Happenings / People

This new CD is different

by Mahes Perera

Rajiv Sebastian chose an auspicious day to launch his new CD Thawamath Aadarede Mata. This was on his birthday which he celebrated on June 23, and it is the seventh CD released in his music career. "There are sixteen songs on the CD and I told myself that it has to be something different.

So I introduced brand new themes into the songs. Like the song I sing with Sunil Perera Ape Wandanawe Yamu, it is all about how people go on pilgrimages and make it a holiday trip, or how people copy other people's songs and make it out to be their own ideas. - this I sing in Viridu with Corinne and it is called Nadagam Yuge.

On the theme of love I focus it on the responsibilities of a man towards his wife or woman he loves urging him to recognise his responsibilities and not forget his duties towards her. In a sense the themes focuses on social realities rather than on the eternal hacked love themes" enlightens Rajiv.

The rhythms of the songs are based on the bossa nova, 6/8, reggae, cha-cha, calypso and Rajiv is confident that it will go down with his fans. Already the CD is receiving airplay on radio while the video clip Api Wandanawe Yamu was released for telecast three days ago.

The clip features Sunil, Rajiv, Ronnie and Nilu - the model. The lyrics were handled to name a few by the late Hemasiri Halpita, Kelum Shrimal, Shelton Weeraratne, Vernon Perera and also Rajiv.

The musical backing was by the Clan assisted by Mahinda Bandara, Tilak Dias, Manoj Peiris with further assistance by the orchestras of Rohana Weerasinghe and Mahinda Bandara. The CD was produced by Torana Music Box.

Young science researcher - a winner

Mohamed Farees, science researcher and Laboratory Manager at the Protein and Peptide Laboratory of Oxford Brookes University, Oxford was invited to the House of Commons to participate in the 'Set for Britain - top young scientist competition' held this year.

His research focuses on human fertility in women and is in the final stage of research for his PhD at the School of Biological and Molecular Science (BMS), Oxford Brookes, University, Oxford. He has attended several Conferences and Poster Presentations to publicise his research.

In the picture he is seen receiving the Biomedical Society Prize for the best Poster Presentation at the Oxford Brookes University. 'Set for Britain' supports and promotes young scientists researchers as they represent the future.

Bicentenary celebrations: High tea back as a lifestyle

The British high tea which is now a trendy affair in most leading hotels across the world, was launched at the Mount Lavinia Hotel last Monday as part of the hotel's bicentenary celebrations. The afternoon tea served on the 'picturesque terrace', according to a spokes person of the Hotel, "is an experience by itself and a perfect prelude to a relaxed evening".

The high tea will be on everyday of the week, with the best of Sri Lankan tea served accompanied by a sumptuous selection of freshly cut cheese, asparagus and cucumber sandwiches, afternoon pastries and fruit cakes all served on tiered salvers.

Not to be left out will be the traditional scones with home made jam and Devonshire cream, delicacies from the British legacy. Director Kitchens of the Mount Lavinia group Ralf Vogt and the Food and Beverage Manager Gladstone Mathiasz have gone all out to make this daily high tea at the Hotel a fashionable experience.

Not to be missed out with the High tea is the trendy fashion show held practically every day at the Terrace.

M.P