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FORGOTTEN HERITAGE
Kalu Ganga's mysterious eelby Gamini G. Punchihewa
Kaluganga encountering sharp bends is filled with rockoutcrops, rock pools and perilous eddies. A prominent rockoutcrop that peeps out of the waters is called Pelanugala located close to the banks of the Kaluganga, along the Kalutara-Nagashandiya-Horana road about four miles away, from Kalutara North.Split into two
Pelanugala, its name derived from the fissure in its middle. Close to it lies a thotupola (a ford) where river sand is mined. Called Pelanugala Veli thotupola.Pelanugala is a favourite bathing spot of all especially the damsels with their diyaredda (cloth wrapped around their sinuous bodies), up to their tender bosoms. There is a dangerous whirlpool which has taken the lives of many bathers.
Old timers living along the banks of the river, still believe there are priceless treasures submerged under Pelanugaala, guarded, by a mysterious eel wearing a golden earring!
Anyone who ventures to unearth the submerged treasure it is told would be swallowed up by the avenging undercurrents that are guarded by this eel.
Another folk-lore has it that the wealth of Ehelapola Kumarihamy (wife of Ehelapola Dissawe) was taken in a boat across the Kalu ganga and unloaded at a place called Galapatha where some of it was plundered, while the rest was submerged under the depths of Pelanugala.
In my peregrinations in the past and now in quest of little known places of history and legend, I have been always well rewarded learning the tales spun by old timers, like old from Arachchies, Village headmen, and Viharadipathis (Incumbents of Raja Maha Viharayas of the past?.
In our recent tour around Kalutara and its environs with our staff photographer-Jude Pathiraja, I met some village patriarchs, temple incumbents and the like.
An aged villager at Palanugala in an amude (span cloth) with his mammoty learning of my mission narrated the legends surrounding Kalu ganga and the thotupolas.
This old man P. D. Lian Singho ,85 years old stated: "My entire life revolved around Pelanugala thotupola, watching those old parus sauntering by down the river taking loads of coffee, cinnamon, pepper and returning with bags of salt and rice. There were a fleet of 72 such parus operating along these thotupolas. There was one thandale mahatmaya Dalpathadu Simon Thandale who owned and operated them.
He resumed "One fine morning it was some-where in the 1920s, a man came in an angula (two canoes tied together with a wooden platform which served as a ferry boat) and ferried across the river to the other thotupola (ford) by a boy of about 15 years to get back home.
The boy espied a golden kalagediya (a vessel) floating down the river and when he tried to get it he was thrown overboard by some mysterious hand and drowned. The Wadduwa police later recovered the body".
Perilous whirpools
Lian Singho recalled that the bathing spot around Pelanugala was a river of tragedies lurking with under-currents and submerged tunnels gorging through rock pools. Every year a person or two gets drowned there, in 1977, two persons a mother and the son, were drowned when the mother jumped into the river to save her son but unfortunately both got drowned. Divers retrieved the two bodies. It was a pathetic sight with mother and son embracing each other.
Lian Singho also said that he would have saved about 10-15 persons from drowning.
Legend has it that the Kalu ganga has seven such (vangus) bends.
Lian Singho spoke also of a dangerous eddy called Halauwa where water does not flow down or up. It is submerged with undercurrents - a death trap.
High Fashion
Gala dance for sculptured figuresby Kirthi Sri Karunaratna
The Architects Gala Night '99 through the years has been an evening full of fun, elegant decor and beautiful people. The only complaint was that the dance floor was packed to capacity, with Mignonne cheerfully enticing them to music provided by Pearl and the Peter Prins Combo.Highlight of the evening was a hilarious competition. The tables were given a bag full of goodies and those at each table had to dress a man of their choice as an Avrudhu Kumari, bringing reams of laughter at the antics of the participants on parade. The contest for fun, was won by architect Kithsiri Almeida, with architect past president Mihindu Keerthiratne as first runner up and architect Milroy Perera as the second runner up. For the women there was a prize for the best dressed lady, the decision for which was a formidable task, with so many of the women making immaculate impressions. The winner of the prize was Devika Prithiviraj who wore a saree in a lovely shade of blue. The simple saree was teamed with a blouse with the sleeves embroidered and the flesh toned net back appliqued and embroidered with a motif.
Many of the women architects and the wives of the leading architects could have walked away with the award, but they were not considered to be in the running for obvious reasons. Among them was energetic and efficient organiser Neela de Zoysa. Her blouse of a gold tone had bands of deep blue at the waist and on the edge of the sleeve, with borders of gold above them. The little scattered motifs were in gold and the blue and the fall of her saree was finished in gold tassels. Sreeni Waas had a corner of her simple black saree embroidered in a paisley motif in silver and sapphire blue, to wear with a blue sapphire pendent for an ornament. Lalini Alwis had the beautiful green of her Kandyan saree worked in a deeper green corded lace on the Ihe and the fall, embroidered in emerald sequins, pearls and beads, to draw more than a glance of admiration. Black and white which looked like a butterfly wing print was the choice of saree worn by Ranjinie Wijewardene. Stain glass colours made the pallu, and Ranjinie choose to wear a simple black blouse and silver jewellery with it. White candles and Ox eye daisies formed the pleasing backdrop to the many colours around. The colour of the blue kameez Sheranee Sellamuttu wore was like a night sky sparkling with a myriad stars. The style was trendy with a high neck and cutaway armholes, which is the 'in' thing in styling in the fashion capitols of India. Evening dresses were favoured by quite a few. Among them was Mary Raulston in a shoe string strap little number in black, with her friend Shyamalee Tudawe keeping company in a cold shoulder gown in shot black with a spray of silver leaves pinned to the shoulder. A black top beaded and fringed Sunethra Wijegoonewardene wore with a slim black skirt for dazzling sophistication.
The Sixteen Best Years
To celebrate the sixteen best years of her life Priyanthi Fernando asked her family and friends to dinner recently. It was a glamour filled occasion with Priyanthi as usual setting the pace in an evening dress of opulence in trendy style. The exquisite fabric in black, with a weave of jet sequin like spirals on net was in a two piece. The long slim skirt was lined to just above the knee in silver grey fabric, as was the top, which had a sheer black net yoke. A double stand of diamonds made her fabulous necklace and all the other ornaments were in diamonds, which included rings, bracelets and earstuds. Flying home to join in the celebrations was daughter Sheranthi Fernando. Like the mother, the daughter too goes for the unusual. She topped her black pants with green fitted blouse the hemline cut in a diagonal. The bare shoulders and straps and the top was embroidered in ethnic design in a dull gold. Another young miss who caught our eye was Sharmali Jayawardene in a simple black dress in body hugging elegance. Her hair was left loose and flowing over the shoulders and her ornaments were discreet and subdued.
Annual Dinner
The Skal Club of Colombo hosted a dinner at the ball room of the Inter Continental Hotel. Many of the hotels from all over the island was represented and the President of the Skal Club Mr. Sandy Soysa in his speech made glowing reference to the late GM of the Colombo Hilton Mr. Gamini Fernando, in whose memory two minutes silence was observed, as a tribute by all those present. It was a pleasant but formal evening and the women had dressed in appropriate fashion. Young Dayanthi Pannabokke opted for a cross over styled black dress on simple lines, with a pendent in gold at the base of her neck and a armful of gold bangles. Mother Kamalika Pannabokke relied on the dignity of a Kandyan saree. The saree Dharshini Cooray wore was in black with an uneven border in rose pink and ivory, with mango motifs in the same colours on the sleeves and the back of the blouse. Gold jewellery and a black and gold handbag complete the ensemble. Srimani Dharmaraja had her smoky grey kangivearam saree bordered in saffron and yellow in a thread weave. A gold necklace was her choice of ornament. Janaki, the wife of the President had her beige self patterned saree bordered in brick red and green and Hyacinth Fernando wore a salwar kameez in grey painted in shades of blue and mauve with highlights in gold lacquer. Her dupatta was in a deep blue.
Cooking mixes and ready to eat sauces
Suranganie Gunasekera who is behind Scan Products Exports (Pvt.) Ltd., were the pioneers in the making of Curry mixes, has now extended their originality to several new varieties of cooking mixes and ready to eat sauces. In keeping with their policy, these products are of very high quality and manufactured to international standards. They have gained recognition locally and are much sought after abroad. They have even gained recognition by the Food and Drug authority of the USA.
Scan Products were the proud recipients of the Gold award for the best woman exporter awarded by the National Chamber of Exporters. Exports are done to most countries where there are domicile Sri Lankans especially, USA, Australia, the UK and Canada.
New varieties
All Purpose Curry sauce, Stir fry sauce, Sweet and sour sauce, Spare rib sauce, Hot and spicy chicken curry, Medium hot Madras Curry, Medium hot Sea Food, Medium mild vindaloo, Mild Kuruma, Mild Tandoori, Mild coconut satay, Very mild vegetable
All purpose curry sauce
This very versatile sauce can be used both as a cooking sauce and a table sauce. As a cooking sauce it will add a spicy flavour to the dish being cooked. As a table sauce it will spice up any bland dish. Usage of this sauce is like eating Sri Lankan curry. However it must be emphasized that no meat or fish has been added to this sauce. It is purely a spice mix and contains no animal matter. Ideal for vegetarians. This sauce is personally dedicated to all Sri Lankans living abroad, who miss a truly Sri Lankan curry.
Stir fry sauce
This is a cooking sauce for stir-fry. Heat a little oil in a pan and stir-fry any meat fish or vegetable, which has been cut into bite sized pieces. Add the sauce, dilute with water if necessary and hey Presto! You have a Chinese stir fry dish.
Sweet and sour sauce
Make professional Sweet and sour in our own home. Saute any vegetable such as carrot slices, Capsicum Pineapple chunks. Dilute the sauce with water to the thickness you require. Add to the sauteed vegetables. Add any batter-fried fish or thin slices of meat sauteed in butter or oil. Bring the sauce and contents to the boil. Serve piping hot.
Spare rib sauce
This is a mixture of all ingredients required to make delicious spare ribs. Add to the spare ribs. Add water and bring to the boil. Simmer till ribs are done. Boil down the liquid and let the ribs fry in their own fat.
Extra special mention about the vegetable.
This is ideal for a white curry of potato dhall or any vegetable. Just add the recommended quantity of the paste, water and cook till done.
Other new varieties are: Hot and spicy chicken curry, Medium hot Madras Curry, Medium hot Sea Food, Medium mild vindaloo, Mild Kuruma, Mild Tandoori, Mild coconut satay, Very mild vegetable.
The above varieties are specially designed for the Sri Lankan palette with varying degrees of mildness. An effort has been made to change the mixes from strictly curry to satay vindaloo etc. These varieties being not strictly curry, still have a spicy flavour at the same time are extremely versatile. When using these new varieties one should first cook strictly according to the recommended recipe. Thereafter having established the flavour of the paste, a clever cook can add other ingredients such as tomato sauce or soya sauce to change the dish to one's taste'
Wella - Making a fashion statement in Lanka
For most of us, the immediate association the name Wella is its distinctive hair care. Now Wella International, a multi-million dollar German owned hair and beauty products manufacturer, has launched their products through a new local agent, Hair and Beauty Pvt., Ltd.
Many of us are familiar with the Wella products in Sri Lanka - Now comes a new line of products under four categories of colour hair care, perm and styling.
'Sri Lanka has been familiar with the hair products especially the colour product,' said Bernd Laquaihair technician Wella Int. at a press conference held at Hotel Taj Samudra.
He said 'this hair products range works in tandem with the body's natural mechanism.
The hair colour of Wella makes a fashion statement corresponding with those of the complexion. Wella Int's product is practical and easy to use and look different, too.
Regional Marketing Manager Raul Vivado said one of the two new hair care products group that Wella hopes to introduce to hairdressers is Lifetex.
The special national conditional ingredients in this would neutralise the chemical effects to the hair and scalp.
Wella products are manufactured after a number of rigid tests, through many university laboratories in the US and the help of scientists in Switzerland, prepared to suit different hair care products, said Vivado.
It is perfection that we aim for be in packaging or texture. Our success can be attributed to the close communication we share with the consumers.
Every individual head of hair is different to the other. It is this difference that we target when deciding the formulations, Vivado said.
All Wella products are aimed at balancing chemical ingredients with natural ones. Each and every Wella product has a natural ingredient.
Wella through their new agent Hair and Beauty Pvt. Ltd., held two workshops to introduce the new line up of haircare products, as well as to educate the hairdresses of the application of such products at Bishop's College.
A Wella Studio is in the offing here. There are already 87 Wella studios worldwide. Advanced refreshers courses will be offered to hairdressers, said Dilhan Rodrigo, Director Hair and Beauty. "We plan to set up regional centres in areas like Galle. Matara, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Negombo through which people interested in the hair care industry can further their knowledge."
Wella has made a fashion statement around the world.
so now we know what makes Wella products tick. It's their desire for change for nothing is more constant than change itself.
Espousing the cause of the world's oldest tribe - the Veddhas
by Vilma Wimaladasa
What is it that makes ex-Italian Catholic priest turned hotelier, Maurizio Paola Gardillo with his shaggy beard, nicely tanned countenance, long hair tied in a knot at the back of his head ("it's not that I want to look like the Veddhas, it's a just that I'm too lazy to cut my hair") he said amusedly, that makes him give up the mod-cons and comforts of home, to work in Maduru Oya with the 28,500 year-old Veddha community which is on the verge of extinction. He has given up hoteliering too.Maurizio, an hotelier came to Sri Lanka to work as Manager of the Weligama Club hotel in 1991 and of all the things I read about in Sri Lanka it was "the plight of the Veddhas that I felt I had to become active in to help them roam and hunt and preserve their age-old traditional way of life for generations to come. I have been keenly interested in aboriginal peoples beginning with the Red Indian tribes even as a boy of 10 years".
As things are, he said, this tribe faces extinction, and "as luck or providence or anything else would have it in 1992. I met the champion of the Veddhas cause as it were, Wiveca Stageborn, the Swedish anthropologist, and joined as her assistant in Sri Lanka to work for this community".
A census of the Veddha community show that there are only 2,000 members remaining and of these about 1,000 members have been de-tribalised and merged into the Sinhalese population.
Wiveca Stageborn chose the stone-age lifestyle and lived with the Veddhas, deep in their jungle abode in Dambana, which could be reached only by foot, for several years and found life with the Veddhas "far more satisfying and fulfilling than anything she knows in the developed world outside." Her whole life seems to be dedicated to this cause and due surely to her efforts the Veddhas are among other indigenous tribes whose problems are being discussed by the UN's Working Group of Indigenous Peoples on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities which is attached to the UN Commission on Human Rights.
But to get back to Maurizio with his infectious enthusiasm and genuine concern to help this tribe get back their heritage who lives in a wattle and daub Veddha hut, with its roofing of illuk grass where the moon and stars filter through the thick canopy of forest trees at night and the glorious dawn breaks to the chattering of birds and the waking sounds of the various animal life, literally 'where the deer and the antelope roams it's a pure way of life." Like way of life the Veddhas, the forest is an improvised toilet and the meandering streams a luxurious bath of sorts. "But I always take my tooth brush along" he said amusedly.
In the Maduru Oya national park the Veddhas claim, is their ancestral land. One facet of their life is that they strictly abide by the unwritten code of hunting. A Veddha will never kill a female animal, a young animal or one that is having a drink of water. Vedddhas will never fell trees, rather they will do all in their power to preserve trees which become repositories for beehives-the Veddhas delicacy." It is not the Veddhas who destroy the forest, it's poachers and other corrupt people", Maurizio explained. Maurizio treks many a jungle path as an observer to see how hunters kill their prey.
Since December, however Maurizio has been frantically trying to get Punchi Banda released. Punchi Banda a Wanniyale Aetto or tribal Veddha had been shot by guards of the Maduru Oya, National Park in the Uva province and arrested for trespassing into the protected area which the Veddhas claim had been their ancestral home for thousands of years, till the government turned it into a game sanctuary in 1977.
Punchi Banda was admitted to the National hospital in Colombo critically ill with a gun shot wound on his back, his right leg completely incapacitated and his left leg chained to the bed. He was taken much against his will "leave me to die here" he had wailed, said Maurizio.
Maurizio has been to-ing and fro-ing from prison to hospital and police stations to Court house to get Punchi Banda released, and last week with the help of the famous lawyer, Arun Tampoe, the Court ordered the Colombo police to release Punchi Banda, on bail.
"But the sad fact is that this once able-bodied tribal warrior will be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life" said Maurizio," if he lives." He is now at the Ragama hospital still critically ill.
The strange thing is that all this took place in spite of Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga's order given on August 7, 1998, that the Veddhas would be permitted to continue their traditional way of life with the right to enter the traditional lands for hunting and foraging. But the snag was that this order was not supported by legislation, and Punchi Banda paid the price.
Maurizio explained that this is a distressing story, of how this ancient tribe has being driven out of their natural habitat, prevented from hunting and foraging and prosecuted for trespassing and poaching. Officialdom would be satisfied, it seems, only when this tribe sheds with the Sinhalese population in every sense of the word.
To my question whether his family too is happy about his frequent absences from home every year fighting the cause of an indigenous people? "Oh no! my mother was totally against it, but I invited her to Sri Lanka to see for herself and now she is an ardent supporter of this cause. She now helps in fund-raising in our hometown, Albegna, Italy".
Maurizio provides the major portion of funding for the Veddhas raising his own funds in his native town for this purpose. Whenever delegations or individual Veddha chiefs or others have to travel to Colombo to meet government officials for whatever reason is necessary, it is with Maurizio's help that they do so.
All this needs a lot of money and Maurizio left for Italy last Sunday on one of these fund-raising exercises, but not before he made an hurried visit to Punchi Banda at the Ragama hospital to where he has been transferred from the National hospital. Punchi Banda was running a high temperature and had other complications, according to Maurizio.
What a blow to history, if this ancient tribe lost their traditional way of life, their knowledge of every facet of the forests they roam, the fauna and flora and the herbs for curing all manner of illnesses and their songs, rites and language, Maurizio said in parting. He returns to Sri Lanka in October.
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