Set amidst the green fields of rice and with water to surround is the enchanting new eco conscious hotel, the newest concept of a luxury hotel from the Jet Wings organisation. Last weekend it officially opened the doors to this fascinating property of a cluster of chalets set in typical rural surroundings.

The event was a gala affair of champagne and all that’s best in the hospitality field, Jet Wings hosted in style. Vil Uyana is a lifestyle hotel based on the concept of helping you experience nature, along with the comfort of a modern hotel, set in Sigiriya which is probably the location of the eighth wonder of the world. Sunela Jayawardene, the architect has created three tastefully designed environments to choose from. There are dwellings built over vast paddy fields, the Jala Mandapas or water dwellings built over water, and the forest dwellings built in the forest. Ideal are the surroundings of tranquil beauty to relax in, even though at the opening there was a hive of activity, at which were invitees from many fields from Ministers, Hoteliers the family and the media and friends T`he former Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament W. J. M. Lokubandara made a complementary speech about Jetwing.

The invitation asked the guests to come in shades of paddy, which request many complied with. The pair that made the most successful impression were Vijith and Rochelle Kannangara. Vijith wore a sarong and a kurta style top in the colour of a golden sheaf of paddy, while his wife wore a skirt and top in the same colour and fabric. Rochelle’s top was simple in style, but her skirt featured a wide flared frill at the bottom with a trimming of ecru lace where the frill met the skirt to make a tiered effect. Dharshini Cooray, the wife of Hiran Cooray the CEO of Jetwings had her kura top in a off white embroidered in thread in shades of beige, bold and a hint of green while Anomi Jayasinghe had her camel toned raw silk suit with a tracery of embroidery at the neckline and edge of sleeves. Two outfits in white that scored a real success at noon were those worn by Mayanthi Samarasinghe and Angie Samuel. The pristine white shirt style top, the former wore was in simple white she brought noontime glamour to, with a several strand necklace of silver beads on fine chain and earstudes. She wore a single araliya in her hair.

Fresh and becoming was the white top the latter wore with a tracery of aquamarine embroidery on it and a beaten silver pendent and earrings. Angie was the compere for the event, which was a resounding success, which was a sure fire thing as all the details were seen to, turn it into a once in a lifetime opening. Provided with transport in luxury buses the media and other personnel were given right Royal treatment, beginning with the roadside breakfast served by boys and girls in village style garb of sarongs and banians with a bandana round their necks, and the girls in polka dotted cloth with white jackets, ‘hattes’ trimmed in the dotted fabric.

-The Sunday Island-

Kris, Tushara, Kasum and Shane Canekaratne asked friends and relations to join them on a Sunday to celebrate Tushara`D5s mother Dilkie Wickremasekera`D5s birthday. The Blue Elephant at the Colombo Hilton Hotel was transformed into celebrity surroundings with ice carvings and flowers for decor, to accommodate the prestigious invitees, among whom were Karu Jayasuriya, Rienzie Wijetilleke who proposed a toast to the birthday girl, and Daya Perera PC and his wife. There were many others who gathered to witness the cuttings of the cake, flanked by the family, and a good time was had by all. Noontime styles ware in a variety of trends from the spruce suit Tushara wore in a ivory and dubdued gold woven brocade, buttoned in gold which she wore with two strands of gold beads. Mother Dilkie opted for a saree in red simply bordered in gold. The red blouse had a weave of gold on the sleeves, and she wore gold jewellery for ornaments. A white cotton saree was bordered in bold checks in orange, red and black on the saree Ayoma Wijesundera wore, with a red sleeveless blouse and pearls for an ornament. A saree in a shot cream was bordered in turquoise with a design of leaves embroidered in thread on it, Sonali de Silva wore with a necklace of pearls and emeralds. The kameez Zarina de Silva wore was striped in gold, while Devika Gunasekera wore was in purple. This must surely have been another reason for celebration, as Virtusa at whose head is Kris and Tushara, had won a prestigious award naming Virtusa fast programme 50. -island.lk

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The Charge d’affaires a.i. of Switzerland and Mrs. Yves Nicolet held a reception at the Swiss Residence to celebrate Swiss National Day. The colours of Switzerland, red and white brought a festive air to the surroundings with flags and pennants under a marquee in the garden, under which toasts were drunk, with Minister of Investment Promotions Rohitha Bogollagama as the guest of honour. Besides the Minister were many dignitaries and diplomats who graced the occasion.

Many of the women, both in eastern and western attire brought glamour with their dress sense. A trio of sarees that caught the eye of the camera, all in nearly the same colour, but certainly in the same range. Priyadharshini de Zoysa wore a saree of dacca, cotton which, though cotton, is like an organza, in a weave in vivid turquoise, smoky black and gold. The saree was bordered in turquoise and the pallu was in a serrated design in the same colour. The blouse was in the blue and her jewellery was in turquoise and she carried a handbag in the same coloured sequins and beads. A deeper tone was the choice of Rukmani Wijeratne, whose saree was bordered and had a head piece in fused shades of purple a lighter blue and touches of white, over which were cloud like swirls of pattering. She too wore a necklace of turquoise and gold with earstuds to match. The third saree worn by Sherine Senadhira was in the same colour with a design of checks on it in a chalk white, with the hemlines shading into a white. Scattered on this were paisley like motifs in charcoal.

She wore a pendent of a black hued stone and her accessories were in black. The black and white printed saree Yasmin Cader wore was unbeatable for its smartness and style. The white silk was printed in floral sprigs in black with a more intricate design on the pallu.

The simple contrast of a black blouse and pearls for jewellery were the perfect finishing touches for chic sophistication. A black dress Sandya Anthony wore with loosely flowing hair and a necklace of pearls was simple and stylish. A scarf in a cerise tone wound round her neck and flowing down the sides over her brown dress which had cutaway armholes and a cowl drape at the neckline was ideal on charming and youthful guest. Primorosa Gunaratne over a black bustier had a sleeveless mushroom toned coat embroidered along the deep V neckline and down the front in white silk thread and burnished gold. A stole in the same colour flung over the shoulder was edged in a fringe of gold ballbles. A delicate necklace in pearls and fine gold chain made her ornament. Dumeetha Luthra from B.B.C. News, is the Correspondent for B.B.C. in Sri Lanka. Her choice for cocktail time was a empire waisted , deep V necked sleeveless dress in unfailing black, she wore with a string of pearls for an ornament. It was an evening of meeting and greeting people, most of whom are those we meet often in the diplomatic cocktail circuit and is like renewing old acquaintances.

Tags: The Sunday Island, South Asia, World News, Switzerland

Nirosha and Amal performed to a sold out concert in Los Angeles with wonderful melodies combining nostalgia of yesteryear with the clarity of today. Folks check it out …. Nirosha & Amal ‘s iVideo

"Capello" is the newest salon in town which was opened last weekend at Sulaiman Terrace and is the venture at the head of which will be hairdresser and beautician Romesh Atapattu. Having won many coveted awards in hairstyling and beauty culture at prestigious international competitions he has returned after comprehensive training in the field of beauty in the UK to embark in this salon of his own. His brother Asanka Atapattu will be involved in the salon on the financial side and business management.

They have combined their skill, talent and expertise to open this state-of-the-art salon, with unusual interior designing. A black and white theme dominates the interiors with a miniature fountain in the midst of the salon giving an ambience of relaxation and calmness. Romesh has paid detailed attention to create a perfect atmosphere and the salon is on a par with any such and is of international standard.

His services offered to the clients are many from simple hair cuts to hairstyling, beauty treatments and spa treatments in the spacious building reeking of style and elegance. The chief guest for the opening is Ramani Fernando of Ramani Fernando salons and guest of honour isNeela Jayawardena of House of Fashions. -Sunday Island Text by Zanita Careem
Pix by D. Banduwardena

There has been a furore of excitement and a great deal of reportage when screen beauty and actress Geetha Kumarasinghe launched her website at the Waters Edge Golf Club Ballroom in the presence of a large gathering of those from the same profession and many others connected to it.

It was once again a dazzling evening with a show full of colour on the lines of a Bollywood production. Geetha spared no expense on the entertain ment and giving her much support were a galaxie of stars both young and not so young.

There was Malini Fonseka in pink with borders embroidered on her saree, Sabitha Perera in a white and gold outfit which was like that worn by a queen from the history of Ceylon. Geetha herself wore a brilliant red saree bordered in gold thread, bead and sequin embroidery, from which she changed for her dances on stage into other costumes.

There was Yasodha Wimaladharma in a saree which had the fall in black dotted in white and the first part of the saree and the blouse in a flambouyant red.

Sangeetha Weeraratne wore black and white striped saree combined with blues and greens, with Chaturika Pieris in a cream top and skirt, worked in white guipure motifs and red sequins and many more. Among the men were Ravindra Randeniya, Channa Perera, Kamal Addaraarachchi and Tissa Abeysekera who switched on the website.

In the audience were Sadrika Weeraratne and Nandanie Atapattu in ponchos, the former in lime green worked in silver and gold at the neckline, she wore with white silk pants, and the latter in a vivid cerise worked in blue and silver, she wore with blue denims. It was indeed a gala occasion which was also graced with many friends from the media. (Sunday Island)

The Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan held their Annual Installation Nite recently at the Grand Ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel.

Beginning with cocktails after which the meeting was called to order, at which the welcome address was delivered by Rotarian Kumar Mirchandani, followed by an introduction of the incoming President by Rtn. Jehan Rajapakse, the new president Anil Cooray was installed. A speech from him followed after which a vote of thanks was given by Rtn Ayoma Fernando – dinner and dancing followed, and the women did the event proud with their sense of style.

The saree Narmin Chatoor wore was quite unusual in the way the colours combined. The top edge of the saree was in a grass green, with it shading into a panel in a shade of mauve, which went into a deep grey and a rust – The entire saree was in a self stripe and was spangled in mother of pearl sequins. Her blouse was in black with a gold motif on the sleeve and she wore a striking necklace and ear-drops in gold.

The simplicity of the rich colour which was in a cerise, was foil to a necklace of chunky cabochon turquoise and earstuds, Rohini Cooray wore for her son’s installation. A saree was also the choice of Nirmal Perera.

The deep charcoal saree had a woven border and pallu in dull gold and ivory with touches of burgundy in it. A kaftan style top in black had a print in a design of blocks in a modern Yolanda Aluwihare creation Estelle Joachim wore. A gold collar necklace was her choice of ornament.

The black poncho top Tanya Cooray wore had a border and moifs in plum and turquoise in what looked like painting outlined in white – The top was high necked and had a mandarin collar. Her trousers were in black and under the sheer poncho was a bare shouldered foundation also in black.

There were those who favoured the western styles and among them was Roshni in a bare shouldered dress in black, while the saree was the choice of Nalini Senanayake in a sunset strip of oranges and yellows, melon pink and white in stripes of varying widths to make it distinctive. [Sunday Island]

The beautiful home and garden was the venue to which Badra Wijesena invited her many friends to tea. As she believes in entertaining in style, she split her tea parties into two days, one week after each other.

When ever these fashion conscious women entertain those who gather too are in the same category, and as a result on these occasions they live upto the image. Leading the group was Badra herself, who on the first evening favoured a western style and wore a long top in a print in shades of mauve and white, which had a flowing hemline in points she teamed with pink pants, silver court shoes and long diamond eardrops.

Tucked in her hair was a cluster of mauve flowers. The next time she went for a more ethnic look and wore a black salwar top exquisitely embroidered in thread work in shades of orange and olive green with flecks of white in it. Scattered were dots in the same colours and in a perfect complement to the outfit she wore a necklace of a large cabochon fade in a orange shade set with diamonds and jade leaves on gold.

A sleeveless hip length top in red raw silk had a yoke at the neckline worked in dazzling white and red, for Ramani Pelpola to team with slacks in the same colour. Long shoulder length earrings in red, in different tones made her ornaments. The print of roses on the black chiffon Kandyan saree Swarna Ameratunge wore was like a English garden in summer. Her blouse was in a shade of deep wine and a paddakam necklace of rubies and pearls made her jewellery. Sriyani Samarasinghe on the first day, combined a cutaway deep necked top a shimmer with silver sequins on an unusual tone of red, with black pants.

Once again her long eardrops in red and white stones, was of shoulder length. The feminine top of chiffon in a contemporary print in a swirl of design, Kalpana Wijesinghe wore was in a fusion of colour, ranging from pinks to oranges and shades of brown, spliced with white. Her slacks were in coffee brown, and she were long drop earrings of brown hued stones. Another top which was in exciting range of colours was the choice of Nilakshi Samaranayake.

The colours in the print was in red, turquoise, and smoky black, she wore with a dainty pendent and crescent shaped earrings. A vivid shade of cyclamen made the salwar kameez Thanchi Coomaraswamy wore. The entire salwar and the borders of the dupatta were delicately embroidered. A pendent of diamonds made her ornament.

A long green kameez in traditional style which was sleeveless though, was Nimmi Kumaranayagam’s choice to wear with green churidars and a handloom shawl in a shot orange woven at the two edges in stripes of ochre, and a muted green, with a deep green edge making a narrow ribbon border along its length. These were events at which can be seen best of trends, and styles, ranging from the east to the west in fashion. -Sunday Island

By Kumutu Amarasingham

It’s not that Otara Gunawardena, the queen of Lankan fashion, is soulless, one realises a few minutes into the inter-view. It’s being in a corporate world and being forced to portray a tough ‘corporate’ woman that has forced her to hold back a little – nevertheless always charmingly.

To have spoken at length to the ‘arty’ types: men and women who, revel, almost, in emotion and passion and simply living, it is hard at first to understand this gracious, though reserved and very ‘proper’ woman before me.

Cool and casual

In trendy three-quarters and a frilly, girly, white top, she appears very laid-back and casual. Perfectly mannered, perennially cool, exceedingly hospitable – that’s Otara – on the surface.

"I’m very patient, hardworking and determined," she says. It’s hard work and patience, she said, that got her to the top, and will no doubt take her further.

Born to a successful father, she described herself as a quiet and introverted child. Otara though shy excelled in sports at Ladies College, where she studied, and appears to have had an eventful, if not dazzling, school career.

She then proceeded to the United States for a degree in biology – worlds away from what she would later do. Both there and later in Sri Lanka, she began to model, and that’s how the fashion ‘thing’ started. Back during her college days she confessed to having been a wild party animal. Evidently though, a pretty responsible one.

From the boot

She began her business from the boot of her car, which she filled up with clothes, which she found soon disappeared amongst her friends. With a little help from her father she opened her first store down Dickman’s Road. "I don’t think my parents expected me to go this far," she said. Today, her brand, Odel, is synonymous with almost everything fashionable that is Sri Lankan.

Her fairytale life as a successful businesswoman, mother and wife was shattered earlier this year when she separated from her husband. A painful experience that nonetheless left her stronger and more enriched. Her two sons aged six and 12, her friends, and her business are now the main focus of her life, though she certainly has not forgotten how to kick back and have a good time!

Asked about falling in love, Otara said it was wonderful and painful at the same time, but she remained optimistic that she might find it again. "I’m not out looking for it – for one thing I’m way too busy! But my experience has not left me pessimistic or disillusioned," the 40-year-old beauty said.

Life begins at 40

Turning 40 last year was according to Otara, a momentous event, not to mention her most memorable birthday. And she definitely agrees that life begins at 40! Well it might, with her great looks and, in some ways, idealism – almost.

In business however, she is an uncompromising realist. She has no problems being a woman boss of a huge company. "I don’t judge people on gender, and I trust I don’t get judged likewise.

Her greatest passion is the environment. "I wanted to be a vet when I was little to work with animals, and in some ways that has carried through to what I do today – which is why Odel is so involved in environmental conservation," she said.

Successful entrepreneur

Despite having established herself as an extremely successful entrepreneur, with the grit to make it through where so many have failed, the vision to take big risks, and the will to triumph, there is no appearance of stress or pressure with Otara. She is almost enviably calm.

"I do yoga, which helps me retain my inner balance," she said. Her philosophy, very simply, is to ‘be happy.’ She describes herself as an uncomplicated, easy-going, though very private, person. She does not party as much now as she used to, mainly because of the time factor.

She has ‘very few’ close friends, whom she would trust with anything. She loves all types of food (you wouldn’t guess looking at her), and works out every day, does not read fiction, hates horror, and watches light-hearted movies that allow her to relax, when she can find the time.

Oh, yes, and she’s got big expansion plans for Odel in the near future, which have already begun.

So who is Otara? For all her amiability, it is almost impossible to get to the person, the real person. But her favourite quote, by her favourite designer, Georgio Armani, provides more insight than anything she said in a one-hour conversation.

"Style is not about being noticed, but about being remembered."

The Morning Leader

Some women capture because they’re beautiful – for a short time at least. They enthrall, until the next beautiful face comes along, or they simply become ‘stale.’ For those who bank purely on good looks, the future would inevitably be not too bright.

Swarna Mallawarachchi came along at a time when the Sri Lankan ideal of a beautiful woman was slightly rounded, chubby and feminine: the traditional narilatha. She was extremely thin, and while being attractive, was nevertheless far from that ideal. 

And yet, she managed to beguile audiences time and again. This in spite of the fact that her roles were nowhere near the typical, ‘damsel in distress,’ running around trees and being rescued by men type of thing.

Fallen woman

Swarna is one of the few actresses who managed to rise, playing the ‘fallen woman.’ From her first film, Prof. Cyril Gunasinghe’s Sathsamudura, she played the woman who was victimised, and yet, in most cases, failed to be the victim.

Born in a shanty-town, sold as an orphan, this woman, who in real life has risen to dizzying heights in the Sri Lankan cinema industry, is perhaps, to a great extent at least, our answer to the Oprahs and the Maya Angelous of the world.

Film career

In a career stretching over four decades, she has portrayed women who have been killed, raped, beaten, forced into prostitution and, in one of the most famous scenes in the national film history, run over repeatedly by a car. She has also punched, kicked, conspired and fought back in those films with a vengeance.

She had a child out of wed-lock, in a land where this is still so taboo some schools don’t even admit the ‘illegal’ (the more common word being unprintable) offspring. And, in a show of courage that must encourage all women to stand up for what they believe in, she’s proud of it.

She won the nation’s Best Actress Award 21 times. She has been voted the most-admired woman in the country, with President Chandrika Kumaratunga finishing second.

Think strong woman, think Swarna Mallawarachchi.

She doesn’t seem to think much of it herself though. "I’ve lived my life," she says. "When I entered the industry it was more calm, less businesslike and more fun than today." Going on a shoot, for her, felt like going on a trip. She never thought of becoming an actress, yet took to it like a fish to water. "I believe it must have been something I’ve done in births before, because I never had any training, yet it never felt alien to me," she said.

Speaking of directors

Speaking of her directors she said despite not fitting the stereotype, Sugathapala Senarath Yapa, Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Prof. Cyril Gunasinghe, Mahagamasekera and Dharmasiri Pathirajah had a lot of faith in her. Today, she has worked with the crème de la crème of veteran Sri Lankan directors, with the exception of Dr. Lester James Pieris, she said.

Asked about the younger directors, Swarna said she would like to work with them but word had reached her that they were ‘scared of her.’ "Don’t be scared of me," the veteran actress laughed. Indeed, though, a sharp tongue and habit of saying whatever’s on her mind is part of her character – one might even say part of her charm.

"I say what I have to say to the face, and most of the time people respect me for this. Afterwards, I never hold grudges or viciousness, it’s said and done with," she said.

Her greatest gift is her daughter, who she says is a wonderful child. "She has given me so much joy," the actress said. She was with her through her fight with cancer.

Speaking of this painful time, Swarna said it was her child and her faith in Sri Sathya Sai Baba that got her through. "I had a brain operation which was near the area responsible for speech, and the doctors said I may never be able to talk again. The day of my operation however I remember lying in bed just before, and seeing Swami (Sai Baba) standing at the foot of my bed, watching me.

Brain operation

"He was there for a few seconds and disappeared. The next thing I remember was the doctor asking me what my profession was. I said I was an actress and then drifted off." Usually, even those who are able to speak after Swarna’s type of operation only do so after many months of speech therapy. She was able to talk immediately after being taken out of the theatre. "I wasn’t even in ICU. I truly believe this was a miracle wrought by Swami," she said. To her, what is most inspiring about his teaching is that he advocates all faiths.

Timely message

"Dharma is eternal and unchanging, but every 2000-3000 years a prophet or teacher comes to renew our faith and show it to us in a new light. All Swami says is to follow what you believe in well; that all religions ultimately are one. I think that is a timely message," she said.

She starts her day with a morning prayer for happiness and meditation on loving kindness. "If someone hurts me I wish them well all the more: that’s the only way to be happy," she said.

This woman, from whom life had taken, and then given, so much, says her philosophy is to have no regrets. "If you start regretting, you start hating people, and there is nothing worse than that – both for your own general well-being and for others," she said. Asked who her role model is she said ‘myself,’ though she has a range of people she admires in the film industry for their contribution and commitment.

She spoke of young actresses Anarkali and Kanchana Mendis as probably the two faces of the up and coming generation of actors.

Today, Swarna is involved in humanitarian work at the Foundation for Coexistence (FCE) headed by Kumar Rupesinghe. She was offered the job while still struggling with her illness, when she was ‘penniless,’ and gave up another good job offer in the USA to take it up.

Personal life

"Whatever people say about Kumar Rupesinghe, he is a good man and a compassionate human being, who has his own agenda for helping with the peace process," she said. Swarna herself has done extensive work for the tsunami victims and refugees.

As the interview draws to a close, and I notice her getting slightly fidgety (she had earlier promised just half an hour) I hopefully ask if she could talk about her personal life a bit – the loves and losses. "No!" she said emphatically, stating she never talked about it to the media as a policy, but promised that she would soon reveal all in an autobiography that Dr. Lester James Pieris had promised to direct free of charge.

Now there’s something to look forward to!

The Morning Leader in TRAVEL PAGE – Wednesday, July 19, 2006