Dr. K. Vikram Rao, a senior journalist and the National President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), passed away in Lucknow. He died following complications from a respiratory condition.
A stalwart in Indian journalism, Dr. Rao dedicated his life to the profession, upholding its principles and championing public interest. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he served as a journalist, editor, columnist, academic, and a vocal international advocate for press freedom.
His son, journalist K. Vishwadev Rao, confirmed the news with a heartfelt message: “It is with profound grief I have to inform you that my beloved father, Dr. K. Vikram Rao, a senior journalist and the National President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), breathed his last this morning at a private hospital in Lucknow, following complications related to a respiratory condition.”
Dr. Rao once led the IFWJ, considered one of the largest journalist unions globally. While he was widely respected for his leadership, clarity of vision, and resilience, his legacy also sparked debate. Some within the media community noted that shifts in his political stance—from socialist ideals to a more right-leaning worldview—coincided with a weakening of journalists’ collective bargaining power and a growing disillusionment with media unions.
Despite this, many remember him as a tireless organizer and a powerful voice in the trade union movement. One tribute read, “My salutes to an old comrade and a leader who had immense organizing capabilities. Shanti shanti.”
The Indian media fraternity mourns the loss of a complex yet deeply committed figure who shaped the landscape of journalistic trade unionism in the country.
Asian Media and Cultural Association (AMCA) Chairman Upul Janaka Jayasinghe, issuing a statement on the passing of Dr. Vikram Rao, stated that Mr. Vikram Rao played a key role in strengthening media cooperation between Sri Lanka and India and opened doors for Sri Lankan journalists to visit India.
The 13th Defence Services Badminton Tournament was conducted from 14 to 18 May 2025 at the Parakrama Samaraweera Memorial Indoor Sports Complex, Sri Lanka Navy Gemunu, Welisara. The Sri Lanka Air Force Men’s team secured the Championship and the Women’s team secured the Runners-up.
Both the Open Men’s Singles and Doubles Championships, along with the Men’s team Championship, were able to secured by the SLAF Men’s Badminton team for the first time in the history of Defence Services Badminton.
The Award Ceremony was graced by the Director General of Budget and Finance, Rear Admiral Manjula Dissanayake, as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by many officials representing the tri-forces.
Summary of Results
Open Singles Men’s Championship Aircraftman De Silva HLO
Open Doubles Men’s Championship Aircraftman Palliyaguru TT Aircraftman2 Under Training Karunarathne IOSP
Open Doubles Men’s Runners-Up Aircraftman De Silva HLO Aircraftman Senarathne SD
Open Singles Women’s Runners-Up Aircraftwoman Indramali NGM
Open Doubles Women’s Runners-Up Flight LLieutenant WMJ De Silva Flying Officer MSS Kuruppu
Michelin-Starred Mastery Comes to Galle Face Hotel: Chef Serge Chenet Hosts Exclusive Showcase from May 16th to 18th, 2025, 1864 Limited Edition, the signature fine dining restaurant at the iconic Galle Face Hotel, will host L’EXPÉRİENCE FRANÇAISE – a refined à la carte dining experience led by Michelin-starred French Chef Serge Chenet.
A celebrated figure in French gastronomy, Chef Serge Chenet brings to Colombo a culinary legacy that spans over five decades. His journey began in Reims, followed by early training under legendary French masters such as Joël Robuchon, Georges Blanc, and Michel Rostang. Over the years, he earned multiple Michelin stars, including at Château de Rochegude and Entre Vigne et Garrigue, the acclaimed family-run establishment he created in the South of France. In 1993, he was awarded the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, a national recognition of excellence in craftsmanship.
For three nights only, guests at 1864 Limited Edition will be invited to savour an exclusive menu that reflects the elegance, complexity, and emotion of modern French cuisine, prepared à la minute by a chef who has devoted his life to its mastery. Each dish will feature seasonal ingredients, delicate technique, and a profound respect for the traditions of the French table – all served within the refined setting of one of Colombo’s most distinguished dining venues.
Chef Chenet’s visit is part of 1864 Limited Edition’s ongoing commitment to bringing world-class culinary experiences to Sri Lanka, celebrating global excellence while creating moments of true gastronomic distinction. Reservations are highly recommended, with limited availability. About 1864 Limited Edition Located within the historic Galle Face Hotel, 1864 Limited Edition is a sophisticated dining destination that celebrates contemporary European cuisine, art, and design. With a curated wine cellar, handcrafted cocktails, and exhibitions by renowned Sri Lankan artists, the restaurant offers a multisensory experience for discerning guests. Named after the hotel’s founding year and winning the “Best Contemporary Fine Dining Restaurant” at the 2024 Sri Lanka Tourism Awards, it continues to be one of Colombo’s most elegant and intimate fine dining venues.
The 13th Defence Services Soccer Tournament concluded on 10 May 2025 at the Sri Lanka Navy Stadium, Welisara. In a historic achievement, the Sri Lanka Air Force Women’s Soccer Team secured Championship for the first time, having played for 15 years from the initiation which took place in 2010 The first match of Soccer Women’s was held on 01 May 2025 and it was played between Sri Lanka Air Force and Sri Lanka Army where the Women’s team won with four goals against Sri Lanka Army. In the finals they delivered a commanding performance against Sri Lanka Navy and secured the Championship with a goal. The Award Ceremony was graced by the Commander Volunteer Navy, Rear Admiral HNS Perera as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by many officials representing tri- forces.
ASUS and Republic of Garners (ROG) Sri Lanka have officially launched their latest suite of computing innovations, setting a new benchmark for ultra-portability, Al acceleration, and next-generation gaming experiences in the country.
Headlining the lineup are the groundbreaking ASUS Zenbook A14 and ROG Strix SCAR 16/18 models, both of which promise to revolutionize how Sri Lankans engage with personal computing, from professional productivity to high-performance gaming.
The event, held in Colombo, introduced a total of five new laptops: the ASUS Zenbook A14 (UX3407), Vivobook S14 (S3407), Vivobook 16 (X1607) and the gaming-centred ROG Strix SCAR 16/18 (G635/G835), and ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605). These models, combining portability, power, and immersive design, cater to a wide user base, including students, professionals, entrepreneurs, garners, and digital creators.
At the forefront of this innovation wave is the ASUS Zenbook A14, our lightest Copilot+ PC weighing merely 980 grams. Built with a futuristic Ceraluminum chassis—combining the lightness and durability of aluminum and the anti-scratch properties of ceramic—it is designed for next-level portability without compromise. Powered by the latest Snapdragon X processor, the Zenbook A14 offers industry-leading 45 TOPS of Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance, an ASUS Lumina OLED display, up to 32 hours of battery life (battery life may vary by usage), Wi-Fi 7, USB4 connectivity, and 1 TB of lightning-fast SSD storage, redefining what it means to be a mobile powerhouse.
For garners and creators, the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 takes center stage, combining the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics and 240Hz WQXGA Mini-LED ROG Nebula HDR displays. The AniMe Vision LED lid and 360° RGB lightbar bring a dynamic edge to performance gaming, while a tool-less chassis ensures future-proof upgradability.
These machines are designed not just for speed but also for style and thermal stability, featuring advanced ambient cooling systems for marathon gaming sessions.
Commenting on the launch, Eric Ou, Regional Head, ASUS South Asia stated, “At ASUS, our mission is to continuously reimagine what technology can achieve for our users. As a product-and customer-first company, we are committed to pushing boundaries in performance, design, and innovation. With the 2025 ROG lineup and our new Snapdragon-powered Al PCs, we are delivering solutions that resonate with today’s multifaceted users—from everyday creators to competitive garners.” The launch represents a significant leap forward for the Sri Lankan tech landscape, offering users access to cutting-edge Al capabilities, immersive multimedia experiences, and unprecedented levels of performance and portability. With multi-day battery life and Al-enabled acceleration seamlessly integrated into workflows, ASUS positions itself at the forefront of the Al PC revolution.
The new ASUS Al PC powered by Smipkiliigcm X procossors gtdrigi from [KR 254,4(.10, whit() ’till latest ROG gaming laptops with NVIDIA 5000 series GPIl toniiry-; at I VP 1,112,000. f tifr,;() products are now available at ASUS Exclusive Stores ;Ind select( multi mr.irld retailers across Sri Lanka,
For consumers eager to experience the future of computing firsthand, ASIJS invites th’,rn to explore the new product range and discover how Al and advanced hardware can transform the way one works, learn, creates, and play.
In a triumph for Sri Lanka’s film heritage, Sumitra Peries’ “Gehenu Lamai” (1978) restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation has been selected for a world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2025. The film has been restored under the aegis of FISCH: France- India – Sri Lanka Cine Heritage – Saving Film Across Borders – a pioneering international collaboration between Film Heritage Foundation, the Embassy of France and the French Institute in India and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, dedicated to restoring and preserving cinematic heritage. The selection of “Gehenu Lamai” for the 78th Cannes Film Festival marks the fourth year in a row that Film Heritage Foundation is returning to Cannes Classic, but its first with a Sri Lankan film. Film Heritage Foundation’s earlier restorations – Aravindan Govindan’s “Thamp”, Aribam Syam Sharma’s “Ishanou” and Shyam Benegal’s “Manthan” had red-carpet world premieres at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Recognized as the Outstanding Film of the Year at the 1978 London Film Festival, the debut film of Sumitra Peries – referred to as the Poetess of Sri Lankan Cinema – tells the heartbreaking tale of two young sisters in a Sri Lankan village whose romantic dreams and aspirations are crushed by the class barrier and the conflict between tradition and progress. The poetic black and white imagery beautifully captures the confusion and fragility of adolescent love and yearning coupled with an outstanding performance by a 16 year-old Wasanthi Chathurani as Kusum in her debut role. Rave reviews at the time of its release “Spare and restrained, with shimmering black-and-white images, the film is a rarity, maybe unique, as a work of a wholly feminine sensibility . . .” – David Robinson, London Times.
“Handled more elegantly than tragically in long peaceful scenes accentuated by artistic but unobtrusive photography which strengthens the basic mood of the film, these haunting images linger long after the film is over. Peries has set her theme in that borderland where traditional values are in conflict with modern forces. A lyrical film with an abundance of beautifully composed images where nevertheless the finger lies exactly on the wound, that painful area of living where tradition is in conflict with progress in the East.” -Rhein Neckar Zeitung. The Gehenu Lamai team will be led by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation for the film premiere in Cannes and will include the lead actress Wasanthi Chaturani, lead actor Ajith Jinadasa, Gayathri Mustachi of the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, Sudath Mahaadivulwewa, Chairman, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, Mathieu Bejot, French Institute in India and Dammith Fonseka, actor, director and Head of the Gamini Fonseka Foundation.
MR. RÉMI LAMBERT, AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO SRI LANKA:
“In choosing to restore Gehenu Lamai, directorial debut of Sumitra Peries, we sought not only to safeguard a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s film history, but also to bring a masterpiece of women’s storytelling back into the light. The choice felt like an obvious one: what stronger symbol than to restore such an essential cinematic landmark which showcases Sri Lanka women’s cultural heritage, all the more so as it was directed by an artist who was, quite literally, an ambassador of Franco–Sri Lankan relations. Thanks to the dedication and expertise of Film Heritage Foundation, who took on the challenge of restoring the film, Gehenu Lamai has been restored and given a new life.
France is honored to stand alongside Sri Lanka in keeping its rich cinematic heritage alive. This lies at the very heart of our cultural commitment: preserving the arts and their memory. A film is made to be seen; not to sleep on reels, but to live on screen. The spotlight on Sri Lankan cinema at Cannes this year is a profound source of pride, but we also hope to see Gehenu Lamai return to Sri Lankan silver screen soon, where it can resonate once more in the hearts for which it was first created.”
SHIVENDRA SINGH DUNGARPUR, DIRECTOR, FILM HERITAGE FOUNDATION:
I had a very close personal relationship with Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries. I still remember the day Sumitra Peries gave me a DVD of “Gehenu Lamai” with her handwritten notes. I watched the film and I could see why she was called the Poetess of Sri Lankan cinema. I was so moved by the poetic imagery of the film and the assured delicacy with which she handled the fragile emotions of the young actors. It was hard to believe that it was her debut film.
What concerned me at the time was the condition of the film elements and I hoped that we would be able to restore the film before it was too late. I was delighted when the opportunity arose thanks to a grant from the French Government through the French Embassy in India, the French Institute in India and the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, that enabled me to choose this film to be restored under the aegis of the grant. The restoration was incredibly difficult and we had to work with three different elements of the film to bring “Gehenu Lamai” back to its original glory. I only wish that Sumitra Peries was there with us to see the film.
AJITH JINADASA, LEAD ACTOR, QUOTE:
During the 1970s, it was rare to see women directing films, and Mrs. Sumitra Peries stood out as a visionary.I often reflect on how pivotal Gehenu Lamai was in my life. If Mrs. Sumitra Peries had not chosen me for the role of Nimal, I might have faded away as a one-hit-wonder child actor. That film gave me a second life in cinema, and for that, I am forever grateful.
The relationship between Nimal, the character I played, and Kusum, portrayed so beautifully by Wasanthi Chathurani, was innocent, pure, and without conflict from others—yet, it could not survive the rigid social norms of the time. The film left many heartbroken. Even today, 47 years later, fans still ask me, often emotionally, why I abandoned Kusum. Their anger and passion speak volumes about how deeply the story touched people.
Gehenu Lamai resonates across generations and borders, perhaps because no other love story of that era so truthfully portrayed the silent battles fought within society and within oneself.
It is an immense honour to witness the restoration of Gehenu Lamai and to be part of its celebration at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. My heartfelt thanks goes to Film Heritage Foundation for their dedication in preserving this important piece of Sri Lankan cinematic history and to the French Government for supporting the restoration. This film deserves to live on—not just for nostalgia, but for future generations to understand the soul of our storytelling.
WASANTHI CHATURANI, LEAD ACTRESS, QUOTE:
I am overwhelmed that “Gehenu Lamai” has been restored by Film Heritage Foundation and will be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, 47 years after it was released. I was just 16 and studying in a convent school when Sumitra Peries selected me for the role of Kusum. Initially, I was very nervous and almost gave up, but she was so patient and she taught me to the nuances of acting and how to face the camera. The character of Kusum will stay etched in my mind forever. The film was a life-changing experience for me. I cannot think of a better tribute to pay to Sumitra Peries, one of the greatest filmmakers from Sri Lanka. I only wish she could have been in Cannes to see her film come back to life on such an amazing platform. Film Heritage Foundation should be commended for their commitment over the years in building a movement for film preservation in Sri Lanka and for putting Sri Lanka’s film heritage on the world map.
GAYATHRI MUSTACHI, CHAIRPERSON, LESTER JAMES PERIES AND SUMITRA PERIES FOUNDATION QUOTE:
“As the Chairperson of the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, and the niece of both Sumitra and Lester James Peries—two visionaries who shaped the soul of our national cinema, it is an incredibly moving moment for me personally to stand witness to the world premiere of restored ‘Gehenu Lamai’. This film, directed by the trailblazing Sumitra Peries, is not only a landmark in Sri Lankan cinema but also a powerful, compassionate portrayal of womanhood that continues to resonate across generations.
Film Heritage Foundation has done incredible work on the restoration and I would like to thank them for selecting this film for restoration in association with our Foundation and under the aegis of FISCH (France–India–Sri Lanka Cine Heritage – Saving Film Across Borders). This restoration is an act of cultural preservation. It ensures that Sumitra’s quiet strength, poetic eye, and progressive spirit will once again touch audiences around the world.”
THE RESTORATION PROCESS
The germ of the idea to restore “Gehenu Lamai” began in 2018 when Shivendra Singh Dungarpur along with members of FIAF travelled to Colombo for a Rescue Mission and visited all the film storage spaces: the NFC Headquarters, the National Archives, the government film archive and the NFC Film Archive at the Sarasavi Studios. They were faced with a collection of about 30,000 film reels that were in a poor condition and stored in appalling conditions. The plan over the course of five days, was to work through the essential steps in dealing with an almost overwhelming quantity of film in various stages of decomposition, half of it stored in appalling conditions. In addition, David, Mick and Shivendra planned to cover the very basic steps of separating films wholly beyond rescue from those potentially salvageable and offer advice on equipment, storage, digitisation, and preservation strategies.
At the time, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur met Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries in Colombo and Sumitra Peries discussed the possibility of restoring some of her films with him. She also gave him DVDs of some of her films with handwritten notes about which ones she would like restored, which included her debut film “Gehenu Lamai”.
But it was only six years later, thanks to a grant under the aegis of the international collaboration FISCH – France – India – Sri Lanka Cine Heritage – Saving Film Across Borders – that the funding for the restoration became possible and Film Heritage Foundation could take up the restoration in association with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation.
In 2024, Sri Lankan and French partners approached the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives in order to restore a Sri Lankan movie. Thus, the FISCH project was born, and funding enabled Film Heritage Foundation to restore Gehenu Lamai in partnership with Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation.
Fortunately there were surviving film elements of “Gehenu Lamai” preserved at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka – a 35 mm combined dupe negative and two first generation 35 mm release prints, that were shipped to L’Immagine Ritrovata, the film restoration lab in Bologna.
On inspection at the Film Heritage Foundation archive and at the lab in Bologna, the conservators discovered that the condition of the reels varied from average to poor to critical with several reels exhibiting tears, broken sprockets, blockage, shrinkage, emulsion damage, buckling and warping. Several hours were spent on the film repair – repairing damaged perforations and tears and redoing tape splices to prepare it for scanning which was done in 4K.
In the film comparison stage, the lab found that one of the positives was the vintage release of the Sri Lankan version that had additional shots and this positive was used as a guide for the restored version. Although second generation, the dupe negative had the best photographic quality, but had embedded subtitles. The lower photographic contrast of the dupe negative allowed us to recover more details and hence it was used as a main element for restoration. Hours of work went into the digital restoration to correct distortions and recover the image as faithfully as possible.
The sound restoration was particularly challenging. The quality of the sound was generally low and varied with issues such as click and crackle noises and hiss present across all reels, physical gaps, damaged optical sound tracks that rendered the sound inaudible in parts, high electrical noise and distortion.
RESTORATION CREDITS
Restored by Film Heritage Foundation at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation.
Funding provided by a grant under the aegis of FISCH: France- India – Sri Lanka Cine Heritage – Saving Film Across Borders.
Gehenu Lamai was restored using the best surviving elements: the 35 mm combined dupe negative and two 35 mm release prints preserved at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka.
The condition of the three elements had deteriorated with tears, broken sprockets, heavy warping, emulsion damage and shrinkage that also impacted the quality of the sound, besides The film was reconstructed and restored using the best portions from each element.
CAST AND CREW DETAILS
Gehenu Lamai (The Girls), Sri Lanka, 1978, Sumitra Peries
110 mins, Black & White, Sinhala, English Subtitles, Aspect Ratio 1.37:1
Direction and Screenplay: Sumitra Peries, Original Story by: Karunasena Jayalath, Cinematographer: M. S. Ananda, Editor: Sumitra Peries, Music: Nimal Mendis, Producer: Lester James Peries, Production House: Lester James Peries Production
Set in rural Sri Lanka, Sumitra Peries’ debut film is a delicate, poetic film that tells the heartbreaking tale of two sisters whose dreams and aspirations come to nought in the face of insurmountable class barriers. Kusum, a dutiful girl falls in love with Nimal, an upper class boy, in whose house she works. Nimal’s mother is outraged when she finds out about the relationship as Kusum belongs to a lower class and sacks her, leading to Kusum breaking off all contact with Nimal. Her happy-go-lucky sister Soma’s dreams of becoming a beauty queen are shattered when she becomes pregnant and has an illegitimate child. The dreamy black-and-white imagery is a lyrical exploration of the end of innocence and romantic dreams of two young girls crushed by the heavy hand of tradition, morality and patriarchy.
ABOUT SUMITRA PERIES – THE POETESS OF SRI LANKAN CINEMA Accomplished film editor, filmmaker, film producer and diplomat, Sumitra Peries was a woman of many parts and a pre-eminent figure in the world of Sri Lankan cinema. She was born Sumitra Gunawardena on 24 March 1935 in a village some 30 miles from Colombo. Her mother hailed from a family of affluent arrack distillers, and her father belonged to a household of radical political activists. Just before she turned 21, she boarded a ship to the Mediterranean to meet her brother and they drove to Malta where he had anchored a yacht. They proceeded to live a bohemian existence dropping anchor in ports across the Mediterranean and meeting interesting people including Roger Vadim and Brigitte Bardot. After her brother returned to Sri Lanka, she met her future husband, the legendary Sri Lankan filmmaker Lester James Peries, at the Ceylon Legation in Paris. Lester advised Sumitra to leave for England where she enrolled at the London School of Film Technique (LSFT) in Brixton, where she was the sole female student in a class of mostly white, middle-class males. She returned to Sri Lanka, where she worked as an assistant director on Lester’s 1960 film Sandesaya (The Message). Four years later, they were married. After working her way up in the industry as an editor, including on a few of her husband’s films, Sumitra directed Gehenu Lamai, which became a resounding success, at home and abroad. Its success emboldened her to make nine more films, all of them centring on female protagonists: Ganga Addara (By the Bank of the River, 1980), Yahalu Yeheli (Friends, 1982), Maya (1984), Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Sanda (A Letter Written in the Sand, 1988), Loku Duwa (The Eldest Daughter, 1994), Duwata Mawaka Misa (Mother Alone, 1997), Sakman Maluwa (The Garden, 2003), Yahaluwo (Friends, 2007) and Vaishnavee (The Goddess, 2017). In addition to her work in film, she also served in a number of official and academic posts, before departing for Paris as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for France and Spain from 1995 to 1998.
Sumitra Peries died on January 19, 2023 at the age of 87.
In its continuous efforts to expand its reach and advocate financial inclusivity across Sri Lanka, Mercantile Investments recently opened two new branches in the Northern Province. These launches mark the 74th and 75th branches open by the company, further cementing its commitment to accessible, community-based financial services.
The 74th branch was open at No. 151, A9 Road, Kilinochchi on the 4th of April 2025, and the 75th branch at Ward Number 1, Parantha Road, Puthukkudiyirippu. Both ceremonies were attended by esteemed guests including Mr. Gerard Ondaatjie, Managing Director, Mercantile Investments, Mr. Laksanda Gunawardena, Chief Operating Officer, Mercantile Investments, other members of the senior management and local dignitaries.
These expansions are part of Mercantile Investments’ vision to accelerate its branch growth, across underserved regions of the country. The company’s approach is deeply rooted in financial inclusivity and servicing communities across all cultural, religious and social backgrounds. The ultimate goal being to deliver financial empowerment by providing tailormade services.
Each of the new branches offer a full spectrum of high-quality financial services including Leasing, Gold Loans, Fixed Deposits and Children’s Savings. By providing these services to more diverse customer segments, the company aims to foster sustainable development, especially among businesses and individuals in rural areas of the country.
Boasting an extensive track record of success and innovation, Mercantile Investments continues to pave the way in delivering reliable, personalised and inclusive financial solutions. This underscore the company’s belief that access to financial services is a means of transforming communities and uplifting lives.
As the Mercantile Investments continues to strengthen its footprint across Sri Lanka, customers are encouraged to experience the unparalleled warmth, convenience and expertise that are the very foundation of the Mercantile Investments brand.
Image Captions
Image 01 – Managing Director Mr.Gerard Ondaatjie at the opening of Kilinochchi branch
Image 02 – Chief Operating Officer Mr.Laksanda Gunawardena at the launch of puthukkudiyiruppu branch
Colombo Lotus Tower, together with Bling Productions and Eyeon, brings you “Vesak Rashmi Dhara”, South Asia’s first immersive and interactive Vesak digital art experience, hosted at Pixel Bloom, from May 10th to 18th, 2025. This groundbreaking initiative, created in collaboration with Colombo Lotus Tower (CLT), combines technology with tradition to create stunning, full-day digital Vesak celebrations. More than just a light show, “Vesak Rashmi Dhara” is a transformative artistic experience that allows visitors to delve into the Buddha’s life and teachings via an immersive digital narrative. The show brings timeless Buddhist wisdom into a contemporary, interactive style by fusing light, color, and emotion via the use of projection mapping and artistic expression. This entirely indoor event provides a full-day experience, enabling visitors to explore and contemplate from morning to night, in contrast to conventional Vesak celebrations that only happen in the evening. The Four Brahma Viharana—Metta, Karuna, Mudita, and Upeksha — also represented in the national flag, are the exhibit’s powerful theme this year. These four magnificent characteristics are fundamental to Buddhist teachings and are necessary for fostering social harmony and inner tranquility. Through a digital medium intended to provoke introspection and emotional connection, visitors are invited to explore these spiritual ideas in a novel way. Marlon Jesudason and Obed Kushan the creative heads behind Pixel Bloom from Bling Productions and Eyeon commenting on the launch said, “Through this special combination of spirituality and digital art, we hope to help people in reestablishing their connection to peace, empathy, and awareness while distancing themselves from negative emotions like rage, hatred, and jealousy. Vesak Rashmi Dhara is our method of utilizing technology for both inner transformation and innovation.” Several carefully chosen zones make up the immersive digital experience. From Lord Buddha’s birth to enlightenment and eventual death, Zone 1, The Enlightened Journey, provides a profoundly poignant depiction of his life, emphasizing the transformational character of his spiritual journey. One of the Buddha’s former lives is told in Zone 2A, ‘Maha Sasa Jataka’, to highlight the benefits of moral leadership, harmony in society, and coexistence based on Buddhist principles. Inspired by the ancient “Buddha Rashmi Mala,” Zone 2B, Buddha Radiance Light Patterns, pays homage to the sacred colors of Buddhism with a captivating display of color and light. In Zone 3, visitors can also participate in several interactive displays that involve activities aimed at strengthening their emotional bond with Buddhist doctrine. While Zone 3B features the Atapattama, or eight-sided lantern, which further demonstrates important Dhamma principles, Zone 3A features a gigantic, revolving digital Vesak lantern that represents the transience of life and reflects on the Eightfold Path. Eight revolving digital art slides in Zone 3D illustrate spiritual and cultural moments from the Vesak ceremonies. Vesak Rashmi Dhara experience is a seasonal extension of Pixel Bloom—South Asia’s first dedicated space for immersive and interactive digital art. After more than a year of technical and artistic development, Pixel Bloom, which was conceived by Colombo Lotus Tower and realized by Bling Productions and Eyeon, was released. A varied, multidisciplinary group of Sri Lankan creatives, including musicians, engineers, designers, and artists, is driving this project. Motion sensors and automation provide real-time interaction, while Epson’s state-of-the-art laser projectors power lighting and projection mapping systems that guarantee a flawless visual experience. The goal of Pixel Bloom was to push the digital expression in Sri Lanka. The space has already established itself by fusing technology and storytelling to support STEAM education and artistic innovation. Now, with Vesak Rashmi Dhara, the platform keeps developing, providing audiences from all walks of life with an emotionally uplifting, educational, and spiritual experience. The collaboration of committed partners—EPSON as the exclusive projection partner, D4 as the creative partner, and Bling Productions and Eyeon as concept and technology partners—makes this initiative possible. Together, they have created a Vesak experience that is unmatched by others, one that embraces the future of artistic expression while reflecting Sri Lanka’s spiritual legacy.
A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to No. 07 Squadron at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir on today morning (09 May 2025), due to an emergency situation during the Heli-Rappelling demonstration held for the Army Special Forces Passing Out Parade. The helicopter was airborne from Hingurakgoda Air Base at 06:46 am and proceeded to the Maduru Oya Army Special Forces Training School. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff for the Heli-Rappelling demonstration. At the time of the incident, 12 individuals were on board, including the two pilots, aircrew members, and Army Special Forces personnel. All occupants were initially rescued and admitted to the Aralaganwila Hospital for emergency treatment. They were subsequently transferred to the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital for further medical care. After being detained at the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital, six individuals, comprising two Air Gunners and four Army Special Forces personnel, lost their lives as a result of the incident. The Commander of the Air Force has appointed a nine-member Special Investigation Committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Urban Sketchers Colombo community celebrated International Sketchers Week with a lively sketch meet and picnic held at the landmark Independence Square in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 4th, 2025.The group of creative individuals normally meet on the third Sunday of every month in a scenic or
historical location within Colombo city limits. Artists of all ages and diverse backgrounds share their love for the places where they live and travel. The Urban Sketchers is a global community of sketchers dedicated to the practice of on-location drawing.
Urban Sketchers, or USk is a nonprofit organization which was incorporated in the state of Washington, USA, supporting and representing a grassroots community of sketchers. In 2007, a global community of urban sketchers began to form when Seattle-based journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario created an online forum “for all sketchers out there who love to draw the cities where they live and visit, from the window of their homes, from a cafe, at a park, standing by a street corner… always on location, not from photos or memory.” A year later, Campanario invited a group of sketchers to share their drawings and storytelling in a blog, Urban Sketchers, where readers could “See the World, One Drawing at a Time.” The blog helped the community gain visibility and inspired drawing enthusiasts from all over to sketch in the spirit of our manifesto.
The concept of an urban sketch is a drawing created on location, indoors or outdoors, capturing what the sketcher sees from direct observation. Urban sketchers use any kind of media to tell the story of their surroundings, the places they live, and where they travel. From 1- 7 May every year, the Urban Sketchers showcases the activities of the community and the various ways that urban sketching brings people together , changing lives around the world as everyone is given the opportunity of forming new connections with shared interests. Anyone anywhere is free to participate in International Urban Sketchers Week!
In Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Urban Sketchers community was first established in December 2021 by Megali Nanayakkara,with its first sketch meet held at the Vihara Mahadevi Park. The Urban Sketchers Colombo follows the principles of http://www.urbansketchers.org/, and aims to bring together a community of people who love to sketch. Join the Urban Sketchers Colombo Facebook group and follow @UrbanSketchersColombo on Instagram to know more about upcoming sketch-walks, and form warm connections with fellow sketchers, and to share your on-location sketches. Use the hashtag #USkWeek2025 to share your sketching stories from 1st to 7th May 2025 and show the world what urban sketching means to you!
