Life style

From small boy to author: a Thomian’s oddysey

Published

4 years ago

2020/10/4

by Uditha Devapriya

“Farren the Wanderer”, written by Sachintha Pilapitiya and published by Neptune Publications, hit the shelves at the Book Fair on September 19

At S. Thomas’ Prep Kollupitiya, Sachintha Pilapitiya had trouble speaking in English. The problem hadn’t been his articulation or pronunciation; it had been his grammar. “Every time I opened my mouth,” he remembers, “I knew I’d trip somewhere.”

Ordinarily this would have discomfited someone, draining his or her confidence, preventing him or her from talking ever again. For Sachintha, though, the way forward seemed clear. “I resolved to speak no matter how many mistakes I made.” Having wound up as Head Prefect, he knew he had to brush up quickly. “I invariably had to speak at official functions, especially at the Assembly. So I’d go through the speeches I had written many times before I walked to the podium and delivered them.” For a while, he says, it worked.

But such a solution couldn’t last forever, and Sachintha knew that only too well. So when two of his friends – twins and batch mates – “introduced” him to the Prep School Library, he was thrilled. They would have been in Grade Three or Four then. “We discovered Enid Blyton: Famous Five, Secret Seven, and so on.”

From there they graduated to Hardy Boys, “though we didn’t move on to Nancy Drew.” When in Grade 10, he was indulging in Dan Brown, and when he offered English Literature for his O Levels, his tastes had considerably widened. By then he was poring over “serious” writers: Dickens, the Bronte sisters, and of course Shakespeare.

The Local O Level English Language paper lasts three hours, but can be completed in less than 30 minutes. At a term test Sachintha had written it in 10. That left well more than two hours to do anything he wanted in the classroom. So he reflected on the books he had read, the speeches he had made, and wrote down a story. The story was about an adventurer, an explorer, or as its author put it, a “wanderer.” It incorporated the genres he’d grown up on and grown up with, especially fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure. “I finished the basic structure in two hours. When I came back to it, I fleshed it out even more.”

That was years later. By then he had completed his A Levels, finished school, and entered university. Having added other characters and subplots, he felt ready to publish it. Through an uncle, Chamikara Pilapitiya, he met a publisher, and did just that.

Farren the Wanderer hit the Book Fair at the BMICH on September 19. While I have read the book, pored over its illustrations, and let it take back me back to a childhood spent dreaming of fantastic beasts, unrelenting explorers, charming princes, and beautiful princesses, I am less interested in its story, and how it will captivate young readers, than I am in its author, and how he grew up.

Sachintha Pilapitiya was born in Kelaniya in 2000. His father had found employment in the medical industry, while his mother worked in the IT Department at Brandix; after his sister was born two years later, she quit her job to look after them.

His parents fuelled his love for writing. From an early age his mother would tell him bedtime stories: of beasts, explorers, princes, and princesses. His father, a more practical and hands-down person, would take him and his sister out exploring, “from the north to the south and virtually everywhere in-between.” This soon brought him into contact with the immense diversity and richness of the land of his birth, a theme he has woven into all his written work thereafter. “My father put wanderlust in my blood. My mother, on the other hand, instilled a love for imagining things, for writing them down, in me.”

All that had been long, long before his education began. His first school, S. Thomas’ Prep, had contained a close-knit community, where, he remembers, differences of race and faith just melted away. “Even today, I can remember the names of almost everyone three years my junior there, and practically all the teachers and staff.”

A whole flurry of extra- and co-curricular activities, of sports and clubs, followed. In Grade Three he joined the school rugby team, and in Grade Eight he joined cadetting, two activities at which his father had excelled. While indulging in these, he straddled other pursuits as well: Cub Scouting until Grade Five, Badminton from Grade Six (winding up as the Captain), and the Interact Club from Grade Eight. Of these Cadetting had occupied him the most, and he climbed up to the post of Cadet Sergeant.

School concerts had also taken up his time. “I was always a girl: Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, you name it,” he chortles. (I tell him that he could have fared worse; after all some of us were flowers, trees, and bushes!) “I pursued Kandyan dancing and underwent an ada ves ceremony, short of a complete ves mangalya. Given my deficiency in grammar, I began attending St Theresa’s School of Speech and Drama in Kelaniya as well.

For his O Levels, Sachintha had offered English Literature. “Not that the books we did were that interesting, though they were – R. K. Narayan’s The Vendor of Sweets, plus an anthology of poems – but I personally found the stories I discovered at the library much more fascinating.” Nevertheless he came to like his subjects, and having passed them secured a placement at S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia.

Sachintha entered S. Thomas’ Mount in 2017. At first, he didn’t see any difference. “It was the College version of Prep, or so I thought.” Later, however, those differences came to light, especially after his parents boarded him at the College hostel. “At Prep we had been a tight and close community: everyone knew everyone else. Here, on the other hand, it was difficult to establish contact with everyone you met.” This issue had been heightened by his parents’ decision to enrol him at the hostel, “a necessity, given that otherwise I’d have to travel to and from Kelaniya every day.”

One of the most frequent themes that run through Farren the Wanderer is the importance of understanding other communities. This came to Sachintha in his hostel years, particularly due to the people he befriended there. According to Sachintha, most of them were even less equipped with English than him. That had underlined a more glaring division: not just of language, but also of class.

“Most of those in the hostel hailed from far-off places, and nearly all of them had attended S. Thomas’ Gurutalawa or Bandarawela. They were encountering English for the first time here, in Mount. The first few days at the boarding became hard to adjust to. Once I got to befriend them well, they taught me about life. In turn I taught them English. I believe, and I hope, that I succeeded, because it was my way of repaying my debt to them.”

The crowning moment of these encounters had been an Inter-House Drama Competition in 2018. Accordingly, the boarding students who belonged to Sachintha’s House – Sachintha being the House Captain – had to jump over their linguistic handicap, since they were competing against ordinary College students “all or most of whom hailed from English speaking backgrounds and could muster only broken Sinhala.” The odds were not in their favour, clearly; everything seemed to favour their competitors.

And yet, they emerged runners-up. That had shocked everyone. For a while thereafter, the feeling persisted that, somehow, the “bounders” had triumphed.

Sachintha found the experience refreshing. “It showed not only that we could prevail, but also that we could rebel against the stereotype of us being rasthiyadukarayo, which is how many ordinary students viewed those boarded at College.” Along the way, he managed to seal his friendships with them. “Even now, I know that if I call them up, they’ll be with me and by my side. They may have been demeaned as loafers, but I know that they are much, much more sincere than those who demean them.”

I feel I’ve written too much. I’ll conclude by mentioning that Sachintha offered an unusual combination for his A Levels – Combined Maths, Literature, and Economics – and topped them so well that New York University Abu Dhabi offered him a scholarship. He plans to leave the next year, in January or February, and “to carry forward my wanderlust.” He could have added, though he didn’t, that he’ll continue to write there, as he has here: while majoring in Economics and Legal Studies, he plans to minor in Creative Writing. In those two paths, no doubt, lies the key to his future.

The writer can be reached at udakdev1@gmail.com

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Life style

Celebration of unity and tradition at Iftar dinner

Published

3 days ago

2025/03/30

Thilina Walpola

In a grand celebration of unity and tradition, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo hosted an exclusive and elegant Iftar dinner at the prestigious King’s Court. This remarkable evening, hosted by Nazoomi Azhar, General Manager of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, brought together a distinguished gathering of ambassadors, key figures, top corporate executives, and esteemed members of the media.

The event showcased a spectacular array of culinary delights, with a highlight being the masterpieces crafted by renowned Pakistani Chef Riaz Bhatti. His exquisite creations, alongside an extensive selection of traditional and contemporary delicacies of Pakistani dishes, left guests in awe of the lavish spread and exceptional flavors.

Among the standout dishes of the evening were the rich and aromatic Mutton Raghni Josh, the flavorful Mutton Shahi Qorma, and the perfectly spiced Peshawari Beef Chapli Kabab. Guests also delighted in the Lahori Chicken Tikka Boti and the indulgent Chicken Peshawari Karahi, which added a taste of authenticity to the menu. The Iftar spread was further complemented by traditional desserts such as Gulab Jamun, Shahi Tukda, and Ras Malai, providing a sweet ending to the feast.

The atmosphere was one of warmth and hospitality, reflecting the spirit of Ramadan while offering a truly memorable experience. Guests were highly impressed with the impeccable service and the thoughtfully curated menu, making this Iftar dinner a standout occasion in Colombo’s social calendar.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, under the leadership of Nazoomi Azhar, continues to set the benchmark for luxury hospitality, delivering unforgettable experiences through its commitment to excellence.

Life style

Women -building blocks in shaping history of Turkiye

Published

3 days ago

2025/03/30

Thilina Walpola

The Deputy Chief of Mission, First Secretary and Commercial Counsellor namely M/s Merve Gozde , Imren Kaygisiz and Gamze Erean

In the Republic of Turkiye women have been one of the building blocks in shaping Turkiye for centuries. However, especially since the founding of the Republic, Turkiye has been one of the leading countries in the world, especially in terms of the political visibility of women. Women were given the right to vote long before women were given political rights in many democratic and modern countries.

Turkish women are known for their unwavering determination and resilience. They exhibit remarkable dedication and courage in pursuing their goals and challenge injustice. Their hard work and perseverence contribute to their advancement of society. These statements were expressed by the Deputy Chief of Mission of Turkiye M/S Merve Goozde Otlu at the residence of the Turkish Ambassador in Sri Lanka, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

This day is also important for Turkish women, who have played a vital role in shaping Turkish society, from the early days of our Republic to the present said the Deputy Chief of Mission. In her speech she also pointed out that the founder of the Republic, Mustafia Kemal Ataturk, has an important place in the hearts of all Turkish people, but his visionary leadership for women’s rights are especially precious for all women of Turkiye.

Some of the guests

She explained “Ataturk strongly believed in women’s equality and emphasized that a modern and progressive society could only be achieved if women had equal opportunities as men’’

“Women were encouraged to participate in all areas of life, including education, work life and politics. One of the most remarkable steps Ataturk took was granting women the right to vote and as early as 1930, women were able to run for office at the local elections and in 1934 women were granted this right long before many other countries (One year after that, there were already 18 women MPs). When we look at Turkish history, we see countless inspiring women who have shaped our country, playing crucial roles achieving many milestones. These women have proved that Turkish women could achieve greatness in any field from science to business, from arts to sports, if given the opportunity, she remarked.

Turkish women have also made a significant contribution to diplomacy, a field often seen as male-dominated, she remarked.

Kanchana Rajapakse from embassy

For decades, Turkish women have been representing our country with strength and determination on the global stage. The first woman diplomat Mrs. Adile Ayda was recruited in 1932, while Ambassador Filiz Dinemen is the first woman Ambassador of Turkiye, assigned to the Hague in 1982.

Women representation has been increasing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, constituting almost 40% of the Ministry.

It is a personal honour for me to serve in a country like Sri Lanka, which gave the world the first female Prime Minister in history, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, she said with pride.

Her leadership showed that women can take on the highest responsibility and be a driving force not just for women but for the whole society.

The contribution of women in Turkiye in the field of Science and Technology is far reaching. She said in Turkiye, a prominent scientist who worked for NASA, whose research was instrumental in the legendary 1962 Apollo mission. She is Dihlhan Eryunt, was the recipient of the NASA Appolo Achievement Awards she said with pride.

The First Secretary, Imren Kaygisiz said Turkish women who have contributed to the development of the country and thier enduring impact on society who are still continuing to inspire strength,resilience and success of women

The Commercial Counsellor M/s Gamze Erc an also paid tribute to the founder of Modern Republic of Turkiye, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who gave importance to education of Turkish women and leader believed that development of a nation depends on a strong education foundation.

The evening had all the trappings of glamour followed by high tea.

Life style

Sri Lanka showing strong commitment to gender equality

Published

3 days ago

2025/03/30

Thilina Walpola

Spectacular dance recital dazzled the audience

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in sri Lanka hosted the International Women’s Day ceremony at thier residence.

Ambassador of Indonesia Dwi Gustina Tobing invited a large gathering of invitees including the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj who was the Chief Guest. CBL Group Managing Director Sheamalee Wickramasighe, popular musician Umaria Sinhawansa and Stephanie Siriwardena also addressed the gathering. The ambassador looking elegant was busy welcoming the guests at her residence.

An evening of camaraderie, glitz and glamour. The event featured an insightful session aimed to empower women, and served as a tribute to the commitment of women who has contributed immensely. The ambassador in her speech said by celebrating the achievements of women and amplifying their voices, we pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society, where gender does not hinder opportunity but enriches collective experiences. Here is an excerpt from the ambassador’s speech.

A warm welcome to all of you. It is an honour to host this reception in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025.

She said ” This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, is a powerful call to all of us. It underscores that equality cannot wait, and that all sectors of society must work together to speed up progress in women’s rights and empowerment.”

: CBL group managing director Sheamalee addressing the gathering

: Stephani and Umaria

Around the world, we have seen tremendous strides toward gender equality in politics, economics, and social spheres. Women are increasingly taking up leadership roles, contributing to economic growth, and shaping the future of our societies.

In Indonesia, we are proud of the progress we have made in advancing women’s participation. She said

She reiterated that 127 women were elected to parliament, making up 22.1% of the seats—the highest in our post-reform history. However, this is still below our target of 30%, which means there is room for improvement.

Our new cabinet includes 14 women, both as ministers and deputy ministers, demonstrating our commitment to gender-inclusive governance.

Ambassador welcoming Chief Guest Minister of Women and Child Affairs

Beyond politics, women are the backbone of Indonesia’s economy. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contribute over 60% to the national GDP, and 64.5% of these businesses are managed by women.

Additionally, Indonesia ranks among the top four countries globally for female business leaders

She pointed out Sri Lanka, too, has made significant strides in women’s empowerment. When I met with Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj last week, we discussed the progress Sri Lanka has made in increasing women’s representation in politics and the economy. From women entrepreneurs driving economic growth to initiatives supporting women in leadership, Sri Lanka is showing a strong commitment to gender equality.

Many countries have made progress in advancing women’s empowerment, yet, despite this progress, we must recognize that challenges remain. Women still face barriers to equal pay, leadership opportunities, financial inclusion, and social mobility. Gender-based violence, discrimination, and unequal access to resources continue to hinder the advancement of women in many parts of the world.

This is why collaboration is crucial. By sharing experiences, policies, and best practices, we can accelerate meaningful action to bridge the gender gap.

We must continue working together, fostering partnerships that empower women economically and socially. Indonesia is committed to strengthening collaboration with Sri Lanka and other nations to create more opportunities for women, recognizing their immense importance. Invitees were able to enjoy authentic Indonesian delicacies specially curated by the Ambassador herself.

By Zanita Careem