, helps me relax and stay focused. I’ve been doing it for over 6 years and it’s therapy for my mind and body.

However, as my customer base started to grow, I also began to receive requests for more simple sarees for smart casual wear. To meet this requirement, I recently launched Taaya, which is a collection of unique yet simpler designs.

8. What is your personal style?

5. What are your designs inspired by?

Bollywood inspires me a lot. I follow almost every celebrity from Priyanka Chopra to Deepika Padukone. In addition to that, everything around me can be an inspiration.

If a nice wall with an interesting colour combination inspires me, I will try and carry it into my designs.

6. What is trending these days?

I think we are slowly beginning to move away from florals right now which was very trendy last year. Also, people seem to opt for lighter colours, even for night functions, and seem to be moving away from the traditional darker shades.

7. How do you strike a balance between your work and family life?

I consider myself a full time mother and a part time designer. I devote a lot of time to my daughter and my family. I am also a yoga

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I look for anything that suits my figure. After embracing motherhood my body structure has completely changed. So based on that I go for something that suits me. I have always been fond of light colours and simple designs that reflect my personality.

9. What keeps you motivated?

My family. My husband and my daughter.

Seeing them happy keeps me going.

Designing is something I enjoy. It’s a hobby rather than a job. So my passion for it keeps me motivated as well.

10. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced at the start of your career and how did you work around them?

Finding proper machinery and suppliers was a challenge at the start. I didn’t have the right kind of information and had to do a lot of research and background work. Also, it took a while for word of mouth to get around and for people to know of my brand. Getting through that period took a lot of patience and self-belief. However, after about 6 months I experienced a turn around and it has been a remarkable journey so far.

Dinoshi

Sandya

Rehanie

Tamara

Dilini

Kasun

‘Healing the Future’

Book The 5th of April marked the launch of an all-new book ‘Healing the Future’ by Dinoshi Keiper.

Mangalika

Mayanthi

Mala

Jayani

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Dinoshi

Thanuja

Dinoshi presenting the first copy to Tamara

Anoja

Sachie

Sushara

Leonie

Markus

Dinoshi

Florian

The Insta-Famous

Nadiya

Fernando

Location: Il Cielo/Berlin Sky Lounge PAGE 92 | www.pulse.lk

Instagram fame isn’t just about having a good phone and a pretty face and Nadiya Fernando is a living testament to this. The beautiful, witty and passionate personality may have a whopping 11.1K Instagram followers but she is also a driven entrepreneur, a great mom and a vibrant woman, all wrapped up in a smart and trend-setting personality. Here’s a deeper look into the completely lovable Instagram-Star: What are three words that perfectly describe you?

“Out of The Box” – ‘cause I don’t even know where the box is, “Crazy” – ‘cause I am, and “Wordless” - is that a word?

Where did your passion for fashion stem from?

I have absolutely no idea where it came from - can I say I was born with it? Does that make me sound obnoxious?

Where do you draw fashion inspiration from?

Anything can inspire me but I’m an emotional dresser. I could never plan what I’m going to wear to an occasion or to an event, it most often depends on how I feel in that moment.

Who are your favourite designers - both local & international?

Oh my God, that’s like the hardest question ever! There are so many designers, I don’t have a favourite. I like putting together different pieces from different designers.

What are your favourite brands to shop?

Definitely Zara – it’s just that they’re so fashion forward and cost effective!

Would you call yourself Insta-famous?

I don’t know, I guess (I do), ‘cause everyone else does, but I don’t see myself that way. I started off with Instagram just to promote my business, but then it turned into a personal blog and it just took off from there.

What is your Instagram aesthetic and how do you maintain it?

I don’t have an aesthetic! It’s just that when I like a picture, I post it, and that’s that.

Who takes your pictures?

My Insta-Husband! And sometimes my son, but he complains and makes me pay him!

What’s it like having an Insta-hubby and making him work your angles?

Well it was difficult, he was “Insta-Husband in Training” for some time but now he’s evolved!

What’s your best lighting and what are your tips to taking the perfect picture?

Best lighting is daylight. I like to look tall (in my pictures) so the perfect picture has to be taken from below- which makes my son the perfect height for it! But he’s difficult now - I have to pay him too much, he’s become business savvy!

Tell us about your career at The Wax Museum I was in the fashion industry for a while as a designer, but then I decided that I wanted to get into make-up. So I went to London, I got an education in Hair and Make-up and I came

back here and opened The Wax Museum everything else is history!

How has the journey been so far?

Good, it’s been 4 years! We’ve taken off and it’s great!

Do you have a make-up motto?

No - absolutely not. It depends on where you’re going, what you want your make-up for – no motto.

Throughout your career who did you enjoy dolling up the most?

Me? Can I say that?

What are your MUA aspirations?

As a make-up artist, what I want to do is to change the way Sri Lankans view make-up, which is the old way of putting on theatre make-up and making foundation look really cake-y. So my aspiration would be to change that whole aesthetic into something more modern and more weather effective.

What are your future goals for The Wax Museum?

To keep doing what we’re doing, spreading our word, and trying to give the opportunity for creative people to have an outlet and expand their horizons.

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Koluu

Ramani

Ranjith

Anusha

Nooni

Moët Hennessy India and Lanka Premium Beverages announce their strategic partnership The exclusive event that marked the celebration of this new beginning for Moët Hennessy India and Lanka Premium Beverages was held at Café Francais. Guests were treated to a sublime menu from chef Jacques Pourcel coupled with numerous flutes of Moët & Chandon.

Anushka

Nikhil

Minoli

Rishini

Stephané Delivers The Welcome Note

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Anusha

Nooni

Annika

Stephané

Anna

Sanatha

Varuni

Rohan

Dinesh

Dehara

Menaka

Roshan and Wife

Christina

Siddharth

Stephané

Nina

Jacques

Anna

Ihan

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Melissa

Oshadi

Nadeesha

Maneesha

Imanthi

Temptation Thimanthi, Taniya and Mavintha

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Naufil

Thilini

Coffee

Kathyusha

Fatym

Sahlu

Launch

Nicky

Maliban, the confectionery giant, launched their new sumptuous creation; Maliban Real Temptation Coffee, a cookie filled with liquid Coffee Cream.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 97

Ayana elegance, flair and style for the contemporary woman

Although she has family ties to the retail industry, Niyo Kumar never saw herself as a fashion designer while growing up. While she has always nurtured a passion for style, she envisioned herself in the field of psychology and went on to study the subject in the UK. It was only several years later that she decided to head back home to Sri Lanka where she tried her hand at design.

Niyo launched her range ‘Ayana’ in 2016. The brand which is exclusively available at Beverly Street is a refreshing and chic collection of designs for ladies of all ages.

We caught up with the young fashonista for a quick chat about her story.

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1. How would you define fashion?

I think fashion is essentially freedom of selfexpression. It forms a part of people’s identity. The great thing about fashion is that it doesn’t have to be consistent - it changes and is multi dynamic. To me it’s about externalizing my mood on any given day.

2. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in fashion design?

Fashion has always infiltrated my life and I’ve learnt a lot about it from my mom. Although I have always been interested in fashion it was never something I dreamt of pursuing as a career when I was a child, and I never studied to become a fashion designer. To be quite honest, I come from a completely different educational and work background. My degree is in Psychology, my masters is in Organizational and Social Psychology, and I worked as a management consultant at an IT firm in the UK before I moved back to Sri Lanka a few years ago. But because I have always been passionate about fashion I wanted to try my hand at it after returning home. I believe that the world is such that you don’t need so much formal training in something anymore. Everything is within your reach if you are willing to study and learn; especially with all that technology has to offer.

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3. How did you get started?

Ayana was launched in 2016, after I moved back to Sri Lanka from the UK the previous year. I was lucky enough to have a supportive family and I was able to leverage their network when I was getting started. This gave me a solid stepping-stone, especially when it came to the complexities of manufacturing and producing garments, which I think can be one of the most challenging aspects for any up and coming designer..

Since the launch of Ayana I have been constantly working on growing my brand in terms of learning how to streamline the production process and how to make sure that what we make is made to the best quality, in the most effective way.

4. What inspires your designs and collections?

I’m inspired by a lot. I can be anywhere, say for instance at a railway station in Delhi and I’d see a poster on the wall that will get me thinking, which in turn will be the inspiration for a colour palette or details in my next collection. I also travel a lot and because of that I gain a lot of inspiration from the places I visit, the cultures, the people and the food. Even the smells of different things can put a lot into perspective and be a source of inspiration. I am blessed to have a small, talented team that I head and they, along with my family and partner inspire me all the time... speaking to them and bouncing ideas off each other helps greatly.

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5. Any techniques, themes or colours you are especially fond of exploring?

I am very keen on experimenting with colours and textures and having a themed approach to my collections. I try to source fabrics and think of a marketing strategy around a theme. Last year I visited Rajasthan India and was very inspired by the intricate Indian embroidery. So we worked on a theme called ‘Indian Summer’. Recently we did a linen collection called ‘Island Hues’ which had more of a light tropical feel to it. We have also done an athleisure shoot called ‘Urban Nomad’ and a travel/ adventure oriented collection called ‘Into the Wild’ to name a few.

6. Tell us a bit about your design segments.

With Ayana we try to cater to all tastes so under the Ayana Label we have several sub labels. With ‘Spirited’ we play with prints and colours and get to be a little more experimental and carefree. With‘Minimal’ we produce your everyday basics, for instance we make silhouettes in solid colours that you could wear with jeans. ‘Linen’ is comfortable linen wear perfect for tropical Sri Lanka. Then we have ‘Work and Play’ which is essentially clothing that you can go to work in and then double up as a piece that you could also wear for a cocktail in the evening. We also have a tie dye and batik range and a plus size range called ‘Curve’.

7. Describe the type of woman who would wear your label.

Independent, confident, fun-loving, fierce and playful. There is no age range for Ayana because I feel that whatever age you are, you can be any of the above.

8. What do you like the most about being a designer?

The fact that you get to be innovative in your day to day job.

Fashion is very fluid. It constantly changes and keeps you on your feet. Designing challenges you to think out of the box and to try new things. Also when your clients really like what you produce its extremely rewarding.

9. Where do you think fashion in Sri Lanka stands?

I think fashion in Sri Lanka is at a very good place right now. The market is healthily competitive. There are plenty of new up and coming designers everyday which keeps things fresh and helps people grow together, I also think, more so now than ever, we are keeping up with global trends, we are breaking free of certain moulds and we are not afraid to try new things. Also e-commerce is a big factor in this day and age. There are great e-commerce platforms available to us. Sri Lanka has the potential and the tools to produce great garments and we have unlimited access to technology; this combination offers a promising future for the designers and the market.

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10. What is your advice to young and aspiring Sri Lankan fashion designers?

Stay true to your personal sense of style because that is your unique selling point and that is what ultimately gives you the edge. Focus on your goals and work passionately in achieving them. Take difficulty in your stride, blockers will come but it will only make you work harder and help you grow.

Never underestimate the power of marketing. You may have a good product but the public doesn’t know that until you make them believe in what you believe. Learn to leverage resources available to you, such as social media, to shape perceptions and sell your product.

11. What are some of the most memorable moments so far in your journey?

When my clients express to me what they like about the brand and also when I see people in Ayana garments. It’s a really good feeling.

12. What do you think is the biggest challenge for new designers starting out today?

Competition. Fashion is a really popular industry in this country and the country produces lots of fashion designers yearly through various schools. I think the key to growth is collaboration, encouraging each other and working hard together. There are great initiatives like pop up markets that have gained momentum recently that help new designers grow.

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Quick Questions: • Which designers have had the biggest influence on you?

I don’t follow one or two designers stringently. I draw my inspiration from a whole host of them. However there are certainly some game changers - Mara Hoffman for instance, she is a very free-spirited, bohemian designer who is amazing with colours and it is very bold move to create niche garments like hers. Also, Johanna Ortiz who plays around a lot with prints and experiments with silhouettes.

• Who is your favourite fashion icon?

Grace Kelly. She is effortlessly timeless.

• What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to travel with my partner and to try new food.

I also like to spend time at home with my family - I am most at home when I am playing with my 3 gorgeous pit bulls.

• What’s currently on your reading list?

The ‘Sun and her Flowers’ by Rupi Kaur.

• Favourite Place to travel to?

Spain. Greece. Lisbon. Caribbean. Seychelles. I can’t pick! I like to travel to new places rather than revisit places I’ve already been to.

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Yathra Feminine Silhouettes, Fused Colours, and a whole lot of passion

Yathra Jayawardene’s work in the field of fashion design has been causing quite a lot of buzz lately. We sat down with her to find out more about her story in this industry.

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Tell us about yourself and your background

a no brainer. I love what I do so it feels like I don’t have to work a day in my life!

My name is Yathra Jayawardene and I run a fashion label under my name. My work mainly revolves around the use of batik and tie dye.

This is a reflection of me as a person as I love colours and art work. It really is the perfect channel for me to fuse together the things that I love the most. However, my academic studies haven’t been related to this field, in fact my degree is in business management.

Why Batik?

Was fashion and creative work a part of your family heritage?

Yes of course, I grew up around art since I was little. My grandmother was a painter and whenever Sunday came around it was art class day. As Swanee Batiks was the family business, I used to love going to the store after school too. I knew that one day I’d like to take over and get involved with the business.

Even the decisions I made when I came back after higher studies reflect this; I followed a technical fashion design diploma and later, a creative program with Ajai Singh called Project 7.

A lot of designers shy away from working with colour. Batik is simply colour over colour so it can be quite hard to tell what the end result will be. Blue over a shade of red will result in purple but you can never tell the exact shade. It is this uncertainty of working with colour that makes people want to limit their palette and play it safe. I love the pressure that it gives you, sometimes it can be exactly what you pictured and sometimes it can be a total opposite but the end result is always beautiful. You have to work around the fabric, never controlling it. I feel like this is where your skills as a designer really shine.

What is it that makes your designs unique to you?

My style is all about soft tones and feminine silhouettes. As my pieces tend to look more on the girly side I downplay the batik. You will never see a masculine cut to my designs, so I guess it is the feminine silhouettes that make my pieces different.

Can you recall when you realized this was the career path that you wanted to follow?

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I didn’t really have a specific moment as such.

I was lucky enough to have grown up around this so I didn’t really know anything other than this. It felt so natural to me, almost like

Everything. Creativity is not something you have to stop and think about. There are millions of ideas in your head, the challenge lies in stopping all your thoughts and deciding on which idea to bring to life. When

you are in the creative field, inspiration comes so effortlessly; the rest is all about fine tuning ideas and finding out what the pot of gold is.

What challenges have you had to face and what would you change in the local industry?

I haven’t faced many challenges. People have been very receptive of my work and I have been quite lucky in that sense. However I am very aware that I am not supposed to cater to everybody; some people will like my work and some wont. Staying true to yourself and your label is what creates your market. What I would promote rather than change is young designers finding what they like. Success lies in figuring out what you will be confident in creating. Create what you are so that you won’t be simply jumping on the bandwagon and following trends.

Any words for the aspiring young designers out there?

Discipline and hard work goes a long way.

Following your design passion is sure to be a fun journey but there is serious work involved. For example, business plans need to be viable; you can’t keep producing things that don’t sell so you have to figure out what moves. Having an eye for these things is a key factor for you to succeed while continuing to do what you love.

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Fantastic dining experiences are a key factor when holiday makers choose a hotel to stay at. Backed by the amazing variety of seafood that the Negombo area offers (courtesy of the lagoon) this is one aspect where Amagi Aria shines above the rest. Moya, their fine dining seafood restaurant, takes its name from the Sinhalese word for the place where the lagoon meets the sea.

The exquisite selections on the menu are all fresh, local seafood. Their master chefs elevate the quality catch with seasonal flavours and execute them with skill, all for the enjoyment of your palate.

Situated on the highest floor, you will be able to dine with fantastic views of the stunning Negombo Lagoon.

If you want to watch your dish take shape in front of you, the open air kitchen allows for just that. The Ceylon Black Pepper Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna Tataki is an excellent choice for an appetizer; the wasabi mayo that it is served with balances out the heat from the pepper so effortlessly. If you’re in the mood for a fusion of cuisine, the Tikka Marinated Lobster served with Pesto sauce will be the dish for you; this is Italy meets India on a plate! Sometimes, you can’t go wrong with an old favourite; wok fried crab with cashew and chilli in BBQ

sauce, or as they like to call it, Crazy Crab.

Be warned, this takes effort to finish but of course it will be worth it.

Moya also offers some signature cocktails to complement your meal. Their Lagoon Boulevardier may look elegant served in a martini glass but it does pack a punch; you cannot go wrong with Campari. If a more traditional drink is what pleases you, try their twist on a Dark Stormy. Switching out the dark rum for white rum gives this classic a whole new personality.

Once you have finished your hearty meal, you will want to retire to your room. With clean simple lines and minimal colours, it creates an atmosphere of a homely feeling but yet, you won’t forget that you are in a luxurious atmosphere. Embodying the heart and soul of the Negombo surroundings, Amagi Aria is unlike any other four star hotel in Negombo, Amagi Aria really is Negombo’s hidden secret and you will certainly be back for more.

MOYA AT

AMAGI PAGE 106 | www.pulse.lk

When a Lankan travels to

Bath

by Erangie Kulathilake A Lankan student conquering the UK.

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The Food

Invasion The British may have colonized the world in the past, but karma has certainly caught up with them. In addition to the more traditional fish and chips diners, the city of Bath has been invaded by the Italian, French, Thai, Spanish and South African (Nandos!) restaurants. “Shah!

But won’t these posh places be too expensive?” Well my frugal Lankan friend, if a gourmet meal is beyond your travel budget, avoid those quaint, cottage looking restaurants and head to the Green park

The

Culture

station. Here, you will find delicious yet affordable rice and curry, wood fire pizza and authentic spicy Pad Thai. Mention my name at the counter! ;)

Relax, I’m not about to give you a boring history lesson. The City of Bath... the name itself not so subtly invites you to visit the Roman Baths, an architectural wonder built around natural hot springs. Now I know what you’re thinking... No, you’re not allowed to get into one! So why pay £16.00 to visit? Well, when you walk the ancient pavements that mankind walked on centuries ago, stand where they stood, see what they saw, it truly fills you with a sense of wonder. Next up, if you enjoy Jane Austen’s novels (or if you’re in love with Mr. Darcy), The Jane Austen Centre is a must see. This elegant Georgian house tells the stories of Austen’s life in Bath including some tittle and tattle about her strange love life! Oh, don’t deny it! Lankans love gossip and you know it.

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The Peace and A Shopaholic’s

Heaven

Ladies, get ready to melt that magnetic strip off your credit card! When you take a trip to Bath, the sea of stores in the city centre will awaken the lustful monster residing inside of you. Take a 20-minute stroll down these charming Georgian streets and explore what the elegant retailers have in store for you. Better yet, visit Bath in December and you will bear witness to one of the grandest Christmas markets in the world, filled with handmade trinkets and the amazing Bailey’s hot chocolate. However, keep in mind that while all this shopping might be breathtaking, the prices may take your breath away permanently.

So if you’re not the hoity toity type, give discount fashion stores like Primark a chance as well.

Quiet

If tranquillity is what you’re looking for, Bath is your sanctuary. Let me share with you my little slice of paradise. Along the Avon river, you’ll find the Parade Gardens, a glorious green green park equipped with cute benches whispering, “hey sit on me and forget about life for a while!” Better yet, here in Bath you can enjoy the scenery and truly be one with nature without the sickening smell of pangiri thel. However, the glass is only half full my friend. Whether the chilling winter freezes your bum to the benches is an entirely different story.

Battling

the Weather Whoever wrote the quote “it might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever” never lived in Bath. It most certainly can rain forever, alongside snow and monstrous winds that send you flying.

More often than not, the BBC weather page conspires to build the false hope that it might just be sunny tomorrow. LIES! Now don’t get me wrong, Bath has many wonderful elements to it.

However, sunny weather just isn’t one of it. But hey, after years of mastering the Lankan heat, think of conquering the teeth chattering cold as your next quest young grasshopper. Embrace this new frozen wonderland! Open up your umbrellas and let the cold, freezing wind whisk you away...

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Authentic Tea Experience Basilur Tea Export (Pvt) Ltd., No. 143/6, Weediyabandara Mawatha, Kelanimulla, Angoda, SRI LANKA. Tel.: (+9411) 2549500 / 2549600 E-mail: info@basilurtea.com WWW.BASILURTEA.COM Basilur Tea Gallery, Shop No. NR 7A, Liberty Plaza New retail podium, 1st floor, Colombo.

Tel: (+9411) 2577104 www.pulse.lk | PAGE 111

Get Stoked

KITE-SURFING

IN

There’s a fairly new craze that’s creating a lot of hype on our sunny little island and attracting quite the tourist base along with it. You’ve heard of surfing, paragliding, and sailing, but borrowing aspects from these and many more sports, Kite-surfing is gaining more and more popularity right here in Sri Lanka. An activity that takes both brain and brawn, the sport tests both your strength and quick wit.

Although the Northern parts of Sri Lanka are popular kite-surfing destinations, Kalpitiya, which is on the North West Coast of the country, is Kite-surfing central and anyone

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who is a part of the Eat-Sleep-Kite lifestyle is bound to fall in love with its endless shores and strong winds.

One of the best places to catch some waves and winds in Kalpitiya is at Kite Surfing Lanka, a little community rather than hotel that offers surf, sand and lots of fun. They have three exciting accommodation options from Tents that accommodate up to 3 pax starting at Rs. 6,600 per person, Villas that accommodate up to 10 pax starting at Rs. 11,300 full board and a variety of Bungalows that can accommodate up to 10 people starting at Rs. 8,500 per person full board.

Kite-surfing Lanka is also famous for accommodating different levels of Kitesurfers. While they provide lessons for amateurs and customize to the needs of their guests, the hotel also has three unique locations for Kite-surfing according to your level of expertise with winds blowing at an average of 18-20 knots! Beginners can enjoy the calmer waters of the Lagoon Side, Riders (or Intermediaries) can enjoy the unhurried Sea Side and Pro Riders can surf at Donkey Point, known for its large waves and durable winds.

If you’re a seasoned kite-surfer, you’d be

glad to hear that on one side of the Kalpitiya peninsula is the Indian Ocean: ideal for freeride and wave riding. On the other side is Kalpitiya Lagoon, a perfect spot for beginners and freestylers, and in-between is the Puttalam Lagoon: with perfect flat water, it’s great for downwind trips, kite safaris, freeride and camping on islands. There is something for everyone, allowing you to come in groups with different levels!

Kite-surfing Lanka also hosts renowned organized Kite Trips that happen multiple times a week and have their customers raving.

Not a huge fan of kitesurfing? Not a problem!

Kite-surfing Lanka has a ton of other activities to fill up your days with sun and fun! Wind down a tiring day with Yoga or professional massages. They also have more adrenaline

pumping sports like wakeboarding that you can experience for 3 hours at Rs. 10,000 per person or you can choose more mellow water sports like fishing excursions, Stand-up Paddle Boating, Kayaking into the sunset or watching a pod of Dolphins from your boat.

Kite-surfing Lanka is also close to the Wilpattu National Park that is known for its incredible range of flora and fauna, where you can spot elephants, sloth bears and even the elusive leopard. What’s more, you can reach Wilpattu by means of boat, cruising through the lagoons of Kalpitiya and taking part in an experience like no other.

experience as well. They have the coolest staff coming from varied backgrounds - some artists, some former white water rafting guides- everywhere you turn, there’s a friendly face up for a fun-filled conversation.

The atmosphere of the bar and other communal areas of the hotel not only feed your body and soul but are constantly full of lively chatter and laughter!

So the next time you’re on the look-out to experience something new, something that will change your perspective on life, make you feel free and alive, consider putting Kitesurfing on your bucket-list – you can thank us Besides the adrenaline fuelled lifestyle at Kite- later! surfing Lanka that’s got everyone reveling in Kite spots day and night, the culture of the community plays a huge role in your

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Kinita

Soraya

Jayani

Chandrani

Radhini

Sothys Seasonal Treatments

Launch

On the 24th of March, Sothys Sri Lanka launched their newest edition of the Seasonal Treatment with a refreshing combination of Watermelon and Lime to shield your skin against hot summer weather.

Saku

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Thanura

Shani

Lakshini

Ajith and Chitral

Ali, Nalin and Musajee

Aravinda and Ravi

Kamantha, Avindra and Nimal

Dishan and Anushka

Anis, Najill and Ashroff

Avindra and Chitral

Dinesh and Feroz

Jagath, Ajith and Priyantha

Dr. Neranjan, Supun and Prasad

Seylan Bank

Corporate

Cocktail 2018

Chandrasekaram, Danesh, Vijayakumar and Dayalan

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In commemoration of its 30th anniversary, Seylan Bank hosted its corporate clients to an evening of cocktails and fellowship at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel.

Ashroff, Manvinder and Bawa

Chitral, Dinesh, Eugene and Sampath

Anoj, Uditha and Shanaka

LOCATION: 69A, Green Path, Colombo 07 OPEN FROM: 11.30am – 10.00pm CUISINES: Healthy PRICE RANGE Rs. 500-1500

CAFE NUGA Guilt Free Deliciousness Café Nuga is Colombo’s latest venture focusing on catering to healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

Promising fresh and organic produce and offering plenty of vegan options, the quirky little restaurant, with its ample seating and aesthetic décor, is a welcome addition for the growing community of health-conscious foodies in Colombo. Their menu is extensive, including Mexican fare, pastas, burgers and much more.

Drinks The drinks range from fresh juices to iced teas, all of which are freshly made in-house. Our choices were the Pomegranate Juice (LKR 450) and Lemongrass inspired iced tea (LKR 300). The pomegranate juice was a tall glass of brown liquid which didn’t look particularly appetizing but tasted great! It was a lovely drink to cool down with, and would have been even more delightful if little bits of blended pomegranate pips didn’t keep popping up in every sip. The iced tea had only a weak inkling of the lemongrass and tasted more like a cold green tea – so have it, if that’s your thing.

Mains We were spoilt for choice here and chose the Grilled Chicken Tacos (LKR 790) and Seafood Salad (LKR 900). From perfectly-seasoned chicken to the tangy sauces, the tacos were perfect. The three soft shell tacos, served in a deep bowl, were accompanied by a leafy green salad and sweet potato chips. The seafood salad featured a great combination of grilled prawns, calamari and fish tossed with lettuce, avocado, roasted garlic and more fresh veggies, dressed in a light vinaigrette.

We also tried the Thai Style Chicken on a Beetroot Burger (LKR 860). The beet-hued burger, made from scratch at Nuga, was quite yummy and had a slightly crumbly texture. The fillings included succulent chicken, cheese and pickles. The fairly tall assembly makes it a challenge to get all the various elements into one bite, but if you do, the whole thing has a great balance of flavours and works well for something so unconventional. It came with a side of thinly sliced sweet potato crisps.

Café Nuga also has its own little organic shop that sells a range of organic canned fruits, oils and curries so you can take away a bit of goodness. We found their service to be quick and friendly.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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LOCATION: 37, Frances Road (Marine Drive), Colombo 6.

OPEN FROM: 4.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.

CUISINES: American PRICE RANGE Rs. 1,500 - 2,500

SNACK SHACK New York street food in Colombo!

Snack Shack is a new entrant to the food offering on Marine Drive and serves a variety of New Yorkinspired street food including Strombolis, Gyros, Burgers, Wraps, Döners, Subs and Pizza! The familyfriendly restaurant is ideal for a wallet-friendly get together; we felt the place offered great value for money.

Appetizers We tried their Caesar Salad (LKR 350) - the lettuce was fresh, the croutons were crunchy, there was a generous amount of Parmesan sprinkled atop and while the dressing could have been better, the salad works just fine.

Mains Their Mushroom ‘n’ Swiss Chicken Burger (LKR 550) is a must-try. The burger was layered with a juicy ground-chicken patty, cheese slices, grilled onions and caramelized mushrooms and topped off with mayonnaise, all of which made for an absolute treat!

The other burger we tried, the Shack Classic Beef Burger (LKR 500) was also well made but paled in comparison to the mushroom ‘n’ swiss chicken burger. The ground beef patty was great and Snack Shack’s signature sauce went well with the crunchy veggies.

A gyro is basically a Greek Shawarma and Snack Shack’s version of Beef Gyro (LKR 550) consists of an abundance of fresh veggies and Tzatziki. We felt the dish could have used more beef and less bread.

The Philly Chicken Stromboli (LKR 600), an Italian inspired treat, is a hearty meal consisting of a variety of vegetables, diced chicken and gooey Mozzarella. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This was the most filling dish of all but takes 30 minutes to prepare, so be warned! (It was well worth the wait though).

The Snack Shack mains are all served with complimentary accompaniments - fries, coleslaw and dips.

The coleslaw deserves a special mention because it was amazing.

Drinks and Desserts We tried a Chocolate Milkshake (Rs 450) from their drinks menu and the Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream (LKR 400) for dessert. Both work fine if you have a sweet tooth, but we suggest you fill yourself up on their variety of excellent mains.

Service We found the staff to be very helpful and super friendly, and had a great experience overall.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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LOCATION: No. 76/1, Flower Road, Colombo 07 OPEN FROM: 7 am - 12 midnight CUISINES: Mixed Cuisine PRICE RANGE Rs. 500 - 1,500

THE EMBAZZY

Ambience From the outside, the Embazzy looks more like a house or office than a restaurant.

Inside, we were blown away by the beautiful spacious interior with tasteful décor. The staff is well trained, very friendly, and accommodating.

Drinks We tried several drinks and strongly recommend the Kiwi Win (LKR 500) a tangy, fizzy kiwi drink with a refreshing touch of mint leaves, and the Peach Virgin Mojito (Rs.350) a tall glass of super light tangy, minty goodness. For those preferring a hot beverage, the White Hot Chocolate is a lovely, lightly sweetened alternative to their range of excellent coffee.

Entrées The entrees were all generous portions and among the dishes we tried, the Caesar Salad (LKR 650) was a great rendition of the

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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dish that so many places get so wrong. The Sichuan Peppered Calamari (LKR 520) was done right with the crispy batter giving way to the succulent calamari within. The Loaded Fries (LKR 800) is a whopping portion of deliciousness: it comes “loaded” with bacon (chicken), tomatoes, diced onions, fried shallots and a generous helping of cheese.

Great for sharing!

delectable, looks stunning, tastes amazing and is well worth the price with fresh seafood including prawns, cuttlefish and clams in a rich tomato broth. The South African-inspired Bunny Chow (LKR 1350) is a delicious curry of juicy mutton and potato served with toasted bread.

Mains

Dessert

Having tried four mains that were equally good, our recommendation for the Embazzy is “try everything”. We had the Australian pub favourite the Aussie Parma (LKR 1350) with every element from the spicy beef patty to the egg and the sides of coleslaw and fries done right. We were not entirely sure about The Smoked Salmon Pasta (LKR 1470) but were so glad we tried it because it turned out to be a smokey, creamy dish that tasted even better than it looked. The Seafood Puttanesca (LKR 1350) is a must-try – it smells

We opted for Waffles (LKR 350) which form a whole segment of The Embazzy Menu with a design your dish option offering sweet and savoury fillings. We picked a combo of strawberries (LKR.150), fresh cream (LKR 100) and Nutella (LKR 200). The warm waffles were the ultimate comfort food and we wished we had more room for dessert. Remember though that the add-ons also add on to the price.

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LOCATION: 502, R.A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03 OPEN FROM: 11.30am – 10.pm Fridays: 1.30pm – 11pm CUISINES: Italian PRICE RANGE Rs. 500 - 1,500

PASTAMANIA A lot of hype preceded the entry of the Singapore-based franchise Pastamania to Colombo, with the restaurant promising a “wholesome Italian experience”. Upon entering Pastamania, you feel the buzz – the energy of the employees and the cheery interior combine to make a good first impression. The experience at Pastamania matched our already high expectations and we found the food to be uniformly good, while the prices were comparatively reasonable for the fare on offer.

Drinks The Strawberry Quenched (LKR 500) comes in an insta-worthy glass and is rich in strawberry flavour with lime slices giving a citrus edge. If you want something a little creamy, the Wildberry Smoothie (LKR 750) is the way to go. It’s made of fresh blueberries and strawberry syrup and topped with Pastamania’s blueberry gelato.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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Appetizers: Our favourite appetizer was Honey Garlic Chicken (LKR 550) - crispy, moist and absolutely heavenly and a perfect start to build your appetite for what’s to come. Also try the Garlic Pizza bread (LKR 450) – a pretty dish of 12 slices of bread, garnished with sliced garlic, accompanied by two types of salsa. The Pastamania Paprika Wings (LKR 600) is also great - a platter of delicious chicken wings - crispy on the outside, succulent on the inside, with a hint of lime. Definitely worth the money!

Mains The Marinara (with a homemade broth) – (LKR 1000) is an absolute winner! Perfect for seafood fanatics – the dish comes with fresh prawns, cuttlefish and clams. We were told that most people opted for the tomato base over the homemade broth. What a pity because the homemade broth made of tomato and apple extract is packed full of flavour.

We tried the Alfredo (LKR 1000) which came with crunchy broccoli, chicken , ham, and gooey cheese making for a creamy, well seasoned, plentiful dish.

We couldn’t decide on which of Pastamania’s pizza topping to choose from, so went half-half on the Supreme and the Hot Basil Chicken (LKR 1950). That turned out to be a win! The Supreme combines a smorgasbord of ingredients including pineapple, mushrooms, chicken bacon, pepperoni and bell pepper. The Hot Basil Chicken is perfect for our palettes, with the generous chicken topped with red chilli and lots of cheese.

Dessert For dessert, we had the Strawberry Pizza (Rs.750) which blew us away! This is a musttry if you still have room for dessert: think creamy vanilla gelato, cream cheese and a whole lot of strawberries on a crisp base in a divine combination of sweet, salty, creamy, tangy, and crunchy.

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Angampora A tradition of combat, repository of history, an art of living

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There is a man by the name of M.A. Jayasinghe currently living in Kalawana. He’s old and is said to be the last known exponent of the Koti Netuma, or the dance of the Cheetah. The Koti Netuma apparently is a dance form adapted from the Koti Adiya, a fighting technique that’s part of the seven styles based on the ways of animals, the others being Eth (Elephant) Sinha (Lion), Valas (Bear), Naga (Cobra), Ukus (Hawk) and Gurula (Phoenix).

All of them constitute just one element of a larger school of fighting, Angampora. These animal-techniques apparently were subversively transformed into dancing styles when on the 5th of October 1818, Angampora was banned by the British.

by Malinda Seneviratne

Angampora is a discipline that is steeped in military philosophy, spirituality, and was at the very foundation of Sri Lanka’s 2,300 years of independent rule.

In the face of its outlawing in 1818, and active persecution of practitioners until Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, Angampora’s deadly techniques and esoteric practices were transmitted to the present day through ingeniously concealing knowledge in many forms, which include dances and other exotic cultural performances.

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The subversion took many forms. For example, the Kandy Perahera is a veritable repository of what may be called ‘Angampora Secrets’; the ves thattuwa or the ornamental decorations that adorn the dancers are but vestiges of the armour plates and relevant motifs used by the fighters. What made such gear-switching possible was the fact that embedded in Angampora was a lot of things that are not immediately associated with combat. There is medicine, meditation, human-creature relations, food and nutrition and of course a sense of place, history and purpose.

Most of this is unknown. There’s a six-page note in a book P.E.P. Deraniyagala wrote in the

1950s which covers the traditional games of Sri Lanka. It is brief and somewhat inaccurate, but points to another subversive move to preserve the form.

The conscious explorer however could find enough evidence scattered around the island both in archaeological form and in oral history. A keen eyed anthropologist on the other hand would find how it survived by adaptation, how it was hidden in dance and other art forms. Such an individual would no doubt piece things together even using cultural and social facets and practices.

The recently released ‘Angampora: a nation’s legacy in pictures’ does not claim to be an anthropological treatise. Written by Deshamanya Ajantha Mahanthaarachchi, and photographed by Reza Akram, and published by Oceans and Continents, “Angampora: A Nation’s Legacy in Pictures” is the outcome of six years of intensive research and photography. In the 436 pages and through more than 600 photographs, ‘the book aims to raise awareness internationally and locally about the last remaining vestiges of a colourful cultural legacy that shaped Sri Lankan society over the centuries.’

Yasas Ratnayake, who has been a mover and shaker from beginning to end of this

‘Angampora: A nation’s legacy in pictures,’ speaks the long story of the tradition, those who developed the techniques, the art of weapon making, the forces that from the Yaksha clans that came to defend king and country in critical moments, the legendary commanders including women who were revered by their followers and feared by their foes, the ‘special forces of Rajasinghe the First (Illangakkaruwan), the sources from which information was garnered, and of course the battles from the decisive battle at Mullériyäwa in the 16th Century to the rebellions in 1803, 1814, 1818 and 1848. particular ‘Angampora Project,’ said it all began in 2011.

‘Reza Akram, a freelance photographer had seen a picture of some Angampora practitioners posted by a friend, Fazil Rahman.

It led him to do a photo essay which was later picked up by Huffington Post. I got involved only after I returned to Sri Lanka after completing my studies in 2014. Reza is two years older than I; we’ve known each other through scouting. We wanted to do business together. He was looking for a project. All this led us to an Angampora practitioner in Fazil’s office who took us underground, so to speak!’

‘We found that Deshamanya Dr Ajantha Mahanthaarachchi, the Angam Mohandiram and the heir of the Korathota lineage, had already written on the subject. It was textintensive. There were tons of interesting and unique information gathered from over 10 years of research,’ Yasas said.

history; the ‘Rajavaliya’ (Chronicle of the Kings) mentions names of the families and clans.

Today, there are several families in the Korathota Lineage practicing the art. They even train Army, Air Force and Special Task Force squads. There are both women and men who are trained in this tradition even today. They give life to the tradition no doubt, but a visual preservation of the art form can do no harm, certainly.

This is how they found that the art is evidenced in temple frescoes, ornaments, wood carvings, combs, pettagam (large caskets made of wood or metal), envelope knives and even medicine holders. Clearly Angampora motifs have been popular in decorating lots of consumer products. It was obviously not some secret underground

thing, but was of and for the society it was born to, was nurtured by and which it protected.

‘In fact it’s there even in the Dalada Maligawa (the Sacred Temple of the Buddha’s Tooth Relic, Kandy). Inside the ranweta (the golden railing) on the ceiling there are lots of paintings. Much of this is corroborated by historical information which speaks of two fighting school in the Kandyan Kingdom, the Sudaliya (probably dating back to the 15th Century) and the Maruwaliya (to the 15th or even before), both trained by the Korathota practitioners,’ to paraphrase Dr Mahanthaarachchi.

The folk tradition is as rich. There are claims to connections with Ravana and pre-Vijayan history dating back 30,000 years. There are

Why the Korathota Lineage of Angampora practitioners, I wondered, because today there are several ‘schools’ which claim to be ‘the true practitioners’. It was not a random selection. There are various schools and they were all thoroughly researched. The Korathota practitioners had stood out because they had the best complement of weaponry, solid documentation and their story was supported by evidence in the chronicles.

The Korathota Lineage is from Kaduwela. (By the way, that’s from the kadu hangapu wela or the field where swords were hidden).

They lay claim to 700 years of recorded

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stories that speak of Mahasammata Manu, Kataragama Mahasen and Tharaka. The art, they say, has kinship to the martial arts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, especially the Kalaripayattu where present day practitioners believe their art came from Parasurama, an incarnation of Vishnu.

The ‘project’ took Yasas and Reza to Ellore in Maharashtra, a place which holds one of the only remaining early statues of Ravana. The visit to South India was essentially to make the point that further research is necessary to establish which tradition is older, which fed the other and what kind of cross-fertilization there was, and of course to see how far back in time we should go to obtain the early history of Angampora. The claim is that ‘Angam’ is a combat craft that is precursor to many a martial art in the world.

As for dating, the book claims that the unusual nomenclature for combat techniques indicates that it predates the Sinhala language and signifies ancient foundations.

For example, the following: Ï Ahavala, Rakkha padhigäna herala, Rakkha sabalha herala, Rakkha yamara bandha, Rakkha rakkhäna herbal, Rakkha mora herala, Gassäkatha herala, Müsüla phala herala and Angängatha Herala.

The book showcases an exotic array of never-before-seen ancient artefacts including unbelievable weapons (the oldest in the book is a sword from 200 BC) including the ‘Elthunu PAGE 130 | www.pulse.lk

Kaduwa which had up to 25 blades, six feet in length and which could be word as a belt.

There’s information about the importance of pressure points of nila. Apparently there are 108 such points on a human body. Pressure on certain points can turn someone blind and then there are time-based nila which can kill or heal a person in a week, a month or later.

It speaks of fighting against and alongside animals. Then there’s Maya Angam or black magic and voodoo. All these as well as colorful and yet unseen cultural practices on the brink of extinction have been preserved faithfully through secret and unbroken warrior lineages, the book claims.

‘There were oils that could make one bullet proof, meditational techniques to improve vision and expand peripheral vision,’ the text explains. There are stories about drums and whips which make us think of military displays. I would venture that after perusing these pages the Kandy Perahera would be seen very differently. Of course there’s much more than all this in the book.

‘Angampora: A nation’s legacy in pictures,’ then, speaks the long story of the tradition, those who developed the techniques, the art of weapon making, the forces that from the Yaksha clans that came to defend king and country in critical moments, the legendary commanders including women who were revered by their followers and feared by their foes, the ‘special forces of Rajasinghe

the First (Illangakkaruwan) the sources from which information was garnered, and of course the battles from ‘the decisive battle at Mullériyäwa in the 16th Century, where the Portuguese invaders were decimated by the ruthless fighters of Räjasinghe. This battle is one of the finest testaments to the ferocity of the lethal delivery of the Angam craft,’ to the rebellions in 1803, 1814, 1818 and 1848.

What ‘Oceans and Continents,’ a collective of creative professionals based in Colombo, along with one of the last heirs of Angampora’s cultural legacy, has done is historic. It is as close to a visual anthropological text as we can get, given the constraints, and will no doubt spur much needed research to complete the tapestry of the island’s colourful and deep story and thereby unearth clues to the resilience demonstrated even today, against both invader and tyrant.

The project, which cost approximately 13 million rupees is a first of its kind. It is crowdfunded but sponsored by Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (Heritage Sponsor), Sri Lanka Army, Brandix PLC, Sampath Bank PLC (Legacy Sponsors), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Navy (Patriot Sponsors), Siam City Cement Lanka (Pvt) Limited, and Q&E Advertising (FlagBearer Sponsors). The project has a prominent presence on multiple social media platforms, and can give viewers an insight into this long and eventful project.

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gudppl Collaboration 2017

Volunteerism (noun) the use or involvement of volunteer labour, especially in community services Of the multiple volunteering disciplines in Sri Lanka and the various different organizations striving to make a change for the better, there is a new spotlight that shines upon volunteerism within our communities. With our giving nature, abundant hospitality and constant need to give back to society, it’s no surprise that Sri Lanka’s 5-year-average ranking on the World Giving Index (WGI) published by the Charities Aid Foundation stands at 8th place.

For this reason, International Volunteer Day is a widely recognized date throughout the country as a day dedicated to helping others, bettering communities and volunteering for

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worthy causes. Mandated by the UN General Assembly, the day is celebrated worldwide by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector organizations and government authorities annually on the 5th of December.

The day is not only dedicated to helping others and bettering communities, but also focuses on recognizing those who practice volunteerism, as well as promoting unity and peace amongst populations.

The latest International Volunteer Day was celebrated with much grandeur at Collaboration 2017, a summit hosted by gudppl to “inspire action”, keeping close to the 2017 theme, “Volunteers act first, here and everywhere”. The Sri Lankan Social Media Network for Volunteering whose values revolve around respectfulness, accountability, empathy and above all, hope, brought people together with NGOs, non-profits and charities to discover ways in which they can get involved. The summit included 34 exhibitors, including change agents like Serendip Strings, Foundation of Goodness, and CCC Line/ CCC Foundation showcasing their work in Sri Lanka and talking about what their volunteer and donor requirements are.

Collaboration 2017 also included important discussions and speeches by renowned figures

Sri Lanka’s Social Network for Volunteering

Harinda Fonseka, the founder and CEO of Gudppl such as Afdhel Aziz on “Good Is The New Cool”, and Hans Billimoria speaking on “Patriarchy Is Not An Isolated Incident”.

The main objective of gudppl is to create a central database of volunteers and deserving causes, where the website and app allow volunteers to browse through available causes and pledge towards those they find most suitable. Since its inception in 2016, gudppl has connected over 600 volunteers to over 250 projects, including Sri Pada cleanup and garbage free awareness campaign, connecting donors with orphanages in need of furniture, and even organized a yoga session in an elders’ home.

They have also been bestowed many awards through the years for their hard work and dedication such as the Infotel Startup award, the good market Social Impact award and being named the winner of the eSwabhimani Digital Social Impact award for the ‘Inclusion and Empowerment’ category.

As Harinda Fonseka, the founder and CEO of Gudppl rightly said, “We need to go beyond the call of duty and do more. At the end of the day, we can’t wait for others to do (things), we need to get involved and it needs to come from within.” So why waste more time? Here’s your chance to make a difference in the world. Visit www.gudppl.com to change the world, one cause at a time.

Download the gudppl app on Google App Store:

Wikremanayake

Derek Entertainer, Maestro, and a Benchmark Musician PAGE 134 | www.pulse.lk

Derek Wikremanayake is no stranger to the Sri Lankan music scene, in fact he is quite the veteran as he has been a part of this industry for almost half a century.

Derek certainly had quite a lot to share with us so do read on to fill yourself in on everything you need to know.

Enlighten us on your background I am 62 years young; I have been a musician since I was 16. I am self-taught so everything I have learned was based on trial and error (I must say that there were more errors) I played in many bands here and abroad, currently I play with Wildfire and I teach guitar. I am married and I have a son here who is one and a half years old; My other two sons are in Switzerland.

How did you know that this was the career path you wanted to follow?

Ever since I was a kid I was so into music and all I ever wanted was to play the guitar and join a band. Most of my friends were talking about getting a decent job, passing exams etc., but I never followed that trend. My father was not very interested in what we did in school and I wasn’t the brightest bulb either, I found it rather boring. All I wanted was to play and have fun. When I joined my first band back in Kandy, I knew straight away this is what I want to do.

“Ever since I was a kid I was so much into music and all I ever wanted was to play the guitar and join a band. Most of my friends were talking about getting a decent job, passing exams etc., but I never followed that trend. “ but it wasn’t the same club. However, I’d have to say that my biggest highlight is Wildfire, the band I formed in the year 2000.

How would you describe your musical style?

I play many different styles of music. Being in a dance band, one must adapt to the situation by being versatile. I played a lot of rock in the early days of my career, but now I am spending most of my time learning the art of Jazz.

Who are some of the artists/ guitarists that inspire you and why?

There are so many, I simply can’t point out to a few.

What are the highs and lows about this industry in Sri Lanka?

The best thing is that the competition is low, unlike in other countries. We have a very small community of good musicians in the western music scene in Sri Lanka. If you know your instrument you can always get work. There

are some lows as well, but I’d prefer to not go into detail about them.

Is there anything that you would like to change in the local industry?

There is an association called the WMA (Western Musicians Association) I’d like to see all those who are involved in western music joining in as there are many benefits; one being that there is in EXCO to look into all the problems musicians have to face. I feel that this will bring about order. Lately, some large hotels have started bringing down bands from the East. This is an insult to all of us (Is the local talent not good enough to grace the stages of these hotels?!) We have to put a stop to this madness.

What are the hurdles that you have overcome to become who you are?

The biggest challenge is to convince foreign embassies that we are not planning to leave our comfortable lives here in Sri Lanka to go and work as labourers in their countries. Every

Throughout your career you must have surely had some milestones and highlights, please share them with us I got to travel at a very young age; I must have visited over 50 countries and during that time I graced the stages of the best five star hotels throughout the world as well as some of the worst nightclubs in Europe. One place in particular was the Bayerischer Zell down Ripperbhan in Hamburg, Germany.

Even The Beatles had played in Ripperbhan

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gig is a challenge from the get go and one can never relax until the gig is over, that is exactly why wildfire members don’t consume alcohol during a performance.

In your opinion who are some of the legends in the Sri Lankan music scene?

Most of them are now dead and gone. Nimal Mendis, Clarence Wijewardana, Dickson Tom Menezies, Erin De Selfa, Mignonne Fernando and Herschel Rodrigo played a major part. In terms of Bands, La Ceylonians, Jetliners, and the Spitfires contributed a lot to our industry.

Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring Sri Lankan musicians?

Strive to be a better musician by practicing hard on your instrument.

Make sure you have a good knowledge of how music works. If you are only an instrumentalist, then try to learn to sing. (You’d rather be a good singer with a bad voice than a bad singer with a good voice) Understand what the other band members are playing; don’t just be a part of the jigsaw puzzle, you need to know where all the other pieces fit in as well. Don’t jump in by forming a band straight away. Instead, join a band that is already doing gigs. Play along till you get a better break and you have some experience, by that time you will know exactly what you want to do, then it is as easy as taking it on from there.

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Brides of Sri Lanka Celebrates

10 Years Sri Lanka’s ever popular bridal magazine, Brides of Sri Lanka, recently held a grand celebration of their ten year anniversary!

Rosy

Kamil

Brian

Kevin

Thiyasha

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Anusha

Kumar

Bernie

Ayesh

Romesh

Mahika

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 139

The Reading List A Dystopian Paradise

It’s true that the world’s not doing so great, and maybe most of us would rather not dwell on it. It’s always best to be prepared though – and that’s why there’s an entire genre dedicated to the concept of a future where misery, suffering and injustice are the order of the day.

In fact, most of these tales may already have been adapted into popular films and TV series (or soon will be). While these adaptations try their utmost to capture the bleak future that lies within reach, they cannot hope to capture the vivid reality that a well-written book can surround you with. Keeping this in mind, in this edition of the reading list we focus on some of the best dystopian novels you can sink your teeth into.

1984 – George Orwell (1949) For a book that was written in 1949, it’s scary how accurately it predicted the direction society is plummeting towards – one in which everything is constantly monitored and controlled by the state. Frankly, it’s quite disturbing that some of the phrases coined in the novel have become widely accepted terms. Ever wonder where the term ‘Big Brother is watching you’ originated? Well, look no further.

As you turn its pages, you become drawn into a world where government manipulation, media control, and surveillance is the norm, and no one dares to speak out of turn. It’s a deeply affecting tale of a fight for freedom, love and happiness, but perhaps what’s most jarring is the fact that we’re not too far from such an eventuality.

That is why 1984 can be considered one of the most powerful and terrifying novels of this age. It’s an unerring depiction of our imminent doom and the near hopelessness of what lies ahead. We do specify near hopelessness, however – after all, where there’s life, there’s hope.

The Stand Stephen King (1978 / 1990) What better way to venture into a postapocalyptic, dystopian future than with the King of Horror? It’s the end of the world as we know it – an all-too familiar scenario of a pandemic that wipes PAGE 140 | www.pulse.lk

out 99% of the world’s population – of which the author paints a picture that is both frighteningly vivid and hauntingly realistic.

That’s because you simply cannot help being enveloped by a feeling of complete dread, as you grapple with the horror of helplessness alongside characters that live within you long after the book closes, their stories making their way into the very depths of your soul.

Considered by fans to be one of his greatest works, when you dive into this masterfully written tale of epic proportions, you’re swept into a world of uncertainty – with twists and turns at every stage. There are two versions – the cut and the uncut – and we suggest you read the latter, just as the writer intended it.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? – Phillip K. Dick (1968) If you’re a movie buff, you may have heard of a little something called ‘Blade Runner’ – two movies that although set decades apart, transcended space and time to create a magnificently stunning visual presentation of a future that is far ahead of its time, where invention begets evolution and artificial intelligence is all too natural.

Well, here’s the book they’re based on. It is a truth universally acknowledged that movies cannot hope to capture the sheer magnitude and scale of one’s own imagination, which is why we recommend the reading of this futuristic tale.

While the story begins a little slowly, it’s worth the wait – the writer is able to transform the mundane into something

far more fascinating. It’s a complex and philosophical read, constantly making the reader arrest their train of thought to ponder on what’s real, and what’s not.

The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood (1985) With everything going on in the world today, this novel has never been more relevant.

Considering the #TimesUp movement, allegations of sexual assault and the fight for equal rights resounding around us, a tale of a totalitarian society within which women are objectified and used seems rather apt. It also helps that it’s an inspiring story of the lifelong struggle of a group of women subject to extreme misogyny and hardship, as they rise up against the rising tide to achieve their own individuality and independence.

The Passage – Justin Cronin (2010) This is the first instalment of a trilogy, and a strange cross between unlikely genres – vampires and dystopian literature.

It’s rather akin to the premise of the Mad Max franchise, but set in two parts – the first part dealing with the background and onset of the apocalypse, and the second portion the aftermath thereof.

Sure, you might be skeptical, but give it a shot – it’s quite likely you’d find yourself thirsting after more.

Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury (1953) ‘It was a pleasure to burn.’ Opening with these iconic lines, this book is the epitome of irony – a book about books being banned, that was eventually banned. It sets before the reader the rather unlikely prospect of a society in which books in any form are forbidden, and cheap, mind-numbing entertainment is the order of the day.

Oh wait.

The Watchlist

Summer Releases

It’s summer, and we all know what that means – time for all those big blockbusters to hit the screen. Of course, Marvel kicked off the season early by releasing Infinity War late April, (if you haven’t seen it yet, why are you still reading this?) but there are even greater things in store, and we’ve rounded up a few things to look forward to in the months to come.

Deadpool 2 One highly grossing meta blockbuster, an astonishingly wellreceived silver screen debut of a potty mouth anti-villain with a knack for critiquing derivative content and a retired wolverine later, here we are. Deadpool 2 is finally here!

The merc with the mouth infamous for his double entendres and fourth wall breaking dialogue (portrayed by the eccentric Ryan Reynolds), unites the X-force, a more militant and aggressive form of the X-men to fight Cable; the super villain sporting a metal arm, or as Deadpool likes to call him, Thanos.

If anything like the first movie, Deadpool 2 promises to be splattered with over-thetop ludicrous obscenity, knuckle-crunching action sequences and that notoriously witty Ryan Reynolds humour that we all know and love.

Be sure to catch Deadpool 2 in theatres from the 16th of May.

The Incredibles 2 It’s been a long wait – fourteen years in the making, comes the highly anticipated sequel to the Incredibles: a family of superheroes who are trying (and failing miserably) to be normal. When last we saw them, they had just defeated a formidable foe, and baby Jack-Jack literally lit up the screens with potential.

This time around, it’s Elastigirl’s time to shine, while Mr. Incredible becomes a superhero in his own right: a stay-at-home-dad – a truly progressive attitude not without its challenges. With a mysterious persona

looming on the horizon, there’s just one thing we know for certain – it’s definitely going to be a release to look forward to, and without question a movie the entire family can enjoy.

The Incredibles 2 releases on the 15th of June.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Joining Hollywood’s wave of blockbuster remakes with a growing number of pessimistic fans is the sequel to Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World, titled ‘Fallen Kingdom’.

engages in bone breaking stunts and is seen hanging from a rope thousands of feet above the ground – and if that’s not sufficient he’s facing Superman himself, Henry Cavill in this Mission Impossible sequel, titled ‘Fallout’.

Catch the showdown between Ethan Hunt and the Man of Steel in theatres on the 27th of July.

Solo: A Star Wars Story – 25th May Yes, it’s another Star Wars movie, but this one has a stellar cast, and if reviews indicate anything, it’s a fun watch. Directed by Ron Howard, it follows the adventures of a young Han Solo years before the rebellion, and for fans of the classic movies, possibly an interesting and refreshing take on the franchise.

Ocean’s 8 – 08th June This is one of those maybe movies – it might be great, and it may do disastrously. However, it would be interesting to see an amazing lineup of women tackle a jewel heist, and since their point of attack is the Met Gala, they’re sure to look fabulous doing it. Plus, who could resist Sandra Bullock, honestly?

Hereditary – 08th June

The movie, although a far cry from Spielberg’s ground-shaking dinosaur phenomenon, seems promising to optimistic fans. If the trailer does any justice to the whole, the long-awaited blockbuster promises to feature land-sliding adventures packed with special effects of a volcanic scale. If not, there’ll always be a T-Rex staring at you with teethgrinding intensity, which as far as animation goes is worth a visit to the theatres.

Widely hailed as one of the most fearinducing horror films of this age, and termed ‘this generation’s Exorcist’, if you love the genre, you should definitely give this one a shot. A mysterious matriarch who has passed away, a family combating inner demons, coupled with diabolical, spine-chilling twists and turns – what more could you ask for?

Catch Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom on the 7th of June, 2018 in theatres.

Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, this miniscule superhero juggles the far bigger challenges of being a father, and embarks on his latest quest – to defeat a sinister super-villain by the name of Ghost. It’s sure to be packed with action, laughs and a whole lotta heart, so grab hold and enjoy the ride!

Mission Impossible: Fallout Hollywood’s most famous stunt-man/spy is back with yet another impossible mission. In the light of outdoing the last death-defying stunt in which he hung on the side of a cargo plane as it took to the skies, this time around, Tom Cruise is seen doing air flips in a helicopter. As if hanging from a 2716 foot building from a wire isn’t quite daring enough.

The face-changing secret operative literally

Ant Man and the Wasp – 06th July

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again – 20th July Sophie, now pregnant, begins to explore Donna’s past further. True, the last movie wasn’t exceptional, but you know we’d go watch anything so long as Meryl Streep’s in it….and if it’s anything like its predecessor, a feel-good story with familiar tunes that will surely have you singing along. Oh, and Cher makes a surprise appearance.

Foxhill and Walawa Supercross are the most gruelling and keenly contested motor races in Sri Lanka. Our heartiest congradulations to Racing Champion Ashan Silva for dominating these races for the second consecutive year on Maxxis tyres.

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The Sensation that is

Magic Box

Mix-up

From Friday Nights at The Long Bar to Saturday Nights at Re.Pub.Lk, Magic Box Mixup is a trail-blazing band that’s stealing the hearts of many Sri Lankans with their engaging performances, unique sound, and captivating stage presence.

The group of heart-throbs are a much raved about phenomenon in Colombo and its suburbs with their fan base cutting across all demographics. www.pulse.lk | PAGE 143

The band was conceptualized by founder Shaun Perera whilst watching an episode of the well-loved TV series, Friends, where Phoebe sings a song titled ‘Magician’s Box Mix-up’. He fell in love, and the rest is history.

Ironically, Shaun’s love for Friends wasn’t the only thing that resonated well with the band, but the fact that the group really is a “magic mix-up” of people, from a myriad of different backgrounds, making the band name even more perfect.

With humble beginnings as a concert band way back in 2005, the group won the titles of People’s Choice Award and Best Musician for Shaun at TNL Onstage in 2006 and has come a long way since then, releasing an YES FM Home Grown chart-topping original “Here I Go”, landing gigs at stunning weddings and having the time of their lives, doing what they love. Presently, the group consists of Shaun Perera on Vocals, Shamin de Silva on Guitar, Jimith Sirinandana on Drums, Dulaj Perera on Guitar & Vocals, Guyrika Weerasinghe on Percussion, Justice Gnanamuttu on Bass and Gayan Fernando on Keyboards.

Dulaj

Justice

The cover band nature of Magic Box Mix-up doesn’t stop them from venturing into a vast array of different genres, playing anything from Imagine Dragons to Jackson Five and putting their own unique twist on all-time favourites like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Grenade”. They also ensure that they take into consideration the original artistes of the songs they cover, making sure they don’t ruin the songs but complement them to the best of their ability, stating that “for us being a cover band is expressing another person’s work in our own way and how we interpret it”. When asked about group dynamics, the band agrees that they all have a passion for music and are inspired by various musicians – adding that to a certain extent, they even inspire each other through the different genres of music each one prefers.

jobs too. However, there is some slow but steady progress this year, so maybe you’ll hear at least one or two very soon.”

The band also proves to be very humble with regards to the hordes of fan-girls, constantly raving about how “they are all handsome young men” and states that “Girls go crazy over loads of bands. It’s just that they love music and we play music.”

Ultimately, their goal as a band is and always will be to make it big, internationally - at least to a certain level. People might say it’s an unrealistic dream but big dreams and thinking crazy go hand in hand and MBM will constantly strive to achieve those goals. More than anything they aspire to always have fun when they take the stage and enjoy every minute doing what they love.

Magic Box Mixup has plans to satiate their fans’ thirst for more of their original music, explainingthat whilst a few singles have been in the works, it has proven to be a challenging task thus far and that “this is mainly due to time constraints due to most of us doing day

Shaun

Shamin

Guyrika

Jimith

Gayan

A fusion of artistic skills

Paintography PAGE 146 | www.pulse.lk

What do you get when a painter and a photographer collaborate? Simple, A Paintograph. This art form is the best of both worlds as it fuses the eye of a photographer and the brush of a painter. Colours, light, and depth are blended hand in hand to craft a masterpiece. Dhanush de Costa and Dillai Joseph have pioneered this movement in Sri Lanka.

Before we get in to the details of how this works, we caught up with Dhanush and Dillai to find out more about themselves. Dillai has a professional career as a creative director but her passion has always been art. The fact that she studied fine art for almost 10 years under the artist Nadine David is testament to this.

Classical art has been the biggest influence in her life and thus she tries to incorporate art into everything that she does.

Meanwhile, when Dhanush was growing up, he had an eye for everything around him. His father’s influence as a photographer gave him the opportunity to handle cameras from a tender age. Soon he knew that he wanted to become a photographer. Although he studied design and worked in advertising for a brief period, his passion soon took over resulting in him establishing his own photography company.

Before Dhanush and Dillai create a paintograph, they discuss an idea or concept on a particular subject and figure out what needs to get photographed. It could be a particular part of an object or the entire piece itself. Dhanush works on the lighting, cropping and all technical aspects. After these perfectionists are satisfied with the composition of the photograph it is printed on a canvas. Then Dillai takes over to add in forms of either objects, or colour or texture.

This results in a story from a total composition point of view. When asked if there are specific elements that they look for in a picture before it is turned into a paintograph, they say that the elements should lend themselves to a story. It could be anything; history, a message, or even beauty. It simply has to stand for something.

The story of how they started to do this is rather interesting, it all started with a simple “what if?” question while in conversation.

They printed out some sample photographs on a canvas and began to experiment. It was quite clear how easily they could manipulate the images; there was immense potential.

While they understand that this may not be the first time this technique has been used, the techniques Dhanush and Dillai use to stylize and develop stories is unlike anything else.

While the feedback they get from the public has been nothing short of amazing, it is quite challenging to achieve this perfect fusion.

According to them, it is all about striking the right balance. It’s never 50% photograph and 50% painting. Sometimes the concept leads to more of the photograph or more of the painting; figuring out how to balance it is where the challenge lies.

After their debut exhibition at the Galle Literary Festival put the duo on the map, they are working on some commissioned projects at the moment and they plan on having another exhibition sometime this year to further their movement into the limelight

The concept here was to show that life is all about the journey and not the destination alone. If you look harder you will see the bridge dripping and the definition of it fading. The message being that everything in life is impermanent, they melt. The journey however continues and enjoying that journey is key.

Here they portray the estate worker in her beauty. Although it’s a small flower painted on her, they wanted her to go back to her youth. The photograph captures her beautiful smile and charm while the painting of the flower gives the story of a different perspective to her life.

Galle in its glory! The idea was to showcase Galle as a heritage site. Dhanush and Dillai gave a mystical feel to this place through the eyes of a looking glass. They shot it in an angle that would show the splendour of Galle and painted in a manner that would make it a surreal place to be.

Although many visit these places, the energy of the ancient wonders had to be brought out in an interesting manner. They used black and white photography to portray the forgotten feel and added psychedelic colours to showcase the energy that lies still in these ruins.

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About Feeling

at Home IdeaCouch is a youth artists collective specializing in performing arts. Since its inception in 2016, the company has strived to break free of the existing norms regarding theatre and theatre based ventures. Moving beyond the conventional proscenium theatre culture, IdeaCouch has created a niche audience for itself with popular initiatives such as The Garage Show series.

Over the years The Garage Show series has proved to be an unmistakable hit among the thinking audience in Colombo and the suburbs. Tackling wider community issues such as working class struggles, relationships, marriage, discrimination and inequality, patriotism and nationalism; and lighter and more heartfelt topics such as family and home, The Garage Shows have pushed the boundaries of theatre as a story-telling medium.

Perhaps the secret of its success lies in its sheer simplicity and originality; occupying a garage or a lived-in space over several weeks and utilizing that space and available resources for inspiration and devising, rather than resorting to costly set pieces and costuming.

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This time around, the fifth instalment of the Garage Show by IdeaCouch captured the altogether elusive concept of “home” and addressed the sentiment of what it means to ‘feel at home’. The show which was staged at a vacant house in Mount Lavinia consisted of a series of skits which were devised drawing on the personal experiences, stories, ideas and beliefs of the IdeaCouch team; making the content very real and relatable to the audience.

The house where the show took place was a character in itself. It’s looming presence, its quiet but observant existence, its spaces, nooks and crannies spoke to the writers and actors and helped the audience connect strongly with the stories.

The series of skits explored storylines such as the falling apart of a home because of separation and divorce, the feeling of emptiness of a home following the death of a loved one, the feeling of homesickness, old age at an elder’s home, the mother figure that home cannot seem to do without and racism in our homeland.

“First off, great space, and great use of the outdoor space. The use of the house was inventive throughout the show and the performers’ confidence in these spaces was very evident. I particularly liked the montage of quick scenes in the second half.

It was energetic, funny, surprising and in general really well structured. Overall there was a naturalness in the acting, and a strong element of ensemble playing that I really appreciated.

I think IdeaCouch has grasped the nature of immersive theatre and I would be very interested in seeing the company use this form more in the future. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the evening.

Congratulations, to the team, on the promotion of innovative concepts and the creation of original theatre.”

- Tracy Holsinger “The show was one of the most captivating performances I have ever seen. I laughed out loud many times during the show, but cried watching a soliloquy - the story of a man who returned to his home in Jaffna.

It was a beautiful mix of all the things that remind us of home. Kudos to the entire cast and crew for working in an unconventional setting. For the crazy quick changes and for transitioning from one role to another with so much ease.”

-Vraie Cally “The Show was quite amazing. Such relevant themes dealt with in a sensitive and sincere manner with an ingenious use of space. I enjoyed the experience and evening very much. Looking forward eagerly to the next one.”

-Jerome de Silva

DINOSHI KEIPER Opens Gates into Past Lives

There are two questions most people encounter at some point in their lives. There are probably more, but these two are what this is all about: a) where did we come from? and b) where will we go?

All communities have religious cosmologies that answer these questions one way or another to which individuals subscribe with varying degrees of conviction. Those who believe in lifetimes, the force of karma and such ‘explain’ trials and tribulations as products of things done in the past, either in this lifetime or in previous ones.

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Even if we stepped out of the faithframe it is hard to dismiss the logic of cause and effect. Sometimes something that happened years ago gets lodged in our subconscious mind and conditions our thoughts and actions. Psychoanalysts trace back certain mental conditions to such ‘moments’.

Sometimes such tracing does not yield answers. That’s not the fault of the psychoanalyst of course. After all, we travel along so many roads in a single lifetime, a ‘road’ can be a career path, relationships, educational preferences, the conversations we’ve had, the books we’ve read or anything in fact. We can’t always remember or track down the random word, say, which had a

“

critical impact on the choices we made thereafter. Indeed, most times we are not even aware that some random thing would affect us in significant ways.

Dinoshi Keiper, a graduate in economics turned Guidance Counsellor who is also a Psychotherapist and Career Coach, has studied all this. And it’s all there in two books that have just been published, ‘The Invisible Truth’ and ‘Healing the Future.’

The first, she says, ‘aims to show that there’s much more meaning to our lives than what we comprehend through our five senses.’ She says that while knowledge is acquired through the five senses, wisdom is obtained through ‘the higher self’. There is, she claims, an

‘invisible truth’ which is like a doorway to understand this higher self and even beyond. All strange terms for the uninitiated, obviously, and the book is a journey that makes the unfamiliar more familiar and even intimate.

The second (Healing the Future) takes us through multiple journeys of past lives. They are stories about Dinoshi taking her clients into their past and sometimes even into their future through hypnotherapy. It is therefore an introduction into a world of being, becoming and knowing that we are hardly aware of and if we are, ready to dismiss rather than explore.

As often happens it was a chance remark that piqued her curiosity and led

Dinoshi says that there was always a need in her to know certain things: ‘I wanted to know who are we, where we come from, are we human beings trying to evolve into spiritual beings or spiritual beings in human form…things like that. I always felt something was missing. The corporate sector was not my thing; I was never interested in profits. It was unsettling. I was always searching for something that was missing.’

”

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her to the engagements that have now become central to her life. A friend had inquired about a birthmark just above the left eye of her son, who was then just five years old. A common enough query, she said, but one which was followed by a strange question, ‘Have you read Dr Brian Weiss’ book “Many lives, many masters”?’

This is what took her to hypnotherapy.

She bought the book and found the concepts familiar. It was the turning point in her career. Soon thereafter she went to India which she found a spiritually fulfilling place.

Her husband’s work took the family to Singapore ten years ago and there she found the space she needed to explore.

‘This was a crossroad for me. I had lots of opportunities to do what I want. I started to study – a Master of Guidance and Counselling, and I tried out hypnotherapy. It was very easy. I began to uncover interesting things about myself and my family.

Interestingly, Dinoshi says there are no coincidences, ‘there are only universal plans.’ For instance she believes that all her training and experience in various disciplines as well as her travels PAGE 152 | www.pulse.lk

now appear to have been a process of gathering knowledge of the world.

It was a base from which she could embark on familiarizing herself with the mind and beyond.

The stories are, as promised, fascinating.

Of course, obtaining the science of it all would require diligent study and disciplined practice. Going by her own theory of there being no coincidences it is probably not for everyone. However, everyone can if he/she wants, float into those unknowns that they wonder about now and then, with therapeutic nudges by those who know; i.e. people like Dinoshi.

‘I call it “past life regression”. I take the particular person back to a time where a particular habit that seems to agitate the person first began. It could be in this lifetime or perhaps another. If I don’t find anything in this lifetime then I take them beyond. Sometimes it is actually from this lifetime but we are not always conscious of it. It’s just stuff in the subconscious mind playing a role below the surface. Parts therapy is another technique I use to talk to different parts of the emotional self, be it the anxiety part, sadness part, happiness part etc., to uncover stumbling blocks in our lives,

where we do not necessarily need to visit a past life.’

For some it might sound a bit of mumbo-jumbo, but we are talking about a person who has done ‘the science’ so to speak, inhabited the world of scientific method and rationality.

Dinoshi says that she tries to combine the science and parapsychology in her work.

A couple of examples might illustrate a lot of things. The first is about herself.

‘I have always had this fear of snakes and have never been able to come up with a rational explanation for it. When I explored my past lifetimes I came across an incident. I was a teacher in some upcountry rural school. I was wearing osariya and walking home after school along a dirt track. There was high grass on the side of the path. I was bitten by a black snake hidden beneath the grass.

I saw my father carrying me to an old house, laying me down on the floor and a veda mahaththaya treating me.

I was outside that body and I felt that I didn’t want to go back into it because there was so much pain inside the body.

Immediately I told myself “aha!” I have a birthmark on the very spot that the snake stung me.’

Are all birthmarks traceable to something that happened in some past life, I asked her. She said that there are many cases where she has discovered some connection.

The other story is about a woman who felt repulsed by her husband and had not been able to figure out why. She had thought it was a general revulsion of men and traced it to a suspected unsavoury encounter with her grandfather which she felt was sexual because the grandfather had kept referring to something he dubbed ‘our little secret’. ‘I took her back to that time, but all we found was that the grandfather had shown her

There is, she says, something that could be called ‘cellular memory,’ memories embedded within us. These she is able to access on account of ‘deep study, reflection and practice that draw from extensive research into literatures on mainstream beliefs and ideologies as well as the science behind our existence.’ The books are however ‘light’ and easily read because the theories are interspersed with case histories that anyone can identify with.

‘Yes, Buddhist philosophy is embedded in all of this, and Hinduism too,’ she says in response to questions of faith and philosophy. The names we put on things obviously mean less than the

all this. She is essentially a guidance counsellor and a psychotherapist, who uses her understanding of things that are not always apparent to help people obtain a balance between parts of the emotional self and only takes them to past lives when necessary and where the client is amenable to such a journey.

Everything she’s said over the course of around two hours was fascinating.

For her it was all matter-of-fact, though.

Interesting though the subject is, passionate though she is about it, there was no animation in her voice, words or in her engagement with questions and comments. Nothing even in her eyes. Just a strange calmness which

Dinoshi doesn’t have a past-livesexploration shop. She doesn’t market all this. She is essentially a guidance counsellor and a psychotherapist, who uses her understanding of things that are not always apparent to help people obtain a balance between parts of the emotional self and only takes them to past lives when necessary and where the client is amenable to such a journey.

some pornographic pictures; it wasn’t something that either of us felt could have such a strong antipathy to male presence. So, we went beyond.

‘What we found out was very interesting. She had been a princess in some South American tribe. The king or the chieftain had wanted her as his wife, but she had been in love with someone else, and was cheating him.

The chieftain had therefore killed her.

We found that the chieftain was in fact her husband in this lifetime!’

‘Did she divorce the man?’ I asked her.

‘No, it turned out fine. She realized that it was not out of anger or hatred that he had killed her, but was doing what custom demanded.’

relevant practices and the nature of processes, both familiar and unfamiliar.

was bathed in what must have been compassion, I finally decided.

Dinoshi Keiper is a practitioner and like all serious exponents of any art or vocation, she is essentially a student, for learning never ends. Even though she embarked on a less travelled path ten years ago, she remains committed to a lifelong interest in helping people navigate the harsh realities of life. Her focus is children, especially those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and she is currently reading for a doctorate in education at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

‘I am fascinated. I don’t know of any issues that need to be sorted and even if I did I am not too concerned about sharing it, but I would like to go back in time just to know how history unfolded,’ I told her.

Dinoshi doesn’t have a past-livesexploration shop. She doesn’t market

‘You will see yourself,’ she said simply, ‘every memory and experience is saved within our subconscious; however, you often access those that are unconsciously activated in everyday life – those that are most relevant in the present time.’

I did not ask to be taken back and neither did she offer. She gave me the books, however. A special gift, I felt. www.pulse.lk | PAGE 153

eSports disrupting the Sports industry

Poland’s Intel Extreme Masters was the biggest event in esports history with 173,000 spectators.

By Ramesh Liyanage

Electronic Sports (eSports) is the fastest growing sport you’ve never heard of. To say that Electronic Sports, which is the competitive play of video games, is booming would be an understatement. The industry is growing at an exponential rate each year with prize pools, viewership numbers, revenue streams and tournament reach improving year on year.

League of Legends is one of the most popular eSports titles currently being played globally.

Last year’s World Championship semi-finals had a viewership of up to 80 million unique

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viewers. This is in contrast to a downward trend of viewership for traditional sports.

Take for example the viewership for the Super Bowl - traditionally one of the most popular annual sporting events on television.

Viewership slipped to an all-time low with only 103.4 million watching this year’s games.

Similarly viewership of traditional sports leagues and even the Olympics shares the downward trend. In today’s digital world, the appeal of being able to reach billions across an industry that spans the globe and across geographical and cultural divides is an obvious advantage for brands and advertisers looking to push their content across. This

makes eSports one of the most lucrative industries right now.

Another key aspect that drives interest and engagement for viewers of eSports tournaments is the use of new technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality as well as concepts for interactivity being introduced each year. eSport has also quickly become one of the most lucrative career paths with professional cyber-athletes in countries like the US earning millions each year. This is mainly thanks to the mammoth prize pools that

The business models behind traditional sports have proven to be inefficient and out-dated when compared to their eSports counterparts with developers such as Valve and Riot being pressured to continuously improve their games and the experience they provide to keep interest and the enthusiasm around their eSports title going.

Tournament organisers are also driven to ensure that eSports spectators receive the best engagement and experience at their events and they seem to have acknowledged their role.

The Dota 2 International - most successful example of crowdfunded prize pools through ingame purchases.

some eSports tournaments offer. Dota 2 for example which hosts its annual world championship called The International, had a whopping USD 24.7 million as its prize pool last year, which happens to also be the largest prize pool in the history of eSports. Since the launch of the event in 2011 by Valve - the developers of Dota 2 - with a prize pool of only USD 1.6 million, The International has awarded over USD 55 million as prize money over seven years.

Traditional sports on the other hand have prize pools that are comparatively much smaller. Prestigious tournaments like The Open Championship, the world’s oldest golf tournament offers USD 10.25 million as the prize pool, with the prize pool for the ICC Cricket World Cup being USD 10 million. The very popular Indian Premier League (IPL) Cricket tournament also offered only USD 8 million in the 2017 edition.

“Dota 2 for example

which hosts its annual world championship called The International, had a whopping USD 24.7 million as its prize pool last year, which happens to also be the largest prize pool in the history of eSports.

”

eSports tournaments have some of the world’s largest prize pools offered for sports with successful cyber-athletes earning millions each year.

Given this massive growth, mainstream television networks, sports team owners, celebrities and many more have taken notice of the potential that eSports holds.

Companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Intel, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and others are already in the eSports industry. Mainstream television networks such as ESPN, TBS and SyFy have begun to broadcast eSports events. Popular sports figures such as Robert Kraft (owner of New England Patriots), Andy Miller (owner of Sacramento Kings) and Shaquille O’Neal all have ownership stakes in eSports teams.

Things look bright for eSports, as it was confirmed as an official medal sport for the 2022 Asian Games in China. Discussions are already underway to include eSports as an official medal sport for the 2024 Olympics which will be held in Paris. With million dollar prize pools, events that can fill large stadiums and being one of the largest spectator sports of choice, eSports is disrupting the sports industry in ways hitherto unseen.

Lester through the eyes of Iranganie

When Dr. Lester James Peries left us, he left behind a body of work of twenty films spanning fifty years from 1956 to 2006. Apart from his body of work gifted to local and global cinema, his other gift to Sri Lanka is a lady who is considered to be the quintessential mother of Sinhala Cinema. Here is Lester, as remembered

by Iranganie Serasinghe.

When I first met Lester, I was actively taking part in many stage plays at my university.

Lester would frequently come and watch them and admire my performances on stage. Later on after my marriage to Prof. S.B. Dissanayake, we ended up frequenting Lester’s home in Dehiwala quite regularly as my spouse at the time was good friends with Lester’s brother Ivan.

Dr. Peries and Mrs. Peries, were extremely nice people, their personalities were ever welcoming. Their home was quite an interesting and buzzing place as many people in the household were involved in the field of creativity and arts. Ivan for example, was a painter and he wanted to paint my portrait. I ended up going there almost every day and I would be there for hours at a time. In addition, the 43 group had just been formed so many personalities like Aubrey Collete and Richard Gabriel were in and out of that household.

Now we come to the London Era; at this point in his life he was interested in films and the art of filmmaking, even though he was a journalist. As a result we spoke a lot about this art in his little flat and in quaint tea rooms across London. Life in London at the time was much slower pace. People were just trying to get over the effects of the war.

When I first started in Be Safe Or Be Sorry, I learned what a consummate professional he was. As it was my first time acting in front a camera I was nervous. Lester however, constantly reassured me and told me that even though there are small differences, it’s just the same as acting on stage; true enough, I had nothing to worry about. He never lost his temper nor was he impatient. Instead, he was very thorough. He knew what he wanted and he knew how to get it done. Lester was always considerate of the fact that he was working with other people who have their own differences.

Never did I think that I would be a predominant feature in his films to come.

I thought this would be a one time thing.

He always had confidence in me, even though some of the roles I had to play were challenging for myself.

I will always remember what an interesting person he was to have a conversation with.

Even on the last few days that I met him, his sense of humour always remained the same.

That characteristic cryptic wit of Lester never died. He will surely be remembered by many for generations to come.

The full video of this interview can be viewed on pulse.lk

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The Realist’s Guide to the

MOTHER’S DAY This year, my husband and I celebrate 8 years of parenthood. During this time we have produced no less than three children. Now while some people consider this quite the feat, others think us very careless and downright excessive. I have often been asked if our third child was ‘planned’. As one acquaintance put it “But you already had a boy and a girl, no? Why did you need a third?” I have taken to replying with “Well we were really hoping for twins”, “Durex will pay her college fees. It’s all part of the settlement” or my personal favourite “That’s the thing men! You should never trust those DIY vasectomy kits”.

Apart from decreasing my patience with every other human being on the planet by approximately 300%, motherhood has taught me a great deal. I have learned invaluable lessons about myself and my husband; I have also learned how babies speed up time, drink milk but make the worlds’ stinkiest poop, and (of course) how they make it possible for their parents to live full lives despite the fact that our hearts now exist outside our bodies and are often running in three separate directions at the same time.

What it has not taught me however, is how best to spend Mother’s Day. I am faced with the dilemma that I think many mothers face,

i.e.: Does Mother’s Day count as a ‘me’ day? If so, can I spend it at coffee houses, spas and salons? How about at the movies, a book store or a wine bar? If I do, won’t there be an even larger mess to clean up tomorrow? But most importantly, how can it be Mother’s Day without the children by my side? In which case, how is it different to any other day?

The pressure in all this falls on my world weary husband. In fairness, my first Mother’s day was lovely, he brought me flowers and an enormous box of marzipan, and we spent the whole day cooing at the baby and at each other. Sadly, things started going downhill thereafter, in fact there were a few years during which, what with all the crying and tantrums, we forgot Mother’s Day entirely (ok so I was the one throwing the tantrums, but you know what I mean).

A couple of years ago he decided that he would ensure that Mother’s Day began on a positive note. With this noble goal in mind, he woke me at 5am on a Sunday to ask me to change the gas cylinder. When I rather curtly enquired why in the name of heck he needed the stove at 5am, he dolefully replied that he was trying to make me breakfast in bed. Irony has never been his friend.

However, let it never be said that the man doesn’t learn from his errors. On our most recent Mother’s Day he cooked breakfast and served it to me in bed. Our son then presented me with a picture of me that he had drawn on a paper plate, I think Picasso-esque is the best way to describe it (as in I retained one eye and at least half my lower jaw). Then both the older children sang “Do you want to build a snowman” because, logic doesn’t matter. Our toddler watched all this with great interest and then climbed on to my lap and gave me a big hug. I could see from my husbands’ face that this was the grand finale. He beamed proudly and said “And what do you say to Amma?” She thought a bit and then replied with the utmost confidence “Merry Christmas!”

My husband muttered darkly to himself and wandered off to clean dog poop off the carpet. I left him to it. Perhaps you think I should have been kind and helped him? But let me ask you this - if I am that nice to the man on Mother’s Day, whatever will I do for him when Father’s Day rolls around?!