Balloth Ekka Be at Lionel Wendt

A scene from the play

Ravindra Ariyarathne's Balloth Ekka Be will be staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on September 23 at 3.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The cast includes Wijaya Nandasiri, Kumara Thirimadura, Roshan Pilapitiya, Gihan Fernando and Anusha Dissanayaka. The music is composed by Shantha Peiris.

Aadaraneeya Sanvadayak

Sunil Chandrasiri's Aadaraneeya Sanvadayak will be staged at the Namel Malani Punchi Theatre, Borella on September 22 at 6.45 p.m.

Aadaraneeya Sanvadayak is the Sinhala production of Pedro and the Captain by playwright Mario Benedetti.

The cast includes Janaka Kumbukage, Saranga Disasekera and Anuruddha Gambiraachchi. Aadaraneeya Sanvadayak is produced by Gamini Perera.

Raaz 3

Raaz 3, the Bollywood horror film directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt is now screened at the Liberty Cinema in Kollupitiya. The film is a sequel to Raaz - The Mystery Continues (2009), which itself was a sequel to Raaz (2002), and features Emraan Hashmi reprising his role from the second film, and with a new addition to the cast, Esha Gupta.

Bipasha Basu, who was a part of the first film of the Raaz series, has made a comeback to the series after opting out of the second film. Jacqueline Fernandez makes a special appearance in the film.

A scene from the play

Nari Bena and Jasaya saha Lenchina at Lionel Wendt

Dayananda Gunawardena's Nari Bena and Jasaya saha Lenchina will be staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on September 22 at 3.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cast includes Bandula Wijeweera, Rodney Warnakula, Sarath Kulanga, Tharanda Kumara, Rathnasheela Perera, Sunil Thilakarathne, Nilmini Kottegoda and Indika Jayasinghe. Pubudu Walpita has directed the music.

A scene from the play

Nari Burathi at Battaramulla

Sarath Kothalawala's Nari Burathi will be staged at the Janakala Kendraya, Battaramulla on September 22 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m.

The cast includes Sarath Kothalawala, Kumara Thirimadura, Pubudu Chathuranga, Mihira Sirithilaka, Sarath Chandrasiri, Hemantha Iriyagama, Chinthaka Peiris, Janaka Ranasinghe and Wajira Kodithuwakku. Music composition and stage management are by Wimalajith Dombagahawatte. Costume designing is done by Pushpa Samanthi Kothalawala and make-up is by Janaka Ranasinghe.

Braving the Unknown Summit launched

On September 9 there was a gathering of people from all walks of life, Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, university professors, doctors, lawyers, artists and social workers at the auditorium of the National Museum to witness the launch of the book, Braving the Unknown Summit the Autobiography of Ven. Bhikkhuni Dr. Kolonnawe Kusuma.

The distinguished audience was welcomed by Ven. Kusuma, who said that it was such a great pleasure to see all the people who mattered most to her in her life of 83 years, people who had touched her life in a myriad of ways and helped her through all the ups and downs of daily living. She said that her autobiography, while recording all the important events of her life, was also written as a big vote of thanks to all her family, friends, colleagues and helpers.

Ven. Aturaliye Rathana Thera gave an inspiring speech, in which he talked of the life of Bhikkhuni Kusuma and said how he and his pupil Bhikkhus considered her as their own mother because her kindness and generosity spread to all who came into contact with her. He also referred to the many highbrow and intellectual discussions that they had about core teachings of the Buddha, where knowledge on Buddha Dhamma is shared and enhanced.

The keynote Address by Dr. Vivimarie Van der Poorten was very well received by the audience. Some even shed a few tears of emotion when she spoke of certain incidents in Bhikkhuni Kusuma's life, outlined in the publication. Her speech was a nice balance of fact and analysis which was much appreciated by the listeners.

Raja Kuruppu made the Vote of Thanks in his usual fluent style and drew a few smiles from everyone. It was an occasion of both tears and laughter and everyone was much stimulated and happy at the end of the session.