Except for Manila, nowhere in Asia takes Christmas as seriously as Colombo. Which explains why we spotted this year’s first Christmas tree last week, meaning we’re doomed to Adele covers and jingle bells for the rest of the year.
Cheer (or cacophony, as the grinches might say) aside, the show must go on. Tonight, V day, by the Grassrooted Trust, and Sinhabahu at the Wendt. Throughout the weekend, Nuga Gahak at the BMICH. Also the state drama festival at the Elphinstone. And, organised by our magnanimous big brother, a Hindustani musical recital at Swami Vivekananda Hall.
Friday was for drama, Saturday is for art. Catch the last day of Priyantha Udagedara’s marine-themed collages and paintings at Radicle. Or, confirm you’re not a hidden artistic genius yourself, at La Luna’s watercolour painting workshop. If you aren’t, get back to the basics: learn the difference between primary and secondary colours at Anoma Wijewardena’s art walk-through.
Send the kids to Bawa Trust’s Saturday Story Club before heading to Lakmahal for their mystery puzzle party.
The Philharmonic Society's Nelson mass for troubled times at St. Michael’s Church, or perhaps a mass for victory? Then cleanse yourself at Park Street Mews jazz.
The week promises to be grave, as it should. Lectures and film screenings mostly. Watch Sri Lankans adapt German writings for film at the Goethe Institut’s Thomas Mann celebration. If that wasn’t erudite enough, attend WNPS’s lecture on climate change and AI. And if you’re so sick and tired of hearing about AI, take a break from it at ‘sister-library’ at the public library, on till 30 November .
What to read
Is Rauff Hakeem inviting a fox into the chicken coop? He moots a joint Indo-Lanka fishing company to solve Indian fish poaching. Also in The Hindu, Meera Srinivasan interviews our Prime Minister. Honestly, we can’t vouch for it – we haven’t paid for a Hindu sub 🙈. But since you’ve been zealous enough to subscribe to us, maybe you’d have coughed up for them too.
Bhavani Fonseka opines on Sri Lanka’s democracy and Elijah Hoole on Chatgpt induced alienation. Data Nuwan, restless as ever, has put together a Colombo Traffic Index.
Sujeewa Hettiarachchi and others publish on English medium instruction at universities. More fishy fish: check out this mostly photo story by Eranga Jayawardena on how Sri Lankan fishermen are adapting to an invasive species.
If you aren’t yet bored of the budget, here’s some takes from ODI and Deloitte. Also subscribe to see all our budget resources at the bottom of our budget Headline.
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