Venerable Galboda Gnanissara Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, has been the guiding light that has exemplified the actual teachings of Buddhism of equality and compassion. Through strength and perseverance, the Venerable Thero has made a difference in the lives of many, regardless of
religion, race, or creed.

Foster and Partners has won the international competition to design a new center for Hangzhou, the capital of China’s Zhejiang province.

According to history, the Sumerians were the first to use the calendar in Mesopotamia. In the Sri Lankan calendar, Western style, Buddhist tradition, and astrological perspectives are considered. It depicts special Buddhist and other important religious details.

Stages eight, nine, and ten immerse hikers in unique landscapes and history, from the bustling town of Norwood through the tranquil Bogawantalawa Valley, remote Dayagama, to the challenging ascent toward Horton Plains.

The Wassana season also known as the Rain Retreat has a historical origin dating back about six centuries in India.

Saskia Fernando Gallery presents ‘Elsewhere’ an exhibition by artist Sandatharaka Abeysinghe.

Working closely with the Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC), Foster + Partners has developed a vision masterplan for Gaafaru, an inhabited island of Kaafu Atoll.

From October to March, Arugambay transforms into a tranquil retreat, offering rich cultural experiences, extraordinary wildlife encounters, and serene natural beauty that go far beyond the surf.

On an Esala Poya Day, 500 women, led by Queen Maha Prajapathi Gothami visited the lord Buddha and requested to be ordained as Bhikkunis.

A Jerome de Silva production is always a most awaited event in Sri Lanka’s annual theater calendar.

Stages six and seven are trails through the rails, a grand view of the country’s railways that began serving the tea industry.

Ven Galboda Gnanissara was the face of the Gangaramaya Temple. The temple and the chief priest were inseparable for a long time; their identities were fused. The Temple was a staid-built environment that sheltered a man full of life.

Celebrating sixty years of Barefoot, its directors, and designers are taking Barbara Sansoni’s legacy forward with an exhibition titled ‘house’ which runs till September 29, 2024.

The only way to achieve purification of the mind, overcome sorrow and lamentation, find relief from pain and grief, and attain self understanding is through ‘Satipatthana’ also known as the ‘Four Foundations of Mindfulnesss.’

Pekoe Trail Stages 3, 4, and 5: Advancing into stages three, four and five is a hike into more adventures.

The Chamber Music Society of Colombo Presents a Magical Evening with Pianist Sujeeva Hapugalle.

Stages Theatre Group, one of the leading contemporary theatre companies in the country, brings back to the stage one of its most acclaimed productions – a tour-de-force of 70 years of post-colonial Sri Lankan history, truncated into one and a half hours.

Held in the historic city of Kandy, this spectacular event is one of the oldest and most vibrant religious celebrations in Asia, attracting visitors from around the globe. The anticipation of seeing the parade of colorful elephants and traditional Sri Lankan dancers had me eagerly awaiting the first night of the festival.

These days, writer Dilshi Thathsarani is celebrating. Her foray into movie script writing has paid off. Visal Adare, a beautiful movie about love and friendship, was Dilshi’s maiden stint as a scriptwriter. What makes the film special is its stupendous success at the box office. 

Epic Black, presented by Naomi Rajaratnam and her dance production house,WithMyFeet,willsetthestagealight as dancers weave beautiful movements
with their hands and feet, unfurling an evening of energy and expression.

Various brain exercises and training methods have emerged to enhance brain function, commonly called ‘rewiring the brain’ or ‘neuroplasticity’.
Chandraguptha Thenuwara’s annual memorial exhibition ‘Meta-Real’, running from July, offers a thought-provoking reflection on the nation’s socio-political landscape since the 1980s.

Le Lily Wellness Solutions uses one of the most ancient forms of healing to help people revive, restore, and discover themselves. They are committed to providing an authentic wellness experience through massage therapy in a crowded landscape of spurious treatments.

Stand at the edge of a cliff along the Pekoe Trail and be mesmerized by the boundless beauty of the island’s tea country. The faraway mist-streamed mountains gaze languidly, a reverie to an energetic hike along the Pekoe Trail that starts from Hantana, a winding journey through nature, communities, and livelihoods.

The Santani Foundation is delighted to announce the Samūla Festival 2024, a grand celebration of Sri Lankan dance, drumming, and craftsmanship scheduled to take place from August 2nd to 4th in the picturesque city of Kandy.

Ceylon Cinnamon has a commanding presence in the world because it stands alone as its only kind, dominating the food universe in the home and in the hands of Michelin-starred chefs.

Dharshan Munidasa’s restaurant, Nihonbashi, embarks on an exciting journey to the Colombo Port City after a successful three-decade stint on the island. This move marks the beginning of an incredible adventure in an iconic location set for takeoff!

The rising of the Esala moon marks the beginning of a timeless tradition that dates back to the era before the Lord Buddha.

Hashan Cooray’s fifth art exhibition at the Saskia Fernando Gallery.

The popular musical masterpiece ‘Rag–The Musical’ by Jehan Aloysius is coming back to the Lionel Wendt Theater.

Discover an incredible range of surf breaks suitable for all levels, including Main Point, Baby Point, Elephant Rock, Peanut Farm, Whisky Point, Pottuvil Point, Crocodile Rock, and Lighthouse Surf Point.



The Pekoe Trail is Sri Lanka’s breathtaking journey through a rich ecosystem of many temperatures through the central highlands, leading to an unimaginable journey of exhilaration.

On the auspicious day of Poson Poya, we commemorate the arrival of the Arahant Mahinda Thero in Sri Lanka, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the nation’s people.

Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first kingdom – and the greatest of all. It held sway for over one thousand four hundred years as a Buddhist bastion, strengthening its growth, supremacy, and influence over the island.

Vesak is a significant and revered occasion celebrated by Buddhists worldwide. It commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing away of Lord Buddha.

The spectacular Alpine train route between Munich and Venice is a sumptuous feast for the eyes of any North American tourist to Europe.

If Vesak is a festival of lights, a celebration of the liberation from worldly bonds, then one of the most ostentatious salutations of that transition is the giving of alms.

The Osuu chair is Foster + Partners Industrial Design’s seventh collaborative project with the German manufacturer Walter Knoll.

Nelun Harasgama titled her latest exhibition of paintings at the Barefoot Gallery ‘is waiting for part of the journey?’, a theoretical question like her conjectures on canvas, leaving interpretational liberty to the viewer, to be viewed as joy or sadness, oscillating between nothing important to crippling anguish.

Walukaramaya may not be the most ostentatious Buddhist temple in Colombo. Still, as one of the oldest in the capital, its historic role in a burgeoning colonial setting and the vicissitudes of Sri Lanka’s sociopolitical landscape remains a constant.

The April New Year season is a widely celebrated occasion in Sri Lanka.

Anna Laudel Düsseldorf showcases the masterful works of renowned artist Ruth Biller.

The exhibition titled Pottu: A Journey of Constriction to Liberation by Milani Lawrence.

The human brain is a remarkable device that stores memories.

The Dinemore Lounge and Café is a testament to the art of design and functionality, an aesthetic that fuses warmth with luxury and elegance.

The SLT-MOBITEL 2024 calendar showcasing the ‘Mangrove Ecosystems in Sri Lanka’ succinctly conveys why they matter to us.

Sensei Fahim Mohamed Becomes First Sri Lankan to Receive Fourth Dan Black Belt in Kudo Daido Juku.

Tony Greenhand’s joints are almost too good to smoke.

KALA ̄ is creating a coalition of ideas and imaginations spanning two centuries and generations, creating one of the most diverse art exhibitions and platforms for conversations in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankans gather together each year to commemorate the independence gained from the British Empire and the right to self-rule.

Most of the problems in the world may be a lack of following relevant discipline rules and mindfulness.

Tharanga Herath holds his solo Wildlife and Nature exhibition at Lionel Wendt Art Center.

The popularity of streaming platforms and the rise of binge-watching over the past few years have created a new travel trend: set-jetting.

Ravana Pool Club, Ella Sri Lanka, was recognized at the eighth Annual World Luxury Awards 2023. In a triumphant display of global excellence, Ravana Pool Club, affiliated with the world-renowned 98 Acres Resort & Spa, clinched three awards, solidifying its status as a beacon of unparalleled guest experience and excellence in the hospitality industry.

Wellness Heaven has asked 1,376 hotel managers which items are most commonly stolen.

The Colombo Museum is a pivotal resting place for Sri Lanka’s history, a meticulous presentation of objects that showcase  lifestyles and worldviews, religion, power, politics, creativity, and innovation.

The Lord Buddha first visited Sri Lanka nine months after he attained Buddhahood, or nine months after his Enlightenment.

Ajita Kadirgamar writes a book titled, ‘The First 20 Years – How Rupavahini’s Founding Generation Shaped Television in
Sri Lanka’.



Paradise Road The Gallery Café completes 25 years this month (November 2023). It’s a celebration of a consistent journey of taste, a
culture, of bringing people together, creating moments and occasions with its food and location, a place that reshaped the food landscape of Colombo.

Ena de Silva was the artist extraordinaire who revolutionized the design palate of batiks and embroideries for good. Some of her designs and projects are displayed as “Imagining New Natures: Collaborations with Ena” at the Barefoot Loft Gallery.


Written by Richard Simon, Thomia tells the interwoven histories of modern Sri Lanka and Saint Thomas’s College, Mount Lavinia, a British era private school established in 1851.

The Wassana Ceremony marks the end of the Wassana season, which concludes with the Vap Full Moon Poya. From Vap Poya Day to Ill Full Moon Poya Day would be the Cheewara or robe offering month.

From celebrity faces to abstracts, the dazzling and quirky pop art world, imagined by American artist Giovanni Sticco, comes to life at the Lionel Wendt on November 15 and 16, 2023 under “Life’s a Trip”.

The six yards of cloth define Chandramani Thenuwara’s dedication to changing Sri Lanka’s handloom textile industry. Her secret to success is dedication and perseverance,
honouring every opportunity by putting her heart, mind, and soul into growing through them, finding purpose, and giving it her best shot.

For man, the mind is the cause of bondage, and the mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause  of bondage and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of freedom.

One Nanjing Road is Foster + Partner’s first project in Qingdao, a major seaport and financial centre in the eastern Shangdon Province of China.

War has not been strange to this world since the beginning of human history, from ancient times up to now.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the first president of Sri Lanka to visit Arugambay. The President emphasized the need to develop Arugambay and the potential of the Eastern Province’s tourism industry.

Anna Laudel Bodrum continues its diverse exhibition program during the summer with KarmaComa, a captivating group exhibition curated by Ayça Okay. It offers an engaging exploration of Turkish television’s melodramatic world.

The Gallery Studio of artist Nisansala Karunaratne Rajapaksa is dedicated as a gallery for a cause. It is the ideal urban hideaway for conversations on art, painting, or to show one’s work.


The Mer.chant Hotel in Galle Fort is a labor of love culminating in preserving history and celebrating a new beginning.

Yoga is a famous word among people’s daily activities worldwide. It is some
kind of exercise or meditation.

“Where do I Belong”, created by Nisansala Karunaratne Rajapaksa, will be displayed at the Casa Serena Art Gallery.

Royston Ellis, the internationally known novelist and travel writer who lived in Sri Lanka, pioneered England’s Beat music scene, a fusion of poetry recited to rock and roll music.

Rain is not a strange thing to human life. As our earth exists, so does the rain.

Thabendran Krishnapriya’s ‘Fragmented’ collection will be on display at the Barefoot Gallery till July 23, 2023.

Dinesh Weerakkody presented the book “Ranil Wickremesinghe – A Political Biography” to the President.

Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando visited Arugambay.

Daniele Sigalot creates mosaics, digital displays, drawings, and paintings, primarily unconventional in bringing forth a project’s theme.

Shari Jayawardhana will hold an exhibition in collaboration with 20 child artists with special needs.

Foster + Partners collaborated with Amelia Peng, an MA Textiles student at the Royal College of Art, and musicians and composers from the Royal College of Music to create an installation for the London Design Biennale.



The arrival of Arahat Mahinda marked the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of a nation of people, which we observe on Poson Poya Day.

At St Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade hearts unite in obeisance to a 12th century saint who has looked down for two centuries on people who seek relief at his feet.

Mahen Chanmugam celebrates Ganesha by exploring his own spiritual ideas through the deity.

Oscar-winning Indian documentary the Elephant Whisperers is a beautiful story woven around a woman and a man and an orphaned baby elephant.

Vesak Poya Day falls in May every year, as well as Labour Day. Both these days are celebrated to express the freedom obtained.

It’s the 25th anniversary year of the Business Today Awards. The Business Today TOP 40 companies were recognized for their resilience through challenging times to record growth and contribute to the country’s exchequer. The Awards Ceremony was held at the Presidential Secretariat. President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Chief Guest. The Award Ceremony brought together politicians, distinguished dignitaries, and business corporates.

“Delightful Colours” was a teacher-student collaborative exhibition of paintings in rich, evocative colors.

Apple BKC, Apple’s first flagship store in India, is now open.

The New Year celebrations falls in April every year. The New Year celebration depends on the sun’s movement according to the lunar calendar. It also signifies the reaping of the First Harvest in the year.

Sanjaya Gunarathna, a talented contemporary artist, conducted his debut solo art exhibition. The exhibition aimed to bring awareness to the need to protect the environment.

Gunadasa Liyanage was a journalist who developed a distinct identity for the Sinhala language in journalism. He was a man of his time.

The five-star boutique hotel Inkaterra La Casona in Peru has received one of the most prestigious awards for luxury hotels around the world: The Editor’s Choice Award from Hideaway Report in the remarkable returns category.
   

Known for being Africa’s biggest contemporary art fair, the tenth edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair focused on the notion of time, which highlighted its journey over the last decade.

Discipline and the five precepts are beneficial not only to a person’s self-development but also to the whole of society.

The new building – the first educational project by the practice in India – results from close collaboration between Foster + Partners and the University Chancellor, Dr. Vijay Patil.

Through rain and sunshine, the cobblers of Kandy have stitched their way into the denizens’ lives, helping them slip their shoes back on their feet.

The Colombo Cultural Show is a magnificent pronouncement of Sri Lanka’s readiness to welcome visitors to whom the island has myriad surprises waiting to be explored
and discovered.

Writing is a central part of human activities today. The article runs through the origins and importance of writing.

Carnival Magic, the world’s first Thai Carnival theme park, is set to become Phuket’s newest landmark. The 6.6-billion- baht venue aims to serve as a tourist magnet that can help revitalize the island’s tourism market.

The best thing about the Kandy Central Market is that it’s a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

The release of the much anticipated Ponniyin Selvan 1 has fascinated the South Indian psyche into exploring the Chola world. Its success at the box office has turned the spotlight on the individuals who spun their magic to make a period drama a monumental success.

As it turns 40 years in 2023, Mlesna has explored the uncharted and managed to stand out. Mlesna teas, crafted by its founder Anselm Perera, are products of the heart.

Rumination and emotional processing focus on the emotional surrounding of something or rethinking something.

A special screening of Hollywood's latest release, Avatar-The Way of Water, took place at KCC Multiplex parallel to its global release.

Bearing the administrative responsibilities of running a temple from a young age, Podi Hamuduruwo devoted his life to uplifting the nation. Podi Hamuduruwo epitomizes the teachings of the Buddha. His life is one dedicated to the betterment of others, where the country always comes first.

Gone are the days when the colors of dusk muted the sounds of Kandy and lulled it to silence. The Kandy City Center (KCC) is the colossus that has awakened the inner child in everyone to be completely lost in its universe with friends and family. It’s the place to muse and meander. To wander carefree. At KCC, everyone enjoys an activity they wouldn’t normally do.

It is necessary to have a good night’s sleep every day for a successful life.

Jaffna is a world of its own. A kaleidoscope of history, language, and religion intertwined with an industrious ethic that sets apart this northern jaunt. Among its unique inventions, the Jaffna Nelli Crush, made from the Indian Gooseberry, is a testament to a beginning and a story that didn’t let a wild fruit go to waste.

Vacations on islands - from Tenerife to Juist to the Maldives. The mind immediately conjures images of white sandy beaches, palm trees swaying in the wind, and a turquoise sea.

Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar’s piety, energy, vision, and clear thinking have led to the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple’s accelerated evolution from a structural and functional perspective.

50 Hudson Yards, a 78-story building by Foster + Partners, has officially opened in New York.

The Eastern lifestyle shows the way to social well-being.

Artist Nisansala Karunaratne Rajapaksa’s penchant for playing with colors and mixing the aesthetics of different art forms explores the sumptuous landscape of man, woman, and nature with mastery and completeness.

The Ves Mangalya for women is the Paimpath Mangalya. This ritual graduation ceremony for women is a gift from the teacher to a pupil who has reached a point of maturity in mastering the Ves dance.

Art of Living can be defined as a classical notion in philosophy that refers to a kind of self-direction with a view to the good life.

Foster + Partners’ design concept of the golden bowl-shaped Lusail Stadium hosted the Lusail
Super Cup Final, a precursor to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Most Sri Lankans gulp down a morning mug of Kenda, a veritable magic potion that gives the drinker energy to face the day.

Women’s freedom in society includes the right to live free from violence and discrimination, be given equal rights, the freedom to express their voice, be equally educated, and enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

Galle Face Green is one of the most popular, larger open public spaces for families, vendors, teenagers, lovers, kite flyers, merrymakers, and all those who want to indulge in their favorite pastimes next to the sea under the open sky.

When it comes to sustainable food, seasonality, regionality, and reducing animal ingredients are among the important criteria.

Apple Brompton Road, another close collaboration between Apple and Foster + Partners, is now open.

Sight the majestic leopards in the National Parks where they roam freely, rarely afraid.

Mindfulness is the ability to actively focus one’s attention on the present moment, accepting it without any form of judgment.

In most Sri Lankan homes, grams are a popular breakfast. Grams are a healthy option and prepared in various forms, and enjoyed any time of the day, whether from the roadside kiosks or at home.

Summer is the time when even cycling skeptics get their bikes out of the basement and dust off the cobwebs.

Dharshan Munidasa and his team from the Ministry of Crab returned to Singapore for a four-night pop up.



Vas, or the rain retreat, begins on Esala Poya. It is observed with much dedication and spiritual involvement.

According to the Buddhist calendar, Esala is the eighth month that recalls several significant religious and historic events etched in Buddhism. Kandy Esala Perahera and Kataragama Esala Perahera is a celebration of the island’s heritage and traditions.

With Swisstainable, the Swiss tourism industry is bringing into focus what it has been silently practicing promoting for many years: sustainable, mindful and conscious travel.

Harris Wijesinghe is one of the most admired, respected, and loved bridal dressers today. The launch of ‘Harris’ Harris Wijesinghe Divi Siritha is a celebration of the renowned bridal dresser’s career and lifestyle.

On Poson Full Moon Poya Day, large crowds of devotees pay homage to the sacred site of Mihintale, which signifies the arrival of Buddhism in the island.

Poson Poya is the day of establishing the Buddha sanaya in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a paradise for tropical fruits, and with the beginning of seasonal fruits, the aroma pervades the air. Local fruit stalls and roadside fruit vendors are loaded with a lavish spread of these fruits. Stop by and pick your favorite!

Sustainable cuisine is the strongest foundation for healthy, creative, and high- quality top-class gastronomy. This article presents an insight into the kitchens of more Green Pearls partners.

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The very first publication of BT Options, Explore Sri Lanka that began in 1987, celebrates 35 years of offering readers articles on travel destinations, off-the-beaten-track, retreats and getaways, serendipitous discoveries, cultural events, personalities and lifestyle, accompanied by captivating photography. The magazine caters to a broad readership including resident expatriates, local residents and Sri Lankan missions overseas. Distributed through a large subscriber base, the magazine is available at the Bandaranaike International Airport, hotels and resorts island-wide, onboard the national airline and lifestyle stores

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Explore Sri Lanka - December 2023

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