News

British conductor at Khemadasa anniversary concert on Jan. 25

Published

12 months ago

2025/01/12

Thilina Walpola

Collin Jagger

(By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London)

In a musical celebration marking the 87th birth anniversary of Sri Lanka’s iconic composer Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa, British conductor Colin Jagger will lead a performance of Khemadasa’s “New Year Symphony” at Malalasekara Hall, Nalanda College, Colombo, on January 25.

The concert, which also features a selection of the musician’s other works, is set to honour his legacy. The show is presented by Khemadasa Foundation and guest artists together with Sri Lanka Navy Orchestra.

Colin Jagger, whose career spans both the United Kingdom and the United States, is set to make his debut conducting an orchestra in Asia. Jagger began his musical journey with a degree in music from Manchester University in the UK, followed by a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, USA.

His career includes a variety of assistant conductor roles with conservatory orchestras, as well as a tenure with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In 1999, he relocated to the UK, where he served as Director of Music at the University of Portsmouth until 2021. Since then, he has pursued freelance work while also guest conducting various orchestras, including the Gottingen Symphony Orchestra in 2014.

Premasiri Khemadasa

In an interview with the Sunday Island, Jagger expressed his excitement about the upcoming performance in Colombo. “I am really looking forward to traveling to Sri Lanka. My wife Maricar and I will arrive on January 20, and then we’ll rehearse in preparation for the concert on January 25,” he said.

“I am already somewhat familiar with the music of Gayathri (Khemadasa’s daughter), having performed one of her pieces in Portsmouth, and so the prospect of preparing a piece by Premasiri Khemadasa for performance in Colombo is a very exciting one.”

He added, “I am extremely honoured and excited to be involved in the performance of “New Year Symphony” on January 25. Until now, my musical experience has been bound up in the European tradition, so it has been fascinating to study the music of Sri Lanka’s most famous composer. I’ve never had the opportunity to work with an orchestra in Asia before, and I know I will learn a lot from them. I hope they will also learn something from me – this sharing of cultural experience is very important and brings the peoples of the world closer together.”

Jagger’s previous encounter with the music of the Khemadasas came through a performance of Gayathri Khemadasa’s work in Portsmouth. “We were very fortunate in Portsmouth to be able to perform a piece by Gayathri Khemadasa, and having really enjoyed her music, I am now enjoying the music of Khemadasa senior,” he remarked.

The upcoming concert in Colombo is set to be a momentous occasion, not only for Sri Lankan audiences but also for Jagger, as it marks a milestone in his career—a convergence of Western musical tradition with the vibrant soundscapes of Sri Lanka.

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

8 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

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Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

19 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.