Life style

A gem of a Monument

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/6

Ratnapura National Museum housed in the historical Ehelepola Walauwa is being renovated and conserved, the first ever exercise of its kind since its establishment. The archaeologically important monument which was closed for a few years is soon to be reopened to the public.

Story and Pix by Randima Attygalle

Nestled in a sprawling green garden of nearly eight acres is a ‘gem of a different kind’ in Ratnapura- the land of gems and the domain of God Saman. An oasis in the midst of the busy Ratnapura town, a drive canopied by its ‘forest garden’ brings a visitor to the stately mansion. The legend has it that once there was a secret tunnel to access this building, its entry point no longer to be found. Its impressive lobby replete with an elaborate wooden doorway, a high ceiling and thick brick walls reflect Dutch and British architectural influence. A dolawa (palanquin) and a wooden oruwa, both several centuries old, are exhibited here today.

Originally built between 1811 and 1814 for the occupation of Ehelepola Maha Adikaram when he was serving as the Disawe of Sabaragamuwa, the building known as Ehelepola Walauwa, was later used as the official residence of the government agents of the Sabaragamuwa Province during the British administration, earning the common reference of Disapathi Medura. Its spacious rooms with high ceilings enabling natural ventilation today serve as the seven galleries of the National Museum of Ratnapura dedicated to the historical and cultural heritage of the Sabaragamuwa Province.

The history of the Ratnapura National Museum goes back to 1946. ‘The exhibition of the first set of museum objects took place in April, 1946. These were brought from the Colombo National Museum, particularly for their safety from any possible danger in Colombo during the Second World War,” says the Director, Cultural, Department of National Museums, Senarath Wickramasinghe. The museum objects were initially exhibited in a private residence in Weralupe, close to the Ratnapura town. In 1957 it was shifted to a building near the old CTB Depot in the town. The museum was opened to the public on May 18, 1988 in the present Ehelepola Walauwa, after the premises were acquired by the Department of National Museums. It was officially declared as an archaeological monument on September 3, 1993 under a special gazette notification by the Department of Archaeology.

The seven galleries of the museum are dedicated to the gems, rocks and minerals of Ratanpura, extinct fauna of Ratnapura, pre-history of the region, History of Ratnapura, textiles, ceramics and jewellery, Sabaragamuwa dance form and rituals and traditional industries and customs of Ratnapura respectively. Among the special objects on display are the sword of Ehelepola Adikaram and the four-poster bed used by Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Thera.

Besides the objects of antiquity are newly done models reflecting Ratnapura’s well known gem mining, Balangoda man from the pre-history and Sabaragamuwa dance. Modern lighting systems in place enhance the finer intricacies of the objects on display. The gallery, ‘Extinct Fauna of Ratnapura’ features bones of some of the animals which lived in the Quaternary Period (the period between 2 to 500 million years before present) unearthed from gem pits in the area and replicas of some of these animals are found in the Paleo Biodiversity Museum Park- the first of its kind in the country, Wickramasinghe explains.

“Certain fossilized parts of large mammals which lived in the Quaternary Period have been found in the Ratnapura District among the layers of deposits in the areas such as Getahetta, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, and Kahawatta. These deposits are referred to as ‘Ratnapura deposits’ which belonged to the latter stages of the geological history; Pleistocene and Holocene (two million years before present) periods, found in wet soil layers of gem mines,” he said.

The fossils of the extinct species of animals in the Ratnapura District were first studied by the late Director of the Colombo National Museum, Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala. His research had confirmed that three species of elephants, two species of unicorns, one species of hippopotamus, buffalo, hunting dog, lion and wild pig had inhabited this region. The replicas which are exhibited in the Ratnapura Museum are based on the fossil data obtained from such studies.

It has also been recorded that Ratnapura district claims evidence representing all ages of prehistory in Sri Lanka. It is presumed that the stone tools that have been unearthed from wet layers of ‘Ratnapura mines’ represent lower and middle stages of the pre-history and also presumed that those tools belong to the period between 250,000 – 125,0000 years from today. The oldest skeletons of Homo sapiens who lived in South Asia have been found in Fa Hien Caves (Pahiyangala Caves) in Bulathsinhala and Batadombalena in Kuruwita. “These findings take us back to a definite time frame of 40,000 years from today and the findings of Batadombalena takes us back to 35,000 years, offering us clear evidence that prehistoric men continuously lived in these places up to 3500 BC,” points out Wickramasinghe. The excavations conducted in Bellanbendipelassa, an open space in the Ratnapura District located in the Walawe Valley had uncovered a burial ground of pre-historic men. The Pre-History Gallery of the Museum visually presents these findings.

An assortment of kitchen and agricultural objects of antiquity, exquisite jewellery worn by the Ratnapura aristocracy, ancient Buddha statues from temples, old coins, ceramics, garments and swords add to the grandeur of the museum. The Medicinal Garden, Bamboo Garden and Endemic Plant Garden surrounding it afford a tranquil setting to the stately building housing the museum meriting promotion among local and foreign visitors.

The first ever ‘conservation-renovation’ exercise since the establishment of the Ratnapura National Museum was a demanding task resulting in closure for several years during which the work was completed, remarks the Director General of the Department of National Museums, Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi. “In the process, while being conscious of the original architectural features of this archaeological site, we also had to do justice to Ehelepola Maha Adikaram who occupied this mansion as well as the historical and cultural heritage of Ratnapura,.” she explains. “The conservation project also aspires to be aligned with the proposed five-year Gem City Master Plan of the Urban Development Authority..”

“Here, we will be taking measures to conserve and develop the Bio Diversity Park of the museum as well, so that the premises can be promoted as a sustainable tourist attraction under the Master Plan,” she added.

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Ehelepola Maha Adikaram

He was born to a noble family from the village of Ehelepola, nine miles from Matale and was educated by the Yatawatte Maha Thera before joining the Royal court. His first appointment was to the post of Paniwidakara Nilame by the King and later succeeded Meegastenne Adikarama as the Second Adikaram. Ehelepola was also appointed as Disave of Sabaragamuva which was held by Meegastenne. Following the death of Pilimatlawe Nilame, Ehelepola was appointed as the Maha Adikaram in 1811 under the reign King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha.

Following the brutal execution of his entire family by the King, (including his eldest son, the child hero Madduma Bandara), he aided the British in launching an invasion of the Kandyan Kingdom. Ehelepola became part of the British administration of Kandy but soon came under suspicion during the Great Rebellion of 1817–18. The royal courtier was arrested by the British and exiled to Mauritius Island along with several Kandyan Chiefs in 1825. He died on April 4, 1829 in Mauritius Island. His tomb, which is a protected Monument, bears the inscription: ‘Sacred to the memory of Ehelepola Wijesundara Wickramasinghe Chandrasekara Amarakoon Wahala Mudianse, late First Adigar or Prime Minister to the King of Kandy, who died on 4th April 1829 aged 57 years”.

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Life style

From 1906 to today: Nestle’s 120-year journey in Sri Lanka

Published

2 days ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

Bernie Stefan - proud of Nestle’s 120 years jouney

Bernie Stefan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka Limited, overseeing Nestlé’s operations in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He assumed this role in March 2023. Under his leadership, Nestlé has strengthened its footprint in Sri Lanka, touching individuals and families, communities and spearheading sustainable development.

Since taking charge in 2023, Stefan has brought with him over two decades of international experiences, steering the company with a clear focus on sustainability, innovation and long term growth.

Bernie describes the anniversary as a moment of pride and reflection on over a century of commitment to Sri Lanka and its people.

Under his leadership, Nestle has expanded its footprint while staying true to its mission: to improve lives by providing nutrition and wellness for all Sri Lankans. Beyond the commercial success, the company has focused on community impact – supporting local farmers. promoting sustainable practices and contributing to public health initiatives.

(Q) Nestlé has been part of Sri Lankan homes for 120 years. How has the brand evolved alongside the changing lifestyles of Sri Lankan families?

(A) We at Nestlé are extremely proud of our 120 year journey of enriching Sri Lankan lives. It has been a journey guided by purpose and working together for good – touching individuals and families, the community, and the planet. As lifestyles and needs have evolved, so, too, have our products – offering convenient, tasty and nutritious solutions that meet everyday moments, whether it’s energy on the go or a quick and tasty meal. A true symbol of this legacy is our flagship brand, Nestomalt – synonymous with power, strength and energy – which today is enjoyed as the first cup of the day by a majority of Sri Lankan households.

(Q) Many Sri Lankans have grown up with Nestlé products at their breakfast table or during tea time. How does the company stay emotionally connected with generations of consumers?

(A) Our product range caters to the nutritional needs of consumers from birth to old age. We always ensure that the consumer is at the centre of everything we do. This deep understanding of consumer preferences, ensures not only that our products deliver taste and nutrition but also our communication is in tune to the local context. Our brands have been deeply rooted in the lives of the Sri Lankan community over many decades – be it through Milo school sports programmes or Nestomalt marathons. Being an organisation that has been present in Sri Lanka for such a long time, it also means that consumers hold many nostalgic memories from their childhood with our products.

(Q) From childhood treats to everyday beverages, Nestlé products often carry nostalgic memories. How important is this sense of nostalgia to the brand’s identity?

(A) Brands need to evolve with time and remain relevant. Nostalgia does bring a deep bond and connect with consumers. However, through product and packaging renovations, we have successfully ensured that our brands remain relevant to consumers. One of our oldest Nestlé brands in Sri Lanka, Milkmaid , today, has an online recipe platform with over 300 recipes. This is another example where we have ensured that our brands are able to connect with today’s consumers.

(Q) Has Nestlé adapted its products to suit modern lifestyles while still respecting local tastes?

(A) Our ability to cater to local taste preferences has been a crucial factor to the success of our brands. With the setting up of our local manufacturing operations in 1984, we now manufacture over 90% of Nestlé products sold locally. The deep consumer understanding our teams possess, combined with our global R&D expertise in the food and beverage sector, have given us the ability to tailor make our products to cater to the Sri Lankan taste palette while offering convenience. This is evident in the success of our Nescafe and Nestea 3-in-1 variants and the Ready-to-drink beverage range of Milo and Nescafe, that deliver convenience and great taste.

(Q) How is Nestlé aligning its practices to sustainability and mindful living?

(A) We are committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Promoting circularity is also a focus area in this journey. We have plans to be 100% plastic neutral this year. Our sustainability initiatives cover the entire value chain, from farm to fork. In Sri Lanka, we are focusing a lot on increasing yield and promoting regenerative agricultural practices across our dairy and coconut value chains. In our manufacturing operations, we have continuously striving towards reducing water and energy usage. We have also implemented numerous initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint in logistics, such as the adoption of rail transportation. We also focus on fostering behavioural change on responsible waste disposal amongst the youth through our School Waste Management Programme.

(Q) What moments or milestones best reflect its connection with everyday life in the country?

(A) Our ability to provide consumers with good food moments each and every day is something that I and the team are extremely passionate about. Also, the deep connect we have with the community, be it our dairy and coconut farmers, the numerous suppliers and trade partners, has been built on trust over the years. Today, we have farmers, suppliers and even employees from across generations and this speaks volumes about our business practices and the trust we have built in Sri Lanka for over a century.

(Q) Nestlé is known globally for innovation. How do you balance global expertise with the unique lifestyle and culinary culture of Sri Lanka?

(A) As I mentioned, understanding the taste palette, nutritional needs and the lifestyles of Sri Lankan consumers and ensuring our products fulfill these needs is key. Having access to one of the world’s leading R&D facilities gives us the unique ability to ensure our products deliver to these consumer needs and preferences. Further, it enhances our ability to ensure the freshness and bio-availability of certain nutrients contained in our products. We’ve also made significant strides in packaging innovation, where we use less plastic and materials that are better suited for recycling. The introduction of Coconut Milk Powder in 1986 was a first for Sri Lanka, and this is another great example of the deep understanding we have of local culinary culture.

(Q) How is the younger generation engaged with the brand today?

(A) Appealing to the discerning youth population will be key to ensuring the future success of our brands. Understanding the nuances of each generation is important. It is also evident that consumption patterns and lifestyles across generations are evolving rapidly. Staying abreast of these changes is something we are deeply committed to. In addition to delivering on taste and nutrition, being trendy and youthful – the purpose for which our brands stand for – is equally important. NESCAFÉ and MAGGI PAPARE BLAST are two brands that have developed a strong connect with Sri Lankan youth.

(Q) What vision do you have for the next chapter in Sri Lanka, especially in shaping lifestyle trends?

(A) Looking ahead, our vision is to continue enriching Sri Lankan lives by providing tasty and nutritious products and promoting healthier and active lifestyles. We will keep innovating to meet evolving consumer needs, while strengthening local sourcing and reducing our environmental impact. The next chapter is about deepening our positive impact – supporting communities, empowering youth and contributing to a resilient food system.

(Q) As the head of Nestlé Sri Lanka, what does celebrating 120 years personally mean to you?

(A) Celebrating 120 years in Sri Lanka is deeply meaningful to us, as it reflects the trust generations of Sri Lankan families have placed in Nestlé. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our people and the strong partnerships we have built across the country. For me personally, it is both a moment of pride and a responsibility – to honour this legacy while continuing to work together for good, doing what is right for our consumers, our communities, and Sri Lanka.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

A hat-trick for knowledge: Saranga’s triple triumph at Raigam Tele’es

Published

2 days ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

K.C. Saranga

At a time when entertainment often overshadows education on television, K.C. Saranga has rewritten the script—securing a remarkable third consecutive win for Best Educational Programme at the Raigam Tele’es 2025.

His flagship programme, Jeevithayata Vidyawa (Science for Life), aired on Ada Derana, has not only dominated its category but also elevated the standards of educational broadcasting in Sri Lanka.

Reflecting on the milestone, Saranga described the win as more than a personal achievement. “Maintaining an award ceremony of this magnitude for 22 years is no small feat. Raigam Tele’es plays a pivotal role in uplifting the industry. By consistently recognising and rewarding Sri Lankan creators, it provides the necessary oxygen for television to evolve as a professional craft,” he said.

A veteran with over 25 years in the industry, Saranga—currently General Manager (News and Current Affairs) at TV Derana and Head of the Ada Derana News Channel—has seamlessly transitioned from hard news to impactful educational programming. His success underscores a broader vision: to harness television’s full potential as an audio-visual learning tool.

“There is a significant void in Sri Lankan television when it comes to high-quality educational productions,” he noted. “Television is an audio-visual medium; its true power lies in its ability to show, not just tell. We use multimedia elements—graphics, animation, and dynamic presentation—to grip the viewer’s attention.”

Saranga emphasised that his goal was to match global benchmarks. “If world-class science documentaries are available in English, our mission was to bring that same global standard to the Sinhala-speaking audience,” he said.

Through Jeevithayata Vidyawa, complex scientific concepts—from aerodynamics to cyclones—are presented in a manner that is both accessible and engaging, redefining the notion of “edutainment” in local television.

Expressing gratitude, Saranga credited his team and network for the continued success.

“This achievement is a result of a shared vision. My deepest gratitude goes to the management of Ada Derana. In an industry often driven by conventional ratings, they have consistently provided a sanctuary for creative freedom, allowing ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas to flourish,” he said.

He added: “To my incredible production team—this trophy belongs to you. Your technical skill and commitment have transformed simple ideas into a national standard. Finally, thank you to our viewers; your curiosity is our ultimate motivation. We will continue to prove that learning is an inspiring journey.”

Saranga’s hat-trick stands as a testament to the power of innovation in educational broadcasting—proving that knowledge, when presented with creativity and purpose, can captivate audiences just as effectively as mainstream entertainment.

By Ifham Nizam

Life style

‘Style Surge’ blends glamour with a cause

Published

2 days ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

Lighting up the evening with effortless charm

The event “Style Surge,” organised by the Lions Club Elevate, was an evening filled with glamour, leadership and purpose collided in a spectacular fusion. The grand Ballroom at Galle Face Hotel became a canvas of fashion; every detail, from the floral centrepiece to the curated lighting, whispered elegance, while glamour set the stage, purpose was the back bone.

The show featured a curated selection of Sri Lankan designers, each bringing their signature styles to the stage.

The designers captivated the audience with bold, contemporary silhouettes that fused modern trends with traditional influence, creating pieces that were both sophisticated and wearable.

The batik ensembles by doyen of Batiks, Eric Suriyasena, were masterpieces, demonstrating the designer’s mastery in balancing artistry and practicality. Each piece told a story, highlighting the cultural nuances of Sri Lanka, while contributing to the glamour of the event.

The hair and make up for the models were curated by Salon Avra by Thushari de Silva and was nothing short of perfection,

From sleek, modern looks to elegant textured styles, Salon Avra ensured every model complemented the designer’s vision, highlighting the intricate details of each ensemble. The artistry on stage reflected a seamless collaboration between fashion beauty and presentation.

Style Surge unfolded an evening of elegance, creativity and purpose. It brought together Colombo style conscious crowd, social leaders and fashion enthusiasts and transformed the venue into a vibrant celebration of couture and compassion.

As the lights dimmed,the runaway came alive with a striking showcase of designs, ranging from contemporary chic to timeless sophistication, by designers like Eric Suriyasena, Anushko, Azeena Sulaiman and Jaywanthi Panibharatha. Leading fashion brands showcased were Aluminium, Disala, Eriq and Elegant Closet, and they presented a blend of contemporary and traditional fashion. Jewellery for the show was designed and sponsored by Blue Majestara Ceylon, . The Chief Guest was District Governor Lion Mahesh Borolugoda and his wife Lion Lady Sunethra Borolugoda.

Beyond glamour, this event, Style Surge, carried a meaningful mission to help rennovate two schools and improve educational facilities for future students

Lions Club of Colombo Elevate district 306D6, the organisers of this event, have been long synonymous with community development .The event underscores the power of fashion as a force of good.

Proceeds and awareness generated though the evening will be directed towards the clubs ongoing humanitarian initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to uplifting communities while engaging the public in an inspiring way.

In every sense, the event was more than a fashion show, it was a statement. This event reaffirms that glamour can also carry a purpose, creativity can spark compassion, and a runaway that can become a powerful platform for social change. This fashion show was graced by distinguished guests of honour , including designers Aseka Wijewardena, Michael Wijesuriya, Yolande Aluwihare, and Shyara Mendis

This event was organised by Lion Diana Nilanthi, Shen, Lion Thushari de Silva and Lion Shashika Hettiarachchi, whose commitment to creativity and attention to detail transformed the event into a truly memorable evening. They were the driving force that brought the vision of the show to life. Their meticulous planning, conceptualising the theme, coordinating the designers ensured the show ran seamlessly, from start to finish Pix by Thushara Attapathu

By Zanita Careem