Life style

The poem Neruda never wrote

Published

5 years ago

2021/10/24

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Island, film maker Asoka Handagama shares the story behind his latest film- Alborada (The Dawning of the Day) inspired by the celebrated poet Pablo Neruda’s stay here as the Chilean Consul. The film is to be internationally premiered at the 34th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival opening on October 30.

by Randima Attygalle

It is the year 1929. Young Chilean poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda whose fame preceded him arrives in the British-occupied Ceylon as the Chilean Consul. By then Neruda, had already become an international literary celebrity. His work, Twenty Love Poems and Song of Despair was among the bestselling books of poetry in the 20th century. He was called ‘the poet of the people, the oppressed and the forgotten.’

The activist-Consul arrives in Ceylon, barely 25 and empty-handed except for his memory of the disengaged relationship with his former Burmese lover, Josie Bliss. She was obsessively devoted to Neruda and possessed by an overwhelming jealousy. Neruda who called Josie ‘a love terrorist’ and ‘a species of Burmese Panther’ would document in his memoir: (completed shortly before his death in 1973) ‘Sometimes a light would wake me, a ghost moving on the other side of the mosquito net. It was Josie, flimsily dressed in white, brandishing her long, sharp knife. It was she, walking round and round my bed, for hours at a time, without quite making up her mind to kill me. When you die, she used to say to me, my fears will end.’

While his ‘Bliss’ was turning into a taunting jealousy, Neruda receives a cable from Santiago informing him of his immediate transfer to Ceylon. Welcoming his emancipation from his lover, Neruda settles in a beach-front cottage in Wellawatte and is taken care of by a man servant.

He attempts to bury his memories in the vast tropical shores and takes refuge in an atmosphere of solitude he creates for himself. In his memoir is a chapter dedicated to his stay in Ceylon titled Luminous Solitude where he writes: ‘each morning I was overpowered by the miracle of newly cleansed nature.’

Neruda was soon found in the artistic inner circles of Colombo. He was acquainted with Lionel Wendt and George Keyt. The young Chilean poet had a bevy of female admirers whom he called ‘dusky and golden girls of Boer, English and Dravidian blood.’ They bedded him ‘sportingly, asking for nothing in return,’ as he documents.

The young diplomat was infatuated with a Tamil woman of a low caste who came every day at dawn to clean his outdoor latrine. He found her to be the most beautiful woman he had seen in Ceylon. To win her attention, Neruda left her gifts of fruit or silk on the path leading to the latrine, but she took no notice of them. One day he gripped her by the wrist and stared into her eyes. ‘Unsmiling, she let herself be led away and soon was naked in my bed. Her waist, so very slim, her full hips, the brimming cups of her breasts made her like one of the thousand-year-old sculptures from the south of India. … She kept her eyes wide open all the while, completely unresponsive. She was right to despise me. The experience was never repeated.’

The act became a subject of international scrutiny in later years, even prompting a reassessment of the Nobel Laureate’s merit. Neruda who was celebrated as ‘the greatest poet in the 20th century in any language’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez was even labeled a ‘rapist’. Activists challenged his documentation of ‘she let herself be led away’ as a blatant lie. The decision to rename Chile’s busiest Santiago International Airport after Neruda was met with outrage from human rights activists who argued that the honour was inappropriate for a man who admitted to rape in his own memoirs.

“Although there are many accounts of Neruda’s life portrayed in fiction and film, this part of the story is often carefully left out. Though his poems about love outwardly sound romantic, they hide within them the eroticization and objectification of women and particularly, women of colour,” reflects the film-maker Asoka Handagama whose latest film Alborada (The Dawning of the Day) is an elaboration of Neruda’s controversial sexual assault.

The film which is to hold its world premiere in Tokyo (Oct. 30 – Nov. 8) is a fictionalized account of Neruda’s stay in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) from 1929 to 1931 as the Chilean Consul. The film explores the psychological and the emotional factors behind Neruda’s attraction to a woman bound by her caste: a woman considered to be ‘untouchable’, unknown to her playing a part in a bizarre fantasy that ended in a sexual assault.

A fan of Neruda’s poetry, Handagama found the poet’s mixed element of art and controversy a tempting subject for a film script. The script which was inspired by Neruda’s Memoirs is a fruit of 10 years of research on the poet. Handagama left his position as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank three years before his formal retirement age to complete what he calls his ‘dream film.’

A rebel himself with his cinematic expression, Handagama intrepidly unearths the famed poet’s often interred infamous chapter in what he calls an ‘ironic act.’ “It is ironic that an Asian film-maker, coming from a so called restrained cultural landscape is throwing light on Neruda’s sexual antics when all the while Western cinema makers and fiction writers chose to leave them out in the exposition of him,” smiles Handagama.

Reference to Neruda’s Burmese lover Josie Bliss in his poetry is plenty although she is widely regarded as a figment of the poet’s imagination, notes the film maker. “The depiction of her as a perceived threat, a desire and barbarity in his poem Widower’s Tango, combined with his confession show Neruda’s complicated relationship with women and race.” However, no poem of Neruda’s alludes to the ‘untouchable woman’ by whom he was smitten, despite being described as the ‘most beautiful Ceylonese woman’ or one resembling a ‘thousand-year-old sculpture’ from South India. Handagama’s tagline for his film, The poem Neruda never wrote validates this exclusion. It is also an allegorical reminder of the poet’s element which many tended to discount.

Alborada reinvents the rustic west coast of the island Neruda saw in the 1930s. This was no easy task says its creator. “We had to recreate Wellawatta of his time and this was not possible within Colombo due to the changing skyline. We set it up in Nonagama and in Ranminithenna Tele-Cinema Village.”

Lending a cinematic interpretation to an isolated incident at home which is unfamiliar to the authentic Sri Lankan film print, Alborada is to be a refreshing new experience for the local audience. The film also hopes to spur a public discourse, says its director. Starring Spanish actor Luis J Romero as Neruda and French actress Anne Solene Hatte as Josie, the dialogues are in English with Sinhala and Tamil subtitles. The film also debuts several artistes. The main cast comprises Rithika Kodithuwakku (Tamil woman), Malcolm Machado (Neruda’s man servant), Dominic Keller (Lionel Wendt), Nimaya Harris (Patsy), Thusitha Laknath, Kaushalya Mendis, Samantha Balasuriya, Kasun Perera and Kanchana Nandani. Edited by Ravindra Guruge, the film is produced by H.D. Premasiri.

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TokyoIFF) which will feature Alborada is among the invited films for its ‘international competition’ which is the highlight of the festival. Multi-award winning French screen and stage actress Isabelle Huppert will chair the competition jury. This year’s theme of TokyoIFF is ‘Crossing Borders’. “There are plenty of international film festivals today. But only 14 of them are regarded as ‘A-Grade film festivals. TokyoIFF is one of them and the only Asian festival to get this recognition so far,” remarks Handagama. This year’s festival will be opened with the world premiere of Clint Eastwood’s latest film Cry Macho.

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Features

Coconut Oil magic …

Published

2 days ago

2026/07/2

Thilina Walpola

Yes, coconut oil is in every Sri Lankan kitchen for cooking, frying, etc., and our grandmas have been using it for beauty, long before it became “trendy”.

OK, from me, it’s a simple, no-fuss coconut oil week for you:

For Hair:

Warm 02 tablespoon virgin coconut oil until it’s just lukewarm. Massage into scalp with fingertips, for 05 minutes, then through the lengths. Wrap with a warm towel, or shower cap, for 30 minutes, or overnight if you can. Wash with your usual shampoo.

How often: 01-02 times a week is plenty. Grandma wasn’t wrong.

For Skin:

After a shower, while skin is still slightly damp, rub a tiny bit of oil on rough spots. A little goes a long way — it’s thick!

Tip:

Don’t use it on acne-prone face skin. For some people it can clog pores. Use it more on body, hands, feet.

For Lips:

Dab the tiniest bit of coconut oil on lips before bed. Wakes up softer.

For Under-Eyes or Cuticles:

Use your ring finger to pat a rice-grain amount around dry cuticles or under eyes. Be super gentle. If it stings, or you get bumps, stop.

Pre-Wash Scalp Soother:

If your scalp feels tight/itchy from weather changes, massage a little warm oil, for 15 minutes, before shampooing. Rinse well.

A few important notes for my readers:

Patch test first: Dab a bit of coconut oil on your inner arm and wait 24 hours. Even natural things can irritate.

Quality matters: Go for virgin/cold-pressed coconut oil from the kitchen shelf. No fragrance, no additives.

The smell alone will take you back to grandma’s kitchens, won’t it? Warm, nutty, familiar.

Life style

Night of fashion and fitness

Published

6 days ago

2026/06/28

Thilina Walpola

Renata, Harshini Nadesan, Ramani Pelpola, Priyanthi Fernando and Nirosha

Fashion and fitness came together in a spectacular fashion event as FitCon Luxe unveiled its much-anticipated Active Edit Collection at an exclusive evening at Cinnamon Life that celebrated wellness, confidence and contemporary style. The launch brought together guests from the world of fashion, lifestyle and fitness creating an atmosphere that reflected the brand’s commitment to empowering individuals through versatile and sophisticated activewear. From chic contemporary looks to elegant statement pieces, attendees embraced the spirit of style and confidence. Their impeccable fashion choices complemented the brand’s vision of blending luxury, wellness and modern living, making the event, a true celebration of fashion forward elegance (Zanita ) ✍️

: Jayani Brian Kerkovan Thyasha Azhar and friend

: Kamal Munasinghe with Trieshan with a guest wife Katie

: Ayesh Fonseka

: Brian Kerkovan

: Trieshan with a guest

: Roshan Ranawana with Kushlani

: Thyasha

Life style

Kamal Munasinghe on luxury, tourism and hospitality

Published

6 days ago

2026/06/28

Thilina Walpola

Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President of Colombo Hotels at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams

Leading with passion

In Sri Lanka’s dynamic hospitality landscape, few leaders have left a significant mark as Kamal Munasinghe.As Senior Vice President of Colombo Hotels at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Kamal Munasinghe brings out three decades of international experience to one of the country’s most ambitions hospitality venture. Renowned for his strategic vision, operational excellence, and passion for guest experience, Kamal has played a pivotal role in shaping the growth of Cinnamon’s flagship properties, while helping position Colombo as a premier destination for business and tourism. And this is how my exclusive interview with this dynamic personality went:

(Q) How do you assess the cultural state of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and what gives you confidence about the future?

(A) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is in a very positive place today. Over the past few years, We have seen the sector perform strongly, with increasing visitor arrivals, renewed investor confidence, and growing interest from key international markets. More importantly, travellers, who visit Sri Lanka, continue to leave with a very positive impression of the destination, which is one of the strongest endorsements any country can receive.

What gives me confidence is that Sri Lanka has something genuinely unique to offer. Within a relatively small island, visitors can experience ancient heritage, wildlife, beaches, mountains, tea country, wellness, adventure, and vibrant city life. Few destinations can offer such diversity in such close proximity. We also have one of our greatest assets in the warmth and hospitality of our people. Looking ahead, if we continue investing in the right places, I believe Sri Lanka is welt positioned to become one of Asia’s most desirable tourism destinations.

(Q) What role can Cinnamon Hotels play in positioning Colombo as a must visit destination in Asia?

(A) At Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, we see ourselves as more than hotel operators. We are in the business of creating experiences and helping shape perceptions of Sri Lanka as a destination.

Colombo is a city with enormous potential. It is a city where history, culture, business, entertainment, and modern development come together. Through our investments, particularly Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, we are helping create experiences that encourage travellers to discover everything the city has to offer.

Today’s travellers are looking for destinations that offer great food, entertainment, culture, shopping, events, and lifestyle experiences alongside quality accommodation. By bringing many of these elements together, we are helping position Colombo as a destination worth exploring in its own right. Our rote is to continue raising standards, attracting international attention, and showcasing the city as a vibrant and exciting destination within Asia.

(Q) Congratulations on your new appointment as Senior Vice President, Colombo Hotels at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, and also General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dream. What are your immediate priorities in this role?

(A) One of my immediate priorities is strengthening collaboration across the tourism ecosystem to create a stronger and more unified vision for Colombo. We need to continue attracting international events, conferences, sporting activities, and cultural experiences that showcase the city’s potential.

Initiatives like Chalo Colombo by City of Dreams Sri Lanka and John Keells Leisure sector demonstrate how targeted destination campaigns can help drive visitation and highlight Colombo’s growing appeal. My focus is on ensuring the city continues to evolve as a vibrant, competitive destination that delivers value for visitors, businesses, and the wider tourism industry.

(Q) How can Sri Lanka attract more high-spending travellers rather than focussing solely on numbers?

(A) The conversation around tourism success needs to evolve beyond simply counting arrivals. While visitor numbers are important, what truly matters is the value tourism creates for the country, communities, and businesses.

To attract higher-spending travellers, we need to focus on creating exceptional experiences. Luxury today is no longer just about five-star accommodation. It is about exclusivity, personalisation, and access to experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.

Sri Lanka is perfectly positioned to deliver this. Whether it is private wildlife experiences, wellness retreats, curated cultural journeys, world-class golf, sailing, or exceptional dining experiences, we have opportunities to create products that appeal to premium travellers.

If we focus on quality experiences, service excellence, and destination storytelling, we can attract visitors who stay longer, spend more, and develop a deeper connection with Sri Lanka.

(Q) What are the biggest opportunities for Sri Lanka to compete with destinations such as Maldives, Thailand and Singapore?

(A) Each of these destinations has built a strong identity, and I believe Sri Lanka’s greatest opportunity lies in embracing what makes us different rather than trying to imitate others.

What sets Sri Lanka apart is the diversity of experiences available within a single trip. A visitor can explore ancient kingdoms, enjoy a safari, relax on a beach, visit tea plantations, experience local culture, and spend time in a modern city, all within a matter of days.

There is also significant opportunity in areas such as sports tourism. Sri Lanka already has strong recognition through cricket, but there is growing potential in golf, surfing, sailing, cycling, and endurance events. Markets such as Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East offer exciting opportunities in this space.

Most importantly, Sri Lanka offers an unmatched variety of experiences within a compact geography. That combination of accessibility, diversity, and value is a powerful advantage in today’s tourism landscape.

(Q) How important is destination marketing in shaping international perception of Sri Lanka?

(A) Destination marketing is absolutely essential. Travellers often form opinions about a destination long before they make a booking. The images they see, the stories they hear, and the experiences shared by others all influence their decision.

Sri Lanka has an incredible story to tell, but we need to tell it consistently and strategically. Good destination marketing is about creating desire. It is about inspiring people to imagine themselves here and helping them understand what makes Sri Lanka different from every other destination competing for their attention.

A strong and consistent tourism brand will be critical if we are to achieve our long-term ambitions as a destination.

(Q) What emerging tourism markets should Sri Lanka target in the coming year?

(A) India will continue to be a key growth market for Sri Lanka, supported by strong connectivity and increasing demand for short-haul leisure and business travel. We also see opportunities in Australia, Europe, and Southeast Asia, particularly among travellers seeking unique cultural and lifestyle experiences.

The Middle East has traditionally been a valuable source market for Sri Lanka and, despite current geopolitical challenges, remains strategically important in the long term due to its strong connectivity and high-value traveller segment.

More importantly, our focus should be on diversification. By attracting visitors from a range of markets and growing segments, we can build a stronger and more resilient tourism industry.

(Q) . How can Sri Lanka become more than a transit city and encourage visitors to stay?

(A) For many years, Colombo was often viewed as the starting point of a Sri Lankan holiday. Today, that perception is changing.

Modern travellers are increasingly drawn to cities that offer culture, entertainment, food, shopping, nightlife, and unique local experiences. Colombo already has many of these. What we need to do is continue developing and promoting them more effectively.

Projects such as Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka are helping transform the city by introducing new experiences that encourage visitors to extend their stay. At the same time, we need more festivals, international events, cultural programming, waterfront experiences, and city attractions that showcase Colombo’s character.

It is a city where old and new exist side by side. You can walk past a colonial building, turn a corner, and find yourself surrounded by a completely different side of Colombo. Every street, every neighbourhood, and every skyline tells a story. Whether someone is here for a business meeting, a conference, a concert, a sporting event, or simply a great meal, we want them to leave with a richer understanding of Colombo and everything the city has to offer.

(Q) What trends are you seeing among international travellers that Sri Lanka should capitalise on?

(A) One of the biggest trends is the shift towards meaningful, experience-led travel. Travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that allow them to connect with a destination on a deeper level.

They want authentic cultural experiences, local food, interaction with communities, wellness experiences, and opportunities to discover places that feel unique and personal. They are also placing greater importance on sustainability and responsible tourism.

Another trend is experiential luxury. Today’s travellers are often less interested in traditional luxury and more interested in unique experiences that create lasting memories. Sri Lanka is exceptionally well positioned to benefit from these trends because authenticity is already part of who we are as a destination.

(Q) How can Sri Lanka leverage its culture, heritage and cuisine to create distinctive tourism experience?

(A) Our culture, heritage, and cuisine are among our strongest competitive advantages. They are also some of the most memorable parts of the visitor experience.

Travellers today want to participate, not simply observe They want to learn how local food is prepared, hear stories behind traditions, attend festivals, meet artisans, and engage with communities. These are the experiences that people remember long after they return home.

Sri Lankan cuisine in particular has enormous potential. Food has become one of the key reasons people choose destinations, and our culinary traditions are rich, diverse, and deeply connected to our history and culture.

By bringing together heritage, storytelling, food, music, art, and local experiences, we can create tourism products that are authentic, memorable, and uniquely Sri Lankan.

(Q) How do you see the Integrated Resorts changing the tourism landscape of Colombo?

(A) Integrated resorts have transformed cities around the world because they create complete destination experiences rather than stand alone attractions.

They bring together hospitality, entertainment, dining, retail, events, and leisure experiences in one location, creating reasons for visitors to stay longer and spend more time exploring a city.

And in South Asia, City of Dreams is the place. As South Asia’s first fully integrated resort, we represent a significant step forward in elevating Colombo’s tourism offering. They help attract new visitor segments, support international events, strengthen the city’s appeal as a business destination, and create experiences that can compete with leading cities across the region.

Most importantly, they contribute to changing perceptions of Colombo and showcasing the city as a destination that offers world-class experiences.

(Q) Looking ahead, what is your vision for Sri Lanka tourism over the next decades, and where does Cinnamon Hotels fit into that journey?

(A) My vision is for Sri Lanka to be recognised as Asia’s most complete island destination, a place where visitors can experience culture, nature, wellness, adventure, business, and entertainment within a single journey.

Success should not be measured solely by arrival numbers, but by the value tourism creates for communities, businesses, and the country as a whole. I would like to see tourism growth that is inclusive, sustainable, and beneficial to people across Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will continue to play a leading role by investing in world-class hospitality, developing new tourism experiences, and helping showcase Sri Lanka on the global stage. We are not just building hotels; we are helping shape the future of Sri Lankan tourism.

(Q) How can the industry balance growth with environmental and cultural preservation?

(A) Sustainability has to be at the centre of every conversation about tourism growth. The natural beauty, bio diversity, and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka are the very reasons visitors come here, so protecting those assets is not optional.

As an industry, we need to ensure that development is responsible, that local communities benefit from tourism, and that environmental considerations are integrated into every stage of planning and operations.

We also need to protect cultural authenticity. As destinations become more popular, there is always a risk of losing the unique character that makes them attractive in the first place. Growth should enhance local culture, not replace it.

The future of tourism is not about choosing between growth and preservation. It is about ensuring that they go hand in hand. If we get that balance right, Sri Lanka can continue to grow as a destination while preserving the natural and cultural treasures that make it truly extraordinary.