Pulse Magazine Issue 006

ISSUE 006 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 Rs. 400/- UK £6.00 US $15.00

Personality

Niroshan Dickwella

Fashion

Zudhora Lifestyle

Everyday Superfoods

Otara

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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 Ashwini Vethakan Deana Claessen Malinda Seneviratne Nivendra Uduman Ramesh Liyanage Rashmeen Perera Shafiya Nawzer Saruchi Dissanayake Sharleen Suwaris Shayana Ameresekere Sherwani Synon Sulochana Perera Thushii Liyanage Vandana Hiranand

At Pulse, we love talking to passionate and inspiring Sri Lankans who have achieved great things and who use their influence to drive social change. Otara Gunewardene who appears on our cover ticks those boxes. In her candid chat with us she talks about her upbringing, the importance of the right values and hard work, entrepreneurship and life after Odel. Her passion for the causes

LAYOUT: Indika Anuradha (Design Consultant) Ian Mark Subramaniam

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

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Luxshmanan Nadaraja

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Aruna Alwis Dimitri Crusz Kasun Dheegodagamage Kaveeth Milinda Ravindra Laksiru R.P. Romesh Sassada Liyanarachchi

SPECIAL THANKS: Janeeth Rodrigo Eric Wijeratne Lisa Perera Mahika Chandrasena Niranga Gunaratna

she champions is evident throughout the interview and she is frank and forthright in her opinion about critics who question the motives behind her charity work. Read the cover story inside for all this and more from Otara.

On our fashion feature, we take a look at high end fashion retailer Zudhora and talk to founders Ramona Oshini and Charini Suriyage about making it in the fashion industry, collaboration, and balancing friendship and professional interests.

Also featured in this issue is national cricketer Niroshan Dickwella who traces his journey from a junior cricketer to an up and coming star of the national team. We also met the band Flame for an exclusive on their current plans.

This is a milestone issue for the Pulse team, as we complete an year of Pulse in print. We’d like to thank everyone who’s been a part of our journey so far. A special thank you to all our advertisers who have so readily come on board and have played a huge part in our

PRINTERS:

success. Our readers inspire us to always do better with each issue;

Printage (Pvt) Ltd.

to them our promise is that we will always listen and respond by

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS:

giving them the content that excites and informs them.

Mango Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Sales Office: 45/6, Alwis Place, Colombo 03 Tel: +94 11 588 26 62 sales@mangopublishers.lk

Pulse in print promised to deliver something for everyone, and we

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

are happy that our readers representing multiple demographics find plenty to interest them in our magazine. Our ambition is to always keep things real and above all else, revel in Sri Lankan pride by highlighting stories and people that inspire happiness and hope for our motherland.

Happy reading!

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in this edition of Instafamous

Personality

29 Page

150

Meet The Dog Lady

Page

Travel

112 Page

Tarja De Silva

What Happens In The Jungle...

Miss Earth

Health

106 Page

Nathasha Fernando

Pulse Offmarks Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018 PAGE 16 | www.pulse.lk

36 Page

Heart Healthy Diet

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Vishna

Nandini

Harini

Amanda

Dimuthu

Imaya

Adrian

Suraj

Richard

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Maheeka

Indi

Maneesha

Renuke and Kushlani

Treshan

Mike, Yury and Larisa

Ayesh

Offmarks

Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018

Grand Finale Revolutionizing beauty pageants and redefining glamour, Pulse Offmarks Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018 came to a close on the 10th of September at the iconic Chequerboard at Galle Face Hotel, crowning the newest Miss Sri Lanka Earth, Nathasha Fernando, who will represent Sri Lanka at the international Miss Earth pageant in Philippines this year!

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Ehantha

Chethiya

Jennifer

Dinesh

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Nelum

Thiyasha

Jessica

Ramona

Mubarak

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Ranthini

Mahesh

Chula

Mahika

Ajay

Nileeka

Duaine

Gayathri

Tarja

Gerald

E OTIC CARS

TM

The Spiced Mojito

How to make the Cocktail • Put the lime and brown sugar in the glass and muddle well

Everybody knows the classic Mojito, a super refreshing minty drink perfect for aperitif, an afternoon on the beach or a party in a club. The Spiced Mojito is a super easy twist on the classic: instead of white rum, we use a Spiced Gold rum. This will add a lot of flavours, such as cinnamon, clove, vanilla and caramel, to the final drink.

• Put the mint leaves in your hand and clap to wake them up (you should smell a difference before and after the clap) • Put the mint leaves (8-10 pieces) in the glass and muddle very softly (crushing the leaves will release bitter flavours) • Add rum to the mix

What you need:

• Add a big scoop of crushed ice to the glass

• 50 ml Spiced Gold Rum

• Quickly stir it up and down, to make sure everything is mixed

• 1 lime cut in 8 wedges • 5 branches of mint. Pick the big leaves of the branch, keep the top 4-6 leaves from each branch for the garnish

• Add crushed ice to the top of the glass • Add a splash of soda water • Take the 5 tops of the mint branches and clap in your hands to wake them up

• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar • Crushed ice

• Garnish the glass with a lot of mint (A lot of your taste, actually comes through the smell, the garnish for a mojito is thus super important)

• Soda water

Location The Steuart, Colombo

Adventures of a Mixologist The Colombo cocktail scene has levelled up The last couple of months have been extremely busy for Dash of Lanka: judging a cocktail competition, guiding a whisky tasting, mixing cocktails for homecomings, birthdays and new businesses but for me personally, the most special event I did was the wedding of my own younger brother.

I have been living for four years in Sri Lanka and it is always nice to go home to see my family and old friends. Everybody always asks me tons of questions about the paradise island I am living in. Talking to my mixology friends, we often start talking about the cocktail scene. What are the new bars in town? Who has been creating fun recipes?

This time I had some good news from Colombo.

Not one but two new speakeasy’s in town with

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some amazing recipes. Bartenders that are working with creative ingredients and making their own syrups, bitters and infusions. Other bars that introduced monthly changing cocktail menus, trying to surprise their guests every time they visit the venue. I have the feeling that the cocktail scene has been changing a lot the last year and everybody has stepped up their game.

Some of the best bars in town have asked me to do some guest bartending sessions. I’ll jump behind the bar for a couple of hours and prepare some of my favourite signature cocktails. In the future, I will create recipes together with those teams, further fusing western style cocktails with Jeroen Misseghers is a mixologist, whose passion is typical Sri Lankan ingredients. to create distinctive customized cocktails that draw inspiration from an occasion or hosts or My friends got super excited hearing my stories and seeing guests, weaving a story into the drink served. my enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure Sri Lanka will have a few Jeroen finds Sri Lanka an amazing place for a extra Belgian tourists to taste the signature drinks of the mixologist, with its many fascinating spices, teas best bars in town. and tropical fruit. He runs Dash of Lanka www. dashoflanka.com

Meet The

DOG LADY

The Most Innovative Business for the Year 2018

happened and drew the conclusion that From doggie daycare services to pet I was too dependent on her. Three days relocation to retail, Ashwini Aiyar is after her funeral I decided to work with now the most sought after animal the one thing I knew I would never tire of behaviour therapist and specialist - dogs. And now, here we are. available in Sri Lanka. Her kind heart 2. Tell us about the three gives home to many pets whose businesses you currently run owners work demanding jobs and (Haven- The Hotel for Dogs, The animals looking for homes around the Bon Pawage Programme and The world. As a business venture this would Dog Lady’s House) We have four main divisions. The ones be the one to win her Most Innovative you have mentioned and a retail division Business for the year 2018.

I was extremely eager to speak to her and hear more about her and I was ecstatic when I found out she would take me up on the offer; so here it is-an in-depth detail as to who Ashwini Aiyar is.

Here is the story of the Dog Lady- a true hero to animal lovers in Sri Lanka.

1. Why dogs? When did you first realise you wanted to work in such a niche field?

I have always been dog obsessed and in fact when I was a little girl my dream was to live in a house with as many dogs as I could, which I suppose is exactly what I have done. The affinity to the species in itself comes from a tough start in life. My early years were not the best as I am a survivor of childhood physical and sexual abuse. Understandably, the emotional and psychological scarring led to a disconnect with humans, and in dogs I found the one thing that draws us humans to them time and time again, unconditional love. In truth this job has saved me, and everything I am today I credit to my animals. My nine dogs are my children and I would die for them. I would have chosen to work with animals from my early years itself, but I lack the objectivity required for veterinary work, and did not realise that there were other avenues one could pursue and work with dogs. And in truth until I started my own business, no such avenues were available, thus it is not so much that we created a business, but that we created an entire industry.

The realisation that this was what I would do with my life came after the sudden death of my mother nearly a decade ago.

I struggled to make sense of why this had

named Tinkerbelle’s Boutique. I’ll describe the services each one entails.

We also do a lot of others.

1. The Dog Hotel (Haven - a Hotel for Dogs)- this is in boarding. But it is not a traditional boarding. We have a three page entry questionnaire prior to acceptance which gives us vital information about the dog, like their level of training, socialisation and even if they are afraid of thunder and lightning.

We then conduct a mandatory trial free of charge so that we can see if the dogs fit into our environment and also

so that the dog may get used to us and understand when the owner returns that the separation is temporary. Each dog is put in groups for designated play time with playmates chosen to fit their temperament. We also provide swims and walks as additional exercise. Clients are given photo updates as well.

2. Training (The Dog Lady’s House) - this again is not traditional training. It is according to international guidelines and follows the psychology of the dog’s mind- about as cutting edge as you can be in this field. We strive not only to correct behavioural issues but also to enhance the dog’s life with activity and attention. We do training sessions, play groups and also correct serious issues like aggression. We have a 98% success rate and do not take money unless we fix the problem. Our programmes are transparent and we never use force.

3. Pet Relocation (Bon Pawage Pet Relocation) - Pet Relocation is the non commercial import and export of pets. It means if you are emigrating or

immigrating we take care of the animal’s transport. We are the only Pet Relocation Specialists that are licensed animal behaviourists and are the only ones that focus solely on the welfare of the animal, prepare the dog behaviourally for the flight, as opposed to thinking only on profit margins.

4. Retail (Tinkerbelle’s Boutique) - Our retail division stocks only high end products like lifetime guarantee dog toys and indestructible leashes and collars.

We also have a line of Dog & I jewellery where the proceeds go to charity.

5. Day Care - this is for those who do not wish to leave their dogs alone at home if they have demanding jobs.

6. Pet Memorial Services - We offer pet cremation, pet memorial jewellery, and free grief counselling.

7. Swimming - dog swimming in our saltwater above ground dog pool.

8. Service dogs - emotional support sessions mainly for kids with disabilities to spend time around dogs. Also free of charge.

9. Medical Support - Howl for Help is a newly launched medical support service for pet owners. It is a house call service, where we attempt to make things easier for pet owners by carrying out tests at home.

4. How do people react when they hear what you do for a living?

10. Dognitive Science Workshops - Introductory workshops on dog psychology.

5. In your own words, how would you describe Ashwini Aiyar?

11. At home grooming.

3. What drawbacks have you faced in your line of work?

Oh, there are too many recount, frankly.

Much of it stems from the fact that I have chosen a field that is completely new and to do with animals. The lack of education, underdeveloped dog culture, lack of animal rights laws or proper guidelines for breeding bring a lot of ugly into this field. We regularly see acts of cruelty.

When I did my studies or participate in group discussions with behaviourists abroad, I realise that Sri Lankan dog culture is draconian in comparison.

However, it has certainly changed in the last ten years and services like ours are an illustration of this. Among dog owners themselves however, the response is wonderful and many of my customers are now my friends.

First most common response is ‘You train dogs? Can you take my child?’ apart from that it varies from “that’s so cool” to “do you actually make any money” to “are you mad?”

I would say that independence is certainly a defining feature. I also know that I am very resilient. However, perception of self and actual self are often two concepts that are worlds apart, and honestly speaking I never take what I think about myself or what others describe themselves as accurate.

It is far better to use those around you to ascertain what you are truly like. A friend of mine once said to me that I sound happiest when I talk about dogs, or when I talk about something nice I did for someone else. I think that’s accurate. I am also completely mad, but I think all the interesting ones always are.

6. Describe your day in four words Poo, Pee, Vomit and Ey (this is first command that all dogs in Sri Lanka learn.

Ey, what did you do? Ey, stop that or simply just EY!)

7. You are an advocate for dogs… what are the three most important things 1. Dogs are not humans.

2. Dogs need to have a life outside their homes and visits to the vet. They also need to have friends outside of us.

3. Having a dog is a responsibility. And it is not one to be taken lightly.

8. What should an individual or family consider before becoming a pet owner?

A dog is a minimum of ten years in commitment, and that pretty much means it outlasts even some marriages I know, including my own. You need to be prepared to commit. You need to make sure you have the time and also the resources to look after a dog.

And you need to train your dog. Not to jump through hoops or bring you beer from the fridge which is fun to be sure, but to live in human society.

Training is not about obedience, it is about communication. It is not that the dog doesn’t listen, it is that they do not understand. A well-trained dog is welcomed into every situation and a poorly trained dog is shunned or locked away. A dog is also WORK. It’s fur on your clothes and sometimes even in your sandwiches, and it’s waking up to ‘Who did KK in the hall?’ It’s an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone, but like with all things in life, it does not come easy.

Also, please do your research. Unlike some dog ladies, whose names will remain anonymous for the purpose of this article, don’t get Dalmatians just because they have spots.

Every breed is different and choose one that suits your lifestyle.

9. There are a lot of activists who are vociferous in promoting the adoption of the good old Sri Lankan street dog over purebreds.

You’ve owned and worked with both.

What’s your take on that?

12. If you could give the 18 year old I think everyone needs to first understand version of you any advice, what that the Sri Lankan Street Dog is a breed. would it be?

And just like any other breed it has breed traits. You choose a dog breed if it has the traits you think will fit your lifestyle.

Street dogs are energetic, they aren’t for inactive people. But they are very resilient and also live much longer. Which breed you choose is a personal preference and there is little more to it than that.

10. How does it feel being a female entrepreneur in Sri Lanka?

I think female or otherwise being an entrepreneur is tough in this economy.

And breaking the stereotype is even tougher, so for businesses like mine the main challenge stems from the fact that we aren’t following a designated format.

There are many other challenges I face as being a single woman in Sri Lanka, but I would not say this translates to my work on a general scale. We do of course get the trolls, who follow our pages on social media just because we are women, or who repeatedly try to chat our poor manager up on the phone thinking it’s me. But apart from that, it feels great.

11. How did it feel to win “Most Innovative business of the year”?

Honestly it felt surreal. Being up there with women like Aban Pestonjee, I had a little bit of a “is this really happening” moment.

I have no regrets in my life. Everything that happened to me made me who I am.

The one thing I would probably say to my 18 year old self is ‘don’t smoke’. It is a disgusting habit, and one that I am still trying to kick.

13. When you hear or think of the word “Feminism”, how do you relate to it?

Feminism is simply that men and women deserve equal rights I think. I believe in equal rights, and I have a seahorse tattooed on my arm, this was actually my first tattoo to symbolize my belief in equal rights as it is the male seahorse that bears the children.

14. In a patriarchal society, what advice would you give to the young women trying to make it right now?

To young women and even men I would say only one thing. Don’t give up. There is only a single difference between success and failure and that is perseverance. Trust me you fail more times than you succeed and you make so many mistakes, and the mistakes never end! But retreat to a corner, lick your wounds if you must and try again.

Hair Essentials

There’s a reason why hair is referred to as

Pre-condition

‘Crowning Glory’. Often though, many of us

Oiling your hair before a bath works as a very effective pre-conditioning treatment.

Massage some good hair oil or even coconut, olive or almond oil into your hair and scalp and leave it on for about an hour before washing.

end up dealing with dry and brittle hair that just won’t stay in place and is a far cry from glorious. There are a lot of simple things you can do (and avoid doing) to have your hair looking its best.

Don’t wash too frequently

Using shampoo and conditioner

Washing your hair every day can make it dry and brittle and cause hair fall. You must let your hair build up the natural oils that are designed to keep it hydrated.

Shampoo must be gently massaged into your hair in small circular motions while conditioner should not be applied close to your roots as it can cause a buildup on your scalp.

Keep it cool

Gentle drying

Hair is best washed in lukewarm water; if the water if too hot, it strips your hair of hydration and can even cause split ends.

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Vigorous drying and detangling could lead to greater damage so opt to dry your hair gently with a microfiber towel and then let it air dry.

If you must blow-dry, try to do so after your

hair is partially dry and make sure you apply some leave in conditioner or serum before.

Brushing basics Knots and tangles can ruin your hair so if you’re prone to them, it’s important to condition well and detangle while in the shower. The correct way to detangle is from the ends up to the roots – the other way around can potentially create more knots and greater breakage.

Outdoor hair care Stepping outdoors with oily or wet hair can make dust and grime stick to your hair, so try to let your hair dry fully before you leave home. To prevent intense sun damage, cover your hair with a scarf or hat during prolonged exposure to bright sunshine. It’s also a good idea to tie your hair up when outdoors to limit damage.

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HEART

HEALTHY

DIET Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women globally. This is a staggering fact considering we can take active steps to help prevent heart disease from becoming a threat to our health in the first place. Being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease can also take an emotional toll on the individual, potentially affecting your mood, outlook, and quality of life.

While weight control and regular exercise are critical for keeping your heart in shape—the food you eat can matter just as much. In fact, along with other healthy lifestyle choices, a heart-healthy diet may reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke by about 80%. By adopting better eating habits, you may be able to lower cholesterol, prevent or manage heart disease and high blood pressure, and take greater control over the quality and length of your life.

What is a heart-healthy diet?

Coupled with regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet can help you to lower cholesterol, control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and maintain a healthy weight—while simultaneously improving your mood and outlook. No single food can make you magically healthy, so your overall dietary pattern is more important than specific foods. Instead of fried, processed food, packaged meals, and sugary snacks, a heart-healthy diet is built around “real,” natural food—fresh from the ground, ocean, or farm and preferably home-cooked.

Whether you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular health, have already been diagnosed with heart disease, or have high

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cholesterol or high blood pressure, these hearthealthy diet tips can help you better manage these conditions and lower your risk of a heart attack.

So where should you start? In short, firstly try to incorporate more of the following: • Healthy fats, such as raw nuts, olive oil, fish oils, flaxseeds, and avocados • Colorful fruits and vegetables—fresh or frozen if fresh is not a option • High-fibre foods cereals, breads, and pasta made from whole grains or legumes • High-quality protein, such as fish and poultry • Organic dairy such as eggs, skim milk, or unsweetened yogurt Eat less of: • Trans fats from partially hydrogenated or deep-fried foods; saturated fats from fried food, fast food, and snack foods • Packaged foods, especially those high in sodium and sugar • Refined foods, white breads, sugary cereals, refined pastas or rice • Processed meat such as bacon, sausage, and salami, and fried chicken • Yogurt with added sugar; processed cheese

Expanding on what I have listed, you need to be ‘smart about fats’.

If you are concerned about your heart health, rather than avoiding fat in your diet, try replacing unhealthy fats with good fats. Some of the most important improvements you can make to your diet are to:

Cut out trans fats As well as raising your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol level, which can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke, trans fat also lowers your levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol, which can put you at increased cardiovascular risk. Trans fats are found in foods such as commerciallybaked goods, fried food, and anything with “partially hydrogenated” oil in the ingredients, even if it claims to be “trans fat-free.”

Limit your saturated fats Saturated fats are mainly found in tropical oils, dairy, and red meat and should be limited to no more than 10% of your daily calorie intake.

Enjoy dairy in moderation and vary the protein sources in your diet, opting for fish, skinless chicken, eggs, and vegetarian sources of protein where you can.

Eat more healthy fats Eating foods rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat can improve blood cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease. Eat omega 3 fatty acids every day, from fatty fish such as salmon, trout, or herring, or from flaxseed, kale, spinach, or walnuts.

Other sources of healthy fats include olive oil, avocados, nuts, and nut butters.

Don’t replace fat with sugar or refined carbs When cutting back on heart-risky foods, such unhealthy fats, it’s important to replace them with healthy alternatives. Replacing processed meats with fish or chicken, for example, can make a positive difference to your health. But switching animal fats for refined carbohydrates, such as replacing your breakfast bacon with a donut or sugary cereal won’t do anything to lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Your body doesn’t need any added sugar it gets all it needs from the sugar that naturally occurs in food. Sugary food and refined carbs just add up to a lot of empty calories that are as bad for your heart as they are for your waistline.

Refined Carbs and Sugar Instead of sugary soft drinks, white bread, pasta and processed foods like pizza, opt for unrefined whole grains like whole wheat or multigrain bread, brown rice, barley, quinoa, bran cereal, oatmeal, and non-starchy vegetables.

Focus on high-fibre food A diet high in fiber can lower “bad” cholesterol and provide nutrients that help protect against heart disease. As an added bonus, it may also help you to lose weight. Since fibre stays in the stomach longer than other foods, the feeling of fullness will stay with you much longer, helping you eat less. Fibre also moves fat through your digestive system quicker so less of it is absorbed.

And when you fill up on fibre, you’ll also have more energy for exercising.

Kids find it fun to eat what they’ve helped to make and cooking together is a great way to expand the palates of picky eaters to more healthy options.

Make foods ready-to-eat You’re more likely to stay heart-healthy during your busy week if you make healthy foods easily accessible. When you come home from grocery shopping, cut up vegetables and fruit and store

Insoluble fiber is found in whole grains, wheat cereals, and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and tomatoes.

Steer clear of salt and processed foods

Reduce canned or processed foods Much of the salt you eat comes from canned or processed foods like soups or frozen dinners even poultry or other meats often have salt added during processing. Eating fresh foods, looking for unsalted meats, and making your own soups or stews can dramatically reduce your sodium intake.

Rekindle home cooking It’s very difficult to eat a heart-healthy diet when you’re eating out a lot, ordering in, or eating microwave dinners and other processed foods.

The portions are usually too large and the meals contain too much salt, sugar, and unhealthy fat.

Cooking at home will give you better control over the nutritional content of your meals and can also help you to save money and lose weight. Making heart-healthy meals is easier and less time-consuming than you may think— and you don’t have to be an experienced cook to master some quick and wholesome meals.

Get the whole family involved and start eating healthy young.

Once you have a better idea of what a serving should be, you can estimate your portion. You can use common objects for reference; for example, a serving of pasta should be about the size of a clenched fist, while a serving of meat, fish, or chicken is about the size of a open palm.

If you’re still hungry at the end of a meal fill up on extra servings of vegetables or fruit.

Soluble fibre sources include barley, oatmeal, beans, nuts, and fruits such as apples, berries, citrus fruits, and pears.

Eating a lot of salt can contribute to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than a teaspoon of salt a day for an adult.

That may sound alarmingly small, but there are actually many delicious ways to reduce your sodium intake.

size for pasta is ½ a cup, while a serving of meat, fish, or chicken is 2 to 3 ounces/57-85 grams, while you might be consuming a lot more than that in one sitting. Judging serving size is a learned skill, so you may initially need to use measuring cups, spoons, and a food scale to help.

them in the fridge, ready for the next meal or when you are looking for a quick snack. Try to be organised and prep your meals beforehand so when your week becomes busy you’re not tempted to take the easy option of eating out.

And as we lead up to the Christmas season where eating out becomes more and more frequent, beware of restaurant portions. They’re often more than anyone needs.

Try ordering an appetiser instead of an main or split a main with your dining companion, or take half your meal home for tomorrow’s lunch. All of this will help maintain your intake and start you on a healthy track to look after the well-being of your heart in the long run.

And remember it is never too late to start eating healthy!

Use heart healthy cooking methods Just as important as choosing healthy ingredients is preparing them in healthy ways.

You can bake, broil, roast, steam, poach, lightly stir fry, or sauté ingredients using a small amount of olive oil, reduced sodium broth, and spices instead of salt.

Control portion size—and your weight Carrying excess weight means that your heart must work harder, and this often leads to high blood pressure, a major cause of heart disease.

As well as eating less sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, reducing portion sizes is a crucial step toward losing or maintaining a healthy weight.

To do this you have to understand serving sizes. A serving size is a specific amount of food, defined by common measurements such as cups, ounces/grams, or pieces and a healthy serving size may be a lot smaller than you’re used to. For example the recommended serving

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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Ruwangi

Sonali

Amante Launches

Starry Tales AmantĂŠ recently unveiled Starry Tales, their new, fresh and exciting Autumn Winter collection.

Shihaam

Shaila

Sumaiya

Ifeth

Sachi

Devaka

Danu

Sulare

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Jessica

Nadiyah

Kalhari

Shalu

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

Niky

Nelusha & Ushani

Jayan

Meera

Ridma

Kishani & Madhuri

Yana

Priya

Dimanthi

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Michelle & Shamindri

Dinushka & Lalin

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The One About

EVERYDAY SUPERFOODS Superfoods are the rage among health buffs, but no one enjoys regularly forking out exorbitant amounts of money for exotic and elusive imported items like ancient grains, quinoa, goji berries, spirulina, kelp, and cacao.

So what is a superfood? While it is not a scientific title, the general expectation is that any ‘superfood’ would give you an exceptional boost of the good stuff – vitamins, minerals, antioxidants - and offer health-giving and disease fighting properties.

What if we said there are superfoods that are cheap, convenient to find and easy to fit into your daily diet? Maybe you could even grow some in your backyard? Interested? Well… we’ve compiled here a list of healthy, delicious and simple superfoods that are plentiful in Sri Lanka.

Red/Brown Rice

Spices and herbs

One of the healthiest and cheapest superfoods, red or brown rice (made by dehusking paddy but retaining the bran and cereal germ) is an easy way of incorporating wholegrains into your diet. Whole grains are known to help reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

So much of the Sri Lankan diet already consists of superfoods given our penchant for herbs and spices that contain numerous medicinal compounds. All that ginger, garlic, turmeric, curry leaves, lemongrass, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cardamom, and cloves that transform our curries deliver great benefits.

Pulses

Eggs

Our diet already consists of plenty of pulses like dhal, green gram, chickpeas, beans, legumes, and dried peas. They’re especially good for vegetarians as a source of protein and fiber. Pulses are also full of heart-healthy nutrients such as folate, iron, and potassium.

A cheap source of good protein, the humble egg is a highly nutritious meal in a shell.

Science has now proven that eggs are not the villain behind cholesterol that causes heart disease – saturated fats are to blame instead. Eggs are particularly good for your

eyes as they contain nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin (whch also fight disease) as well as choline that aids brain development and memory.

Murunga (Drumstick) Have you been hearing great things about Moringa – better known to us as Murunga?

The fruit and leaves of the good old Murunga tree are a great plant protein and are chockfull of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help relieve a range of niggles including thyroid imbalances, anemia, joint pain, fluid retention and even better lactation.

Leafy Greens

Bananas

Peanuts

Mallums are a staple of our meals for a reason – just about any leafy green offers wide-ranging health benefits and are best consumed fresh. They are also very easy to grow, even in a small container if you’re short of space.

The potassium in bananas are known to promote electrolyte balance and lower blood pressure while ripe bananas are great for your digestive system and to fight bloating. You could also have a banana when feeling low because they contain the tryptophan amino acid which boosts serotonin production to improve your mood.

Peanuts are full of protein, fibre and the healthy fats. The humble but delicious nut can be taken in its primary form or even as peanut butter, but it’s important to keep an eye on portion size as peanuts can be calorie heavy.

Tea Tea drinkers rejoice – because the flavonoids in your cuppa offer you a range of antioxidant benefits including reducing your risk of alzheimer’s, diabetes and some cancers.

Freshly brewed tea is full of these flavonoids.

Strawberries Locally grown strawberries are plentiful and are full of vitamin C and the fibre that you need to keep your digestive system happy.

Strawberries also contain high levels of antioxidant polyphenols.

Nadia

Deepak

Hameedia Launch

Fouzul Hameed Limited Edition

Nohan

An exclusive collection designed exclusively for men of style. Fouzul Hameed’s Limited Edition, co-hosted by Shalin Balasuriya, was held at the Envoy Mansion.

Stuart

Fouzul

Shalin

Kalum

Danu

Ayesh

PAGE 48 | www.pulse.lk

Shaheeena

Iroja

Reyhan

Senaka

Ramzi

Denham

Anita

Dinushi

Manjula

Sasanka

Old Thomians’ Dinner Dance 2018 Organised by the S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia - Old Boys’ Association, the Old Thomians’ Dinner Dance 2018 was held this September, with a unique theme like never before!

Suresh

Sonali

PAGE 50 | www.pulse.lk

Sithum, Sajith, Jaurawa and Harshitha

Umintha

Shenura

Hiran

Rizan

Kushal

Yogya

Ryan

Navinda

Sashini

Rohanthi

Methpriya

Prasangi

Praneeth

Shahleen

Asherah

Shehan

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 51

Mahen

Lukshini

Kanishka

Shivanthi

Suresh

Vanessa

Shiro

Shehan

PAGE 52 | www.pulse.lk

Nadia

Thisara

Shanthini and Ruvani

Milinda

Anupama

Rajitha

Bhavanthi

Lasitha

Deetal

Shanthini

Damayanthi

Dilani

Buddika

Asanka

Dharshi

Sachini

Dulip

Muditha and Nadeeka

Reshan

Sudath

Krishanthi

Sharon

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 53

Andre

Estefan Fashion Show

Featuring 70 fashion looks by 20 runway models, Colonial Romance

by Andre Estefan was a show to remember!

PAGE 56 | www.pulse.lk

Samiya, Ruwanthi, Chris & Hilali

Charini

Sharma

Romesh

Sadhana

Ramona

Dinesh

Firoze

Dominic

Preeti

Sheryl

Nadiyah

Johann

Dinesh

Alvin

Natasha

Sharma

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 57

Montblanc products displayed in the TURRET Flagship Store

Models at the TURRET Showroom in Colombo display Rose-gold plated Silver Ring, Pendant & Earring pair and chain set-with Rose Quartz while the Female wears a Rose-gold plated Classima collection and the Male a 40mm Rose-gold plated Automatic with 38 Hr powerreserve, both from renowned Swiss watchmaker Baume et Mercier.

5 Years of Luxury and Elegance

Turret Flagship Store at Dharmapala Mawatha

TURRET, the sole authorised agent in Sri Lanka for Montblanc, Baume & Mercier and Raymond Weil, highly renowned, internationally acclaimed luxury brands, celebrated five years of serving luxury and elegance to Colombo’s glitterati and cognoscenti. In celebration TURRET hosted “An evening at TURRET” and displayed several novelties that were launched recently at the TURRET Flagship Store at Dharmapala Mawatha. It was attended by several highprofile dignitaries from Ambassadors to Directors and CEOs along with the esteemed clientele of TURRET.

Displaying internationally famous luxury brands, most notable at TURRET is Mont Blanc, a highly reputed brand with German origins that dates back to 1906. It is globally revered for exquisitely handcrafted writing instruments, timepieces and leather products exclusively for men.

The internationally famous Baume & Mercier is the seventh oldest watch brand in the world and is artfully designed and crafted in Switzerland, in the Swiss Jura, while Raymond Weil is one of the last remaining Swiss independent family-owned watch making companies where music is its true source of

From Left; Jawzi Dastakeer and Jezmi Dastakeer, Directors of Royal Lanka Agencies; Swiss Ambassador Hanspeter Mock with his wife Karin Mock-Fisher and German Ambassador Jörn Rohde.

PAGE 58 | www.pulse.lk

Raymond Weil, Swiss Watches displayed in the TURRET Flagship Store

Gem studded jewelry displayed at Jewel Laurel showroom

inspiration. These brands are celebrated for their watchmaking excellence with aestheticism being a prime factor in their production process. These timepieces are handmade with materials of the highest quality and contain unique designs renowned the world over.

Time Pieces from renowned Swiss watchmaker Baume et Mercier, Linea collection showcased at Turret Flagship Store

Commenting on the event its Director Jawzi Dastakeer, mentioned that “TURRET extends its gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this five-year journey, especially our loyal brand-conscious customers who hold our name with dignity and prestige. We also welcome everyone here tonight to feel the elegance and to speak with our brand executives who can help you make the perfect choice for any occasion.”

The TURRET Flagship store at Dharmapala Mawatha also houses the reputed United Colors of Benetton apparel range and also TURRET’s very own signature brand Jewel Laurel which promotes gem-studded jewellery and diverse precious and semi-precious gemstones to collectors.

The Male Model displays a 110 year Edition Twinfly Automatic Chronograph with 43mm case and 72 Hr power-reserve from Montblanc’s esteemed 4810 Collection.

A Female Model at the TURRET Showroom in Colombo display Sterling Silver Necklace, Ring and Earrings set with Blue Topaz and attires a 32mm Automatic Ladieswatch with Second counter set-with 28 Wesselton Diamonds along with a 42 Hr power-reserve from Montblanc’s Star Legacy Collection.

Swiss Ambassador Hanspeter Mock with his wife Karin Mock-Fisher browsing through the Luxury products displayed at TURRET Flagship Store

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 59

Eran

Yohan

Samantha

Kishu

Edward

Bandula

Ms.Vajira Chitrasena and Upekha Chitrasena

Dilith

Ravindra

PAGE 60 | www.pulse.lk

Nadee

General and Mrs. Daya Ratnayake

Charitha

Alwin

Dilith

Chandran

Neraha

Niteen

Sarva

Shayana

Ada Derana

Sri Lankan of theYear

2018

Channa Wijewardena Popular Entertainer (recieved by Upuli Wijewardena)

Special Honorary Awards Col. Rathnapriya Bandu

Tharindu Weerasinghe and Sachintha De Silva Bravery

Rohana Weerasinghe Classical Entertainer

Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year 2018, the national awards ceremony felicitating the Sri Lankans who have defied convention and raised the bar of excellence, was held for the third consecutive year at the Hilton Colombo.

Asha De Vos Emerging Global Scientist M.G. Kulartne Entrepreneur

Abdul Hameed Global Entertainer

Alston Koch Global Entertainer

Special Honorary Awards Johann Kularatne

Dilantha Malagamuwa Sports Personality

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 61

Otara Gunewardene PAGE 62 | www.pulse.lk

Otara Gunewardene is many things: entrepreneur, fashion icon, a career-mum, an inspiration for women and a passionate campaigner for the voiceless - marginalised communities, wildlife, street pooches and the environment.

Otara spoke to us about her life, work, passions and plans, and shared her views on today’s opportunities for entrepreneurs and the evolution of the fashion industry.

On life, motherhood, family, inspirations and Odel.

1

What is your one goal in life?

To create a kinder world and country where animals are not

prisoners (enslaved), where more humans understand their suffering and make changes in their life to live cruelty free, where we are 100% free of garbage and polythene. I will try to contribute in any way I can to live in a country where we co-exist with thriving wildlife, happy people and animals and have

5

a true 30% forest cover. Sorry that’s a bit more than one goal!!

2

How would your sons describe you?

As a mother who loves them

immensely. A mother who has done all I can in my way, dealing with many challenges, to give them a good life.

3

What do you think are your best and worst qualities?

Best: workaholic. Worst: workaholic.

4

How do you find balance in your life?

By doing things I love to do and

by working each day to put a smile on the face of an animal or a person who has not smiled for months or years.

You believe in and practice Feng shui... tell us a bit about that and how it helps.

It’s really mostly about creating spaces with good energy, which then benefits your health, wealth, and happiness. I believe energy plays a big role in creating a positive or a negative life. Feng shui is just one option one can use but there are many others. Most of these were used in the past but as we got “modernised” all these things were forgotten, changed, or often laughed at.

6

Your siblings and you are what people would refer to as ‘high performing’. What do you think your parents did right (or didn’t do) to raise their kids to become that?

The most important thing for me is that they let me be who I was. They didn’t mould me into someone they wanted me to be. (Except for some piano lessons which my mother forced me to take, which I absolutely hated!!)

We watched our parents work so hard to earn what they had and to put us through school

and university. There were very difficult times in the seventies as well, but they still somehow earned the money to send my brothers to university. We even had free range chickens in our backyard at one time and we used to sell eggs to restaurants to earn extra money. My mother, of course always had her school for special needs children, from which she never took any money for herself. Not then and not now.

7

And what do you say to someone who would dismiss your success on the basis of your family’s affluence - that you’re a ‘trust fund baby’?

It’s really not about how much money you have but what you do with the money you have that makes the difference. People who have been hugely funded have often failed.

My father may have been able to give me some money at that time to start but he didn’t. Instead I used the money I earned from modelling and then I borrowed around Rs 5,000 ($50) from my brother Ajit and $50 from my mother and I put in $50, which is how the $50 story started. My first loan after that was for Rs 150,000. My father wanted me to learn how to earn my own money. I think his lesson was a very valuable one.

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What do you think are your best and worst qualities?

Best: workaholic Worst: workaholic PAGE 64 | www.pulse.lk

8

Are there any personalities that have served as your inspiration over the years?

The most influential were my parents. I learnt that what you get comes from nothing except hard work and the importance of doing things from the heart to help others uplift their lives. Honesty and integrity were the most important things in life and earning from one hand and giving from the other

was what life was about. This is not about just giving day-to-day handouts, but using your hands to change lives for the long term.

9

What’s life after ODEL like?

It has been extremely interesting, exciting, and busy. I have seen so much and learnt so much about my country, met so many lovely people and I am trying to grow a business again. I spend a lot of my day doing what my true passion is: helping animals and communities.

10

Do you ever feel nostalgic about ODEL?

Actually the nostalgia and the missing it, I did about 6-8 months before I sold ODEL. I had to get to a point where I was 100% okay with selling it before I took the steps to start the process. The detachment from the material parts of it was not difficult but the move away from the people who were a part of 80% of my day-to-day life was not easy.

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On her passions

11

There are many causes you champion.

What are you most passionate about and why?

Protecting our environment which includes forests, wildlife and the oceans, animal welfare, empowering the youth, helping communities and helping people to understand the need to live cruelty-free are my passions. Why? Because when you see the suffering we cause for innocent beings you just cannot un-see it.

We choose to remain ignorant and we choose to not see because it helps us to ignore the cruelty; a lot of the time, the truth is hidden and not told or shown, because at the root of it all is profit and money. There is immense suffering caused in the name of fancy cuisine, fashion, our entertainment, religion, and education. No one should suffer; we are not superior to another being and we can live extremely well and happily without contributing to the cruelty. I have been a part of this as well. Then the day comes when you suddenly see what you are a part of. I am happy though that the world is changing. The last couple of years there has been great change for the benefit of animals and the movement is continuing to grow. People can bury their head in the sand and pretend it’s not happening or continue to justify why we need to continue to be cruel, but change is coming.

12

You’ve made it fashionable to own street pooches. Is that statement justified?

That was the goal from the start and part of the reason the brand was created as well, besides using it to raise funds. The majority of people are truly compassionate and they understand the pain of these innocent souls who are Sri Lankan and who deserve to live a good life in our country. Adoption days are my favourite! Of course I love the puppies and dogs there, but to see the faces of children and adults light up and smile with the love they share is just better than any gift I have ever got for Christmas or a birthday!! There are so many who can freely express their love and feelings now. It’s almost as if it was forbidden in the past to openly love an animal, especially a street dog. People were laughed at and many times downtrodden for helping a dog in need. It’s still there but it is changing, roles are being reversed. The compassionate are standing up and finally the cruel and uncaring are having to rethink their ways. There is huge global change and change happening in our country too and it’s wonderful to see.

13

Some have criticised you for marketing and building a brand around street pooches. What would you say in response to such people?

I started Odel to raise money to help elephants by selling T-shirts with elephant prints. If I had listened to criticism, then I would not be answering this question in your magazine today.

I have always believed in trying to do my charity by being as independent as I can be.

That does not mean I don’t appreciate or request for donations, but I only want it if it comes from people’s hearts. Otherwise, I will just do what I can with what I have for that time.

Embark has helped over 70,000 dogs and thousands of people in communities who can’t afford to treat their pets to get free

veterinary care for their pets. We have vaccinated over 50,000 dogs against rabies and sterilised over 23,000 dogs. Over 4,000 homeless dogs have found homes and thousands of the sick and injured have been treated. Other than a handful of people and a couple organisations, I have not seen a long queue of people waiting to hand out money to cover the huge cost it takes to help me do this work during the last 11 years. Talk is so easy but I only believe in people who act, and I only listen to those who can show me a way to increase the number of people, animals and the communities I want to help.

Anyone who does not like what I do, or for that matter what anyone does, must do it themselves to bring the change they want to see.

I have also been criticised for speaking out on elephant cruelty, for wanting to free the animals from cages in the Dehiwala Zoo, for speaking out on the deforestation of Wilpattu and much more. All I want is a better life for the people and animals in my country and to protect my country’s natural resources and natural heritage. Maybe that affects some people’s agendas and beliefs, but there comes a time when we have to move forward and do what is right for the benefit of those who have suffered in silence for far too long. We are better than that as humans and as a country.

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I believe we are at a time of great change.

Globally, how people shop, live and the values of what a good life is, are changing.

On career and entrepreneurship

14

Does it get lonely at the top?

I used to feel that quite a lot in the past, but when you get to a point where you are okay with yourself and love your own company, you never get lonely. Age helps with that too!

15

What do you feel was the most difficult time of your life as an entrepreneur?

How did you get through it?

Not knowing a lot about the different areas of running a business. I didn’t know anything about finance, HR, law, marketing, branding etc. In one way it helped me create things my way but at some points it was difficult.

Learning from those who know more than you is so important to grow; I don’t think there is a day that goes by even today where I don’t put that into practice.

16

What’s your take on the glass ceiling in Sri Lanka?

I didn’t look for it, so I didn’t find it. In a country where we have 52% women, if the majority who are able to work find the strength within, we will have to spend hours each day gathering the pieces of the shattered ceiling. I think financial stability also plays a key factor in contributing to this change and I believe many women (and men) are deprived of an equal opportunity to achieve this. So many also have a day-to-day struggles and cannot lift their heads from the poverty and instead are forced to take jobs that continue to keep them from rising up to reach their true potential.

17

Has it become easier for women in the corporate world? What needs to improve?

I think it has got easier and there are so many talented women in key positions in companies now, but it needs to increase.

However, it also requires more skilled women to be able to come in and take those positions and roles. It does not come with just the allocation of a percentage and that is where the issue lies. There are thousands with so much talent but who don’t have the opportunity to move out of their day-today struggle. We must find ways to channel more education, training and skills to a larger portion of women. For example those going to the Middle East would then be able to earn so much more in Sri Lanka and contribute more while also ensuring better family life with fewer broken families. I guess they are looked at as foreign currency earners so there is great fear to bring any change in this area.

18

With intense competition and so many new products, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for startups and entrepreneurs to survive. What’s your best advice to a wannabeentrepreneur?

I believe we are at a time of great change.

Globally, how people shop, live, and the values of what a good life is, are changing.

While many strong businesses of the past are struggling, some are thriving and there is a lot of opportunity for new concepts, new ways of fashion, food, and product ranges. As always, an entrepreneur’s skill needs to be to spot the gaps, to understand where we are at now, and know what will work for the customer of today and the future.

19

Do you think there are still opportunities for innovative or unique products out there?

Yes, definitely. The millennials are a very different type of customer and a very interesting one. I love the way they are living - how they are far more conscious of the planet, of animals and are so happy with much less, unlike how things were in the past. There is a great opportunity to pitch to that market and I already see so many things coming up, some of them really good from restaurants, to hostels, to ethical fashion and

more. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much money we earn or the brands we wear or the cars we drive. It’s about the lives we change, whether we have lived cruelty free, and about how much we have contributed to protecting our home and country for future generations.

On the future of fashion

20

What rising trends do you see in fashion?

Fast fashion is slowly dying out-this was a part of the revolution I was involved in.

The internet is bringing huge change in how people shop. Even in Sri Lanka, you are now competing with the world. A customer does not ever have to travel but he/she can still shop online to buy any product from anywhere in the world. Consumers are also far more conscious now, they are buying less due to understanding the huge impact fast fashion has on the planet. Circular fashion is growing-wearing the same thing several times, which was taboo in the past, is encouraged now. People are also being far more loyal to local brands and supporting homegrown products, concepts, small retailers, small businesses and local business.

It’s a great time for Sri Lanka to gain our strength back in developing our local product ranges, concepts and brands.

21

What role will sustainability play in the future of the fashion industry?

It will play a much bigger role. I am not sure how visible it is in Sri Lanka yet but it is happening. There is huge change happening with department stores globally, many are struggling and some who have been around for hundreds of years are closing. Certain brands who have not been quick to see the changes are working hard to change, to market to their new customer. There is also so much information out now on how unsustainable the fashion industry is with the dyes, the cotton and mostly with the whole throw-away culture that was created with fast fashion contributing to huge amounts of waste in landfills. A lot of this is based on how fashion changed to become a disposable item, rather than a timeless item.

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“

Talk is so easy but I only believe in people who act, and I only listen to those who can show me a way

Massimo

Rebecca

Joan

Retari

Mauve

Harshini

Buhumani

Dilani

Naveeth

Ramani

Gerald

Zarina

Anusha

Candy Launch at Softlogic PAGE 72 | www.pulse.lk

Softlogic and Candy recently launched two exciting household items, broadening the consumer electronics market in Sri Lanka.

Kevin

Kamil

Kishore

DJ and Dinishe

Averyl

Nimali

PAGE 74 | www.pulse.lk

Romesh

Lakmini

Sir Ian Jennings

Kamil

Emerald

Rukshan

Lasantha

Surakshi

Sampath

Romesh, Deirde and Dr Anoma

Piyum

Vinu

Rose

Ravi

Mr and Mrs Motha

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 75

Anita

Anusha

Veronica

Ramani

Anusha

Kavitha

Anita

Nadiya

Menaka

Prithi

Sharika and Shireen

Sujee

Shavendra

Anjeline

Threads of Time Fashion Show A collaboration between Anita Dorai and Designer Kavita Thulasidas of Stylemart, Threads of Time was a phenomenal runway show which was held this September

Hashim

Gayani

PAGE 78 | www.pulse.lk

Anita

Imran

Ramani

Kavitha

Mangala

Gayathri

Dhiraj

Anusha

Chameli

Raja

Himali

Dilini

Ice Cream

COMES OF AGE

In a tropical island like Sri Lanka where summer is never-ending and the sun is constantly blazing, very few things serve as a respite from the heat, so thank goodness for thambili and ice cream. We have all grown up running towards the tinkling of the Ice Cream Uncle’s bell and later towards the familiar tunes of Walls and Elephant House trucks, happily munching on Cornettos and Wonder Cones and Jumbo Jollies until summoned back indoors.

In the last few years, we’ve witnessed the coming of age of the Sri Lankan Frozen Confectionary world with lots of businesses experimenting with new ways to offer the frozen joys to us parched Colombo dwellers. Have you tried all of the following?

Il Gelato The more upscale brand among Colombo’s ice cream spots, Il Gelato may have been around for years but that hasn’t reduced the demand for their delicious flavours. Il Gelato has managed to maintain its elite brand name over the years and their flavours have remained consistently good. Their frozen yoghurt, available at the Odel outlet, is arguably the best froyo you can get in Colombo.

Isle of Gelato Taking the art of gelato to all new heights, Isle of Gelato boasts Artisanal Gelato with fresh, natural ingredients. They have incredible flavours like Pina Colada, Buffalo Lemon Curd and Puttalam Sea Salt that even come in Gelato popsicles, shareable jars and Gelato sandwiches. Originally found within the Galle Fort, Isle of Gelato has also opened up at the brand new Colombo City Centre.

King Cone Ice Cream² Labelling themselves the world’s first IceCream-Squared, King Cone is an online ice cream store that concocts what they claim is ‘the creamiest, butteriest, densest and smoothest ice cream on the island’, using the finest ingredients. The rich ice cream comes at a premium price, one that fans are willing

PAGE 80 | www.pulse.lk

to pay for the quality and flavours like Terry’s (as in Chocolate Orange), Speculoos (Lotus Biscoff caramel cookie butter), Maltover (Maltesers), and Perennial (After Eight mint chocolate).

Roots Gelato Roots is another outlet that has been around forever, famed for their fresh juices and decadent sundaes. Roots recently diversified into their own range of Artisanal Gelato.

Their sorbets are perfect to beat the heat while their collaborations with suppliers like Bellissima and HashDeli have resulted in popular flavours like Chocolate Biscuit Pudding gelato and Chocolate Gooey Cake gelato.

Residence by Uga Escapes A much talked about dining spot by those looking for quality and well curated finedining options, Uga also serves innovative flavours of ice cream, incorporating Sri Lankan ingredients such as seeni sambol and sprats, and passion-fruit and chilli into their cool goods. It’s safe to say their innovations are mind-blowing!

Cremalato Whipping up some amazing flavours and then adding an element of fun by freezing

them on a stick, Cremalato has a range of fruit popsicles and creamy pops that they promise use no preservatives or artificial flavours and are gluten free and vegetarian. Their local fruit flavours are particularly awesome – naarang and mint, passionfruit, mango, mangosteen and even thambili. They stock up at A&M Cupcakes on Galle Road and the pops are also served at Café Kumbuk.

Carnival Ice Cream Carnival is a landmark in the Colombo dessert world - ask anyone who’s grown up in Colombo in the last 30 something years and they will all have a favourite Carnival flavour – among them Mint Chocolate chip, Nut Cracker and Rum ‘n’ Raisin or a favourite Sundae – like their Saucy Sundae and Banana Boat. Carnival has kept up with the times, revamping their look and menu, and recently adding waffle cones and sorbets to the items they serve.

Rio Ice Cream A favourite among Jaffna dwellers, Rio branched out to Colombo a few years ago and has been a favourite haunt to grab a late night ice cream. Their saccharine sweet flavours and interesting toppings are reminiscent of the flavours found at the

back of an Ice Cream Uncle’s bicycle, but nonetheless attract a large crowd to their stores, especially on the weekends.

JAM Rolled Ice Cream JAM took Colombo by storm when they opened up a little more than a year ago because they were one of the first places to introduce rolled ice cream to Sri Lanka. The metal on metal when making the rolled ice cream was a familiar sound to the kotthusavvy Sri Lankan and was an instant favourite amongst the common Colombar. They now have ice cream tacos too and continue to innovate and surprise an ice cream hungry populace.

Frosty Roll Ice Cream

King Cone Ice Cream2

Frosty Roll Frosty Roll is a quaint little ice cream shop at the Pearl of Asia mall serving all kinds of rolled ice creams. The stand-out dish here is there Bombai Muttai Rolled Ice Cream, incorporating two most cherished childhood memories of almost every Sri Lankan. Delve into a hefty serving of deliciously cold bombai muttai to enjoy an ideal meeting point between tradition and innovation.

Ilgelato

Jolly’s Ice Cream Jolly’s has two outlets, one up in Battaramulla and one at the Dehiwala Arpico. Their ice creams are infused with well loved Sri Lankan flavours like kiri kopi, tin kiri, cardamom and salted pani cadju. Their interesting and unusual flavours can be even enjoyed in a yummy ice cream sandwich - Enveloped between two large cookies and sprinkled with a topping of your choice. And for a hit of childhood nostalgia, you should try their Bubble gum blues ice cream.

Jolly’s Ice Cream

Chillato

Isle of Gelato

Chillato Questionable soft serve ice creams don’t have to be bought at the Fort Railway station for 20 rupees anymore because Chillato has taken the concept of “soya ice cream” and completely revamped it. Located in Battaramulla, Chillato dishes up soft serve ice creams in a range of different flavours and toppings. Their “Unicorns R Real” maybe a little pricier than a regular soya ice cream but comes in a light blue shade topped with marshmallows, caramel popcorn and sprinkles!

JAM Rolled Ice Cream

Carnival

Roots Gelato

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 81

Yoshi

Marie

Ramani

Kanch

Ronali

ODEL Fitness Week Health and fitness has grown in popularity in the recent past in Sri Lanka and Odel has realised this with the launch of ‘ODEL Fitness Week’ which saw a week’s worth of offers and activities.

Anusha

PAGE 82 | www.pulse.lk

Desiree

Johann

Gerald

Jackie

Anusha

Tanuja

Sajeda

Retari

Kishani

Tarja

Dhiraj

Omalka

Harshini

Shihaam

Didi

Zarina

Mauve

Jackie

Delani

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 83

Mr.Ratnapala

Sujee

Shavendra

Kalum

Priyantha

Kumar

Ravi

Prithi

Savanjeeth Apsara

Mr.Ratnapala

Chamari

Asha

Nirosha

Gerald

PAGE 84 | www.pulse.lk

Shereen

Thiyasha

Zareena

Kumar

Kumari

Kumi

Sidath

Happy Birthday

Prithi

Prithi Fernando rocked the boat at Cinnamon Lakeside with her glamorous friends as she celebrated her birthday.

Chandana

Thushari

Nelum

Sujee

Tharangitha

Nirosha

Sabeetha

Sangeetha

Chamari

Apsara

Himali

Thiyasha

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 85

Sujee

Shavendra

Dedunu

Sabeetha

Sujee

Asha

Jeevan

Upali

Shereen

Shereen

Sujee

Gayathri

Kumari

Dedunu Manjula

Sujee

Nirosha

PAGE 86 | www.pulse.lk

Thushari

Sabeetha

Nelum

Asha

Hesangi

Chamari

Tomoko

Apsara

Himali

Nishantha

Kumari

Rashmeen

Thiyasha

Dedunu

Asha

Gayathri

Sujee

Sangeetha

Jeewan

Isharq

Koluu

Nirosha

Shereen

Asha

Sabeetha

Upali

Christable

Susana

Kalum

Zareena

Rashmeen

Sangeetha

Brian

Shereen

Priyantha

Brian

Mangala

Tharangitha

Nelum

Gayathri

Shavendra

Sumedha

Kamil

Gayan

Sumedha

Prithiv

Gerald

Ravi

Tyrol

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 87

Extravagant Gastronomy at CÉ LA VI Situated atop The Kingsbury hotel, offering stunning vistas of cosmopolitan Colombo, CÉ LA VI has swiftly become one of the trendiest spots in the city. While the Lounge and SkyBar is in a class of its own compared to the rest of Colombo’s offerings, this review will be highlighting the CÉ LA VI Restaurant and its tantalizing modern Asian cuisine.

The stunning interior of the restaurant is chic and luxe, accentuated with sharp hues of red. One glance at the menu and it’s easy to tell that it has been curated by master chefs and the actual gastronomic experience is extravagant.

Appetizers California Roll CÉ LA VI’s take on the classic California Roll was on par with what you would expect from the finest Japanese Restaurants across the world. In keeping with their luxe factor, they use snow crab sourced from the icy depths of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The coating of salmon roe on the outside of the roll creates an interesting experience in terms of textures.

Soft Shell Crab This dish was served over a delicate watermelon ponzo. This rather exotic fusion might not appeal to everyone on paper, but it was presented beautifully. The tender crab is juxtaposed with the crunchy watermelon making for an ideal cold appetizer.

Entrées French Duck Breast Served with pickled wasabi, ponzu, negi and fried garlic, this is a good example of how CÉ LA VI creates a culinary fusion across continents. It was quite clear that the Rolls Royce of cuts was used to prepare this dish; magret de canard. The pickled wasabi added a sharp kick to the mild flavour of the duck but some may find it a little overpowering.

Balsamic Chicken Teriyaki This example of chicken teriyaki was obviously broiled with great attention; the glazed crisp outer layer had the right amount of bite to it, which led to the soft and tender meat. The dish itself had the sweet yet savoury characteristic of a classic teriyaki with the balsamic reduction adding a depth of flavour.

Braised Pork Belly On first glance, I thought this dish deserved to be in a modern art gallery with the layers of the pork belly so well defined by colour!

Taste-wise, the addition of garlic chive kimchi and ssamjang sauce turned this into an orchestra of flavours from the crisp outer layer, down through the dense meat and the pillowy fat. One might expect this to be a heavy dish but it was quite the opposite.

Finale Hazelnut Truffle This dessert had an array of elements that came together quite well; Chocolate Brownie, Scotch Whiskey Ice Cream and Frozen

Hazelnut Souffle. Each element had its own temperature and flavour profile. I’d imagine that many diners would experiment to find the combination that appeals to them the most. For me it would have to be the sharp flavour of the whisky ice cream paired with the decadent chocolate brownie.

Matcha Lava A matcha-based tart with the strong bitter notes of matcha toned down, maybe to highlight the other elements such as the Sakura and Blood Orange Sorbet, Cherry Blossom Whip Ganache and Green Tea Sponge. There was a lot going on here but it resulted in a well-presented dessert.

Rose and Watermelon Petit Gateaux This was my favourite dessert, for the flavours were so simple that it was effortless to decipher where each of them was coming from (belying some of the more complex ingredients of the dish). The gateaux itself was surrounded by dots of raspberry crumble which I wish there was more of.

All in all, CÉ LA VI’s restaurant was an experience that delighted each of the senses.

It is the ideal venue for those special nights with your significant other, or even as a place to treat high profile clients to a true Cosmopolitan dining experience in the city of Colombo. Walking out of CÉ LA VI, you cannot help but whisper to yourself, “This is the life”.

PAGE 90 | www.pulse.lk

Niroshan Dickwella has ‘strength’

tattooed all over him

by Malinda Seneviratne

Feisty. That might be a one word descriptive, but such captures can mislead for they naturally gloss over the details. Niroshan Dickwella is an explosive batsman, a nifty wicket-keeper and all things considered, an in-your-face cricketer as any.

Niroshan has three tattoos. The first is a line from the Bible: ‘I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength’. That’s Philippians 4:13. There was also a strange image and I asked him what it was. ‘That’s “Strength” in Maori,’ he replied. Then there’s a lion’s face. It was a roaring lion; Intent written all over the face and especially in the eyes.

That’s how Niroshan sees himself, one has to conclude.

One might say he’s impetuous and that he’s yet to achieve the kind of consistency that does justice to his obvious talent. He has played just 22 Tests since he broke into the national team a little over four years ago. An average just under 31 in Tests, just 32 over 41 ODIs and 20 in T20Is doesn’t say a lot, but the strike rate across all formats certainly goes with the word ‘explosive’.

Dickwella Patabendige Dilantha Niroshan Dickwella was born on the 23rd of June, 1993 to a family that had no cricketing history. His father, an Antonian, had sent him to a cricket academy run by Bernard Perera and Harold Ranasinghe when he was just a seven year old kid from Trinity College. The boy loved the game so much, that although there were two sessions, one from 9 am to noon and another from 2-5 pm and the students were supposed to attend one or the other, Niroshan would go at 8 am and remain until 5 pm every Sunday.

He’s determined to make it, though. Speaking with him on cricket and life, one is convinced that he takes things seriously. Indeed even his emotional outbursts are planned. We’ll get to that later.

‘It was fun. I played with my friends. I remember being a poor eater as a boy. My father would give Harold Sir food and he would feed me. The coaches sometimes took me out and got me to eat.’

Perhaps it would help to frame Niroshan Dickwella’s story in terms of what to him is key: strength. It’s written in indelible ink on his mind, and that one-word script he’s expressed on his body.

He was made to play with older kids, those in the Under 13 and Under 15 categories, because the coaches realised he was talented.

Not surprisingly, he began playing interhouse matches at Trinity at a very early age,

representing Campbell House in the Under 10 tournament when just 8, eventually captaining the side and being selected to represent his school in the Under 13 tournament.

He became a wicket keeper by accident.

Apparently while playing for Trinity’s Under 13 team, the keeper fell ill and he had volunteered to don the gloves. That was it. He continued to keep wickets thereafter.

His big break came in 2008 when the school’s head coach, Sampath Perera watched him score over 70 runs against St Anthony’s College. The impressed coach asked him to come for First XI training.

‘I was in Grade 8 and still an Under 15 cricketer when I was first selected to the First XI team. The first match was against St Peter’s College as an opener. I got two golden ducks, dismissed first ball in both innings. In the first nine matches I scored just a single half-century and was dropped for the match against St Joseph’s College. I was relegated to the Second XI but didn’t perform well there either.’

The turn-around came on account of chance rather than dependable skills. Niroshan was not picked for the Vidyartha game initially but the vice captain, Mohammed Sajid had fallen sick. The team needed a left-hander and that’s how Niroshan got to play.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 91

‘I repeated the question. He said “Yeah, yeah, you have to go back; once you go to the SSC you’ll know what it’s all about.”’

Niroshan hadn’t even remembered that South Africa was touring Sri Lanka. He didn’t know that Sri Lanka had lost the Galle Test and that Dinesh Chandimal had been dropped.

‘My bags were on the way to Ireland. I had never travelled alone. I had to take the train from Newcastle to London. I had to run to catch the train. I got home, took part in training just for a day and played the match. ‘

‘I scored my maiden century in that match. I retained my place in the team. That season I scored over 500 runs including 42 in the Big Match. I was awarded college colours that year.’

Niroshan was appointed Under 17 captain and led Trinity to the league finals where they lost to St Joseph’s College. Senior cricket was however going to be his focus, naturally. In the 2009-10 season, he scored 900 runs.

‘The following year I was appointed vice captain. It was a fantastic year for Trinity. We scored 10 outright wins, a record in school cricket. We also won eight matches in a row, another record. I scored 900 runs even though I missed a few games because I was playing for the Sri Lanka 19 team.’

The next season, 2011-12 was even better for Trinity and Niroshan played a stellar role in his school’s success. He scored 1200 runs.

Trinity won 11 matches in a row, breaking the previous year’s records. They not only won the Big Match against St Anthony’s, but won the league, one-day and T-20 titles.

Niroshan’s contribution was remarkable and it was recognised by the young man being adjudged best fielder, best captain and schoolboy cricketer of the year by Dialog, Sunday Times (Bata) and Observer (Mobitel).

While still a schoolboy, Niroshan played for the NCC and was a regular member of the Under 21 team led by Angelo Perera. He was the best wicket-keeper in the schools and won a place in the Sri Lanka Under 19 team for the World Cup in Australia on that account. He played for the NCC in the Premier League and in the ODI tournament, scoring five centuries overall, three in the ODIs. In PAGE 92 | www.pulse.lk

fact he had the highest aggregate in the ODI tournament. He was duly selected to the Sri Lanka A team.

‘It was around that time that I realised my keeping was not up to standard. Hashan Tillekeratne told me I had to improve and that I would never play for Sri Lanka unless I did.

Indeed, I missed a crucial stumping chance against the West Indies A team and we lost that match. I was dropped for the game against New Zealand.

‘So I worked hard with the Cricket Board coaches Manoj Abeywickrema and Nuwan Seneviratne, who identified the flaws and helped me correct them. Prasanna Jayawardena also spoke to me and gave me some good pointers.’

Niroshan got his big break in 2014. He was with the A team, touring England at a time when the national team was hosting South Africa.

‘Seekkuge Prasanna was my roommate.

We were to leave for Ireland the following day. We slept late that night after a long practice session. We got a call in the morning.

Seekku picked up the phone. It was Jayantha Seneviratne. He said “Dikka, manager wants to meet you.” I was afraid since I was always mischievous and wondered if I had got into some trouble. I told Seekku to accompany me.

‘When the lift opened to the lobby I saw Jayantha Seneviratne in conversation with a selector. I murmured “prashnayak vage (looks like trouble),” but when I looked back, Seekku had taken to his heels. I went up to them and asked, “Sir, have I done anything wrong?” He said “Yeah, yeah, you have to go back home.”

Niroshan scored 72 runs in the first innings.

He snapped two catches and stumped J.P. Duminy off a Rangana Herath delivery and conceded just five byes in the entire match.

He remembers that match well.

‘I didn’t want to compete with anyone but myself. I wanted to prove myself. There was no pressure, I just played my natural game.’

He played four Tests and an ODI before being dropped a few months later. It was a sobering moment.

‘I realised the difference or rather the gap between domestic and international cricket.

By this time I had faced the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. I knew where I had to improve. I knew how important it was to get used to and read the conditions correctly. I knew it was important to read the bowler, read the situations and make the appropriate adjustments. I knew that there would be moments to take calculated risks. These are not necessarily things that can be taught.’

Niroshan played A Team and domestic cricket for a year in addition to a T-20 series in India where his performance was modest.

At the end of 2016, he was selected to tour Zimbabwe. The training, the thinking, and reflection paid dividends. Niroshan scored over 200 runs in the ODI triangular. He carried the good form to South Africa where he scored 147 runs in the 3-match T-20 series.

He was adjudged Man of the Series and Man of the Match in the last match. And although Sri Lanka were swept 5-0 in the ODI series, Niroshan scored two half-centuries.

On the strength of these performances, he was selected for the Tests against Bangladesh at home and scored 70 in the first match.

He’s played in all Tests since then and in all ODIs, and although dropped for the recently concluded Asia Cup in the UAE due to a

string of low scores in the domestic tournament, Niroshan was included in the squad following an injury to Dinesh Chandimal. However, he was not picked for either of the games Sri Lanka played.

There are, as always, unforgettable moments even in a career that’s only just beginning. For Niroshan, apart from the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards in South Africa, one of the more memorable moments was playing in Mahela Jayawardena’s final Test (against Pakistan in 2014).

‘It was incredible to play with a legend like Mahela. I was thinking, “only 10 could play with him on his final Test and I was one of them!”

That’s a memory!’

He also considers the victories over Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi very special moments. After all, that was the first time that any country scored a series win against Pakistan in the UAE. Looking back, Niroshan believes that the role played by his coach at Trinity was key.

‘Sampath Perera identified talent.

When I failed, he kept his faith in me.

He wanted Trinity to win the 2012 Big Match and we did, after 26 years. He is the one who sent me to the NCC. He made it possible for me to obtain the much-needed exposure.’

We said he was feisty. He’s had his run-ins with cricketers on the field, often with strong personalities. He believes that different oppositions and different situations call for adjustment in approach. He had an interesting take on sledging.

‘Well, it’s part of the story. If we step back, they pounce. I believe that if someone attacks, it is best to attack back. You won’t find me stepping back.’

When asked about his exchanges with big-name players such as Mohammed Shami, Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada, and Hassan Ali and whether he was doing this, i.e. responding to aggression, he denied.

‘No, normally I initiate. We had a bad situation against India in Kolkata. This was on the afternoon of the fifth day. I got in Shami’s face, so to speak. At first I wasn’t ready when he ran up. Then when I was ready, he stopped and turned. Then I pulled back. He spoke with the umpire. Kohli got involved. Kohli said ‘why the *&%^ aren’t you batting. Our skipper, Dinesh Chandimal was batting at the other end.

He took over. We needed to bat the day out to save the game. Time lost would help our cause. And we did manage to secure a draw!’

‘It had happened in South Africa too. I scored a few boundaries off Rabada and he was livid.

He came right up to me and stared. When he was going back, I ran up to him, passed him and blocked his way. He wanted me to get out of the way. I told him to go around me. There was physical contact. Of course I got demerit points and was suspended in Australia.

‘Anyway, it’s all on the field. After the match Kohli came to me and said it was good to be fierce and that we need to be tough and play hard on the field.’

Niroshan Dickwella is still young. It’s still early days, relatively speaking, in his career.

He knows he has a long way to go and many more things to learn.

‘I talk to the seniors in the team. I talk with some of the Indian players. I love the game.

I am utterly passionate about it. I do have plans. I know how important it is to work really, really hard. I have short-term and longterm targets of course, but I focus on getting better at everything I do.’

Niroshan, like most young cricketers, has role models. ‘Undoubtedly Adam Gilchrist and Kumar Sangakkara. Adam because of the way he keeps wickets. Kumar is from Kandy, is a Trinitian and also a left hand batsman who kept wickets. I played with him and of course I admire him immensely.’

Niroshan Dickwella sports his passion in every aspect of his persona. That’s evident even in his tattoos. Not surprisingly they allude to ‘strength’. Clearly, it is not just physical power that he focuses on. That too, but as much mental strength.

It’s all there for anyone to see.

He puts it simply: ‘serama elipita…kisima deyak hangala naha (it’s all out there for anyone to see; I have nothing to hide).’

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 93

Nimesha and Shamini

Mr and Mrs Nugawala

Rohan and Son

Mr and Mrs Senaratne

Christina

Nayan

Rajeev

Santhush

Dinesh and Dinesh

Stefan

Hwang

Jason

Ayomal

Michelle

Han

Shantha

Chandupa

Aravind

Upali

Sandra, Shermila and Ayomal

Sonali

Christina

Athaf

Galaxy S9 & S9+

Launch Reimagining the concept of smartphones, Samsung recently launched the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ here in Colombo

PAGE 94 | www.pulse.lk

LOCATION: 32, 01 B, Dr. Lester James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 4 OPEN FROM: Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm Sunday 12 – 6 pm CUISINES: Japanese PRICE RANGE Rs. 1500-2500

KIKU COLOMBO KIKU Colombo is creating quite a buzz and when we visited it was obvious why! First off the café was easy to find: you take the stairs adjoining the Shirohana Romantico flower shop and open the door to an absolutely charming setting.

KIKU Colombo was established with the aim to promote horticulture, quite apparent with the pastel shades and the theme of flora and fauna they have going on. Their objective is to form an inventive space and workshop studio so that customers can visit and engage in all things creative.

They offer unlimited refills of detox water and provide cute little favours with their dishes. There’s soothing music playing in the background and operate a KIKU store which sells little knick-knacks like stationery, toiletries and even classic records.

Our experience at KIKU was amazing and their staff are very accommodating and friendly. The place has a laid back yet professional vibe.

They have a very extensive beverage menu ranging from garden sodas to your basic hot beverages and even green tea cold pressed juices. We had the Lemon Tea with Fresh Cucumber (LKR 450) from the garden soda range – a super refreshing drink with a strong

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

PAGE 96 | www.pulse.lk

taste of bitter lemon which worked well when paired with the cucumber. If you are looking for a sweeter option though, we recommend the green tea cold pressed juices.

The Apple and Lime (LKR 480) green tea cold pressed juice got the apple to lime ratio just right and was our favourite beverage. We also had their Cappuccino (LKR 500) which was strong and came with a complimentary bretzeli, a crispy Swiss cookie (the favours change frequently to keep things interesting).

Of the mains we tried, the best was the Chicken Katsu Sando (LKR 950) which had perfectly fried chicken, mayo, and a hefty serving of shredded cabbage served on toasted sourdough (you can also ask for Brioche). This comes with a side of lotus root, radish topped off with sesame seeds, and mayu oil.

The Cucumber Salad with Miso Soup, (LKR 990) a refreshing and pretty cucumber treat topped with sesame seeds, edible flowers and chopped cashew is guaranteed to fill you up. Accompanying this crunchy delicacy are a sticky and flavourful garlic rice and miso soup.

We also tried Bagels are hard to come by in Sri Lanka so we tried out both the savoury and sweet options they had to offer (The Teriyaki Chicken Bagel - LKR 950 and Kinako and Cinnamon Bagel – LKR 950). While the ingredients in the savoury option worked well, we did find the bagel somewhat chewy. The sweet bagel could also have been softer on the inside, but the caramelised bananas and roasted soybean flour were given an extra oomph by the yummy cinnamon cream.

Our heartiest congratulations to Racing Champion Ashan Silva, whose superior skills and supreme determination allowed him to dominate all eight gravel races held in 2018, setting a national record and becoming the Grand Champion of gravel tracks in Sri Lanka, on MAXXIS Tyres.

LOCATION: No. 07, Havelock Place, Colombo 05 OPEN FROM: 7am – 10pm (weekdays) 8am – 10pm (weekends) CUISINES: Western/Healthy PRICE RANGE Rs. 500-1500

CALORIE COUNTER What we had Walking into the new Calorie Counter outlet, we were greeted by hospitable staff and the familiar Calorie Counter interiors. Since this outlet is relatively new, we were pretty much the only people inside; making us feel right at home!

The best thing about Calorie Counter is the nutrition stats they offer against their dishes – so you know exactly what your intake is.

Of their drinks, we tried the Berry Blaze (LKR 660) which was a super light, tangy and refreshing beverage made of strawberries and apples. The Kickstarter (LKR 690) as the name suggest, is designed to get your body into gear and is a thick alkaline drink that includes mango, raspberry, curd, milk, honey and thambili Our mains were the Mediterranean Chicken Wrap (LKR 350) and Grilled Chicken Sandwich (LKR 600). The wrap was well worth the price - a fresh and delicious offering of two Atta wraps with chicken with a hint of lemon, coriander and tomato. The sandwich was enormous with layers of colourful ingredients like avocado, cabbage, lettuce, pomegranate, tomato and green apple; incredibly, no single flavour overpowers the other and it was perfection. We also tried the Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken (LKR 850) which was my favourite dish; the moist and yummy chicken was accompanied by a pineapple and watermelon salsa, couscous and steamed veggies. This is a must-try if you visit Calorie Counter.

Calorie Counter also does a solid version of Shakshuka (LKR 900) which combined a tangy and sweet tomato puree with creamy poached eggs and spicy green chillies.

We also tried the Banana and Strawberry Granola Parfait with Almond Butter and Creamy Curd (LKR 450) which unfortunately was rather bland with soggy Granola and not-quite-fresh fruit. The Fruity Curd (LKR 340) is made of strawberries, grapes, mango and almond, which complemented the curd well but this dish too was spoilt by soggy Granola.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

PAGE 98 | www.pulse.lk

LOCATION: 30/6 Col TG Jayawardena Mawatha, Colombo 03 OPEN FROM: Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm CUISINES: Multicuisine PRICE RANGE Rs. 1500-2500

HOLYBELLY

Holybelly was a pleasant surprise - from its minimalistic decor to the presentation of their dishes, and even its somewhat hidden away location. The family friendly restaurant has a kids’ area along with a special kids’ menu. The service is attentive and accommodating and the staff make you feel right at home.

Drinks Their fresh blends menu immediately caught our attention and we tried the Immunity Kick (LKR 490) consisting of orange, apple and carrot – a great balance of all three ingredients, the Liver Tonic (LKR 490) which tasted very earthy with the beetroot overpowering the celery, pineapple, carrot and orange, and the Choc Banana Split (LKR 590) a lovely creamy combo of banana, chocolate, low-fat milk, ice cream and sorbet.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

PAGE 100 | www.pulse.lk

For appetizers, we tried the Nachos (LKR 720) a winning dish packed with mushrooms, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, garlic, caramelised onions, avocado, salsa, rocket leaves, herbs and plenty of mozzarella. The Salmon Salad with Thai Dressing (LKR 1250) was as fresh and beautiful to look at as it was to eat.

From the mains menu, we tried the Mutton and Chick Pea Curry with Buttery Couscous (LKR 1200) which was easily our favourite. The tender mutton and curried chickpeas topped with coriander combined for an explosion of favours. We also tried the Herb Chicken with Mash (LKR 750) which tasted fine if not for some burnt garlic topping the dish. The chicken was accompanied by a lumpy mash (not good) and a green salad (very good).

We also tried the Meat Lover Omelette (LKR 960) off their All Day Breakfast Menu served from 8am – 6pm. It was exactly as described: eggs with bacon, ham, sausage and cheese served with white bread. Good, but somewhat expensive for an omelette.

Our Dessert was Pancake with Banana, Nutella and Ice Cream (LKR 650), a delectable looking stack of three pancakes sandwiched with Nutella, topped off with bananas, maple syrup and chopped almonds. The ice cream was not even necessary but my sweet tooth loved it.

LOCATION: 63, Park Street, Colombo 2 OPEN FROM: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am – 2 am CUISINES: Irish PRICE RANGE Rs. 2500-3500

THE IRISH BAR AND GRILL

The Irish is a new pub that adjoins Colombo’s busy Park Street nightlife precinct. The space has a nice pub vibe going on with dim mood lighting and plenty of space both indoors and outdoors. The service staff at the Irish are always switched on and excel at tending to their customers’ needs; their chef is from New York and his experience was apparent in the fusion of flavours and presentation of dishes.

We ordered the Kufta Paddy Balls (LKR 750) an absolute winner of a dish which did what a perfect appetizer should – get my mouth and tummy working overtime. This dish consists of a meatball enveloped in mashed potato, cheese and herbs, which is then deep fried and decorated with dollops of chilli pesto, and served with a homemade dip. A must-try if you visit.

The Irish offers an extensive bar menu inclusive of all varieties of liquor, cocktails and mocktails. All cocktails are priced at (LKR 1200) and we chose the Cosmopolitan, which apparently is their most popular. Not too vodka-heavy, this Cosmo was lovely and fruity.

Of their mains, we tried the Irish Beef Stew (LKR 1550) an aromatic stew of juicy and tender beef, with its only flaw being that some of the vegetables were overcooked. It’s accompanied by a choice of bread rolls or rice and we recommend the bread because that’s the right carb for scooping up the tasty stew.

RATING Read the full review on pulse.lk

We also had their Pizzaria (Pollo) (LKR 1750) which had a yummy tropical topping that included chicken, bell pepper, pineapple and onions. The Irish does a mean pizza dough and we loved it!

For dessert, we tried the New York Cheesecake (LKR 650) which we devoured despite the base falling short of our expectations. The fruity blueberry coulis was flavoursome and the rich cheesecake was dense and creamy with just a hint of orange.

The downside was the super soft base which we would have preferred to be more crumbly and crunchy.

Nathasha Fernando

Pulse Offmarks Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018 PAGE 106 | www.pulse.lk

Nathasha Fernando, our beautiful Pulse Offmarks Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018, heads to the Philippines next month to contest in Miss Earth 2018 – one of the coveted Big Four International Pageants. But how exactly did she start her journey from a contestant with no previous experience to the titleholder she is today?

Q. What made you apply for Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018?

A. I’ve always liked modelling; I used to dress up and practice walking at home when I was younger, but never got involved professionally since I was focusing on my studies. I happened to be at home, after two years of my degree, when I stumbled across Pulse’s Instagram post about the pageant. I showed my mum and she told me I should give it a try - so I applied!

Q. Being your first modelling experience, did you find the Pageant very challenging?

A. Well, all of us had to work really hard.

For example, at CrossFit Ceylon, we were encouraged to take care of our bodies, pushing all boundaries, and it is quite motivational to know that we could and did so. With the legendary Brian Kerkoven’s help, we learned how to walk for the Pageant and which techniques to use. This was completely new to me. It was challenging, but I enjoyed each moment and learned a lot in the process.

Q. Have you discovered more about yourself during the course of Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018?

thoughts on this issue. In itself, this was a very reflective process for me and I was able to think of ways I could actually make a difference in the community. I personally focused on marine eco-systems and coastal areas. The island suffers greatly from coastal degradation and distressed marine life. As an environmental ambassador in Sri Lanka, I plan to address these issues as soon as I return from the international pageant, Miss Earth 2018.

Q. Are you thinking of starting any other projects once you return?

A. I have actually come up with an idea for a project that is pretty close to my heart.

Thanks to my mum, I never had to experience this first-hand since she taught me a lot about being a strong woman, but much of our younger generation lacks confidence, and tend to go down the wrong paths in life.

This pageant gave me a public platform, and I plan to create a project to address this issue.

Now, I can be someone who can influence a wider audience - someone who can reach out better.

Q. Are you ready to contend for Miss Earth 2018?

A. I’m nervous since I’ll be up against 79 other contenders but I’m also excited to meet them and learn new things. I’ve always been a confident person who wants to push herself beyond her comfort zone so both the local and international pageants are helping me be who I really am in that aspect.

Q. Who have your biggest supporters been during Miss Sri Lanka Earth 2018?

A. Definitely my family and friends, but also the team at Pulse. They did a great job in organising this and we never felt out of place during the course of the pageant.

Q. What would you say to the future applicants of Miss Sri Lanka Earth?

A. This pageant isn’t like the others. It is not just about making a beauty queen but dealing with the responsibility of being an environmental ambassador. So it’s not just about the looks; you need to have the confidence and dedication to carry out your duties and most importantly love your environment dearly.

A. Of course! I’ve learned how to maintain my confidence. It was a constant reminder that in a beauty pageant, everyone’s eyes are on us and everyone is looking up to us regardless of whether we win or not, so we all learnt more about building on inner thoughts and behaviour and to be as positively influential as we could possibly be. I also learnt how to handle myself while working with a team of eight strangers, who are now very much like best friends to me.

Q. Did you find yourself becoming more environmentally conscious as you began this journey?

A. We were each asked to share our personal

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 107

IIT Fashion Show Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) recently launched Sri Lanka’s first fashion-oriented Masters’ programme with the introduction of the MA in Fashion Business Management from the University of Westminster, UK.

PAGE 108 | www.pulse.lk

Darshi

Kamil

Gerald

Brian

Nadiya

Ramona

Charini

Danu

Lathika

Dhananjaya

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 109

Shanuki

Menaka

Aaliyah

Sabrina

Junia

Tarja

Sarath

Desiree

Parami

Kinita

Ayesh

Salome

Pimms o’Clock! at GFH In celebration of the first crate of Pimms ever exported from the British Empire, The Galle Face Hotel held Pimms o’Clock!

Hypnotik

PAGE 110 | www.pulse.lk

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

T A H W S N E P P A H E H T IN . . . .

E L G JUN

mbuk en - Ku e r G g Goin

aris een Suw

By Sharl

Imagine this - you’re surrounded by endless forest, day and night. Completely cut off from civilisation, you have no choice but to become immersed in the sounds of the jungle: the constant whisper of leaves rustling in the breeze, birds singing sweetly and an echoing stillness, occasionally interrupted by the call of raucous hornbills, screaming monkeys or the call of a deer.

Staring out at the wild stretching out before you, everything seems calm and peaceful - deceptively so, because you never know what might happen next. A leopard you’ve been stalking all day might just turn up in front of your bungalow. An eagle might dive from the skies and resurface with a fish in its grasp. You might chance upon a peacock engaging in a colourful dance. Antlers locked, a fully-fledged fight might suddenly break out

PAGE 112 | www.pulse.lk

among two deer in a peacefully grazing herd.

You might just find a scorpion lurking in your bag. An elephant may emerge from among the trees, or a crocodile might leap at a bird that’s scouring the water for food. Then, as the day progresses, and the nearly scorching sun begins to set, it sheds a different light on the surroundings, colouring everything in a different hue.

Night begins to fall, and you can sense the level of activity increasing. If you listen closely, you might hear the sounds of a bear scuffling in the undergrowth, the growl of a leopard, or if you’re exceptionally lucky, witness an elephant in your backyard.

These are just a few things that could happen when you stay inside any of Sri Lanka’s glorious national parks.

pattu

il Vila, W

I’ve been exploring our national par ks since I was four - and I’ve got to say thin gs have changed immensely since I’ve first been there.

True, there’s been some change for the better, but a strange culture has built up around the parks. ‘The leopard rush’ has become a disturbing phenomenon, with so many vehicles rushing around in the hop e of a rare sighting of the ‘panthera pardus kotiya’ - the sub-species unique to Sri Lanka.

But there’s so much more our wild life sanctuaries have to offer. We’re refu sing to look at the bigger picture, and pus hing away the sheer beauty and majesty of natural habitats that have been preserv ed for years.

A lot of this can be prevented thro ugh training drivers, limiting entry (wh ich happens to a certain extent), enf orcing rules and allowing no exceptions, but change also begins a person at a time.

So I encourage you to slow dow n, and stop and bask in the wonder, dive rsity and excitement that our jungles pro vide - and pay attention to the little things, for you never know what you might find.

BOOKING 101

far easier than it used Booking a bungalow is process, visiting the to be. It was a painstaking Battaramulla the first Wildlife Department in e old-fashioned way week of every month. Th number you drew was to pick lots - and the ok, so it’s irrelevant decided your turn to bo just a matter of luck. how early you turn up, it’s Wildlife Circuit Now, however, a lot of the ed online. Just visit bungalows can be book lk, and a pretty https://dwc.lankagate.gov. grabs. But be mindful affordable stay is up for least two months that you need to book at u get the exact dates beforehand, to ensure yo you want.

Sauntering thro

ugh - Sri Lankan Leop

ard, Yala

lowed for oking is usually al #note: a typical bo a total of ten ree days, and for a maximum of th room you’ve got enough people. Make sure u enter yo ce - because on gh ou th er ck tra for a all times. ld be with you at the park, he shou

D #1 LIFE, UNPLUGGEWith no THE JUN

GLE CHE

CKLIST

Jeep with fully functional 4W D Reservation Pe Handwash, tis rmit & Receip sues, toilet pap t Plenty of water er Torches Lots of food an An ice box or d snacks two, and plen Comfortable ty of ice Sheets and pill clothes - avoid owcases, and bright colours Toiletries, obvi spare pillows C amera ously Caps/hats/su First aid kit nglasses Spare batterie Spare petrol/d s, fully charged iesel power banks Citronella oil/ Toolbox mosquito rep ellent Scar fs/surgical Penknife masks in case of dusty roads Tent Nets and mosquito coils Garbage bags Tow rope #note: the w ildlife bungal ows come eq provide all th uipped with e necessary in a cook, but yo gredients. So don’t forget yo u have to draw up a men ur spices and u for each day other essenti , and als!

ital detoxes.

Forget expensive dig internet, limited shops within miles, no d only solar/battery phone connectivity an y, a holiday like this power to light the wa , taking you far away is the perfect escape mplications of the from the mundane co everyday. about making do If you do it right, it’s all s. Simple meals, with the bare essential no connections at basic necessities and le you’re with. Go all, except for the peop s d connect with what’ back to your roots, an ture intended. around you, just as na

Looking fo Sri Lanka xy n Jackal, Wilpattu

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 113

#2 A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Frankly it’s refreshing when you’re away from it all. Stressed with problems at work?

Worried about what the future holds?

Spending some time in the jungle will definitely put things in a new perspective, because when you’re in there, everything’s beyond your control - so you’ve no choice but to let things go, and live in the moment.

#3 A SENSE OF ADVENTURE

The jungle life is not for the faint of heart: anything could happen. There’s a feeling of adventure in the air, and you’ll feel it the moment you enter through the park gates.

Discover more of your wild side, as you travel across rough terrain, with continuous exposure to the elements, in close proximity to wild animals. You could end up being stranded in the mud, drenched in a torrential downpour, or in a cloud of dust - and some rather intimidating situations. Just make sure you keep calm and don’t panic - and indulge in the thrill and exhilaration of the chase. #safetyfirst: there’s always a risk of some creepy-crawly venturing into your things. So keep your bags zipped tight at all times, and store things in transparent airtight boxes where possible.

A view from m y bed Sunset, Wilpat tu

to Wilpattu, #lifehack: if you’re going market for stop by the Puttalam fish You’ll have all your seafood supplies. it’s Yala, try fresher fare that way. If for some the Udawalawe reservoir ’. wholesome ‘vavu maalu

E

ERS OF TH #4 CLOSE ENCOUNT ANIMAL KIND

ive bunch, als are rather an evas im an e th ile wh , lly ua Us rious across particularly cu you’re bound to come t you as you to know as much abou creatures, who want them. want to know about He found met not too long ago.

Consider the bear we on our jeep resorting to climbing g uin rig int r he rat us tyres, d-covered plates and mu r ou at ng bli ab scr bonnet, down, before to an acrobatic show and then treating us o the jungle. disappearing back int

venile razzi! - Ju the papa ’s u it , tt o a n Oh agle, Wilp Serpent E

p action Some bear on jee ar, Yala Sri Lankan Sloth Be

#5 A JUNGLE POW-WOW

Every time you com e back from a jungle excursion , there’s always something new to share. Armed with tales that defy the wildest imagination, which induce awe, wonder, horror, fear, laughter, and good vibes all arou nd, you’ll never lac k for conversation m aterial.

#6 STARRY, STARR Y NIGHTS There’s nothing m ore magical than gazing up at the sta r-studded skies and seeing them fal l from the skies in their numbers. Bein g far away from the city lights and smog, there’s no better place to obse rve the majesty of a clearly visible night sky, and experiencing a met eor shower in its full glory will undo ubtedly stay etched in your memory fo r life.

#note: When yo u stay at one of the bungalows in the park, you still have to adhe re to the times - start your mor ning exit at 6.00am, and retu rn by 6.30pm with lights off by 10.00pm.

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Colour me amazed a an m Ku r, te Ea Green Bee

iental Turning red - Or ilpattu W d, ar Liz en Gard

k

king in the Par

A Guide to Par

crowds encounter big tly en qu fre e w Since given vehicles at any and countless an ideal in the follow g is , ot sp n io at rv ngle: obse follow in the ju to n io at tu si g parkin

NO PARKING

View Angle

NO PARKING

#2

#1

#3

#4

#5 NO PARKING

#9

#8

Wait in line till #4 - #5 move out

rking’ Zones, and let Try to avoid the ‘No Pa ce too. 3 minutes per the others have a chan mb vehicle is the rule of thu

Wait in line till #1 - #3 move out

#7

#6

NO PARKING

#8 A BUZZING NIGH T

-LIFE

PRACTICE C.A.R.E.

When the sun goes do wn is when the party

There’s no better place to be mindful than out in nature - and experiences are always best when they’re shared.

Compromise - try and make some space, and give the other visitors a chance to see the animals too.

Awareness - focus on your surroundings, try not to rush - you might just hit an animal on your way to see another. Try not to invade an animal’s personal space to get that perfect shot - you might frighten it or annoy it - and drive it back into the forest, which could ruin the experience for everyone else.

truly begins.

Possibly the best part about staying inside any of the national parks is the nig ht-life. This is when th e animals are most active, so stay ale rt, because you neve r know who might turn up at your front door.

Watch in wonder as leo pards roam by the fro nt path, bears scrabble about amon g the fallen leaves, an d ele phants walk nonchalantly pa st your bed. If you he ar a growl in the dead of night, don’t be alarmed - it’s probably just a nearby leopard wandering aro und.

Responsible - dispose of your waste responsibly (pollution is a big issue here - we still pick up plastic bags occasionally). Also make sure your safety is a priority at all times.

Enjoy - and most of all, enjoy the experience!

HOTOS

#7 INSTA-WORTHY P

by you’ll be surrounded Everywhere you look, cent ke sure you take a de amazing views. So ma whatever for dy rea e keep it at th d an u yo th wi ra me ca y. might come your wa y post them immediatel You won’t be able to get tivity), but once you do (remember, no connec re to jungle vibes, you’re su back with a feed full of finitely , and those likes will de generate a lot of hype keep flowing in.

#note: make sure yo u study up a bit before you go. There are ample books available on birds an d mammals in Sri Lanka, and it’s alw ays good to learn what’s hot and what’s not.

Majestic m arvel - Sri La nkan Elephant, W ilpattu

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 115

D WARDE out E R , E C N h #9 PATIEou can travel for hoursithwmit ost

es y ut as w Sometim hting - b ig when s le g sin s turn up g in th seeing a t s e life, the b things in . it t c t expe you leas around, you look re o m e h T low. mething e things s iscover so d Try to tak to ly e k - you you’re li the trees t a k the more o lo r ic species ke a close or endem re ra y special. Ta rl la u ches. ot a partic ging bran n might sp a rh e v o on the perched caution and with ly w lo s l ence, ima your pres h any an c a to ro d p e s p u A e we did on becom d don’t do what o s l ’l y e - th h, an lly sound aturally. O accidenta d n and act n a t, n exciteme in a fit of pard! near a leo your horn

Stop and stare Sp

otted Deer, Wilp #note: if you stay attu in the Warahana bu ng can bathe in the alow in Yala, you river nearby - bu t don’t ever try it villu. You never in a know what coul d be lurking insid e.

F WILPATTU O R E D N O W Wilpattu lately THE y surrounding

#10 DIVERSITY AN D

RARITY

Sri Lanka’s nationa l parks are widely un derrated. For a tiny island nation, we are truly blesse d, for our forests boast of some of th e most unique reso urces that the world has to off er. All year round, th ere’s always something to see - and with endemic sp ecies and a host of migratory bi rds around every co rner, our parks are undoubtedly a little piece of paradi se on earth.

A JUNG

LE D

IARY It’s impo rtant to know th year you ically. trovers at no m visit the e news period ite a lot of con u th q in n p ee u atter wh b g s in e’ p parks, y But in c Ther ion crop at at time st re o o a ef u’ll find d s f e o s n y of the io o at u ic d ’r s e o al m lo n a with in io e o at li n t k t t hing un tle guid ing for s ’s larges ka n La i iq e o Sr ue. t m ’s o it , ething s get you kes’ a pecific, going: the ‘Land of La Composed of s. as ie rly ec la u sp p e o h Y lif p ere’s ala - Ma Known i Lanka’s wild as varying rch to O e to most of Sr ural lakes, it h ctober at n w W lo al il en sh p p park, and hom ., o attu - M s, s, i.e ps, scrubland ay to ea of over 50 villu Here, th s, rocky outcro rly Sept e. ke unique system lif la l ild ra w u f at o n e water g g ember in in er d ff u o cl in se ts er iv le ita d a ab v h e a l e d ra n vi ls u imals m are star nat hich pro w st re fo a ting to re y se c en ome ou dd duce an t to exp grasslands an part of its is e ur d at n o ed sed lake untapp Yala and y el rg a la s to drin te its , ui q la Ya so al W as ’s ar it il , ul p p ce k. o n attu - M as p nifica The palu ay, June Although not habitats. d historical sig en an p l o ra e t ltu id re w cu a d e ys nd July an s bear fr it enjo out to fe k forest cover uit, and charm. While ast. explore its thic t to h ce e n ie sloth be er p ars vent wondrous ex find elephants t h ig m ure u yo Birdlife e villus, so th t, k irs o th rlo r N ei ve o th o s g v w in o e al ch m g n en u u b b q er to Ap Plenty o Most of the d of wild boar ril f migran aters, or a her st. w fa r ak ei t re th s b r t in pay a vis u h g yo e in m re o bath fr ’s r fa le o it aroun ss rainfa g to venture to d this tim ll. without havin e, and Sinhara ja Rainfo rest - Au to early gust to April Roller, Wilpattu Septem True blue - Indian ber / Jan Minner uary iya - July t o Experie Che nce Asia September win ’s larges 300 or 4 g on t ‘elepha 00 elep a nt ga h Sam s ants con bar tick - Sr gregatin thering’, with o Dee i La v g at a g nka r, Ya iven tim er n la e.

For more pictures, check out: @sharleen.nsuwaris PAGE 116 | www.pulse.lk

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Shangri-La Launches

Connect Connect is Shangri-La’s newest venture; a swanky work space that fosters meeting and creating.

Nilu

Sajjad

Kyle

PAGE 118 | www.pulse.lk

Renusha

Tim

Reza

Sabrinah

Mahika

Dhinuska

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 119

Nathasha

Arunika

Piyumal

Yameesha

Prisca

PAGE 120 | www.pulse.lk

Thilini

Nelum

Prithi

Nethra

Nadeepa

Nicola

Stephanie

Ramani

Gayani

Jake

Chula

Mithma

Anuththara

Mr International Sri Lanka and

Miss Grand Sri Lanka for Miss Grand International

2018

The crowning of 2018’s Mr International Sri Lanka and Miss Grand Sri Lanka unfolded at a glamorous event held at the Waters Edge Hotel

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 121

Lucky

PAGE 122 | www.pulse.lk

Nelum

Ayesh

Thiyasha

De Fonseka family

Tiesh

in Kandy Tiesh recently unveiled its new showroom in Kandy. At 27,000 square feet in size the Tiesh showroom in Kandy goes on record as Sri Lanka’s largest gem and jewellery emporium under one roof.

PAGE 124 | www.pulse.lk

Life of Pie

Through the month of October, all Sugar Bistros located at Crescat, Odel and Galle Fort will present the month-long Life of Pie promotion, featuring 10 contemporary variations of pie that pay homage to classic western and local flavors. Follow SugarBistro on social media to find out more!

MORE INFO: +94 112 446 229

Dubai the melting pot of the gulf

Dubai is best described as an attention seeking over-achiever that doesn’t shy away from ambition - a meticulously and expensively crafted tourist mecca and business hub that has sprouted from the dessert over the last two decades. Everywhere you look, Dubai offers something that’s described as the largest, tallest or greatest. It’s a city that’s full of life and is truly the cosmopolitan heart of the Gulf.

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FOR EXPERIENCING THE OLD AND THE NEW The ‘Burj Khalifa’ is the ultimate symbol of everything Dubai stands for – ambition, glamour and extravagance. Offering a view of the city like no other, the tallest building in the world gives visitors a glimpse of how much the city has changed over the last few years. Try to time your visit to the Burj Khalifa so that you watch the sunset and catch the Dubai Dancing Fountains at night. And then there is the ‘Burj Al Arab’ majestically standing mid-sea with its unique structure and lavish interiors, and the Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island in the shape of a palm tree which hosts the Atlantis resort.

Uniquely contrasting with the new Dubai is the Old Quarter of the emirate which is a window into the rich Arabic culture of the locals. A popular historic attraction is the Dubai Museum.

Located inside Al Fahidi Fort, one of Dubai’s oldest structures, the museum is home to important artifacts and inspiring stories that make up the city’s modest roots. Bastakiya is also one of the go-to places for a trip to the olden times. It is most known for its wind towers designed to provide air conditioning in the dry city in the past. It has now been transformed to house several art galleries.

The Dubai Creek is deeply intertwined with Dubai’s trading history and is a must visit in Old Dubai. Tourists can traverse the creek by taking a short ride in an old wooden boat called an Abra or a night-time dhow ride complete with a traditional dinner.

If you can fit it into your itinerary, you should schedule a visit to the neighbouring emirate Abu Dhabi. The capital of the UAE offers many sights – The Grand Mosque and the Palace are must-see cultural sights while among the newer, more exciting offerings are the Louvre Museum, Ferrari World and the Yas Waterpark.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 127

For shopping Being tax-free has its rewards. Dubai offers a shopping experience like no other. From global brands to unique finds, the city’s shopping scene is one good reason enough to visit this glamorous side of the world.

Souks, which means ‘market’ in Arabic, thrive in the area. There are dedicated souks for almost anything, although spices and gold are the most popular. The Spice Souk offers a variety of different herbs and spices while the Gold Souk provides unbeatable deals on its fine-crafted jewelry. The city is where you will find the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world. Apart from shops and restaurants, the Dubai Mall houses a towering aquarium, a huge ice rink, and an indoor amusement centre.

Dubai also hosts a number of shopping festivals. The first and most prestigious of them is the Dubai Shopping Festival, held during the month of January. The festival is famous for its huge discounts and incomparable bargains. The second one, Dubai Summer Surprises, takes place every summer. It offers drop-down rates for

a plethora of items. The third festival is the GITEX; a technology-themed exposition held every October. It offers gadget bargains and package deals exclusively available only in the said event.

For entertainment and adventure On cloud nine...

If sky diving has always been on your bucket list, get ready to tick it off for Dubai is known to many adrenaline junkies as a haven for sky diving. Who wouldn’t want to dive amid the grandeur of the Palm Jumeirah and the views of the Dubai Marina?

On the ground...

You can experience the world-renowned Dubai Desert Safari. Activities include dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding and you can even get a henna tattoo to document your experiences. Cap off your evening with belly dancing, barbecue, and shisha.

In the water...

Feast your eyes on the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, the largest suspended aquarium in the world. It is home to

thousands of sea creatures, including the biggest collection of tiger sharks yet.

The Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark is another must visit; rides, slides, and so much more await you at the best waterpark in Dubai. The Aquaventure Waterpark is situated on the prestigious The Palm, the world’s largest man-made island. The Wild Wadi Water Park is another popular waterpark.

Even on ice..

Go skiing at Ski Dubai. Take a tour of the Mall of the Emirates and visit the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort. Ski Dubai offers yearround snow right in the desert city, with the ambiance perfect for skiing, snowboarding or simply playing in the snow.

And if theme parks are your thing...

The IMG world of adventure is one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks and among its five epic zones are the Marvel and Cartoon Network zones. Dubai Parks and Resorts about an hour’s drive away from the city offers four theme parks - Lego land, Legoland Waterpark, Motiongate and

Bollywood. Global village is yet another theme park which has street bazaar styled shops themed along countries from around the world.

For gastronomic pleasures Dubai is dubbed as a melting pot of cultures with good reason - nationalities from around the world reside in the city and have brought with them their own cultural treasures, especially influencing the food scene of Dubai. Visitors and locals alike are spoilt with an array of cuisine that caters to any palate.

While there, you must have at least one authentic Middle Eastern meal, replete with aromatic spices and perfectly marinated meats.

If you’re in the mood to splurge, enjoy exquisite fine dining at Dubai’s many fantastic restaurants, chief among them Pierchic, Nobu, Rhodes W1 by Gary Rhodes, Zuma, Bread street kitchen by Gordon Ramsey, At.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa and Table 9 at the Hilton Dubai Creek.

For those on a budget, there are plenty of street food offerings, vast food courts and every imaginable fast-food chain.

For relaxation For a quick escape from the fast-paced lifestyle of Dubai, head over to the city’s wellknown beaches, with most of them accessible by public transport. Some of the go-to shores include:

Kite Beach Activities in the area include kitesurfing and stand-up paddling. The beach also offers a fantastic view of the Burj Al Arab.

Sunset Beach Located near Kite Beach, this beach offers a good view of the Arabian Gulf. It is a recommended venue for people looking for a quiet place to just lounge under the sun while reading a good book.

Jumeirah Open Beach The open area is suitable for strolling, jogging and sunbathing. Visitors and residents alike go here for a simple day out at the beach.

There’s a reason why holiday makers that flock to Dubai always return for more. It is a city that offers something for everyone and constantly refreshes its offering with fantastic new firsts. It’s the ultimate all in one experience and the perfect short-break!

Mรถvenpick

Wedding Show A brand-new intimate concept in the city, Mรถvenpick recently launched Mรถvenpick Weddings.

Ramona

Rosy

Sammani and Shah

Roshani, Charith and Ayodya

Anushka, Jacqui and Nelum

PAGE 130 | www.pulse.lk

Janine

Michael

Sammani, Shah and Rosy

Janine, Sonali and Surangi

Tasneem

Thushara and Darshi

Christina

Indrajith

Irina

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 131

Zudhora Sri Lankan designer wear celebrated in the global arena

If you’ve heard of Zudhora, you’ll know that it is one of the finest concept fashion stores with two distinct identities. We had a word with the inspiring ladies behind it all, designers Ramona Oshini and Charini Suriyage.

PAGE 132 | www.pulse.lk

Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your backgrounds I read for my bachelors at the University of Moratuwa specialising in fashion and then read for my Masters at London College of Fashion in design management. My ready-to-wear brand, was launched at Colombo Fashion Week in 2009. Moving on to the international fashion arena I launched my lingerie brand CHARINI at London Fashion Week in 2011. The brand has continuously participated at the London Fashion Week Esthetica platform with the sustainable lingerie brand which was retailed with online retailers ASOS and YOOX.

After my education in Fashion at the London College of Fashion & University College of Creative Arts, Kent, I launched my first collection at Colombo Fashion Week 2010. This resulted in my collection being retailed at Dilly’s Flagship store and Melache. Since then I have been a part of CFW for 8 years. I have also taken part in Asian Fashion Week 2014. My interest in retail and passion to uplift the industry and local talent leaded the way in the creation of Zudhora, together with my business partner and friend, Charini in 2015.

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When did each of you first get into this industry?

Ramona: Following my return to Sri Lanka, I had a three and a half year stint at the design sector of MAS. I was a lingerie designer and accounted for brands such as M&S and BHS.

Charini: I started my career with MAS Holdings while I was studying for my final year at uni. I worked at MAS for 13 years and was heading design for the Intimates cluster as the General Manager of Design while doing a few secondments in the US and UK.

How did this collaboration begin?

The two of us have been work colleagues and friends from our MAS days. We have known each other for eight years even before Zudhora. It is our passion for this industry, together with our drive and goals which led to this. We also have a lot in common, so it made sense to do something special with our shared interests.

What unique elements do each of you bring to the table?

Individually, both of us are quite different. We work together on each project be it an event or a product launch etc, but we have our main focus areas which we are accountable for. For instance, Ramona handles the creative part of the company and I handle operations for the company. We discuss everything and decide together so that both of us agree on important calls. Another important point is that we have mastered the art of keeping our friendship aside when we work together so that we still can be professional about work-related decisions.

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What is the Zudhora aesthetic?

It is simply about the real feel of luxe. One-of-a-kind creations that fuse Sri Lankan culture with artistic elements. This is all kept in line with international trends so our clients have the chance to celebrate Sri Lankan fashion.

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 135

Is

there a story behind the name?

We used to work on long hours when we were planning everything for ZUDHORA. When we were not happy with the English or Sinhala names we had moved to French and Spanish names. I was dozing off on our couch at home while working with Ramona, when she came up with the name ZUDHORA! After going through thousands of names, we both knew that was the right name the moment we heard it.

Any challenges you two have had to face?

Ramona: There is never a day without a challenge.

We strive to get people to buy Sri Lankan designer wear for its uniqueness which is celebrated internationally. We also have to ensure that designers are consistent with their quality and frequency of collections.

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Charini: Every day is a challenge and people like us thrive in it I guess. Challenges keep us on our toes. Retailing high end fashion is not an easy game. Especially with the changing dynamics in the retail industry, we have to offer something unique with the best value to the clients.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

Any words for those who aspire to get into this industry?

Ramona: This is one of the most cut-throat industries.

We must move forward if we want to be relevant in the international arena. It is all about breaking the boundaries and finding your mark. Free time is precious, you will hardly have any, but it pays off when you dress your clients and they look spectacular in your creations.

Ramona: My inspirations have changed constantly. As a student it was always Versace, Alexander McQueen and Valentino. But as of now I’d have to say Dior, Balenciaga and Givenchy.

Charini: I have always been inspired by Japanese designers as they always think out of the box, and Alexander McQueen and Alexander Wang for amazing creativity and Lanvin for their sleek cuts.

Charini: You need to be passion-driven to get anywhere in this industry. Hard work or smart work might not keep you going for too long! Another important thing is that you must evolve with the times, be current, be innovative. Make people proud of wearing your brand. The reality of it is that if you’re serious about having a brand you can’t do it by just creating fashion once a year for a show. It’s much more serious than that.

Makeup - Meraki by Sumi Stylist - Kosh

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 137

Kaushi

Malsha

Senali

Rasika

Nisansala

Maheshi

Sothy’s Launch of A Midsummer Daydream In line with celebrating their first anniversary in Negombo, Sothys launched ‘A Midsummer Daydream‘, their new Seasonal Treatment!

Nelum

PAGE 138 | www.pulse.lk

Natalie

Soraya

Christina

Nidhuki

JJ From

eeza ezza to

For Jeeza Jameel, the story of her brand has always been something close to home. After seeing the exaggerated prints and loud designs to the minimal layout of her stores, we wanted to find out more about how this young entrepreneur broadened the horizons of this family brand.

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Introduce yourself to us My name is Jeeza and I am 23 years old. I’ve been working in this industry for the past six years and currently, I run the Jezza brand.

I oversee everything from the designs, the store and the marketing aspect as well.

How did you end up here?

This is a business that has been part of my family for the past 25 years. As you can probably tell my name is rather similar to the brand name. My parents tell me that they renamed it after me so I felt destined to be here. Along the way I tried a few of my own personal brands which gave me a lot of experience but then at some point I wanted to be fully invested in Jezza. I dove head first and whole-heartedly with the ambition of taking this brand to a global level.

What about your inspirations?

When it comes to the designs, I always want to work on solving people’s problems. For example if we take the plus size segment, I try to understand the kind of issues that a consumer might face so I can offer them a wider product choice. Another thing I specialise in is modest wear and I’ve been able to introduce it into the Jezza brand which caters to a wide range of women. It’s all about looking at issues and trying to fit into what the market wants.

What defines a Jezza garment?

Jezza clothes can be spotted at any gathering because of our signature loud prints and oversized sleeves. It’s always something extra so that our customers can feel like they are the spotlight of whatever event they go to.

Who do you benchmark yourself with and why?

I think it is really important to benchmark against top performers. Our inspiration has always been Zara; from their clothes to their functionality as a business. We look up to them even in terms of spacing out a store.

They are one of the fastest growing retail brands and drawing inspiration from their footsteps has worked for us.

Can you talk about your recent collections?

We recently launched two plus sized collections. We have tried to cater to all the size ranges and we are looking to introduce more designs and cuts. We want to make the plus size collection something regular instead of being on and off about it.

How would you define your personal style?

I always go for something formal and structured because the way you dress is what portrays you as a person.

Over the years, how has the brand changed?

It has evolved a lot. We started out in the mass market by doing affordable clothing; think simple price-conscious designs. As we grew customers voiced their concerns over the certain markets that were not catered to. So we have always been trying to introduce new products and thus we have had multiple brand images over the years.

How has the taste of the Sri Lankan consumer changed over time?

It has changed dramatically, with the rise of social media we find a lot of young people who are more experimental, so they demand a lot more in terms of clothes.

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What can we expect from Jezza in the coming years?

We have a few more outlets opening up.

Primarily the Colombo City Centre outlet.

We are also looking at a few international options as well. So as a brand we will be exploring a wider customer and retail base.

What do you have to say about this industry in Sri Lanka?

We are at a very interesting point right now, there are a lot of large companies, but young up-and-coming designers that cater to niche markets are getting popular.

So as a large business how do we survive?

You either evolve or you don’t. It’s quite interesting as the landscape is constantly changing.

Any final words for those who want to start their own brand?

This is a tough industry. It is easier to start up a fashion brand but there is a lot more competition to deal with. So I would say to always look at a niche instead of the mass market. You’re more likely to be successful if you can find a niche that none of the players are catering to.

Boyzone in Colombo It was a night of nostalgia and fun as the Irish boy band and pop sensation Boyzone took the stage at CR & FC on the 16th as a part of their farewell tour.

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BEST Eye Makeup Here’s the

for

Your Eye Shape

Nailing your look every time comes down to one thing: knowing how to play up your exact eye shape. Here’s how to identify yours, what to use, and exactly where everything should go.

PAGE 146 | www.pulse.lk

While you may think eye makeup application is a bit of a no brainer, did you know that changing your technique based on your eye shape can make a world of difference?

Just like some jeans fit better than others for the most flattering look, the same is true when it comes to how you wear your eye makeup. Sure, you could layer on eye shadow and eyeliner in the most obvious way, but when you know your eye shape and apply accordingly, they’ll pop like never before.

Sounds pretty eye-catching, right?

How to determine your eye shape Before you switch up your eye makeup technique, determine which eye shape you have. How you apply makeup to almondshaped eyes might differ from how you apply makeup to downturned eyes. Not sure what eye shape you have? Consult the list below.

Almond eyes - Think, oval-shaped eyes with slightly upturned outer corners that look like—you guessed it—almonds. Known for being super-symmetrical, you can think of almond eyes as the universal shape that pairs well with just about everything.

Round eyes - Look in the mirror. What do you see? If you can see your whole iris without any of it covered up by your top lid then say hello to your big, beautiful round eyes.

Upturned eyes - These are almond eyes with a twist. Instead of having slightly upturned corners, upturned eyes take it up a notch for a more noticeable angle, which makes the lower lid appear larger than the upper.

Downturned eyes - This is the opposite of upturned eyes—meaning the corners drop down for an upper lid that appears larger than the lower.

Monolid eyes - Just think of these as creaseless beauties.

Hooded eyes - Ever wondered why you can’t fully see your crease? When you have hooded eyes, the skin extending from your brow bone sags just a tad to conceal your crease.

The best eyeshadow techniques for your eye shape Eye makeup is huge right now, so there’s never been a better time to play around with your makeup and enhance the most captivating feature on your face. There’s nothing quite like the right eye shadow technique and a little lid contouring to really accentuate-and even alter-your eye shape.

If you have almond eyes…

You’re one lucky woman! With your slightly lifted, super-symmetrical eyes, just about any shade and style will look fabulous. Don’t know where to start? Try a classic nude smoky eye that uses a medium matte brown on your lid paired with a slightly darker shade blended into your crease. When fully blended, this look will open up your eyes and accentuate your almond shape.

If you have round eyes…

Contouring your peepers can be the difference between a bulgy and defined end look. All you have to do is apply a medium to dark shade over the center of your lid, followed by highlighting your inner and outer corners with a lighter shade. When you bring the focus to the center of your eye, you narrow the overall appearance of your round shape.

If you have upturned eyes…

Balance out your upturned look with the help of a little dark shadow or liner along the outer lower corner of your eyes. Next, apply a medium-toned shadow along your lid and top it off with a subtle highlight along your brow bone. Don’t be too heavy-handed, though, because you want this to look the way light bouncing off your skin naturally would.

If you have downturned eyes…

There are two things to keep in mind. First, don’t blend eye shadow too far above the crease because it can look a tad messy with this eye shape. Second, the best way to perk up downturned eyes is to shade them in natural colors that brighten them up for an instant lifting effect.

If you have monolid eyes…

A great way to add dimension to your eyes is to apply a gradient effect starting with darker colours near your lash line that gradually work up into a more shimmery tone under the brow. Just remember to blend between colour transitions!

If you have hooded eyes…

It can seem a little pointless to put in the effort—but trust us, though, it isn’t! You just have to get a little creative. To trick your eyes into looking like they have more lid to work with, all you have to do is keep your brows well maintained and carry your eye shadow all the way up to your brow bone in neutral colours.

The best eyeliner techniques for your eye shape Whether you want to wear it alone or layered with eye shadow, the right eyeliner technique tailored to your eye shape is a fabulous final www.pulse.lk | PAGE 147

touch to flatter your gaze. So, before you just go and line your lids with no rhyme or reason, take a peek at which liner technique is best suited for you.

If you have almond eyes, by now you know that your eye shape is pretty much the most ideal one and can pair well with various looks across the board. But, if you want to really accentuate your shape, look no further than a classic cat eye or wing-tip. Starting thinner towards the inner corner and gradually getting thicker towards the outer corner of your eye, this liner technique helps highlight the gorgeously upturned shape.

If you have round eyes, the key to applying eyeliner to make your eyes pop is to emphasize the outer corners with winged eyeliner that extends past the eyelid. This can help to play down how round your eyes really are. Be sure to start your line around the highest peak of your eye and work your way outwards. If you line all the way from your inner corner, you’ll bring too much attention to how round your eyes are. (If that’s what you’re going for though, go ahead and rock it!)

If you have upturned eyes, your eyes look best when the upper lid is exaggerated with eyeliner to even it out with the predominantly larger lower lid. Remember: It’s all about proportion. Wonder which specific technique to employ for a gorgeous gaze? Try a smudged eyeliner if you want to lengthen your upper lid or opt for a little white liner along your lash line and inner corners to give the appearance of bigger, brighter eyes.

If you have downturned eyes, add a little 45 degree flick at the end of your line for an instantly balanced, uplifted look. If you want to rock something a little less dramatic than a cat eye, use a smudging brush to lightly blend out a thin line that adds just enough definition on your upper and lower lash lines.

Understanding your eye shape can open up a world of possibilities when it comes to applying your makeup. Whether you have almond eyes, hooded eyes, or anything in between, there’s a technique out there that will seriously help!

If you have monolid eyes, when you apply your eyeliner as close to your lash line as possible, you will be able to define your eye shape while making your lashes appear fuller at the same time.

If you have hooded eyes, lining your eyes can be a little tricky, To avoid any unwanted smudges or transfer, be sure to keep your eyes open when you line them. This is especially important when trying to achieve a thick, bold wing (the most complementary liner for the shape).

PAGE 148 | www.pulse.lk

Written by Liyana Jay

The Insta-Famous

Tarja De Silva

PAGE 150 | www.pulse.lk

In person, Tarja De Silva is just as bubbly, charming, and delightful as her Instagram profile portrays. With over 27k followers, Tarja has a wide fan base and it certainly comes as no surprise! From her vibrant life as a traveller, model, and fashionista to the unique way she expresses her talents in fitness, dance, and training, here’s a sneak peek into the life of this boss-lady.

Three words that perfectly describe you and why Energetic, positive, and simply the fact that I can’t say no to people! It’s just the way I am; I like life on the go and always like to keep moving.

You’re constantly making a statement wherever you go. Where do you draw your fashion inspiration from?

To me, fashion is about expressing yourself.

It isn’t that I don’t follow trends, but I always like to stay unique and wear something that’s true to me, and expresses my emotion at that point in time.

You’re in a new country almost every week – tell us what it’s like travelling so much.

I’m not in a new country almost every week, but I do love travelling! I try and make trips abroad almost every holiday I get. What I love most is experiencing new food and cultures on my travels.

Your life is a fine balance between glamour and keeping fit. How do you maintain that balance?

I think it goes hand in hand, because you have to have a good physique to look good in what you’re wearing, or at least feel confident in what you’re wearing. If you are confident in the body you’re in, then it will shine through no matter what you wear.

Would you call yourself Instafamous?

Maybe – I’d like to think I am! But I try to stay as organic as possible and just post about the things that I like.

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

My Instagram is literally about my life. I don’t focus on anything specific, but it has dancing, food, travel, what I’m wearing, things that I love, things I want to endorse, and so on. It’s pretty much my life summed up on one page.

Who takes a majority of your Instagram pictures?

My husband definitely takes most my pictures! He calls himself an Insta-husband and he knows his job and takes it very seriously. He’s nailed the angles now and is a pro!

Give us tips on taking the perfect picture You have to know your sides and your angles!

Everyone has a good side. Turn to your favourite side, give the biggest smile that you possibly can, and you’re good to go.

Tell us about your career and journey in dance I was 13 years old when I started dancing and began competitive dancing when I was 15. My first teacher was Tony; he taught me everything I knew and then I moved onto dancing with Kevin, my dance partner Bharatha, and I even danced in England! It has been an amazing experience and I’m still dancing and doing shows.

It’s something I’ll never give up on because that’s my true passion in life.

Tell us what it’s like attending events, modelling for brands, juggling your personal well-being, and always being such a boss-lady wherever you go I know it sounds like a lot of work but if you really enjoy what you’re doing, it doesn’t really feel like work. I do my 9 to 5, then run off to dance, do shoots, model, or attend events. At the end of the day, it’s my life and what I love doing!

What does the future hold for Tarja De Silva?

Oh wow, the future! I hope to do a lot more dancing and simply elevate everything I do, constantly pushing myself to be better – better than what I am today.

What exactly is “Dance-fit” and what’s it like being an instructor for it?

In a nutshell, what I do at Dance-fit is put together a bunch of modern tracks with trending music and simply make up my own routines to it! I include Latin rhythms, because that’s my background, mix in some Hip Hop, Reggaeton, all types of dance styles, and give you a good workout! www.pulse.lk | PAGE 151

Launch of #BOSSBABES

by Jezza

The exclusive launch of #BOSSBABES, the newest collection from Jezza Fashion was held in September. The event featured some guest speakers and a fashion show from the Jezza fomal Label as the finale.

PAGE 152 | www.pulse.lk

For details contact Personal Loans Division on 011 5 664 545

Air Commodore Biyanvila & Dilini

Shamla

Anna

Nilantha & Anoja

Ranjith

Dr.Rezni

Shevon & Dilani

Ranjith

Sasanka

Shevon

Nafisa & Shabbir

Lasantha

Reeves

Valentino

Induka

Jeremy

Dayan

Dr. Ajith

Organising committee

Peterites

87 Batch Reunion Peterites from the 1987 Advanced Level batch who celebrate their 50th birthday this year, organised a grand Golden Reunion Dinner Dance at the Colombo Hilton this September Rama & Termine

Ranjan & Tania

Dushantha

Srilath

Valentino & Gina

Rohan & Deepthi

Kenny

Dr.Rukshan Nilantha

Suwarshie

Lakmali & Asela

Shaheeda & Fazil

Arosha & Shamalka

Dr. Rukshan & Valentina

Fazaheel, Shamahil, Shabbir, Nafisa, Nafisa, Anis, Hadjumal

Romesh & Renuka

Roshan & Sharon

Mr. & Mrs. Athukorala

Thanushka & Chaminda

Romesh, Suwarshie, Jude, Sameera Biyanwila, Fazaheel, Walter, Nilantha, Suraj, Sujeewa, Dr Rezni, Siraj and Rohan

Nafisa & Anis

Ranjan & Rochelle

Christi, Priyanjara, Tyrone, Ruwan, Jeremy, Channa, Prasantha, Velentino, Suraj, Suraj

Rajieve, Ranjan, Chaminda, Fazaheel, Rohan, Dayan, Randy, Ranjith,

Randy

Cynthiya

Renuka

Romesh

Sujeewa, Lasantha, Dr. Ajith, Thusitha

Dr. Rukshan

PAGE 156 | www.pulse.lk

Mr. & Mrs. Kenny

Rajeeve

AMAGI ARIA FOR A ONE OF A KIND EXPERIENCE

Upon first glance, one might assume that Amagi Aria is yet another hotel with the primary focus of catering to those tourists who use Negombo as a transit point for their travels around this teardrop shaped island of beauty. But you couldn’t be more wrong, for Amagi Aria is an experience to behold of its own. Other than the array of the gastronomic experiences they have to offer, one highlight would be the fact that this property sits on the banks of the vast Negombo Lagoon.

What many don’t know is that the Negombo Lagoon is home to a network of mangrove forests that are thriving with biodiversity.

Twenty-nine plant species, one hundred and forty species of fish, and over a hundred species of birds call this green gem their home. Through professional crew and the latest in equipment, prepare to cast away as you make your way into the unknown; a camera is a absolute must! Along the way, look out for thousands of jellyfish that swarm the surrounding waters and the occasional

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fisherman that sits patiently, awaiting his catch.

Much like many other experiences, Amagi Aria offers you the choice to take this even further. Muthurajawela, which translates to the “Swamp of Royal Treasure” can also be accessed with relative ease. Muthurajawela is teeming with exotic life, from elusive crocodiles to the threatened grey slender loris. So be prepared to uncover many secrets.

Do keep in mind that Muthurajawela is also home to some valued mangrove forests; so valued that Sri Lanka has become the first country to protect all of its mangroves.

These experiences can be tailor-made to the requirement of any guest. Would you like a romantic yet exciting cruise through the mangroves? Amagi Aria can deliver, and they won’t forget the champagne and canapes either. Maybe you are visiting for the first time? No problem, Amagi Aria staff will fill you in on every detail about this endless yet beautiful lagoon.

After a serene cruise, the best way to end your day would be with high tea on the deck of the hotel. After all, tea is the elixir of life. You will certainly feel like royalty, for the array of tea that you choose from is the very same that is served in Buckingham Palace! The menus, comprising of exquisite savouries and sweets, have been curated to match perfectly with that cuppa. So sit back, relax, and unwind to the sounds of cormorants and herons as the sun sets and the sky turns to a shade of golden amber.

At the end of the day, the refined accommodation, modern amenities, delectable dining choices, warm and friendly service, and access to Negombo’s most sought-after experiences such as the lagoon will leave any guest with the realization that Negombo is longer just a transit point. Thanks to the efforts of the Amagi Aria management, the stereotype is changing. Negombo is and always will be yet another stunning destination that Sri Lanka has to offer.

Opening of

Colombo City Centre The highly anticipated opening of the Colombo City Centre was held on the 19th of September in a grand celebration with many dignitaries attending the event. This marks the opening of the first international mall in Sri Lanka with many high-end lifestyle brand showrooms under the same roof.

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SHAVING made easy BIC® with

Whether you’re shaving for the first time or you’re a pro, shaving is almost mandatory. It’s simple, nowadays you do it almost every day and yet there’s endless debate about how to do it right. Mainly you need a bit more patience and care because of the sensitive areas and thicker hair types. You might be able to get away with a ‘hurry up and get it done’ with other areas, but not the private ones. Choosing the right razor is key to a proper clean shave and a safe razor will avoid common problems like nicks, irritation, redness, itchiness and ingrown hairs.

Our personal pick and the ideal razor to get rid of unwanted hair is BIC® Twin Lady Razor.

Here are a few comments from the general public and what they think about BIC®.

“Really convenient to use; no cartridges that need to be replaced,

affordable consumer price, readily available in most stores and works just as intended or even better compared to other shavers.”

“No extra and unnecessary features that removes the focal point of actually being an easy to use shaver.”

“Blades are very smooth and durable. It shaves off a short scale of ingrown hair with no irritability afterwards.”

“I personally like two blades on my shaver because it does not fall too short when shaving or go an extra step that could cause irritating nicks. So, for me, BIC® shavers are appealing as they come equipped with two blades.”

“Although there are other shavers equipped with many blades, however they fall short when it actually comes to its intended use.

Causes nicks, skin irritation, blunt blades and not sturdy.”

“My all time favourite and convenient brand and I personally love their shaving gel”.

It is necessary to use the correct razor according to your gender. The skin type of men is different from

females. Using your partner’s shaver may increase the risks of cuts and irritations as it is designed according to his own needs. A shaver designed for women can provide the smooth glide you need for a comfortable shave. Find your right match among BlC® razors for women.

Some of the steps to follow:

Take a warm shower or bath. A couple minutes of the heat will soften skin and relax the hair follicle.

Exfoliating is the key. It gets rid dead of skin cells and get a closer shave by using a mild exfoliator; it helps release ingrown hair. The razor will glide effortlessly on the body and the result will last longer!

Using a fresh blade may help, first go in the same direction of hair growth and then in opposite direction. Don’t go over the same area too many times. Rinse skin and lightly pat dry with a soft towel.

Shaving while taking a shower rather than a bath can make things easier. You can prop up legs on a side of the stall.

BlC® has a wide range of razors you can choose from and that suits for all parts of the body. For more comfortable shaving experience, opt for a BIC® Twin Lady Razor with two blades. It will provide you an efficient and close shave for a silky smooth skin and allow you to shave with precision even the difficult to reach areas.

Happy shaving with BIC®!

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Sajana

Madhavee

Vinu

Sajana

Mihindu

Randhir

Fouzul

Asanka

Bathiya

Launch of

AXE CLUB

Axe, the leading male grooming brand from Unilever, unveiled Its latest exciting initiative; Axe Club, which was launched recently at Trace Expert City at an event themed ‘Unlock your signature’. The occasion was billed as a must-see launch event of the year!

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Lakkana

Hemantha

Sumal

Ground Breaking of

Aquaria

Located in Colombo 5, the groundbreaking ceremony of Aquaria by Access Residencies was held this September.

Hemantha

Lakkana

Romesh

Nelum

Kamal

Lakkana

Dilshan

Hemantha

Roshan

Brian

Ishendra

Theo

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 165

Spark

THE

Flame behind the

They have been entertaining fans for decades, they’ve been able to consistently produce music to our ears through decades of war, they are one of the most instantly recognised and praised musical outfits that this country has to offer, and they are none other than, Flame. So how did they keep the fire burning for three decades? Summed up in a word, its all about the passion. But this is just the icing on the cake. Read on to find out more about their story.

Tell us about your band and how this all began?

The band started in 1989 and much of it was influenced by Mary Anne David as all founding members were ‘Mary Anne singers’.

They met for the love of one thing which was folk music. There was Naushad Rasool, Roshan Premasinghe, and Rienzi Pereira.

Over the 30 years, we have gone through almost 30 members, so a lot of things have changed but the passion still remains. Today the lineup comprises of Romain Willis, Sankha Bopearachchi, Diren Sabaratne, Nishantha De Abrew, Joe Lappen, Primal Liyanage, and Naushad Rassool, founder and team leader of the band.

How have these 30 years been?

Unlike during our humble beginnings, folk music is nonexistent as of today; it’s probably limited to a night or never. Society lifestyles have changed so that the genre is very limited. During the first 20 years we had mainly dual career individuals. Folk music was never going to bring money so they all had a day job. Back in the day we used get 200 rupees each per performance and if your girlfriend came along and had a cocktail you’re out of pocket! Today Flame has grown to have 7 members who are full on musicians they are completely invested in this. Our portfolio has also changed; from being limited to hotel lobbies, today we have carved out our mix into multiple channels.

What about the past, present and the future of the music industry in Sri Lanka?

When looking at the pre-war era, the biggest impact happened due to the Sinhala only regime. The burgher community during this time had a lot to do with supporting this industry. During the war people just wanted to stay alive. No one was interested in going to pubs and listening to music as there were bigger concerns to deal with.

Now in this post war, reconciled Sri Lanka, we see that the dynamics on the dance floor are totally different. People were very conservative before because they were so suppressed. Today the mindset has been completely flipped over. Nobody stays at

home on weekends anymore. That has really supported the industry to grow and mature.

Looking at the future our opinion is that we thought we had competition but not anymore. We see a bigger threat coming our way and that is due to the change that’s happening in the Colombo landscape.

What we mean by this is the influence of international musicians that we see coming here. Sadly the music here is still stuck in the 80’s.

How do you run this band as business entity?

Weddings and dances are our cash cows.

The hotel lobbies and pubs are not the money makers but instead they feed our soul. Why? because we play what we love unlike the dances and weddings where we fulfil a client’s requirement. The concerts and tours also help us express ourselves but in addition it serves as a platform for us to build brand equity to Flame. We made sure that whatever we did was very consistent.

We are not just a party band. As we have many members, we are very scalable and can fit any outfit.

What have you learned from the corporate world that you incorporate into the band?

Human resources is very important to us.

Take for example, the talent pipeline. We are already on the lookout for replacement members in case someone decides to leave.

We always watch out for young talent and we follow their progression. We listen to

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Being a musician often has a negative stereotype in the Sri Lankan context, what can you say about this? the grapevine and see what we can find out about them. Something we have un-learned from the corporate world is that we never stick to a process driven approach; we follow a common sense approach. If someone makes a mistake do we stick to a process and make it obvious or follow the guy as a team and cover it up? If you stick to a process driven approach it becomes obvious to the audience.

We have all had to hear the same recording from our parents as well. It is all about how much you want something and how far you are willing to push it and get to where you want to be. We are a living example that you can in fact, get far in life with a career in music. So for all those out there who may be discouraged, you should never give up on your dreams for one day you will get to where you want to be!

What is next for Flame?

Flame will go on for decades to come, we do not want Flame to come to an end. We are even on the lookout for a good leader to replace Naushad as his retirement is nearing.

Flame is a brand of its own and it is the duty of us forefathers to keep it alive. Regardless, we will always stick to our motto which is to hold on to our past, live in the present and plan for the future.

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IN DEPTH WITH

DYNASTY Hailing from the American high-tech manufacturing sector, Mr. Mahasen Samaravijaya has accomplished his passion to bring down international living standards for the real estate industry in Sri Lanka with the intention of promoting healthy lifestyle and environmentally friendly living. Dynasty Residence is his dream taking shape in reality.

Resting on the banks of Mahaweli River, minutes away from the planned Kandy-Colombo Central Expressway exit, Dynasty Residence is the first luxury residential apartment complex tracing Kandy’s skyline. Surrounded by the Knuckles, Hanthana and Hunnasgiri mountain range and located only 30m away from the Mahaweli River, Dynasty Residence transports its residents to the tranquility of a luxurious mountain escape with 360° mountain and river views. The unrivaled location and the breathtaking views offer a once in a lifetime opportunity for those who seek a place to call their own, a home away from home, a peaceful retirement residence or the ideal investment property.

Q. Why did you choose Kandy to build your dream apartment complex?

A. Kandy is my hometown. I was born and raised here. Even though I left Sri Lanka when I was a teen, I always had the desire to add to the heritage of this ancient land of the kings, to uplift my hometown by bringing in high end lifestyle and a sustainable living PAGE 170 | www.pulse.lk

experience. On the other hand Kandy is growing as an investment destination. It is the second largest investment hub in Sri Lanka after Colombo. 85% of the tourist population visits Kandy every year, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Sri Lanka. I foresaw this trend. The expected completion of the Kandy-Colombo Central Expressway in 2020 is to enhance this trend and the property values are set to rise.

Q. Tell us a bit about Dynasty Residence and the categories of apartment that you offer?

A. Dynasty Residence is my dream and passion becoming a reality. It is the only apartment complex, in fact the only building which will be at a proximity of only 30m to Mahaweli River. The 19 storey building comprises of 93 luxury apartments which have a selection of 17 different floor layouts, all with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain range and the gliding Mahaweli River. The average apartment size at Dynasty is over 1,600 sq.ft. Dynasty Residence offers one, two and three bedroom units, unique double height Sky Villas and Penthouses with a private rooftop garden for golf-putting and entertainment.

Q. You have won various awards, what’s the experience and the quality of living that you offer through your apartments?

A. As Sri Lanka’s first apartment complex to win US Green Building LEED Certification, Dynasty Residence strives to combine green, healthy living with a luxurious lifestyle.

Dynasty’s perfectly envisioned architecture with internal large void spaces to encourage fresh air movement in the building is a unique effort enhancing a healthy mode of living.

What is unique about Dynasty is that I have meticulously engaged in the construction

Mr. Mahasen Samaravijaya - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dynasty Residence

process in order to ensure that the safety standards are met. As a result the entire building is handicap accessible and is safe for adults and children alike. We currently possess larger common areas than any other development in Sri Lanka.

We were recently awarded the “Best Condo Development - Central” at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, Sri Lanka 2018 which was an assessment of the architectural design, structural engineering and living experience of Dynasty.

Q. What are the other facilities that Dynasty offers to its residents?

A. We recently came into partnership with Reality Management Services (Pvt) Ltd, which is an industry leader in property management to ensure that our residents have a hasslefree living experience. We offer dedicated in-house doctor facilities to provide top quality medical care to our residents. A few of the other luxuries on offer are an infinity pool, kids pool, a 170-metre-long rooftop jogging track, rooftop healing and reading garden, an Outdoor barbecue area, an outdoor gymnasium and a mini market with a restaurant.

Q. What do you have to say to the future residents of Dynasty?

A. Dynasty Residence is a once in a lifetime opportunity for those who seek a peaceful living experience close to the city, yet away from the city hassle. Its proximity to the major schools, hospitals and banks in Kandy will only contribute to the comfortable and convenient lifestyle which awaits one at Dynasty. The soothing weather, the fresh air flowing from the surrounding peaks and the panoramic mountain and river views will take your life to a heavenly bliss. Dynasty Residence is not simply a new place to live, but a new way to live.

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THE TRUE BEAUTY OF TRADITION,

WITH MODERN INFLUENCES

Sarees have always been a personal favourite; I strongly believe the saree is one of the most sensuous and glamorous outfits a woman can wear. Sarees are versatile and can be worn all year around for multiple occasions. For Sri Lankans, the saree is also a celebration - every mother waits for the day she can see her daughter wear a saree for the first time. When it comes to sarees, the options are wide and we love to experiment with different styles ... here’s a look at the latest saree trends.

• Fringe sarees and blouses- This vintage style came out about an year ago. Tassels and fringes are even bigger this year. These are seen on the saree borders, pallu or the jacket sleeves.

Fringe capes can be a great idea to rock at that party whereas ruffled sarees are best when they are plain, however you can contrast with bright colors and minimal prints.

• Pallu with long train - These sarees are not just those that touch the floor,they can even be floor sweeping. This style has made a big impact on the bridal saree scene.

• Fusion drapes - The drape of the saree is one of the most important aspects as it defines the whole look of the saree. A saree worn with pants is one of the trendiest styles. Teaming up your sarees with either leggings or pants is an effortless look to pull off.

• Modern drapes and skipping the pleats- All you need is the right attitude to look out of the box and stand out in that crowd. These drapes will surely make heads turn.

• Plain sarees with heavily worked jackets or contrasting blouses - Plain sarees can be worn at any time of the day, dressed up with a blouse as needed.

• Sarees with jackets of varying length Jackets can be cropped, hip length, knee length or floor length. They will look great with any design of saree.

out of style. It can also show off your toned body when paired with bikini or bralette blouses and ponchos.

• Nature-inspired Sarees- Floral motifs, botanical prints and birds are all the rage and can be worn dressed up or dressed down.

• Sarees with statement blouses - A saree jacket or blouse can transform the entire look of the saree. Trending styles for this year are blouses with deep cut outs, blouses with concept embroidery, cold shoulder, off the shoulder and ruffled sleeves to name a few.

• Sarees with a Belt - This is a perfect way to accentuate your tiny waistline. It not only shows off your curves, but it also gives you height. Ideal if you want to look fashionable and yet be comfortable.

• Sheer Net Sarees- These have been trending since forever but never seem to go

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Written by Rashmeen Perera Fashion Blogger

www.pulse.lk | PAGE 173

Chairman of Vision Care Mr.Dasantha Fonseka lighting the traditional oil lamp

Eye Surgeon, Balapitiya Hospital, Dr. Dharshana Dharmadasa lighting the traditional oil lamp

Vision Care Opens at

Ambalangoda Vision Care, the pioneering eye care company in Sri Lanka recently opened its 51st branch in Ambalangoda

One of the honoured guests, the Principal of Dharmashoka Vidyalaya Ambalangoda Mr. Hasitha Keshara

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HEALING the mind through Although there is stigma still attached to mental illnesses, our society is very slowly but surely starting to acknowledge the importance of mental health and well-being. Openness to mental health is especially forthcoming among young adults who are increasingly seeking psychological support when they encounter mental stress, opined Art Therapist, Shimali Perera.

Having received her Degree in Psychology from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, and her Masters in Art Therapy from Goldsmith’s College, University of London, Shimali is registered with the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association and is currently practicing in Sri Lanka.

The concept of Art Therapy is relatively new to Sri Lanka. Simply explained, it is where you use art as a medium of communication to

express what you are going through when words are not enough.

“Art Therapy taps into our subconscious mind, where everything we have gone through or are going through is stored. While it is used to treat all forms of mental illness, it is especially useful in treatment of abuse. In certain abuserelated cases you will come across people who can’t remember what they have gone through simply because the brain blocks out those traumatic memories as a mechanism

of defence. This is known as disassociation.

In such situations, Art Therapy or any of the other form of expressive therapy helps us to creatively tap into their memories in a safe and contained environment which thereafter enables us to begin the process of healing,” Shimali explained.

Creating art, simply on its own, is meditative and has therapeutic benefits. So using it as a form of therapy to treat people who are undergoing mental stress, provided that

it happens in a safe, non-judgemental and controlled environment under the supervision of a qualified therapist, can be very effective.

This form of therapy is very useful for individuals who struggle to express in words what they are going through; because the focus is on art rather than on speech communication. The therapist uses different tools such as drawing, painting, sculpting, masks and collages to aid the treatment process.

“In Art Therapy we focus on ‘the process’ of making art rather than the end product.

The process includes the body language, feelings, and thoughts associated with the art making process, as well as the means through which the art mediums are used,” she said.

Shimali chanced upon Art Therapy as a psychology undergraduate at a point where she was looking for an internship to meet her final year course requirements. After finding herself in a situation where she was unable to find a position that met those requirements, she says she turned to prayer for guidance.

“While I prayed, two words came into my head - Creative Therapy. It was something I had never heard of or thought of before then. After making some inquiries I made contact with a lady by the name of Seema Omar who was working with patients in Mulleriyawa in a similar field,” she said.

“Once I started working with her I realised that I really enjoyed the work I did, and realised that to go further in the field I needed to be qualified. That is when I made the decision to go to Goldsmith’s College to study the subject”, she added.

Shimali is experienced in treating victims of trauma and has worked with children and adult survivors of sexual and physical abuse. She also works with clients suffering from depression, and children with learning disabilities and behavioural problems.

In addition to this, she also conducts programmes for corporate clients where she focuses on team building, stress relief, communication and group dynamics.

Thathvika

PUTTING THE ‘REAL’ BACK IN

Reality Entertainment ‘Thathvika’, more aptly recognized as ‘The Real Adventure Show’, has taken the very roots of reality entertainment within Sri Lanka by storm.

This contemporary television show works around the rudiments of human mental and physical boundaries to bring an international standard spectacle produced within Sri Lanka.

We were fortunate enough to engage in conversation with the host of the show, the dynamic Ashan Dias. Ashan has been featured as an eloquent speaker and a professional actor, starring in lead roles such as the in the legendary film ‘The Road from Elephant Pass’, directed by the revered film maker Chandran Rutnam. Ashan took us through the rather novel yet spirited journey the show has taken since its introductory episode, which broadcasted on the 22nd of July this year.

The story began, as Ashan quite amusingly put it, when a young boy who worked for Derana approached him during the Derana Film Awards 2018 (which Ashan hosted), and asked “Ashan aiyya, we are planning on doing a new show, and we were wondering if you could host it?” Quite reasonably, Ashan was taken by surprise and was skeptical about the idea at first. Upon learning more about the show and the concept that was to cater to the Sri Lankan audience who are now taking an increasing interest in social media and online entertainment, Ashan realized that the two enthusiastic individuals speaking to him, Sudesh Udaya Kumara and Kasun Liyadipita, envisioned a product of ‘international standard’.

Ashan tells us that what made him really invested in the idea was the fact that the 2 producers had been given the freedom to structure and run the PAGE 178 | www.pulse.lk

show the way they deemed fit, allowing Ashan to host and maneuver the show the way he preferred, without compromising on things he believed in as a person. This is reflected in the truly organic scenes shot during the course of the games within the show. The behind the scenes conversations and the raw emotion portrayed during these instances where a human being is tested and pushed are truly an exhilarating experience for any viewer.

During the course of our conversation with Ashan, what transpired was his deep appreciation for the team behind the screens and the provisions made for the host to make it a truly quintessential show, with the capacity to compete on a worldwide stage. Ashan tells us that it is “one of the best decisions he has made” with regards to his career in television and theater.

Thathvika brings together 16 teams, with one celebrity on each team. The show holds a knockout system consisting of 2 preliminary rounds, a semifinal, and final within its first season. The games included within the shows are structured in the order in which they the participants to the boundaries based on 3 key areas. This includes physical exercise, mental exertion, and fear. The games may include a concoction of all these sections or individually challenging exercises.

The entire show is based on the sheer capacity to work as a team and execute a spontaneous task which more often than not is a completely new experience.

Once we reviewed the nitty-gritty behind the show, we inquired what the next big step was for the show, given the frankly explosive traction it has been gaining on YouTube.

A key direction that the show is moving in is the employment of creative yet challenging exercises, moving away from the sole use of animals as a fearmongering tactic. Ashan told us that given the fact that most games had to employ animals, many viewers raised concerns on possible abusive treatment of the animals. According to him, the show is closely monitored by an environmentalist, with complete transparency on how animals are handled both on and off camera, an important aspect to shine a light on, in order to help overcome the cultural barriers that are in place in bringing this unique entertainment prospect to Sri Lankan television. Nonetheless, Ashan believes that the show has a long way to go, and is highly enthusiastic about forming a connection with the everyday Sri Lankan audience.

A passionate advocate of the show, Ashan takes pleasure in the simple fact that the producers think bigger than ‘just another TV show’. He believes the show integrates a message to the youth of the country at the end of every episode, which ‘conditions’ the mind of the viewer to work towards doing something extraordinary with their lives.

Thathwika is undoubtedly changing the landscape of Sri Lankan television, and Ashan Dias proudly stands by the phrase within Thathwika’s legendary trailer, which surprised the television viewer base within the country, “Be dynamic, when the need arises”.

Sudesh Udaya Kumara-Senior Producer Kasun Liyadipita - Producer Airing time- every Sundays @ 10am

Ashan Dias

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Caring for the largest organ on your body

ultraviolet light therapy, cosmetic gynaecology and treatment for hair loss as well.

What are some of your tips for a basic skin care regimen that every woman should follow?

Caring for your skin is important; it’s the single largest organ on the human body and acts as a barrier against infections. You may not think too much about your skin care routine or maintenance but remember that over time, your skin is prone to aging, wrinkles, acne and various other problems.

Our skin works hard every day to protect our bodies from harmful elements. Did you know your skin cells shed just about every minute of every day? This means the healthy skin you have today will be shedding tomorrow.

We spoke to Dr. A.D. Weeratunge, Director Medical and Administration of the Lush Skin Clinique about the common skin care concerns and tips for keeping skin in great condition.

What are some of the most common skin care problems faced by the clients you meet?

Acne, acne scars, hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair), pigmentation, DPNs (Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra), warts, eczemas, allergic contact dermatitis and Vitiligo are some of the commonly seen problems. We also get clients looking for fat reduction, anti-aging treatments, cosmetic dentistry,

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Every human being is unique and has different skin types and conditions.

That’s why it is good to meet a skin expert who can advise on the ideal skin care and maintenance regime that works for each person’s skin.

Following general advice or the advice doled out to someone else may not always work for you – instead you could even end up with damaged and problematic skin.

Are facials essential and how often should one get it done, according to their age category?

A regular clean up helps to maintain the clarity of skin; when it comes to comprehensive facials, it needs to be designed for specific skin types or conditions than for a particular age category. You have to choose a well-trained, qualified expert and a quality product line to pamper yourself with. At our skin clinic, we would suggest getting facials done to maintain the effect of what a

client gains through cosmetic procedures, to give that extra bit of caring and nourishment.

Why should someone invest in expensive skin care treatments?

Today science and technology play a major role in every field. As a result in the derma world, there are many new treatments available. Most of the treatments are noninvasive and therefore involve less downtime. Their success rates are also near perfect.

The only concern would be the cost. For example, we offer FDA and NMRA approved treatments – and though they are a bit expensive, the safety and results are definitely worth the money that a client would pay for these treatments. It is better to choose a clinic that offers a high quality, standardized treatment than to take a risk with your skin.

What are some of the best methods of hair removal and what factors should you take into consideration before choosing it?

While shaving, waxing and various hair removing creams are available in the market, none of these are permanent solutions. The most effective method is permanent laser hair reduction, which is effective mainly for black hair. For grey and white hair, you can opt for electrolysis.

Dr A.D. Weeratunge is Director Medical and Administration of the Lush Skin Clinique, a medical aesthetics and skin clinic registered under the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC) that operates two clinics in Battaramulla and Narahenpita. The stateof-the-art clinics offer procedures by visiting specialised medical consultants.

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GOODYEAR

RE-LAUNCH Gayan Fonseka

Sunil Fonseka

Nik Goh

Rohan Peiris

The Goodyear re-launch was held on the 24th of August 2018 at the Shangri-La Colombo. The event marked the beginning of a partnership with Tyre House Group, one of the leading automotive tyre importers in Sri Lanka. The event was graced

by Tyre House Group Managing Director Sunil Fonseka, Group Director Gayan Fonseka, Working Director Rohan Peiris and Nik Goh - Market Manager Asia Pacific Distributor Market Goodyear Singapore Tyres alongside Goodyear dealers from around the nation.

Ajith of Sakura Tyres with Mr. Nik Goh

Ruwan of Auto Wheels with Mr. Nik Goh PAGE 182 | www.pulse.lk

Ravindra of Ravindra Lanka with Mr. Nik Goh

Krishanth Fernando

Dushan Vas

Shirani of Olympic Tyres with Mr. Rohan Peiris

Aruna of Crown Tyres with Mr. H.M.S. Milroy

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The Reading List The Lighter Side

Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine. Nowadays it seems that bad news and negativity are the only things we hear in the media, and with stress bearing down on us every day, a good dose of hilarity seems to be just what the doctor ordered. So this issue, we’ve picked out a few funnies that are guaranteed to lift your mood.

So, whether you’ve had a tough day at work, need a general pick-me-up, or want to rid yourself of the all the negative vibes around you, grab one of these and dive right in you’re bound to begin chuckling in glee, and soon feel every iota of sadness diminish, as the weight of the world slips away.

The Code of the Woosters - P. G. Wodehouse (1938) This is an obvious choice - no list of funny books should go without a mention of Wodehouse. We urge you to pick up any of Jeeves’ and Wooster’s antics in fact there’s just something about its wholesome, quintessentially British humour that is powerfully potent. This well-meaning duo and their flighty friends and family invariably create scenarios that result in a hilarious comedy of errors that will have you holding your sides in laughter.

As always delightfully bizarre, this specific story has our hero Bertram Wooster battling his favourite aunt, the best French chef the world has ever seen, an antique cow-creamer, and lovers’ tiffs, even as he dodges blackmail, an imposing retired judge, and dealing with the notable absence of a policeman’s helmet.

Let’s hope Jeeves comes to the rescue once again, because nothing has ever tested Bertie’s mettle to this extent thus far.

My Family and Other Animals Gerald Durrell (1956) Gerald Durrell, a.k.a. one of the world’s most loved naturalists, has just one of those voices that makes you want to keep on reading. Despite being an autobiography, it’s less serious than the usual fare - in fact it’s a whole lot of laughs from start to finish.

Albeit a little exaggerated in its comicality, he

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has a unique, light-hearted way of bringing humour and happiness into every situation he narrates, no matter how mundane merging absurdity and reality with a clearly expressed love for nature and the sheer amazement it brings.

The story is an account of his days spent in the Greek island of Corfu with his family.

Initially intended to relate the location’s natural history, the author, to use his words ‘made the grave mistake of introducing his family’. However, we feel otherwise, because this version makes a sunny faraway island relatable, closer to home, and a far greater delight.

Rich People Problems - Kevin Kwan (2017) From the bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians, which took the world by storm, comes the third and final instalment in the series - as full of drama and riotous romps as the preceding novels. It’s light and breezy, and pokes fun at the crazy, materialistic lifestyles of Singapore’s rich and famous (well, probably all the rich and famous) - and while some of their problems may seem a little out of our reach, surprisingly, when it comes to family, the issues become universal and relatable.

If you haven’t read the first two in the saga, 1) you’ve probably been living under a rock, 2) you really should because it’s one of the best things to have ever happened to us mortals, and 3) it’s written surrounding the same characters, so it’s advisable to give those a go before trying this. Its unique concept aside, the series makes for some fun, light reading, and don’t miss out on the footnotes - they’re

little gems that will definitely put a smile on your face.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling (2011) As most comedians are, Mindy Kaling has always been in touch with reality - as evidenced by this book which publishes snippets about friendship, romance, growing up, and life in general, while reflecting on her experiences.

True, this sounds like a typical autobiography, but with Mindy, nothing is ever typical.

Almost as if she were conversing with you face to face, the author sets before you her stories using her signature self-deprecating humour and optimistic abandon - providing a sense of positivity amid even the bleakest and most dismal situation. We urge you to read this book, if only because it helps one look on the brighter side of life the more you turn its pages.

Monsieur Pamplemousse on the Spot - Michael Bond (1986) From the author who brought you Paddington, the bear from darkest Peru, comes a more advanced fare in the form of Monsieur Pamplemousse, a retired Sûreté inspector turned food critic and gastronome, together with his trusty sidekick and partner Pommes Frites the bloodhound.

In this delightfully silly tale, Monsieur Pamplemousse as always gets entangled in rather unusual situations - and uncovers the host of enigmas that surround him. Although it is a mystery, the story doesn’t involve much action, but instead focuses on good old-fashioned detective work, and a lot of luck, with plenty of mouth-watering dishes to devour. So grab on, as our protagonist encounters sabotage, attempted murder, diplomatic disasters, missing persons and mysterious disappearances - all in a day’s work for one of France’s finest.

Note: It does require a soupçon of French knowledge, but it’s not essential - although Google can certainly be of help in that respect.

The Watchlist Caped Crusaders

Apart from the future looking very questionable for DC with Warner Bros., also blindly investing in two Joker flicks in the form of a prequel and a sequel, ultimately bringing to life two more princes of crime (sigh) - there’s certainly trouble brewing in the near future for our beloved heroes. Now, more than ever, we do miss the days when Heath Ledger Marveled the DC out of us (oops, that came out wrong!).

Black Panther (2018) Not to be catty, but despite the universal acclaim, here’s our honest opinion: If you take the blackness out of the vibranium filled cat flick, the plot isn’t that constructive nor praiseworthy. We’d probably call it a poor man’s version of The Lion King, give or take a few weapons of destruction.

Between ripped men in tight spandex and a thousand year old goddess setting an example for women all around the world, and with an all-powerful alien female heading towards retro Earth to save said spandex-wearing tough guys, our bet is that the future of the live-action superhero universe is quite buffed up to break down some serious sexist issues.*

A few honourable mentions:

So here’s some of the best the heroes have to offer.

Kick-ass (2010)

*(in case you missed it, we were talking about the Avengers, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel, respectively)

The Nolan Trilogy (2005 - 2012) Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy will doubtless remain a perpetual source of great crossover pieces from comic to reality, in one of the most tangible pieces of cinema ever brought to life.

With a villain that overshadows the protagonist at every turn, beginning from what could possibly be the greatest screen acting to be showered with praise, this series brings to life a reality that strikes as a perfect balance between meta-cinema and a piece of each of us.

Watchmen (2009) Broadly political and widely underrated, this Zack Snyder blockbuster is one of those underrated superhero pieces that shows far more than it says. One has to look hard enough to see its true value.

It’s definitely one for the more hardcore fans who are willing to read into the art of the silver screen, and boy, was this some kind of painting - Snyder truly depicts one of the most arresting works of art that the superhero world has to offer.

Granted, the blood and gore makes it hardly child-friendly - portraying the dark reality that surrounds the American dream, and simultaneously responding to one of the greatest dilemmas known to man - the price of peace through power and destruction.

Opening with the harmonious murder of The Comedian in 1985 alternate America, as he plummets to a glass-shattering death, a drop of blood smears a smiling face, and there’s one thing that’s made abundantly clear - ‘It’s all a joke.’

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. I (2014) Saving the world is so cliché.

Of course Marvel succeeded in giving the term a whole new meaning when they smashed the box office with the entry of Guardians of the Galaxy. The fans went absolutely intergalactic with this cinematic adventure – while Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy made quite the realistic impact, Guardians of the Galaxy takes the cake on bringing the comic-verse to life in style with a jukebox mix of the classic hits of the 70s.

An interstellar thief, a lab experiment gone horribly wrong, an angry thesaurus living in a revenge bubble coupled with Zoe Saldana; it’s the perfect cast for a space jam packed journey of self-discovery while shooting badass aliens, breaking out of a high security space prison and figuring out emotions for the phrase ‘I am Groot’ (with the exception of a slight variation which had the audience weeping with tears).

Jessica Jones (2015 - ) When a time lord transforms into a menacing, sadistic villain, you know that’s a regeneration you just can’t miss. But aside from a stupendous, chilling performance from one David Tennant, the story is surprisingly an empowering one for women addressing their constant battle for control and power in a dark, abusive world.

There’s something about a kid who’s got no powers but a pair of big cojones and the will to help the innocent that makes this superhero closer to our hearts.

Spiderman 1 & 2 (2002 & 2004) Say what you will about Tobey Maguire, but he hung himself from that web like a champ.

Logan (2017) A reality of an age of superheroes darker than Watchmen. The curtain closed on our favourite mutant with this heartbreaking finale to an actor and a character that made us love him more with each portrayal.

Superman (1978) Every genre of movies has a beginning, and this is where it all began with a flying start.

The ones to watch out for: Aquaman

Jason Momoa in his element - and we don’t mean just water. To be released - 21 Dec 2018

Captain Marvel The first solo female-led movie in the MCU - oh, and features a younger Nick Fury. To be released - March 2019

Dark Phoenix Sansa - sorry, Jean Grey’s no stranger to death - and the X-Men travel into space for the first time. To be released - June 2019

Shazam!

Think DC can take on the funnies? Only one way to find out. To be released - April 2019

Untitled Avengers Film Nearly everything’s a mystery, including the name. All we know is this may be the last we see of Cap. To be released - May 2019

Android 9.0 Pie Android is by far the largest and most popular smartphone and smart device operating system in the world. Google announced its latest iteration of Android, dubbed Pie last month, with Google Pixel devices receiving the new version first.

Google promised an Android One release later in the year and a more public version thereafter depending on the handset manufacturer and carrier.

The new Android has Artificial Intelligence (AI) at its core. Keeping to the belief that your phone should be intimately yours and thereby adapt to your life and not the other way around, Google has paid close attention to a number of quality-of-life improvements in the new version of Android. With a more powerful lock screen, new ways to navigate the phone - involving the removal of the traditional Android navigation buttons, as well as gestures and features such as the option to silence your phone by turning it over, are just a few of the features the latest version contains. Many more features including improved battery life, multi camera support, and improved privacy are available on Pie. It’s still unclear when exactly the public release will go live but it is something every Android user is looking forward to.

Google Pixel 3 and 3XL There has to be no other phone that has quite seen the amount of leaks surrounding its release than the Google Pixel 3. The leaks have been flowing in over the past few months with the peak being in August where a few YouTubers and tech bloggers claimed to have got their hands on pre-release devices.

Nevertheless, taking a look at some of the leaked devices, the Google Pixel 3 XL showcases a central notch on the top which houses two cameras, with a bezel at the bottom of the screen as well. From wireless charging to front-facing speakers, various leaks have purported many different features coming in the new Pixel. The design feels quite similar to the Google Pixel 2 XL, in that sense where the bezels and notches seem to

2018 MOST ANTICIPATED

TECH

RELEASES 2018 has been a very interesting year in the technology industry.

From the recently released lineup of fresh Apple phones and devices to the cryptocurrency and blockchain boom that became viral across the world earlier this year, the year has thus far proven to be full of surprises and the upcoming months promise to be just as interesting and exciting.

Here’s a brief look at some of the most anticipated technology products that are to come this year.

still draw a lot of attention and space on the phone. That being said, Google would look to avoid the mistakes associated with the Pixel 2XL, including the burn-in issues and other defects related to the phone’s OLED display.

With all the leaks surrounding the latest Pixel, Google will have it’s hands full in generating substantial hype and excitement at its launch which was announced to be on the 9th of October.

Nvidia RTX 2000 GPU series Nvidia announced its long-awaited Nvidia GeForce RTX 2000 series of graphics cards at GamesCom last month. Based on Nvidia’s latest Turing architecture, the flagship RTX series card will be the RTX 2080, which will succeed the popular GTX 1080 and push new real-time ray tracing features in upcoming games.

Nvidia promises upto to 6 times the performance of previous-generation Pascalbased GTX graphics cards with ray-tracing being made available across the line for the whole series. Ray tracing involves a rendering technique that results in real-time light effects such as reflections and cinematic effects that make games look extremely realistic. The cards which were available for pre-order are only available from mid-late September and everyone is excited to get their hands on them.

Samsung’s foldable smartphone Over the past few years we have been getting a steady flow of rumours about a foldable, bendable and flexible smartphone

by Samsung, called Galaxy X. While an exact release date is unclear, the CEO of Samsung’s Mobile Division, DJ Koh has confirmed that the Galaxy X will launch later in 2018 but it most likely will be on sale only in 2019.

The rumours around the phone’s release have included releases about the possible interface and display for the Galaxy X, supposedly a 7.3 inch display split across with each half of the display showing a different screen.

Samsung is relying on the success of foldable OLED panels to be its big moneymaker in the future.

In addition, a curved battery sporting anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 mAh has been teased.

Needless to say as ambitious as Galaxy X sounds, there are still concerns such as significant overheating, memory issues and not to mention the aesthetics around this phone.

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Madhawa

Stephan

Dilith

Christine

Prof. Nalin

Dr. Sujeewa Lokuhewa and Chaminda

Varuni

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General Daya Ratnayake

Vijith

Udeni

Jit

Dilith

Ashen

Alvin

Udan

Dilith

Mihiri

Nelum

Niranga

Mithali

Dilith

Prof. Nalin

‘The Morning’

Champagne Brunch

Marking a milestone in the history of Sri Lankan printed media, two brand new Sunday newspapers, ‘Sathi Aga Aruna’ and ‘The Sunday Morning’ were recently launched, hosting an exclusive Champagne Brunch for an elite guest list to commemorate the event.

Sarva

Yasith

Dilith

Mihiri

Nilakshi and Christina

Arittha

Dinesha

Laila

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A

Simply Eco Their Philosophy This venture is just our little bit to help the environment. What we do is act as a conduit for suppliers (who normally deal in wholesale quantities) and through our venture, enable them to access the single-use (or family-use) market. We buy in moderate quantities and sell at the SAME PURCHASE PRICE, thus passing on that price benefit to those individuals looking for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and obviously do not need to purchase in such large quantities.

A bit about them The only person directly involved with this initiative is myself, Rosaine Wijesuriya and my immediate family who chip into help, and a like-minded friend, Ann Nugara who came forward to supply the calico straw cases and produce bags.

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Was there a specific moment when you decided to start this venture?

My ‘a ha’ moment was when I desperately needed an alternative for the plastic straw used for my favourite thambili when on the go. I ended up in having to source bamboo straws all the way from Singapore! That made me want to provide locally simple eco solutions in making available an alternative to the plastic straw.

So far, how has the reception been?

It started rather quietly, but with us offering stainless steel straws with the cleaning brush and a calico case, things went ballistic. In fact, our post on the s/s straw had an organic reach of over 70,000 people in just four days!

How do you see this growing?

To continue doing the little things that will ultimately make a profound positive impact on the environment, collectively.

What is the ultimate goal?

To remain just that. Simply Eco in focus.

Sourcing simple, earth-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic products for sustainable lifestyles, that benefit individuals and communities in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is no stranger to the serious issues in relation to plastic use. The material is cheap, lightweight and versatile so the benefits are quite undeniable. Because of this and the convenience we have become accustomed to, we are already unable to cope with the amount of plastic waste we generate, unless we rethink the way we manufacture, use and manage plastics. Ultimately, tackling one of the biggest environmental scourges of our time will require governments to regulate, businesses to innovate and individuals to act. While plastics are still needed for certain things – especially for medical purposes, there are some pretty amazing alternatives that are becoming more available.

However, policy needs to support and advocate for this shift, businesses need to think beyond profit and individuals need to become more conscious of their consumption and their impact. In light of this issue, two companies here in Sri Lanka are stirring up a storm to make a big change and a lasting impact.

They are none other than Bhumi, and Simply Eco. Speaking to representatives from both these entities, we were able to gain some insight on what they do, how they do it and why.

Bhumi

Their philosophy We believe in driving positive change in every aspect, whether it’s through our products, our posts, our social and environmental initiatives, or simply the conversations we have with those arounds us. If this means we discourage people from buying things they don’t need – even if it is our own products we will and have already done so. So buy less, buy well and do no harm is pretty much our mantra.

A bit about them Bhumi is run by a young couple living on the outskirts of Colombo with six rescue dogs and 10 cats. We plant vegetables, spend time in our garden and walk wherever possible, but we know we can and must do better.

Was there a specific moment when you decided to start this venture?

We have always been this way inclined – but a visit to Cambodia earlier this year forced us to understand two things. The first was that there is no such thing as ‘away’. When you throw something ‘away’ it must go somewhere, and the amount of garbage

lining some parts of the streets and fields were a stark reminder that ‘away’ doesn’t really exist.

The second thing we noticed is that in small ways there was an effort being made. While we as a couple had become accustomed working on reducing our impact and getting ourselves alternatives – we noticed things such as bamboo straws readily available in Cambodia, and thought about what a huge gap was present in this respect back home in Sri Lanka.

So far, how has the reception been?

People and even other businesses have been incredibly supportive of the venture, and we have been blown away by the response to the point where we have had work on increasing stock and introducing new products. It’s incredibly heartening to see the enthusiasm people have and we hope we can continue to grow and help Sri Lanka move towards not just a reduction in single use plastics but also conscious consumerism in every way possible.

tell you for sure is that we will do our best to offer our customers the best products and the best customer service possible, while helping the places and people our products come from. We can offer little by the way of details because even we don’t know for sure, and that is what keeps this exciting.

What is the ultimate goal?

Making a significant impact in how Sri Lankans think and consume, which we absolutely believe can be done.

How do you see this growing?

For now we can only say that we have a whole world of products, collaborations and initiatives coming up. The only thing we can

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Derana CricAds 2018 Bloomfield Cricket Ground was turned into an African themed carnival as the top advertising agencies battle it out to claim the Derana CricAds 2018 trophy

The Four A’s Inter Agency Football Tournament

Sri Lanka’s best and renowned advertising agencies came together for the highly anticipated Inter-agency football tournament!

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Chrish, Iromie, Anusha, Jaishree and Nadiya

Gayathri Graham and Simone

Darleen and Warren

Anusha

TAMBA VILLAS LAUNCH ‘HOME AWAY FROM HOME’ Hempel Holdings launched its latest venture, Tamba Villas with an investment of US $ 10-15 million in Talpe.

Anoushka

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Cathryn and Alexi

Shyamalie

Nadiya

Shamilka

Jaishree

Shiranee and Paul

Michelle

Ruwani

Hiranthi Eduard

Debra Gayani and Anita

Dulindra

Vino

Druki and Nicola

Chula

Nishika

IIHE Glamour Night The uniquely themed graduation ball of the Imperial Institute of Higher Education was held at the Mรถvenpick Hotel this year.

Lakmini and Thilini

Nayanamali, Hansamali, Pubudu and Chatura

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Hiruni, Raneru, Ushankanee and Vihara

Varuni and Shenelle

Gihan

Anjana

Ahrabi

Prakash

Imaad and Areeb

Thamindu, Charith and Sameera

Sasen

Shan and Krishanth

Zamaani

Tahani

Kirushan

Chamara and Yuwan

Ushankanee

Hiruni

Ranga

Madusha

Suwanjana

Chathura

Yasmin

The Scarlet Letters

Making difficult decisions when you’re younger means they are supported by optimism and hope. The realities and requirements that burden your innocence haven’t set in yet and you think you are ready to take on the world.

Still a teenager, I had to decide what the rest of my life was going to be. Was it to be as a single mother that challenges the norm and presses forward against the conventions of tradition and conservative Sri Lankan culture? To be frank, when you’re 19, you don’t think about all that. You simply make a decision in that moment, from your gut, from your heart. But the truth is that I am glad that I was young and naïve when I decided to keep my baby. I don’t think I could find the courage to do that today.

I remember my first doctor’s visit at 7 months. It was very technical and straightforward and I wish I had taken the time to enjoy all those visits and conversations about my pregnancy instead of feeling ashamed and anxious about what people must think of me. The Americans never pried into the technicalities of who the father was and whether I was married or not; they were instead openly optimistic about the possibilities and subtly sensitive about the realities. Very different to the Sri Lankan reaction that I experienced upon my return home.

While the pregnancy was largely uneventful, the due date loomed ahead and I had no idea what to expect. It was becoming increasingly uncomfortable to sleep and you could have bounced a penny off my stomach, the skin was stretched so tight!

Finally, it was decided that the labour should be induced. But it was finals week and I was in the middle of my sophomore year exams. So after a hurried Theology exam, I packed a bag, had a bath and admitted myself into the hospital. They drew my blood, hooked me up and started running the routine tests. I realised that day that it was going to be a long night but with nurses hovering around me I didn’t notice so much that I was completely and utterly alone.

The medicine was being administered through an IV drip and I anxiously waited for the labour to begin, but 2-5-7-10-12-15 hours in, still nothing. I was starting to get really tired because I hadn’t been allowed to eat 24 hours before coming in and then almost 24 hours since then. Irritated and hangry, finally I started to feel what felt like period pains at first and then… God Almighty, that pain intensified into pain that I had never experienced before. I remember wishing then that I had someone with me, because at that time, a stranger’s face brings you no comfort, as kind as they are trying to be. I thought of my mother and what she would tell me if she had been there. Yet her prayers reached me in some subliminal way and I could feel her presence and her reassuring manner putting everything into perspective. In her stead, there was one nurse that stuck it out with me through to the end and she coached me on what I needed to do. I remember telling her repeatedly that I was hungry and she kept offering me ice chips that I wanted to throw straight across the room, but luckily resisted the urge.

Eventually when the pain was too much and it was clear I was not as strong as I imagined myself to be, the doctor decided that it was time for the epidural that I was too chicken to get before. With no one to speak on my behalf and my own words choked in my throat and nothing but spitballs of wild sounds emanating from my lips, the nurses held me down while the doctor reached for what must have been the largest scariest needle I had ever seen, and instructed me not to move. That thin needle pierced my skin and went into my spine. I’m sure I shrieked, but I can’t remember exactly what happened in the next few moments. What I do remember next was that it was time to push and the doctor cracked a joke telling me that it’s not called labour for nothing. I was preoccupied or I just might have smacked him.

I really felt I didn’t have the strength, having struggled for the last 27 hours to get to this point, but the power of nature compels you to push, and I did. In that moment, you don’t really care when people are saying things like, ‘I can see the head, one more push, almost there’. You are just reacting to what your body is already doing. The pushing didn’t last long and within 15 mins, I heard a clear strong cry heralding adamantly that she had arrived. As they placed her in my arms and she tried fiercely to open her eyes and take it all in, I finally met the being that was the extension of my own spirit and who would become my reason ‘why’.

While I was struggling to find my feet (literally, as the epidural hadn’t worn off yet), I was informed that the potential adoptive parents were waiting outside my hospital room to take my baby away. Baby Daddy was busy mediating between the adoption agency and the adoptive parents and he was communicating on my behalf. It was as if everyone was expecting me to decide in that moment if I was ready to be a mother or if I wanted an out. I couldn’t believe that Baby Daddy could really be so cold hearted and uncaring towards me and his own child. I realized then that giving birth that night was only the first battle I had to face and that the true strength of my character was yet to be challenged.

Come back to find out what happened next.

In a recent gala ceremony held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Melsta Regal Finance launched its new brand identity ‘Fintrex Finance Limited’. Backed by a consortium of blue chip investors adding profound knowledge and expertise of the industry, Fintrex aims to cater to the rapidly growing segment of emerging entrepreneurs and small enterprises in Sri Lanka.

Launch of

With its far-sighted vision to harness new technologies and innovation to optimize the performance of its clients, Fintrex - derived from ‘Financial Entrepreneurs’ and ‘Experts’, will unleash seamless potential of the new team to improve efficiencies while incorporating industry best practices to deliver performance par excellence.

Tamara

Being an environmentally conscious company, Fintrex also intends to steer a digitization campaign in a bid to minimize the company’s impact on depleting natural resources, encouraging its stakeholders towards a pragmatic approach of environmental sustainability.

Bevan

The Realist’s Guide to

Recently, having succeeded in making it out of the house minus my abundance of offspring, I found myself standing in the queue at the supermarket, in an unusually bubbly mood.

Therefore, instead of staring at my phone, I actually looked at the lady standing behind me and smiled. She smiled too, and said “Your hair is just crazy! I wish I were brave enough to let mine be all NATURAL like that” .

Um, ok.

Ouch.

I don’t blame her. I mean it’s literally been five months since I last cut my hair, and only slightly less than that since I bothered to do my roots.

And frankly my hair isn’t the only thing, it’s been a year since I had a facial and at least as long since I bothered with a professional mani pedi. All in all, my personal care department has decided that it’s a win if I have time to shower and use deodorant before leaving the house.

Yes indeed, I am ‘brave’ and ‘natural’ from head to toe.

Still, you needn’t feel too sorry for me, after all, I have my personal salon right in the middle of my living room. My daughters will take any opportunity to ‘do’ my makeup. For me, this is a

Hair and Beauty

very undemanding way to spend time. All I have to do is lie down and be quiet. It’s brilliant! It is however, not without peril; take for example the other day when they made me up as a fairy princess, I nodded off half way through the process and was woken up by the sound of the doorbell. It was the guy to read our electricity metre. I let him in and stood around waiting for him to hand over the bill. He seemed somewhat uneasy, and cast a few rather appalled glances in my direction before beating a hasty retreat.

Bill in hand I went back inside. It was then that I caught sight of myself in the mirror. The girls had decided that blue glitter eye shadow was the colour for fairies. That being the case, they had applied it liberally on my nose and forehead. My lips were a vivid purple. Note to self, make an effort to look extra sane the next time the meter man shows up.

Letting them style my hair is another favourite, particularly when I need to keep them occupied and work on the laptop at the same time. Again though, I don’t really pay attention to what’s going on. On the last occasion I realised that my husband was gazing at me in wonder. When I asked what ailed him he replied “So when’s the March Hare turning up?” Lo and behold I was sporting pigtails and a fuchsia clip in the shape

of a hat with a feather in it. This accessory looks absolutely adorable at the base of my younger daughter’s coconut tree hair style; but on me?

Not so much.

My son has very little interest in hair and makeup. He does however have an interest in earning pocket money, and happily informed me that my mother in law paid him to massage her shoulders. Since her praise is not lightly obtained, I presented him with my shoulders with every hope of enjoyment. Five minutes later I was seriously questioning her sanity.

Quickly dismissing my overzealous masseuse, I texted good old mil to ask if she had in fact taken leave of her senses. Her reply was short and to the point ‘I pay him to STOP massaging me’.

Still, I can’t complain, home style hair and beauty may go a bit awry now and again, but when my little therapists tell me I look beautiful I know they really mean it.

As for that lady in the supermarket, next time I will remember to be more careful about my appearance. Nothing says brave and natural better than a bright pink hat shaped hair clip, and electric blue glitter. Am I right?

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