.
   

FORGOTTEN HERITAGE
Our ancestors - builders of tanks, bridges

by Gamini G. Punchihewa
Our ancestors not only built tanks and diverted rivers like the Mahaweli, Walawe, Kirindi Oya but also bridges over rivers large and medium. One such relics is a stone bridge over Kala Oya in Anuradhapura.

The 'Culavamsa' refers to a bridge across Kalu Ganga in the reign of Parakrama Bahu II (1234-1269 A.D.) during the Dambadeniya period built at the mouth of Kalunadi (Kalu Ganga) six cubits long (length 129 feet).

British Times
Two angulus (two canoes with a platform lashed together were used as paru (ferry boats) to cross the rivers. Hence the names of rivers as Kalu-tara means ford (ethara) across Kalu nadi/ganga. Similarly Ma-tara-means Maha-etera meaning the great ford with British rule in 1815 iron girdled bridges with iron archways over the carriages were built.

The road bridge over Kalu ganga was built in 1877, while the rail road bridge was done in 1895 by Westwood & Bailey Ltd., England.

A Bo tree near the Kaluganga that obstructed the building of a bridge over Kalu ganga was to cut down on the orders of the Assistant Government Agent Kalutara Mr. Brodhurst (an engineer himself). The public protested and Governor Sir West Ridgeway stayed the cutting down of the Bodhiya. This sacred Bodhiya is penetrated by motorists and others who go past it daily (more about this Bo tree in the forthcoming articles).

The bridges across the road and railway line 100 years old were over and had long outlined their existence. So in recent years, the old road bridges were demolished and in this place new bridges were built.

New rail road bridges
In January 1997, when two new railway bridges were constructed on its original foundation by GMBH and Deutsche of Germany the consulting engineers were Ms W. U. Rodenburg and W. Rohrbach. The Sri Lankan project engineers were from the Railway Department. M/s R. Kulendran and A. G. M. Mahanama among the technical officers of the railway bridge building department who assisted in this bridge building project were M/s Paul Perera and Jayalath Perera.

Other engineering cum technical staff of the Railway Department who helped were site engineer Mr. Douglas Wegiriya and Mechanical Engineer-Mr. Ranjith Senadeera and the skilled work force of the Railway Department.

Next: Kaluganga through the eyes of a German Naturalist

Satyn for women in Sri Lanka

Satyn, Sri Lanka's exclusive magazine for women, has entered the marked on a note of enthusiasm, according to Satyn sources. The magazine, which introduced the concept of glossy, international women's magazine to the local market, has much to feel good about, says Asoka Weerasooriya, Chairman-Shila Publications, the publishing company.

Suddenly, it seems the age of women's magazines in Sri Lanka has come of age. "That means we have a measurement of sorts of the quality of life we as Sri Lankans lead-more so where women are concerned." Says Pramishka Perera, Marketing and Sales Manager of Satyn, which entered the market in December last year. And competition has come "We like competition because competition keeps us on our toes - and makes sure the reader gets a better choice." Pramishka and her team at Satyn like to think of their magazine as a winner. "Definitely so - because we have got a high quality product. Our product mix is definitely value for money readers tell us. Ours is a totally Sri Lankan created and produced effort - the magazine is only sent abroad (to Singapore) for colour separations and printing for two reasons - high quality in final product which is essential for a glossy women's magazine and the fact that Singapore offers competitive prices."

Behind Satyn, therefore, is a resource rich team, says Pramishka - Nayomini Ratnayake Weerasooriya, a well known journalist who also has her own Public Relations Outfit, Niche Corporate Communications, is the Managing Editor - Satyn; some of Sri Lankan's talented young women journalists contribute to the magazine. So who decides which magazine is better? "Obviously the reader" Pramishka says," As a women's magazine, we try to stay closer to the reader all the time. Already, we have had a tremendous response from average women reading English women's magazines - they have the decision making power in the house, in the shops and that's our target market - and the target market of our advertisers." Satyn is already there, according to Pramishka - the magazine is closely tied up with leading women's organisations, among them the Sri Lanka Association of Personal Secretaries and the Sri Lanka Housewives Association; Sri Lankan in thinking, writing, fashions featured are clothes you can wear, that suit the Lankan figure and skin colour and we don't stop at that - Satyn creates a forum for issues of importance to the Lankan woman. We are her and her as she sees, feels and perceives the world."

And Satyn has goals - chief among these is to play an opinion role to the Lankan women; "In other countries, you see top women's magazines such as Femina and Cosmopolitan playing a key role in women's issues, be it abortion, rape or bride burning" says Nayomini Ratnayake Weerasooriya, the woman behind the magazine."

Priced at Rs. 120 retail and offering full 112 pages of news, fashion, beauty tips, a men's column, children and pregnancy columns and other interesting material, Satyn seems ready to take centre stage in the publishing industry, among women's magazines of quality.

High Fashions
Trendy styles

Text and Pix by Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
At the beginning of the year many people get their friends and relations together to keep old friendships burning and to set new ones aflame. Intimate and friendly these get togethers, are quiet and affords an opportunity to mingle and cement friendships with acquaintances. In this vein was the dinner party, Gerry and Lalitha de Silva hosted in their well appointed home at the beginning of this month. Even though it was an informal happening the styles were trendy and with it. The hostess Lalitha, Lucky to her close friends set the mood in a self checked black dress of a sheer georgette, with a waistcoat of ecru linen, the entire front beautifully embroidered in cut work. Long gold earrings were her ornaments.


Lakshika		 Daughter Lakshika Wijesinghe opted for a hip hugging skirt style in a sarong inspired fashion, in deep apricot raw silk she teamed with a short sleeveless top encrusted in sequin and bead work in deeper apricot and pearls, the hemline edged in bead tassels. A long printed top in the lovely combination of ink blue and lotus pink Roshi Almeida wore over a simple dress in the same blue. The print of large star flower like blooms was in a deep pink with green leaves scattered sparsely for striking elegance. A black satin top with cutaway armholes which went into a halter neckline young Romali Fonseka wore with a sleek and simple black matte skirt. Conversation buzzed over a delectable dinner.

Even though her birthday falls at the end of this month, Sarala Nagendra celebrated it at the first half of the month as she was scheduled to go abroad, and would be out of the country on her birthday itself. Not wishing to deprive her friends and relatives of her annual party everyone looks forward to, Sarala asked them to dinner at on Golden Pond at the Hotel Taj Samudra. As always, it was a well turned out gathering and sarees though in the forefront were given a good run by the glamorous salwar kameez. The hostess wore a saree of shot silk in a shade of orchid, bordered in gold and black with the pallu in a rich tapestrie of colour which included red, green and gold. Her blouse was in the simple shot silk and for jewellery she wore a magnificent necklace of emethist and diamonds with ear studs to match.

Daughter Kshirabdhi Aruliah made a sylph like pretty picture in a white salwar kameez. The long kameez was entirely embroidered in a filigree of a design in subdued gold toned chain stitch. A delicate necklace of gold with the sparkle of diamonds adorned the base of her neck. Having to rush away for another engagement we missed out a lot on the fashions, but caught in our camera lens Bala Perera in a saree of soft pink silk teamed with a blouse of the same pink embroidered in a deeper pink and pale bronze with the littlest hint of a pale green. She wore a paddakam of diamonds on a strand of pearls with stud earrings to match. Music for dancing was provided by Debbie, the reputed one woman orchestra.
Kshirabdhi

Dilup Gabadamudalige kept the dance floor packed at the homecoming party Donald and Sushila Wijayaratna gave in their beautiful home for their youngest son Shehan and his bride Sonali. It was a fun filled evening of relaxation, sparkling wine and gourmet food. As the celebration was in the house, the styles and fashions were on a lower key. The sisters and in-law of the groom Shehan always are clad in style, including his several nieces.


Sonali		 Sonali for the occasion wore a saree of gold tissue, the gold verging on a khakhi, draped in the gujarati style. The saree fall looped at the back to reveal the blouse which was laced up at the back, down to the waist from a cutaway at the shoulders. She wore gold jewellery which included large hoop earrings and a spray of mauve and white orchids in her hair interspersed with gold tinted leaves. Sonali is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustine de Alwis.

Hair styles for '99

Ramani Fernando of Ramani salons who has created a storm in hair fashion and bridal make up has come out this year with stunning hairstyles.

Colouring and curling back combing and brushing she primped in a fetish of creativity to produce some of the best in hair and beauty make up.

(Pix by Gamini Mendis)

A woman's magazine for contemporay times

A glossy woman's magazine 'Esteem' was launched recently in the presence of a large gathering at Hotel Inter-Continental.

This magazine will take the discerning Sri Lankan woman into the next millennium.

According to the Editor Wimala Seneviratne Sri Lankan women need a magazine that would cater to their fast changing social economic and fashion needs.

A woman epitomises many roles - a wife, mother, sister corporate and energetic successful woman all in one, so to say in a highly technocratic society where talent is rewarded more than size and shape.

Esteem will readily reflect the grievances of the emerging Eves whose voices and needs will be transmitted locally and internationally through its pages.

The name of the magazine 'Esteem' signifies self respect, self worth independence and dignity underlying an uncommon spirit and character. Each and every page of this magazine takes the reader through a gamut of experiences - pleasures, pains, ironies, tragedies and amusing moments.

Overall it is good reading stimulating, entertaining and visually attractive.

The array of articles range from household hints to makeup fashion in both international and local scene, interior designing which are exciting and enlightening.

According to publisher Percy Seneviratne the magazine not only cater sto women but to men too. After all the men are as important as women, we can't be without them.

The magazine was launched by Golden Key Credit Card Company Ltd. in collaboration with PNS Media Consultants Ptd. Ltd. of Singapore.

Mrs. Sicille Kotelawela of Ceylinco Group of Companies was the chief guest at the launch.

- Zanita

| NEWS | PROVINCIAL | POLITICS | EDITORIAL | DEFENCE | FEATURES | SPORTS | BUSINESS | ADS |