Features

Plants glowing in the dark

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/1

By Prof. Kirthi Tennakone
Email: ktenna@yahoo.co.uk

When Rama’s brother Lakshmana fell unconscious, hit by an arrow from Indrajit, the son of Ravana, Hanuman appealed to Sushena, the genius Sri Lankan physician, for intervention. Vaidya Sushena said, “Rush to Dronagiri Parvat in the Himalayas and fetch the herb, Sanjeevani. I will resuscitate the wounded instantly. As the plant emanates light all the time and glows in the dark! You will make no mistake in identification.” (Ramayana).

In 2016, the Ministry of Alternative Medicine, State of Uttarakhand, India proposed spending 250 million rupees to search for the herb. An ayurvedic adviser claimed the herb had been seen growing in the slopes of Dronagiri endowed with a unique fragrance and lights up in the night.

Expeditions to the Himalayas have returned accompanying samples claimed to be Sanjeevani, but none glowed in the dark.

Although animals and fungi glowing in the dark exist, plants exhibiting the same quality are not found in nature. Nature may forbid the appearance of such plants in the wilderness for some unknown reason. Or perhaps an inadvertently long overdue. Yet if the laws of nature do not rule out their existence, man will someday invent them, somehow?

Starting in the early days of genetic engineering, attempts were made to modify plants to glow in the dark with little success. In 2017, the Russian chemist Zinaida Kazakova described the situation as: It can be done but may be as challenging as going to Mars. Things happen sooner than expected. The first plant to glow in the dark was engineered in 2020.

If a plant glowing evolved naturally, the trait would undoubtedly be a tremendous advantage for the species, because man certainly jumps to propagate. Presumably, the task that took a few decades for human intelligence to achieve, nature’s method of random mutations needs eons.

Recently a live herb emitting light constantly and blooming flowers luminescent at night was created artificially, making Valmiki’s imagination a reality.

A synthetic biology startup Light Bio in the United States engineered a novel variety of flowering plants. And named it Firefly Petunia, because at night, the irradiance of flower buds resembles fireflies. After clearance from the United States Department of Agriculture, the transgenic ornamental was released for propagation (only in the United States) this year.

The phenomenon of light emission by living things is referred to as bioluminescence. Bioluminescent organisms live on land and more abundantly in the ocean. The familiar light sources, sun and fire are extremely hot. In the days before the advent of LEDs, people pondered how tender living objects emit light without getting burnt.

The flashing lights of fireflies, familiar to us, fascinate the curious. For those reasons, all cultures have folklore and myths connected to fireflies. Later firefly curiosity inspired research revealing the science behind the mystery. Applications followed, notably around advanced medical research.

The seas around the Islands of Maldives frequently glitters at night owing to the bioluminescence of algae. In the olden days, the islanders revered and feared, considering the happening as an omen. Today the sight attracts tourists.

A species of jellyfish displays brilliant green bioluminescence. In 1961, the biochemist Osamu Shimomura found that when he extracted the active components, the luminescence appeared blue. Continuing experiments, Shimomura concluded a protein in the jellyfish, absorbs blue light and re-emits as green. Finding enabled devising a way of monitoring in real time, how cancer and virus diseases progress in living animals at the cellular level.

Equally mysterious are the bioluminescent mushrooms and fungi. In 1840 the English botanist George Gardner visiting Brazil was startled to see a group of boys playing with a luminous object. He identified it to be a mushroom growing at the base of coconut trees, subsequently named Neonothopanus Gardeneri to honor the discoverer. The same species occurs in Sri Lanka, growing on decaying exposed roots of coconut trees. We too as children played with it and read newspapers at night holding the mushroom.

One day, seven decades ago, the people of my ancestral village were agitated after seeing an avatar. Something as lengthy as a tall man in a thicket beside a footpath glowed at night, scaring passersby. Those days, it was normal for a man to walk along a footpath at night in the neighborhood, without a light source in hand. My father, who didn’t believe in ghosts, found the avatar to be a rotting bamboo pole. A mold (microscopic fungus) breeding on the pole caused luminance.

The phenomenon of bioluminescence intrigued humans since time immemorial is now understood as a sustained chemical reaction liberating energy, as light. Bioluminescent organisms carry two chemical substances: luciferin and luciferase. The former reacts with oxygen emitting light and the latter fastens the rate of the reaction without undergoing any change. Light emission sustains itself replenishing luciferin by biochemical synthesis. A remarkable way of converting the metabolic energy of an organism into light, generating very little heat and consuming oxygen.

Perhaps bioluminescence evolved more than 300 million years ago as a response of organisms to the danger posed by the increased oxygen in the atmosphere. In the carboniferous period, plants grew vigorously on land, releasing excessive amounts of oxygen. Bioluminescence afforded a way of eliminating oxygen without generating too much heat. Later organisms found other advantages of the process; to deter predators, communicate with their mates, and in the case of mushrooms attract insects and disperse spores.

Firefly petunia was designed by incorporating four genes from a Neonothopanus species mushroom and one gene from a fungus to the common, white-flowered petunia DNA. A strategy more involved than conventional genetic engineering, but a more advanced version termed synthetic biology.

Science examines nature – seeking explanations, correlations and generalizations and foresees innovations. Engineering turns innovative ideas derived from science into practicalities. During the past five decades, molecular biology and genetics have advanced tremendously. Synthetic biology aims to utilise knowledge gained to modify existing life forms or design new organisms, beneficial to the world, with the help of advanced instrumentation and computational facilities. Firefly petunia stands out as a step in this direction readily appreciated by laymen.

It is a realization of an imagination written down in one of the greatest epics of all time. And of particular interest to Sri Lankans. In the East, we mix up myth and imagination and fool ourselves. Whereas in the West, imagination inspires innovation.

In the future, you will walk on streets lit by trees. These engineered trees emit carbon dioxide at night and capture it during the daytime harvesting sunlight .Net zero carbon emissions!The author was motivated to write this essay after taking care of a Firefly Petunia plant and seeing how it glows at night.

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Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.