• Shopping in style for the select
  In an ambience of elegance and comfort
• Artistic impressions of an octogenarian

• Sparkling Fashions in the hills
• On designing
  Nishanka finds his own level in India
• Forgotten Heritage
  The man made lakes

Strolling through air-conditioned, subtly scented corridors, visitors to Colombo’s newest shopping mall can take their pick from a variety of the city’s best - and most expensive - names in goods and services.

Open to the public since March 3, the JAIC Hilton Shopping Mall’s warm lighting and unhurried atmosphere promote shopping in comfort. The options the mall offers its clients are varied but carefully selected. There are no large scale clothing outlets or rambling corridors tightly packed with shops. The shops are spacy and with interiors laid out in style. Everything conforms to the format of an expensive and exclusive mall with a carefully target clientele.

About the best attraction at the mall has turned out to be its Union Bar and Grill Room. A large number of tables set out with elegant tableware dot the Grill Room where, predictably, grilling is the preferred method of food preparation. Fresh fish, lobster and other sea-food are arranged in a glass food counter and guests have the choice.

The decor is most arresting with pencilled drawings reminiscent of some of Michaelangelo’s masterpieces hung around the restaurant. The tones are green and blue. Copper wall hangings reflect a burnish red-gold right around the room and the clatter of knives and plates from the adjoining kitchen is homely. A private dining area is available when the occasion for it arises. A leaflet on the restaurant announces "Grilled food is the theme throughout. Barbecues and Teppan tables... it’s show cooking all the way".

The menu offers a choice of foods with vegetarian meals, too, included. Appetisers range from garlic flavoured shoe lobster and seared tuna fillet to supreme farm chicken and barbecued cuttlefish. Prices in this segment of the menu go up to Rs. 340. Soups range from Rs. 110 to Rs. 160 with the ‘Seafood and Vegetable Soup with garlic Croutons’ being the speciality.

A diner could order set platter arrangements for dinner - Surf and Turf, Seafood Market Selection , Nuwara Eliya or Asian Chicken. Prices are between Rs. 390 and Rs. 850. Under the speciality list are Australian sirloin teak, grain fed lamb cutlet, fresh rock lobster and banana prawns. All are, of course, subject to 10% service charge and government tax.

The mall’s small-scale supermarket, The Gourmet, is stocked (as its name suggests) with imported foods that are rarely available elsewhere in the local market. Breads range from Rs. 40 (for a sliced brown loaf) to Rs. 90 (for raisin bread). A chocolate mud cake is Rs. 550 while a banana cake is Rs 400. A special pickles counter features marinated green olives which The Gourmet’s courteous employees note are ‘fast moving’ and ‘very popular’.

The meats section has on sale Australian meat as one of its specialities. Meanwhile, one kilogramme of leg ham goes at Rs. 590. Among the rare delicacies on sale are caviar, goose liver with 5% truffles, herring salad and smoked salmon. Special coffees, cakes, confectionery items and famous names in wines and champagnes line the shelves.

Yet the whole affair is small and comfortable - "clean, high quality, pure, and friendly... the best manner in which to maintain the Hilton experience" according to JAIC Hilton manager, Peter Hourigan.

Other shops run by Hilton include a florist and laundry service.

Mr. Hourigan noted that there is 85% tenancy in the mall at present and the remaining shops will be occupied in the near future. Their aim, he said, was to make it the best mall in Colombo. "We are actually the best even at present," he smiled, "Our main aim in choosing clients for our total of 20 units was in getting good, anchor tenants. We have succeeded". Among those who have set up their outlets at JAIC are Paradise Road Studio, Earls Court Jewellery, Ramani Fernado Salon, A & A International Opticians, VMS Travels, Silk Wrap Design, Mesna Tea and Cholie.

The rents on the shops, Mr. Hourigan said were "reasonably high". "But look at what they get in return - with Hilton running the shopping mall, there is the maintenance of a certain standard and quality," he pointed out.

The management of JAIC Hilton is yet to advertise their mall. Mr. Hourigan explained they would wait for it to be fully operational before they take that step. At present, however, the mall is at its testing period. Shoppers were few and appeared mainly to be in-house guests of the JAIC Hilton Tower. However, Mr. Hourigan dismissed the perception that the mall was set up for the private use of residents. The mall, he said, was open to anyone.

Among the special features of the JAIC Hilton mall is that shops will be open seven days a week from 9 am to 9 pm. Although it does not follow this format at present things will change once the official opening is announced on July 1. There is ‘plenty’ of public parking (more than a hundred spaces).

The JAIC Hilton shopping mall is not likely to cater to all segments of the Sri Lankan public. The items on offer are not low in price. But the mall fills a gap in Sri Lanka’s shopping scene that has long been in existence. (NW)

Lalitha K. Witanachchi
Dr. Justin Samarasekera is an architect widely respected in Sri Lanka not only for the magnificent buildings he has created but for establishing the Faculty of Architectural Studies at the University of Moratuwa and the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects. At the age of 80 this doyen of the architectural profession did not really retire from work. Instead he picked up new tools -- his brushes and paints, for he had discovered a hidden talent of transferring to canvas scenes, portraits and abstracts.

He had his first exhibition in May 1997 with 80 paintings. But he did not stop at that. He continued to paint.

'I always want to create something beautiful. Despite my having Parkinson's disease, and my hands trembling when I hold my tea-cup, when I paint my mind is calm and my hands are steady and I can spend hours at this pleasant task. It is a form of therapy'.

The result is that Justin Samarasekera will hold his second exhibition 'Impressions of an Octogenarian '98' at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7 on July 10, 11 and 12. Mr. Sirimavo Dias Bandaranaike, Prime Minister, will open the exhibition.

Dr. Samarasekera

Many of Samarasekera's paintings are reminders of the majestic flora of the primeval Sinharaja forest threatened with destruction. The lush beauty of the forest is captured on scroll paintings giving the correct perspective of very tall slender trees reaching up to the sky. 'Venivel' shows the tangled web of thick lianas entwined in the branches of giant trees while 'Climbing cane' shows the fragile cane reaching for the canopy of another forest giant in search of sunlight.

One interesting scroll painting 'Humbled by a giant' shows the artist seated on a log, mopping his eyebrows after a fall, bringing into focus the insignificance of man compared to the grandeur of nature.

In more subdued hues are the scenes of the Muturajawela wetlands, of marsh birds and ferns.

Samarasekera's rendezvous with nature does not end there. Varieties of wild flowers such as Aththora, Watakka, Gandapana, Bim Thamburu as well as the more exotic Ehela and Pol Mal are a bouquet offered to the viewer. His fascination with rocks and stones reveal an artistic mind that can 'read sermons in stone.'

He has also tried his hand at portraits and abstracts. Yab-Yung referred to in esoteric Buddhism shows the classical union of male and female energies following India tartaric style. Other paintings depict emotions like anger, jealousy and equanimity.

'Impressions of an Octogenarian '98' shows the creativity of an artist who in the evening of life leaves for posterity the beauty that surrounds us, if only we had eyes to see.

Text and Pics by Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
The P.P.A. (Colombo Branch) of Good Shepherd Convent. Kandy, organised Sparkle 1998, a dinner dance at the Colombo Hilton. It was an evening full of fun and kept the guests crowding the floor to dance to excellent music provided by the Peter Prins Combo and Pearl. There was besides the usual prizes and draws an exquisite demonstration of Latin American dancing performed by Anushan Perera, and Shanez Perera, Sri Lanka's Latin dance Champions.

A competition for the best dances of the Baila was won by Nihal Perera, formerly of the Gypsies, and his wife Deanna. The prize for the smartest couple on the floor went to Anil and Tanya Cooray.

Fashions sparkled and leading the galaxy were, two youngsters Kanchana Basnayake and Chandima Basnayake. Both opted for glamorous versions of the little black dress. Kanchana had the empire top of white embroidered in black, off an unusual neckline, which had two cords across the front, with white plastic ornaments on them.Chandima had from a neckband of black a ladder trellis connecting to the neckline which was a deep square. The dress was slim and becomingly long.

Deep blue was the choice for the simple but chic dress Bernie Balasuriya wore. The dress had cutaway armholes and a high neck which had a key hole opening in front, fastened at the neck by a glittering brooch, which matched her tassel earrings.

In the lovely combination of white with cyclamen was the saree Anusha de Silva wore. The cyclamen border woven with a sheen of gold, Anusha wore with a cyclamen sleeveless blouse, and a gold choker necklace and large earstuds to match.

Dilrukshi Pieris using her designing talents, teamed her saree of champagne silk, with a cerise pallu above which were motifs in turquoise and gold, by having the entire back of her blouse in net appliqued and embroidered in the same colours. The sleeves were in the cerise.

Having a really good time, in a outfit which was both smart and relaxing was Lylie Unamboowe. Her grey and off white diagonally striped kameez had a heart shaped front yoke off a halter strap worked in the same colours, but in sparkling beads and sequins. Her dupatta was in a deeper grey with ethnic patterning on it in chalky white.

Surprise

The grand children of Daju Nadesan invited all her friends to give her a surprise on her birthday. The children and grand children gathered around her to cut her birthday cake, and made sure the guests helped themselves to a mouth watering spread laid out in the spacious garden of Barnes Hall. Flowers filled the house and styles spread out in the sward.

Daju for the occasion picked on a saree in a beautiful tone of coppery orange, which had a dainty floral design woven all over it, and a rich and elaborate pallu in the cream and green tones in a tapestry of design.

Daughter Renuka Shanmuganathan was in saree of a most beautiful hue of purple, shadow patterned in a deep blue and black.

Grand daughter Subashini Loganathan had her salwar kameez in a combination of royal blue and turquoise, patterned and worked down the front, and sides in panels. The edge of the sleeve too had the pattern.

A rust red dress with a square neckline and halter strap was Harshini Nadesan's choice, to wear with gold jewellery, which included a gold armlet.

On a deep blue saree Vijes Nagendra had appliqued a unusual fabric which was in dots of luminous lilac, viridian and silver, the applique outlined in silver cord.

Rukmani Maharaja's choice was a salwar kameez in black and oyster, to wear with a long thick necklace, and Shobana Nagendra teamed her shaded saree of silver grey into yellow, with a grey blouse, embroidered in the same colour on the sleeves. She wore pearls for jewellery.

Husbands gift
A evening full of song preceded by an excellent dinner took place at the Women's International Club recently. The occasion was once again to celebrate a birthday.

Songs were sung gustily and among those adding to the harmony was Yoga Rodrigo in a black saree stylishly embroidered in gold and silver bugle beads, and mother of pearls sequins. Yajna Theagaraja favoured a print, while Tylene Nagendra wore a salwar kameez, as did Romala Sivasunderam, and Manjula Murugesu picked on a red dress with triangular cutouts at the neckline.

Five years away from home in the quest for a future took him to India where he honed the childhood sixth sense for dress and design at the famous International Centre for SRISHT design and technology SRISHT in Bangalore.

It is here that Nishanka Divakalala a young boy from Polonnaruwa had a peek through the looking glass at the enchanting array of designs, dress and decor.

The sustained artistic nature he nurtured came into focus here where he took to designing like a duck taking to water.

Nishanka was here on holiday and during his short stint he met leading designers and visited boutiques and design houses in Sri Lanka.

The design school of India finetuned the understanding of cuts and crafts — the experience was varied with celluloid, drama imagery and fun thrown in.

He draws inspiration from whatever he perceives — it can be a row of cars... a bunch of flowers or even a mundane object with which he could blend his ideas together to bring out some exquisite designs. "I grew up with a feel for colour" Nishanka certainly has the air of an initiate about him waighing his words and saying what should be said.

His opinions of his profession — an abused one where returns are slow and slim with more heat, and soul and lot of effort — pretty down to earth.

And so while there is a great deal of glamour and sham associated with it, it is just a labour of love for the designer who often gets to hang out only in very conventional clothing.

It was not all rosy for this young designer to find a place in India. Everywhere he went the doors were closed but he persisted with will and determination. He never took no for an answer until he found a place at the Bangalore Institute for a course in fashion designing.

Designing is intensive and needs creativity Nishanka pointed out.

The three year course covers fashion designing, drawing, art, history and computer software, etc.

He sketches from the deep of the night to the early hour of the morning. He does collages and writes a book, of the mental experience he goes through. He makes sketches and then works towards them.

Anything can inspire him, the sound of voices, tooting of horns, laughter, feet scraping all ending up in a design and colour for Nishanka.

He is inspired by big names like Versace from the West, and also Indian designers like Sumit, Vasma and Rohit Kosala.

Nishanka says that the fashion fetish is just catching up in India — wearing the label of certain designers is considered prestigious.

Nishanka's thesis is illustrating fashion at the first semester at the Institute.

Fashion in general is gearing towards move for cut and colour. Simplicity in look and style is becoming more of the in concept he says.

His own view is to design for a complete range of looks and occasions with a wide spectrum of choice. In Indian conditions fashion should be tied to traditional styles with a Western outlook and a designer should exploit the heritage because fashion is really a straight line and style is what one does with it.

With the choice of fabrics this should be either a cakewalk or a catwalk.

Nishanka draws his creative kick from the visual. He reckons to do well in the fashion world by continuing his foray into bridging the gap between the deconstructive look and the more traditional styles.

He does not choose to limit himself after the competition of the course as he is proposing to open up his own designing school in Sri Lanka.

His concept of the saree is different to the normal drape. He would create a saree to use different sections of fabric and colour in different forms like embroidery, for the pallu, plain colour for the pleats and something different for the rest of the saree.

In May 2000 Nishanka would have completed his studies. He wants to have his dream come true by coming to Sri Lanka and open a warkshop so that men and women will ware his designer clothes in the new millennium.

He is very proud of his parents who have given him the unstinted support

by Gamini G. Punchihewa
The picturesque mountanious highway from Victoria, Keerthibandarapura, Serasuntenna, Randenigala, Rantembe, linking Mahiyangane, Girandurukotte, Ulhitiya Oya and Polonnaruwa, enables one to view elephants, birds, scenic mountain frontiers and the artificial lakes lying against the backdrop of the enticing Dumbara Valley.

The forest studded hills overlooking the Randenigala reservoir are the favourite haunts of the roaming elephants. seeking to quench their thist from the waters of the Randenigala and Rantembe reservoirs.

From Victoria, which driving through Serasuntenna, Keerthibandarapura, and approaching Randenigala, there are elephant crossing points which are indicated on posts with a striking figure of a jumbo.

The Randenigala forest has been declared a protected sanctuary. Birds like Black Eagle, Creasted Hawk Eagle, Serpent Eagle, white Bellied Sea Eagle, Tank Eagle could be seen soaring over these forested and the tanks there.

Tourism
The man made lakes Victoria, Randenigala, Rantembe, are the favourite haunts of many aquatic birds, both native and migrant. Boating trips, if arranged could help those interested in bird watching.

The rippling waters are ideal to hold regatta or yacht races and other water sports, like surfing.

On the banks of the Victoria reservoir is a hotel named Oruthota Chalets. with 12 furnished rooms, and the distance from Kandy to this hotel is twelve miles lying close to Dighana town.