LW

Jagath Wettasinghe
-Chef-de Partie

Festive Fish Dish

Ingredients :
150g Fish Fillets[red mullet/thalapath/ seer/ paraw]
25-50g Vegetables[sauté / boiled / steamed]
1 Bombay onion
1 clove Garlic
25g Powdered maldive fish
8-10g Capsicum
50g Tomato
5g Cinnamon
Black Pepper & Salt
10g Cashewnuts
75ml Fish Stock

Method :

Clean fish & season with salt & pepper. Place vegetables on fish & roll into cylindrical shape. Cook in stock and leave aside on a serving dish. Add butter or astra and sauté the other ingredients. Add stock and cook till thick by adding ground cashewnuts. Napper over the fish.

Festive Breast of Chicken

Ingredients :
200g Breast of Chicken
Salt & black pepper
75g Bees Honey
1 Banana
1 clove Garlic
25g Celery
1 Lime
10g Soya Sauce
200 ml Corn Oil
25g Astra

Method :

Season and marinate chicken for 20 minutes. Heat oil and fry chicken to golden brown. Chop the onion, celery & garlic fine and saute by adding astra. Add bees honey and soya sauce to mixture and thicken. Add the fried chicken and simmer. Garnish to please the eye.

Chef’s X’mas Pilau

Ingredients :
4 cups Basmathi Rice
½ stem Lemon Grass
1 medium Onion
11/2 pints Coconut Oil
6 Cardamoms
½ inch Cinnamon stick
6 Cloves
1g Turmeric
4 Pepper Corns
50g Peanuts
3tbsp Butter or Margarine
50g Plums
2tbsp Oil
200g Chicken Meat
Spring Curry Leaves

Method :

Soak & wash rice. Drain the rice and set aside. Slice the onions,grind the cardamoms cloves & pepper corns together. Heat the oil & margarine and fry the onions,curry leaves and lemon grass, till the onions are brown. Add the rice, stir fry for three minutes. Pour in the coconut milk, cardamoms, cloves, peppercorns, salt cinnamon & tumeric and bring to boil. You may need to add 250ml water if mixture is too thick. Cook over a high heat approximately five minutes. Reduce heat add sautéd chicken, peanuts and plums. Serve hot. (Serves

Apple Salad

Ingredients :
2-3 Apples
5g Lettuce
50g Celery
5100g Cadjunuts
1/8-1/4pint Cream
5g Parsley
25g Tomato
Salt to taste

Method :

Cut the apples in wedges and place in salt water. Cut the celery in dice. Sauté the cadjunuts till golden brown. Mix the rest of the ingredients together and arrange on bed of lettuce. Garnish with glazed cherry & sprig of parsley.

Dr. Vijith Vidyabhushana
MBBS (Col) MS (Col), MRCOG (UK), DFFP (UK), RCR/RCOG Dip Advanced Obstetric Ultrasound Scanning(UK) Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Accredited Obstetric Ultrasound Specialist.

Why am I having nausea and vomiting of pregnancy?

Nausea or feeling sick, and vomiting is a very common symptom in early pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy and usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy.

About 50 – 75% of pregnant women feel nausea or vomit during early pregnancy. It is often called morning sickness, but symptoms can occur at any time - not just in the morning and also it may start as early as 4-5 weeks or later with in first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Symptoms are mild in most cases. Feelings of sickness (nausea) typically come and go. They usually last between 1 and 4 hours at a time. Some women have more severe symptoms and have frequent and/or longer bouts of vomiting. In most cases the symptoms have gone by 12-14 weeks of pregnancy. However, about 10 out of 100 pregnant women have some nausea throughout their pregnancy.

If you experience excessive vomiting and cannot keep your food down, you may have ‘hyperemesis gravidarum’.ie severe vomiting specific for the pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum can be harmful to you and your baby if severe and left untreated. This is due to the possible lack of nutrients and electrolyte imbalance. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider when these symptoms appear and discuss possible options for treatment.

The cause of the sickness is not known. It is probably due to the hormone changes of pregnancy. Some think that it is related to the amount of a hormone produced by the placenta called Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin(hCG) and hence excessive vomiting is commonly seen in twins where the placental mass is more with increased production of hCG. This is a reason for every pregnant woman who has severe vomiting to undergo an ultrasound scan to see if she is carrying twins.

But it not usual to get excessive vomiting for the first time after 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you get excessive vomiting for the first time after 12 weeks it may be due to a hidden infection like a urine tract infection.

Can vomiting affect my baby?

Not usually. The baby gets nourishment from your body’s reserves even though you may not eat well when you are vomiting. The effort of retching and vomiting does not harm your baby or cause a miscarriage. The only time your baby may be affected is if you become very ill with dehydration which is not treated , resulting in accumulation of a harmful substance called ketones in blood and urine. When there is dehydration and lack of energy, the liver produces this substance (ketones) to provide energy, but this substance can be harmful to the baby.

Other causes of vomiting in pregnancy

Remember, not all vomiting may be due to the pregnancy - you can still get other illnesses. For example diarrhoea, blood in vomit, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), high temperature (fever), and stomach pains may be due to an infection or some other problem unrelated to pregnancy. See your family doctor or Gynaecologist if these symptoms occur, or if the vomiting is severe and you suspect that you are becoming dehydrated. Even urinary tract infection, respiratory tract infection can give rise to vomiting. Hepatitis is another cause for vomiting. Hyperemesis gravdarum(excessive vomiting in pregnancy) should be diagnosed after exclusion of above causes for vomiting.

There are a number of do’s and don’ts you can try to help alleviate your symptoms.

Helpful Do’s and Don’ts:

Do:
• Eat small meals often
• Drink fluids 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with meals
• Drink small amounts of fluids frequently during the day to avoid dehydration
• Eat something ( Ex-cream crackers, toast ) 15 minutes before getting up in the morning
• Eat whatever you feel like eating, whenever you feel you can
• Ask someone else to cook for you and open the windows or turn on fans if the odor bothers you
• Get plenty of rest and nap during the day
• Avoid warm places (feeling hot adds to nausea)
• Sniff lemons or ginger, drink lemonade, or eat what you feel will relieve nausea
• Eat salty potato chips (they have been found to settle stomachs enough to eat a meal)
• Exercise

Don’ts:
• Do not lie down after eating
• Do not skip meals
• Do not cook or eat spicy food

When do I have to seek medical help

• If you are experiencing excessive nausea and vomiting that prevents you from keeping any food down
• If vomiting is accompanied by pain or fever
• If nausea and vomiting persists well into the second trimester (after 13th week)
• If you just don’t feel right

Morning sickness is the nauseated feeling you experience in your first trimester. It usually starts out in the morning and wears off as you become active throughout your day. Not all morning sickness remedies will work for you, but these are just a few remedies and comforts that have helped other women get through their day.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and sometimes electrolyte disturbance. Mild cases are often treated with dietary measures, rest and antacids. Severe cases often require a stay in the hospital so that the mother can receive fluid and nutrition through an intravenous line. DO NOT take any medications to solve this problem without consulting your health care provider first.

Do I need any treatment?

• No treatment is needed in most cases as the symptoms are often mild. Eating small but frequent meals may help. Foods high in carbohydrate are best, such as bread, crackers, etc. Some people say that sickness is made worse by not eating anything at all. If you eat some food regularly, it may help to ease symptoms. Eating a plain (or ginger) biscuit about 20 minutes before getting up is said by some women to help. Some women find that a ‘trigger’ can set off the sickness.

For example, a smell or an emotional stress. If possible, avoid anything that may trigger your symptoms. Have lots to drink to avoid dehydration (low body fluid). Drinking little and often rather than large amounts may help to prevent vomiting. Try to aim to drink at least two litres a day. Water is probably the best drink if you are feeling sickly.

• An anti-sickness medicine may be advised if symptoms are severe, or do not settle. It is generally best to avoid medicines when you are pregnant (including herbal remedies as the contents are often uncertain). However, most medicines that have been used for morning sickness or hyperemesis have been used for a number of years and are safe. For example, many women have used promethazine , cyclizine,metoclopromide etc and there is no evidence that they harm a developing baby.

Always see a doctor before taking an anti-sickness medicine when you are pregnant. If you have to take this medicine you have to take the pill with a sip of fluid you like most and wait for about half an hour for the pill to get absorbed.

• Hospital care is needed to give fluids by a ‘drip’ in small number of women who become quite ill and dehydrated (low in body fluid).

What will the doctor do when I see him

In addition to listening to your story, you will be examined for signs of dehydration( water depletion) .As other illnesses like hepatitis, urine tract infections and chest infections also can give rise to vomiting your doctor will do some investigations to exclude a cause other than pregnancy for your vomiting.Therefore, your doctor will order some blood and urine investigations to aid diagnosis. An ultrasound scan will also be done if you have hyperemesis gravidarum to exclude a twin gestation etc.

Following history, examination and investigations, your doctor will decide on further management of your condition and admit you to the ward if necessary for correction of dehydration , electrolyte imbalance and vitamin deficiencies.

Anti-oxidants

Damage by excessive free radicals can be limited or even prevented by anti-oxidants, which can neutralize free radicals. The human body itself produces and contains anti-oxidants to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. In addition to these natural anti-oxidant mechanisms in the body, anti-oxidants derived from the diet also play an important role in checking free radicals. Increased intake of dietary anti-oxidants is more important today to limit the damage caused by increased exposure to free radicals from environmental pollution.

Population Studies

Epidemiological studies (the scientific study of the distribution and determinants of disease) have shown that increased polyphenol intake could reduce the incidence of heart disease. In these studies tea was identified as a major source of polyphenol intake.

The first large scale epidemiological study which clearly showed the beneficial effect of tea drinking on heart disease was carried out by Dutch scientists in 1993. They found that polyphenol intake has an inverse relationship to the incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack). In the same study, black tea was identified as the main source of dietary polyphenol.

In recent times many other similar studies in different parts of the world have shown the beneficial effect of tea in preventing heart disease.

Green and Black Tea as Anti-oxidants

Until recently green tea was thought to be the most, or only, effective anti-oxidant-containing tea, and that green tea catechins alone were the anti-oxidants that gave tea its therapeutic attributes. It is now well-known that the theaflavins and thearubigins produced by the polymerisation of catechins during the ‘fermentation’ stage in the manufacture of black tea are equally effective anti-oxidants.
Many in vitro studies have demonstrated the anti-oxidant properties of both black and green tea, as well as the anti-oxidant activity of the polyphenols in tea.

Further studies have shown that these anti-oxidant components of tea are absorbed into the blood circulation from the digestive tract and act as anti-oxidant in body systems. These findings indicate that tea drinking helps to reduce the risk of common degenerative diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Therefore, tea is not only a safe beverage in terms of calories and sodium but also has additional benefits as it contains uniquely high amounts of anti-oxidant polyphenols.

Tea and the Immune System

The immune system is activated by foreign particles entering the body or by injury. Activation of the immune system is essential for destroying the harmful micro-organisms that enter the body and for repairing injury. The immune response could be divided into two components, specific immune response and the non specific or the inflammatory response. In specific immune response the invading pathogens are identified and the cells of the immune system act to destroy the pathogen.

Inflammatory response is non specific and it is triggered by any foreign body or injury. Cigarette smoked and environmental pollutants also activate the inflammatory response.

Among other things, inflammatory response produces a large amount of free radicals. Although essential in destroying harmful organisms entering the body, prolonged inflammation is harmful to the host itself as it exposes host cells to prolonged ‘oxidative stress’. Inflammation plays an important role in the aeriology of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological, hematological diseases and cancer. In the modern environment our body systems are exposed to prolonged oxidative stress, and anti-oxidant defenses have become more important.

Recent research has found that tea acts to reduce the harmful effects of inflammation by acting as anti-oxidants and by regulating the mediators of the inflammatory response. More importantly, it has been found that tea components, while not compromising the action against harmful invaders, reduce the harmful effects of inflammation.

Tea and Intestinal Bacteria

A variety of micro-organisms live in our digestive tract. Some of the enzymes secreted from micro-flora in the intestines help to digest and metabolise compounds in food. Therefore, these micro-organisms are helpful to us, yet some other micro-organisms secrete harmful substances that predispose cells to carcinogenesis.

Consumption of tea and its polyphenols, either chronically or over a period of weeks, reduces harmful Enterobacteriaceae and increases Lacto-bacilli and Bifidobacteria that produce beneficial metabolites. The gradual replacement of less desirable bacteria by beneficial bacteria in the intestine is one of the beneficial consequences of drinking tea.

Tea and Ageing

Scientists are looking in different directions for the fountain of youth. Some believe our genes predestine us to die after a given life span and therefore rely on genetic techniques to combat the effects of ageing. Others postulate that the body’s oxidative defense mechanisms deteriorate with ageing because of a genetically programmed reduction in the synthesis of natural anti-oxidants in the cells, leading to a sharp increase in the diseases of old age. They are investigating ways of slowing the rate of free radical attack in the aged.

In animals it has been shown that increased anti-oxidants could increase life span. There is growing evidence that human diet, supplemented with anti-oxidants, may help in preventing a variety of diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. However, it is not conclusively proven that anti-oxidants could extend life span. Even if it is not possible to extend the human life span by anti-oxidants, these could control cell damage and thus reduce the diseases of old age and improve the quality of life in the elderly.

OPI is the number one brand in the world when it comes to “nail lacquer”. We are proud to state that British Cosmetics with the vision and foresight of Nirosha and her team will be introducing this brand very soon to Sri Lanka. The international Spokesperson for OPI, Joey Brown was brought down to Colombo by British Cosmetics to introduce the new techniques and know-how to the staff of British Cosmetics and some of the leading Salons in Sri Lanka. We were invited to spend a few hours with Joey, Nirosha and the team to share the experiences and introduce this new brand.

What sort of partnership does OPI have with the distributor?

The distributor brings in all of the current collection and the host of professional supplies that will support the professionals in the industry and our job is to support our distributor. We have many collateral available and they will be given all the material, product knowledge etc, whatever required. As international spokesperson I need to introduce OPI but it is entirely up to the distributor.
Nirosha said, “everyone has been so enthusiastic. We have learnt so many things in one day everybody was really enthusiastic, so many new techniques and trends. Even the simplest pedicure is something new and the manicure we do everyday is totally new when it comes to OPI training. We have been having the most leading salons come to get themselves trained under Joey which is a privilege for them.

They have been very excited and we have all learnt a lot. She has given us tremendous knowledge.

OPI in the international arena

We are so lucky because almost every entertainer, singer, actress, Broadway star has used OPI products. We don’t even pay them to wear our products. When Sharon Stone was making a movie a few years ago she ordered specific colours. Legally Blonde I and II were both at OPI and screened at OPI. Mel Gibson in his movie “what it feels like to be a woman” used OPI Products. We are there in all the red carpet events; when Jennifer too got married she wore OPI. Every celebrity has mentioned about the hand bags, clothes etc, and OPI, OPI manufactures and sells 35 million every year. “ shared Joey.

What are your plans for OPI?

“It is a good quality brand, our company has been striving to give a valuable product to our clientele, so we have been really successful upto now. We have been in this business for about ten years and we are quite certain of what the customer requires. OPI will be positioned in a higher level than the other brands – it will be available at exclusive stores and our studios. It is a celebrity brand and it needs the same recognition in Sri Lanka too.

It’s going to be an exclusive brand – when it comes to the acrylic system the professional range other than the retail range the professional range can be acquired only if they are qualified. So they need to have the OPI certification but the retail range will available at the exclusive stores.

Everything is manufactured in USA. It is not from anywhere else. It will only be the original that will come down. Training was the first step and next will be the launch within the coming month. Close to the season. Customers are waiting to buy the OPI products. There is a lot at excitement in the market. The latest manicure and pedicure a combination of spa treatment, aromatherapy – not just cleansing your hands and feet but combining the spa treatment this is a new service we want to introduce in Sri Lanka” concluded Nirosha.

The Hilton Kottu Fest is now an eagerly ‘looked-forward-to’ event. Following the success of the first Kottu Fest, held to celebrate the Hilton’s 21-year long presence in Sri Lanka, the team convened once again last month for another bigger and better Kottu Fest.

Tying up with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Hilton Colombo hopes to make the Kottu Fest an Annual National event, thus promoting authentic local cuisine experiences. Events such as these, not only boost tourism in the country, but also provide a better ‘Sri Lankan’ experience to visitors to the island nation. Hilton Colombo stands out in its initiative to promote local culture with innovative events such as this.

To Sri Lankans, food is more than something to satisfy those hunger pangs with, it is a means of meeting up with friends and family and having a good time. Accompanied by the clattering of metal blades traditionally used to make the Kottu, this provided the perfect setting for a wonderful evening at the Hilton Colombo.

Kottu has now become a food that has successfully transcended social boundaries in Sri Lanka. Once a cheap takeaway meal, Kottu is now almost a staple diet for everyone, especially among the younger crowd. A common practice for nightclub and party goers in Sri Lanka is to end their nights with a Kottu as a midnight snack.

Kottu is arguably a much-loved food in Sri Lanka, and this time around the scrumptious Kottu was prepared by a team of over 100 chefs, looked over quite ably by Hilton Colombo’s Executive Chef Rohan Fernandopulle. Apart from Chicken and Vetetable Kottu, a number of beverages, dessert and snack stalls were featured as well.

The Kottu Fest was held in partnership with Mobitel and Maxies.

It was said by the Executive Chef that 450kg of chicken, vegetables and herbs with 4000 eggs had been used with over 72 chefs in three different locations making a variety of Kottu totaling 4000 portions to be enjoyed by all the enthusiasts that walked in that day to the Hilton. Apart from that, jumbo hot dogs, milk shakes and grilled chicken were available for those who would prefer a variety of food items. The entertainment with the famous “papara band,” Channa’s dancing troupe, Elephant Foot drummers from Hikkaduwa had an instrument like a yodle to help their music and many others really got the crowd all hyped up for an evening of great outdoor entertainment offered at a star class hotel.

[by Sherwani Synon]

As we are in the month of December, the spirit of Christmas is slowly awakening among the people. While shops and stores get ready for their year end sale, families look forward for the day when they are united with their extended family members in making the delicious cake and putting up the Christmas tree and most of all to celebrate this special day together.

Christmas for me meant receiving gifts, uniting with my extended family and celebrating this day with them. I must add that one is fortunate to be a Sri Lankan as our country celebrates all religious festivals with the same vigour and joy throughout the year.

We are all aware that Christmas is a special day with a special meaning to it but what does Christmas mean to each individual? We decided to find out what December 25th meant to people from different paths of life.

Eleven year old Melissa and seven year old Belinda said in unison that to them Christmas is about carols, Christmas parties, decorating the house and putting up the Christmas tree. According to the sisters, they love this period as this was the time a King was born.

“Christmas is all about joy and cheerfulness shared with family and loved ones and it’s something that everyone looks forward to with interest. To end the year and start a new one with eccentric excitement and love,’ said fourteen year old Ashwini.

For Dianne, a nineteen year old who balances two jobs Christmas is about family. “It’s that time of the year when you get an excited feeling in your stomach; the feeling of Christmas in the air. Acting silly with my cousins when we get together, finding and wrapping presents and of course bonding with everyone while mixing the Christmas cake and then eating it, this is what Christmas means to me” she said smilingly.

Even though Hasinee is a non believer, she too celebrates this joyful day with the same energy and cheerfulness like everyone else and for her Christmas is about decorating and sharing the joy with everyone.

“I started celebrating Christmas because my best friend is a Christian and since that day I make it a point to celebrate Christmas every year. It feels nice to be able to relate to another religion. It is not only limited to Christianity to reach out and share its importance with everyone around you. In my opinion this is also the best method to understand other communities as well.
According to Jennifer, Christmas is the best time of the year because it is about family, friends, singing carols, Christmas goodies and fun all around.

“It is such a festive and lovely time of the year and I also love the smell of the Christmas tree but most of all, it is the remembrance of our saviour’s birth who came to love, serve and save. It is the day when we think back on the starry night in Bethlehem when Jesus was born in a humble manger.”

For Tazio, Christmas means meeting the entire family and the presents that sit under the tree but it is also the time when he sits back and takes stock of what has happened over the year.

Niputha, a mother of two beautiful girls says that Christmas to her is a time when you want to be with your family and friends.

“Even though we get carried away with the making of the cake, putting up the Christmas tree, we shouldn’t forget why we celebrate this day. We should remember that the King was born on this day. When I was small, we were taught of the importance of this day and now I try to teach my children the real meaning of Christmas. This is the time of the year you want to spend time with your family. Even though my sister and I live faraway we always make it a point to see each other during Christmas.”

In Nalini’s opinion, Christmas is just another day in the calendar but in a spiritual perspective it is the birth of Christ who came to the world to save all those who are lost. According to her when considering the spiritual aspect of this day Christmas is an extremely important day.

For Priscilla a mother of three adults, Christmas is about giving as it is the Christ’s birthday. “To me Christmas means spreading goodwill. We share meals and spread goodwill and we invite the children in our neighbourhood to our home and share our joy with them. Christmas is about spreading peace, goodwill and love,” she said smilingly.

So what does Christmas really mean to you?

[by Sirohmi Gunesekera]
(Teacher, Attorney-at-Law and Researcher into Human Relations & The Family Unit)

“Silent night, holy night.
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin mother and child,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace…”

The words of this much-loved Christmas carol capture the spirit of the Season.

Christmas has been commercialized and there is a frenzy even on the part of non-Christians to go shopping and eat goodies. The big hotels have their own kind of Christmas glamour events and willy nilly, Christians get caught up in a rush that has really nothing to do with Christmas

Christmas really means the birth of the Christ Child, the Son of God who was born of a virgin and became man to save human beings from sin and death.

The Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would bear a child, Jesus. “How can this be since I know not man?”questioned Mary. The Angel told Mary to fear not as the child would be born of the Holy Spirit. “I am the Handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to Thy Word, ”said Mary in implicit obedience to the Will of God.

Coming from a traditionally conservative society such as Sri Lanka, surely Mary would have known the consequences of being an Unwed Mother. Even her fiancé, Joseph, wanted to divorce her quietly when he came to know of her situation but an angel appeared in a dream and told him the truth.

However, it was Mary, an untried innocent young girl, who had to bear the opprobrium of carrying a baby before wedlock. Saint Euphrasia founded the Order of the Nuns of the Good Shepherd to help the Fallen Woman. Although Mary was a Virgin, her plight as an Unwed Mother is the spiritual source for the Good Shepherd nuns to help unwed mothers in the world today.

The story of Christmas then is the story of Mary and her Boy Child. In the words of the carol,

“Long time ago in Bethlehem,
So the Holy Bible says,
Mary’s Boy Child Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas day…”

The true meaning of Christmas is conveyed in the words;

“Hark now hear the Angels sing,
Listen to what they say,
A new King born today,
Man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day.”

Yes, we celebrate the birth of Christ as a King. Yet his was not the pomp and glory of the kings of this world.

The carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are” tells the story of Christ’s life to come when it says;

“Myrrh is mine its bitter perfume,
Breathes a life of gathering gloom…”

Yes, in spite of the excitement of the birth of Jesus, his was a life of sorrow culminating in His Passion and Death on the Cross.

In fact, Easter is a greater feast than Christmas because it is the Triumph of Life over Death when the crucified Christ arose on the third day. It is the Resurrection of Christ that gives true meaning to Christianity and that is why Christians really celebrate the birth of the Son of God. He became a man and suffered and died in order to redeem humankind from Sin. He died a martyr and rose again on the third day to prove that he had conquered sin and death.

It is the Midnight Mass that gives true meaning to Christmas and Christians all over the world flock to churches on this night. Once again, it is the Sacrifice of the Mass when the events of the Last Supper are re-enacted.

“This is the body and blood of Christ,Which will be given up for you So that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in memory of me.”

These were the words uttered by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper before He was betrayed by Judas and had to suffer and die on the Cross.

The priest lights up the crib where Jesus was born in a manger. Jesus was born amidst the poorest of the poor and His mother had no room at the inn where she could give birth. So Jesus was born amidst the unhygienic conditions of a cattleshed and Joseph would have cut the umbilical cord, so Jesus could be born into this world.

If Jesus was born so poor and destitute, how can Christians celebrate His birth amidst pomp and plenty? How can they eat roast suckling pig and exotic Christmas cake and pudding and call it Christmas?

True, Christmas is a time of giving and many Christians give generously to orphanages and homes for the Aged and to other charitable causes. But can they cut down on their own celebrations without spending so much on eating, drinking and lavish gift-giving?

In Sri Lanka, it is perceived that you need money to enjoy Christmas. Isn’t this contrary to the very message of the Christ Child who grew up to preach the Beatitudes,

“Blessed are the poor,
For they shall see God.
…Blessed are they who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.”

Let us therefore resolve to enjoy a simple Christmas by praying constantly and giving freely of our time and money to the poor and the marginalized. There are many lonely souls out there who would welcome even just a smile and a kind word.

[by Lakmini Wijemanne]

In our series on Namunukula Estates, Cannavarella is the last estate that we would be sharing with you which belongs to the Royal Ceylon Tea Company, managed by Nishantha Randeniya for Royal Ceylon Tea Company Ltd. It covers 796.20 hectares and employs a workforce of about 800 workers and produces about 600,000 kg. of processed tea under the label of “Cannavarella Tea”.
At the turn of the 19th Century, Cannavarella Estate was owned by Ms. MacFarlanes and covered only a land extent of 750 acres (303.64 Hectares).

Originally it was grown with coffee and when the Coffee Blight attacked,the land flourished with the new crop. The estate changed ownership in the early 1900, with the new owner and the management, more neighbouring land was acquired and the acreage grew. The bungalow was built in the year 1925 and according to the documents available, it had then been the Superintendent’s bungalow.

The entrance to the bungalow perimeter is through a beautiful archway fashioned with bricks and covered with greenery. Then, up a flight of stone steps and through another archway fashioned out of flowering branches, one enters the private premises of the bungalow. Along a walkway with blue-green lush grass growing on either side, the visitor enters the portico. An unique feature of this house is that, unlike in many other bungalows so far, the floor in the portico is done in a light-brown granite (almost the colour of tea mixed with milk!), which adds an element of simple elegance to the building. This portico is furnished with low-slung cane chairs upholstered in cream to match the floor. Through the main door, you enter into the morning room and from there, the house extends on a straight line to the left and the right. On either side of this long corridor are placed the dining room, sitting room, bedrooms and the pantry and kitchen.

Dining Room:
A majestic dining table which had been part of the original furniture of the bungalow, occupies the centre of the room. Seating for eight guests on comfortable old chairs, are provided and the walls of the room are lined with antique sideboards containing old as well as new cutlery and crockery. The floor is done in wood and the walls are done in cream which blends well with the floor. A set of windows in a semi-circular wall opens out to a beautiful view of the green grass, a row of blooming roses and a variety of flora which relaxes the eye and the mind.

Sitting Room:
A stone fireplace with a mantle-piece of the same colour granite as the entrance portico, occupies the main focal point of the room. The timber floor of the room is polished to a sheen and one wall is lined with a rack filled with various ornaments.

Again, the wall facing the garden is semi-circular and is fitted with long windows, through which one can feast the eyes on the sprawling green carpet of grass and tall trees beyond. The bungalow houses three bedrooms with the master bedroom.

These rooms are lofty, quite big and spacious with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valley with great admiration for efforts made to beautify the surrounding areas of the bungalow by its present manager. We took our leave keeping well in mind to appreciate our own home-grown tea and the growers of the hardships they go through, to bring to us a good blend of tea for our cup.

The time has come to seriously make an effort by all concerned, to appreciate our own tea and take it to greater heights and create better awareness of its value as a healthy beverage and a better market local and overseas as well, for it to survive long into the future. Let us all do our little bit, to give our tea a better place and value!!

Photographs by Krishan Shashika Ranasinghe

[by Shabnam Farook]

Oh how I envy those who sashay around the city in heels looking like Sara Jessica Parker or Beyonce Knowles, juggling their daily chores and work, throwing caution to the air.

Unfortunately, I’m not one of those suave women. I’m the kind who cannot keep a straight face and walk in heels even if my life depended on it.

I find solace in wearing flip flops, and thankfully people like Niluka Perera are around to keep our spirits alive.

Here Niluka Perera, the brain child behind Fusion foot wear talks to LW about how the ordinary rubber slipper has been transformed into something hip and happening.

“After returning to Sri Lanka from UK, leaving behind a career in Genetics, I joined my Father in his business. That was my entry point into the footwear industry. His company manufactures rubber slippers and other footwear for leading brands locally and internationally. However, I soon realized that in this sunny, warm country where most of us like to frolic in the outdoors, especially at the beaches, there is so much more potential for the ‘rubber slipper’ to be a fashion accessory than being just an ordinary bathroom slipper,” she started off.

This desire to give ordinary rubber slipper a make over led to the creation of a comfortable flip flop with a bit of pizzazz.

Niluka says the name “Fusion” simply reflects the idea to fuse comfort with style.

She adds “I have since, branched out on my own, launching ‘Fusion’ in to the footwear market, which has grown to be a household name in Colombo in just under three years. I am so encouraged by some of the feedback I get from my customers regarding the quality of the product. Fusion is designed by women for women and our aim is to treat the discerning women of Sri Lanka with a good quality product. Fusion boasts of six different categories that meet your need to look beautiful at every occasion.”

The vibrant range of footwear includes ‘Chloe’ a soft casual range for one to lounge in and spend time with one’s self, ‘Summer Magic’ that spreads the joy of flowers with its bright and bold colours reflecting the bright side of life. The “Mystique collection’ brings in an ethnic touch with its strings and stones and soft earthly shades.’Cachet’ the designer range is for one to dazzle in a bit of glitz and glamour and dress up for the evening, whilst ‘Gizelle’ personifies the bride with its soft colours and graceful characteristics. For the tiny feet “Fusion” has ‘Felicity’ a collection which is quite popular for its vibrant colours.

It heartening to know that while Niluka works tirelessly, to create a name for herself in the local footwear industry through her brand “Fusion”, she hasn’t forgotten her duty towards society and her country.

“The intricate and delicate handwork that fashions the slipper is the result of a team of women from a little village in the outskirts of Kandy. Taking the opportunity to help the under-privileged women in our society, I employed these local women from the village and set up a workshop for them to train and develop their skills. What was once an arduous task for them is now their pride and joy and it is fulfilling to see the lives of these women and their families being touched through my business. Additionally, I also outsource the work to several other villagers who work at cottage industries in the outskirts of Colombo thereby contributing to the growth of the local micro economy,” she said modestly.

The assembling and manufacturing of Fusion slippers is carried out at her fathers’ main manufacturing plant in Kandy. He provides employment for over 300 employees in the Ambetanne area in Kandy.

From Niluka the Geneticist to Niluka the young and energetic entrepreneur, surely the transition must have not been easy.

“Being a Geneticist by profession, venturing in to business was very challenging. But with the support of my family and a few very close friends I managed to pull myself together and stand on my own two feet. In the male dominated footwear industry, being a young female entrepreneur brought challenges of its own nature. Initially these challenges were overbearing and I felt that I did not belong in the trade. However, overtime with Fusion firmly establishing its place in society these challenges somehow were not so prominent.”

Ambitious plans for the future are plenty she says, adding “Fusion has been growing steadily from the start and I foresee a good future. We have expanded our product range to include ladies shoes. Whilst maintaining our own outlet at Duplication Rd, our distribution points have expanded to a few stores in Colombo. As a product born and bred locally, we have taken advantage of industry benefits to give us an edge over imported collections. The heavy taxation on imports means that we can capitalize on a gap in the market that others cannot afford to fill.”

“The backbone of my business is undoubtedly my father who has always extended his unconditional support from the very inception of my business venture. With his expertise as a Rubber Technologist coupled with his experience in the trade for over 25 years, he has a wealth of knowledge for me to draw upon from. My mom has always been my pillar of strength, inspiring me and supporting me in every decision I take. It is her tireless effort, guidance and counseling that has propelled me this far. Not leaving out my sibling, my older brother who is always there for me when in need,” she emphasized, attributing her triumph to her supportive family.

Niluka Perera is a laid back person who loves what she does and enjoys every aspect of it. As a Christian, she believes her business is truly a gift from God to touch her life and so many other lives. “He has directed my path and guided me through some very turbulent phases. I also believe in a healthy lifestyle. I work out regularly, which I believe is imperative not only for a healthy body but also for a healthy mind. I am also a member of Zonta Club 11 of Colombo which in its entirety has greatly contributed to my life, she said winding up our interesting conversation.