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She danced her way to stardom
One of our finest women dancers, Upeka Chitrasena, has enthralled audiences at home and those across our shores with her brilliance. The queen of dance who turned 70 on May 21 has now taken the mantle of a guru but is still remembered and loved for her inimitable vitality on stage.
by Randima Attygalle
The flower and the deer she played in the children’s ballet, Vanaja. 63- years ago, created by her mother Vajira Chitrasena, signaled where Upeka Chitrasena would eventually go. When this prima ballerina who needs no introduction announced her ‘retirement’ a few months after she turned 60, her fans grieved. Her final performance, Dancing for the Gods in 2011 evoked mixed emotions. While some demanded an ‘encore’ as a last hurrah, others didn’t hide their disappointment that this much-loved danseuse was calling it a day. “Although it was a spur of the moment decision, it was the right thing to do at the right time. I had had it all; I traveled the world and danced in some of the world’s finest theaters before great audiences. I have absolutely no regrets,” reflects Upeka who turned 70-years a few days ago.
The first born child of Chitrasena- revered as Sri Lanka’s finest male dancer and Vajira, the uncontested queen of Kandyan dance and the country’s first professional woman dancer, Upeka was brought up to prove herself; nothing was offered on a platter. The precise ‘line’ and ‘form’ which made the Chitrasena-Vajira idiom were drilled into Upeka the hard way. Be it Rankikili, Nala Damayanthi, Karadiya or Kinkini Kolama, each a milestone in its own way, as Upeka puts it, she was put on trial by her parents to rise to her true potential.
“My mother who continues to inspire me and the next generation as one of the most brilliant choreographers we ever had, enabled me to reach for the stars. Yet no preferential treatment was ever given to me as her daughter; in fact, I had to do much more than the other students,” smiles Upeka.
“In 1984 after my performance in Dance of Shiva at Navarangahala, my father came backstage looking for me and said, ‘you have arrived’. This was the only time he openly complimented me,” she chuckles.
Upeka calls herself a ‘spectator’ today, being a teacher who “sits, watches and corrects” her students. Yet she is celebrated for her virtuosity on stage. With her twirls and leaps coupled with infinitely delicate movements, Upeka evolved a style of her own, combining her parents’ seemingly contrasting styles. “My formative years were spent dancing along with my parents, hence there was a strong influence from them both,” she says. Nevertheless she went on to discover her own genius by mastering low country dance as well.
While constant style correction by her hard taskmaster gurus had made her a demanding teacher today, she gives nothing but her best to her students. Having been on the same stage with her father made her “perfect her trade”, she says. Playing the lead female role in Karadiya beside her father in 1975 marked her coming-of-age as a dancer. Apprehensive about filling the shoes of her mother who had been playing that role for many years, and nervous to perform next to her larger-than-life father, Upeka was virtually tossed into the deep end by her mother. “It was her idea that I should get experience in Karadiya playing her role.”
Kinkini Kolama
, a ballet choreographed for her by her parents, not only launched Upeka as a solo artiste but also found her her life’s partner. On an invitation from Chitrasena, Cedric de Silva, a young professional who had just returned after a long stay in the US was in the audience mesmerized by the young dancer on stage. Cedric came looking for her backstage and the rest is history! “He didn’t know what he was getting into!” laughs Upeka.
They have been married for 42 years now and Upeka feels blessed to have Cedric beside her. “Our lives as artistes have always been very demanding with every family member getting involved. My husband supported me in every possible way to indulge me in my passion and continues to do so,” she beams.
It was the famous ‘Colpetty House’ of her parents – an artistic hub of dance, theatre and more yesteryear which fanned the flames of dance in Upeka. “We virtually lived and breathed dance there. From a very young age my siblings (Anjalika and Anudatta) and I were exposed to the best local and touring foreign artistes visiting my parents there.” As a soloist, her sister could “fill the stage with her style,” remarks Anjalika Melvani. Of all the performances the two sisters did together, the ballet Nala Damayanthi is the most cherished, remembers Anjalika. “My sister and I took the two lead roles. She was Princess Damayanthi and I was the Chief Swan. These particular roles were danced by two sisters even in my mother’s time – it was her younger sister Vipuli who was Damayanthi and my mother, the Chief Swan. I think it was the most challenging and emotional experience for me.”
Since Upeka gave up dancing and took on the mantle of teacher, it has been Nrityagram- India’s first modern Gurukul for Indian classical dances founded by Protima Gauri Bedi which has “kept her going.” The Artistic Director and choreographer of Nrityagram, Surupa Sen offers her and the Chitrasena Dance Company constant inspiration today, she says. Samhara where the Chitrasena’s collaborated with the Odissi dancers of Nritryagram Dance Ensemble from Bangalore was a critical turning point for the ‘younger dance company’ led by its principal dancer, her niece Thaji (Thajithangani Dias – younger daughter of her brother Anudatta). The ‘communal experience’ of the Colpetty days fuelled by Nrityagram, had driven the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya to set up a guru gedera where all gurus in the Chitrasena family, especially Vajira and Upeka can once more live and breathe dance with their pupils. “The pandemic situation botched our life-long dream, which I fervently hope we will be able to realize soon,” says Upeka wistfully.
The next generation of custodians- Heshma (daughter of Anjalika), Umi (Umadanthi- eldest daughter of Anudatta) and Thaji do justice to their visionary grandfather’s words, “the new is the extension of the old.” Upeka beams with pride and adds, “my father always said that dance is sacred and we have been struggling to keep it alive. Now the baton is being passed on to the next generation.”
Although it’s not an easy path, ‘the new generation of Chitrasena women’ can continue the trailblazing tradition together, says Upeka who takes immense pride in her gifted nieces for their unconditional commitment to the Dance Company. “They are all conscious of our heritage and strive to add to the achievements of their ancestors. I’m so very proud of them.” She humbly admits that the new generation offers her constant wonderment and inspiration. An artiste can never cease to learn, she says.
It was Heshma Wignaraja, the Art Director of the Chitrasena Dance Company, who had the good fortune of seeing and dancing with her grandparents, and also becoming part of the Dance Company during the time her aunt Upeka led it. “My aunt didn’t simply carry the torch. She elevated the level of work produced even in the toughest of times. She became the muse for both my grandparents.”
“While achchi cast her in more traditional solo items, seeya found the most perfect character roles for her that displayed the range of her abilities. I couldn’t have learned any better, through my childhood and youth.”
Upeka’s commitment to this legacy is what has allowed the new generation to continue the Chitrasena tradition today, says Heshma noting that most can’t remain committed to the seriousness of Chitrasena’s art. ” She wouldn’t tolerate anything less. “
The kind of love and dedication her aunt and guru has for dance is like “surrendering one’s self,” says Thaji Dias, the Principal Dancer of the Company today. “Even through all the troubled times of losing their home and the country going through a 30-year civil war, she kept everything together and kept the company going. I am thankful I have a living example like her within my family as my guru,” says the youngest niece with pride. A woman who makes no compromises, her aunt is the epitome of a strong woman says Thaji.
Her aunt who is a second mother to all of them gives “without limits and loves them unconditionally,” notes Umi Dias who administers the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya. “Her discipline and commitment to whatever she does is a great inspiration. I was lucky enough to travel with her on tours and I have learned so much by just being with her and watching her lead the Chitrasena Dance Company.”
If the big bright red pottu is this prima ballerina’s trade mark, or rather her ‘third eye’ as she dubs it, the resonance of the traditional Sri Lankan drum is her very own heartbeat. She cannot do without either. During these testing times, Upeka misses her much loved beats. “Nothing can compensate for them,” she adds. As a teenager Upeka followed the life and career of Protima Gauri Bedi- the Indian model turned Odissi exponent. Upeka’s signature pottu was inspired by her.
Reading about artistes, particularly dancers is one of Upeka’s joys. The autobiography of the American dancer Isadora Duncan, My Life, offers her new perspectives ever since she was introduced to the book by her father. . The nature lover in Upeka surfaced as a result of her husband’s interest and she enjoys bird-watching, nature trails and safaris with him.
How would she describe herself in just three words, I ask this ‘queen of dance’ in conclusion. “I need just one word – dancer!”, she responds.
(Photo credit: Luxshman Nadaraja, Studio Times, Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Foundation Archives and family archives)
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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