Life style
Rukmal De Silva’s wondrous book of Porcelain Painting
Pablo Picasso pronounced: “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary” and Rukmal De Silva’s book seems to be her diary recording places she lived in and beauty that struck her, conveyed to porcelain painting. Within the 54 pages of the large sized edition are exquisitely painted sets of porcelain crockery, jugs and vases, trinket boxes, spatulas and pot holders. On them are delicately coloured sparrows, blue tits and butterflies; roses in their variety, lotus, bougainvillea, autumn leaves; and fruits.
Ducks on the Thames; bright poppies from Windsor Great Park; agapanthus and dragon flies from the De Silva’s Windsor roof garden. Some are commissioned pieces; most painted for the mere joy of it. The pièce de résistance is on page 5: “Painted as a presentation to Princess Caroline of Monaco” – a large plate with children of the school Princess visited (and Rukmal taught) wearing their national dresses; outstandingly unique and apt.
Porcelain painting is far different fro
m painting on clay and needs great care in the firing of the painted product. She uses the best porcelain – Wedgwood, Limoge and Noritake. Using special, quick drying porcelain paints from Switzerland and Britain, she paints and then fires the items at a very high temperature for two hours in a special kiln. Then cooling is effected for at least 15-20 hours in the kiln which has been sealed during firing. If the kiln is opened well before due period of firing, objects would turn to powder; if later but still before the set time, they could crack. Thus a rough gauge of all the effort, care, skill and artistry that goes to painting porcelain.
This fine coffee table edition of very clear pictures, designed and printed by Aitken Spence, carries Rukmal’s choice of title – My Love of Porcelain Painting. Priced at Rs 2,000/- it is available at Barefoot Bookshop, Galle Road, Bambalapitiya.
– N P W
My family and I left Sri Lanka in March 1978 for Switzerland. From that time, until 1990, we lived in a little town outside Geneva – NYON – which had been a traditional place of porcelain painting. Here in this town, I learnt the art of porcelain painting under a few of the many teachers skilled in the craft. Since then, I have been engaged in porcelain painting, whenever time permits. We moved to Windsor in England in 1990, and lived there the next 25 years.
In Nyon and Geneva in Switzerland, and in Windsor, Marlow, High Wycombe and Maidenhead in England, I held exhibitions of my paintings. My porcelain painting was only a pastime, and never a career, as I was involved in many other activities. One of the highlights of my painting was the plate I painted specially for Princess Caroline of Monaco, to be presented to her when she visited the International School at La Gradelle in the early 1980s, where I was a teacher. The plate depicted the national dresses of the many nationalities represented in the school. One of the delights of this aspect of my life was visiting porcelain factories like Wedgwood and many others all over England, to purchase white porcelain.
I must thank Nanda Pethiyagoda for her assistance in compiling this book. I am grateful to my husband, Leelananda for his engagement in the production of this book. Above all, I must thank our daughter, Amalfi, for her continuous encouragement and good advice.
Rukmal De Silva. Colombo October 2020
Rukmal De Silva was born in Panadura. Her parents were Robert and Linda Violet Dias. She had her education at Ladies College, Colombo. She later joined St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo, where she pursued a course in Montessori education and obtained her diploma. She married Leelananda De Silva and they have one daughter, Amalfi. Rukmal had her own
Montessori School at Green Path, Colombo 7, in the 1970s. She was also actively engaged with the Lanka Mahila Samithi, especially looking after their preeducation activities. From 1978 to 1990, she lived in Nyon, Switzerland, and she learnt the craft of porcelain painting there. While in Geneva, she taught at the International School
of Geneva (primary section) located at La Gradelle. She was also the representative of the British-based Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) to the UN system in Geneva, in an honourary capacity. From 1990 to 2012, she lived in Windsor England, until shereturned to Sri Lanka.
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
…….
The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
