Mniej więcej 6 kilometrów od Kandy w zakolu rzeki Mahaweli rozpościera się największy i najwspanialszy na Sri Lance ogród botaniczny Peradeniya. Początki ogrodu sięgają XIV wieku, kiedy to syngaleski władca Radża Widźajabahu, około 1370 roku założył tu wspaniały kompleks pałacowo – parkowy.

Okres wielkiego rozkwitu i świetności ogrodu przypada na wiek XVII, kiedy powstało królestwo Kandy, a ogrody stały się królewskimi.   Na 60 hektarach zgromadzono przedstawicieli flory cejlońskiej oraz z kontynentu azjatyckiego i innych miejsc. Jest tutaj blisko 7 tysięcy gatunków roślin pochodzących ze wszystkich klimatyczno – roślinnych regionów strefy międzyzwrotnikowej.

Niestety przy roślinach brak jest tabliczek z nazwami więc trudno komuś kto nie jest biologiem rozszyfrować te wszystkie piękne egzemplarze. Od wejścia okazała, założona w 1950 roku  Królewska Aleja Palmowa ( 800 okazów palmy królewskiej ) wiedzie do centralnie położonego Wielkiego Ronda.

Po lewej stronie jest kawiarnia gdzie można napić się czegoś zimnego i chwilę odpocząć. Tuż obok rozpościera się wielki trawnik gdzie rośnie od 1827 roku (!) wielki figowiec (beniaminek), zacieniający imponującą powierzchnię 1600 m2 – mówi się, że jest to największe drzewo na świecie.

Na  szczególna uwagę zasługuje również aleja palmy seszelskiej – jest to unikat w ogrodach botanicznych. Pierwsze drzewa sprowadzono w 1850 roku. W warunkach naturalnych rosną tylko na 2 wyspach na Seszelach.  Palmy te posiadają charakterystycznie ukształtowany owoc zawierający najcięższe na świecie nasienie, którego waga dochodzi nawet do 25 kg.

Jego kształt przypomina ogromną bułkę z przedziałkiem o średnicy 0,5 m. wg, mnie bardziej serce W odróżnieniu od owocu palmy kokosowej lodoicja nie mogła się rozprzestrzeniać, ponieważ jej ciężki owoc tonie. Niektóre owoce z prądem morskim dostawały się na Malediwy, ale tylko dlatego, że były puste w środku, a przez to nie mogły wykiełkować.

Dalej na północy ogród staje się bardziej dziki ale za to można tam spotkać stada małp i dziesiątki wielkich nietoperzy, które zwisają na gałęziach głowami w dół. Na szczęście są to owocożerne ssaki więc nic nam nie grozi.

Możemy pospacerować również po lesie deszczowym, albo przyjrzeć się jak rośnie pieprz, cynamon i wanilia. Ogromne wrażenie robią również orchidee  – Sri Lanka szczyci się ok 500 gatunkami rosnących tutaj tych przepięknych kwiatów. W szklarniach można zobaczyć storczyki, które niestety są już niemal na wymarciu.

Ciekawostką ogrodu jest miejsce gdzie sławni ludzie zasadzili swoje drzewka. Oczywiście jest i Polski akcent. Jeżeli ktoś ma dużo czasu może się pokusić o znalezienie drzewka, które posadził podczas swojej wizyty na Cejlonie komunistyczny premier Józef Cyrankiewicz.

Ogród jest cudowny i warto spędzić tutaj więcej czasu żeby delektować się tą przyrodą. Szkoda tylko, że rośliny nie są oznaczone i nie ma żadnego przewodnika do kupienia. Nas na szczęście oprowadzał przewodnik, który jest wielkim miłośnikiem fauny i flory więc  mogliśmy korzystać z tego pięknego miejsca.

Bezcenne zasoby roślinne, bogata historia oraz ciągłe starania o utrzymanie kolekcji na najwyższym poziomie bez wątpienia stawiają ten ogród w rzędzie najlepszych ogrodów botanicznych świata.

There are two entrances to Department,
Unless the gods go drop you there.
The back entrance, more compartment
If you bother them to compare.
Unless you, by birth, is a legal heir
Or you move the Chair with extreme care.

When we were kids there, long ago,
We were told what the ancients sing:
These lands are barren with men who know
Almost all about everything.
Of the joy that their pets may bring
As they dance to songs they sing.

When we are older, after, leaving there,
Life burns our learned skin.
Those who dealt two cards without a care
While sharing the same canteen;
Those who finally made it in,
We tremble at that grin.

What we are is what we are we are,
Education’s just a foil.
Your mileage, whether ts near or far
Depends how you rub that coil.
Work out how a shriveled dick to beguile.
Save your pennies on the midnight oil.

usjp – Sep, 2009.

pdn.ac told me of the sexual,
The political, the social, the cultural,
The works.
I walk from the Grandpass to Thotalanga, its 8.00,
I’m sweating to my slippers. Testicles hurt.

Dark shadows of the pavement, shade of trees,
Clusters of shapes, in groups,
A couple’s on a walk.
The yellow ethereal streetlamps distort the colours
And flash bare the dusk brown Thotalanga talk.

Will I be waylaid and pestered so that
I’ll lose the 6000 I’m carrying? Will my
Carcass lie scattered giving sup to marsh worms?
They call it Ego confronted, you’re middle class, lad -
Theory’s just a hard on your theorists had had.

I walk more away from the shadows, brisk,
In the yellow light, I’m wondering for a moment
What’s my Professor doing tonight?
They ain’t no need of our empowerment
They look life in the balls in streetlights. Yes, it hurts.

Earnest eyes, tired bodies await the late evening bus,
Silent and shelled in individual worlds.
I do not stop, I pass them past,
Cos, I realize that my bus ain’t come, it’s gone.
Like a thesis I’d rather go on and on.

2009-08-14

The history of the Royal Botanic Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the thrown and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli river. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri from 1747 – 1780 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided2 therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

A vihare and dagaba were built in the reign of King Wimala Dhamma which was improved by Kind Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The vihare and dogaba were destroyed by the English when they occupied Kandy. The famous historical battle of Gannoruwa between Rajasinghe II and the Portuguese was fought on the Northern side of the river. A priest resided here till the Gardens were formed by Mr Alexandar Moon in 1821 six years after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom.

In 1810 under the advice of Sir Joseph Banks a garden named Kew was opened in Slave island and Mr William Kerr was appointed as its Superintendent. In 1813 the garden was moved to Kalutara for the reception of economic plants which could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave island. Kerr died in 1814 and under the rule of his successor Mr Alexander Moon this Garden was finally moved to Peradeniya in 1821 as it was found to be favorable and better adapted for the proposed Botanic establishment. The transfer of exotics from the Kalutara Garden was made by successive Superintendents at least up to 1843.

3During Moon’s superintendent the opening of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, can be said to have commenced though at first only the South West portion of the Gardens was cleared and opened and it was mostly planted with cinnamon and coffee. Moon published his “Catalogue of Ceylon Plants” in 1824 in which was given the Botanical and native names of 1, 127 plants, indigenous to the island. After the appointment of Mr George Gardner in 1844 the institution started upon its more active independent and useful existence that it has since maintained. Only 40 acres of the 147 acres were in cultivation when Gardener took charge and the chief use made of the land was to grow jak, coconuts and vegetables for sale by the Government Agent in Kandy. Gardner effected many important improvements in the condition of the Gardens but his chief work was the exploration of the country for the collection and preparation of its flora. He died at Nuwara Eliya in 1849 and was succeeded by Dr Thwaites who for over 30 years maintained the Gardens in a high state of efficiency, added largely to our knowledge of the flora of the Colony and gave the establishment its worldwide reputation. Botanic Gardens at Hakgala was established in 1861 for introduction of Cinchona into the island and in 1876 Gampaha (Henarathgoda) Botanic Garden was started for the introduction of Rubber.

Thwaites was succeeded by Dr Henry Trimen, under whose rule and capable management the beauty and usefulness of the Gardens were very considerably advanced. He established the Museum of Economic Botany, opened branch Gardens at Badulla and Anuradhapura and began the publication of his work, “The Flora of Ceylon” which however was finished by Sir Joseph D. Hooker after Trimen’s death in 1896. In 1896 Trimen was succeeded by Dr J.C. Willis and from that date a new extension of scientific work took place. In the early years work was mainly directed towards the introduction and acclimatization of useful and ornamental plants but in later years activities developed towards Economic, Botany and Agriculture and led to the development of the Department of Agriculture in 1912. Mr H.F. Macmillan who was appointed Curator in 1895, was made the Superintendent of Botanic Gardens in 1912 and Mr T.H. Parsons the Curator in 1914. During Macmillan’s superintendent the Gardens were improved and extended and his great work “a Hand Book of Tropical Planting and Gardening” was published. Macmillan retired in 1925 and Mr T.H. Parsons continued as curator till 1945.

Peradeniya

The history of the Royal Botanic Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the thrown and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli river. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri from 1747 – 1780 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided2 therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

A vihare and dagaba were built in the reign of King Wimala Dhamma which was improved by Kind Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The vihare and dogaba were destroyed by the English when they occupied Kandy. The famous historical battle of Gannoruwa between Rajasinghe II and the Portuguese was fought on the Northern side of the river. A priest resided here till the Gardens were formed by Mr Alexandar Moon in 1821 six years after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom.

In 1810 under the advice of Sir Joseph Banks a garden named Kew was opened in Slave island and Mr William Kerr was appointed as its Superintendent. In 1813 the garden was moved to Kalutara for the reception of economic plants which could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave island. Kerr died in 1814 and under the rule of his successor Mr Alexander Moon this Garden was finally moved to Peradeniya in 1821 as it was found to be favorable and better adapted for the proposed Botanic establishment. The transfer of exotics from the Kalutara Garden was made by successive Superintendents at least up to 1843.

3During Moon’s superintendent the opening of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, can be said to have commenced though at first only the South West portion of the Gardens was cleared and opened and it was mostly planted with cinnamon and coffee. Moon published his “Catalogue of Ceylon Plants” in 1824 in which was given the Botanical and native names of 1, 127 plants, indigenous to the island. After the appointment of Mr George Gardner in 1844 the institution started upon its more active independent and useful existence that it has since maintained. Only 40 acres of the 147 acres were in cultivation when Gardener took charge and the chief use made of the land was to grow jak, coconuts and vegetables for sale by the Government Agent in Kandy. Gardner effected many important improvements in the condition of the Gardens but his chief work was the exploration of the country for the collection and preparation of its flora. He died at Nuwara Eliya in 1849 and was succeeded by Dr Thwaites who for over 30 years maintained the Gardens in a high state of efficiency, added largely to our knowledge of the flora of the Colony and gave the establishment its worldwide reputation. Botanic Gardens at Hakgala was established in 1861 for introduction of Cinchona into the island and in 1876 Gampaha (Henarathgoda) Botanic Garden was started for the introduction of Rubber.

Thwaites was succeeded by Dr Henry Trimen, under whose rule and capable management the beauty and usefulness of the Gardens were very considerably advanced. He established the Museum of Economic Botany, opened branch Gardens at Badulla and Anuradhapura and began the publication of his work, “The Flora of Ceylon” which however was finished by Sir Joseph D. Hooker after Trimen’s death in 1896. In 1896 Trimen was succeeded by Dr J.C. Willis and from that date a new extension of scientific work took place. In the early years work was mainly directed towards the introduction and acclimatization of useful and ornamental plants but in later years activities developed towards Economic, Botany and Agriculture and led to the development of the Department of Agriculture in 1912. Mr H.F. Macmillan who was appointed Curator in 1895, was made the Superintendent of Botanic Gardens in 1912 and Mr T.H. Parsons the Curator in 1914. During Macmillan’s superintendent the Gardens were improved and extended and his great work “a Hand Book of Tropical Planting and Gardening” was published. Macmillan retired in 1925 and Mr T.H. Parsons continued as curator till 1945.

The history of the Royal Botanic Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the thrown and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli river. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri from 1747 – 1780 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

A vihare and dagaba were built in the reign of King Wimala Dhamma which was improved by Kind Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The vihare and dogaba were destroyed by the English when they occupied Kandy. The famous historical battle of Gannoruwa between Rajasinghe II and the Portuguese was fought on the Northern side of the river. A priest resided here till the Gardens were formed by Mr Alexandar Moon in 1821 six years after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom.

In 1810 under the advice of Sir Joseph Banks a garden named Kew was opened in Slave island and Mr William Kerr was appointed as its Superintendent. In 1813 the garden was moved to Kalutara for the reception of economic plants which could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave island. Kerr died in 1814 and under the rule of his successor Mr Alexander Moon this Garden was finally moved to Peradeniya in 1821 as it was found to be favorable and better adapted for the proposed Botanic establishment. The transfer of exotics from the Kalutara Garden was made by successive Superintendents at least up to 1843.

During Moon’s superintendent the opening of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, can be said to have commenced though at first only the South West portion of the Gardens was cleared and opened and it was mostly planted with cinnamon and coffee. Moon published his “Catalogue of Ceylon Plants” in 1824 in which was given the Botanical and native names of 1, 127 plants, indigenous to the island. After the appointment of Mr George Gardner in 1844 the institution started upon its more active independent and useful existence that it has since maintained. Only 40 acres of the 147 acres were in cultivation when Gardener took charge and the chief use made of the land was to grow jak, coconuts and vegetables for sale by the Government Agent in Kandy. Gardner effected many important improvements in the condition of the Gardens but his chief work was the exploration of the country for the collection and preparation of its flora. He died at Nuwara Eliya in 1849 and was succeeded by Dr Thwaites who for over 30 years maintained the Gardens in a high state of efficiency, added largely to our knowledge of the flora of the Colony and gave the establishment its worldwide reputation. Botanic Gardens at Hakgala was established in 1861 for introduction of Cinchona into the island and in 1876 Gampaha (Henarathgoda) Botanic Garden was started for the introduction of Rubber.

Thwaites was succeeded by Dr Henry Trimen, under whose rule and capable management the beauty and usefulness of the Gardens were very considerably advanced. He established the Museum of Economic Botany, opened branch Gardens at Badulla and Anuradhapura and began the publication of his work, “The Flora of Ceylon” which however was finished by Sir Joseph D. Hooker after Trimen’s death in 1896. In 1896 Trimen was succeeded by Dr J.C. Willis and from that date a new extension of scientific work took place. In the early years work was mainly directed towards the introduction and acclimatization of useful and ornamental plants but in later years activities developed towards Economic, Botany and Agriculture and led to the development of the Department of Agriculture in 1912. Mr H.F. Macmillan who was appointed Curator in 1895, was made the Superintendent of Botanic Gardens in 1912 and Mr T.H. Parsons the Curator in 1914. During Macmillan’s superintendent the Gardens were improved and extended and his great work “a Hand Book of Tropical Planting and Gardening” was published. Macmillan retired in 1925 and Mr T.H. Parsons continued as curator till 1945.

Last year the trip was to Kandy and from there to Ambuluwawa. At about 7 o’clock with a breakfast served with sunshine and us teasing each other how marvelous we were in the last night pool game, got on to the mini bus. No body slept but was taken away by the beauty of the city Kandy. Well at least I was. This is my first trip here and the scenery is not what I imagined. stunned thats what I was by seen that the reality is much more beautiful than my dreams. Through the ever famous for its magnificent flora and fauna, Peradeniya campus, was what we passed to reach Gampola. The climate was cozy, I think. As I saw people hurrying in the road with energy and enthusiasm. I was inside a AC van listen to music from my phone thinking ‘yesterday was history, tomorrow is mystery, and today is here. yeah and that’s why its called a “present”‘. With the train of thought we reached to a point, where Sam gave a cry and said “look that’s Ambuluwawa”. So I looked. Tilted my head. Wow thats really high. So high now I was worried how am I going to climb all that?. We came to a sign that was welcoming the visitors. And saw many people started the journey by foot. But as it was allowed we continue in the van. Round and round, making all houses small we climbed up and came to a halt. Yes Ambuluwawa and we are here.

Stepped out. The sun was shining and damn that was a fine day. No mist, lot of sun and all look so colorful.

From Ambuluwawa Looking down

and a photo of the tower, which people can climb. looks really dangerous. But if you are not that stupid you can always enjoy the moment.

Ambuluwawa from the entrance

So we entered and started clicking away. The place was mesmerizing, wonder of nature and human artistic intervention. The line of images will speak for itself

Inside entrance to the tower

Sandakada Pahan - Modern

Bell tower

Statue of Lord Buddha

Garden

View from above

Then we started climbing the tower. Step by step up we went up. Again clicking trying to capture the beauty in phone memory but unable to record what our minds were going through with the calming beauty.

Winding roads

Clouds mountains.. I love this photo

Looking down

Looking down

It was really a memorable day. So memorable after a year and half (almost) I remember every detail.

We bid farewell with sun still shining and looking over us.

Sun flower and tree

How to get there…

Come to Gampola town and from there take the Raja Mawatha (Not sure about the name of the road). But still you can’t miss it. You will see the white tower, top of a rock from any corner of Gampola town

UNIFUSION – the Peradeniya University Music Society’s all faculty evening of rhythm and dance – had many beats to it this time. The most irritating of these was a band of dissenters sent there (?) by what we believe is the / a hand of the Students’ Union, which has differences with an alternative student-political ideology represented by part of the Organizing Committee of UNIFUSION.

It is an acknowledged fact that English-related activities and programmes organized by alternative, non-Students’ Union bodies at Peradeniya are “not approved” by the censorious “big brother rules” agenda of the SU. These programmes, therefore, musical or otherwise, have to “face the music” if the SU decides to “play”. And this evening, so to speak, was one of them.

The commencing of the programme itself was delayed when an alleged SU backed faction consisting students from the Engineering and Arts faculties came and demanded admittance to the theatre for Rs. 20. This was in spite of the tickets being already priced at Rs. 50 for students. In their view, it was atrocious and against university policy to charge a student more than Rs. 20. Anyways. They also complained that posters announcing UNIFUSION – which were put up around campus and town early this week – were pasted over SU posters that promoted a “blood donation” which the SU is said to have organized. So, the compensation, by their logic, was to force into the show and to call for blood.

And blood, indeed, was their call – as the organized body of dissenters, sitting in the back rows of the EOE Pereira theatre launched into a medley of chants, hoots, interruptions, shouts and boisterous clapping while the items were being presented. The performers, however, held an iron nerve and concrete guts as not to be disturbed or “put off” by the rowdy saboteurs. The announcer remarked that the misbehaving section was “a disgrace to the university” and that the show will go on for the benefit of “the disciplined parties” present.

The evening was a magnifique fusion of diverse styles, cultures, genres braced by the rich talent of the performers. The items included solo singing, many a colourful dance item, a couple of groovy skits and a refreshing mix of music from the 60s to alternative rock and hip hop. The show, which was initiated last year, was meant to fuse together the many styles – bringing on to one stage the diversity of culture(s) and the “sense” of art that is around us. And true to the word, tonight’s show cut across a rich variety of Sinhala, Tamil, English, Latin, Classical, Hindi “cultures” – bringing together generations of creative will on a 21^st Century stage.

But, of course, the Students’ Union proxies had to cock up their politically prejudiced, parochial pistols and keep on interrupting. By the time the 5^th item was on there were almost 40 dissenters seated in the back rows of the EOE. Most of them are alleged to be First Year students from the Engineering Faculty, joined by “crack troops” from Arts (Usually, as per SU fetish of “structure”, the First Year kids get to do the laundry of the Seniors). However, the sad part for the dissenters was that not many were too bothered by them, as the performers got on with their hard-rehearsed acts.

Where metaphors fail, deeds speak out loud.

The audience, too, backed up the performers giving them warm applause and by clapping in rhythm of the singing on stage. So, being badly let down, the dissenters tried their last card by attempting to rouse a riot inside the house. A group of the rioters initiated their own “talent show” making marauding gestures and flapping their hands all around accusing a section of the audience for, with the aid of a mobile phone, having “videoed their dissent”.

So?

I mean, surely, if they were not violating any law or breaking any ethical codes, why should they be thus worried that their mayhem making was taped?

However, what followed was a disturbing and violent spat of words – as the vent of the dissenters’ frustration got thrown all over the audience consisting of faculty, fathers, mothers, family members of students, kids and outsiders. And it stank.

The security division was, then, summoned and with some of the organizers committing, and with an overall delay of 20 minute, the dissenters were finally led out of the EOE theatre. The writer is not 100% aware as to what exactly caused the dissenters to agree to leave – but, in the final analysis it so happened that they came, they saw….and they had to leave.

While the din was on, the Organizing Committee, one felt, did an excellent job not letting things get totally out of hand – and, by not reacting to the intruders. Applause should also go to the two announcers, Ms. Hashintha Jayasinghe and Mr. Arshed Fazal for keeping their heads up under pressure and for handling it all coolly.

The evening resumed and the rest of the programme went on uninterrupted. But, it is nothing less than the utter misfortune of the country that agents such as the SU of a leading University – an agent who has legitimacy and a politically recognized position within the Establishment – act in such lowly gestures. Clearly, UNIFUSION has to be appreciated, at least, at two levels:

1. For bringing together the eight faculties of the University for an active evening of performance art.
2. For opening up a creative forum as the meeting point of diverse cultures, diverse “senses” and for pushing the horizons of creativity – both conceptually and practically.

Art has no language. And even if it did have one, our belief is that it would be shades different from the language of a parochial little group that, while sucking out of the nipple of a political party based in Battaramulla, assumes the name of Students’ Union. Of course, in a dynamic and active society we all encounter problems whether we work in tandem with, abreast of or against one another. But, the solutions to these issues have to be sorted out in ways that, in the end, the solution would be a solution.

Saturday the 5th of April. EOE Pereira Memorial Hall, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. Ten minutes past nine in the evening. The talk of the moment — “the devil”.

It indeed was the devil of creativity as DRAMSOC 2008 ended with a thunderous applause not only for the prize-winners, but also to the fantastic fusioning of sheer raw artistic talent at the EOE. For starters, the contest this year was a marathon, with 6 plays running for the plum (and the Senior Treasurer of the DRAMSOC mentioned that a couple of plays had to be turned down, as well, to convenience the schedule). The Faculty of Arts alone had 3 productions and the Faculties of Medicine, Science and Engineering were very much in for the kill with their productions reving.

The winning performance this year was by Arts, with an adaptation of Old Bill’s Romeo and Juliet, as Juliet and Romeo (one gets a queer feeling that the baptist here had, at some point of his/her career, taken a lil stroll by the Dept of English, Ground Floor, main Arts Building). Anyways. The adaptation was, incidentally, a trilingual experimentation, an effort to internalize the fatal love affair of that “enemy blood united in love” to the Lankan sensibility. Though the trilingual cameo sounded a bit contrived at times, the experimentation deserves our applause.

The EOE ”back seats”, consisting mainly of Engineering and (to a lesser degree) Science jocks, were making mayhem right throughout, showing that they were more fit for construction sites than theatres. And it was little wonder that Juliet and Romeo started out with a whole lot of “attempted distractions”. But, the play spoke for itself — and as the play progressed, the crowd was too absorbed and engaged in it all to be uncouth. Let’s say that the audience had no choice: they were sucked in by the quality of what they were seeing on the floor. Incidentally, as the finale approached the entire Hall was perpetuated by the silence — of death. Romeo’s. And Juliet’s. (And the audience’s, if i may add).

Hashintha Jayasinghe lead the J&R cast as a memorable Juliet while Rashmi Fernando played Romeo with understanding and depth. A special award was in line for Angela Perinpanayagam for her busy-body-loving-heart character: Juliet’s nurse.

The winners — “Juliet and Romeo”: an adaptation from Shakespeare.

I was equally captured by the Science Faculty’s subversive take on the Tudor History in their spectacular production (The Black Adder). A plotline that reflected on “what really happened to Richard III” the play was a pleasing capsule of wit, humour, and action. Edward of York, played by the versatile Randika Gajanayake won him top honours for his capital effort. What was most provocative in the play was, maybe, the “performance element” of it: it was highly theatrical and was meant for a “jolly good time”; each line of it.

This year’s DRAMSOC stole the limelight for the increasing number of original scripts. While J&R was an adaptation by Hashintha Jayasinghe and co, the Arts Fac First Year batch, too, staged a self-composed “World Wide Proposals”. Another eyecatcher this year was the performance of the Arts Faculty “SULI” group: a non-aligned creative group who write and produce in Sinhala. The SULI staged an English adaptation of one of their Sinhala productions from last year, titled “Aadaraye Suli”.

In a drama contest dominated by the silver-spooned English speakers and others of an inevitable campus elite group, it was damn brilliant of Lakshan and Ashoka (the two actors involved in the SULI production) to come out with their performance of a dialogue much remniscent of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” (of course, this was contextually different). Neither Lakshan nor Ashoka use English in their daily discourse/s and had never performed in English to any form of gathering ever before. Well done, Lakshan and Ashoka!!!

To cut the crap and to bring the cows home, the main trophies went as follows:

Best Actor of a female role: Hashintha Jayasinghe (Arts)

Best Actor of a male role: Randika Gajanayake (Science)

Best Direction: Juliet and Romeo: Hashintha Jayasinghe (Arts)

Best Play: Juliet and Romeo (Arts)

PS — PAGE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PROBABLE UPDATES TO FOLLOW

Avakaashayata Saapekshava  

March 18^th – Arts Theatre. University of Peradeniya.

Lakshan(tha) De Silva moves relative to space with the launch of his

Avakaashayata Saapekshava

Supposed to be “tharkaya lekhana.gatha kireemak”. Little rhyme-lets of logical thought. Thought rolled into little creative pieces of verse. We’re simply quoting Lakshan here. But, knowing him and by the virtue of previous experience, there’re two rules that are explicitly stated in the “Dummy’s Guide to Lakshan”, regarding his work:

1. Expect the unexpected (and don’t expect the mundane)
2. Do not ever over-speculate (cos you’ll never know till it comes)

Lakshan(tha) Brian De Silva, of course, is no stranger to the University community; for he is a pioneer behind what has, at Peradeniya Arts, come to be known as the “Suli group” – an alternative Student-Political Space that, in its own capacity, strives to revitalized the realm of “university student creativity”. The “Suli”, when it did, emerged as a most welcome whirlpool, to a university “student creativity” largely monopolized by a narrow and politically-motivated Students’ Union and other proxies of a certain political party based in Battaramulla.

The “Suli” is also one of the few groups in recent times that quite effectively waded across the Sinhala-English divide at Peradeniya. Their work and comradship has locked hands with both the Sinhala medium as well as the English medium student groups, thus, making their creative adventure/s even more phenomenal and constructive.

No – I’m not trying to paint Lakshan “white” here (if you happen to meet the fella you may just see that that, out of all, is no easy task)J. This is just to locate Lakshan in the context of the “university experience” as an artist and fellow. And the 18^th of March marks the release of this guy’s maiden publication. After the “Suli”, what could Avakaashayata Saapekshava be: a bolt of lightning?  

Wishes for good times ahead Lakshan!!! 

Surevey Carried out in Kandy-Peradeniya-Eeriyagama and Dangolla areas conclude the following as the sexiest guys of our Paradise Isle, 2007/008. 

NUMBER 5:  

Kumar Sangakkara — indeed, his looks were equally contested by his Midas touch in the Cricket field last season. The outspoken SL vice captain (who’s simply crying out to be made captain) is at NUmber 5 with 26 votes.

NUMBER 4:

Known for his out spoken views and breathtaking oratorical power Wimal Weerawansa, MP, has been always a darling of the working class. Also known for his impressive TV personality and expensive hairdo, the MP is placed 4th with 42 votes.

 NUMBER 3:

If Mervyn is his name controversy has been his game. Perched at Number 3 with 45 votes is the news maker of SL politics, the non-cabinet minister “Doctor” Mervyn Silva.

NUMBER 2:

He made it to the top in Sirasa Super Star (season 2); and makes it a double by snatching 49 votes to be voted the 2nd most sexiest Sri Lankan this year. Hats off to Pradeep Rangana!!!

And the SEXIEST SRI LANKAN (MALE) for 2007/008:

 Danesh Karunanayake — the psychology stud from university of Peradeniya. Danesh spends his time mainly lecturing and in research work, while helping students with his councelling. He collected a total 55 votes, a clear 6 votes ahead of Pradeep Rangana. And he will carry the precious weight of being the SEXIEST of em all for a full year now. CONGRATS DANESH KARUNANAYAKE!!!

Publicado por: scg

El Jardín Botánico de Peradeniya

En un clima tan propicio como el de Sri Lanka, el Jardín Botánico de Peradeniya es como un viaje al mítico jardín del Edén. Está considerado como uno de los jardines más hermosos y fascinantes del mundo.

Ocupa una extensión de 60 hectáreas, con una riquísima variedad de plantas de especias, orquídeas (entre ellas la especie más grande del mundo), bambús gigantes, cocoteros de mar, palmas, murciélagos y monos que dan al jardín una banda sonora de hululares y ruidos de la vida que puebla el jardín. Pero quizá una de las especies más espectaculares, su joya, es el Ficus Benjamina, cuyas ramas alcanzan los 1.800 metros.

El Orfanato de Elefantes

En Pinnewala, viven cerca de sesenta elefantes abandonados, heridos o huérfanos. Cada día acuden a bañarse al río, junto a la fábrica de papel ecológico hecho a base de excrementos de elefante. ¡Sí! Excremento de elefante, y no se trata de una técnica novedosa, en estas latitudes, el contacto y convivencia con el elefante ha sido parte de la cultura y tradición. No es extraño por eso que los artesanos trabajen desde hace 500 años con materia prima derivada de los elefantes.