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Model to bridge the food gap with organic home gardens – A school in Godagama sets an example

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Organic Gardening has become a part of the school culture of the Godegama Subharathi Maha Vidyalaya. The School Home Garden Program has brought with it a contented mind and the produce contributes to a healthy diet.

The Students of the School do not take the food they eat for granted. They are not taken as a matter of course. Seeds have to be collected and tended in Nurseries. The small plants have to be cared for and protected from predators and weeds. The plants have to have organic nutrients and water. Transplanting has to be carefully done and the plants nurtured to grow up and blossom and be ready for Harvesting. Then the Home Science Teachers will work with students on preparing the nutritious meals.

As the project expands, the idea is to make the Home Garden advance to Market Gardening in the surrounding villages, which will involve training in marketing the produce. This will be looked at, by the students doing A Level Commerce.

Distributing plants to be grown in the homes of the students

Over time, home gardening will be incorporated into subjects like Biology so that those subjects will get a new dimension and acquire a new life. The Home Garden will be the Laboratory without any extra cost to the school.

The Subharathi Maha Vidyalaya Home Garden program has been working from its inception with Nest, a Community based organization in Mental Health. Home Gardens and Organic Agriculture are an integral part of School initiative.

This program started in November 2022. The aim of was to create an organic garden in the College premises and then to create 150 gardens in the homes of the students.The first phase was to conduct a training program on organic gardening for fifty students studying agriculture as a subject in the school.

The Home Garden at the school experimented with the “Isuru” variety of Kiri Ala developed by the Department of Agriculture. High quality seedlings from a nursery in Kandy approved by the Department of Agriculture was procured for this purpose. The special feature of this improved variety is that more yields can be obtained in less time and It is also easy to maintain.

Suitable soil for this purpose from the college garden was of great importance. For a start, enriched soil was brought from outside. Coir and Dahaiya were added to the soil making it suitable for yam cultivation. The environmentally friendly the grow bags were filled with soil and coconut husks. All these activities were done in a manner that students were drawn into preparing the bags, thereby gaining practical experience. The parents were involved in preparing the soil.

Food and nutrition crisis in the country has made planting yams vital to supplement the vegetables plots in the gardens. Yams acts as substitute for wheat flour and rice. A crop of 400 kg is expected from the first lot of 70 plants which are being grown.



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Hilton Colombo presents A Middle Eastern Flair

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Hilton Colombo invited guests on a gastronomic journey through the heart of the Middle East with an exclusive culinary festival from March 1 to 31, 2025. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Chamlie Waidyaratne and his team, the festival showcased an array of authentic regional flavors, promising an unforgettable dining experience said a press release.

 The grand opening of the festival was held recently and the event commenced with a religious choral performance by the Muslim Choral Ensemble of Sri Lanka, setting the tone for the evening. The grand opening of the festival was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including . Andrés Marcelo González Garrido – Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, . Badli Hisham Adam – High Commissioner of Malaysia to Sri Lanka, H.E. Levan S. Dzhagaryan – Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, H.E  Semih Lütfü Turgut – Ambassador of Türkiye to Sri Lanka, diplomats of the High Commission of Canada, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Embassy of Romania in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by Manesh Fernando, Area General Manager for Hilton Sri Lanka and General Manager of Hilton Colombo.

During the event,  uests can indulge in this exceptional dining experience at Rs. 9,388 per person from Sunday to Thursday, while the weekend rate (Friday and Saturday) is Rs. 9,888 per person.

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Iftar at ITC Ratnadipa

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Iftar buffet at the Indian Ocean Pavilion

A memorable iftar enhanced by exceptional culinary offerings in Colombo says a press release.The release said as twilight descends, experience a traditional Ramadan at ITC Ratnadipa, featuring a selection of iftar offerings that harmonize tradition with sophistication.

Share a memorable iftar this Ramadan with family, friends or colleagues here in the jewel in Colombo’s skyline from the 1st March onwards.

The release said break your fast by tucking into mezze, mixed grills, authentic dishes and Middle Eastern cuisine complemented by traditional beverages at the Indian Ocean Pavilion. This dining experience elevates traditional recipes while preserving its authentic roots, executed by culinary wizards at the all-day-dining (buffet) restaurant located on Level 3. The iftar buffet is priced at Rs. 6,300 ++ per person and happens daily from 6.15 pm – 9.00 pm onwards.

Gather at the Peshawri for a flavour packed iftar, with dishes from the North-West frontier. Served in a warm, welcoming space that captures the spirit of togetherness, Peshawri features a combination of breads and meats together with vegetarian options for your whole family. The atmosphere is serene while you enjoy your meal priced at Rs. 7,000++ per person.

The hotel will also offer a take-away service of mouthwatering biriyanis during the month of Ramadan. Relish in authentic tastes from timeless recipes, all in the comfort of your home, with orders placed 04 hours in advance. The Biryani sawans serve 06 adults comfortably and is priced at Rs. 13,400++ (Chicken biryani) and Rs. 22,323++ (Mutton biriyani).

ITC Ratnadipa also invites you to host iftar gatherings at the beautiful Sangam Ballroom with a minimum guest count of up to 100 people. A beautiful occasion, one that everyone is welcome as you dig into feast of Arabic and international favourites. Celebrate the traditions of the holy month with a curated menu at Sangam priced at Rs. 8,186++ per person applicable for all Corporate iftars. Prayer facilities will be provided.

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Master English communication with sabrina

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Sabrina Zavahir, the Founder of Verbalize Speaker-Hub, is a trailblazer in enhancing communication skills, both for corporate employees and job seekers, through her innovative approach in setting up a communication hub

To empower young professionals and career seekers to enhance their soft skills to succeed in today’s competitive job market Verbalize speaker- Hub was launched to empower young professionals .

Considering this vacuum in the corporate sector Verbalize Speaker Hub, was founded in view of taking into account on how Communication in Effective English is one of the most important levers of management that an organization can implement for the formation of teams and achieving valuable performance.

Drawing from her extensive media exposure, lecturing experience, Journalism and corporate work background, she created a customised programme aimed at advancing both written and spoken communication. This initiative is designed to help individuals sharpen their language skills, enabling them to thrive in professional environments or secure job opportunities. By tailoring her programme to meet specific needs, Sabrina ensures that participants receive targeted guidance, enhancing their ability to express ideas transparently and effectively. Her unique combination of expertise in media, education, and business gives her an edge in delivering high-quality training that addresses real-world communication challenges. This programme continues to empower individuals, making Sabrina Zavahir a key figure in fostering better communication for career success.

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