Connect with us

News

It’s About Time – an informative experience of history

Published

on

Exhibition underway at the Colombo University

It’s About Time, a traveling history museum in Sri Lanka which was brought to life in early 2019, has now returned in a compact and unique capacity, with two celebratory and informative installations inside a mobile container! The exhibition will be located on the premises of the University of Colombo (Colombo 3), at the Faculty of Arts entrance via Philip  Gunawardena Mawatha (Reid Avenue) on 14-22 February 2022, from 9am to 5pm, daily.

The exhibits include ‘The Archive of Memory’, which is an ever-evolving archive of everyday people’s stories and their affiliation to an object that evokes a memory of a historic moment. This exhibit was particularly important to showcase as it was launched 70 years after Sri Lanka had gained its Independence. It invites you to participate as a humble onlooker, who may eventually contribute to the archive should you have a story of your own. It is presented in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

The second exhibition titled ‘A Window into Sri Lankan History’ is a critical overview of the historical developments that led from the collapse of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom until 1948 – the end of colonial rule. Senior lecturer of the History Department of the University of Colombo, Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, leads the research in this initiative. Dr Dewasiri has been developing this narrative over the past 4 years with in-depth archival research offering new perspectives to modern history. This exhibition will be presented in Sinhala.

Starting in February 2019 and touring four districts with over 18,000 visitors, the museum showcased a variety of interactive art and cultural exhibits, audio-visual material, and a series of performances and activities for all age groups in Moratuwa, Weerawila, Nittambuwa and Jaffna. The museum took audiences on a journey through different facets of Sri Lanka’s history since independence, to celebrate the country’s diversity and recognize the role we play in shaping history.

  Apart from the aforementioned installations that are free to visit between 14-22 February at 9 am – 5 pm, there will also be scheduled events that will be taking place. This includes two significant launches. It’s About Time’s next medium, a virtual museum that the public can access on a mobile device, will be previewed and launched on 18 February at 4:30 pm  at the exhibition while the book ‘Biography of Sarath Wijesinghe’ written by Hemamali Wijesinghe will be launched on 22 February from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the Colombo University’s open space.

  Thirteen unique short films made by local  emerging and established filmmakers will also be screened on themes of memory and minorities of Sri Lanka. The film screenings will take place on 17-21 February from 3:00 to 4:30pm at the exhibition. All event features will be accessible in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

  The museum is organised by an initiative called historicaldialogue.lk, a platform of Sri Lankan professionals working towards a critical and constructive approach in dealing with the past. For more information visit www.historicaldialogue.lk. historicaldialogue.lk is supported by Strengthening Reconciliation Processes in Sri Lanka (SRP), a programme jointly funded by the European Union and the German Government. SRP partners with the government of Sri Lanka, and is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the British Council.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM

Published

on

By

A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December]  at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.

The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.

The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.

The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister  Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.

[Prime minister’s media division]

Continue Reading

News

Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation

Published

on

By

The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.

Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Continue Reading

Latest News

Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

Published

on

By

The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa  in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela  in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

 

Continue Reading

Trending