Entertainment

Galle Concerto to Invigorate tourism

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2024

editor

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.

Entertainment

Quinlon cinema demolished (Pics)

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

editor

The premises of the once famous Quinlon Cinema in Nugegoda, has now been completely demolished after remaining closed for a prolonged period.

In a Facebook post, Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication at the University of Kelaniya – Wijayananda Rupasinghe likens the current state of the Quinlon Cinema to that of a bombed-out building in Syria or Gaza.

He notes that the fate of another cinema hall ends in this manner, in a backdrop where there is a renewed discussion about reviving the Sinhala cinema.

He adds that according to data as of May 2025, the total number of cinema halls in Sri Lanka has dwindled to around 184, with the majority (117) said to be located in Western Province.

(Source : Facebook page of Wijayananda Rupasinghe)

Entertainment

Clarence’s wife wins copyright case against Sarath Kothalawala

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2025

editor

The Supreme Court has recently delivered its judgment in favor of Sheela Wijewardene, the wife of the late veteran musician Clarence Wijewardene, against Sarath Kothalawala of Torana Music.

The appeal stems from an action filed in the Commercial High Court by Mrs. Wijewardene (Appellant) in alleging that copyright in the lyrics and musical compositions of several songs authored by the veteran musician, late Clarance Wijewardene, has been infringed by the Sarath Kothalawala and Rajiv Sebastian (Respondents) by performing the said songs and producing compact discs incorporating the said songs.

The Appellant had sought an injunction, damages, and the delivering up of infringing materials against the Respondents in the said action filed in the Commercial High Court. During the pendency of the action in the Commercial High Court, the 2nd Respondent- Rajiv Sebastian had entered into a settlement with the appellant admitting the intellectual property rights of the late Clarance Wijewardene and agreeing to pay Rs. 2,000,000.00 as damages. At the conclusion of the trial, the Commercial High Court granted the Permanent Injunction in favour of Mrs. Clarence Wijewardene against the first Respondent Sarath Kothalawala among other reliefs sought.

An appeal was preferred to the Supreme Court in the year 2013 by Mrs. Clarence Wijewardene seeking the other reliefs. The Supreme Court has upheld the Commercial High Court’s decision of granting the Permanent Injunction against the first Respondent which is in essence;

A permanent injunction restraining the 1st defendant from directly or indirectly reproducing, carrying out any public performance or communicating to the public in any other manner songs in which the economic and moral rights in respect of the lyrics and music compositions belong to the estate of the late Mr. Clarence Wijewardena.

The court further issued a permanent injunction restraining the 1st defendant from advertising, promoting, offering for sale and the sale of Audio Compact Discs and the Audio Visual Work titled ‘Viduru Mal’, ‘Sing along with Rajiv Sebastian’, ‘Reka Heenen Piyamba’ and ‘torana Sinhala Karaoke Vol.2’; and distorting the original music compositions of those songs created by the late Mr. Clarence Wijewardena.

The Supreme Court has not granted compensation or damages against the 1st Respondent, citing agreements between the Respondents where the 2nd Defendant-Respondent had misrepresented ownership of the works and the settlement entered into between the 2nd Respondent and the Appellant. However, the Supreme Court has found that the Commercial High Court had erred in not granting the Plaintiff’s prayer for the delivering up of infringing material in the possession of the 1st Respondent and amended the Judgment of the Commercial High Court accordingly. Thus, the 1st Respondent has been ordered by the Supreme Court to deliver up to the Petitioner all the infringing material in the possession of the 1st Respondent including all copies of the Audio Compact Discs and the Audio Visual Work ‘Sing along with Rajiv Sebastian’, ‘Viduru Mal’, ‘Reka Heenen Piyamba’ and ‘Torana Sinhala Karaoke Vol 2’. This relief granted by the Supreme Court is in addition to the Permanent Injunction granted by the Commercial High Court by judgement dated 30/07/2012.

The Judgment has been delivered by a bench comprised of Justices E.A.G.R. Amarasekara, A.L. Shiran Gooneratne, and Arjuna Obeyesekere.

Dr. Harsha Cabral, PC, with Kushan Illangatillake, instructed by V.W. Kularatne Associates represented the Appellant whilst Mr. M.S.A. Wadood, with Palitha Subasinghe, Tharanga Edirisinghe, Hashane Mallawarachchi, and Dulmini Liyanage, instructed by S.B. Dissanayake Associates, represented the 1st Respondent.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Entertainment

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

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2025

editor

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)