The Geoffrey Bawa Trust brought five artists to respond to the ‘gift’ that architect Bawa’s serene country estate has always been, having creatively nourished the likes of writer Michael Ondaatje and artist Laki Senanayake when working on his fantastic sculpted beasts. Each of the five chosen artists’ works was their gift back – to Bawa and to Lunuganga, for the deep inspiration always generously given. As The Gift project comes to a close, the Trust hosted a virtual conversation where the five artists talked about their work, inspiration, exchanging ‘gifts’ and creating art in troubled times. Dayanita Singh’s work, Lunuganga Chairs, was another attempt to get at the elusive soul of Lunuganga. Artist Lee Mingwei’s work for The Gift was perhaps the most stirring, because he brought Zephyrus’ Breath to the garden; a circle of brass tubes hung from the tall trees.

I don’t think there is anyone who would refuse to consume chemical-free food; we all like to switch from chemical-laced food to organic food, and there is no dispute about it. It is in this context that we have decided to make an abrupt change from chemical fertiliser usage to organic fertiliser usage. Poverty and inequalityAt the end of the day, we have chemical-free “good food” for domestic consumption; it’s a good thing! As a nation, it is not unwise to anticipate food shortages and increase in food prices; I must say that Sri Lanka has been a country with high food prices in the region. Therefore, there will be “good food” for the rich who can afford to it, but not so easily for the poor.

Dr. Ranasinghe creates clear images of how COVID-19 can affect the heart. Maybe about 20-30% of those patients who get the infection in the heart would go into heart failure. Such clots can travel to the heart or block the blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack. “In the first two waves, we saw some damage to the heart but it was not that widespread among COVID-19 patients. Dr. Ranasinghe’s advice to those in home-based care is: If you get chest pain; chest pain when you walk or a chest pain that keeps getting worse; or have either little or excessive breathing difficulties; then go to hospital immediately.

Crowned corruption hits Sri Lanka to the core View(s):The fact that corruption has become a way of life in Sri Lanka is accepted by all and sundry. In the wake of the current COVID-19 crisis, corruption has taken on a new dimension of free rein for corruption. To date, however, there has been no will to reinstitute the EC administrative measures for control of bribery and corruption. The result is that this useful means in the EC to control corruption is blatantly disregarded. Plainly, the propaganda was in lieu of effective action to control corruption.

New Zealand attacker identified; Lankan police on trail of his contacts View(s):The Sri Lankan national shot dead inside a shopping mall in Auckland on Friday after he attacked several locals has been identified as Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen, a 32-year-old from the Eastern town of Kattankudy. Sri Lankan Police yesterday launched an investigation into the man’s family and have already traced his mother. Samsudeen had applied for refugee status soon after arriving in New Zealand on a student visa in October 2011. He was not known to have held extremist views at the time he arrived in New Zealand in 2011, according to New Zealand authorities. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry stated Sri Lanka had sought more details from New Zealand authorities over reports that the attack had been carried out by a Sri Lankan national.

That the Foreign Ministry together with its overseas missions annually works out an Action Plan with key progress indicators is known. It was none other than India which held the presidency of the UN Security Council for August. A resolution on peacekeeping focused on ensuring accountability for crime against peacekeepers, with 80 sponsors including all Security Council members. This oral update on Sri Lanka was mandated by the country specific Resolution A/HRC/RES/46/1 that was adopted in Feb 2021. The Sri Lanka document, in anticipation of the issues that would come up at the UNHRC, gives answers to the Government’s official position.

Sharma hits century as India take control of Oval test cricket View(s): View(s):REUTERS, Sept 4: A dominant India took control of the fourth test against England at The Oval on Saturday, extending their lead to 171 at stumps on day three, as Rohit Sharma struck his first test hundred away from home and eighth overall. The visitors were on 270-3 when bad light brought a premature end to proceedings. Sharma constructed his innings perfectly, resolutely defending outside the off stump and taking runs off anything loose, with Moeen Ali’s off-spin often a target. Put into bat by the hosts on day one, India were bowled out for 191 in their first innings. England, with Ollie Pope top-scoring with 81, responded with 290 all out.

Cause for the Afghan debacle: Biden or clash of civilisations By Gamini Weerakoon View(s): View(s):To be wise after an event, particularly one of disastrous consequences, is a natural human reaction. But the Taliban kept flouting all such conditions, attacking President Ghani’s government forces while participating in Peace Talks at Doha. As the Taliban kept capturing city after city what was Biden to do with about 5,000 American soldiers left in the country? In the 20th and 21st Centuries Afghan men unlike those in any other country were seen always carrying guns. Is Afghanistan going through the process of clash of civilisations as identified by the late Prof Samuel Huntington?

Nisal and Sandali grab regional chess titles View(s):Nisal Dilushana Thilakarathne of St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela and Sandali Somarathne of Royal International School, Kurunegala won the Sri Lanka National Online Novices Division Chess Championship of the Sabaragamuwa Province (Open) and North Western Province (Women) convincingly. Nisal was unbeaten throughout the whole tournament making it an impressive score of 7 out of 7 possible games. She was also unbeaten and had an extraordinary score of 7 out of 7 possible games. She had a walkover in the first round beating Osandi Madurapperuma, Senuli Dinethma, Useli Bandara, Binudi Madurapperuma, Dahamli Rasnayake and Kavini Amarathunga. With that, the regional tournaments came to an end in style, marking the end of all seven regional Novices Division Chess Championships.

Her response to Friday’s attack in Auckland is another lesson in humane and caring leadership for world leaders in general as well as Sri Lankan leaders in particular. Her words and actions on both occasions are worthy of emulation by Sri Lankan leaders in the context of the hatred spread against the minorities in the country. Meanwhile the reaction to the Auckland attack on Friday saw varied reactions from different quarters in the country. It is up to Sri Lanka to learn lessons from the compassionate and inspirational leadership of Jacinda Ardern. In fact such an approach is consistent with the Sri Lankan ethos of co-existence and harmony, which existed from the time of the Sinhala kings.

A lack of leadership prevails View(s):My dear Gota maamey,I thought of writing to you because many people are worried about what is happening in Paradise – and as the captain of the ship of state, most people are blaming you. Of course, the coronavirus is not your fault, but the way it is being managed is what is causing concern. Even Sudarshini, the minister you appointed for Covid-19 control called for a lockdown – and she is a doctor as well. Then, 10 political parties in your coalition wrote to you asking for a lockdown, but you were still unmoved and didn’t change your decision. I think it would be helpful if you reflected on why you won that war and how you did so.

Standard unleaded petrol is changing to E10 this month, which contains ten per cent ethanol. Eco-friendly: Standard unleaded petrol is changing to E10 this month, which contains ten per cent ethanolThis new fuel is more eco-friendly as it burns less carbon in the environment. Motors designed to run only on the older mix will have to switch to the more expensive 'E5 super unleaded'. But a spokesman for the RAC warns: 'Super unleaded can cost as much as 12p a litre more so motorists of older cars should now brace themselves for a higher fuel bill.' Cars with a standard 60-litre sized fuel tank already pay an average of £1.35 for a standard litre of unleaded.

Coaches keep instructing the players to stay fit and to stay focused during these lockdowns. Therefore, the players and the coaches have to make the best out of a bad situation. With this in mind, given below are some ideas for the players to make sure that they stay focused and to make sure that they stay in love with the game. Players can use this time to learn about all these aspects and also learn their practical application during this time. If that happens, one day the players and the coaches might even be able to look back on this time… fondly.

The curious thing is, a minor piece (along with the king of course) can in fact be ‘sufficient’ to deliver a checkmate. To understand the rare occasions when a minor piece ends up being “sufficient”, let’s have a look at some fascinating examples. White to play and win – J Gunst (1922)White wins if he manages to capture both the black pawns without losing any of his minor pieces. It’s tricky because the black king is threatening to spoil the party. 1.Bb7 and 1.Bxd7 both run into 1…Kc7 attacking both the minor pieces.

Stumbling blockMeanwhile, the 10 billion yuan ($ 1.54 billion) currency swap agreed on between Sri Lanka and China has stumbled upon an obstacle over a technicality. This was the first diplomatic meeting between the high-profile delegation of the Chinese Parliament and the Parliament of Sri Lanka. “What is the reason behind this targeting of Sri Lanka every year on the world stage? Is it really about human rights in Sri Lanka or something completely different?” Prof. Peiris had questioned. “The establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) in 2016 was an important step by the Government of Sri Lanka.