By Zanita Careem

The vibrant flavours and rich cultural spirit of VietNam came alive at the Sheraton Colombo, where a special Vietnamese food festival ” Soul of Vietnam” brought together diplomats, invitees and food enthusiasts for an evening celebrating the country’s much loved cuisine and tradition.

The event was marked by lively Vietnamese entertainment, adding colour and energy to the occasion, as guests enjoyed an authentic culinary journey through VietNam. The Vietnamese cuisine known for its balance of fresh aromatic herbs, subtle spices and contrasting textures were undoubtedly, the highlights of the evening.

From the fragrant flavours of central VietNam, the menu offered a delicious glimpse into the country’s diverse culinary heritage.

The evening also celebrated VietNam beyond its cuisine. A special coffee experience “Sips of Coffee “introduced guests to the country’s distinction coffee culture. While Vietnamese cultural performances, traditional instruments and calligrpahy added colour and character to the occasion.

The chefs behind the unforgettable journey

The presence of the Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam and Embassy representation gave the evening a warm and convivial atmosphere.

The rich aroma of freshly prepared Vietnamese coffee added another sensory dimension to the festival. Sips of VietNam Coffee – a wonderful celebration of Vietnamese coffee – was showcased at the festival, reflecting the culture and friendship which are part Vietnamese ethos. For Vietnamese people, coffee is much more than a beverage. It is a way of life, said the Ambassador of VietNam.

From a small cup of (iced milk coffee) on a busy morning, to a quiet cup of (egg coffee) shared with friends, coffee has become part of our daily rhythm – a moment to slow down, to talk, and to connect, she said pointing out that the Vietnamese coffee has its own character: strong, rich, and full of flavour – much like the Vietnamese people ourselves.

Tonight through different cups of Vietnamese coffee, I hope you will discover not only the taste of our coffee, but also a little piece of VietNam – its energy, creativity, warmth and hospitality, pointed out the Ambassador.

With VietNam and Sri Lanka strengthening their direct connectivity, the festival offered guests a glimpse into the culture, traditions and hospitality of a destination becoming increasinghly accessible to Sri Lankan travellers

Warm welcome from the VietNam Ambassador

Adding an aunthentic touch to the festival are the Vietnamese chefs who joined in the culinary team of the Sheraton Hotel to showcase the distinctive flavours and regional diversity of their cuisine.

Glimpse into the rich traditions and cultural charm of VietNam

Sharing his thoughts on the rich culinary heritage of VietNam

This festival Soul of VietNam took diners on an enticing culinary journey through one of Asia’s most celebrated food cultures.

Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of VietNam the festival at Colombo Kitchen brought authentic Vietnamese cuisine to the city from September 11 until today, Sunday September 20.

From fragrant noodles to delicate flavoured spring rolls, tastefully prepared seafoods, meats, fresh herbs and traditional accompaniments in the buffet showcased the diversity and freshness that made VietNam cuisine appealing.

Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Seneviratne, Miniser of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, K. A. Vimalentirarajah, Secretary of Trade Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, were also present among, many other invitees.

Adding a touch of elegance to the occasion was the Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam, in a traditional Vietnamese dress that brought the colours, grace and cultural richness of VietNam to the celebrations Her striking traditional attire was a beautiful reflection of Vietnamese heritage, perfectly complementing the evening filled with authentic cuisine, music and warm hospitality, beautifully reflecting the culture and heritage.

This event, organised for the first time by Sheraton Hotel, was a wonderful celebration of Vietnamese cuisine. The General Manager of Sheraton Hotel, Paul Sun, welcomed the guests to this special culinary showcase, speaking of the hotel’s delight in bringing the distinctive tastes and traditions of VietNam to Colombo His speech set the tone for an evening centred on culture, and the hotel’s pleasure in bringing the authentic flavours and vibrant culture of VietNam.

Persistant back pain and stiffness are often dismissed as everyday aches but they can sometimes signal an underlying inflammatory condition. In this interview Dr. Anura Caldera speaks to Zanita Careem about spondyloarthritis, shedding light on the causes, symptoms and the importance of recognising the condition early.

If you follow the health articles, you may recall a recent article published in this newspaper on back pain. There I discussed how back pain could be caused by inflammation of the spine. This is a serious form of arthritis which we call “Spondyloarthritis”. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that can not only affect the spine, peripheral joints muscle attachments but also many other organs, like eyes, skin, heart and digestive tract.

For many people, back pain is something they try to learn to live with. A long day at work, obesity, poor posture, heavy lifting, lack of exercise or simply getting older are often blamed when the back begins to ache. But not all back pains can be blamed on the above.

Diagnosis delay

Dr Aruna Caldera Consultant Rheumatologist MBBS, MD, MRCP (UK), MRCP (Rheumatology

Because its symptoms can resemble more common forms of back pain, Spondyloarthritis may be overlooked for years. Recognising the warning signs is therefore important, because early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can make a significant difference to a person’s quality of life and life expectancy.

Not a single disease

We broadly divide spondyloarthritis into “axial spondyloarthritis”, which primarily affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints connecting the lower spine to the pelvis, and “peripheral spondyloarthritis”, which primarily affects joints and other areas away from the spine.

Axial spondyloarthritis is divided to two categories; radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (structural changes can are visible on X-rays) and non – radiographic spondyloarthritis (structural changes are not visible on x rays though can be detected on MRIs).

When the disease has progressed without treatment over decades, x ray may reveal characteristic features like, bamboo spine, dagger sign, romanus lesions, etc. Early diagnosis and treatment are aimed to arrest the disease before these classical features develop.

Peripheral forms can include psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease. No matter the form, the norm in Sri Lanka is almost every patient presents late because patients are misled by quacks.

Characteristic back pain

The most important clues to axial spondyloarthritis, is the pattern of back pain. Mechanical back pains due to other common causes often become worse with activity and may improve with rest. In contrast, inflammatory type back pain in spondyloarthritis can behave in the opposite way. A person may experience pain and stiffness that are particularly troublesome in the morning or during second half of night. The discomfort may improve after waking and moving around rather than after lying down. Pain can also occur around the buttocks and may alternate from one side to the other.

Heel pain may be a sign of spondyloarthritis

Inflammation can affect joints such as the hips and knees and can destroy the joints within a few years to a level which needs replacement. It can also occur at the points where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, a condition known as enthesitis. Heel pain, for example, can sometimes be related to inflammation around the Achilles tendon (achilles tendinitis) or the plantar fascia (plantar fasciitis). Another characteristic symptom is dactylitis, in which an entire finger or toe becomes swollen like a sausage, sometimes producing what is commonly described as a “sausage finger.”

Other organs also involved

The disease may also extend beyond the joints. Some people with spondyloarthritis develop uveitis, an inflammation inside the eye that can cause eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. It can cause blindness if left untreated. Others may have psoriasis or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Cannot solely rely on blood tests for diagnosis

Spondyloarthritis has a strong genetic component. One of the best-known genetic markers associated with the disease is HLA-B27. However, having HLA-B27 does not mean that a person definitely has or will develop a spondyloarthritis. Conversely, a person can have spondyloarthritis without carrying the gene.

Similarly, normal inflammatory blood tests such as ESR and CRP do not necessarily rule it out; actually, up to half of patients will have normal ESR and CRP despite having even severe disease. Diagnosis relies on the overall clinical picture rather than on a single blood test.

Timely diagnosis to minimize complications

One of the major challenges surrounding spondyloarthritis is timely diagnosis. Back pain is extremely common. Most people who develop it do not have spondyloarthritis. As a result, persistent pain may initially be attributed to other mechanical causes. Unfortunately, people get mislead because some common local modalities of treatment will “take your pain away leaving the disease active in the body” allowing it to cause complications in the lungs (interstitial lung disease), eyes (uveitis and few other conditions), osteoporosis (spondyloarthritis increases the risk), heart disease (coronary arteries and valves) and kidneys (multimodal).

Specific treatment is essential

Specific treatment can help control inflammation, relieve symptoms, maintain mobility and reduce the impact of the disease. Treatment is individualised because the condition affects people differently. Exercise and physiotherapy are fundamental components of management, particularly for axial disease.

Novel medicines

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Depending on the type and severity of disease, patient will be started on disease-modifying medicines or targeted biological therapies. The management has evolved a great deal over the last couple of decades and most novel medicines are available in Sri Lanka.

For someone experiencing chronic pain, the instinct may be to rest as much as possible. But prolonged inactivity can contribute to stiffness and loss of physical function. For people with spondyloarthritis, maintaining appropriate movement and exercise is an important part of long-term care. Exercise programmes should be adapted to the individual’s condition and abilities, particularly during periods of increased disease activity. You will need to see a physiotherapist in person.

Short term pain relief only will not work

The goal is not simply to reduce today’s pain. It is also to preserve the person’s ability to work, exercise, sleep, travel and participate in ordinary daily activities over long term and prevent extra articular complications in other organs.

One of the most difficult aspects of spondyloarthritis can be that the disease is not always obvious to other people. A person may look perfectly healthy while experiencing substantial pain, stiffness and fatigue.

Psychological burden

The psychological burden also should not be overlooked. Living with a chronic inflammatory disease can affect mood, sleep, relationships, employment and social life.

The most important message is that persistent back pain should not always be dismissed as a consequence of age, work or life. Almost all patients I have seen with spondyloarthritis have wasted golden years sticking to unscientific treatments and wasted tons of money. Once complications occur, the preceding damage cannot be undone; therefore, it is, better seek specialist care when the disease is in its infancy.

Natya Kala Mandhir marks its Golden Jubilee with the grand stage production Potsabai, celebrating five decades of dedication to classical Indian dance, spiritual storytelling, and artistic mastery. Since its founding on September 19, 1976, the institution has stood as a beacon of cultural preservation in Sri Lanka, nurturing generations of dancers into accomplished artists.

Visionary Guru

At the heart of this legacy is Founder and Director Smt. Vasugy Jegatheeswaran, honoured with titles including Kalasuri, Kalaimaamani, Aacharya Kala Sagara, Vishwa Rangaabhimanaya, and Vanithaabhimaana. Trained initially by her mother, Smt. Vijayalakshmi Shanmugampillai, and later refined under the legendary Padma Shri Adayar K. Lakshman, she has devoted her life to expanding the horizons of Bharathanatyam. As senior dance teacher at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo, she has guided over 153 students through their Arangetram, instilling humility, perseverance, and reverence for tradition.

Vissionary

Her disciples affirm: “Miss, you have not just transformed us into performers, but into artists who understand the deeper meaning of Bharathanatyam — the grace, the spirituality, and the power it holds to tell stories and evoke emotions.”

Jithendrika Jayaklani de Alwis