Author: Esteem Magazine

From Disability to Victory: Asoka Abeysekera’s Story

Asoka with His New Cochlear Implant

 

Many a time have we heard about men and women who have been struck down in life with disabilities but have turned those very shortcomings around to reach great heights in life. Asoka Abeysekera is one such extraordinary individual.

Asoka was born on the 1st of March 1960 to a family who was already undergoing much difficulty. His parents both had their own disabilities in hearing and speech when they discovered that little Asoka also could not hear. At the age of 2 when he was taken to several doctors, they only confirmed the worst, that 80% of the nerves in his ears were not functioning thereby causing his loss of hearing.

Despite this setback Asoka’s parents enrolled him in St.John’s College, Nugegoda where he received a regular education like all other children. Determined to succeed in life, Asoka studied hard and performed exceptionally well in his Ordinary Level taking subjects such as Sinhala, Buddhism, History, Sinhala Literature, Geography, Business Studies and English. His exceptional results opened up an opportunity to continue his A/L’s at Ananda Shaasthraalaya in Kotte. Not limiting his achievements to academics only, Asoka was also a gifted debator and sportsman with interests in carom and body-building.

“I never wanted to be treated differently so I got involved in everything that my friends were doing. Whenever there were events in school, I was involved and I made sure I didn’t let my disability affect me”, he reminisces.

It was on his way home from school one day that Asoka happened to pass the original Wickramarachchi Opticians showroom in Delkanda and noticed an advert for hearing aids. Although Asoka and his family had been advised by their doctors to get hearing aids, at that time the devices were scarce and had to be brought down from abroad. The advertisement gave Asoka a new hope and his parents were able to purchase a hearing aid which enabled Asoka to now march towards his goals better equipped.

Asoka with His Wife

 

Determined to continue his education, Asoka went on to follow a degree at the Colombo University and follow it up with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from the Open University. After completing his education he applied for his first job at Uniwalkers in 1987 for a salary of 600 rupees. During this time he was also a part of the YMCA Nugegoda where he continued his sporting career. In 1985 he became the Carom Champion and was later placed 3rd in a Body Building Championship as well.

His next posting was at the Youth Ministry under Lalith Weeratunge when he realized his desire to impart knowledge to the next generation. After applying for a teaching post, Asoka was sent to Padaviya in Anuradhapura to teach Social Studies to Grade 10 students in 1988. Despite his personal challenges, Asoka became a role model to his students there especially when he started to use his free time to teach hearing-impaired children and teenagers in the area. In 1993 he returned to Colombo to teach at the Janajaya Vidyalaya in Moratuwa and later returned to his alma mater St. John’s College.

During a teaching career of 30 years Asoka has continued to campaign for the rights of the hearing-impaired. He also taught at the Ratmalana School for the Deaf and was the Secretary of the Sri Lanka National Organization of the Deaf and the Treasurer of the Central Federation of the Deaf. He was also instrumental in the publishing of the “Sign Language” guide book in Sinhala and the commencement of Sign Language interpretation on national television, a service he provided for 2 decades.

For his significant achievements Asoka was also awarded with a scholarship to Japan from JICA and also attended the ESCAP sessions in New Delhi, India. He was also involved in the launching of a Sign Language Dictionary and the commencement of a sign language course conducted by the National Youth Council.

“I am forever grateful to that simple advert I saw at Wickramarachchi Opticians so many years ago and to Mr.Mihira Wickramarachchi and his team who have changed my life since then and supported me every step of the way. I was able to enhance my hearing aid over the years and then also get a Cochlear Implant later on. Despite progress being slow to uplift the lives of the hearing-impaired community in Sri Lanka, companies such as these give all of us opportunities to lead a normal life”, Asoka added.

Speaking on the outstanding achievements of Asoka Abeysekera, Mihira Wickramarachchi notes, “Teachers have been taught and are able to teach songs and national anthems with sign languages, but I wanted to prove to the world that a hearing impaired person such as Asoka is also an interpreter and world renowned for his achievements. I want more people like him to be able to get better jobs and live positive lives. Sadly, some with hearing impairments still live in ignorance. Hearing impairment is not an issue to be ashamed of anymore. This is why we want more and more people like Asoka to live life to the fullest through the products and services that we offer.”

For more information on the extensive range of hearing, speech and sight related services offered by the J M Wickramarachchi Group, please visit their website www.hearingsrilanka.com

The Eye of the Beholder

Dylan Seedin is no stranger to Colombo. His photography first started gracing our Facebook walls way back in 2011. At first it was spectacular albums of birthday parties and events and everyone was curious as to who the man behind the brilliant pictures was. Seven years later, he is one of the best in the field, with many testimonials of praise and international acclamations under his name.

As a young boy studying at St. Josephs College, photography was not something he saw himself involved with in his future. Even though he had an eye for photography and a liking towards having a good camera, marketing, management, production and basically, something in the field of business, he thought, would be more of his thing. Because of this, he went on to study for a degree in Business Administration.

“My father passed away when I was very young and my mother started working. This gave me a strong desire to become independent as soon as I could.” When his oldest brother, a software engineer, first bought a camera to get into photography as an additional income, young Dylan began experimenting with it and that was his first stepping stone towards the industry. While at university, he was taught a few photography basics by his brother and taught himself more with the use of YouTube, in order to improve. Slowly what became a passion, started to evolve into a career with his first official event for which he was paid for – a friend’s birthday party – as people started recognising his skill.

Today, Dylan Seedin is popularly known for being a wedding photographer. Capturing moments that would be reminisced for a life time is not an easy task and requires a lot of guarantee and trust from the side of the client. After few weddings of Sri Lankan clients, came the first destination wedding in Sri Lanka, Dylan’s first exposure into an international wedding. “Foreign weddings are very different from Sri Lankan weddings. It’s more of a relaxed and intimate affair.” Soon he found himself flying to Italy, Hawaii, Bali and many places across the world, adapting to the different circumstances, sometimes by himself, shooting weddings of different international clients. “The best part about destination weddings is the location. The architecture, texture and layout of the locations is mesmerising and allows for more flexibility to be more creative. The mindset of the couples is also very different. In Sri Lanka, more often, the couples are very stressed out even on the day of the wedding. This hinders the authenticity of the wedding. At weddings abroad, everybody is a part of the ceremony and this gives more content to capture.”

Looking at his vast portfolio of photographs captured, Dylan Seedin was featured on the Top 150 International Wedding Photographers list for 2016 by SLR Lounge. This list is an official list where the panel of selectors have done their own research and looked into the uniqueness, creativity, consistency and artistry of different photographers around the world. It is the first time that a Sri Lankan photographer has ever been featured on an official list as such.  “This was one truly memorable moment in my life. Being an international wedding photographer is very different from being a Sri Lankan photographer. There were no submissions or such involved. For the selectors to go through my portfolio and find me – it was a big thing for me and a big thing for Sri Lanka.” Additionally, one of Dylan’s ‘rain shot’ wedding photos was featured in the Wed Awards – 7th Collection.

What differentiates Dylan Seedin from other photographers? “Most of what I’ve learnt is self-taught. Theory is important, but if you stick to theory you can’t get anything ultra-artistic. You have to break the rules. Getting an epic picture requires a lot of knowledge and a willingness to take risks. You need to really know what you’re doing and get down to business,” Dylan said as he showed us a brilliant photograph taken with a breathtaking background of light, which he said, he had gone to the extent to create by even burning himself in the process. “Light is very important and if there’s one key feature of my photography, it’s that I use a lot of light.”

Apart from being a wedding photographer, Dylan is a photographer of all things people and places and even photographed the Miss France pre pageant tour. What makes his photography truly stand out is the creativity involved and the flexibility offered to clients. “Especially if it’s a wedding, we ensure that we connect with the clients well so that at the day of the event, it’s your friend photographing you.”

The vision that he has as a photographer, has made him very popular in a short period of 7 years. “If you keep innovating, you can do a good job.” He works by the motto, inspired by Robin Sharma, who said ‘If you’re a street sweeper, sweep like Michael Angelo does his paintings.” In this industry, everybody is a competitor. “You need to come up with your own style and let your personality play a role. Clients like the fact that I’m very energetic on the job. If I’m not energetic and having fun, how can I expect them to do that? My aim is to get the next award winning picture and this could be at any given moment.”

Using the experience gathered from his university degree, Dylan has his group of carefully selected photographers working under his tutelage. “My team has to be genuine and in the industry for the passion that they have and not easy money.” With his team and the use of the most modern technology, Dylan just keeps reaching greater and greater heights in his field every day. “I’m grateful to my family for supporting me in any decision that I took and always encouraging me to do better and better – to aspire to be someone people can look up to. Knowing people around me are doing well because of me, this brings me the greatest joy.”

To all young photographers aspiring to pursue their careers in the field of photography – this is what he has to say, “Work on your own style. Bring up innovative ideas and don’t be afraid to take risks. Demand for fair pay for the work that you do and don’t undercut anybody, let the clients decide what works for them.”

 

Box Information

Full Name: Maas Dylan Seedin

DOB: 20th March 1990

Family: Mother, 2 older brothers (also into photography) – Reza and Jehan

Role-Model: Robin Sharma

Life Goals: Live happily, do my job well, travel the world…

 

Written by Tabitha Abraham

In the Midst of History and Nature

In the Badulla district of the Uva Province of Sri Lanka lies an ancient town named Mahiyangana. A Pali word loosely translated as “flat land”, this town is a sacred place for the Buddhists of our nation. It is also world-renowned for being one of the few places where Sri Lanka’s original inhabitants “the veddahs” have made their home in a place called Dabana.

Shied away from the more commercialized tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, Mahiyangana has for many years been a stopover on journeys to other parts of the country. However, with agri-tourism and eco-tourism growing in popularity and more travellers wanting to experience all that our little island nation has to offer, this town too has grown to become a significant part of tour itineraries.

In researching accommodation options in close proximity to the Dabana indigenous village, the famed Sorabora Wewa and the Mahiyangana Temple, we came across a brand-new city hotel located in the heart of the town. Seeing that it was a comfortable and affordable location, we decided to give it a try. Little did we know that we had made quite a discovery.

Kevan’s Casa is approximately 195km from Colombo and it takes about 5 ½ hours travelling by car to get there. Once you have braved the 18 hair-pin bends and get to the town it is quite easy to find with the signage along the way.

Much has been said about inherent Sri Lankan hospitality and the tourism industry prides itself on the welcoming nature of our people. At Kevan’s Casa they take it to another level. Two white marble lions and literally the entire staff was on hand to welcome us as we disembarked from a long journey armed with wet towels and a much-needed welcome drink. In keeping with our traditions the welcome drink is brewed using traditional and seasonal herbs and is served in a coconut shell accompanied with generous pieces of home-made juggery.

Once you are refreshed from the ride, a willing bellboy will accompany you to your room which is situated either on the bottom or 1st floor of the hotel. The hotel has two accommodation options to choose from, namely standard and deluxe. We were pleasantly surprised that the deluxe room we picked was spacious, modern and decorated in earthy tones with a touch of yellow to keep with the hotel’s brand image of a lion. Cable TV, Wi-Fi facilities, hot and cold water, air-conditioning and in-room tea and coffee-making amenities are available in all rooms. The only downside for us with the rooms was that the cable TV volume is centrally controlled, and we feel guests would prefer to be able to control it to their liking.

Since the hotel does not offer room service, all meals are served à la carte at an open restaurant downstairs. Since the weather is more of the arid nature at this time of year, a dip in the pool is highly recommended before tucking in to some of the delicious wares prepared by the local chefs. Trained in both local and international cuisine the executive chef and his team, prepare inter-continental dishes from around the world. But here’s a word from the wise. The owner Nisansala De Silva and his staff have all been brought up in the ways of old Sri Lanka, and make it their duty to feed guests to their fill. Each portion of food you order is generally sufficient for two adults unless you are a heavy eater or have been out the entire day exploring the countryside. During our stay we made it a point to try as many of the dishes as possible including the traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry, Chinese, Italian and a good English breakfast. Overall the food is well-prepared, localized to suit our taste buds and served with a lot of affection by the stewards who are ever-willing to please guests. Also expect a visit to your table from the chatty hotel manager Lal who loves to tell you stories.

During your stay a visit to the indigenous village is a must. Approximately 18km from the hotel, Dabana has its own informative museum and many local and international tourists come to visit the great leader “Uru Valiga Vanilla Aththo” who is said to have years of passed-on knowledge on Ayurveda medicine. The village also has a little marketplace selling souvenirs and handicrafts made by the indigenous people. For the adventurous, the 10th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka “Rathana Ella” is also about a half an hour drive away. The climb to the top however takes another two hours or so through precarious winding forest trails. The view from the top though is worth the trek. Those who love their history will also find a fascinating story in how the Sorabora Wewa came to be. It is said that a “giant” named “Bulatha” who worked for King Dutugemunu struck the rock with his mammoty to create the embankment.

Amidst all this history and natural beauty lies this hotel which is actually named after the owner’s young son Kevan. We are told that reservations need to be made well in advance since despite being open for less than 6 months the hotel has constant tour groups from around the world, and many return visitors from among the locals. Affordable pricing, comfort, luxury and a true spirit of Sri Lanka is our guess for why people seem to fall in love with this little gem of a place.

By Nishu Hassim

Photo Credit: Sanura Gunawardana

 

Information

Kevan’s Casa City Hotel, No. 23, Middle Class House, Mahiyanganaya.

Tel : +94 777 935 985

E-mail : reservation@kevanscasa.com

Website: www.kevanscasa.com

The Magic of Dimuthu Sahabandu

 

Dimuthu Sahabandu’s haute couture story happened rather by accident. In an interesting and humorous interview with us, he relates how his parents and art teacher kindled his creativity and encouraged him to draw before he could barely speak; the rise of his sought-after label in fashion circles today, and he also provides useful gems of advice on how to market clothing brands.

EM: How did Dimuthu Sahabandu Collections manifest?

DS: Growing up, I was not aware that Fashion Designing was something that you could make a career out of. Back in the 90s’, we had a few loopholes in our education system where you had to study science, mathematics, engineering or something similar and a hankering for any artistic career was a big No. God forbid if you dared show any passion for a profession that wasn’t going to bring in a ‘decent income’.

EM: Have you always been passionate about art?

DS: I was always very interested in art, but pursuing any artistic career was not really encouraged. However I was lucky enough to meet the correct people who encouraged my studies in Fashion Design. This was boho to my chic and I took it on! The day after I finished my Higher National Diploma in Fashion Design, to my surprise and delight, I got selected to go to LaSalle for my BA Hons in Fashion Design and that too for the final year, which is very rare and I was thrilled to bits at this achievement.

EM: When did things really take off?

DS: In 2011 when I scored the first goal in the field. That was the GenNext Award at Colombo Fashion Week which is today’s BrightSparks. I was lucky to win that award and also got the added opportunity of showcasing my collection at the IPL Fashion Show in India both in 2011 and 2012. I’ve been retailing at Melache since 2010 and moved into bridals a year later. My work was recently showcased at Asian Designer Week.

EM: Most new designers take off with a bang and find it hard to sustain their brand over long periods of time. Why do you think this happens?

DS: It’s very important that individuals know why they are getting into Fashion Design. I have seen so many new designers with a great deal of talent, but most of them see the glamorous aspect, which is showcasing their designs on a ramp. After that, they’re not exactly sure how to handle the business side of it and achieve brand progress, which is probably the most vital aspect. Consistency is something you have to be very serious about; it’s not going to help anyone to be good one year and slack the next; you have to make sure that you’re consistent at any cost. Being able to take constructive criticism is a plus point, because if you’re clever enough to understand what your market requirements are, it will be much easier to make your next move. Another key point to remember is that it’s vital to know what you are going to do with your collection after it comes off-ramp; it’s not about doing amazing sketches, showcasing a fabulous collection and then leaving it on the rack. You need to be able to be moulded and go with the flow in order to be a success. You also have to keep in mind that what you show is sometimes not possible to retail; a piece that looks very artistic on the ramp might not possess wearability in everyday life, so you may have to break it down for your client and keep in mind the affordability and physical features of each client. That does not mean that you have to make your runway shows boring; you just need to strike a healthy balance between ramp and retail. The emerging designers are excellent nowadays; it’s all about educating and perfecting yourself in order to achieve the best results.

EM: Due to the tremendous presence of social media, it’s not possible to be seen in a dress more than twice. Some people mind it, but some don’t. Have designers come up with a solution for this?

DS: Yes there’s a niche like the former, but the majority are of the latter. As we all know, every woman’s nightmare is seeing someone else in the same dress! Including more separates in a collection range plan gives customers more freedom to mix and match and re-wear pieces with a different look. I also do drapes that can be draped differently which gives different looks that can be re-worn

EM: Name some of the people, locally and internationally, who inspire you.

DS: Christian Siriano, the winner of Project Runway 2008. I admire him because he took criticism well, picked up clues from everyone, won and is enormous today in the fashion world. There’s Rami Kashou, also from Project Runway and Mary Katrantzou, a Greek fashion designer. Locally, I admire Upeksha Hager. We started out together and I saw her growth along with mine from year to year. She does her own thing, but she’s consistent and her brand identity can be seen through her work and I’m impressed at how she has evolved.

EM: What inspires your creations?

DS: That’s tricky, because my designs are never inspired by just one thing…it can be different things you see, hear, etc. ,y 2015 collection was inspired by a line from ‘Gone’ by Ionna Gika, ‘what brings us together is what pulls us apart’; my other designs have been inspired by movies, art, it can be anything.

EM: Your thanks go out to…

DS: My parents; my mother is heavily into art and she knew from day one what I wanted to do and during the time I grew up in, not many parents supported their kids through art school. I was fortunate enough to study under Mr Sumana Dissanayake and Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena who encouraged my creativity and imagination. I’m also really grateful to my father as he comes from a business background, and not many dads like that support their kids in an art career, but he had enough faith in me to know that I will make it and today, he’s proud of what I’ve achieved.

Model – Maneesha Perera

Photographer – Anushika Fernando

Hair and makeup – Dil Sapukotanage

Written by Michelle Alles

Style and Sensibility: Mackly Sleepwear introduces first ladies’ sleepwear collection

Premium sleepwear label Mackly will launch its first collection of ladies’ sleepwear together with its latest children’s collection with a runway event at Park Street Mews on 18 June. Mackly’s lineup of models will include young children and women who will walk the runway in 100% cotton pyjamas and nightgowns designed for stylish comfort.

Mackly was launched in 2014 with exclusive focus on children’s sleepwear. The founder and lead designer is Sharmila Srikumar, a young mother on a quest to find the perfect sleepwear for her children. In this case perfection meant comfort, safety, adaptability and cute factor; unable to find sleepwear that met all these requirements in stores, Sharmila set out to design her own and founded Mackly in the process.

Mackly Sleepwear is especially designed for tropical weather with 100% breathable cotton material. Each piece goes through a needle and metal detector for safety, and is phthalate and allergy free. All t-shirts have heat seals in place of labels to avoid discomfort at the back of the neck, and each piece is tested for colour fastness and shrinkage. Mackly Sleepwear for kids cater to three age groups; 2-5 years, 5-8 years and 8-14 years. The label also offers a small range of cotton knitted eye masks for deeper, uninterrupted sleep.

The ladies sleepwear line builds on these features to bring functional style to the table. Sharmila is responding to overwhelming interest from her clients and others who have been pressing her to design a sleepwear line for an older audience. “The extra comfort of our sleepwear and the high standards we maintain when designing and manufacturing Mackly clothing meant that a lot of mums were requesting that we design sleepwear for them too,” she says. “But we’ve also been playing with some ideas for trendy sleepwear for women for a while now and this felt like a very good time to act on it and launch the line.”

Sharmila adds that this new sleepwear range will bring the same comfort and safety standards of the children’s range with an on-trend focus in order to bring the changing contours and styles of fashion seasons to customers. “We spent a lot of time choosing the right style for our ladies sleepwear,” she says. “We want it to be functional and at the same time trendy and fun. I feel that this is what women want now, because not only do you look good when you’re at home, relaxing in the evening, but you’ll also feel amazingly comfortable.”

The ladies range will be available in small, medium and large sizes with larger sizes to be introduced soon.

Coffee in Comfort at Café Mocha

Great coffee, great food, great people and a great ambience – this is the differentiating factor at Café Mocha, Gandhara. Café Mocha takes the typical coffee experience literally to another level by adding more levels of space to give rise to a spacious café served by the nicest people in town. The café takes pride in its great atmosphere, which is like no other. With the addition of two more floors to their former outlet which served a great many guests on the ground floor, Café Mocha has expanded seating to accommodate more guests and groups of all kinds – couples, friends, little family gatherings and even business meetings. The café has even opened its premises for many events such as book launches, photography exhibitions, birthday parties and Open mic nights, establishing itself as a truly versatile location.

Sporting a rustic themed interior with wooden floors and walls adorned with paintings and images of historic greats such as John Lennon and Che Guevara along with cartoon heroes such as Tin Tin, the café takes you back in time, making it the perfect place to unwind and catch up with friends. Bundle up in their comfy sofas with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingering through the air while you indulge from their extensive dine-in menu. Stepping away from the mundane café menu, Café Mocha offers a great deal of great cuisines from around the world.

Despite this chic and upmarket atmosphere, Café Mocha still manages to maintain the casual dining experience as well with a complete food menu. The outlet offers a great deal of different cuisines from around the world. Some of the favourites on the menu include Café Mocha’s take on the classic chicken lasagna and the mouth-watering all day breakfast they call “The Works”. As the name suggests this dish comes with eggs as you like it, bacon, sausages and sundried tomatoes for a fulfilling meal any time of the day. Panini’s and sandwiches stuffed to the brim with smoked chicken and pesto and Jaffna prawn respectively are also two meals that are sure winners. To wash it all down an array of coffee based hot and cold beverages or tropical coolers can be paired with any of the complete meals on the menu. Save room for dessert as Café Mocha is well-known for its cakes, brownies, muffins and cookies that ooze goodness.

One of the best parts about ordering at Café Mocha is the warm, friendly smiles of the staff that ensures you feel quite at home. The staff is well trained to value and take care of each customer that walks in the door. With service levels being at the helm of their operations Café Mocha promises a unique experience at every visit.

Whether it is to get some work done, read a book or have a nice chat, Sri Lanka’s café culture is growing. Café Mocha sets the perfect ambience for this and leaves its customers spoiled for choice of food and drinks to enjoy the ultimate café experience.

For more information, please call Café Mocha on 0112 055491.

Christell introduces PRP therapy – a non-surgical procedure proven to rejuvenate skin and hair

The Christell Skin Clinic in Colombo has introduced PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy for skin and hair. This ground-breaking advancement in medicine is a non-operative treatment that helps to accelerate the normal process of renewal and healing, bringing a non-surgical alternative with natural results to rejuvenate the skin and hair.

Christell is a pioneering total skincare solutions clinic based in Colombo with Professor Ramani Arsecularatne at its helm. Educated in the US, UK, France and Japan, and a graduate of the Christine Valmy Institute in New York and Kimari International in Singapore, Professor Arsecularatne is an expert and pioneer in Sri Lanka’s beauty and hairdressing industry. She founded the Ramani Arsecularatne International Academy of Cosmetology (RAIAC) and has paved the way for qualified entrants to enter the field, thus improving both the scope and quality of skin care treatment in Sri Lanka.

Professor Arsecularatne founded Christell in 2014 with a team of cosmetic physicians, trained medical staff, and cosmetologists specializing in skin care, hair and beauty. PRP therapy is one of the most sought after treatments at Christell; it is a complex medical discovery, but works quite simply by injecting the client’s own blood platelets to the skin or scalp in order to eliminate the risk of adverse reactions to the treatment. PRP has been known to accelerate normal cell renewal and healing by stimulating collagen formation, revascularization and repair. It can also be used as a natural filler to restore volume where necessary.

When PRP is injected to the skin it activates dermal fibroblasts which play a key role in maintaining skin integrity and youthfulness, accelerating the process of skin renewal by synthesizing cell renewal ingredients. The treatment is effective in treating wrinkles and improving texture, elasticity, volume and skin tone. It is particularly effective around the eye area for dark circles and under eye bags, and for fine lines on the skin. Patients have reported an 82% improvement in skin tone, 52% improvement in wrinkle appearance and an 87% improvement overall.

Christell also offers PRP therapy for various types of alopecia and hair loss. PRP Hair Restoration works for both men and women, and is generally considered a non-surgical and natural alternative medical procedure for hair loss and thinning.

Results will appear as early as the second week post-treatment, and Christell recommends a package of 3-4 treatments for best results. “We’re very pleased to be able to be one of the best clinics to perform this procedure and we use equipment and consumables from Regen labs Switzerland which is among the best in the world,” says Prof. Arsecularatne. “It’s completely safe because there’s no risk of allergy to the materials being injected. And because PRP is a rejuvenation treatment, it’s about encouraging the skin to renew itself so it doesn’t result in a fixed or unnatural look after the procedure. It’s simply encouraging your cells to heal faster to naturally rejuvenate your skin and hair.”

For more details visit www.christellskin.com

Architect Suzette Whehella visits Meubel House to share tips for living spaces brimming with life

With real estate in Colombo steadily rising in value, contemporary homes are becoming smaller and professional advice on how to enhance a space proves valuable and cost-effective for homeowners. During a visit to the picturesque Meubel House gallery on Gower Street, Architect Suzette Whehella shares her tips for making the best out of every space and a few guiding principles for choosing the right furniture.

Architect Whehella grew up amid spaces and design metrics – her father was an engineer and since she was six years old, she aspired to create living spaces. She studied architecture at the City School of Architecture and branched out on her own with Suzette Whehella Associates. Architect Whehella prefers to focus on a few projects at a time; this has allowed her to dabble in sub-disciplines close to her own work-for example interior design, which she started experimenting with when she realized how a beautifully designed space could be furnished and accessorized to make it truly extraordinary.

When she meets with clients Whehella tries to find out what makes them tick. “Interiors are about character,” she says. “It has to reflect the little quirks and interests of the person living in the house.” It can be challenging to keep your own preferences out of it, she laughs. “You have to remember that this is where someone else will be living and that it needs to be about their likes and dislikes.” Her advice is to consult with an architect first if you’re doing the interiors for your own house, as they will have a good idea of what the space requires.

To begin with, a house with open areas and natural light is instantly easier to work with. If natural light is difficult to tap into, Whehella advises strategically placing lamps and lights for good lighting indoors. Then, you could choose the furniture and other accessories to individualize your space.

When choosing furniture, remember that size matters. A larger space can handle large furniture while it is always advisable to choose smaller pieces for a smaller space. It may sound self-evident but many homeowners give in to the temptation of buying a large pettagama, or wooden chest, for their tiny living room. To be comfortable, you need as much space as possible to walk around, says Whehella.

Use quirky, unusual versions of the most traditional items of furniture. You could also use unusual colours to brighten up a solid colour scheme-for example a room painted in white and filled with white or light-coloured furniture will instantly take to multi-coloured chests. Whehella suggests using it in a TV room or living room, but recommends that you pair it with an otherwise muted colour scheme. “As a rule of thumb, we say no more than three colours. Beyond that it gets to be too much. I would also follow this rule when you’re painting indoor spaces – for walls, less is more.”

Mix and match shapes and textures, but with restraint. Thinking in height and width dimensions can also help you find visual balance in a space. A strategically placed mirror can also add a touch of elegance to a larger space, or create the illusion of space in a smaller room.

The day bed which was made entirely of reclaimed wood from a boat, is an example of a statement piece that can dress up a large space or add excitement to an outdoor area. Whehella recommends using primarily wood in outdoor spaces – just make sure you maintain it well – or rattan, a naturally renewable material favoured by many Sri Lankan households. If you must have metal, use galvanized wrought iron for a rustic look to add character to a space.

Whehella shares that interior design is often about instinct tempered with insight – perhaps from a professional, but experience can also help. Instinct will help you bring a strong sense of character to a room, while knowing what goes where, and how, will help you make that space truly home. At Meubel House you’ll find a bit of both – guidance to help you find the right fit for your home, and respect for character in a space via customized furniture.

The True Essence of Sri Lanka

Imagine a typical Sri Lankan village complete with the paddy fields, water ways that nourish the soil, vegetable patches sprouting the freshest produce, and even the scarecrow that guards the crops. Add to it the smells of fresh bread that emanate from the “poranuwa” (wood-fired oven), and the sounds of sizzling “handello” being fried over an open stove. A scene from a village far away you would think. Wrong.

This is the backdrop to the latest addition to Waters Edge’s increasing culinary prowess. “Thuna Paha” Embodying the uniqueness of a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and caraway that becomes the “super spice” that is the staple of most Sri Lankan dishes “Thuna Paha” by Waters Edge opened doors recently. The central idea at “Thuna Paha” is a buffet at your table and they pull-out all stops when it comes to delivering food from around our sunny island.

Waters Edge has basically converted their large lawn space in to a traditional village. The entrance to the restaurant acts as a market place selling Sri Lankan wares including some of the organic produce from the hotel’s own gardens.

Welcomed the traditional Sri Lankan way with an “Ayubowan” (May you have long life) and a herbal drink, guests can choose to sit outdoors in hamlets that surround the main garden or in an air-conditioned section. Surrounding the garden are action stations with the women of the village preparing everything from string hoppers to pittu and even the traditional sweet meats. On the other side an old uncle mans the hot oven which dishes out the softest bread and arguably the best jam buns in town.

Once seated a waiter clad in sarong and shirt will read out the day’s menu to you and hand you a tab to pick your drinks (best of both worlds!). We picked a very unique king coconut and treacle concoction that is a real thirst quencher to beat the heat. This is accompanied by a tray of local starters including the classic vaddai from the North, manioc chips, banana chips and fried fish. The platter is generally sufficient for two persons and our pick was the banana chips which are distinctly different to their manioc counterparts.

What comes next is a pleasant surprise and is heralded by the song “Tikiri Menike Ambula Genalla” in the background. A parade of young lasses clad in traditional “reddai hattai” (cloth and jacket) carrying reed baskets arrive at your table and present you with the days curries and condiments which are placed on a special heater. No two meals will have the same vegetables and curries which are also a unique experience in itself as you never know what to expect. We loved absolutely loved the Jaffna-style prawn curry which was a mild, yellow curry flavoured with saffron, and the mutton black curry which be warned is not for the faint-hearted. To cut the spiciness of the curries which is commonplace with Sri Lankan cuisine the “nelum ala” (lotus root” salad that we had in our “ambula” was just right. Special mention must also be made of the pumpkin white curry with mustard and of course the must-have Sinhala achcharu (pickle).

Then comes the array of staples which you can pick from at the various action stations. Everything from string hoppers to hoppers, rotti, pittu, bread and endemic Sri Lankan kottu rotti is freshly prepared and delivered to your table. For those who are more health-conscious most staples can be made with red rice flour on request.

Once you have sat down to your meal, do not be alarmed if you are suddenly disturbed by the sounds of traditional drums or the arrival of a devil dancer warding off evil spirits who might be there to trouble you while you eat. Traditional dancers also make occasional appearances to keep you entertained.

Towards the rear end of the restaurant, overlooking the Diyawanna is the village “Thabaruma” or bar which serves up the usual cocktails and mocktails with a traditional twist. This is a great place to grab a drink and relax as the sun sets picturesquely over the water.

We Sri Lankans love feeding our guests and Thuna Paha follows suit with a magnanimous platter of desserts once you have completed your meal. The platter may include seasonal fruits, Bibikkan (coconut cake), Watalappan, Curd and Treacle, and sweet meats such as coconut rock, milk toffee and even the kevum and kokis.

Family-friendly and with really nice staff who take the time to walk you through traditional Sri Lankan ways of life, this place is also a great way to teach young children of our national heritage. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and we were quite surprised by their pricing which is reasonable to say the very least. Our recommendation is that you try dinner though when the restaurant really is at its grandest.

Location **** (Everyone knows Waters Edge!)

Ambiance **** (The lay out of the entire property creates a great atmosphere)

Service ***** (Knowledgeable and courteous and gives you the real feel of Sri Lankan hospitality)

Food ***** (Simple yet satisfying!)

Overall **** ½

Reviwed by #FoodiesSL

 

A Chat With Tanaz Pestonjee

Starting a business these days is no easy task; competition is rife, and there are too many companies demanding a slice of cake that’s forever becoming smaller. But the Abans Group of Companies has served to prove that this small pearl of truth is in fact false.

Being part and parcel of the Abans Group of Companies, it truly was an insightful conversation I had with Tanaz Pestonjee. Having studied Psychology in Australia, she has taken on the business reins here in Sri Lanka as the company expands its influence in the sphere of fashion and lifestyle.

It is also interesting to note that the Abans Group is working on The Colombo City Centre, which is a mixed use project that the company is developing along with their JV partner — Silver Needle hospitality of Singapore. The project will comprise of a multi-storey shopping mall and a multi-screen Cineplex, business hotel, and a high rise residential centre.  The mall is touted to be the first international standard mall in Sri Lanka with Tanaz Pestonjee being actively involved in curating the mix of international and local brands for the mall.

During the time I had this opportunity to chat with Tanaz, it was interesting to traverse her family history and the varying ups and downs that solidified the Abans Group as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost conglomerates.

The company beginnings were humble, and it was a simple need back in the day (identified by Mrs. Pestonjee) that snowballed into an industry of success. It was a simple idea brought on by a simple need that has led the company to boast over 13,500 employees while housing some of the most renowned global brands that are household names.

Besides fashion, the company has also expanded into fast food franchises such as McDonalds. With global and indeed local trends changing it does seem a natural step to consider branching into the business of fashion. Always considering the art of taking calculated risks, the company has rather aggressively decided to bring down international brands that are both aspirational and luxurious.

The Abans Group celebrated the opening of the HUGO BOSS Store on April 28, at the Arcade Independence Square; it is considered to be the first ever premium luxury brand to be introduced in Sri Lanka. The store provides a truly stunning showcase for the BOSS and BOSS Green Collections, which includes tidy, angular aesthetics, and an interior design that promises harmony with its clean lines, contours, and colours.

As a third generation of the Pestonjee family, Tanaz Pestonjee talks of how focused and geared one must be in order to do these brands justice. With many years of planning being the works, she talks of how it took many a focus group and feasibility study before the green light was given to bring down a brand such as HUGO BOSS to Sri Lanka.

All things considered, it must be stated that the Abans Group is quite careful when it comes to selecting what brands to partner with. The Group looks for brands that share the same though process and whether they will add value to the lives of consumers and the local market.

But it is a fine line; gone are the days when one could attempt a business plan and expect it to work for a few years. Now even business plans needs to be tweaked and amended to take into consideration the changing tastes and desires of a consumer that’s largely millennial. As a millennial herself, Tanaz Pestonjee speaks of how the company must always be on the pulse.

What more does this veritable company have up its sleeves to offer a public that’s forever craving new brands and experiences? That, Tanaz Pestonjee tells me, is something we will all have to wait and see. Patience, as we all know, is a virtue, especially in the business world.

Written by Rohitha Perera