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Dawn of the new millennium at Mahaweli Reach
Mahaweli Reach Hotel Kandy saw the dawn of the new millennium with a grand dinner dance. It was an unique event with the theme being oriental. The guests were ushered in by smartly dressed ladies in blue and silver who presented an ola leaf style programme and entrance gifts. Two bands, backstage and super pink & purple provided the music and Dayan Candappa was the compere.
An array of international cuisine was laid out in the pool area and the vast lawn. There was a fisherman’s wharf over the swimming pool where fresh fish was prepared for the guests.
At the stroke of midnight, with a grand and colourful fireworks display rising from the river as a backdrop, Mrs. L.R.Panabokke, the Chairperson sashed Ms. Jones, a pretty English rose as the Millennium Queen of the Reach.
The guests danced until the wee hours of the morning and were treated to the traditional kiribath on the 1st morning.
Agasti - the dream shop for women
Refined elegance with a colour scheme of terra cotta and golden yellow, with the interior of the show cases lined in ivory raw silk is ideal foil to the beauty and distinction of the jewellery on display at "Agasti". Jewellery of exquisite design, in unique good taste varies from around two thousand to millions. Main force behind the venture is Rukman Fonseka, whose creative talents surface all around. A special VIP room for private viewing has its ceiling done in rectangular panels of raw silk in a repetition of the colours.
At the opening which was staggered through the day, the opulence and the dazzle of the jewellery and the precious stones, took over from the clothes. Nevertheless comment has to be made on the attire Chops Fonseka wore to support her husband Rukman. The saree of sand tone organza was patterned in motifs and a border weave in a paler tone, for her to wear with a beauty of a necklace in pearls with a ruby and diamond pendant on it.
A cavalcade of eventsby Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
The last month of last year was perhaps the most active month of the decade gone by. Inspite of the excitement and turmoil over the Presidential elections, many events filled our dairy. These included weddings, anniversaries, dinners, art exhibitions, the opening of trendy boutiques, dances and cocktail parties, including a slick and sophisticated fashion show.
The annual dinner dance of the Old Boys’ Union of St. Benedict’s College was held on the 17th of December ’99 at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi, with the Peter Prins Combo to provide strict tempo dance music, beside Mirage to play the more update tunes. Faizal Bongso was the compere.
As usual a large gathering of old boys and their friends had themselves a good time, with the organising committee having spared no efforts towards its success.
Fashions were much to the fore but only a few have remained within memory after all these weeks and a surfeit of them. Winning the title of Benedictine Queen ’99 was Chimmi Abeywardene in a striped saree in burnished gold and navy, she wore with a navy blouse and a chunky necklace in gold.
Binnie Vanderziel wore a dramatic brown and ivory coat style top in a zig zag stripe, to bring glamour to her simple cafe au lait dress. The stripes were encrusted in sequins and she wore a necklace of gold and diamonds.
Golden Anniversary at On Golden Pond
To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of their parents, the children of Vernon and Lena Fernando, hosted a dinner reception at the On Golden Pond of the Taj Samudra Hotel. Flying down for the occasion were George and Shiranee, with their Taryne and son Druvi, with only designer daughter Dushante not present for this joyous celebration. With Lena being a well known designer in our island, there were fashions and styles in plenty. Lena herself set the pace in a saree of bronze net which had a subtle sparkle in it, she teamed with a blouse with below the elbow sleeves, which was richly embroidered in cut work in a scroll design and picked in beads and sequins. Her jewellery was in topaz.
Daughter and grand daughter opted for western clothes. Shiranee Jayatilleke wore a beautiful two piece in luminous sky blue and silver, the long sleeved hip length, worked around the neckline and down the front in a fusion of silver.
Her daughter Taryne had her dress on simple classic lines in a shade of mangoosteen, with bare shoulders adorned with shoe string straps. The plum toned fabric had a rich gleam of shot silk to it.
A black saree embroidered in white, was Sangeetha Weeraratne’s choice for glamorous sophistication.
Julainne Wijesuriya picked on a lavender for her saree, designed for her by her son Michael.
The saree Denise Premachandra wore was in black tanchoi silk withan intricate weave on it in subtle colour.
Stylish in black lurex spun jersey was the dress which featured long sleeves Christobel Ondaatje wore, with a long black gossamer scarf wound round her neck. There was Sam the Man to keep things swinging, with a special rendition of Danno Budunge by Lena and romantic ballads sung by Anura Bandara in tribute to this happy couple.
Dolce Vita
The other upmarket boutique for the best in designer wear, mostly for designer accessories, "La Dolce Vita" was opened at the Colombo Hilton Lobby, at the beginning of December. A guest list which included many well known faces around town, and quite a few expatriates were entertained in lavish style, befitting such an occasion. Roy and Rebecca de Silva are the couple who extended La Dolce Vita, already a success at the Crescat Boulevard and brought to this mini boutique a collection of scarves, handbags, shoes and designer shirts and ties.
Many fashienably clad women went on a pre Christmas buying spree and among them was Patricia in a black top with shoe string straps and grey pants, trying to decide on the scarf that was just right for her.
Jubilee Year 2000
Marie Alles Fernando held her most recent exhibition of paintings celebrating Jubilee Year Two Thousand at Queens Court Trans Asia Hotel at the end of December, 99. In a delightful array were paintings done in oil on canvas, and in pastels and water colours, she excelled herself in colour and line.
Among the work on display were a set of oriental dancers in green which were miniatures of beauty and movement captured to enthrall any collector.
Many other paintings were testimony to her impeccable sense of colour and found their way to many a home here and abroad.
Gathered at the preview were admirers of her work, and connoisseurs, in a galaxy of fashions. Marie herself wore a saree of deep purple embroidered in little clusters of flowers, with a simple purple blouse and pearls for jewellery. Dr. Marlene Abeywardene had her saree in a beautiful shade of vivid turquoise with brush marks of royal blue on it.
A saree in golden orange Sonali Balasuriya wore in the Gujarati drape. The pallu in a deeper orange had woven stripes on it. The blouse had cutaway sleeves and a halter neckline. A little gold necklace was her choice of ornament.
Your aspirations are fulfilled
Sun, the main planet of the planetary system entered Capricorn on Friday and will be moving there till February 13. Movements of the Sun in that house generally will bring good effects to the common man though the place is not good, Sun being an inimical sign.
Capricorn, which belongs to Saturn is similar to the poor man’s hut. The Sun, considered the king among other planets, when it occupies such a place will have to look for the requirements of those concerned with self comforts and facilities. Accordingly, the common man will enjoy various benefits during this period through government sources.
Sun rules state, Kings, VIPs, Judges, public representatives, high officials and similar characters. As the Sun is being afflicted ill-effects will come on those who are facing difficult situations, during the period.
Movements of the Sun for the twelve signs will effect differently. For Arians, Sun is moving in the tenth house and they will have good results particularly in career. This position will lead improvements in financial aspect. Their aspirations will be fulfilled.
Taurians will undergo ill-effects having disappointments, aimless travelling, depression etc., as the Sun is in the ninth house.
The period appears to be adverse to Geminians when Sun is in the eighth. They will have quarrels, ill-health, troubles from state sector etc.
Those born in Cancer will have stress and strain, troubles and various problems, ill-health while Leos will enjoy good effects free from troubles, mental peace and relieve etc.
The period appears to be bad for Virgo as they are likely to suffer due to accidents, sickness, confused affairs and disputes with women.
Inimical acts, ill-health, mental unrest, worries, residential and career problems will affect Librians when Sun is moving in Capricorn.
Scorpians will enjoy good effects as they get wealth and will be free from sickness. Also they will have praise and appreciation from superiors, their attempts will be successful and they will have gains through travelling.
Sagittarians can not expect the period to be good as their wealth will be lost while financial troubles are likely. Also, they are likely to be cheated by deceptive persons. Capricornians will suffer due to financial difficulties, unsuccessful travelling, laziness and headaches etc.
Worries, heavy expenses, sleeplessness, quarrels and mental aberration are likely to affect Aquarians during this period while those born under Pisces will enjoy state privileges, comfort, wealth and progress as Sun is in the eleventh house. - Sugathadasa Jayasekera.
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