“Let NGOs Operate Freely” US Tells Sri Lanka

July 9, 2014

The United States is concerned by reports that the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence has ordered registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups to cease their media engagements and activities.

Jen Psaki

Issuing a statement the US department of state spokesperson Jen Psaki, has today said; “This order undermines Sri Lanka’s longstanding and proud democratic traditions, including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.  We strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to allow civil society organizations and NGOs, which play a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka’s democratic values, to operate freely.”

Floor By GO (4 Minus 1 Is 3)

By Udan Fernando -July 9, 2014

The foodie in me often takes me to places where people meet, chat, drink and eat. One of those hip places is ‘Floor by O’, a bar-restaurant located down Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7. ‘Floor by O’ offers some 1,000 cocktails as well as a variety of bites, some of which are slightly political. One such bite is ‘Grease Yakaa‘, an extra-devilled dish served with your choice of meat. 

There’s another Floor in Colombo which offers a different culinary experience: the Fourth Floor.  You cannot get in on your own reservation, though. Instead, the experience is only offered by invitation. The Fourth Floor is known for its gourmet cuisine of which the standard is consistently maintained irrespective of the changing regimes and Chefs.

Former Beauty Queen and Sri Lanka’s pride in Bollywood, Jacqueline Fernandez will fly in this weekend to Colombo for the opening of her restaurant, ‘Kaema Sutra‘ on the ground floor of the Independence Arcade. ‘Kaema Sutra‘ is a collaboration between the Beauty and the Chef, Darshan.   Jacqueline will take a few days off her super busy schedule in the wake of  the upcoming release ‘Kick’ where she has been paired opposite Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Jacqueline told a Bollywood news website about ‘Kaema Sutra‘:  ”The place is quaint with a homely vibe. A few items on the menu are from my grandmother’s recipe book. I have fond memories of her kitchen.”                                                                Read More