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Sri Lankan teenager takes Britain by storm

by Cecil V. Wikramanayake
A Sri Lankan teenager, domiciled in Britain where she is studying her "A" levels, has brought fame to her country by her predictions about the millennium.

Over the past year researchers in Britain had been questioning more than 4500 teenagers all over that country on what they believe will be the ‘next big thing’. And Natasha Jayetilleke, who was seventeen in January this year, has been picked as the winner.

Natasha has predicted the return of the Rubick Cube, the gradual disappearance of the ‘pub’, moving walk-ways to ferry people in a society where obesity and laziness continues to increase, clothing that will have the capacity to change colour, and double-decker trains, among other things, all in the next millennium.

Natasha was back home in Sri Lanka last week to spend her holidays with relations here. When she breezed into the "Island" newsroom in the company of her aunt, Rosie Senanayake, I little guessed that behind that typically teenage bounciness was a brain capable of seeing a thousand years ahead.

"Are you psychic ?" I asked her when Rosie showed me a copy of the ‘Sunday Express’ which carried her picture and the story of her ‘predictions’, reported by Mark Townsend, the Express Consumer Affairs correspondent.

"Oh no! " laughed Natasha. "It’s just that there was this questionaire given to us, A-Level students, and I just answered it the way I thought would be in the next millennium."

Natasha explained that she had seen the Yo-yo make a comeback in popularity. She saw, in her mind’s eye the return of the Rubick Cube ( which must have been the rage before she was born).

Natasha said that in the future, clothing would have the capacity to change colour. In the streets, for example, suits might glow a bright red, or green, while in a dark club they would turn a brilliant white. "This will mean that people won’t have to change clothes anymore. " said Natasha. "More expensive clothes could be programmed to alternate between colour schemes."

Natasha is of the view that in the future, the traditional pub will disappear, to be replaced by minimalist ‘pill bars’ where consumers could guzzle tablets injected with flavourings. They will be washed down with water " the drink of the next century because water is pure and clean."

"The pills may take the fun out of eating," laughed Natasha, "but by then, the saving of precious minutes will matter more."

Silver will be the colour of the new millennium, according to Natasha, because it is modern, bright and futuristic. Silver make-up, hairspray and lip gloss will be worn by girls. Boys will buy silver shoes and shirts to look cool. Entire shops as well as pubs will be coloured silver, she said.

Yet another vision of Natasha’s fertile mind is that there will be double-decker trains. "A bit like the double decker bus. " she said. "This will cut down on pollution by transporting more people at the same time. It will also give travellers a better view of the countryside, which could make them appreciate the country more."

On Friday, Natasha flew back to Britain and school. What are her plans when she has finished with school ? "I don’t know" she smiled. And in reply to my question, laughed, "Oh, no. I cannot make any predictions about that!"

Swarnavahini’s "Sahastrayathra" on the eve of year 2000

by Sulochana Ramiah
The private TV Channel Swarnavahini is getting ready with a special series of programmes on a grand scale for its viewers for the year 2000. The set programmes intends to recollect the tancient history of Sri Lanka beginning from the era where prince Vijaya meets Kuveni at the shores of Thambappanni in 544 BC to the present century. A dramatised story based on the theme ‘Sahastrayathra", the Swarnavahini team has built a huge ship at a cost of rupees 17 1/2 lakhs. It is a model of an ancient ship, 50 feet tall and 50 feet in length. Vijaya sails with his 700 men and lands at the shores and meets the woman Kuveni and her friends. This tele musical drama with nearly 200 playback actors and with 38 recitals, for each era, will be one of the highlights on the dawning of the year 2000. The ship which is now at the shores of Koggala, down south would be brought to Galle Face sea in Colombo.

The other major event would be at the Galle Face green on December 31. The musical extravaganza with all the popular artistes participating would be staged on a unique platform - a stage made of fiber glass at a cost of Rs. 67 lakhs designed by an Indian set designer Saabu Syril with his team of 150 workers . It depicts a palace housed inside the Sigiriya rock portraying the important ancient history of Sri Lanka. " We do not intend to make this whole programme only to celebrate the year 2000, but to keep telecasting them as ‘fillers’ thereafter throughout the year’ said the chief organiser and Director Programme, Swarnavahini, Srimal Vedisinghe at a press conferene held at the Koggala Bech Hotel last week.

Music is provided by maestro Premasiri Khemadasa and lyrics and the story written by Professor Sunanda Mahendra, choreography by Channa and his troupe will be telecast through microlink on December 31 from 10 p.m. onwards. A model Satellite costing Rs.27 lakhs depicting the advancement of technology will ascend to the stage at midnight.

Following programmes are part of the theme: "Ape Urumaya" from December 1, at 7.55 p.m., "Sahasraye Gee" depicting the time Vijaya meets Kuveni with nearly 31 songs have been completed for this dramatised opera. And the lyrics are by Ajantha Ranansinghe, Sunil Sarath Perera, Lucian Bulathsinghala and many others. "Sahasrayata pera" will be telecast on December 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., "Ape Rajavaru" will be from November first to December 31, "Api" will be telecast from January 1, year 200 daily at 6 a.m..

"The total expenditure for this project is nearly Rupees 70 million and we are doing this not only to give our viewers a programme of a lifetime but also to educate and make them understand and remember one of the oldest histories in the world and to be proud of it" said Sirmal Vedisinghe.

Films
Visionary Vasantha adds another feather to his creative cap

by Sanjeevi Jayasuriya
With the shooting of "Salelu Warama", (Youthful Dreams) veteran film director Vasantha Obeysekara has completed his tenth film, — a noteworthy contribution to the local cinema industry.

In an interview with " The Island ", Vasantha Obeysekara said that the films "Thirtha Yathra" which is awaiting release and "Salelu Warama" have been approved as "A " grade films. The funding for these films was provided by the National Film Fund and the story, screenplay and directing was by myself he said.

"After graduating from the University of Ceylon in 1962, I worked as a journalist in the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd." In addition to editorial responsibilities, I wrote short stories as well," Obeysekara said. "However my prime interest was in film making and I had the opportunity of becoming a co- screenplay writer and assistant director for the film "Sath Samudura", which was Sri Lanka’s official entry for the Moscow International Film Festival in 1967," he added.

Obeysekara obtained the Diploma in Cinematography from the Conservatoire Independent Du Cinema Francais, Paris in 1971 and contributed to the successful making of many films. These included "Vesgattho" (Masked Men), "Valmathvuwo" (Lost Ones), " Diyamanthi" (Diamond), " Palagetiyo" (Grasshoppers), " Dadayama" (The Hunt), "Kadapathaka Chaya" (Reflection in a Mirror), "Maruthaya" (The Storm), "Dorakada Marawa" (Death at the Doorstep) and the latest "Thirtha Yathra" (Pilgrimage) and "Salelu Warama" (Youthful Dreams).

The special feature in all these films was that not only was the direction by Obeysekara, but also the story and screenplay . He also produced the two films "Diyamanthi" and "Palangetiyo". After "Palangatiyo", every film produced by Obeysekara has won local film awards and also been selected for international film competitions although yet to win an international award.

His skills are not only limited to directing commercial films. He has also directed a number of documentaries including "Lamayek", (The Child) a short film on parent- child relationships and "Midhunu Bemma", a documentary on women’s liberation. A film on tourism in developing countries, "When Two Worlds Meet" was directed by him in 1984, as well as a documentary film made for "Agenda For a Small Planet - Phase II" was done by request of the Department of Public Information of the United Nations and received worldwide television distribution dubbed in 17 languages and shown during prime television time throughout the world including countries such as USA, Canada, Japan and Australia, Obeysekara said.

He also has the Video Films "Paths to Peace", "Voice of Students", "Leaves On One Tree", "Prisoners of Circumstance", "The Corridors of Silence", "Awaiting For Justice", "Indurudora" and "Thimira Pauwa" to his credit.

A gentleman with pleasant disposition, Obeysekara holds all those in the film industry in high regard. Full of new ideas, he says there still are huge gaps to be filled in improving the local film industry.

Expressing his views on the radical changes recommended in the cabinet paper, regarding reforms in the National Film Corporation (NFC), Obeysekara said that although the problems had been identified, no proper solution had been provided. "The NFC needs reconstruction" he said. "It is a slow moving machine at present and the distribution system should be streamlined".

"The politicizing of the film industry is a highly dangerous situation", he pointed out and appealed to the authorities to take steps to promote a national cinema adding that if market forces are allowed to operate it could hasten the NFC’s decline. " If what is in the cabinet paper is implemented, then forget about the local film industry ", he said. " It could be considered as the opening of the flood gates".

"The function of distribution is the backbone of the film industry and it should not be privatized", Obeysekara said. "It should be converted into a more viable organisation by reconstruction, redefinition and better regulation". He added that the industry was collapsing because of the lack of new talent.

Apart from directing films he is also a visiting lecturer on Cinema and Television at the University of Kelaniya.

High Fashion
Femme fashions–food for thought

by Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
The Chairman of the People’s bank Dr. Gamini Fernando invited a host of distinguished guests to a preview of "The Sun and The Moonstone" a documentary film on Sri Lanka by Tissa Abeysekera. The film was produced by the People’s Bank to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of National Independence.

The Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs Lakshman Jayakody and Panitha, his wife, were the Chief Guests, among this galaxy of Ambassadors and High Comm-issioners, were stars from the cinemtaic world, including Lester James Pieris, his wife Sumithra, and Swarna Malla-waratchi.

The film itself had a range of varying reactions. It was felt that the images captured were not comprehensive enough. As for me Tissa had captured a new dimension, to many a mundane aspect in our lives, with beautiful visual and sometimes vibrant colour. It is difficult to comprehend though, what the film will convey to an alien public, particularly from the western world. The showing of the film on triple screens was followed by a reception, and even though the invitation specified formal attire many of the men tended to overlook it. The women though compensated for it in a variety of ensembles.

Panitha Jayakody wore a saree in traditional kandyan style, the saree of summer silk shot in cornflower blue and sapphire blue paling into turquoise, gently patterned in silver and bordered in the same colour. Her necklace was of cabochon turquoise and pearls.

The compere for the evening Sharmini Serasinghe too favoured a Kandyan saree. The ivory silk was dramatically bordered and had the ‘Ihe’ in deep blue with a ivory and red weave on it. Her deep blue blouse had below the elbow length sleeves, and she wore a necklance of deep blue and gold beads in the "atta male" style.

The saree Sumithra Pieris wore was in smoky blues and greys in a hazy design of checks, with a border and scattered motifs in subdued silver. Her blouse was in the deepest tone of blue, and she wore a pendent of blue sapphires and diamonds at the end of a long double strand of pearls.

Pearls were also the ornaments Anusha Jayaratne who was responsible for the organising of the event. Her white organza saree was crisp and cool, with wide pallu of an elaborate floral design, and dull gold borders.

Swarna sported a pair of sarong pants which are somewhat like harem pants in a print in beege burgundy, wine and beige. Over this she wore a long, kurta top in wine red pure silk. A miniature ruby pendent on a fine chain, and little ear studs were her only ornaments.

On a visit to Sri Lanka was a young miss from The Hague in Holland, Marianne de Swart. of courage she is really enjoying her stay in our island, and is the house guest of Lionel and Somalatha Fernando, whose daughter Kaushalya is a close friend of Marianne’s. Her choice of garb for the evening was consisted of jeans and a black high necked long sleeved tee shirt.

Standing on either side of the corridors leading to the Kings court were a bevy of girls to greet the guests in oriental fashion in beige series in two shades of beige bordered in a thread woven trimming in brown, with traces of black and white, making a subdued impression of elegance.

Charming hostess

In her beautiful home on the outskirts of Colombo full of antiques and old world charm, and a sprawling garden, Lalini Alwis celebrated her birthday last weekend. Supported by her immediate family, consisting of her parents, daughter and son-in-law, and only son, surrounded by her close friends it was drinks and dinner in al fresco style. Both her mother Sylvia, and Lalini wore Kandyan saries. The former wore a saree of deep ink blue, with borders and ‘Ihe’ in magenta. Her blouse was in magenta, and she wore pearls for jewellery. A necklace and other ornaments in gold was the complementing choice of Lalini to her saree of shot brick red and deep aquamarine blue, which had strikes of gold in the borders and pallu.

Upeka Pieris opted for a simple black dress pant suit as foil to her lovely necklace and bracelet in beaten gold was the choice of many of the young women present, among them Shehari Perera, Sonali Balasuriya and Ruki Mendis, Sonali had a striped lacy black top with a deep V neckline buttoned in front, over her black slim skirted dress. The slim black skirt Ruki Mendis wore, she teamed with a dull silver spun black top, she wore with a tatoo choker of black beads.

A blue salwar kameez was the choice of Mumtaz Nanji. The kameez was worked at the neckline and at the edge of the sleeve in a dainty border design in gold and beads. Sprinkled over the rest of the kameez were little gold dots.

Sharmalie Juriansz had her pink top embroidered in net applique. Animated conversation among the guests, who were nearly all old friends contributed to the ambiance of the evening.

Touch of Class

Four young women Shiyanthi Wickremasooriya, Ishani Ratnayake, Shanela Fernando and Shyameca Fernando joined hands to open a shop "Touch of Class" full of many things beautiful, at the YWCA Building in Rotunda Gardens. A range of items in excellent taste from hand made cards, to ornaments and many other artifacts will soon become a hunting ground for those in search of the unusual and beautiful. Also soon to be opened is a full bridal service, which at the present caters to the cake maker, with a collection of lovely accessories for your wedding cake structure.

Tefal range in Lanka by Singer

The Singer Srilanka announced the launch of world famous Tefal range of kitchen and domestic appliances in Sri Lanka. The Tefal range, already a well-known brand internationally, will be available throughout Singer outlets islandwide and also at Cargills Food City outlets. Non-stick ware is one of Tefal’s best known; Tefal also manufactures blenders, tea makers, pressure cookers, food processors, electric cooking appliances such as deep fryers and toasters and domestic equipment such as irons, hair dryers and vacuum cleaners.

The Tefal range of non-stick ware is long lasting and scratch-free, Only Tefal has access to know-how on coating non-stick over enamel. This makes it easy to clean, yet durable enough to last for years. The brand is currently represented in over 115 countries worldwide. Tefal is manufactured in France by the SEB Group, considered one of the world’s leading companies specialising in household appliances. In 1997, the Group recorded a turnover of French Francs 12 billion - 75% of this came from outside France. The Group also distributes products under the Rowenta brand.

In Sri Lanka, Tefal will be backed by Singer’s islandwide network of 100 branches and Mega stores, 100 exclusive dealers, 160 cash and carry dealers and 17 Cargills Food City outlets, together with Singer’s reputed 51 after-sales service network islandwide. Tefal joins with Singer a company that has a thorough understanding of the Sri Lankan consumer and her changing needs. This would further strengthen Singer’s offer of total kitchen solution under one roof to the Sri Lankan housewife.

Singer Sri Lanka is quoted in the Colombo Stock Exchange (C.S.E.) and is the market leader in Consumer Home Appliances and Consumer Sewing Machines in Sri Lanka. In 1998, Singers’ turnover was Rs. 3.6 billion.

Style
Why Priyanthi’s top of the crops

Trendy hairstyles for the young and old is what you get at Priyanthi Moonesinghe’s "Roots" salon. Priyanthi, who has been in the beauty business for the past fifteen years, specialises in hair-cutting, perming, tinting, facials, manicure, pedicure, besides bridal dressing. A versatile hairdresser, Priyanthi is quick to take in new ideas and keep up with international trends. Her hairstyles and cuts have caused ripples in the world of hairdressing and she is the one who has bobbed leading models and celebrities.

We’re talking ‘hair’, and the name behind the transformation is Priyanthi, the woman who is much talked about in town. As the top stylist admits, she has been on a roller coaster of fullness since she took to hairdressing.

Priyanthi’s services are now so much sought after that there is always a queue for a personal appointment. Situated at Bambalapitiya, Salon "Roots" is equipped with modern equipment, and Priyanthi is gearing herself up to the new millennium. "I want to create new styles, new colours, so that our women will be more confident" says Priyanthi.

Here she gives you top tips for heavenly hair:

*Make sure you have a decent haircut - this ensures your hair will always look good, no matter what !

* Use a good shampoo. A quality product will make the hair look shinier and thicker, and it will be a lot more manageable.

* Use a conditioner, but choose the right type.

* I am a great believer in blow-drying your hair. A couple of strokes with a bristle brush and a hairdryer blowing downwards closes the cuticle (the overlapping scales on the hair which lift up when you wash it). This will prevent any external damage, while giving a healthy shine.

*If your hair is heavily bleached or tinted, take care in the sun to avoid damage from ultraviolet rays. You can use a protective conditioner, then slick it back. Leave it on all day, then rinse out before the evening. Also, always rinse hair after swimming in a chlorinated pool.

*If you have very dry hair, use an intensive conditioner a couple of times a week.

Those born in Gemini (Mithuna)

by Sugathadasa Jayasekera
Gemini or Mithuna is the third sign. Mithuna means ‘sex’ as the sign is highlighted in the symbol of a man and woman in a sensual manner. Accordingly, the sign comes under the human category.

The important characteristic of the sign is to influence sensitiveness and the wavering mind. One who is born under this sign is unable to act according to his own decision and firmly. If one is born with a malefic planet in the lagna - Gemini - he or she will be double minded. If Jupiter occupied the lagna the person will be bold with an attractive figure and will have two marriages. Otherwise the person will live with another while the legally married person also lived.

Geminians are fond of writing and reading, ingenious, quickwitted and vivacious. They are very active and tend to become experts in some field. They may suffer from sudden nervous breakdowns. They must be cautious in moving with the opposite sex as they always get into trouble due to this. Their mind will be often conscious of their own depravity. They are clever and possess inherent conversational and literary ability. They are liable to fall victim to frauds and deceptions when influenced by unholy planets.

Those born during sunrise from mid-June to mid-July will have Gemini sign with the sun in the lagna. They will achieve high positions and will be prominent persons in society.

The combination Mercury (lagna lord) and Jupiter will bring about the best results. If these two occupied the 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th house in one’s chart, it will cause unexpected disasters.

The present period is very favourable for Geminians. They will enjoy good effects in every aspect till next June. If one is undergoing Jupiter’s rulership and or Saturn will have all success during this period.

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