Pulse Magazine Issue 05

ISSUE 005 | JULY/AUGUST 2018 Rs. 400/- UK £6.00 US $15.00

Travel

Surf’s Up Health

PCOS & Your Diet

Asha De Vos

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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 Deana Claessen Malinda Seneviratne Nivendra Uduman Ramesh Liyanage Saruchi Dissanayake Sharleen Suwaris Shayana Ameresekere Sherwani Synon Sulochana Perera Vandana Hiranand

Welcome to another edition of Pulse.

Asha de Vos who appears on our cover, lives her dream every day - her work as a Marine Biologist and Ocean

LAYOUT:

educator unites her passions: science, exploration and the

Indika Anuradha (Design Consultant) Ian Mark Subramaniam

water. Asha is a pioneer of Blue Whale research within the

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

Northern Indian Ocean and has brought credit to Sri Lanka by being named the country’s first National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. At six years, Asha knew what she wanted to

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY:

do, “To go where no one else had ever gone, to see what

Dhanush De Costa FOTOCUBE

no one else has ever seen”. Today, her groundbreaking work

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Aruna Alwis Avishka Senaratne Kasun Dheegodagamage Kaveeth Milinda Layan Colombage Ravindra Laksiru R.P. Romesh Sassada Liyanarachchi

SPECIAL THANKS: Janeeth Rodrigo Eric Wijeratne Shalini Perera Lisa Perera

pushes the boundaries of what we know about our oceans and their inhabitants.

As you flick through the pages of this issue, you’d find a selection of the glam events that took place over the last few months and candid interviews with personalities such as Koluu, Jehan Aloysius and Gaia Kodithuwakku. There’s also some interesting advice on de-cluttering; how to do your part in controlling the spread of superbugs, and about the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome (Yes, such a thing exists!).

PRINTERS: Printage (Pvt) Ltd.

Our nutrition columnist Shayana Ameresekera addresses

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS:

the issues surrounding Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome

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

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

(PCOS) and the role the right nutrition can play in reducing symptoms. PCOS is thought to affect 12-18% of women, and is a treatable cause of infertility, but often goes undiagnosed – especially in our part of the world.

Our next issue marks one year of the Pulse magazine, and what an year it has been! We are overwhelmed by the response we’ve had in such a short time and the great feedback we get from our readers. Thank you so much to all of you!

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M A P U T O

ANTANANARIVO MADAGASCAR +26134883333

BEIRA

MADAGASCAR +25823315001

LUSAKA

ZAMBIA +260211377456

LILONGWE MALAWI +2650177688

MAPUTO

MOZAMBIQUE +25821266666

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 13

in this edition of Travel

Personality

16 Page

100

One of Colombo’s bestloved Chefs and Vivacious Drag Queens

Koluu

Page

Arts

124 Page

France

From the City of Lights to Charming Communes

Jehan Aloysius

A Man, Rebellious

Fashion

Technology

96 Page

Unique accessories for the modern man

Amberry PAGE 14 | www.pulse.lk

40 Page

Your Guide to

Online Privacy

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 15

Koluu One of Colombo’s best-loved Chefs and Vivacious Drag Queens

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Having worked all his life in the food industry both in Sri Lanka and abroad, Koluu is best known for his top-notch cooking, his hilarious and outrageous drag performances and his cheerful personality. In the following interview, he speaks to us about his childhood, his love for cooking and all about his shows.

Koluu, you grew up in Wellawatte and you schooled at St. Thomas’ College. Tell us a little bit about your childhood and your school-boy days.

I had a very happy childhood. I was born and bred in Wellawatte which used to be such a beautiful and peaceful area. It was full of nice houses and bungalows unlike now where it’s cluttered with buildings and apartments.

We also had no telephones, mobile phones or computers back then. Our entertainment came in the form of running around the neighbourhood, cycling or going for a swim at the SSC, and we had a lot of fun doing all that. Going to watch a movie was a great deal for us. We didn’t even have TV.

was Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu, who was Richard de Zoysa’s mother. One day when I met her she said to me ‘you’re always baking cakes and giving us, why don’t you sell them as well?’ And the first sale I made was her birthday cake.

Although I don’t make cakes now, I started off by baking cakes. All of this has been such a rewarding experience that I feel like I haven’t worked a day in my life.

Any guilty food pleasures?

Guilty food pleasures? Look at my size, haha. I love good food. There is nothing in particular.

But I do prefer savoury to sweet.

What are some of the most challenging experiences you have faced in life?

Cooking has been a challenge. Specially cooking abroad and working for people who

Schooling was also fun and I especially enjoyed my senior years because we were involved in a lot of activities at school like drama. All of these things kept us going.

Would you say you were a mischievous child?

Of course! I was always up to no good. I’ve never been an angelic child but it was all innocent mischief. Even now I don’t take life seriously and I can’t understand why people take life seriously. Everyone forgets that we will all eventually die and they live as if they will live forever.

You spent several years of your early career in Portugal. Tell us about that experience.

Actually, I initially travelled to Iraq to work as the personal chef of the Portuguese Ambassador. It was there that the cross over happened. I lived in Portugal for almost nine and a half years and worked as a personal chef for a millionaire. Then I worked for a few restaurants and finally worked at a private catering company. It was great fun and I loved Portugal. There were so many places to travel to and so much to see, you had your privacy and the liberty to be your own person.

When did you discover your love for cooking?

Cooking was a hobby turned profession and it all happened at home. My first client

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were for charity. So I did about 10 shows, mostly at the Cinnamon Grand, and my final one ‘My Funny Valentine’ was at The Mount Lavinia Hotel.

When I get into drag I become a different human being and my whole persona changes. I love the fun aspect of it.

After ten years of performing, once you start getting old and large, balancing on high heels and performing for two hours was becoming a bit too much. Also I think that one must retire when they are at their peak.

So I decided that was the time for the shows to come to a close.

Apart from cooking and performing you also have a flair for writing. Tell us a bit about that.

expected a very high standard of the work I did. During my time in Europe I’ve met some top notch people of a very high calibre and matching their standards has been quite an experience.

Your shows have been a roaring success and have been some of Colombo’s most anticipated events over the years. How did you first get into drag and what has that experience been like?

When I was involved in drama at St. Thomas’ College I’ve had the opportunity to play a few female roles. Later on, we once decided to have a drag show. I had always been the

chubby one and the pretty one, so while everyone else tried to play women, I decided to play drag, and became an instant hit. Our next show was at the Barefoot and things progressed from there. I was very happy to continue with the shows provided that they

Yes, I enjoy writing my Friday Column ‘Oh Colombo’ and every story I write about is based on true events. They’ve happened somewhere at some point. Colombo is full of controversy, secrets and all sorts of nonsense.

The biggest social climbers are in Colombo but the problem is we are all wondering where they are climbing to. So one round of telephone calls in the morning gives me enough and more topics to write about.

What is your favourite place to travel to?

Europe is my favourite destination. I’ve lived there and I’ve travelled a lot. I find Europe very classy. I love California too. I love the attitude of people there because they are funloving and casual.

If you have the means, I think everyone should travel because it broadens your mind.

It’s the same when it comes to cooking. I feel that cooking is very stagnant here in Sri Lanka. We are many years behind a lot of countries. It’s only when you go abroad you realize how much more there is to do, learn and produce.

Finally, what keeps you motivated on a daily basis?

My motivation now is Netflix. When I get up in the morning and read about how people have been stabbed and murdered and thrown in wells, I want to jump right back into bed and watch Netflix. The ongoings in our society are so horrific that I’d much rather watch Walt Disney instead.

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E OTIC CARS

TM

Harshana

Aaliya

Shalin

Shermila

Charini

Asherah

Melani

Chamila

Latika

Shanadi

Celebrating World Luxury Mellisa

Khan

Dharshan

Spa Awards at

Spa Ceylon

Spa Ceylon recently celebrated the recognition they received at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2018 this July.

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Rishini

Ramzi

Sandun

Chethiya

Dinesh

Priyantha

Karen

Kalum

Dan

Niyomal

Jaish

Dinushka

Vidusshe

Ayesh

Adrian

Roshi

Anushki, Anna and Ashanthi

Rumali

Sajan

Shiwantha

Ajay

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Kalum

Shalin

Diraj

Rukshan

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Asitha

Fouzul

Senaka

Ramona

Niloo

Amalka

Priyantha

Arundika

Dehara

Dian

Ayodya

Dinasha

Sarva

Nisthar

Melisa

Rohan

Rathika and Rochelle

Sherine

Aaliya

Shayana

J.K.

Tarja

Antoinette

Fouzul

Lakshika

Ayomi

Eric

Mayanthi

The one about

SUPERBUGS Antibiotics are a fundamental building block of modern medicine – for almost a century, humans have used antibiotics to fight the harmful bacteria that cause illness.

Antimicrobials are an important part of the medical protocols surrounding major surgeries, chemotherapy, organ transplants and even childbirth, where infectionprevention is essential. So it’s vitally important that the efficacy of antibiotics is sustained.

The bad news is that drug-resistant strains of bacteria – Superbugs - are now raising their heads, and we are to blame. Antimicrobial resistance is caused mainly by the ways we overuse and misuse antibiotics - taking them when we just don’t need them, not following the recommended dosage, or not finishing the entire course of medicine. That’s why healthcare professionals across the world are calling for smarter use of antibiotics.

Why should we care? Because superbugs, or the more medically-correct ‘multidrugresistant bacteria’, are a public health threat.

Imagine a world where doctors have no way of treating a common illness because the known antibiotics just won’t respond.

Quite simply, the infection-causing bacteria will continue to multiply within the infected person’s body making him sicker while also increasing the risk of him spreading the infection to others.

Illnesses like the flu, the common cold, and most sore throats are viral infections so it’s pointless taking antibiotics to treat them.

But how often have you taken or been recommended, antibiotics when you’ve had these symptoms? If your answer is ‘quite often’, that’s a good example of overuse.

Our bodies already have good bacteria that help us fight infection and digest the food we eat. When we take antibiotics for a viral infection, the drug has no impact on the virus itself but it goes to work destroying both

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the good and bad bacteria inside you. Some bacteria can withstand the antibiotic and they get left within a person’s body to grow and multiply. Every time you repeat the use of antibiotics, more of the tough, drug-resistant bacteria get left behind. Bacteria are so adaptable that one strain may even share its drug-resistant traits with other bacteria. And while in nature, bacteria ensure their survival by adapting to antibiotics over time, the current threat is the speed at which it’s been happening due to human misuse.

Science is doing its part to combat the pace of resistance and also to find quicker ways of identifying each bacterial strain so that antibiotic treatment can be more targeted.

In the meantime, we must play our part by using antibiotics only when needed and as prescribed, and also by preventing the spread of bacterial infections so that we don’t need antibiotics in the first place.

What you can do: • Take the antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribes – don’t skip a dose and don’t shorten the course even if you feel better • Antibiotics are useless against viral infections – avoid taking them when you have a simple flu or cold • Ask your doctor for medication that can help you feel better by controlling your symptoms • Don’t save any leftover antibiotics; dispose of them safely • Avoid taking antibiotics that may have been

prescribed for someone else and don’t share yours with others • Educate yourself on recommended vaccines that help prevent infections • Wash your hands often or use an antibacterial sanitizer to keep germs at bay, and make sure your food is properly handled • Make lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting good sleep so that you develop resistance against illness.

Flirtini A fresh and sparkly cocktail, perfect for a celebration outdoors.

What you need: • 50 ml good quality gin

• 10 blueberries

• 30 ml fresh orange juice

• 10 basil leaves

• 20 ml white grapefruit juice

• Soda water

• 20 ml lemongrass syrup

To make the cocktail: • Muddle the blueberries in the shaker • Add the basil and muddle gently (do not crush the leaves) • Add the other ingredients minus the soda • Shake with ice and serve in a collins glass • Top off with soda • Garnish with blueberries, lemongrass, basil or a piece of grapefruit.

Location The Steuart, Colombo

There is always a lesson in failure Mixology is not always a story of success.

Sometimes you work on a recipe for hours, and never get the flavors right. A few weeks ago, I got a challenge just like this. A couple planning their wedding had some very specific wishes.

For important events, I create personalized cocktails. Unique recipes matching the couple’s favourite flavours. During our meeting the bride told me she wanted a cocktail with radish.

Other flavours they love are ginger, lemongrass, blueberry and ‘gotu kola’.

This couple clearly was not afraid to experiment with flavours and unusual combinations. And I personally love working on recipes like these.

A high chance of failure, but a lot of personal satisfaction when you succeed. Challenge accepted.

Experimenting in the kitchen, I realized this was going to take a couple of hours and a lot of drinking to get it right. Fresh radishes PAGE 26 | www.pulse.lk

Adventures of a Mixologist

were combined with ‘gotu kola’ juice, gin and vermouth. The bad smell of radish was hard to mask. My prediction about a lot of drinking was right, but in the end I got it right. Or so I thought.

On the day of the tasting, the supermarket ran out of the round radishes I used for creating the recipe. I bought long radishes, not realizing changing the species of radish, would have a terrible impact on the recipe. Pouring the drink I immediately realized something was wrong.

These radishes smell twice as bad as the other ones.

We decided not to serve such an experimental recipe at the wedding. So I created a new cocktail. A combination of gin, blueberries, lemongrass and grapefruit made an amazing drink. The day of the wedding the guests loved it! And the radish cocktail you ask? Not sure if I will use it again, but for now we decided to give it a well earned name: ‘The Fart’.

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

Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

Shaheena

Japanese Ambassador for Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma

Kithmini

Stefan

Reyhan

Opening of Le Grand Galle Asia Leisure, in partnership with Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan opened its sixth leisure property ‘Le Grand’ in Galle on July 31st, 2018. With its attractive setting and offerings, the urban resort and lifestyle destination will cater to a variety of travellers.

Paul

Paul

Sunela

Shanali

Misa & Tamao

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Jorden

James

Watanabe

Fatema

Sanath

Gayani

Sandun

Angela

Warun

Nirosha

Sabeetha

Aslam

Chamari

Nuha

Nadija

Coffee Morning

at Hilton

GAIA Skin Naturals, together with Hilton Colombo, hosted a Coffee Morning featuring Summer Couture, a fashion show

by Aslam Hussein. This was followed by Endless High Tea at the Graze Kitchen!

Shayana

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Anusha

Prashanthi & Salome

Himali

Chamari

Ramani

Harshani

Sabeetha

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Dushyanthi

Kishu

Chrystal

Mohan

Kumar

Nelum

Dharshi & Christine

Udyami

Hardy

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Mayanthi

Zia

Joanna

Johann, Lalin & Nilukshi

Eric

Prishan

Nishal

Brandon

Noel

Manohari

Noel

Mahesh

Launch of CÉ LA VI

CÉ LA VI, the award winning Singaporean dining and entertainment brand, has opened its doors in Colombo and embellishes The Kingsbury rooftop!

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As someone who has experienced bullying at different stages in my life, it is a subject I take very seriously. However, in the Sri Lankan context where more school kids are bullied compared to the US because parents and teachers believe that it does not have a severe impact on a child’s life and mental health, bullying is yet another topic that is swept under the rug. Those who have experienced bullying at some point in their lives, by means of intimidation, humiliation, exclusion, undermining or public shaming, know how extremely difficult and painful it is. Bullying stabs at a person’s core, shaking their self-esteem, self-confidence, and their worth. It makes them doubt themselves and if they don’t learn how to cope with it, bullying has the ability to haunt them forever.

Despite popular belief, bullying is not restricted to the playground and the classrooms of our gender segregated schools, it is found at workplaces, in relationships, and even among friends. Girls experience bullying as much as boys do, in various ways. So if this is such a big deal, why don’t Sri Lankans, parents, teachers, and everyone else prioritize talking about bullying and helping those who are being bullied? It’s partly the culture we’ve grown up in which gives birth to ideas such as “Don’t talk about your problems, if you do you are shaming your family and your entire ancestral tree” or worse – “Don’t make big issues out of small things.” As a result, the number of those who experience bullying increases day by day and their voices go unheard. This has short to long term consequences depending on each individual, including the potential to create more bullies, especially out of those who were bullied as children.

Irrespective of your age, those who are bullied are inclined to experience low selfesteem and self-confidence and tend to doubt their abilities and strengths, especially if they have been repetitively demoralized by someone close to them, be it a parent, relative or a group of people they want to belong to. It can also lead to anxiety issues and depression, and have an impact in adulthood when such people experience negativity, self-doubt and the feeling of not being ‘good enough’.

Over the years, I have managed to repress most of these unfortunate memories, consciously or unconsciously, only for their after effects to be triggered when I’m least prepared to handle the consequences. For a long time I didn’t quite understand why I was plagued with self-doubt and I’m certain

that those around me had the same question.

They all sang the same praise – you’re smart, beautiful, kind, generous and there are so many who love you and appreciate you for being in their life, so why did I feel that I was not good enough? It took me a long time to finally realize where my low self-esteem stemmed from – it came from my childhood where I was constantly being told for years that I was not good enough. I eventually started believing everything I was told. When I believed, I started acting and behaving like it, taking on someone else’s negative belief as if it was my own. Now that I’m conscious of it, I take extra care to understand my triggers and to be kind to myself and reaffirm my own positive beliefs when I feel at my lowest. No one grows up in this world feeling that they are not good enough, unless someone makes them believe so.

So now that we know what bullying can do to someone’s self-worth, how can we stop it and help those who experience it cope with it better? It could be your boss, a colleague, a family member, a friend, a significant other or even a spouse. How can we help ourselves when someone demoralizes us by means of calling us names, undermining us, testing our competence and commitment to our jobs, and isolating us?

• Don’t blame yourself Most often people who are bullied might take on the blame thinking that they are at fault for being treated like this, that they may have done something to trigger such behaviour from someone else. That is totally untrue!

Whatever you did, you did not ask to be bullied, to be excluded and overtly criticized.

Always remind yourself, it’s not you it’s them.

BREAKING THE BULLYING CYCLE

A Guide for the Sri Lankan Adult PAGE 34 | www.pulse.lk

• Set boundaries Make sure the bully understands what is okay with you and what is not, and learn how to communicate it clearly when you feel you are being bullied in anyway-whether its name calling or a joke at your expense-that you are not comfortable with. Use simple and direct language and let them know it is not appropriate or acceptable, preferably in a public setting so that they will not repeat it.

• Be confident and assertive Deep down all bullies are insecure, so if you speak and act confidently and show that you cannot be messed with, they will notice your body language and that you cannot be victimised. Make sure to use simple and unemotional language teamed up with strong body language which will reaffirm your confidence.

basis. Despite the confident exterior you exhibit, there are times the bullying will get to you and you will start to doubt yourself and suffer in silence. In times like these, turn to friends and loved ones, who might be able to shed new light on the situation and help you deal with things better. They might not be able to solve it for you, but knowing that you have someone to talk and who understands what you’re going through may help you deal with it better.

authoritative figure in the company, your friend or significant other, and the situation hasn’t improved it’s best to assume that it may never will. Most companies don’t take bullying seriously, because those who bully are generally in top positions so if you feel that nothing much is going to change, it’s best to look elsewhere. Because even if the job is great, your sanity, mental health and overall happiness are far more important in the long run.

• Get out If things don’t improve after a reasonable amount of time and you feel that things are only going to get worse, it’s then best to remove yourself from the toxic environment.

If you have already brought this up with an

• Correct the bully Call them out if the bully calls you names or jokes about you in an uncomfortable way.

Don’t respond out of anger! Stay calm and tell them simply that you do not like to be called by that particular name or that you don’t find that joke funny. Don’t make a joke out of it. Show the bully that you are standing up for yourself so that he understands you will not be subjected to his bullying in the future.

• Do not let the bully get under your skin As hard as it is, try not to let the bully get under your skin. Some enjoy the reaction more than the bullying itself, so try your best to stay calm and collected. By showing the bully that his behaviour does not have an impact on you, you simply take away that satisfaction away from him or her. If you practice the affirmation that your bully has no impact on you, you will eventually realize that your bully is in fact scared and insecure, and uses bullying to compensate for his weaknesses.

• Stay connected It’s hard when you have to deal with a bully on a regular

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Hilton Colombo was packed with soccer fans to witness the finals of FIFA World Cup 2018.

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FIFA Fever in Colombo Many of Colombo’s happening venues were invaded by eager soccer fans as the month long FIFA World Cup 2018 came to its exciting climax.

Cinnamon Grand was another venue hosting soccer fans for the finals of the FIFA World Cup.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 37

ONLINE PAGE 40 | www.pulse.lk

level and is valid for encrypted data to be transferred. Many websites, including social media and eCommerce websites have the prominently displayed “Secure” logo with a green padlock usually on the website address bar to indicate that they have a legitimate security certificate in place to ensure that the data transferred by the user to the website is With eCommerce, trading, social media, encrypted and safe from prying eyes. Make email and a plethora of other websites and sure that no sensitive personal information services on offer across the web, privacy or payment details are ever entered into a online is of utmost importance. We look at a website that does not display this sign as it is few technologies and methods to go about a potential security risk. protecting yourself in today’s vulnerable Internet browsers are like your work bench online world. or table. If you do not clear it after work, it The most simple and important method gets cluttered and leaves the opportunity for of protection is to use an updated and others to see what you are working on. So reputed software application, such as make it a habit to clear your browser’s cache, anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spam and browsing history and cookies on a regular firewall. There are a number of free services basis. Cookies are small strings of text that a available but it’s mostly recommended to site can store in your browser. They cannot use a paid service as they have the best install anything (they are just text) and are updates and service-level support in this visible only to the site that stored them. regard.

Each browser has its own unique method to clear these items so make sure to check the Avoid websites that look suspicious and Settings panel and get used to the habit. sound or look to be clickbait. There is an increasing number of websites that Speaking of Internet browsers, from a privacy offer money, vehicles, gifts and even perspective the most suitable browser to be things like US citizenship (green cards) using is the Tor browser which comes preto unsuspecting victims. Ensure that you installed with privacy add-ons, encryption are on a legitimate website by looking for and a lot of other settings which helps a user references of the same website on Google to maintain anonymity and protect their or other reputed search engines. Make sure privacy online. you do not enter any sensitive or personal Use strong passwords for logging into information on any website before websites. A strong password usually consists verifying. of numbers, letters, symbols and special Look for the security padlock on the characters and do not usually spell a word/ website address bar to make sure that the form directly. The reason to use a strong website you are on has a high security Online privacy, also known as Internet privacy, has been discussed quite a lot these days. From the scandals to the data breaches, privacy and security level of personal data published via the Internet are of much concern in the modern digital age.

password is to avoid a password from being guessed. If you are using passwords like “abc123” or “helloworld”, this is a definite privacy risk and a glaring security error which can cost you heavily.

Email phishing and spam emails are another menace that have plagued online privacy for sometime now. Mailboxes and providers such as Gmail and Outlook have done a lot of work to limit the number of suspicious and harmful mail we receive directly but in the odd chance that one of them makes it into your inbox, make sure to never click on any given link on such an email. These emails can sometimes be requesting personal details such as bank account information, NIC or Passport details and sensitive material. Never respond to or acknowledge these emails, as the details you provide can be used against you. More serious forms of these include mails that look legitimate, e.g.: your bank asking you for your ATM PIN to verify a transaction. In such cases, always contact the originating party (e.g.: bank) and verify the request before you respond.

Hopefully this information helps you stay safe and protect yourself on the Internet.

And remember: it’s one thing to consciously share our information with others and it is completely different to have sensitive information collected without our knowledge and consent.

Happy surfing!

PRIVACY

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 41

Shanudrie

Dinethra

Shalika

Hirushi

Sandani

SUNSILK Park Street Mews the venue LAUNCHES was for the launch Ramani

Shanudrie

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THE NATURAL RECHARGE RANGE

of the all-new Natural Recharge Range by Sunsilk Sajana

Anusha

Chalani

Gerald

Ramani

Shyama, Dushyantha & Hiranya

Harshini

Dilukshi

Sandani

Kumali

Nicky

Sandani

Inami

Shanudrie

Ryan

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Cuban Nights and so much more from the

Kingsbury Hotel If you happen to walk in to the Kings Bar at the Kingsbury Hotel between the 16th to the 31st of July, prepare yourself for an experience that no other Colombo five star hotel offers. As the fairy lights hang low from the ceiling and rhythmic Spanish tunes set the background for great conversation, prepare yourself to be taken on a Journey from Colombo to Havana! “Cuban Nights at the Kings” is the newest theme night concept that has been developed by the creative management of the Kingsbury Hotel As you get settled in, be sure to check out the cocktail menu that offers timeless classics like the Mojito and the Cuba Libre. If you really want to get in the feel of things, the in house mixologists have come up with their own creations such as the refreshing Santiago De Cuba and the Coco Cuba.

As the Kingsbury Hotel always leaves its guests spoilt for choice, the food offerings complement the drinks perfectly as the hotel’s experienced chefs have curated two tapas menus that will appeal to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian palettes.

Sweet shrimp bathed in roasted garlic oil, caprese empanadas and garlic & parsley grilled squid are just a few of the items that

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and embellishes The Kingsbury rooftop, taking entertainment and nightlife in the city to new heights. Be sure to be a part of all the excitement happening this year at the forever timeless, Kingsbury Hotel.

will take you on a gastronomic journey to Cuba.

Lobby bars around Colombo tend to get rather dull when it comes to what they can offer their guests, so this is definitely an experience not to be missed. However, in case you do miss out, expect more of these themed nights and other exciting changes from the Kingsbury Hotel as they have recently appointed a new General Manager, Ms. Christine Chevalaz. Prior to her appointment at The Kingsbury, Ms. Chevalaz has worked in a series of successful hotel chains in a variety of locations and brings with her nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector. As a guest under her management, you can expect to receive an extraordinary experience during all your visits and interactions with the Kingsbury brand.

This is only the start of something new, for the award winning Singaporean dining and entertainment brand CÉ LA VI has just opened its doors in Colombo

CUBAN Nights at Bacardi Carta Blanca 6,900 Double shots 790 Bacardi Cocktails 690 Pirate Punch Death in Sea Santiago de Cuba Coco Cuba Mojitos Cuba Libre Prices are in LKR, inclusive of service charge and applicable government taxes

Benz Golf

Tournament

Final

Sri Lanka’s most prestigious golf encounter, the DIMO Mercedes Trophy Sri Lanka Country Finals, successfully concluded this June

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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

Asha Marine Conservation and a love for the Blue Whales PAGE 50 | www.pulse.lk

From a very young age Asha de Vos knew she wanted to be an adventurer scientist. With a soul full of adventure and a heart that was with the wild, Asha decided to stroll down an unconventional career path and became a Marine Biologist, dedicating her life to marine conservation in Sri Lanka.

We caught up with Dr. Asha de Vos – Founder and Executive Director at Oceanswell to talk about turning her passion into a profession.

1

Tell us a little bit about your family and childhood, and how it shaped you into the person you are today.

I am one of two kids and grew up with an older brother. From a very young age, I had always wanted to be an adventurer scientist.

I remember flipping through the pages of the National Geographic magazines and thinking I want to be like the people in those magazines. I wanted to go places no one else went and to see things no one else saw.

This is probably because our parents brought us up with a lot of freedom to be curious and outdoorsy, which was extremely empowering as kids. My dad is an architect and was also involved in archaeological monument conservation. So we grew up in some really interesting places like the Jethawanaramaya Monastery Complex and the Galle Fort. I think the way we got to indulge in these places as children played a big part in shaping my life as an adult.

My brother also had a big influence on me growing up. He was a curious child questioning everything around him all the time. Because of this influence I stopped passively observing the world and started to be an active participant.

I remember my mother once said to me, “If we could educate one child it would be you, because your brother is a boy and he can find his way. We want you to stand on your own two feet.” In a world where women are seen as secondary, the fact that my parents prioritized my education means a lot to me.

2

What got you hooked on marine biology?

As I mentioned earlier, the wildlife, outdoors and exploration were a big part of my life growing up. As a kid I also started swimming, fell in love with it and realized that it was my space. I was fortunate enough to discover a career which combines all of these passions.

3

How did you embark on your career?

By the time I was 18, I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist. Since Sri Lanka didn’t offer courses in Marine Biology I went to the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland for my degree and then to New Zealand to study in the field.

When I was in New Zealand I received an email from one of my undergraduate professors who told me there was a whale research vessel that was going around the world and making stops in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. He said that I should try to get on it.

I immediately wrote to the CEO of the company that owned this boat but they responded saying there was no space. I bargained with them almost every day for three months until they finally agreed to give me two weeks in the Maldives as a deck hand. I packed my bags and was on the next flight out. At the end of the two weeks they ended up keeping me for their duration in Sri Lanka as well. It was during this trip that I experienced my ‘Eureka Moment.’

4

And what was your ‘Eureka Moment’?

I was on watch one day while we were working around Sri Lanka, tracking Sperm Whales, when I saw this really powerful, vertical blow in the distance. Generally, you can distinguish different whale species by their exhalation. Sperm Whales have one nostril on the left side so their blow is to the left direction. After having seen this blow, I realized it was not a Sperm Whale. I thought maybe it was a Blue Whale so I asked the Captain to move the vessel in that direction.

As we moved closer we saw that it was not just one of them but about six.

While we observed them, we saw this big red patch of something float to the surface of the water and realized it was whale poop.

From what I had studied, Blue Whales migrate to cold waters to feed and come to warm waters to mate and have calves. So I got super confused because poop means that

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the animal is feeding close by in these warm waters. This was contradictory to what I had learnt. That’s when I realized these whales were not leaving our waters to feed and that they were different to the other large whales.

They broke the stereotype. That was my ‘Eureka Moment’ and that’s where my Blue Whale project started.

5

What specific areas of research are you focusing on at the moment?

There are two big areas that I have been working on. One is about the threat the Blue Whales face in our waters as they get hit and killed by ships. The South Coast of Sri Lanka has one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with increasing traffic. Ships pass right through areas where Blue Whales are found.

90% of everything we use is shipped, so it’s hypocritical to point fingers at the shipping industry. What we do is try to understand how we can prevent these animals from being harmed. We came up with some recommendations for this issue that we are trying to push through to the government.

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The second area I’m working on is the sustainability of the whale watching industry which is highly unregulated in Sri Lanka.

Except for a couple of responsible operators, no one else really cares about the long term survival of this resource we are making so much money out of. We need to realize that because whale watching is very new, we don’t fully know the impact of this harassment to the animals. As a result of being harassed, whales may move away or be so stressed that their mating and procreation is affected.

6

What are some of the biggest concerns you have about the marine life in Sri Lankan waters?

Apart from what I mentioned previously, we also have a problem of entanglement. Smaller animals like sea turtles that get entangled can’t break through fishing nets and drown as a result.

Also, noise is increasing as the number of ships and ports increase, and it’s a problem

people don’t really think about because we don’t hear the noises that are out in the ocean. Animals see the world through their ears and loud noises are very distracting to them. They depend on sound to find their mates and family members, and to communicate about the food that they find.

Plastic is another problem. I think everyone has a role to play in keeping Sri Lanka’s beaches and ocean safe, clean and beautiful.

7

How can regular people help protect marine life and the marine environment?

Avoid single use plastics. Carry your own water bottle and don’t use straws unless you really have to. Use a reusable bag when you are going to the super market.

Also share stories of the ocean because I think much of these problems stem from the fact that there is so much unfamiliarity and lack of awareness about it. The ocean supports our

“I wanted to go places no one else went and to see things no one else saw.�

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“We need to realize that because whale watching is very new, we don’t fully know the impact of this harassment to the animals. As a result of being harassed, whales may move away or be so stressed that their mating and procreation is affected.”

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“If you go whale watching, remember your responsibility to look out for those whales and protect them. Remember the privilege we have as Sri Lankans to have a population of the largest animals to have ever roamed the planet at our doorstep.”

survival. About 50% of the oxygen we breathe is generated in the ocean. So if we harm it we are harming ourselves. Realize that although it’s looking after us right now it will reach a breaking point.

If you go whale watching, remember your responsibility to look out for those whales and protect them. Remember the privilege we have as Sri Lankans to have a population of the largest animals to have ever roamed the planet at our doorstep.

8

What are some of the toughest challenges you have faced in your career so far?

to set up. I had to build everything on my own which was pretty challenging.

Also getting acknowledged back then was tough. Between my masters and Ph.D I worked for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). When I went for government meetings I’d be the only person experienced in my area to have a conversation based on knowledge. People would listen to me for 5 minutes and then turn around and ignore me. I was too young and too female for them. In Sri Lanka there is less than a handful of female marine biologists and I’ve had a lot of people make gender-based comments.

Funding has been tough. Since I don’t generate income I have to constantly apply for grants to keep us going.

9

What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?

Apart from the Blue Whale encounter, the day I got an email from National Geographic saying I had been selected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer was unbelievable. As a kid I grew up in love with National Geographic and dreaming of being like those people in the magazines. To realize that my work was seen as impactful, good and valuable by an organization that I respected so strongly, was incredible.

Photography by Dhanush De Costa Location: Galle Face Hotel

When I started off I didn’t know who to turn to for advice in this field in Sri Lanka and how

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Glitz Mt Lavinia

Relaunch

Colombo’s favourite retail chain, Glitz in Mount Lavinia was recently relaunched, with a range of exciting new products.

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Sujee and Family

Sujee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Shavendra

Janith, Sujee & Sanuth

Sujee

Chamila

Colombo’s favourite, Sujeewa Silva, recently celebrated her birthday with a well attended grand party at her beautiful home Asha

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Thushari

Dedunu

Sujee

Ming-J Ming-J

Sandhya

Uchith

Lakmi

Chami

Sujee

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Danushka

Nandani

Punsala

Rashmeen

Priyani

Vajeesha

Himali

Shani

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Puthula

Ramani

Gayathri

Punsala

Dilu

Kinkini

Nelum

Kumari

Sabeetha

Ruwani

Varuni

Apsari

Nirosha

Thushani

Sharika

Gauri

Nadee

Shereen

Shereen

Udeni

Dulanthi

Janith

Anusha

Chamila

Dedunu

Shanika

Romali

Sharika

Sangeetha

Nandani

Gayathri

Anji

Sandy

Dilu

Thushani

Dedunu

Sharika

Gayathri

Sujee

Anusha

Asha

Nirosha

Dilu

Samantha

Dilu

Sandy

Puthula

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Sri Lanka’s

Young

Conservationists Preserving our Environment for the Future Anya Ratnayaka / Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project & Small Cat Advocacy and Research Driven by a strong love for animals, Anya Ratnayaka is a graduate in Wildlife and Conservation Management from the University of Queensland as well as a GWC Associate Conservationist Scientist. Her venture into the welfare of small wildcats began with sheer curiosity after hearing of a fishing cat in rehab. Fuelled by the nation’s general lack of knowledge with regards to wildcats, specifically the smaller species, Anya started the Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project in 2013.

While urged to work abroad, the immense amount of research that could be conducted in her motherland alone prompted her to stay. In fact, Anya is very keen to motivate other conservationists to stay on in Lanka: “If we don’t protect our own wildlife, who will?” In addition to the Urban Fishing Cat Project, she co-founded Small Cat Advocacy and Research, which is currently working on two other research projects involving the nationally threatened Rusty Spotted Cat and Jungle Cat. Given the fact that small cat conservation research is 40 years behind, her aim is to learn more, help protect these cats, and get more people talking about them to get past common misconceptions.

Kanchana Weerakoon / Eco-V Studying Ornithology, Kanchana Weerakoon had a love for the environment that stemmed from her young days. But as a postgrad student, she had no intention of following the path she finds herself in today. She recalls a poignant meeting with Edward Whitley, Author and Founder of the Whitley Fund for Nature as the defining moment that motivated her to start her own organization. This is how she came to found Eco-V and later, co-found Journeys for Climate Justice in Melbourne.

Her organisation, Eco-V, is a registered NGO that prioritizes issues of waste management and sustainable living. Eco-V is involved in educating citizens on “Conscious Consumerism”. Through an event known as Youth Yathra as well as training workshops, the organisation reaches out specifically to youth. So far they have trained a total of 400 youngsters.

Recently, Kanchana has also taken to networking in New Delhi, where she has trained farmers and youth on sustainable waste management and going green. It is also her personal dream to give back to her country by eventually fostering a reforestation project.

On our cover, we have featured Asha De Vos, whose passion and pioneering work on the blue whales of Sri Lanka has emphasized the need for action to protect the marine mammals. Asha is a leading Ocean Educator who uses her visibility to inspire countless youth to believe in both the importance of marine welfare and following their own dreams. Like Asha, several other young Sri Lankans are hard at work doing their part in conservation. We feature a few of them here.

Jayantha Wijesingha / Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka Initially working in the media industry, Jayantha Wijesingha’s life changed drastically in 2008 when he was offered the opportunity to work with the world renowned environmental organizations, WWF and Earthwatch. Following his experiences in the Borneo Rainforest in 2009, he co-founded Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka.

Jayantha and his fellow members of Rainforest Protectors have worked tirelessly to expose and halt countless deforestations, mini hydro projects and illegal activities that lead to severe ecological issues. They are currently in an adamant fight against the detrimental effects of oil palm schemes, and have had success in getting them banned in Kegalle, Kalutara, and Galle.

Operating mainly on voluntary funding, he plans to build a conservation centre close to the Sinharaja to better establish a communication link to halt any destructive activities that threaten the rainforest’s existence. The Centre is also to be a prime spot for researchers carrying out eco-system restoration projects. The humble Jayantha stresses that any accomplishments are not his alone, but gained with the help of citizens, leaders, and collaborating environmental organizations.

Achala Meddegama / Reforest Sri Lanka Currently the Co-Founder and President of Reforest Sri Lanka, CEO and Director of E-SOFT Technology and Acting CEO and Director of Ayubo.lk, Achala Meddegama works incessantly to make a difference. Despite periods of self-doubt, he has found that there is no other feeling likened to that of giving back to his nation.

His journey into conservation began in 2015 when he started his postgraduate degree in Computer Science at Moratuwa University. Planting 500 trees for a coursework assignment, he was shocked to find that there were no genuine efforts to reforest the trees that are felled on a daily basis.

Reforest Sri Lanka was founded with the intention of handling large scale reforestation. They have since planted 46,000 trees via 62 projects in areas such as the Kottawa Forest Reserve, Meerigama, Matale, Mannar, and Anuradhapura.

Achala depends on the enthusiasm of volunteers to raise awareness on current ecological concerns in Lanka. While reforestation remains a priority, future aims include working on lax conservation policies and a Coral Restoration Project. It is undoubtedly an endlessly challenging and exhausting field of work, but Achala states that he has no intentions of stopping as this is one aspect of his life that truly promises gratification in the long run.

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Saumya

Darshi

Dusyanthi

Jayathri

Martina

Sarah

Kinita

Charini

British Council Fashion Revolution An evening represented by several local and ethical fashion brands, Fashion Revolution Sri Lanka was recently celebrated at the British Council

Najila

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Dinushi and Danushka

Your Diet and

PCOS Over the weekend one of my girlfriends came over for our usual coffee and catchup. We subsequently started talking about our lives and health in general. She mentioned some issues that she was facing, which seemed all too familiar with what I hear on a daily basis from my patients. I asked her ‘Have you ever been tested for something called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?’ She replied ‘Yes, I have been suffering from it since I was a teenager’.

lifestyle changes to address the core issue which is balancing out your hormones.

So I think it is important we have a discussion about PCOS, whether you have just been diagnosed with it recently or have been suffering from it for a long time, it’s important for you to educate yourself about a few things: 1. What it is 2. How it affects you

What concerned me was that she only knew how to manage her symptoms through medication, and while medication will be effective, it is just as important to implement

3. How your nutrition and exercise can assist to ease the symptoms To do this, let’s get back to basics.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is fundamentally an endocrine disorder.

This means that there is something wrong with our hormones. It has a far-reaching impact and the symptoms can be diverse.

We also know that it affects at least 1 in 10 women globally, with some recent statistics suggesting that this number may be closer to as many as 1 in 5 women.

Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat PCOS. Some current studies focus on: • Genetics and PCOS • Environmental exposure and PCOS risk • Ethnic and racial differences in PCOS symptoms • Medicines and supplements to restart ovulation • Obesity and its link to PCOS • Health risks for children of women with PCOS

What are the symptoms of PCOS? • Difficulty losing weight • Weight gain • Excessive hair (hirsutism) • Hair loss (alopecia) and male pattern baldness • Infertility and an irregular menstrual cycle • Acne

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How is PCOS diagnosed?

If you have some of the above symptoms, you may be wondering how you can get yourself checked. Many doctors diagnose PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria. In order to be diagnosed with PCOS, you need to have at least 2 of the following 3 symptoms: • An irregular menstrual cycle • Symptoms of high androgens (testosterone) • Cysts on your ovaries (normally seen on an ultrasound)

What is actually happening in your body?

Research has shown that there is an irregularity in the Beta cells of the pancreas in women with PCOS. The Beta cells detect glucose in the blood and signal to the pancreas to release insulin.

The problem is that they over respond, releasing too much insulin. This insulin then impacts on our over sensitive ovaries, causing them to produce too much testosterone.

Now, let me highlight that all women produce testosterone and it is an important hormone.

However women with PCOS tend to produce too much of it.

Too much testosterone leads to a lot of those annoying symptoms like acne, excessive facial and body hair and an irregular menstrual cycle.

So, if we want to get our PCOS under control, we have to look at how we can get our insulin under control first.

What can your doctor do to treat PCOS? Well, there are a couple of medications that are commonly used as treatment. What is prescribed will often depend on what your goals are (weight loss, starting a family, managing hair loss or growth and so on).

The unfortunate reality is that at the moment there is no cure for PCOS. That means that if you have it, you have it for life and you have to manage the symptoms for life.

So, whatever medications you might be prescribed are not going to cure your PCOS. However, they will help you to manage the symptoms. As soon as you stop taking the medication, your symptoms may come back or in some cases get worse, unless you’re doing something to treat the underlying hormones.

What are the commonly prescribed medications?

Birth Control Pill The Pill is often prescribed for women with PCOS. It helps to manage hormones as well as to ensure a regular menstrual cycle. The Pill has its own pros and cons that you should be aware of before you take it and you can speak to your Gynaecologist about this.

Insulin sensitising drugs Remember that insulin is at the heart of our out of sync hormones when it comes to PCOS. So, one option that is often prescribed is Metformin or another insulin sensitising drug.

Metformin has been shown to improve the symptoms and metabolic markers of women with PCOS (again with it’s own pros and cons).

Anti-androgens Anti-androgens aim to lower testosterone levels. They can be helpful for women who are struggling with symptoms such as hair loss, hirsutism or acne.

Fertility treatments The aim of fertility treatments and medications is to improve ovulation rates and ultimately enable pregnancy. There are obviously considerations like side affects and expenses when it comes to fertility treatment.

Some of you who are not keen on taking medication might be wondering if there is another way to manage your PCOS symptoms. There definitely is! Diet and lifestyle changes have proven to be extremely effective in managing some of the PCOS issues.

Remember, we want to lower the testosterone level and dairy is a prime culprit in making those testosterone levels worse.

• Gluten Free I know that this is a tough one for a lot of us but gluten tends to cause inflammation in the body. The thing with inflammation is that it also leads to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that your body needs more insulin to deal with the carbohydrates that you eat. And more insulin means more testosterone.

• Eat Foods with a Low Glycemic Load The Glycemic Load (GL) of a meal is how much that particular meal is likely to raise your blood sugar levels and therefore how much insulin your body is going to need to deal with the carbohydrates.

So, foods with a high glycemic load are going to cause a bigger rise in your blood sugars and therefore a bigger spike in your insulin levels. So, we are aiming for foods with a lower glycemic load.

Changing the way that you eat and incorporating daily exercise could have a massive impact on your PCOS and It’s a really good starting point. So focus on your health goals, create a plan to implement them and with time, say goodbye to those nagging PCOS symptoms!

The PCOS Diet The PCOS Diet is aimed at managing your insulin levels so that you can get those testosterone levels under control. What you put in your mouth can have a significant impact on your PCOS and your symptoms. Try the following guidelines and monitor if you have any improvement over a few months.

• Go dairy free Dairy has been shown to have a hormone called IGF-1 which mimics insulin in the body.

This causes an increase in our insulin and thereby testosterone levels, making our PCOS worse. Also, cheese in particular causes a really big insulin response, even though there are not many carbohydrates in it.

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

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MSG & the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome

Ever heard of something called the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome? Yes, that’s a real thing. The term is used to describe the after effects of a heavy Chinese meal: headaches, flushing, sweating and in some extreme cases, facial numbness, chest pains, nausea and palpitations. The syndrome’s modern name is the MSG symptom complex. For years, these symptoms were blamed on the food additive Monosodium Glutamate – MSG (more familiar to you and me as Aji-no-Moto).

What is MSG? MSG has been used as a food additive for years by professional and home cooks alike to add that extra punch to almost any food. MSG has no great taste by itself, but it works as a flavor enhancer, improving a dish by adding an ‘umami’ flavour – an underlying savoury taste that’s considered the fifth basic taste, the four others being sweet, sour, bitter and salty. The word Umami originates from the Japanese word for pleasant/delicious. Your most familiar umami taste would be that of soy sauce; in nature, umami is most often present in mushrooms, shellfish, Chinese cabbage, ripe tomatoes, celery and cheese, and it’s the defining taste of love-it-or-hate-it yeast extracts like Marmite and Vegemite.

In Japan and China, MSG has been extracted from kelp for centuries, while the Romans are

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said to have used a sauce called garum, made from fermented fish, in place of the more expensive salt. Garum is rich in monosodium glutamate, so the use of MSG isn’t a product of modern chemistry, but has been around for thousands of years. Today MSG is also plentiful in processed foods such as sausages and canned vegetables and soups.

The Science behind MSG MSG is the sodium salt form of glutamic acid.

Free glutamic acid, or glutamate, is an amino acid that occurs naturally in most foods, and is a building block of most proteins. We all consume glutamic acid on a daily basis as it is a constituent part of most dietary proteins.

Within our bodies, our abundant supply of glutamic acid works as a neurotransmitter – its role is to stimulate the nerve cells of our central nervous system.

To manufacture MSG, producers ferment sugar cane, starch, molasses, or sugar beets in a process similar to how wine, vinegar and yoghurt are produced. Fundamentally, there is no chemical difference between the glutamate in proteins and MSG, and they’re both metabolised in the same way.

So what if you’ve had these symptoms after eating Chinese?

Many of the symptoms observed after eating Chinese food could also have a lot

to do with the high salt and oil levels; high salt consumption in particular can cause symptoms that mirror the complaints about MSG itself. But drink plenty of water and give your kidneys a few hours to flush out the extra sodium and you’ll be feeling fine once again.

And the verdict?

Despite years of research, there has been no compelling evidence that links MSG with the symptoms of the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. That’s why most of the regulatory bodies overlooking food additives now consider MSG safe to consume, including the US Food and Drug Administration which considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) – that’s the same classification it gives to salt and sugar!

With the quantum of Chinese food we regularly consume, Colombo should be a good barometer of the relative harmlessness of MSG. But, as with anything, the middle path is best… Go ahead and enjoy your occasional MSG-infused food but overall, try to stick to clean foods that are consumed as close to their natural states as possible.

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When wind came our way about the opening of a new and rather quirky café in Colombo, we had to find out more. Soon, we were sitting down with Shana Dandeniya to find out more on her latest venture in this industry.

signature Achcharu drink. Then we have our milkshakes which are again inspired by Sri Lankan flavours; the Watalappam ice cream that we use is made by a local supplier, Carino, which also focuses on using mostly vegan products. So we try to keep that vegan ethos going while fusing it with Sri Lankan flavour. As ninety percent of our suppliers are local, we really have an edge in that regard.

Tell us your Plus Nine Four Story

What has the public reception been like?

For the past eight months we’ve been working with Soul Coffee to renovate this space to run it into a coffee shop cum café. The location took a while to renovate because it was pretty much a living room of a home. Plus Nine Four came about because we wanted to create a differentiation between our other brand Café Kumbuk. Our focus for now is mostly on the drinks rather than the food but slowly but surely we will be putting new dishes out. Hopefully in another six months you can expect a bigger food menu as well. We still have a similar ethos to Café Kumbuk in the way which we focus on small time suppliers and local produce.

What sets you apart from the competition?

We have learnt a lot with our experiences from Café Kumbuk and Kumbuk kitchen so that has helped us a lot in trying to find little ways to differentiate our self. For example we focus on offering our customers locally sourced coffee whereas a lot of the competition uses imported varieties. And of course if you look at our location you will see that our space is rather small, almost like an escape from the city with a quirky and quaint secret garden feel.

So far everyone that has come in has enjoyed the place. A lot of my close friends say that they prefer this to Café Kumbuk. Personally I love them both but this is more of an extension of my design background and personality whereas Café Kumbuk is restricted in certain ways as we have the yoga lounge there and we cannot serve pork etc. This is definitely more of a free flow and open concept.

When will we see more hot food offerings on your menu?

Right now we are working with bread.lk to create some simple sourdough dishes. In another six months we will be adding more to our menu. We would like to take our time to perfect everything so that when customers come in they will be served the best. This is what we have learned from our past experiences.

Tell us about your commitment to minimizing plastic use Before we did not realize how drastic the damage was to the environment and ever since then we have been trying to minimize our carbon footprint by finding alternatives to plastic packaging. So we use paper and metal straws, glass jars, alternatives to plastic bags etc. In addition, because we are registered with the Good Market we have to follow certain environmental standards to be approved by them.

What about your menu?

Our name is our country code so we have many Sri Lankan references in terms of flavours, like our

The story behind the numbers

How would you describe this place in a sentence?

Casual dining and local coffee. The whole point of this is not to be too fussy about things.

We wanted to come up with something simple and effective. It isn’t trying too hard to be something else and this is reflected right down to the furniture as well.

LOCATION: 213, Galle Road, Colombo 03 OPEN FROM: 6.30am – 10.00pm CUISINES: Japanese inspired PRICE RANGE Rs. 500-1500

TOKIWA CAFE Tokiwa Café popped up fairly recently in the building facing the Methodist Church in Colpetty.

The spacious and airy café serves Japanese inspired fare that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Colombo.

The menu includes items like crepe cakes, “naughty sandwiches” (do we even want to know?) and a selection of unique, quirky Japanese dishes in addition to the usual café fare of bagels, croissants and a selection of cakes.

Of their drinks, we tried the Matcha Frappe (LKR 720) - a visually appealing tall glass full of the green concoction, topped with whipped cream and more matcha powder. We enjoyed the subtlety of the matcha against the cold, milky frappe base.

For our mains, we had the Demiglace Omerice (LKR 1160) and Fuwa Fuwa Pancakes – Mixed Fruit (LKR 880). The Omerice was described as rice inside a Japanese omelette – its presentation was only second to its fragrance – which was downright divine. The chicken fried rice was blanketed in a Japanese omelette and drowned in a delicious mushroom sauce. We loved the flavours as well as the differences in texture in the layers.

The Fuwa Fuwa Pancacke sounded like something adorable right out of an anime and it looked like the breakfast of fairies! The Japanese pancakes-smaller, sweeter, denser than what we’re used to – were topped off with whipped cream and a rainbow of fresh fruit. All the elements worked well together and we would gladly have that for breakfast, dessert or a treat anytime really.

Tokiwa does a range of matcha infused cakes and cheesecakes so there’s no lack of desserts to choose from but what piqued our interest the most was the Mille-Jeuille Crepe (LKR 480), or the crepe cake they had on display. And it was amazing! The layers and layers of thin crepes were sandwiched with delicious cream and drizzled with honey – so delicate and delicious.

The service at Tokiwa is fast, friendly and efficient, with the staff describing each dish on the menu with ease. We spent a couple of hours there and noted quite a few Japanese guests frequenting the café – which should vouch for its authenticity.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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LOCATION: 32B, Sir Mohammed Macan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 3 OPEN FROM: Tuesday to Thursday: 6.00pm - 3.00am Friday and Saturday: 6.00pm - 4.00am CUISINES: American PRICE RANGE Rs. 2500-3500

ASK FOR FERN ‘Come to the little flower shop, and ask for Fern!’ That’s the slogan of this newly opened, fancy little restaurant, tucked away in a corner down Sir Mohammad Macan Makar Mawatha.

At the entrance, all you see is a ‘flower shop’ and once you enter through the door you are led up a flight of stairs. We were quite bewildered by the dimly lit staircase decorated with old portraits, elegant candlesticks, newspaper designs and large mirrors.

One of the few speakeasy bars in Sri Lanka, ‘Ask for Fern’ is conceptualized to recreate the American prohibition period of the 1920s. The place has a vintage feel and makes you want to wander around exploring the space – even the washrooms are interesting!

They offer a variety of spirits and cocktails, so we decided to give their ‘signature cocktails’ a try! The gin-based Mr. Miyagi (LKR 1500) is super refreshing blend of tonic, fresh lime and yuzu (Japanese mandarin purée). Where’s Wally Bastian (LKR 1500) served in a lightbulb shaped glass, is a mix of Ceylon arrack, king coconut water, lime, bitters and sugarcane – a heady mix with a strong taste of arrack.

Their currently limited menu had plenty of interesting dishes and for appetizers, we had the Serai chicken wings (LKR 750). The wings though small in quantity, were delicious – tossed in a lemongrass and palm sugar infused sauce that gave the succulent meat great flavour.

For mains, we had the Miso glazed salmon (LKR 2,200) which was plated beautifully. The large fillet of salmon was served on a bed of garlic green beans and roasted pumpkin, with a coconut foam atop.

The salmon was perfectly done and the coconut foam provided a unique, delicious taste. Absolutely spot-on.

We picked the Caramelized mango with candied bacon and lemon curd (LKR 650) for dessert. We’d have never combined mango with bacon before this but the taste worked well and the dish was nothing short of great. The candied bacon was crispy and sweet alongside the tart sweetness of the mango. The lemon curd provided the sour hints.

Ask for Fern is a unique and laid-back place to enjoy a great evening out… interesting drinks, fabulous food and quirky interiors - a must-visit!

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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LOCATION: 48 D, Park Street, Colombo 2 OPEN FROM: 6.30PM - 10.30PM CUISINES: Multicuisine PRICE RANGE Rs. 1500-2500

CHAMBERS AT PARK STREET MEWS

Chambers is the newest addition to the Park Street Mews precinct and fills the void for good Middle Eastern cuisine in the city.

We enjoyed our first visit there and felt they delivered well on the experience.

The interior and décor at Chambers is impeccable; the aesthetic really adds value to your dining experience… think Turkish chandeliers, Moroccan tea pots, intricately painted crockery, and subtle pops of colour.

We ordered a Moroccan Mint Tea (LKR330) which was very refreshing and came in an authentic, intricate teapot. The serving was plenty for two people to sip on throughout the meal.

The appetizer menu offers several interesting Hot Mezzes and the staff recommended the Meat Arayas (LKR 600) - an Arabic flatbread

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

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loaded with meat and cheese. The pizza pocket-like Meat Arayas were full of fragrant Middle Eastern spices and ingredients. The soft and fluffy pita bread was perfect with meat and cheese oozing out. The Chambers’ version of Hummus (LKR 500) was of perfect consistency and taste, and served with tender Arabic bread… totally recommended.

For mains, we tried the Shish Taouk (LKR 1000) and Mutton with Chickpea Tagine (LKR 1500). We were disappointed with the serving size of the Shish Taouk. The Mutton Tagine on the other hand was incredibly flavourful with a generous portion of succulent mutton served over delicious couscous. Served in a beautiful tagine, we felt the dish was an authentic representation of the depth of flavours of Arabic food.

For Dessert, we went with the hallmark Middle Eastern desserts of Baklava (with ice cream – LKR 475) and Mahalabia (LKR 350).

Baklava is somewhat of an acquired taste – the crispy filo pastry layered with nuts and held together with sugar syrup tends to be rather sweet and oily. Chambers serves their Baklava with ice cream and while we didn’t hate it, we didn’t quite love it either. Perhaps if you’re more accustomed to Baklava than we are, you may respond differently. We were skeptical about the Mahalabia, described as a milk pudding flavoured with orange blossom water and pistachios. We ended up really enjoying the dessert because it was a great palate cleanser after a satisfying meal.

An Evening with

Masterchef Kumar Pereira Manoja, Kumar & Ravishi

Dialog club vision recently hosted ‘A Delectable Night to Savour’ featuring Australian all-star Masterchef Kumar Pereira, who curated a four course meal.

Mr. Indhaka & Mrs. Rozanne Dissanayake

Sharmila

Faiszer

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Niro

Rasini

Mr Rinesh & Mrs Thushara Fernandopulle

Roshan

Shafeeka

Kumar

Udeshi

Richard

Sadiq

Kumar

Sharmila

Dinushki

Gowrie

Dinushki

Kumar

Anshu

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Sangeetha Nipunika

Raja Jewellers

Launch Timeless Perfection Raja Jewellers recently unveiled a brand new collection of bridal jewellery titled, “Timeless Perfection�.

Chandimal

Dhananjaya

Dhananjaya

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Gayathri

Harris

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

Dusheni

Dusheni

Shanika

Sajana

Amritha

Kaushalya

Yohan

Shereen

Ramani

Bernie

Indi

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Nipunika

Gayathri

Harris

Pooja

Launch of

Breeze by Barracuda Overlooking the Galle Face Green, Breeze by Barracuda held their grand opening. This will surely be a Colombo crowd pleaser.

Gishan

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Nadeesha

Dhyan

Arjuna

Samadara

Dhyan

Sanath

Sanath

Nadeesha

Shiranthi

Gishan

Dharshi

Gishan

Dushyanthi

Ravi

Kumar

Minella

Dhyan

Natasha

Nadeesha

Danasiri

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Threads of Time a n i n si de r ’s l o o k Colombo has become a melting pot in terms of the fashion design industry lately and with the Threads of Time Fashion Show set to take centre stage in Colombo soon, it is only fitting that we fill you in on some insight from the woman behind it all, Kavita Thulasidas.

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What is the story behind Threads of Time? Give us a teaser on what we can expect Threads of Time will be a magical travel through different eras , inspired by the celestial beauties of Hindu mythology, through to the Rajput and Mogul Era, portrayed through the love stories of that time and then travelling through ancient history of the Roman and Grecian goddesses and then to the roaring 1920s when fashion entered the modern era. It is through these magical enchanted worlds of mysticism and their stories that I get my inspiration.

Why have you chosen Sri Lanka as the stage for this?

Tell us a little about yourself I am quite a simple person really. I believe in hard work, I have a work hard and play hard sort of attitude. I have a lot of passion for my work and so it is really never work! I get so absorbed in it that I am usually lost in it. I give 100% to anything I do and I usually do most of my tasks well. I love being in the company of my kids, family and friends and they are most important things to me. Spirituality and some work for the community are also a big part of my life. I also teach meditation which gives me depth and a sense of purpose. The joy of what we receive through giving cannot be explained in words. I love art and travel.

Dancing, both Indian Classical and Bollywood are my hobbies.

I travelled to Sri Lanka for the first time in December for a project to rebuild a school. I met an old friend, Anita, while I was travelling and she invited me here. Anita knows of my work and has been part of my shows in the past and she was keen to present my collection and showcase my work to her friends here in Sri Lanka. I am sure this is just the beginning of my relationship with this beautiful country, something or another keeps bringing me back.

How did your career in this industry begin? Walk us through your journey up until now My family has been in the fashion industry for three generations. I was always by my

mother’s side as I was growing up. I was a fashion savvy teenager, I loved experimenting with fashion trends and styles. I was exposed to this world from the age of 7, and by the time I was in my late teens I was already contributing ideas to the design and production team. I had a keen eye for merchandising and I was a quick learner.

At 18 I was already involved full time in the business. I learnt the ropes of the business from my mum and through experience, I call it the “University of Hard Knocks” . It was only later in life that I received my formal training in fashion. I have received several awards on a national level and competed in many business competitions. Last year I was awarded Woman Entrepreneur of the year presented by Mediacorp and Auxono. I have also been featured on many TV programmes.

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What sets your designs apart from the rest? Just by looking at your designs, how will one know, ‘Oh! that has to be Kavita’s creation”?

I am known in Singapore for my brand Asian Woman. My designs are usually a fusion of Asian cultures. This is a reflection of the culture I come from being a Singaporean of Indian origin. We come from a multi cultural background of many different cultures of Malay, Indian and Chinese and you see that in my designs .

Define your style/design philosophy My style is classic and sophisticated. I believe I make designs that do not age. Many of my clients tell me this. I like to make clothes that people treasure, even years later they enjoy wearing them. In my designs I always use the art of indigenous craftsmanship of different regions, from the weaver loom to the most intricate of embroideries.

What challenges have you had to face to reach where you are?

I took over the reigns of the business during the Asian economic crisis so it was an uphill struggle from the beginning but I was lucky to have my mother’s mentorship, experience and support to guide me. In my initial days my workshop was in the slums in India and I regularly work under extreme environmental conditions at times with extreme heat in certain regions and at times having to walk through floods during monsoons. For a woman travelling through

India in the places I work is not always easy; I worked and travelled right through both my pregnancies to the last day. I never felt I needed to be treated delicately. I do whatever it takes to get the job done. I never like to disappoint a client. The hardest was to leave my newborn babies when I had to travel for work. That was the hardest thing to do.

Talk to us about colours,textures, and materials, what are your favourites to work with and why?

To me fashion is art. I love draping and sculpting the fabrics in a manner that it is out of the norm, with an unexpected twist here and there; that is my form. The colours

of the collection are constantly changing through the seasons. Personally I love neutral tones. Beiges and Golds and Antique metallic tones. The contrast of blacks and whites are my favourite. I like working mainly with silks, satins, chiffons and georgettes; fabrics that are fluid and drape well. Tulles are also a staple in my collections. Tulles are soft and transparent and become a good background for embroidery.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I am inspired by places, people and cultures.

The indigenous art forms and architecture of different places. I am intrigued by this. I

always like to visit the museums of countries I go to. I feel I travel through time in those places.

What advice to you have for aspiring designers?

It is important that they identify a niche for themselves and don’t look for short cuts.

Don’t expect instant success, and get carried away by the glitz and glamour of the fashion world. Be prepared to get your hands in the grit and grime of hard work. Focus on your design and product should be your first priority, branding is secondary. Look within your background, culture and heritage for inspiration.

Nandani

Asha

Kalum

Shreen

Rozanne

Siyatha Mr. Sri Lanka

for Mr. World

After two months of mini-pageants, the long awaited finale of Siyatha Mr. Sri Lanka for Mr. World took centre stage this June.

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Geraldine

Dilruk

Kumar

Danielle

Chula

Dilini

Gayathri

Sumudu

Ajaaz

Sujee

Ramzi

Thayani

Dedunu

Kumari

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Kamil

Danielle

Nimesh

Visakan

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Dedunu

Roshan

Brian

Sujee

Kushi

Rishini

Asha

Shereen Kumari

Gayathri

Ranil

Thayani

Nelum

Nadeeka

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Amberry unique accessories for the modern man As the fashion industry in Sri Lanka draws more innovative cues from the streets of Champs-Élysées and the ramps of fashion weeks across the world, it’s great to note the rise of contemporary accessories for stylish, fashion forward men. Amberry is a brand that is all about catering to these unique tastes. Here is a chat with the founder himself, Amry Jiffry.

Amry

1. Tell us about yourself I am Amry Jiffry, founder of the brand Amberry. Initially I was working at an IT company, but I always had a passion for fashion, so that’s how my Amberry journey started. I am also a sports geek and I love exploring places!

2. What is Amberry all about?

Amberry was launched on the 6th of May 2017. It is all about reinventing accessories by providing our customers a whole range of products. In the past year, Amberry has made its mark among many other successful lifestyle brands in Sri Lanka. I am proud to say that we are the pioneers in introducing wooden men’s accessories to Sri Lanka.

Rizwan

3. How did this venture begin for you?

I have always wanted to become an entrepreneur and to start something on my own. I love trying out unique and trendy things. I had the pleasure of owning a wooden bow tie during my travels and immediately felt the need to introduce it to the local market. And what better way to do it than making it in Sri Lanka with locally sourced wood! I soon shared the whole concept with my late dear friend Imran and my business partner Rizwan, they were so impressed with the idea and that’s how we got things started.

4. Is there a story behind the name?

Amberry is a nickname that eventually came to life. A cousin of mine used to call me that and constantly bugged me, saying I could make it a brand someday. Here I am today, living that dream.

5. Why wood specifically?

I wanted a modern twist coupled with out of the box thinking. The dream was to introduce something unique and trendy. Hence, the decision to use wood as our core material. In the future, we might look into more resources which would be sustainable.

6. How do you source your material?

For the bow ties we use off-cut teak wood which we source from the furniture industry, it is more like an upcycled product. For the wood tie, the material we use is engineered birch wood which is made from FSC certified raw materials.

7. What does your product line comprise of?

Initially we introduced the wooden bow tie and wooden cufflinks. Thereafter, we expanded to wooden ties, wooden lapel flowers, Tie clips and wooden business card holders. We are currently working on producing a range of ladies wooden bow ties as well.

8. Have you had to face any challenges?

Building up a brand is always challenging, you need to stay focused and keep believing in yourself and most importantly be innovative!

9. What has the reception been like?

The response has been overwhelming. We have orders coming in on a daily basis. The brand speaks for itself now and needs no introduction. We have a great clientele and an amazing fan base that has been with us from inception.

10. What is next for Amberry?

We will be introducing a range of wooden accessories for the ladies soon. And we also have a few other products lined up for our customers.

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From the City of Lights to Charming Communes France, a country every traveller has a relationship with and falls in love with. It’s an absolutely magical dream with its joie de vivre reflected in its countless restaurants, picturesque villages, and world-famous gastronomy. Apart from bringing home the FIFA World Cup trophy, France can be amusing in ways more than one.

France has been the world’s most popular tourist destination for years. If visiting the treasures of L’Hexagone isn’t on your bucket list, it’s time it makes its way to the top! Jet Airways flies 13 times a week to Paris starting at an all-inclusive price of LKR 80,000! We were given an incredible opportunity by Jet Airways to tick off our bucket list dreams and venture into La Gaule. Our adventures were not limited to the City of Lights, Paris, but continued onto the scenic outdoors of Provence and more!

7 days, 6 stops, each with sights of its own; our week’s adventure was like no other.

This isn’t your usual coffee table write-up of the well-known wonders of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe or Notre-Dame de Paris. Instead, our itinerary comprised of visits to lesser spoken of yet equally incredible sights in Paris and the French suburbs. If you followed our journey on social media, you had an exclusive sneak peek into our incredibly eventful week in Paris! Stay tuned to our social media for real time updates of our #PulseVisits adventures and more.

Amboise Our journey began in Paris and we made our way straight to Hotel Littre, a contemporary 4-star Parisian hotel located between Saint Germain-des-Prés and Montparnasse. It combines the renown of Saint-Germain-des-Près, the bohemian lifestyle of Montparnasse, the excitement of the Latin Quarter, and the peaceful romanticism of the Luxembourg Gardens.

Our first venture out of Paris was to the small market commune, Amboise. Amboise is a city is famous for the Clos Lucé manor house where Leonardo da Vinci lived (and ultimately died) at the invitation of King Francis I of France, whose Château d’Amboise also dominates the town.

Castle Clos Lucé: The Clos Lucé Manor House is famous for being the official residence of Leonardo da Vinci between 1516 and 1519. It is located 500m from the royal Château d’Amboise, to which it is connected by an underground passageway. In 1516, King Francis I of France invited Leonardo da Vinci to Amboise and provided him with the Clos Lucé, then called Château de Cloux, as a place to stay and work. A few attractions inside to look out for: Chamber of Da Vinci, Paddle Wheel, Two Level Bridge, and Garden of Leonardo.

Royal Castle of Amboise: Surrounded by lush lavender fields, Château d’Amboise is both historical and interesting. Confiscated by the monarchy in the 15th century, it became a favoured royal residence and was extensively rebuilt thereafter. We’re also told that King Charles VIII died at the château in 1498 after hitting his head on a door lintel.

Le Maitre d’Art and Loire Wine Tasting: The beautiful commune of Amboise, lying on the banks of the Loire River, is home to gourmet produce, meals, and regional products. Our next two adventures; a meal at Le Maitre d’Art and a Wine Tasting by the Loire, allowed us to experience just that.

Aix en Provence Ah, the sweet scents of Provence! Aix en Provence is a city-commune to the south of France, full of life and culture, alike.

Château La Costeand: Chateau La Coste is an extraordinary place, far removed from a typical Provence winery where a combination of the tradition of wine and contemporary architecture sings. In 2004, artists and architects from around the world were invited to the landscape of Chateau La Coste, to choose a place that ‘spoke to them’, and then create something that would take up residence there. The result was a series of intriguing art objects linked by a walking trail around the vineyards of La Coste.

Roy René museum: The calisson (traditional French candy consisting of a smooth, pale yellow, homogeneous paste of candied fruit and ground almonds topped with a thin layer of royal icing) is recognized as part of the heritage of the city of Aix. Whether you’re a connoisseur or not, you can learn more about the authentic flavours of the calisson by visiting the fascinating sites of the Confiserie du Roy René.

Château de Fonscolombe Hotel: Our bed for the night was at Château de Fonscolombe, radiating reflections of history, the spirit of the Enlightenment, and the glow of festivities. After a long day in Aix, we slid into the luxurious splendor of this completely restored family Château.

Gordes Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, its white and gray stone houses rise up in a spiral around the rock where the village is set.

Whilst strolling through the tiny streets which lie between the tall houses, we discovered beautiful old doorways, arcades, and perfectly restored walls of flat stone. On the other side is a panoramic view of the valley and mountains of Luberon.

Sénanque Abbey: Three Cistercian abbeys called the Three Sisters of Provence were founded in the 12th century: Senanque Abbey, Thoronet Abbey, and Silvacane Abbey. Founded in 1148, Senanque was the first of the Three Provençal Sisters. The abbey lends way to a spectacular view of lavender fields, fragrant and blooming during the summer.

Mas des Herbes Blanches: Our bed for the night was at one of the best Gordes hotels, Mas des Herbes Blanches. This hotel is the perfect base for visiting Gordes, Joucas, the Luberon and Provence’s many attractions. The hotel first opened in 1974 and has been a member of Relais & Chateaux since 1976.

Avignon The historic city of Avignon is a commune in south-eastern France located in the department of Vaucluse on the left bank of the Rhône River. The architecture, culture and life are incredible, echoed in the buildings, food, and the people.

Halles d’Avignon: Not your average flea market, it is bustling with activity, life, and gourmet products alike.

Palace of the Popes: The Palais des Papes is a historical palace located in Avignon and is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century.

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Rousillon

Paris

One of the most impressive villages in France, Roussillon is a mustsee in the Luberon and is well worth a detour.

Back to some sight- seeing in the heart of France!

Orchre Trail in Roussillon: Situated in the heart of one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world, Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ochre quarries. The red, yellow, and brown shades of the earth form a striking contrast with the lush green pine trees and the vivid blue of the Provençal sky makes this an absolutely exceptional site and trail!

Louvre Museum: The Louvre Palace is a former royal palace located on the right bank of the Seine. It became a royal palace in the 14th century under Charles V and was occasionally used by kings of France as their main Paris residence. It is now home to priceless art, history, and architecture.

Louis Vuitton Foundation :As a private cultural initiative, the Louis Vuitton Foundation aims to support contemporary artistic creation for a wide French and international audience. Stemming from an initial sketch drawn on a blank page

in a notebook, Frank Gehry constantly sought to “design, in Paris, a magnificent vessel symbolizing the cultural calling of France”.

Beateau Mouche: Our adventurous day in Paris came to an end with a dinner river cruise down the Seine, an incredible way to explore Paris differently and uncover the historic heart of the city of lights whilst sailing down its most beautiful avenue.

Palace of Versailles: The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the Kings of France from Louis XIV in 1682 until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. The Palace is now a French Historic Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, notable for the ceremonial Hall of Mirrors, the jewel-like Opera Theatre, and its royal apartments.

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Dushyanth weds

Stephanie

Colombo’s favourite celebrity couple recently tied the knot at the stunning San Donato Church, Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy

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Surfs Up! A guide to the best surf spots on Sri Lanka’s South Coast

Sri Lanka; Incredible beauty, unreal waves and local soul. Our little island is quite the stunner and there’s no denying it. The water is crystal blue and the soft beaches lined with palm trees are chalk-white which complement the out-of-this-world sunsets. Although, we have been ravaged by tsunamis and war in the not so distant past, Sri Lanka has re-emerged as a surfers paradise.

to a surfer is the icing on the cake. Then of course we have all kinds of surf breaks. We have waves for beginners, amateurs and pros.

Rights, lefts, lazy longboard lumps, snappy performance peaks, reefs, points, beaches, You name it. Our homegrown surfers will tell you that you can surf the world in Sri Lanka because you simply cannot find this variety of waves anywhere else.

Sri Lanka has always had the bittersweet reliability of both the wet and dry seasons.

The wet season shuffles in between the East through the months of October to January and the South West through the months of May to August. During the dry season, the wind moves like clockwork and thus to a surfer, his daily schedule writes itself; dawn patrol to catch the first waves of the day, laze in the shade through the heat of mid-day, and finally an epic sunset session. Because of our weather patterns, we are an island of two halves so you can always catch waves here, no matter which part of the year.

If you are just starting out, avoid the world famous spot in the East, Arugam Bay, as the best beginner surf beaches are found in the balmy South. But if you are a pro, you’ll be pleased to know that this sleepy East coast town was featured in Lonely Planet’s list of Asia’s best destinations for 2018. A’ Bay was highlighted for being able to maintain its cool as the majority of holidaymakers flock to other parts of the Island, mainly to our ancient citadels and picturesque hills.

So why is surfing so popular in Sri Lanka among locals and tourists alike? Well for one, our waves are blessed with something not found anywhere else: predictability. This

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Learners Weligama is the place to be: the beach is lined with more than a dozen surf schools so it really is a learners’ paradise. There is endless white water and more than enough space for you to safely start progressing on to open

waves. But of course, pros will appreciate the quality waves nearby.

Beginners Once you are confident enough to move on to the green waves head to Meddawatta, SK Town. This stretch of sand has plenty of peaks along its length. Aside from just one surf camp, there isn’t much else going on here so it has quite a relaxed atmosphere to it.

Intermediates Midigama is where all the backpackers flock to as it is jam packed with well known spots to catch some great waves. This place is also home to, “The Rock”. The surfers in the area will tell you that this is Sri Lanka’s best wave after Arugam Bay. Another honourable mention will have to be Mirissa. Well known for its party beach image, there is a right hand reef at the Westernmost end, wrapping around a rocky outcrop which produces stunning six footers loved by intermediates and pros alike. But watch out for the sea urchins, you do not want to get spiked!

Chocolate Experience #IndulgePerM2 by Zeba Kohli Renowned Indian Chocolatier Zeba Kohli hosted a Chocolate Experience #IndulgePerM2 at Hafele Sri Lanka!

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Mr. Pradeep Moraes,Director Indocean Developers with the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Hon. Champika Ranawaka

Mumtaz Niyasdeen Head of Business Development Indocean Developers receiving the award from Stephanie Balendra Director Homes N Spaces Lanka Properties Pvt Ltd.

Altair

Wins Special Overall Award of Best Condominium Development in Sri Lanka this was in addition to winning both categories that it entered ie: Best Luxury Condo Development & Best Luxury Condo Architectural Design The Property Guru Editorial Board based in Bangkok also adjudged Altair Director Pradeep Moraes as the first ever Sri Lanka Real Estate Personality of the Year

Jaideep Halwasiya Director Indocean Developers

Terry Blackburn MD and Founder Asia Property Awards & Property Report magazine with Mr. Jaideep Halwasiya and Mr. Pradeep Moraes

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Power Breakfast

with Irshad “The White Tiger” Sayed

The Galle Face Hotel recently held an exciting event, Power Breakfast with South African national kickboxing champion, two time Muay Thai world champion and mixed martial arts champion, Irshad “The White Tiger” Sayed!

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Raux Brothers

unveils

Tempotest Home

by ParĂ

Raux Brothers is the place to go to source items for the finest of interiors, and the launch of their new range of Italian Performance fabrics will be sure to please their clientele

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With 34.5K Instagram followers and an unruffled composure, Gaia Kodithuwakku may come off as a tough-nut to crack but spend five minutes talking to her and you’ll realise that she’s one of the sweetest and most humble personalities you will ever meet. We spent an evening in conversation with this well-loved character and here’s what we found out:

Gaia Kodithuwakku

Femininity, Fitness & Insta-Fame

What are three words that perfectly describe you?

in my life for at least 8 years and I tried everything – counselling and all – but the one thing that made me feel better was being able to express myself through my body. After I got into it, people would ask me “do you train other people?”,“Can I hire you?”, so it kinda organically happened.

“Resilient” ‘cause I’m the queen of bouncing back. “Empathetic” cause I feel for others a bit too much, and “PurposeDriven” ‘cause I feel like I’m fulfilling my legacy.

What does your YouTube channel focus on?

Do your tattoos have a story?

I have around 10-11 tattoos but only one without a story, which I got when I was around 16 – 18. I got a butterfly on my back – it’s my tattoo of shame! Each of the others has a story - the one of my hand means Sacred Geometry – which is like the flower of life. Everything including the human embryo, when it grows, it grows according to that pattern. I also have Frieda Kahlo on me cause I love her!

Tell us about your stance on feminism and self-love I’m pro-human. I think people see me as a feminist because they tend to assume that I might be a strong female. One cause I lift weights, and two ‘cause I have an opinion and I speak out. I’m all for women operating through the perspective of self-love as opposed to self-hate. I encourage women to lose weight not ‘cause they want to impress people or because they want to change the way they look – they should want to get fit ‘cause they want to feel good, and it should come from a space of self-love.

How do you strike a balance between Femininity and Fitness?

I feel like femininity can be expressed through different ways. For certain women who come across as masculine, maybe that is their interpretation of being feminine, you know what I mean? I think it’s just important for you to be comfortable in your own skin. With me, I think I’ve accepted the fact that it’s okay to be soft, emotional, nurturing, and embrace all the craziness that comes along with being a woman. I’ve accepted that.

Would you call yourself Instafamous?

I guess so. I’m not gonna be like ‘nah I don’t know’ – I guess so, yeah!

What aspects of yourself does your Instagram profile focus on?

The good, the bad, the ugly, all of it! I don’t really filter much – which gets me into trouble sometimes, but I’ve posted videos of

I like a lot of things! It’s obviously going to be about fitness, wellness, self-love and self-care but I also want to talk about mental health, about work-life balance, about being able to manage your energy, and I want to branch out into other things as well - maybe a bit of travel and vlogging too.

me crying and sobbing because that’s also a part of who I am.

Your Instagram bio says “Alchemist”, what’s that about?

This tattoo is a symbol of alchemy – an alchemist can turn lead into gold. So mental alchemy for me means I can turn any negative situation into something positive and roll with it.

What are your tips for taking the perfect picture?

You’re asking the wrong person ‘cause I don’t consider myself to be photogenic at all! But for me, it’s an angle from high up, that gives me more cheek-bone and more jawline action.

How did you become a fitness trainer?

I got into fitness purely to get out of depression. I went through a very dark phase

If you could use your Insta-Fame to tell Sri Lanka one thing, what would it be?

Especially to the women of Sri Lanka, I think we don’t prioritise. I know women who have gotten into relationships and stopped prioritising themselves, so one thing I always tell women, specifically about relationships, is that if you see yourself growing in a relationship, that’ great, but if you’re regressing – if your career and health are crashing, that probably means that you’re not prioritising right. Always always put yourself first, prioritise, and know that you are the prize.

What does the future hold for Gaia Kodithuwakku?

I’ve always been very intuitive and flexible so if something doesn’t work for me, it’s very easy for me to drop it and move on to the next one. So I think I’ll just flow like this and see where it takes me!

Conquer your

CLUTTER Start small

Our homes tend to gather a lot of clutter and there’s no better time than the school holidays to attack the chaos and begin decluttering.

Living with relentless clutter gets to you: it zaps your energy and takes away your sense of freedom, and in extreme cases, you could even be risking your health by letting the dust and mould gather under all that clutter in your living spaces.

Here are some things to remember when you start decluttering:

The mantra Take a good look at the things you’ve stockpiled and ask yourself how much of it you actually need and love. Try to recall when you last used an item and whether you would be using it again. A good rule of thumb is that anything that hasn’t been used in over an year is not too worthy of the space it occupies.

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It can be overwhelming to start a decluttering project of your entire house. So start with one small area or a single room, and complete that before moving on to the next space.

Keep it short to avoid burnout It can be frustrating to spend hours and hours with clutter, so it’s better to set aside a shorter duration of maybe 2 or 3 hours per day for de-cluttering. That way, you will stay efficient and focused and will have more energy and motivation for another round of organizing the next day.

Finish what you start Decluttering will results in piles to either throw away, give away or store. Make sure that these piles actually end up where they should – instead of being stashed away in a corner of your house once more.

Wait on the storage We know it’s tempting to buy the pretty storage bins you just saw at the store – but do buy storage boxes only AFTER you sort out

your stuff – that way you know exactly how much storage you need and what they will hold.

Functional over beautiful If you, like me, have been admiring all those beautiful storage and organizing ideas on Pinterest, remember that very few people can keep their spaces looking that perfect all the time. Instead remember that your spaces just need to be functional and neat enough for everyday living.

Sentimental clutter Are you stuck with old pieces of furniture, crockery or decor that have passed down the family that you just don’t like nor have space for? A lot of us hold onto these heirlooms because we feel guilty to give them away. But giving away some of your museum-pieces can be liberating - offer them to other family members who would be interested in the item, or collectors who would be glad to have it. Don’t feel bad about parting with the items you just don’t need; keep your mementos small and meaningful.

ANC Graduation 2018 ANC recently celebrated the achievements of nearly 400 graduating seniors, postgraduates, and diploma holders this July.

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www.pulse.lk | PAGE 123

Jehan Aloysius A Man, Rebellious

Breaking away from tradition is Jehan Aloysius’ signature style - redefining the Sri Lankan stage through completely original works or fresh, new takes on classics, like Pyramus and Thisby.

Entrancing audiences both locally and overseas since it was first staged in 2006, Pyramus and Thisby now celebrates ‘12 Years of Enchantment’. Transporting theatregoers to a world of fusion and colour, the show is an unpredictable spectacle of exuberance, daring acrobatic feats and authentic local culture, juxtaposed with classic lyrical Shakespearean verse. We sat down with Jehan, the man behind this mystical mayhem, to discuss the play’s triumphant legacy, his challenging journey as a dramatist, and explore the inspiration behind some of his greatest works.

Q: What was the inspiration behind Pyramus and Thisby?

A: I had initially wanted to create an outdoor show that could travel even overseas, which would also celebrate the diverse and rich cultural theatrical traditions of Sri Lanka. The show is a blend of various mask and dance traditions coupled with Shakespeare’s text from the subplots of the artisans and fairies in his masque A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The show has a huge element of high comedy, magic and that unique element of audience participation, which makes it more of an ‘experience’ than a play.

Q: How different is the experience when you perform before foreign audiences?

A: The biggest difference in India, where we have staged the show on four occasions now, is that we perform the show in Hindi as well as Shakespeare’s English, rather than the Sinhala language. The play is essentially bilingual and all additions to Shakespeare (up to 60% of the show, in fact) are performed in the country’s local language. This was a huge challenge, but was vital in connecting with our audiences. The show has actually been more of a hit overseas. The reviews were excellent and especially humbling since, unlike Sri Lanka, the critics are usually theatre scholars and practitioners with a deep understanding of the craft. It’s been a wonderful experience to see audience members on-stage performing. An 89 year old man enthusiastically volunteered in Kolkatha, and met us backstage and gave us gifts and offered to support us as well. The role of the dying stage manager has also been played by the actual stage manager of each theatre overseas. It’s brilliant to connect with practitioners who become lifelong friends after our shows.

Q: What do you look for when you select the perfect cast?

A: The show needs actors with stamina and versatility. The comic artisans need to be

consummate actors with great comic timing, energy, and physical theatre skills. They also double as fairies in other scenes, which requires them to be great dancers and masters at the quick change. We never have ‘stars’ - all are equal and need to set up the set and costumes and make-up in addition to performing. Ego and attitude have no place in my troupe and we quickly weed those elements out.

Q: What would you like the audience to take away with them when they watch one of your plays?

A: I always want audiences to feel a shared experience and to interact, interpret and interrogate the show. This ideally would lead to integrating them into the experience, rather than merely ‘consuming’ passively.

Q: With all the plays that are staged today, how do you go about creating something unique? What is your process?

incidents that we went through, but to which I was uncannily also witness to, after the show was written, in other universities.

A: I’ve been writing plays from the age of 13, and most of my serious plays were from ages 16 - 19. My troupe only presents original work and has never presented imported reproductions. That has helped us to add to literature since five of my plays have been shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize in two separate works. The shows have also been studied locally and overseas since we presented our first original show in 2002.

I write from my experience or from what moves me to share my thoughts with the public.

Q: In ‘Reality Show’, you treated audiences to the modern trend of devised theatre. Could you explain what this involves? To what extent did the cast contribute towards the end result?

Q: Is there a story behind how you came about the concept of ‘Rag: The Musical’?

A: The show was written from my experiences and that of my batch during the late 1990s to early 2000s. Rag is incredibly autobiographical and very close to my heart, painting a vivid image of the life and politics within the Colombo University 20 years ago.

The show literally chronicles various real

A: Devised theatre was also used for Pyramus & Thisby and to a lesser degree in Caliban’s Rebellion. But with Reality Show, the process was eight months of workshops, improvisation, writing, re-writing, translating from English to Sinhala and vice versa.

Devised theatre requires consummate actors who, in this case, had to be trained to accept and use the techniques. I keep the process organic; there is a great deal of sharing and discussion, crafting structure and of course, re-writing. Unlike other plays, the final script is set down on paper much later in the process.

The cast also had to learn the diverse physical and theatrical skills which are presented in the play. It’s one of the most challenging plays to perform indeed.

Q: What is the most memorable moment that has stayed with you in all your years of theatre?

A: Dislocating my knee and continuing to perform, clambering and singing with pyrotechnics as well in the Phantom of the Opera in 2014. I was rushed to hospital after the show and managed one more performance before using a crutch for months after.

Q: What do you believe to be your greatest achievement?

A: I still believe I’m to achieve it, but creating theatre that changes people’s lives through CentreStage Productions and my humanitarian StageHands Project are both special to me.

Working with the disabled, with kids affected by the war and tsunami and using theatre for social change are what I am proud of. Also since sponsors now rarely support original work due to the foreign imports they support, we have and SHALL continue to create and present original works with miniscule budgets and create a legacy for Lankan theatre.

Q: Any significant failures or adversity you came across that eventually defined your career?

A: My mom and dad were not able to afford much when my brother and I were kids. My dad, Hubert, died when I was 11 and my mom, Carol, brought us up doing what she still does, by writing as a journalist for Lake House. We wore hand-me-

downs from some cousins and didn’t have luxuries to speak of. I never really wanted luxuries, but I did want to be a great movie director from the age of 11. It was almost by accident that I discovered theatre many years later. My mom encouraged every dream I had and it’s due to her that I am where I am right now. We had supportive aunts and uncles as well as cousins who still encourage my shows.

I’m blessed by them and the wonderful new family of actors I’ve built since 1995 when I

began directing shows. Most of these actors are still very much a part of my troupe and life. Theatre saved me from depression and from being an obese kid (I was almost 300 pounds at one time and famously lost 110 pounds for a play). I live with pain 24 hours a day due to scoliosis, which has affected me for over 20 years, but I laugh a lot and thank God for the blessings I have and the people I am meant to guide in some way.

Q: Language has never been a barrier in the entertainment industry, but in Sri Lanka, theatre is divided into Sinhala and English, both from the artiste’s and audience’s perspective.

What do you think is the reason for this separation?

A: The answer is rather a long one. Many elements divide the audiences and some of them are associated with education, politics, attitudes and financial capacity. I’ve worked with the Sinhala language theatre for 20 years now as an actor, director and trainer. Some of the issues Sinhala language theatre practitioners grapple with are far more socially relevant than in the English language. It is also the theatre of the masses and can make a larger impact since it travels around the island and has audiences not limited to Colombo. I’ve been attempting to promote new writing in Sinhalese so plays aren’t simply adaptations/ translations that obliquely talk

about the local status quo. I have attempted in many of my plays, to bridge the divide through bilingual shows as well as with ‘crossover’ performers. I shall continue to do so.

There should be no division of Sinhala, Tamil or English theatre. Just theatre. Sri Lankan theatre.

original work. We sadly have had to fund our own theatre workshops and all our overseas travel even to represent Sri Lankan Theatre at festivals in the past. We were encouraged this year by the government that supported most of the flight costs, as well as individuals who donated when corporates turned a blind eye.

Q: It is well known that acting in Sri Lanka is a risky profession. What would be your advice to aspiring new actors and actresses in the country?

Q: Do you feel proud of the work you’ve done or do you feel like you’re yet to discover your masterpiece?

A: Learn the craft using the tools now available to you. We used libraries in the past, but now there are amazing online resources.

Don’t duplicate and replicate. Create and build your following rather than riding the wave of others and their creativity. If you have opportunity to study overseas, take it. There are scholarships available.

Q: What sort of measures do you think could be taken to uplift the industry further?

A: Subsidies for halls, rehearsals spaces, grants for research and development, sponsorship from corporates for developing and staging

A: I hope there is a great magnum opus out there for me. I’m still to present some of my more challenging serious plays written 20 years ago as well as my massive ‘Frankenstein - The Musical’ which is based on Mary Shelley’s work, not the horror house versions.

Q: Who were your idols and mentors when growing up? If you could ask them anything, what would it be?

A: Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Shakespeare.

I would love to collaborate with those who are living, as I have already adapted Shakespeare’s work.

Q: Aside from theatre, what would have chosen as your profession and why?

A: Nothing.

Q: If given the chance would you direct a movie?

A: I would love to. I have been asked to and I’m considering it.

Q: Other than yourself, who do you think has contributed more towards the betterment of theatre in Sri Lanka than anybody else?

A: There are many practitioners doing great theatre. I can’t name some and not others.

Unfortunately, there are very few creating original theatre that creates a legacy and Sri Lankan identity. That’s a pity. But theatre is alive and that’s encouraging indeed!

Miss England

Visit at Ozo

The reigning Miss England and Ms Europe, Stephanie Hill was recently welcomed to Sri Lanka at OZO Colombo, along with the other contestants of Miss England 2019.

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NORA BODE

OXYJET

The ultimate professional Skin Care regimen

The Mack Care Skin Clinic together with Nora Bode Germany is set to revolutionize the cosmetic skin care industry in Sri Lanka with their cutting edge Bode OXYjet machine; the original pulse oxygen pressure injection system.

The epidermis in its deepest layer is the most active part of the skin. Cell division and the growth of the surface of the skin all take place here. The dermis below plays another important part in the ageing process. Have you ever wondered what makes your skin youthful and tight? It is the Collagen and Hyaluronic acid structures that are formed deep within. Young skin does not suffer from a lack of energy as the epidermis is supplied with enough oxygen and vital nutrients through the blood vessels of the dermis.

Older skin however, is badly supplied with blood due to the degeneration of the micro capillaries in the dermis, thus the vital Oxygen and nutrient supplies are scarce. This leads to slow cell division, dry, thin, and wrinkled skin coupled with irregular skin pigmentation.

The solution to all of these concerns is the Bode OXYjet.

The painless pulsed pressure injection of cosmetic formulations and pure concentrated oxygen with the Bode OXYjet is non-invasive and non-surgical which means it is virtually painless, making it the effective solution for the treatment of cosmetic problem areas. The formed deposits of active ingredients deep in the skin work well over time. At the same time, the oxygen acts as a vitalizing energizer.

Excellent treatment results can be obtained for: • • • • • •

Wrinkle formation Atrophic skin Pigmentation disorder Acne and impure skin Body shape problems Scars and stretch marks

So not only will it work for all skin types, it is safe enough to be used by all ages and genders.

The treatment with OXYjet can be customized individually depending on the actual needs of the skin by way of the several elements the machine offers.

• OXYclear Concentrated oxygen and Bio Blue Light cleanse deep into the pores • OXYdiamond Concentrated oxygen and diamond peel heads remove cornification and stimulates the skin

• OXYjet The pulse oxygen pressure injection transports active ingredients deep into the skin – without needles • OXYtone This unique oxygen polyrotating head stimulates the face muscles and lifts the face contours • OXYspray The gentle breeze of oxygen moisturizes and vitalizes the skin and leaves it smooth and refreshed • CRYO2 A combination of concentrated oxygen and fresh coldness tightens immediately and acts like a contour lifting.

• BIO2 LIGHT Special wavelengths of coloured lights and pure oxygen regenerate and vitalize the skin In combination with the appropriate NORA BODE preparations that the Mack Care Skin Clinic offers, fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out and the face contour is tightened. Depending on the preparations applied, even pigmentation irregularities are evened out together with the reduction of inflammations and impurities. Best of all however is that this is quite an affordable treatment. Try it for yourself if you want to see real results!

SUN, LAGOON & FUN

AT AMAGI The Negombo Lagoon is home to high biodiversity in its flora and fauna. The mangrove community in the lagoon is the most diverse of all mangrove communities in the west coast of Sri Lanka. It is yet another hidden and lesser known gem that our island has to offer. Amagi Aria, a hotel that embodies the heart and soul of the Negombo surroundings, sits right by this beautiful lagoon and has big plans to shine light on what this stunning location has to offer.

One thing that the management has realized is that Negombo lagoon was once famed for its water sport activities, having hosted numerous sailing championships. But this was spotlight was soon lost to locations further south. To bring attention back to the region, Amagi Aria has partnered with the Lanka Power Boat Association, a member of the Union Internationale Motonautique; the international governing body of powerboating, based in the Principality of Monaco.

Through this association, Amagi Aria hosted a Jetski training program which was the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. Considering that March of next year will bring forth an international watersport event, this training program served as a way to discover local talent that will in turn have the skills to take Sri Lanka to global stage in the arena of watersports.

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Open days will be staged where anyone over the age of 12 can participate and learn all that there is to know about Jetskis as Amagi Aria strives to promote fun experiences for their guests while adhering to safety standards.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways in which you will be able to enjoy the Negombo Lagoon if you aren’t much of an adrenaline junkie. Paddle boats, and even the Hotel’s own boat is at your service if you would like to enjoy a tour of the lagoon under our tropical sun. But for the ultimate Cruise experience, a fully fledged three bedroom motor yacht will soon be available for you to cast away and explore the wonders of the lagoon, whether you want to uncover the secrets of Muthurajawela, or simply get up close and watch the local fisherman at work.

If a floating party is more of what you’d want, the deck upstairs can easily facilitate this.

Considering that this property set against the stunning backdrop of the Negombo Lagoon, is only an hour’s drive from Colombo, you really have no reason not to visit over a weekend and try your hand at the various activities it has to offer. As Amagi Aria is the only certified UIM aquabike training facility in Sri Lanka, you can be rest assured that you will be in good hands. Coupled with panoramic views of the lagoon, refined accommodation, modern amenities, delectable dining choices, warm and friendly service, and access to Negombo’s most sought-after experiences, Amagi Aria is changing the impression of Negombo being simply a transit point for weary travelers.

Negombo is and always will be a destination to behold by itself!

Sonali De Soysa

& the

Little

Sopranos Who would have thought that what started off as a fun singing class in a church hall would grow into a significant singing school for children? We have all heard about the Little Sopranos singing school and their vibrant concerts, but here is the story of how it all came to be as we were given some insight by the founder herself, Sonali De Soysa.

Ladies’ College I went on to get a Diploma in Preschool, and music and child education was a great combination for the Little Sopranos. It was at this time that many of the students’ parents kept encouraging and motivating me to start a singing class for their kids after school, especially those who had gone on to bigger schools. I was happy and content in what I was doing but every time I hesitated, a parent would come up to me and say ‘Please start a class for our children’. I also realized the potential I had in training and bringing out a child’s musical talent and it is their encouragement and positivity toward what I do that made me decide that yes, I should start a singing class.

• Tell us how all this began, what is your story and how did you coin the name?

When my elder daughter Yvanka left for university 10 years ago, I felt it was time to do something more with my time. I was already working at a leading preschool in

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Colombo as Music and Drama teacher with experience in directing concerts and training children. I have been a pianist all my life and qualified in classical music under Mary Billimoria. However I also played pop , gospel and church music. Music is something I’m very passionate about. After my education at

And so my younger daughter Anouk de Soysa and I lugged my Yamaha piano to the Baptist church hall on Bagatalle road to start a fun singing class . That first day we had 7 students joining. We named it Little Sopranos as it was a cute name, relative to what we do. A few months later Karen Pereira joined the LS. All three of us shared the same love for music and children and we made a great team .

• What about your journey from your inception to where you are now?

Within a few months of starting we had over 50 students and had our first concert that same year. Anouk left for University and Karen continued as my assistant and conductor. The LS grew with each year and our December Christmas concert has always been a huge success. We started a special program ‘Bring a smile to a child ‘ where each student contributed beautifully wrapped gifts at Christmas time, for children in orphanages and homes. The generosity of our students is wonderful and has brought a smile to many less fortunate children. We also have themes for our concerts and do songs relating to the subject. In 2013 we spoke about differently abled children and were fortunate to sing with Emmanuel Kelly when he came down from Melbourne for a program in Sri Lanka. That year in December it was wonderful to have him sing as a guest artist at our Christmas concert. Apart from these shows, our students take part in selective performances and events which gives them a great experience.

We moved to a bigger place at St Anthony’s Road in Colpetty and in 2016, Anouk was back from university and we started another branch in Rajagiriya. Our student numbers doubled with this new location and due to the growing numbers we decided to start the Junior academy with Anouk and the Senior academy with Karen as the main people assisting me and conducting the two sections.

• Describe your singing school; guide us through the proceedings The LS is a modern singing school. It is a place where young children are encouraged to sing with confidence, to enjoy their dance moves, to sing solo and love what they do. We like to do funky songs with groovy dance moves and also have young talented musicians accompanying them at their performances.

We encourage the kids to enjoy music the way it should be and are amazed at their talent and energy.

Right now we have classes every weekday and they are packed with energetic vibrant sessions. The baby Sopranos have lots of fun with active songs, rhythmic movements and singing with instruments . As they get older they are promoted to the next level, juniors, intermediate and seniors, each level going into more vocal training , teaching to sing in harmony/unison, performing and doing bigger shows. The LS initially started as a singing school for Juniors. But our juniors grew older, wanted to stay on and continue singing and now the Senior Sopranos are an amazing group of performers going into their teens. They are an important part of the LS and we get a huge sense of fulfilment when we see how they have grown in this field. The seniors also perform at selective events and this is a great experience for them.

• How often do you have concerts?

How do you get about planning them?

We now have 2 concerts every year. Our Juniors have their very own show mid year and the Seniors are the main performers at our show in December. It is a lot of hard work but it is these concerts that challenge and motivate them to perform and enjoy getting on that stage After each concert there is a very positive show of confidence and maturity in each student.

The planning process is hectic and there is lots to do. We have a small but excellent team, a great backstage crew who are experienced in preschool and child care, a young and talented group of musicians plus huge support from my family so it’s a fulfilling and enjoyable experience of something we are all passionate about.

• Your school is known to have a unique concept and vibrant nature. Can you describe this?

We work very hard to Work the music according to the child. We do all types of music-classics, Disney, pop, gospel and rock.

But we always insist on a modern influence on all the music we do. Giving each child a specific part to sing, solo or in groups is very important to us as they grow in confidence.

We also have a very fun atmosphere with our groovy dance moves and this sort of vibrancy makes the children enjoy what they do and perform really well. Stage style and a sense of fashion are also very important to us.

• What were the challenges that you have had to face?

Finding a suitable location for our classes, where there is adequate parking, a clean atmosphere for the kids and well suited for a noisy environment. Luckily the vicinity we are in has very few people who don’t like singing, so that was a challenge met successfully.

• What is next for the Little Sopranos?

We will continue to maintain our combination of modern style singing with a mix of child friendly activity with the Juniors Sopranos making it a fun, enjoyable class.

With our Seniors Sopranos we hope to keep our music current and funky, to continue a sense of style and to keep moving forward with performance.

We have many young and older adults asking us to start a class for them. This has been another request I hear very often, and like the way the Little Sopranos started, this is also very motivating and encouraging. Maybe the Super Sopranos? Let’s see!

Mariah

Saanya

BCS Graduation Dinner Graduation day is the culmination of all ones effort and hours of study, and a day you will always remember. BCS recently held a gala dinner to mark this momentous occasion

Saanya

Aanya

Nikini

Arunima

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Michaela

Eshani

Saskia

Thishaya

Saanya

Saanya

Saskia

Kavindi

Saanya

Arunima

Angela

Oneyli

Bojan

Talaayah

Avantha

Migara

Shania

Ana

Dasun

Umar

Malina

Oneyli

B.K.

Oneli

Ana

Shaleha

Oneyli

Dinara

Saanya

Oneli

Aanya

Kuwera

Monika

Lakitha

Malina

B.K.

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Andrea

Nadiya

Asia and Savannah

Tanaz and Araliya

Pinky and Leah

Thiyasha

Kamil

Brian

Alex and Chameli

Anton

Gerald

Treshan

Shani, Kanch and Yoshi

Swetlana

Akila, Senara and Anela

Dr. Nalaka Godahewa and Mrs. Godahewa

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Colombo Swim Week Day 01

Day 01 of Swim Week Colombo kicked off with a bang at ShangriLa Hotel, Colombo, showcasing a wide range of luxury resort wear by talented designers.

Aniqah

Stephan

Alam

Chrystl, Catherine and Alexia

Ayesh

Niki

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Sulochana Dissanayake’s world of

Giants

Ants

and

Sulochana Dissanayake spent her undergraduate years in the US dealing with plenty of identity issues – a non-white in the predominantly white population of New England, one whose hard-to-pronounce name was truncated first to Sulo, and then to a mere “S”, not for affection as often happens in Sri Lanka, but for convenience.

Today, Sulochana, who is the founder and artistic director of ‘Power of Play (Pvt) Ltd,’ engages with different types of identity issues. Recently, for example, Power of Play built the tallest female puppet ever in Sri Lanka. ‘The little girl giant of Sri Lanka’ as it is called, is 14 feet tall.

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“Little girls are not taught to become giants, they are in fact told that it’s ok to be ants and it’s even made virtuous to be that small. The problem is that over the course of their lives they are expected to do giant-like things.

They have to be employed, contribute to the household income, bear and take care of children, cook, clean, entertain and be excellent on all fronts, which of course is humanly impossible. Even as they continue to be treated as ants; small, insignificant, close to invisible and inconsequential.”

The interest in issues of identity and her fascination with theater began at an early age. The youngest of three children whose passions were enthusiastically supported by their parents, Sulochana was too young to take part in drama workshops. Instead, she had to sit on a table and watch her older siblings do their thing.

‘I was transfixed, though. I would repeat the whole thing with my father. He and I did skits while my brother and sister made up a critical gallery, usually flooding the performance with a deluge of insults that my poor mother tried in vain to censor. Later I told myself that if I could have survived their criticism, I could survive any audience.’

It was natural that at St Bridget’s Convent she would get involved in the band, the choir and in theatre productions. She remembers

that time vividly, but most importantly was conscious of the absences.

‘I always felt that theatre had more scope than Lionel Wendt and John De Silva, metaphorically speaking. School dramas were mostly musicals or Shakespeare. Of course Shakespeare is supposed to be timeless but the way we did it was to my mind outdated. So when I was introduced to Ruwanthi De Chickera’s work it was a revelation. She was the one of the rare directors telling contemporary Sri Lankan stories in the English theatre scene. I felt this was what theatre ought to be, that it should be relevant to contemporary audiences.

‘I wasn’t too keen on going abroad to study after my ALs in 2005, but my parents told me that I could always come back. My father came up with a few liberal arts schools that were small enough to enable me to have one on one interaction with educators. That’s how I ended up at Bates College, Maine. I wanted to study theatre but my brother suggested that I base myself in a more formal, mainstream discipline from a career perspective. So in the end I did a double major, economics and theatre.’

Sulochana had, by her senior year, obtained a lot of hands-on experience in theatre productions. In her junior year she won a coveted internship at the Guthrie Theatre

That was the genesis of “Project: Identity’ - Created and Directed by Sulochana Dissanayake and Philana Gnatowski in collaboration with the Apprentice Company of Willamstown Theatre Festival ‘07 (MA, USA). It was a compilation of monologues with 2-4 player scenes. ‘Philana was a brilliant writer - she and I sifted through the interviews we had gathered and wrote a short script.’

‘One scene was about filling forms in a waiting room, essentially trying to fit into boxes. My monologue was a scene in an airport where accents and unfamiliar names forced people to slow things down, giving rise to comedy. It was also about how Sulochana came to be reduced to “S” - completely nullifying the original meaning of the name in my mother tongue. People said it had made a huge impact. In fact people started calling me Sulochana.’

in Minneapolis, one of the top 10 regional theatres in the US, which exposed her to the inner workings of professional theatre in USA. In the summer of her sophomore year at Bates she was selected to intern at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

‘Interns were essentially workhorses. I got to see the dark side of theatre. It was hard, back-breaking work. It opened my eyes to how many people are needed to make things work. In Sri Lanka we grow up believing that it’s about acting and little else. In the USA, sometimes stage managers get paid more than the actors; stage managers essentially run shows sometimes even for 30 years! Every element of production had a professional behind it. It was a far more informed process. Everyone is focused on his or her role and the industry supports them all. In Sri Lanka we don’t have that. So we have amateur productions where actors and directors get better over time.

nights where interns could get together and do something creative. What was it going to be about? Sulochana had decided, ‘Identity’.

‘Identity was an issue that I felt strongly about. Identity is a lot of things but it could even be as simple as food preferences. So I asked the interns a simple question, ‘have you ever felt you were a part of a minority?’ The outpouring of personal stories was amazing.

The US economy had collapsed by the time she graduated from Bates in 2009. Jobs were hard to come by. Interviews were rare. ‘The process was also a revelation. I was called for interviews but got very few call-backs because I mentioned economics with theatre.

My theatre advisor told me, ‘you idiot, take theatre out; pretend you didn’t do it!’ The number of calls thereafter amazed me.’

However, nothing interesting had come up.

Then Sulochana heard about the Watson Fellowship offered to students from 40 small liberal arts colleges, who could follow a lifelong passion in countries they had never been to.

‘Writing the grant application gave me clarity about who I am and what I wanted. I wanted

‘I was a woman, coloured and I had an accent.

At Williamstown, I got called only for one audition in two and a half months. So I asked myself whether I had come to move sets and pick up cigarette butts. I told myself, “No, I am going to be a director.” They had intern

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to start my own theatre company in Sri Lanka.

I wanted to use theatre for reconciliation, for communication and to share stories and perspectives. I wanted theatre to be something that helps us understand where we are coming from.

like watching a picture book come to life.

There was no language, so it could be any nationality, any age. This was how I felt that we could do so much with non-verbal performances back in Sri Lanka to bridge the gap created by language and ethnicity.

accurately represent Sri Lankans of today.

And it’s no longer about the ‘eluva and the muttiya’ (goat and pot): the social problem addressed by Sulochana’s Mahadana Mutta include domestic violence, HIV/AIDS and gender equality.

‘The US was the pinnacle in terms of training. Sri Lanka, on the other hand lacks the infrastructure. I wanted to learn how countries such as ours use art as communication. The Watson Fellows had to go to at least two countries. Some went to as many as 10, but I wanted to have a more immersive experience.

“It was Prof Gina Fatone who decided the second country for me. She was an ethnomusicologist who had done fieldwork in Indonesia. One day she brought a 3D rod puppet to class. She made it breathe! I was hooked. I felt that if that little thing could engage someone like me, then this is what I should do. So I also went to Indonesia where I learned about Wayang (puppets).”

And the story behind the little Girl Giant?

This year, Sulochana won a small competitive grant from the British Council’s ‘Voice and Choices’ program, where recipients had to focus on developing voices and choices of women and girl children. She is in the process of creating a puppet show of a little girl who grows up with the do’s and don’ts of Sri Lankan society but is blessed with a grandmother who tells her to follow her passions and be kind. In this way, fantastically - overnight, she becomes a giant.

Sulochana chose to spend six months in Grahamstown and Cape Town, South Africa, and was exposed to modern puppetry and masks. This was where she realized that the secret to successful theatre is for the audience to identify with the actors. Grahamstown also hosted the 2nd largest arts festival in the world - 2nd only to Edinburgh Festival and this was where she had come across giant puppets by Les Grandes Personnes: ‘it was like being in Alice in Wonderland’.

Sulochana studied the ‘Wayang Golek’ folk form which was founded on shadow puppetry and involved 3D wooden puppets.

Contemporary adaptation of the content meant Wayang Golek had a huge following due to its high entertainment value. Her guru was the late wayang golek maestro Dhalang Asep Sunandar Sunarya and his puppet troupe Giri Harja III.

In Capetown she worked with FTHK, a young and independent theatre company that had a simple message: listen with your eyes. It was non-verbal, visual theatre which integrated deaf and hearing artists, audiences and educators.

Sulochana brought all these experiences back to Sri Lanka. She realized that puppetry was essentially dead in Sri Lanka because there was no economic incentive. She established a company ‘Power of Play’ through which she created professional performances, which communicated clear social messages.

‘It was like walking into a different universe.

Everything was in sign language. All production was non-verbal. In the USA we were told voice and eyes are the most important connecting points for an actor.

Here people were in full masks and didn’t have eyes and they didn’t speak. It was

In her work through ‘Power of Play’, Sulochana uses well-known stories such as Mahadenamutta but has transformed the golayas in her ‘Modern Stories of Mahadanamuththa’. The localized characters include a Polbemoonee and Puwakbadillee, Abdul Nana and Usi Amma, all of whom more

‘That’s what I want little girls to be. I want them to be the giants they can be. We are a post-war nation but for me the wars of the household have always been more interesting and in need of more urgent attention. We can’t talk about rape culture if we are not even teaching children about the rights to their own bodies. Do we give them choices? Can they decide? And the same is true for boys as well.”

‘I’m inspired by Seema Omar who is a puppet creator and also a creative counsellor. From her I’ve learnt that all art, puppetry, music, theatre etc., can heal people, can facilitate introspection, build empathy and resilience. It can help us reconnect with ourselves. What’s important is to engage in ways that make others engage with us, to have the tools and attitudes that allow us to be open, honest and become the giants we can be.”

Yemindra

Thejan

Chamika

Gihan

Eoin

Srinath

Mahinda

Mr. & Mrs. Errol Johnsston

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Shami

Anil

Ken

Chaminda

Vihaan

Peter

Saliya

Primal

Danu

Mahika

Kyle

Chandi

Moshi

Anniversary Golf Tournament at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa

Hyacinth

Gihan

Ghislaine

Sunil

The tournament was the perfect opportunity to experience both the new driving range and the magnificent golf course and look back on the evolution and accomplishment of the annual golf membership at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa. The celebrations began on the 13th of July with a fellowship evening at the Ulpatha – Club House. On the 14th of July the tournament began with a 7 a.m. shotgun start and ended the day with an Awards Ceremony and celebratory dinner.

Lance

Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Udalagama

Roshan

Moshi

Mr. & Mrs. Sugathapala

Chandula

Nirthaj

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Colombo Swim Week Day 02

Day 2 certainly lived up to expectations of the crowds after the stunning collections from Day 1 strode down the cat walk

Dinasha

Dinesh

Chethiya

Sarita

Rajini

Danu

Priyanthi

Fionie

Adrian

Rashmeen

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Karen

Dan

Zudhora

The Summer Trunk Show

by Zudhora in collaboration with Outhouse was held this June

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Zudhora

Summer Trunk Show 2018 Zudhora recently presented their summer trunk show 2018 in collaboration with Aartivijay Gupta at their premises this June.

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Threads of Time

Threads of Time, a Journey through Fashion fit for Royalty, held an exciting media event at the Hilton Colombo.

Porsche 70th Anniversary The leading global sports car brand renowned for its luxury performance and technological innovation marked its 70th birthday with a line of entertainment including a Porsche quiz competition and other activities.

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The Reading List Killer Thrillers

There’s nothing quite like the perfect thriller to sink your teeth into at the end of a boring workday, or on a particularly slow Sunday. The genre is vast however, and sometimes it seems like when you’ve read one, you’ve read ‘em all. That’s why we’re picking out a few thrilling tales of suspense that stand out from the crowd. Skillfully written, the books that follow are different enough to keep you at the edge of your seat, and – here’s the best part – extremely difficult to put downs.

Into the Black Nowhere Meg Gardiner (2018)

The Woman in the Window A.J. Finn (2018)

Fans of Criminal Minds, rejoice! A follow-up to the acclaimed psychological thriller UNSUB, this fast-paced tale inspired by real-life serial killer Ted Bundy reads almost effortlessly, and although a little generic in terms of its fare, it’s addictive, chilling and completely compelling in its lack of pretension. For those of you who haven’t read the first instalment, based on the legacy of the Zodiac Killer, we won’t spoil it for you, but highly suggest you read it first, before you begin this gem.

Strongly reminiscent of the worldwide darling ‘The Girl on the Train’ which took the world by storm, and its ultimate inspiration, namely the classic ‘Rear Window’, this book is riveting, dark and anxiety-inducing.

Here, nothing is what it seems, and too many assumptions are far too dangerous for your health – but it’s a little difficult not to play along and try to discover along with Anna, just what’s going on in 207, the house across from hers.

The protagonist Caitlin Hendrix, is spirited, tough and yet flawed, as with most investigators out there. But her story is a memorable one, evidenced by it warranting a CBS TV adaptation, currently in the works. But nothing can match the intense anticipation and horrific possibilities formulated by one’s own imagination and a book well-written – which is why you shouldn’t let this one off the hook too easy.

Once you get into it, it’s fairly obvious why it’s already slated to be developed into major film (starring Amy Adams and the legendary Gary Oldman, no less) – so we recommend you review it in print before you catch it larger than life on screen sometime next year.

The Silence of the Lambs Thomas Harris (1988)

Come to think of it, every one of the books on this list has been adapted for the screen (or will be).

Again, no spoilers, but this book is on this list for the sheer heart-stopping surprise it will spring on the reader at the very end – at which point the mystery unravels, and funnily enough, so does the reader’s mind, in sheer frustration.

The world’s most famous cannibal is back! Here you find a sequel that is far better known than its precursor, a status primarily attributable to a certain Academy Award winning film and a performance that chilled the world to its very bones.

Join Clarice Starling as she ventures deep into the deep, dark recesses of one of the most twisted minds ever created by man – and races against time to thwart another killer. Even if you’ve read it before, or watched the movie, it’s still worth it for a jaunt down memory lane (although not all memories may be pleasant) – and if you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing either, well, you’re in for a meaty, sumptuous treat.

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Primal Fear William Diehl (1993)

The tale follows a hot-shot lawyer by the name of Martin Vail, who has to make a case for a seemingly un-defendable defendant, who was incriminatingly found holding a bloody knife close to a mutilated archbishop. As Vail and his team work painstakingly to uncover the truth, the reader too will discover far more complexity than first bargained for, as the author builds up a pulse-pounding tension that is mind-blowing in its intensity, and explosive in its finality.

And Then There Were None Agatha Christie (1939) It’s the quintessential whodunit, but with a twist – ten seemingly random strangers with dark secrets are mysteriously summoned to an uninhabited island, and cut off from civilization. One by one, the strangers fall. It already sounds menacing, but what lies beneath the already murky surface is far more terrifying – leaving one constantly wondering just who’s pulling the strings, as each potential candidate slowly but surely meets their demise. Oh and it’s highly unlikely you’ll guess who’s behind it all – just saying.

Now You See Me S. J. Bolton (2011) No, this not in any way related to the movie.

Lacey Flint plays a young detective, who by chance stumbles on a victim of a brutal stabbing, mere seconds after it took place. And if that’s possible, things take a further turn for the worse.

It’s quickly discovered that the killer seems to be emulating the gruesome deeds of the infamous Jack the Ripper, and like his/her predecessor, has begun taunting the force, and more specifically, DC Flint herself.

The world has seen its fair share of Ripper rip-offs, but from among a multitude of fairly predictable retellings, this one sticks out like a severed limb.

In fact, the solution to this particular mystery somehow manages to evade the reader right until the final page, at which point you’ll likely be left gaping in disbelief, and craving after more.

Rebecca Daphne Du Maurier (1938) When a young, rather naïve woman meets and marries the rich and mysterious Max de Winter, she little suspects that his previous wife’s presence still lingers on, despite her death. Never fear, it barely skims over the supernatural, and is more about the enduring nature and power of a strong spirit, and a past that has far-reaching consequences.

While Rebecca is a rather unusual thriller, it sometimes is (rather unfairly) underrated as a mere gothic romance. However, there is a reason that Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, undertook the momentous task of bringing this tale to the big screen – because there is nothing quite like an ominous, hard to define foreboding hanging over one’s head to create a sense of overall unease and thrilling expectancy.

The Watchlist The Emmy’s Edition

The world of television is mind-numbingly vast, and has clearly evolved with time. With multiple networks and streaming services on the rise, we’re being fed with far more seasons than we know what to do with. So, as the Emmys recognise some of the best in the field, here at Pulse we’re picking out a few notable shows that are worth your while. Oh and we’re also addressing the debate that’s at the top of everyone’s mind – Game of Thrones or Westworld?

The Game is On! TV has never been this hot since Walter White took over the valley with his famous blue meth.

For the longest time, Game of Thrones has been the home box office leader in entertainment.

But there’s a relatively new contender in town, gunning for the accolades Game of Thrones had previously set records with for its sheer storytelling genius.

Westworld has literally redefined cowboy Westerns genre with highly intelligent android life forms and a fistful of AI. In fact, it’s so good that with only two seasons it has taken television pop culture by storm, clearly giving Thrones a run for its money.

The two shows have garnered tremendous fame and accolades for their splendid narratives and visual prowess, never failing to impress the viewer with each fist-clenching episode, filled with nail-biting intensity and jaw dropping plot twists. This year, Westworld, the mind-bending show (realised by the brain behind silver-screen phenomena such as Interstellar, Memento and the Dark Knight Trilogy) has been nominated for 21 Emmys, while Game of Thrones, the highest ever Emmy-nominated show, has retained its status standing tall with 22 nominations.

Sharing nominations in many key categories, this was no accidental showdown. It’s the battle between myth vs evolution, the old vs the new.

It’s Game of Thrones vs Westworld. The game is on!

#Emmys2018 – After 17 years of dominating the Emmys, HBO’s stint at the top was broken, with Netflix getting 112 overall nominations to HBO’s 108.

The Handmaid’s Tale For a show that lacks the majestic visual sequences of both Game of Thrones and Westworld, this show closely follows upon their heels in terms of overall nominations. This is primarily due to the stellar acting – evidenced by its 8 Emmy nods in acting alone this year.

The show is engaging and intense – making you feel the trauma and despair of the characters to the depths of your soul. In the fight against oppression and gender inequality, the ‘Tale is both timely and topical – and something you shouldn’t miss.

Network: Hulu | Number of episodes: 24 Number of nominations: 20 #Emmys2018 – This year marks the first time an Asian woman has been nominated in the lead actress category – Sandra Oh, for her brilliant performance in the new murder mystery series, Killing Eve.

American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace This limited series is ambitious in what it sets out to do, and undoubtedly achieves it.

The performances are extremely realistic; it’s

surprisingly hard to reconcile Darren Criss’s tragic assassin with his angel-faced, cheery, singing persona in Glee – as he finally proves his mettle in a shocking turnaround performance which will undoubtedly transform his career.

The story itself keeps you on your toes, albeit a little more dramatically than its predecessor.

However, the series truly does justice to the mystery and intrigue of one of the most highprofile crimes of our era, while addressing the issue of homophobia in the late 90’s, which is still relevant, even today.

Network: FX | Number of episodes: 09 Number of nominations: 18 #Emmys2018 – John Legend may just add his name to the exclusive list of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) – if he wins one of his two Emmy nominations for Jesus Christ Superstar Live.

Mindhunter Produced and sometimes directed by the infallible David Fincher, this series takes on the minds of the most notorious serial killers, at a time when the concept was alien to law enforcement and the general public. Based on real events,

it’s in essence an origin story, educating us about the FBI’s early efforts to categorize and profile the criminally insane.

While it received a single, well-deserved nomination for Cameron Britton’s unnerving and tremendously chilling portrayal of Ed Kemper which alone demands a viewing, the entire series is substantial, clever and fascinating – a must-watch for the avid crime aficionado and the more curious minds among us.

Network: Netflix | Number of episodes: 10 Number of nominations: 01

Godless The Westerns are back with a vengeance! This one, however, grabs on tight and refuses to let go. With brutal abandon, it serves up scene after scene of mystery and mayhem, a powerful formula that unfolds with extreme patience – leaving viewers thirsting after the sordid details. The opening sequence is in itself a cinematographic triumph, followed by further scenes that will certainly remained etched in one’s memory for all time. All this, coupled with authentic and perfectly executed characters explains why this show is bound to be a hit with audiences worldwide.

Network: Netflix Number of episodes: 07 Number of nominations: 12

Barry Bill Hader’s solo effort is strangely compelling, and leaves one wanting more.

The story follows Barry, a socially awkward assassin who discovers a passion for acting.

Suddenly his life becomes infinitely more complicated than he bargained for. As a dark comedy, it’s got grisliness, hilarity and entertainment galore – an unlikely combination that you cannot simply walk away from, something Barry finds to be true as he tries rather unsuccessfully to evade his past.

Network: HBO | Number of episodes: 09 Number of nominations: 13 #Emmys2018 – For the first time since the series began, Emmy favourite Modern Family has failed to bag nominations in any of the eligible categories.

Blue Planet 2 With knowledge as vast as the ocean at his fingertips, David Attenborough unfolds the mysteries of the deep, against stunning visuals and Hans Zimmer’s flawless score – need we say more?

Network: BBC One, BBC Earth Number of episodes: 07 Number of nominations: 05

CONTENT CREATION!

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The media is abuzz with news of something exciting for Sri Lankan content creators. Local content creators will now, for the first time in Sri Lanka, be able monetise their content on YouTube through a Sri Lankan collaborative creator space, IdeaHell, thereby opening up avenues for them to turn their creative passions into a career option!

IdeaHell was recently appointed the first and only Multi-Channel Network (MCN) of YouTube in Sri Lanka. With this new MCN status, they are able to provide opportunities to aspiring Sri Lankan YouTubers to earn money from their creative content and to make a career out of it.

Along with this exciting step forward for Sri Lankan talent, came a host of questions from eager minds, ready to live the dream of actually following their passions professionally.

We sat down with the man behind it all – Janeeth Rodrigo, General Manager, IdeaHell and posed some Frequently Asked Questions to him!

A chat with Janeeth Rodrigo

to put out their creative ideas and make it a career option. We invested in IdeaHell more down the lines of a CSR initiative to empower Sri Lankan creators.

5. Who can join IdeaHell?

Any creator who has a dream to make YouTube content – or any content for that matter – can join IdeaHell.

6. How can you join IdeaHell?

1. What is IdeaHell?

IdeaHell is a collaborative creator space with a fully equipped 20,000 square feet studio in the heart of Colombo. The space boasts a fully-functioning editing suite which stays open 24/7, sound recording studio, filming and lighting gear worth over USD 250,000, intellectual property needed for content creation and the largest Green Screen in Sri Lanka. It is a 360° solution for any creator to create any type of content. Creators can use this space to create content under different verticals such as Food, Music and Dance, Lifestyle, Current Affairs, Comedy, Art, Travel, Technology and more!

Anyone interested need only submit their details in an application form on ideahell.lk, which will then be processed by the team at IdeaHell before they are called in to discuss their opportunities. Our office is located at Alwis Place Colombo 3; you can drop in if you like! Or you can reach out to each of our mentors through social media.

We received MCN status in July 2018. We lobbied with YouTube for a long time to get the monetisation rights to Sri Lanka and we are happy to announce that as of right now Sri Lankans can earn off YouTube and we will provide the strategy, advice and resources to make that happen.

3. What is an MCN?

4. What does IdeaHell do for creators?

IdeaHell will function as a creator space that’ll help content creators in areas such as studio space, equipment and facilities, mentors, audience development, content programming, creator collaborations, digital rights management, and monetisation of their products, all free of charge! We saw a plethora of talented creators in Sri Lanka who lacked the resources, expertise and guidance

Advice from mentors – We have in-house team of mentors and professionals to provide technical assistance and editing assistance in case a novice creator does not have the expertise to film and produce their ideas.

Content creation for YouTube has to be done in a structured format. There are different types of content that need to go on a channel to make it successful. So we will advise them and help them on strategising their YouTube content.

Brand deals – We have a fully-functional digital marketing team to link creators with direct sources of revenue such as direct sponsors, partnerships and product placements to supplement their YouTube income. This is beneficial for those who aren’t familiar with negotiating financial deals and for those who just prefer to create the content and have someone manage those deals.

2. When did IdeaHell receive MCN status?

MCN stands for Multi-Channel Network.

It is an entity that affiliates with multiple YouTube channels, often to offer content creators assistance in areas including production, programming, funding, crosspromotion, partner management, digital rights management, monetisation/sales, and/ or audience development.

Copyright claim protection - IdeaHell has rights to over 3000 popular songs in Sri Lanka.

Content creators, especially musicians, can use any of these songs to perform covers or use them as a whole in their videos free-ofcharge, and monetise them. This is a major obstacle that budding musicians face in terms of copyright issues and we have taken care of that for them.

7. What are the pros of joining IdeaHell to create YouTube content?

Facilities – We make available to creators a fully equipped 20, 000 square feet studio in the heart of Colombo. The studio comes complete with an editing suite which is open 24/7, sound recording studio, filming and lighting gear and the largest Green Screen in Sri Lanka. We have a modular set system where creators can create hundreds of different backdrops to suit their shooting requirements.

Collaborations with other YouTubers – We have on board 60 YouTube channels, some of whom are already popular house-hold names and major artistes in Sri Lanka.

Joining IdeaHell will open opportunities for collaborations with such content creators. We will also provide cross promotion on popular YouTube channels to grow one’s fan base.

8. What is the cost of joining IdeaHell?

Membership for IdeaHell is completely free.

We share the YouTube revenue with the creator, hence there is no initial investment or joining fee. Our membership will remain free forever.

Website – ideahell.lk Facebook - facebook.com/ideahell Instagram - @ideahell

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THE

STORY

STICK NO BILLS Describe to us the beginning of your journey It began on a wing and a prayer. They say crisis is the birthplace of creativity, as you will soon read on and find out.

Why Sri Lanka specifically?

Mage

While both my husband Phil and I were Middle East-based until 2008, I worked in Sri Lanka on and off during the conflict years and Phil was also coming and going; he was one of the lucky ones who survived the tsunami on Hikkaduwa’s shoreline line in 2004. We were both deeply affected by everything we witnessed during those troubled times.

But we also fell in love with your beautiful country, with surfing on the south coast and We wanted to become a force for good here.

My aunt was born at Joseph Fraser maternity hospital in Colombo in the 1940s into a Scottish, Nuwara Eliya based tea plantation owner’s family. So she was born at the same hospital where we registered to have our second daughter Alexa in 2012. Like a lot of other Brits who find themselves working in 21st Century Sri Lanka, many of my forbears worked in or travelled through Ceylon and I have always appreciated the Anglo-Lankan sense of affinity, shared history and the resultant cultural cross pollination.

Have you been admiring the quirky posters of old Ceylon hung on the walls of trendy Colombo Cafés? Maybe you would have admired them as you walked past the literature section at Barefoot; perhaps you even took one home. But have you ever wondered where these posters come from? Have you ever wanted to know the story behind these posters that represent the golden ages of our Your artwork is rather unique, how Ceylon? We tracked down one do you source the vintage ads? of the co-founders and director With a lot of difficulty, tenacity and of Stick No Bills, imagination. From Christie’s auction house Mage Gage Williams. to the reel rooms of decrepit adult cinemas to bins in Istanbul hotel rooms, we have

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found our original vintage posters all over the place. Just a few weeks ago we stumbled upon an incredible cache of originals in Galicia, of all places. We have also been lucky enough to receive some originals as donations by collectors who recognize that where copyright permits us, we can help them raise funds for great causes by bringing their originals into production as highest quality, licensed replicas. Most recently Paul Jarvis, curator of the British Airways Heritage museum, gave us exclusive permission to sell our replicas of our original British Overseas Air Corporation poster promoting the first international airline flights to Ceylon in the 1950s. I guess the advantage for British

Airways is threefold. First, we give them proceeds from sales of our replicas which help fund the development of the BA Heritage Centre’s incredible international travel poster collection. Second, we set a benchmark of highest quality printing of their legacy brand travel designs. Third in giving us exclusive permission, it sends a strong message out to any slap-dash copy-cat piracy poster companies out there that they are in breach of BA’s copyright, and therefore committing a criminal offence.

Phill and Alexa

Do you create your own artworks as well?

Yes. All the time. It would be dull if we just exhibited other people’s.

Tell us about the team of in house artists if any We work with the greatest living Art Deco, Mid Century Modern and 1980s retro style poster illustrators. Some are up and coming, others are established. When I first met Phil his nickname was Pinstripe because of his

many years suited and booted working at the Financial Times as Head of Consumer Advertising. All that time spent at the coalface of the advertising sector in London, and then as a commercial photographer in the Middle East and the United States, gave him an amazing eye for what we do. I realize I am totally biased but I would say he is in a league of his own in terms of art directing poster design these days. It’s a pleasure to watch his own creative evolution and also to see how he inspires illustrators from Sri Lanka and from all around the world to produce great art, and to then see how we give them greater exposure. Some of them also really appreciate the fact we give proceeds from sales of works they have done with Phil on

to philanthropic and conservation causes, it’s a win-win and we are always looking for new talent. More recently the best poster designers in the world have started coming to us of their own accord or on referral. This is both daunting and exciting.

What is the production process of these high quality posters?

Impossibly complicated and frustrating, but we get there in the end, with a lot of perfectionism on Phil’s part and the perennial patience of our printing partners. Sometime it

takes more than six months to get a proof of a new design perfect.

What has the public opinion/ reception been like?

Awesome. We are only doing this well because of the overwhelmingly positive reception our designs have had. Our strongest core markets are the UK, Australia, France, Spain, Holland, Italy, Scandinavia and North America. We also have an inordinate number of clients coming to us from the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore, i.e.. from the Go-Getter expat mega city hubs. Most of our clients don’t even realize that when they buy our posters they are funding vital humanitarian, eco and

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submits something promising and then Phil works with them on bringing the image to full fruition for several months. Now we are about to launch the No Bills Piece Prize travel poster design contest in Iberia in partnership with some excellent private and public sector partners and it will be fascinating to see what designs come our way. Handsome cash prizes along with great media exposure await the winners.

Does Stick No Bills support/have any partners for a good cause?

conservation projects that are a million times more crucial to the survival of the planet and mankind than our work, Design Won’t Save The World But It Damn Sure Makes It Look Good.

Tell me about the No Bill Piece Prize It’s been a huge success in Sri Lanka - with much thanks to Barefoot, The Academy of Design and Artra Magazine for helping us get going in the first place back in 2014; every week I get submissions from lovers of Sri Lanka based far and wide and its really interesting to see what the contestants perceive as iconic about the island. Often there is too much lazy reliance on software such as Corel Draw and not enough evidence of real talent. Very occasionally we receive outstanding artworks that we instantly know will become best sellers. More often someone

Stick No Bills™ believes in giving back.

Proceeds from all sales in Mallorca go to Medicos Sin Fronteras. We are also founding members of Greener Galle and sponsors of the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society, the Galle Heritage Foundation and The Hummingbird Initiative’s mission to bring access to direct water to villagers in remote East Africa. When clients buy our posters they help fund these important eco, humanitarian, archaeological and conservational initiatives.

What’s next for Stick No Bills, both in terms of Sri Lanka and Mallorca.

Posters, posters, posters - more and more cool images celebrating the beauty and the heritage of these two world class travel destinations. I cannot keep up with my husband, we have four new designs launching just this week; two for Iberia, two for Ceylon. We are also experimenting with ground breaking printing techniques that enable to us to print museum standard limited editions and also to expand our mainstream product variants of each image in our collection. This summer in Europe for example, Port Adriano super yacht marina have, in exchange for six months’ usage rights and our design of a bespoke poster for

them, funded the production of eight of our Mallorca images blown up to 5 meters tall inside French designer Philippe Starck’s giant industrial frames, printed on a sort of air-tex material that allows the sea-breeze to blow straight through them. We have been so busy I haven’t been to have a look yet but feedback from everyone who has signals that they look immense. Hundreds of thousands of folk will get to enjoy them this summer as Port Adriano plays host to a series of major music events and the frames bedeck the harbour, which serves as the giant outdoor arena.

When we were just getting going, I remember Nazreen Sansoni of Barefoot saying “Lets Make It Big” to me, on the day she and Dominic agreed to start selling our designs at their second-to-none bookshop.

We have been helped a lot, by so many amazing experts, friends, suppliers, clients and journalists along the way. They know who they are. One prolific British writer who documented our progress in Sri Lanka right from the start is even flying in to Palma next week to cover the inauguration of our gallery on Calle Temple 5, which will serve as the ‘sister’ to our gallery in Galle Fort. At the operational level our amazing team at our flagship in Galle Fort have underpinned our success and, with the consistency of their 8am till 8pm 365 days a year opening hours, enabled our expansion overseas. At the executive level our Sri Lankan business partners have also been INCREDIBLE in a very modest and no nonsense sort of way. We shall be forever grateful to them all. © Stick No Bills™, 35 Church Street, Galle Fort & C / Temple 5, Palma de Mallorca. www.sticknobillsonline.com / meg@sticknobillsonline.com.

Disrupting the Industry with

Pettah Effect Anyone hoping to make an entrance into the music industry – especially young, struggling artists – will know the challenges of establishing their name, recruiting resources and finding the financials to make it big. From technical jargon to equipment, the industry is a tough one – but this is where Pettah Effect steps in. This youth-driven platform is disrupting the entire market. A brain-child of producers and co-founders Dilanjan Seneviratne and Gamith Illandara, backed by their respective organisations Theewra and GSharp.lk, Pettah Effect aims to bring forth raw talent by providing inspired individuals with the equipment and resources to make and produce music at no cost to them. All the organisation asks for is the artiste’s commitment, creativity and talent.

Speaking of how the name of the project came into existence, Dilanjan’s personal attachment with Pettah was brought to light; “Pettah is the most commonly known place for all Sri Lankans, whether you’re driving an Audi or you’re in a bus or train. Everybody comes to the one place where there’s something for everyone. This platform is the same - a place where there’s something for everyone. So to us, Pettah Effect made sense.”

Meeting through toastmasters three years ago, the duo brought to life Pettah Effect in a twist of fate with a sprinkling of luck. Gamith, with his musical background from GSharp.lk and Dilanjan with his expertise in production from Theewra make a power pairing. Gamith recalls the initiation story of the project – “We were talking one day and it just clicked at that

point because we share the same enthusiasm and were on the same vibe. We wanted to do something disruptive - to disrupt the entire market!”

The teams from GSharp. lk and Theewra make a big family where all contribute towards the building of Pettah Effect – from the art director to the production manager to the tea boy, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes in order to bring to us high quality yet visually appealing music.

From the experience and the expertise that both parties offer, in terms of music and production, they like to believe that Pettah Effect is a platform that gives artists a chance to express themselves without running the risk of making rookie mistakes. They put enthusiasts through an entire process, beginning with workshops, voice training and auditions, that grooms them and gives them the knowledge on how to mature as artists.

Phase One of Pettah Effect was concluded with 14 artists composing 42 cover videos in total, and bringing together a myriad of different characters, personalities, talents, cultures and traditions that branched into different genres, languages and styles, to create an eco-system of sorts that thrives on its common love for music. With a vision to shine a spotlight on as many artists as

possible, the videos composed by Pettah Effect represent everything that a musician is, or a person is, in terms of his or her talents.

Recalling recording day, Dilanjan says “luckily, everyone came together. There was no prejudice. It was like a small community, there was so much energy there that day.”

Reminiscing, Gamith adds, “We see artists performing together – people who didn’t even know each other before – who have found similar talent in one another, are now vibing so well together.” They expressedly want to thank Gamith’s parents for the filming location, Team Theewra, Team G-Sharp.lk, Audio Engineer Dan Aloysius, the artists, instrumentalists and everyone who made Phase One a massive success.

Pettah Effect has huge plans for the future – making their music available on Spotify and Apple Music, composing original music and branching into international markets is just the beginning for this small group of artists looking to make a big impact. The real deal is to take at least one Pettah Effect artist to billboard because it’s all music here - the baseline of everything is music!

So if you’re an artist who possesses authenticity, originality, uniqueness, commitment, passion and confidence, keep tabs on the Pettah Effect social media platforms on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates on what this amazing group of individuals is up to.

The Scarlet Letters

Everyone has a story. To some, it might be inspiring, to others it could be preachy, many might react with a massive eye roll and a resounding “who cares?” but to the person whose story this is: it’s their reality. So dig in for some free therapy at my expense and I hope some of my realities resonate with you.

I’m a soon to be 32 year old single mother that has learned about life, love and loss the hard way. I live with my family in a house that had to be restructured to fit 4 oestrogen packed lifestyles and I’m still reacclimatizing myself to living in Sri Lanka after a selfish 12-year stint in the US to ‘figure out who I am’ and oh yeah, study, I guess. If you ask me, the most valuable thing I gained from the land of the free was not the framed pieces of paper hanging on a wall in my house, it was the discovery of perspective.

While only 19 years old, I found myself pregnant and was pretty much in denial about it. Everyone around me was in denial about it too. It was easier to whisper and stare than to actually face the fact that the one kid from the entire family line that was chosen to go abroad to proverbially “make it big” gets herself knocked up in the first 6 months of being there. Nah, that can’t be what happened. So we all just went about our business like nothing was going on and after my summer holidays, I went back to the US, roughly 6 months preggers.

It takes two to tango in this predicament, so where was Baby Daddy you might ask? He was around and if it was at all possible, he was more naïve than I was. I watched his face turn to stone when he picked me up at the airport, clearly hoping that the inflated bubble under my pink graffiti t-shirt would have evaporated under the heat of the Sri Lankan holiday.

The last trimester of my pregnancy was also the last stretch of my childhood journey and any dreams that I might have imagined myself accomplishing. It was a time filled with fervent prayer, tears of fear and guilt and a whole lot of arguing about the future. When it was time to face the music, I chose to send an e-mail to my mother, fully anticipating a response of goodbye and good luck. But she surprised me as she has my whole life and instead replied with “okay, what’s the next step?” I didn’t realize it then but she would become the pillar of everything worthwhile in the years to come.

On the other hand, Baby Daddy and his family of soapbox hypocrites, turned out to be my awakening. He chose to Skype his parents who pride themselves on values of humanity and compassion. Their response was abortion, failing which, adoption.

I imagine my mental state at the time to be somewhat tender and the pressure being inflicted upon me to give in to his demands ranged from threats, abandonment, sincere panic and manipulation to finally just throwing in the towel altogether and moving on with a nameless foreign beauty who had no idea that he was soon to be a father. I cried a lot then. I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t feel I could talk to anyone about it since it was a predicament entirely of my own making and I knew it.

Pregnancy is meant to be a beautiful time in any woman’s life and mine was more a time of solitude, only broken when I had to waddle to and from my classes. My professors and classmates were very supportive, and one of my classmates even offered to bring his car to our criminal justice class so he could drive me to our child psychology class all the way on the other side of campus because I was always late to class on account of walking in the thick snow without any proper winter clothes.

I remember the first time I ever saw my preggy stomach in all its glory was when I went to the restroom in my Psychology building because I didn’t have a large enough mirror to see my body in my room. I just stood there staring at it. I remember thinking: “OMG, is that my stomach?” I wish I had taken more time to appreciate my pregnancy instead of freaking out. I don’t have even one picture of being pregnant. Not one. And that is something that I regret dearly. But practically speaking, I struggled. I struggled a lot. I didn’t have time to think about pictures and making memories. I was trying to figure out things like how to get some sleep because I only had a mattress on the floor in winter and every time I lay down on my back I found it difficult to breathe with my big stomach weighing down on my chest and the cold coming right through the mattress. Those were my realities of the time, not picking out names and daydreaming of the future.

While I was busy trying to figure out how not to fall apart, Baby Daddy was busy promoting the virtues of adoption.

Completely ignoring my resistance to this plan, he continued his quest until a family was found and introductions were made.

I still feel the panic I felt when I recollect the day I met them for the first time and I remember calling my mother whose calm and strength came through that phone and steadied the shaky ground I was standing on. She said, and I will never forget her words: “We are here for you, don’t give the baby away”.

I’ll be back with what happened next, in the next issue of Pulse.

The Realist’s Guide to

HOLIDAYS “Let’s go away somewhere” Oh my goodness, the good old days when either my husband or I would say those words with a grin. We would make a few calls, throw some stuff in a suitcase and head out. Whole weekends of doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Those golden times when spontaneity was the name of the game.

Spontaneity, yup, that’s one of the many things that gets thrown out once you have a child, or in our case, three. I can’t remember the last time we were spontaneous. Oh wait…. that’s when we ended up with baby number three. On second thought, spontaneity may well be overrated.

These days we still have the desire to “get away” but we need to have said desire well in advance of us actually taking off anywhere. Why? Because a weekend away takes planning. Somewhere clean and safe is no longer enough. Now we need to travel to places that are extra clean,

incredibly safe, not too far away, produce a generous buffet thrice a day, have 24/7 room service and on and on and on.

Gone are the days of making our own entertainment. Now, if there isn’t a pool, a baby pool, a beach, a lawn and preferably a play area, we aren’t going. I have also found myself inquiring about the bathrooms, “Do you have baths?” I ask the girl who is taking our booking “Yes” she replies anxiously “The staff is very clean”. I quickly clarify that I in fact want to know whether there are shower stalls or bath tubs in the bathrooms.

My husband frowns a bit and asks why baths are a necessity. I smile and whisper the magic words “bubble baths”. Yes, bath tubs mean bubble baths, those wonderful things that guarantee us at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted chill time while the kids go mad with bubbles in the tub. Ask housekeeping for a couple of extra bath mats and you may be able to finish a whole glass of wine before a fight erupts. Bath tubs for the win, every time.

My husband is generally exhausted before we even begin, by the sheer amount of luggage that needs to be packed into the car. A trip up country is by far the worst in terms of the number of suitcases we carry, but while beach holidays require fewer pieces of luggage, they do involve an enormous number of buckets, spades, and inflatable pool friends.

“We look like we are going to be there for a week! It’s a two night holiday!” he groans as he stuffs an inflatable shark into the boot. It peers dementedly over the back seat. “Damn thing is going to be staring at me for the entire drive” he says despondently “Cant we inflate it when we get there?” I inquire politely if he intends to blow it up himself.

This effectively ends the conversation.

We return from every weekend away desperately in need of another vacation. After our most recent outing my husband inquired when I thought we would be able to have a holiday that actually FELT like a holiday. I did the math and told him that we would probably need to give it another 10 years.

“Possibly” he replied in sepulchral tones, “But by then we will have to worry about whether the older two are making out with random people under coconut trees or posting revealing bikini selfies or using the hotel Wi-Fi for nefarious purposes”. Charmed by his faith in our offspring, I coldly asked when HE thought we would be able to have a proper holiday, to which he replied “In the no doubt brief window between all of them moving out and the birth of our first grandchild”.

You know what? I fear he may be right.

Kim Vandeberg’s Swim Clinics

Granting students a novel opportunity at the Aquafit Swim Clinics hosted on her first visit to Sri Lanka is the Olympian medallist and American Competition Swimmer, Kim Vandenberg. While her accomplishments include being a member of the bronze-medal winning team in the women’s 4x200 meter freestyle relay in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, a World Champion silver medallist, a Pan American gold medallist and a threetime U.S. National Champion- these are just naming a few!

Contributing to her achievements as a competitive swimmer, Ms. Vandenberg has taken to inspiring and coaching swimmers around the world and is a persistent advocate for the disadvantaged. She is now an ambassador at Up2Us (an organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged youth) and Kids Play International (a nonprofit organization supporting gender equality and breaking norms through sports in genocide impacted countries). She is also a mentor at Rise Elite Athletes and, keeping in touch with her creative side, writes for the Women’s Sports Foundation. All things considered, Kim Vandenberg makes for a prestigious and influential choice to inspire the youth of Sri Lanka with a first-class learning experience.

A year in the making, organizer and accompanying New York- based coach Dhammika Withanachchi (CEO of Aquafit Apparel) remarks this event was no easy feat with regards to funding. At long last, enough sponsors were gathered to make this event a reality. The sponsors include Hilton Colombo, Dasarath Kiridena, Richmond & Mahinda Old Boys Association- Australia, Derana TV, Jetwing Hotels and Aquafit.

Having conducted multiple private sessions for schools and the Foundation of Goodness, and an added open session for the public, they are beyond happy with the turnout, however (having admitted approximately 60 to 100 students from each private school for a session).

considered to be just as vital an aspect to address so time was also spent on networking with Lankan coaches and strengthening their teaching tactics.

As an Olympian, writer and ambassador, Kim Vandenberg has the visibility to spread the contagiousness of dreaming big- a powerful commodity in this day and age. We wish her nothing short of the best at excelling in her future endeavors, both competitive and voluntary, across the globe.

While visiting institutes like Richmond College, Mahinda College, RI etc. were on the itinerary, the Swim Clinic for Foundation of Goodness remained a priority. Foundation of Goodness is a non-profit, registered NGO focused on empowering underprivileged communities. Volunteer work of this nature remains a matter close to the hearts of both visiting U.S. coaches. Covering sessions on the 12th and 13th of July, the children of FoG were provided with what can truly be described as an opportunity of a lifetime in expanding their knowledge and swimming skills as well as their outlook on life being in the inspiring presence of an Olympian.

While Lanka has an indubitable amount of untapped potential when it comes to our youth, Vandenberg and supporting coach Dhammika Withanachchi (who has cumulated 10 years of voluntary coaching experience) did not focus on this aspect alone. The youth’s support system was

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