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Vajira: a dance of a life
Sri Lanka’s prima ballerina, Vajira Chitrasena, 89 now, was conferred the Padma Shri one of India’s highest civilian honours on November 17. The award was in recognition of her unique contributions to enriching Indo-Sri Lanka relations through the promotion of dance and blending the art forms of both countries. On behalf of the Indian President, Vajira was presented the award by the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay at a special Temple Trees ceremony at which Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was present.
Padma Shriin Sanskrit translates into ‘Noble one in Blossom.’
We celebrate the ‘Noble one of Sri Lanka’s dance’ through the eyes of generations of ‘Chitrasena women’ who keep her trailblazing tradition alive.
BY RANDIMA ATTYGALLE
‘Balletomanes who see the second program of the Chitrasena Ballet, which was presented at the Elizabethan Theatre last night will receive a shock, for there they will find the original of their beloved classical-romantic ballet ‘Swan Lake’. The various pas de deux, performed by Vajira as the Chief 
Swan and Wimal, as the noble King Nala, leave, it must be confessed, our ‘Swan Lake’ sadly lacking in imagination and understanding. This critic has not seen in ‘western’ ballet mime, acting and dancing, capable of evoking in nature and spirit of the swan, to compare with the performance of Vajira in this role,’ wrote Roland Robinson in The Sydney Morning Herald of February 16, 1963.
Be it the swan that connived to bring Nala and Damayanthi together or Maya in Chandalika or exploited Sisi in Karadiya, Vajira Chitrasena stole the show. The thunderous applause she received across the seas was an index that she had arrived earning a trademark for the ‘feminine’ Kandyan dance form.
The 15-year-old Vajira who was enrolled in Chitrasena’s dancing class by her mother would run away only to be dragged back by her mother who used to sew the costumes designed by Somabandu for Chitrasena productions. Vajira would once recollect in an interview with this writer: “I was mischievous and was least interested in pursuing dancing seriously and it was Chitrasena who made me think seriously about being a professional dancer.”
A match made in heaven for the dance, the Chitrasena-Vajira union mutually pushed the golden couple of Sri Lankan dance to greater heights. Since her debut through Pageant of Lanka in 1948 until her swan song Chandalika in 1996, with every step Vajira not only emerged a brand name and a cultural ambassador for Sri Lanka but also opened a career path for Sri Lankan women. Interestingly, many male dancers who have made a name for themselves today were also mentored by her. Although there were dancers such as Chandralekha before her, it was Vajira who broke away from the tradition of women donning the male costume on stage and introduced the fluidity and grace that made the female dance feminine.
Although traditionally a male dance tradition, Kandyan dance still enables liberty to evolve one’s own style, says Upeka Chitrasena, eldest daughter of Vajira. “My mother was never inhibited from jumping as high as my father did in her Kandyan dance performances. Although I danced behind them, (along with sister Anjalika) and later did all roles amma once did, I never copied my mother but evolved my own style to suit my personality. My parents never put us into a mould but gave us independence to carve a niche for ourselves.”
Upeka who is today a much sought teacher herself, candidly admits that although she follows her mother as a hard task master and strict disciplinarian, she cannot match her mother’s patience. “Amma could make anybody dance; such was her spirit. She simply would not give up. I don’t think I have that kind of perseverance,” she smiles.
Transformation came naturally to Vajira. She never had to “strive hard to adapt to new roles,” as she put it. By the time Karadiya hit the boards, Vajira was a seasoned dancer. She was also a teacher of dancing at Methodist College, Colombo by then. Starting with small scale ballets such as Kumudini and Nirasha, Vajira’s repertoire as a choreographer expanded with longer ballets such as Himakumari, Sepalika and Kindurangana. Together with Chitrasena, the couple created Kinkini Kolama for daughter Upeka.
Vajira was avant-garde in every sense. While creating avenues for the female dancer in this country at a time when there were no role models, she played multiple roles of the dancer, the choreographer and guru – passing the baton to her daughters and now her granddaughters. Far from being the traditional wife and mother, Vajira danced everyday along with Chitrasena. Upeka recollects her parents creating, rehearsing and traveling all the time when they were young. “I danced every day of my life and at the same time I was there for my three children. They admired their parents on stage, a unique opportunity for any child, and it is their judgment of what the two of us did that mattered most,” Vajira would once recollect.
From the 1940s, ever since Chitrasena and Vajira started creating their own genre together, the entire family along with their golayas have been in rehearsal. For them it will continue to be a journey of experimenting and discovering the possibilities of a ‘movement-language’ like no other notwithstanding the pandemic. “These are frustrating times for all of us and this honour from India comes as breath of fresh air and hope,” says Upeka who is overwhelmed by the messages of love and affection that have been pouring in from all corners of the world since the award was announced.
The Chitrasena family is no stranger to India. The connection dates back to patriarch Chitrasena given further impetus by Vajira and later by Upeka (through her association with Nrityagram- India’s first modern Gurukul for Indian classical dances) and now cemented further by the third generation that steers the Chitrasena Dance Company. Samhara where the Chitrasenas collaborated with the Odissi dancers of Nrityagram Dance Ensemble from Bangalore was a critical turning point for the ‘younger dancer company’ led by Vajira’s granddaughter Thaji (Thajithangani Dias- daughter of Anudatta). Samhara as they reflect enabled them to take traditional Kandyan dance to newer heights.
Vajira’s younger daughter Anjalika Chitrasena (Melvani), a dancer and a teacher herself, finds her mother’s indomitable strength as a woman of many roles to be the heartbeat of their dance school to date. “She led by example and whatever she created, she did through her own experiences; she was constantly watching, reading, absorbing and creating new things all the time.” Her brother Anudatta was only three months old when her parents went on their first tour to Russia in 1957, recollects Anjalika. “She was still lactating but she continued to do what she had to do – dance. That was the kind of strong woman she was.”
Creating magic was inevitable with her mother as the choreographer and her father as the Artistic Director, says Anjalika. “My father was a very dominant and difficult person, yet she respected him for all that he was; her Guru, her mentor and partner in crime! My father used to call her the blotting paper absorbing all he said and did – that’s how well she understood him.”
Vajira’s humility is exemplary says her daughter. “She treated all her dancers like her own children, looked after them, fed them and mentored them. My mother gave her life to the arts without expectation and she continues to do that.”
Heshma Wignaraja, Artistic Director of the Chitrasena Dance Company and daughter of Anjalika, is grateful that India has recognized the efforts of her grandmother whose career spanning over 70 years is one that is dedicated purely to the dance. “She learnt from the best and built a lifelong partnership with her Guru, Chitrasena, who initiated and established a very rich connection with India for our dance and our family. It is with his support and blessings that she blazed a new trail for all female dancers in this country- setting world standards in performing, teaching, creating and collaborating. And it must be so satisfying for her to receive this honour at nearly 90-years of age.”
Since the pandemic, a lot has changed for all performing artistes compelling them to deal with a new set of challenges says Heshma. “The ties we have with Nrityagram however, have taken deep roots. So we will somehow find ways to continue working together. We are waiting impatiently for the next meeting.”
Growing up watching her achchi has had the biggest impact on Heshma. An all-rounder, an unassuming prima ballerina, she was like a “magnet of sorts,” Heshma says. “Her approach to creating was the most simple and honest but her work ethic was relentless and therefore everything she did or touched truly turned into gold! I look forward to continue working with her.”
Being born into a family of exceptional artistes who have set high standards, has pushed her to set the bar higher for the next generations to follow, says Thaji. Her grandmother’s discipline both on and off stage inspire the principal dancer of the Company that she is today. Says Thaji: “Be it technique, stage discipline, looking after your costumes, etc. achchi always led by example. Her discipline as a dancer on stage is something I have imbibed but her discipline off stage is something I have to continue to work on and of course even today she as a grandmother continues to have a watchful eye over my off-stage discipline!” she smiles.
Vajira’s attention to detail and ‘never say die’ attitude makes her a wonder says granddaughter Umi (Umadanthi) Dias who administers the Kalayathanaya. “Looking back today, I know that whatever I have grasped from my grandmother unconsciously comes into play spontaneously and helps me immensely to deal with the work I do at the Kalayathanaya.”
Sharing her legendary grandmother’s flipside, Umi says that she is a master seamstress. “Even now at almost 90 years, we still go to achchi with all our alterations. She turns out wonderful clothing for my kids with little pieces of leftover fabric. And of course there is her love for exercise and keeping her body fine tuned. She will never take a break from her daily exercise routine even when we go on holiday.”
Vajira is a blissful great grandmother of four and Umi says that her love for all of them is boundless.
A role model for generations of women, Vajira Chitrasena never clamoured or sought personal glory. In her own words, “it just came my way and I accepted it neutrally.” What success is to this queen of the dance is reflected in the words of the famed Russian dancer Anna Pavlova: ‘to follow without halt, one aim; there is the secret of success. And success? I do not find it in the applause of the theatre. It lies rather in the satisfaction of accomplishment.’
(Photo credit: Chitrasena family archives, Luxshman Nadaraja, Sujatha Jayarathna & Indian High Commission in SL)
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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