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Galle Concerto to Invigorate tourism

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The Presidential Secretariat, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, together with the sponsors have announced the launch of Galle Concerto 2024 – the Southern Festivals, and its Handbook, in the week beginning  12th  January to the end of March 2024. 

The festivals, set against the backdrop of the rich heritage architecture and vibrant coastal charm of the Southern province, brings together a diverse array of writers, poets, intellectuals, literary enthusiasts, musicians, artists and celebrity chefs from around the world.

The Galle Concerto 2024 is launched under the auspices of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with the support of the Office of the Presidential Envoy, Hon Niranjan Deva Aditya. Speaking at the launch Hon Niranjan Deva Aditya said “with its unique blend of cultural immersion and intellectual stimulation, the Galle Concerto including the famous  Galle Literary Festival has become a distinguished and much-anticipated event, drawing both local and international acclaim for its contribution to the global cultural landscape. This year, it will be more than just a literary comeback; the festivals will feature a wide range of events and performances, including several musical events, a food festival, modern art and a book exhibition, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich cultural diversity”. He added ” these events show that Sri Lanka is resurgent once again, a beacon of confidence in her cultural, musical, literary and culinary excellence. HE the President worked tirelessly over last year to bring about this renaissance to showcase that Sri Lanka, in all her resplendence, is back on the world stage”.

Also present were Mr.Chalaka Gajabahu – Chairman  Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Ms.Tracy Holsinger  – Galle Literary Festival,  Mr.Edward Robinson – Southern Book Fair , Ms.Chanchala Gunewardena – Matara Festival for the Arts, Mr.Nilupul Gunawardena – Rhythms of Paradise , Mrs.Champika De Silva – Opera at the Anantara , and Mr. Damitha Nikapota – Gourmet Galle, who spoke of their respective segments.

The Concerto comprises of the Rhythms of Paradise drum festival in Koggala (12th – 14th January), the Gourmet Galle Food Festival (12th January – 30th March), the Classical Music Event in Tangalle (19th – 21st January), the Southern Book Fair in Galle (19th – 28th January), the Galle Literary Festival (25th – 28th January), and the Matara Festival for the Arts (1st – 4th February)..
It will be the largest promotion of Sri Lanka’s music, culture, art and food ever undertaken, reaching out to a global audience, marketed throughout South Asia and the world.

Rhythms of Paradise, Koggala
Rhythms of Paradise Koggala (12th -14th January, 2024), is a celebration of Sri Lanka’s rhythmic heritage, uniting diverse drumming traditions to create a symphony that echoes through the night. The event will also include sessions on classical and contemporary Sri Lankan literature, natural and cultural heritage excursions and a Sri Lanka Maritime heritage exhibition. The opening celebration and drum festival will be held at the Koggala Air Force Base. Literary sessions will be held at the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum. The Flagship event will conclude with a concert by internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan artists.

Gourmet Galle
Gourmet Galle will be a 12 week-long gourmet festival up and down the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. A partner to the incredibly successful Galle Literary Festival, Gourmet Galle will feature dinners, afternoon tea and master classes with thirteen amazing celebrity and world-renowned chefs along the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. The dinners will take place in exquisite homes and the finest boutique hotels, carefully curated to make each weekend its own unique and incredible event.

Opera at the Anantara
The Art and Music Weekend from the 19th – 21st January 2024 at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle promises to curate an indelible ambiance of refined creativity and immersive experiences for discerning visitors and festival enthusiasts. This elevated occasion is poised to serve as a distinguished platform, harmonizing the expressions of local artists such as the Gustav Mahler orchestra and Chrisni Mendis, and international musicians such as Jorge Echeagaray, Barbara Segal, and Carlos Conde-González, showcasing their artistry and virtuosity.

Southern Book Fair 2024
Parallel to the Galle Literary Festival, the Commonwealth Book Publishers Network will present the Southern Book Fair (19th to 28th January 2024). This event is designed to bring the joy of literature closer to the people of the Southern Province, fostering a culture of learning, sharing, and acquiring literary treasures.

Galle Literary Festival 2024
The Galle Literary Festival has now become an annual literary festival held in the historic coastal town of Galle.  It was first established in 2005 and has since become one of the most prominent literary events in the region. Over 65 renowned speakers, including Booker Prize winners, esteemed authors, poets and journalists will provide literature enthusiasts with a diverse and memorable experience. The festival will take place over several days and features a diverse program of events, including author talks, panel discussions, book launches, literary workshops, and cultural performances. The Galle Literary Festival will be held from the 25th to the 28th of January 2024, in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).  

Matara Festival for the Arts (MFA)
The inaugural Matara Festival for the Arts (MFA) sets the stage ablaze from the 1st to the 4th of February 2024! Set against the mesmerizing backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Matara Fort, this celebration promises an immersive experience in contemporary art and music, not just from the heart of Sri Lanka but resonating beyond its borders.

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Wimal launches song against strikes on Iran & Palestine (Update)

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National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has released a protest song titled “Whose Bullets Are These?” (original Sinhala: “Kageda Me Moonissam?”) today (July 08).

The song, written and performed by Weerawansa himself, is a response to recent airstrikes on Iran and ongoing violence against Palestinians, which he attributes to what he terms the “Yankee-Zionist alliance.”

ඊශ්‍රායල් හා ඇමරිකා එක්සත් ජනපද යුධමය ප්‍රහාර හමුවේ අසරණ වූ පලස්තීන ජනතාව වෙනුවෙන් හා පසුගියදා එම යැංකි-සියෝන් බල හවුල…

Posted by Wimal Weerawansa on Monday, July 7, 2025

(This post has been updated at 10.30am July 08, 2025)

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Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies aged 87

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Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent has announced

Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87, his agent has announced.

The film and television performer is best known for starring in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as Admiral Piett, an imperial officer in command of Darth Vader’s flagship.

He died peacefully at his home in Ashford, Kent, on Monday after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent Julian Owen said in a statement.

“Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years,” Mr Owens said.

“Ken continually worked on stage, film and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC.”

The statement said Colley had been admitted to hospital with an injured arm after a fall, but he quickly contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia.

He died with friends at his bedside, it added.

In later years, Colley reprised his role of Admiral Piett when he voiced the character in the 2012 animated Lego production, Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.

He also had parts in international productions including Clint Eastwood’s Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance.

Mr Owen said Colley’s paticipation in Star Wars led him to being invited to conventions and fan events all over the world.

“Ken also loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars,” he added.

Colley is also known for playing Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin.

(BBC News)

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‘Diddy’ denied bail after being cleared of most serious charges

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A judge has denied bail to Sean “Diddy” Combs after a jury convicted the hip-hop mogul of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him of the most serious charges: racketeering and sex-trafficking.

Lawyers for the recording artist had argued he posed no flight risk, pointing out his jet is being chartered in Hawaii.

But Judge Arun Subramanian cited Combs’ history of violence as he ruled the rapper must remain behind bars until sentencing later this year when he faces up to 20 years in prison.

In the nearly two-month federal trial in New York City, prosecutors accused Combs of using his celebrity status and business empire to run a criminal enterprise to sex traffic women.

A panel of 12 jurors deliberated for 13 hours before acquitting Combs of three of the most serious five charges.

He will continue to be held at the same federal jail in Brooklyn where he has been detained since last September.

The sentencing was tentatively scheduled for 3 October.

(BBC News)

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