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British conductor at Khemadasa anniversary concert on Jan. 25

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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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Sri Lanka Navy joins commencement of AMAN-2025

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The multinational naval exercise AMAN-2025, hosted by the Pakistan Navy for the ninth time, commenced at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on 07 Feb 25. The event was attended by Commanding Officer and crew of SLNS Vijayabahu, representing the Sri Lanka Navy.

AMAN-2025 will be held from 07 to 11 Feb in Karachi, and the multinational naval exercise will see the attendance of Navy Chiefs, stakeholders and think tank from maritime fraternity, from 60 nations.

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SME representatives accuse presidential aide of instigating protest against Central Bank

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Susantha Liyanaarachchi

A presidential advisor, identified as D. Gamage, had asked a delegation representing the SME sector to “surround the Central Bank” instead of troubling officers at the Presidential Secretariat, Susantha Liyanaarachchi, Chairman of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) told the media yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat.

Liyanaarachchi said so following a meeting with Gamage, on Friday, during a protest staged by a group of small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, affiliated with the MSME Joint Alliance, outside the Presidential Secretariat against parate executions.

Five representatives were permitted to enter the Secretariat, where they also submitted a 17-point proposal aimed at reviving the domestic coconut oil industry.

“Gamage said there was no point in coming to the Presidential Secretariat. He asked us to surround the Central Bank. What an awful officer. We came here to settle our issues amicably, and Gamage told us to surround the Central Bank,” Liyanaarachchi said.

Liyanaarachchi also stated that the Central Bank did not adhere to instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, exacerbating the concerns voiced by the MSME entrepreneurs.

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Govt. to seek new indictments in Lasantha murder case

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Harini

By Saman Indrajith

The government would try to initiate fresh indictments in the Lasantha Wickrematunga murder case, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said on Friday, pledging that those responsible for the murder of journalist Wickrematunga would be held accountable. She also stated that she intended to respond personally to a letter from Wickrematunga’s daughter, Ahimsa, who has called on Parliament to impeach Attorney General Parinda Ransinghe (Jr.) over the recent release of three suspects.

Ahimsa Wickrematunga’s request for impeachment followed the release of several individuals—among them a police officer—who had been arrested on accusations of destroying evidence, including a notebook belonging to her father and key police records. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said, “I plan to respond directly to Ms Wickrematunga, as I fully understand her concerns and the distress she must be experiencing. We are doing our utmost to observe due process and uphold the independence of the Attorney General’s office, but justice must prevail.”

She went on to say, “We intend to seek justice for Lasantha Wickrematunga’s murder. President [Dissanayake] has met with those involved to determine the best course of action. We are examining the possibility of refiling or initiating new inquiries if necessary, as there is plenty of evidence.”

Opposition legislator Rauff Hakeem noted that the suspects were released on a technicality related to an identification parade, and expressed concern that the Attorney General was selectively releasing certain suspects, despite there being many dedicated officers within the Department. He added, “Ultimately, the purpose of all our judicial institutions is to deliver justice. If procedures obstruct that aim, we must re-examine them.”

Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated that the Government is open to debating the matter in Parliament, saying, “We will look at refiling charges or bringing new indictments where appropriate. We fully appreciate the gravity of this situation and the need for transparency, and we will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”

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