2 Wednesday 25th August, 2010

‘The Flash of the fiery blade’ launched Highly imaginative and amazingly enter- taining novel, ‘The Flash of the fiery blade’ by Aravinda Perera was launched recently. It is a Masterpiece publication. inhawalokanaya, the first film directed by Seneth Malinga Lokuhewa, is being filmed at the Hanthana sites. SThe film’s co-producers are Premarathna Vetakepotha, Nations corporate Ravinhans Vetakepotha, Rohan de and Pasan Chandrasekera. The story and script is written by Suneth quiz 2010 on ‘Star Malinga. Ehaliyagoda Somathilaka handles dress design and art direction. Direction of photography is by Prabath Roshan. Wars’ today Ranjan Prasanna Dhanuska Jayawardana and Ananda Kapuge ations Trust Bank will yet again are the assistant directors of this film. Direction of music is by be hosting its highly anticipated Rukantha Gunathilaka and Ravi Hanz, Palitha Tenakoon and Harold Karunatilake are the two production managers. Corporate Quiz, which will take N Dilong Jayasinghe and Rasini Charuka Gunatilake have place at the Waters Edge Grand been selected to play the key roles. The cast includes a host of Ballroom on August 25 in a grand veteran actors and actresses including Sanath Gunatilake, style. The quest to win this battle to Dilhani Ekanayake, , Kanchana Mendis, Cletus supremacy among ’s corpo- Mendis, Dhamitha Aberathna, and Maureen rate elite will be set on one of the most Charuni. Pix by Sujatha Jayaratne celebrated movie, the “Star Wars”. Based on the theme Nations Star Wars – “One World, One Galaxy, One Team”….. this event follows the Nations Trust Survivor Quest of 2008 which was a huge success and is still fondly remembered by all the partici- pants for its uniqueness, glamour and the competitive spirit. This year’s event too is expected to be one of its kind where contestants will get the opportunity to experience the collec- tive energy of all participating ‘galaxi- cal forces’ that will enhance the excite- ment of the evening. The Nations Corporate Quiz 2010 has already drawn a tremendous response from the initial invitees and a large number of teams representing the Corporate Elite of the country are expected to battle over an array of brain-teasing questions based on diverse topics. The event which intends to promote a spirit of friendly competition amongst the participants also promises to be an Culture chameleon evening of great fun as well as rewards and surprises on offer for all BY LI JING ousine. His office then was a 10- the contestants. CHINA DAILY/ ANN square meter space in the most exclusive high-rise properties in V host, marketing whiz, bou- the city. tique travel agency boss, As vice-president of web search TTCM practitioner, leisurely engine Baidu, Liang Dong was a scribe of Buddhist scriptures... high-flyer in more ways than one. Liang Dong has seen many rein- He joined the company in 2005 carnations in one lifetime. tasked with the mission to create Liang Dong says his favorite brand awareness, but not many place to recharge and rejuvenate had confidence he could do the job. is a little house hidden among After all, he was known more as a the old courtyards that line television host then than an IT pro- the moat next to the fessional. Forbidden City.Here he can But he was already packing in relax, dressed in casual cot- the awards. In 2003, he won tons, and listen to the chant of Chinese television’s Best Showbiz Passant obtains a PhD Buddhist mantras playing softly in Host award for his entertainment the background. program Showbiz Show on assant V. Karunaratne, EXCEL/Charles A Dana Research This is his little pharmacy, Phoenix Television. received the Degree of Scholarship, MIT-Woodshole named Z’an, which according to “Change was hard,” says Liang. PDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) Oceanographic Institute Research Liang’s business card means to “It was like transferring buses. from the Robert R McCormick Fellowship, IEEE/JJ Ebers pray for peace in body and soul. When you get a seat after standing School of Engineering, Department Memorial Award for high academic “Wherever there is a place to for a longtime in a crowded bus, you are reluctant to get off and of Electrical Engineering and achievement in electrical engineer- sit, there is my office, no matter if Computer Science of the ing, the Lafayette College ‘Unsung it is in the pharmacy or in a hotel transfer to another crowded one, Northwestern University, Illinois, Leopard’ Award for academic lobby,” says Liang. “Computers because there are no seats and you have been out of my life for the have to stand and wait again.” USA recently. His research inter- excellence and noteworthy social past two years, as I don’t have to Fortunately, he got his seat ests are in the specialized area of, service and the Benjamin Barge produce Powerpoint presentations before too long. The slogan he ‘Pre-Processing and Post- Prize for excellence in mathemat- Thanuja’s latest poems or write reports anymore.” created - Baidu yixia - Processing Methods for Video ics. But two years ago, comput- soon became a buzz- Compression’. Dr. Passant Karunaratne is the word among netizens. ‘Akeekaru Depa’ ers were always at his finger- Passant had his undergraduate son of Professor Sam Karunaratne, tips. And like most top infor- He initiated a series of eteran writer and journalist projects under the education at Lafayette College, Professor Emeritus, University of mation technology executives, Pennsylvania, USA. He has been a Moratuwa, and Chairman, SLIIT Thanuja Dharmapala’s latest col- he dressed in well-tailored brand motto “Baidu senior staff engineer at Motorola, in and Professor Kusuma Vlection of poems ‘Akeekaru business suits, jetted about knows Chinese bet- Depa’ launched recently. The book is a from place to place and was ter” and won the top Illinois, USA and had been the win- Karunaratne, Professor Emeritus, Noriko Creations publication. chauffeured around in a lim- Effie Award in China. ner of many awards including University of Colombo.

Jewellery exhibition by Deepa Samba ‘Lakdiwa Athkam Shilpakala’ eepa Samba Siva Rao started making jewellery for launch her friends as a hobby, as time progressed her book, Lakdiwa Athkam delivered by Dhobby turned to a business due to the huge Shilpakala written by former Professor demand. Her handmade jewellery is unique in design AExecutive Director of the Sri Nimal de and is set with semi precious stones such as turquoise, Lanka Handicrafts Board Ratnapala Silva and jade and agate etc. Nagodavithana will be launched on Professor Deepa had held exhibitions in the Middle East and August 26 at 3.00 p.m. at the Tissa even displayed some of her exclusive jewellery at the National Crafts Council, Kariyawasam Bait Al Zubair museum in Oman. A collection of her Battaramulla. will also address the gathering. jewellery was exhibited on August 20 at Hotel Ramada in The book contains a plethora of Traditional Industries and Small Colombo, giving the opportunity for Sri Lankan jew- ellery aficionados to see and purchase the exclusive information on the handicrafts Enterprises Development Minister items. industry based on Sri Lanka’s econ- Douglas Devananda, Deputy Commenting on the above Deepa said “it was a privi- omy, culture and mode of living of Minister Weerakumara lege to conduct this event in my own country and all you the people. The National Crafts Dissanayaka and Ministry Secretary fashionable ladies looking for modern, chic jewellery Council has organised the launch. V. Sivagunasothi will participate in who came to see these items which I had to offer’. The keynote speech will be the event. (DAW)