.
islet    

International Women's Day

The education of the girl child was the theme of Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam of the Hindu Ladies College when they celebrated International Women's Day this year.

The focus of attention this year was the education of the children in North-Eastern Provinces who are adversely affected by the ongoing war.

The President of the Kalagam, Mrs Sivanandini Duraiswamy in her address said, "When Sri Lanka was under colonial rule, a band of Hindu women dedicated in their resolve to preserve their ancient Hindu way of life, their religion, their language and their culture founded the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam in 1930. This re-awakened the Hindus particularly the women from their slumber, uniting them in their resolve to preserve their ancient way of life. To fulfil these objectives, a Secondary School for girls - the Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam was started.

Mahatma Gandhi said that when you educate a boy you educate an individual while, when you educate a girl, you educate a whole family and thereby the nation. In keeping with this, the Kalagam founders started this Vidyalayam to equip the girl-child for her role as a wife, a mother and perhaps pursue a career she may want later in life.

The education of our girls in an atmosphere of the age-old Hindu traditions and human values not only promotes the three Rs but also contributes towards the fulfilment of life and face the challenges of life.

The most pressing need today is the rehabilitation of displaced children seeking admission to the Vidyalayam and rehabilitating many displaced families. 'Educate a Girl-Child is the project of the Past Pupil's Association of the Vidyalayam and we are proud to see the young dynamic women who passed through the portals of our school having imbibed the human values of love, compassion, service and harmony, working for the betterment of not merely their Alma Mater but for the young displaced children from the North Eastern Province.

Due to the Province being the theatre of war, many families are displaced and seek admission for their girls in our school and now we have more than thousand displaced children in the school. The Kalagam together with the Vidyalayam started the project, 'Sponsor a Girl-Child,' and now the Past Pupils wishing to help have started their project. All funds go towards the scholarship programme of the displaced children. It is our bounden duty to help the less fortunate girls."

Mrs Balachandran, the Principal of the Vidyalayam, in her address spoke of the numerous ways the Kalagam and the Vidyalayam are helping in the education of the needy girl-child. "From the buying of books and uniforms to giving tiffin during the interval and extra tuition when necessary and looking into health requirements we help the needy displaced children under the scheme 'Sponsor a girl child' she said.

Culinary Art 99 - when Top-Chefs meet

By Cecil V. Wikramanayake
An epicurean extravaganza is in the offing when from June 25 to 27, nearly a thousand of Sri Lankas finest chefs meet to display their prowess in tickling the tastebuds of those who throng at the BMICH as spectators of Culinary Art '99.

Begun in 1988 under the title of "That Battle of the Chefs", the President of the Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka, Gerard Mendis, (whose delicious chocolates inspired this writer some years ago to pen a poem which was published in a newspaper) has decided, as he announced last Wednesday at a Press Conference, that "with so much bloodshed in and around the world" that title seemed to be inappropriate, hence the change to Culinary Art '99 - a more positive look, as he said, at the New Millenium.

An eminent panel of judges of international repute will scrutinize and award merits to the displays put on show, and the organisers expect over fifteen thousand visitors.

There will be presentations made by Michael Jackson - no, no. Not the singer, but the internationally acclaimed Beer Hunter - Mary Gostelow who edits "Hospitality Industry", and Peter Knipp, editor of Asia Cuisine.

In addition to this there will be live competitions, such as Butter carvings and vegetable carvings, Ice Carvings, a Flambe competition, an Arrack Cocktail competition and the latest a Stout cocktail competition.

After the competition is over, the 3rd World Asssociation of Cooks Societies from the Asian Region, comprising about 15 countries will gather together at the Light House Hotel, Galle, to " share and enhance ideas on a ground where friendships blossom". The culmination of the celebrations will be a traditional Sarong Party at the same hotel, after which delegates will leave for a safari to Yala.

Why should'nt women wear what they want?

by Zanita Careem
Do Sri Lankan women have the freedom to wear what they want? The answer is an affirmative "No".

Rumours are afloat of the imposition of a dress code. The reason for this code is to curtail the abuse and molestation of women. The social phenomenon of some sections of society attempting to dictate to women what they should and should not wear in the street is disturbing in that it is a reflection of chauvinistic male resentments of the new freedom open to women. Why can't women wear what they want? Why should women be the victims of men's sexual carnage? Would it not be better for the men who commit blatant crimes on women to act in a more discreet manner.

Recently one of my women colleagues stormed into the office and began to relate the experience she had on the way to work.

Distraught and full of anger she is all out to catch by the scruffy neck the very next man who dared to cast a remark about her attire.

She remarked: "Does anyone have to cast remarks about another's style of dress in public? What business is it for anyone to cast aspersions on what I wear to work so long as it is decent and my employers have not decreed otherwise?

Curiously, women nowadays are subject to jibes, remarks and taunts by men at bus halts, on roads etc. quite surprisingly in a star class democracy like ours. Why is it that we have to live under such oppression was the opinion of many I spoke to.

Has Sri Lanka gone back to the dark ages? Are we becoming so puritanical?

While all over the world women have made vast strides fashionwise in Sri Lanka it seems, women are going backwards. Some of our designers feel that Sri Lanka is on par with fashion trends of the West. For instance in India and Pakistan the young and the old are fashion conscious and they keep abreast with the fashionable trends abroad. It does not mean that we should ape the west but women in Sri Lanka should have the right to wear what they want.

We asked a cross-section of the public what their opinions were. Miss Dilrukshi, a travel executive said:

"We should have the right to wear what we wish. Why should men cast remarks at women's wear. I don't think women should be the victims of men's carnal desires."

Shiranee a teacher by profession said: "I wear the saree because my profession demands that I should be dressed properly. We should not be dictated on what we should wear and should not wear. We can be guided by our own culture and morality.

PR executive in a leading hotel feels that there is a major concern about the dress code. There are other major concerns that bother society at large. If men have the right to wear what they wish, women surely should have the same right."

M/s Nilanthi de Silva said with a shrug and a smile that when men cast remarks she ignores them. That it takes the sting out of their blatant remarks.

In recent times there has been a surge of crimes against women. Women in Sri Lanka are subjected to rape molestation and other sexual harassments. So at every turn it is women who have to pay the price for crimes. Now it has come to a stage that women can't wear what they want. If a woman is seen in a mini or a pair of shorts, men cast aspersion's and vulgar jokes to make her the target of ridicule.

Is women's mode of dress that is the cause for men's carnal appetite to be set aflame. The question to be asked is where is the freedom for women.

What is the definition of human rights? Freedom of expression, freedom of thought and freedom of movement are some of the rights everybody enjoy in this country.If a country is to progress women should be equal partners in the development process.The pithy question is why set a dress code for women. Why not make it mandatory to punish men who taunt women not necessarily on female wear but in general, by word of mouth, deed or gesture.

They should be hauled up before courts and deterrent punishment given. Infact they should be publicly lashed for acting in a perverse manner in open society.

Now that capital punishment has been restored, with assiduous safeguards, the police in mufti or otherwise should be given powers to prosecute, even the lesser offence of casting cheap and vulgar remarks at women, as a part of the solution to larger sexual harassment question.

Meanwhile students from a very early age should be educated to respect women, as of old, when men offered their seats to the old and infirm of both sexes.

Time to look at abortion with a liberal attitude

by Randima Attygalle
The hazards of life are with us before birth as well as after. It would be naive to pretend that development is a process in which only the expected and desired events take place. These hazards differ greatly but all involve some mixture of psychosocial and biological variables..

During the prenatal period, perhaps the most salient hazard is abortion. This term has, a clear meaning to physicians and scientists.

Abortion refers to the evacuation of the prenate' from the uterus before it is viable. Whether this takes place spontaneously or by induction makes no difference so far as the definition goes.

Abortion has become one of the most intense and polarising, ethical and philosophical issues of the late 20th century. Individuals who favour women's reproductive rights, are of the opinion that the decision whether to terminate her pregnancy or not rests purely in the hands of the pregnant woman.

There are defenders who also believe that the foetus is only a potential human being. Until this time the foetus has no legal rights - the right belongs to the woman carrying the foetus..

On the other side there are certain individuals who oppose Abortion except in extreme circumstances as when the mother's life would be threatened by carrying a pregnancy to term.

Abortion has raised so many ethical and legal questions as to what right has the mother got to terminate her unborn child in 'cold blood' denying it, its main fundamental right - The right to live.

In any democratic country, right to live is a fundamental human right, safeguarded by the constitution. So the question arises, if so how can it be denied to the unborn child.

One may argue that Abortion is murder in cold blood, done so secretively, so much so the innocent unborn cannot cry for justice but its fate is in the hands of adults. But on the other hand what is the plight of its mother who will have to carry the burden of an unwanted child that is going to be despised? ?

Abortion has been practised around the world since ancient times as a crude method of birth control. Although many religions forbade or restricted the practise, abortion was not considered illegal in most countries until the 19th century. It is ironical that at a time when there is an urgent need to liberalise many social norms , still abortion is viewed with a certain stigma attached to it.

In 1803 England banned all abortions and this policy spread to many countries including Asian and African nations. In the 1960s and 1970s much of Europe and Asia along with Canada and the United States legalised abortion.

In countries where abortion is not legalised, illegal abortions are more likely to be performed by untrained people in unsanitary conditions and majority of these abortions end up in disasters. Most of the women who seek abortions are at a risk. Thus it is important to find out as to what is better - not recognising legal abortions and run the risk of losing two lives or legalising abortion and try to determine the cause and to minimise abortions.

Women's efforts to control their own reproductive systems have been an important part of the women's rights movement since the mid 19th century. If women have a right to be free of sexual harassment and violence, if they are entitled to equal job opportunities etc, why only abortion is sceptical?

Every religion considers abortion as immoral, a sin, but it is important to ponder into two main facts - what will the plight of an unwanted child in society would be ?, who will support the woman to sustain that child ?

In fear of social and moral norms, a woman may carry her unborn child and bring it into this world, yet there is a doubt whether that child will not be treated as a hindrance, often resulting in the words " I never wanted you". The child in turn will grow up with the bitter thought. "I am an unwanted child.'

The time has come to look at abortion with a liberalised view. Specially in conservative societies woman who seeks abortion are looked with remonstrance. It is disheartening to note that women seeking abortion are often labelled as " murderers" No woman will purposely get pregnant with the underline thought " I'm going to kill this". Most of the causes behind abortion can be sited either an unplanned pregnancies or a woman becoming a prey to rapists. Even the thought of carrying a child of a man who rapes her will terrify a woman. Such a helpless victim will be ridiculed and some will even go to the extend of identifying her as a prostitute.

In Sri Lanka many view abortion in the light of moral and religious norms. Many Sri Lankans, practising any of the mayor religions would think abortion is killing, thus wrong. In 1995 amendments were proposed to Section 303 of the Penal Code, to permit abortion in situations of rape, incest and severe foetal abnormalities, but due to strong protests from many political and religious parties, the proposed amendments were withdrawn.

With so many clashes between those who believe in legalising abortion and those opposing, a growing number of individuals and organizations are stepping outside to treat abortion with a more liberal temperament. Many people hope that broadening the human and society's attitude would bring upon a new look on this controversial issue.

The ideal place for everybody

She is determined to make it the most exciting venue in Colombo, and Angela Seneviratne Abeywardana has got the ideas to make it all happen.

Angela, who is a fashion model, beauty queen, cinema, television and theatre actress and singer, is now in charge of The Rock Cafe, situated at No. 43, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (formerly known as Green Path), Colombo 3.

The Rock Cafe came into being just over a year ago and Alston Kock was responsible for it. Alston is a Sri Lankan artiste who hit it big in the Australian music scene.

The Rock Cafe is the only Cafe in Sri Lanka that has a collection of memorabilia of lots of rock and pop stars down the ages.

Angela plans to generate more excitement by bringing together outgoing and funloving people to perhaps, meet, have a drink after working hours, dance 'neath the billowing trees to music of all types, watch the latest musical and singing stars of the world on a mega screen and, of course, indulge in a range of good food.

Opening night was last evening. It was sundown dancing for the young generation, from 7.00 p.m.

Another big event is planned for this Saturday, April 3rd. They are calling it The Rock Cafe Easter Bunny Festival '99.

According to Angela, it will be a truly fan affair, with competitions to chose Mr. Easter Bunny and Ms. Hunny Bunny, an egg hunt, surprises, dancing and lots of laughter.

The Rock Cafe Bunny will also be there to greet you.

Angela has mapped out events and promotions right through to June. On source nights there will be live entertainment to make the scene different. Even the senior citizens will find their kind of entertainment at The Rock Cafe, she says.

Later in the year, she hopes to introduce a sports bar and a karoake lounge.

Angela is very keen to make The Rock Cafe the ideal place for everybody.

"I love people and it is my hope to have lots of people of all ages having a good time, every weekend.

A Frame in Time
The tell-tale note

By Wilfred Lasz
Theirs was the wedding of the decade. A fairy tale wedding of sorts, but kept to manageable proportions, decorum and style. Both groom and bride were the perfect foil for each other in looks, mein and stature.

Tiny Fong, of Chinese extract, was a brilliant student at the school by the Beira Lake, in the days when its waters were translucent and motor boats chugged carrying serried ranks of tea chests, one row atop another-not the stagnant, murky, smelly water body it today is with a picture postcard view of the Fort in the distance and light refractions glistening from it on sunny afternoons.

It was on the banks of the Beira that we struck up conversation. Even at that time Tiny - he was anything but tiny - for that was his pet name as he brought up the rear in a family of seven to a successful so-called "Dental Mechanic."

Tiny had a head for figures - including a beautiful lissome lassie whom he met at the University. Dolly Doole, came from Malay stock, but with an unusual bent for the English language, before the Peradeniya campus days.

At this point I must tell you that Tiny had a bosom pal, Arty Sinclair. It was by a strange quirk of fate that they looked so similar in looks and stature and mannerisms and were inseparable friends. Both were obsessed with tennis and music.

To cut a long story short, Tiny after obtaining his maths degree went onto become a chartered accountant with a then well known accountancy firm. Dolly remained the model housewife and mother, a voracious reader and a free lance journalist, who wrote in a lucid, felicitous style. Arty Sinclair, who made no pretensions to scholarship, because of his social background, joined a prestigious English estate agency house as a junior mercantile executive. He was also somewhat of a playboy and remained single till his untimely death in a car accident when his car skidded on a wet day in the hill country on a routine visit to a couple of estates and went off a steep precipice down 400 feet and coming to rest on its hood.

That was a good ten years later. However, Tiny and Arty continued to sustain their friendship and infact, strengthen it at the tennis club where they were regular fixtures.

But something happened meanwhile in the relations between Tiny and Dolly. It had turned lukewarm and routine, romance had gone out the window in their lives.

Tiny always a natty dresser, trim, prim with a spring in his step and a come hither look in his slit eyes in a round mealty face was the focus of a bevy of beauties at the tennis club, where he spend more time than at home, even though blessed with two chubby kids.

Dolly, the woman with an hour-glass figure and fashion conscious at one time was now a shabby slovenly woman with straggly hair, who though contributing to newspapers and journals was hitting the bottle more than was good. In her mind in her search for new ideas, creativity and research, to soothe her jangled nerves and starved of love, her smoking too proportionally increased. Of course, their were housemaids to look after the kids.

One day she looked at herself in the mirror and had a good hard look at herself. The image she saw in the mirror stunned her. There as large as life in the dressing table mirror was a woman shabby and sluttish who even skipped her ritual ablutions, bedraggled and bleary-eyed. And suddenly she was conscious of her physical and mental state. The intelligent woman she was she knew that she was sick and required medical aid and rehabilitation.

But first of all she had to calm the frenzied mind and trembling hands. She poured herself a sizeable shot of scotch. Then placed a cigarette on her lips. Now where did she place the lighter. Her fuzzled mind could not place where she had. Suddenly she remembered that Tiny always had a box of matches in his sports sweater

Of course, she did find the box of matches. But also with it came a note. She sparked the match, lit her cigarette and reached for reading glasses. And suddenly something hit her right behind her eyes. What the note said sent shock waves throughout Dolly. It read: "darling I love you more and more with each day-Lorna."

Dolly crumpled in a heap onto the settee. But the fizz and whizz of the whisky too were taking effect. In that moment of temporary resilience, she reached for the phone in the drawing room centre table and dialled a number. "Loretta, please come home quick I need help right now!"

Loretta was one of Dolly's closest friends, whose alcoholic husband had kicked the habit via the Alcoholics Anonymous. Loretta, too, had been counselled simultaneously by the AA in a corresponding programme of counselling on how to deal with a 'Recovered' alcoholic.

Hadn't Loretta warned Dolly times without number where she was headed to? That evening Loretta, her husband, Anil, and Tiny bundled Dolly into the car and raced her to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at the Fatima Church mission hall.

The elderly gentleman welcomed her with fatherly love seeing her terrible condition. "We will cancel our agenda for the new comer and do the First Step."

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the differance," the participants intoned with solemnity. At once Dolly knew she had come to the right place.

Say something briefly for our knew friend. Speaker after speaker did the First Step. A summary of how they became alcoholics, though none looked a practising alcoholic.

Then it was Dolly's turn to say a few words. And they came from Dolly's inner most recesses. "I am, Dolly-I am an alcoholic..." At once she knew she belonged right here. Her anxiety for recovery was so great. "Chairman, I need counselling..." He replied: "That's what you are getting right now... but dear friend we treat the body, then the mind... hospitalisation and medication... We will be there to cheer you up."

More AA meetings after Dolly's physical condition was restored. And what a transformation! Once more figure and fashion conscious Dolly received the love she badly needed from Tiny - more intensified than ever before. What was great, she even kicked the smoking habit and her writings became even more prolific.

As for Tiny, he had tired of playing the philanderer. His renewed love for Dolly and her reciprocation of hers for him was really soul-satisfying.

One-day in a moment of intimacy Dolly popped that painful question that was lurking in her mind."

"Tiny are you still in love with Lorna?"

Tiny was flabbergasted: "What do you mean darling?" That slip of note addressed to you endearingly by Lorna in your sweater pocket.

"Great guns!" rejoined Tiny. I and Arty wear the same type of Sweaters. We are the same size. "I see, I see," mumbled Tiny. Our sweaters must have got mixed. You know, that woman Lorna is one of Arty's many girl friends".

A glow of happiness and realisation dawned on Dolly as she nestled her manicured head on Tiny's shoulder as the kids beamed on the scene of domestic felicity and marital bliss.

The names used are fictitious.

Arts
Passionate lovers of art

by Himangi Jayasundere
The Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts is an institute with a difference with the artists given the freedom to give expression to their individualism.

A young artist when asked about the works displayed explained the different forms of art and interpreted the numerous paintings with an amazing depth not only of art and colour schemes but history, philosophy and physics.

Two of the wall hangings by artist Chandana Wasantha reflected the cross cultural influence of pop art on the artist during a certain period. One of them contains a painting of Marilyn Monroe. "A Canadian who saw this wanted to have it displayed in the Canadian modern art museum because of its cross cultural influence".

Almost the entire art work on one block has been done with bus tickets, something which most people tend to throw away.

I am shown two more paintings, the unique quality in them being they are done on two throw away wooden planks.

Some of the symbols in Tamara Jayasuriya's paintings consist of Chinese calligraphy. Her paintings have been influenced by Jackson Pollock, an artist who was worried about the society he lived in. "Tamara works in isolation and the chaos she creates in her paintings leads peculiarly to a better understanding.

War is a recurring theme in the gallery. Picasso portrayed war in his "Guernica" and artists always continue to do so but the problem continues. Among the paintings that portray the pain and suffering of war a painting by Sudheshna Kodeeshvaran from Jaffna.

The paintings of Sanjeeva Liyanage from Kandy portray Sri Lankan marriages. The technique, artist's personality, theme, colour, composition and the context in which it is presented all lend to the meaning of the painting. Sometimes the brush strokes can be felt not just visually. Almost all the paintings here are originals. They portray a deeper more questioning attitude towards society and the issues of our time.

A considerable amount of space has been left between each of the paintings providing each painting the individual attention it deserves. In galleries often paintings are cramped up with hardly any spacing between them, making it difficult to focus one's singular attention on one painting at a time.

Paintings are not the only works of art on display here. There were also artifacts turned out of clay.

In an open area on the side of the gallery lie four sculptured faces with a life size figure in the centre, formed from cement. An interesting article is an unsuccessful attempt at a sculptured cap that hangs on the wall on the upper floor of the gallery. "This is symbolic of our shattered hopes," according to an artist who explained the works of art there. Despite all the creative energy infused and the many works of art done young artists in Sri Lanka face many problems. The society we live in does not believe in painting and sculpture as professions. As a result talented young people who have a passionate love for art and believe that they can make it their livelihood are not given the encouragement they deserve. Most of them have to revolt against their families to pursue what they believe in.

"Artists are not just ignorant dumbs!" a young artist protests, yet society seems to be ignorant of the real value of creativity. Art is more than shapes and colours, a vast area of knowledge is infused into its creation. Young artists continue to struggle against a society which is devoid of imagination.

Students of the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts in Etul Kotte often present their work at public exhibitions. The Academy which is directed by Mr. Chandraguptha Thenuwara is an alternative centre for art for those over 15 years of age and does not require any pre-qualifications. The academy held an exhibition of the work of their female students on March 14 to commemorate International Women's Day.

High Fashion
Star studded night

Text and pix by Kirthi Sri Karunaratna
The Past Pupils Association of Hindu Ladies College, which is managed by the Saiva Mangayar Kalagam, the Hindu Women's Society, working in the cultural, social and religious fields, brought down South Indian film star Kushboo and her dance troupe for two performance.

The evening prior to the "Star Night" recital Kushboo and her troupe were hosted to a dinner by the organisers at the Hotel Taj Samudra. Photogenic Kushboo, who is certainly not the embodiment of glamour one associates with a film star, looked simple and charming in a salwar kameez in a combination of cerise and green. The typical south Indian setting was achieved by the hosts with the decor and the styles, mostly traditional. Kushani Radha and her kangiveram silk saree in the striking combination of shot gold, bordered in vivid magenta and green with gold woven into it for subtle sheen. A large pendent on long strands of emerald beads made her arresting necklace and she had a cascade of many strands of jasmines in her hair. Lovely to look at was Jayakalani Siriwardene in a biscuit silk saree bordered in a tawny orange gold. Simple but effective was a gold chain at the base of her neck and the "kudu" earrings she wore. Totally different and more western in style was the trouser suit Anupama Nanayakkara wore. The recent bride who has been in a blaze of publicity over her lavish wedding and other functions looked at her prettiest in this silver grey outfit, with her hair in simple flowing style.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines held their awards night at the California Grill in the Galadari Hotel recently. Cocktails were followed by a dinner, after which the Regional Manager, Bombay H. Maassen was introduced by S. Skander Kumar. The presentation of the awards followed. The women present brought glamour to the event with their choice of elegant clothes. The saree of white Tara Cooray wore had borders of aquamarine and a pallu in the same colour. The blouse which echoed the colour at the edge of the sleeves, was delicately embroidered. Setting the epitome of well matched elegance was the lovely set of cabochon aquamarines and pearls which made her necklace and drop earrings. The shaded grey saree Fathima Azeez wore she teamed with a blouse of the same grey toned lace, which had wrist length sleeves. A collar necklace of moonstones was her choice of jewellery. Green lace was the choice of Sharmala Cooray and Sonali Liyanagama wore a simple style evening gown in a deep blue velvet, which was high necked and sleeveless.

Coffee evening

The Colombo branch of the Old Boys Association of Maris Stella College held a Coffee evening in the Ballroom of the Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental. Many items had been put together towards the success of this evening. Among them was Channa Wijewardene's dance troupe in several interpretations of the dance, a catwalk show of clothes and jewellery and lifting songs sung by golden voiced Indrani Perera and by Anjalee with Zodiac all of it compered by Faizal Bongso. The many distinguished old boys of the college were given able support by their spouses who came smartly dressed for the occasion. A best dressed lady in saree and another in dress was picked by a panel of judges. The winner in saree was Manel Pieris. Her saree was in the unfailing combination of black and white, she wore with matching jewellery. The best dressed in a frock was Nadeera Jayawardene. Her long slim dress was in a shaded orange delicately embroidered in chain stitch. Another black and white saree that made a impact was worn by Sharmali de Vaz. The print in a design made a check like pattern, the saree worn with a short sleeved black blouse and silver jewellery. Black fused into a sunset orange and mustard in the saree Indrani Devendra wore. This lovely saree had gold checks and a narrow gold border on it. Another border in net where the black met the colour was embroidered in black and ecru silk thread. She wore a choker necklace in gold and her accessories were in black. Shalini Subasinghe had her top of blue permanently pleated, to team with blue pants and a stole of silver lace. A slim skirt in chatreuse Ranmali Seneviratne combined with a top with straps on her bare shoulders, to win the baila competitions in.

STYLE
Jump into Jute

Haute Couture has become an established fine art with its subtle play of elegance and simplicity combined, the total effect of which is to hold the consumer's riveted attention.

And Sharmini of 'Silk Wrap' is going all out to exploit this world wide trend.

This season Sharmini steers her canvas of design towards a unique change - using Jute as a new medium.

Jute has made a fashion statement now. Sharmini has turned out of jute silhouttes long and short, blouse. The feel is smooth, the style is elegant, it can be, and it will fit any occasion, formal or informal.

Sihouttes are slim and flattering in her line. And the fabric speak volumes in terms of simplicity and sophistication.

No gimmicks, just simple beautiful clothes you can actually wear. After all, this time of the year is taking its toll. So enjoy the warm weather. Relax in cool crispy clothes and slip into something new and comfortable dresses out of jute.

She strives hard to define a look that is simple yet dramatic on the eye far eclectic and uncordinated sensuousness.

Sharmini's collection aimed at bringing to the fore one's innermost feelings and emotions which put in her own words reads "Dress to bring out your true personality". Her new collection spoke volumes about the new trend in Jute.

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