Bright Lights

 

This is the time of year, as we clear our desks for the holidays, when we look back and make lists of goals achieved and resolutions for the year ahead. It’s also when we see lists being announced of the achievers of the year - the beauty queens and kings, the record-breaking athletes and the trail-blazing people to watch.

Image Courtesy: purplesoul.blog

In a dark sky, stars shine more brightly. 2019 has been a momentous year for Sri Lanka. The shock of the Easter Attacks, the subsequent rise in hate speech in the community, and the political tensions leading up to the recent election, have been challenging to navigate. Amidst all this, we have each had our own projects to wrap up and deadlines to meet.

We are acutely aware in these circumstances of what encourages us and gives us hope in the future. Thinking back on the whole panorama, I want to note the people whose work and existence have brought inspiration to me, in this hard year. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and work in different fields, and each is an individual who sees a bigger picture than their own concerns. Thus, everything they do adds value to the world they live in and the lives of those they impact.

I am inspired by the visual art of Anoma Wijewardene, which draws our attention to the climate crisis and our human frailty; the sculptures, paintings and poetry of Asela Abeywardene, symbolically showcasing our human condition; the prehistoric pencil drawings of Vasika Uduruwane, who also specializes in bicep selfies and dramatic arcs in poetry; Kaviru Samarawickrama’s sassy, sensory performance poetry; the skilled and enlightened precision of the writing of Ramya Jirasinghe; the genius, patience and constant encouragement of Ishan de Lanerolle as Choir Director and vocal coach, the bright, forceful beauty of Kumudini Perera’s resounding voice in song, and her impassioned commitment to social justice for children and the vulnerable; the exuberant, dramatic collaborations of Jehan Aloysius; the innovative theatrical vision of Tracy Holsinger; the empathy and social sensitivity of the actress Mayanthi de Silva; and the humanitarian perspective and urgent articulacy of the poet Haala Marikar.

I am encouraged by the generous dedication of the educator Samantha De S. Wijeyeratne; the bridge-building academic work of Madhubhashini Dissanayake Ratnayake; the multiple access points of critical and poetic openness of Vivimarie Van Der Poorten; and the commitment, flair and experience of the corporate trainers Nirmali and Shyam Hettiaraachi, Kumar de Silva and Angela Seneviratne, who support and refine the skills of upcoming members of our thriving business world, with insight, experience and finesse.

I am dazzled by the creative development, affirmative mentoring and self-renewal of Linda Speldewinde, whose vision built the amazing Innovation Tower this year; the exciting expansion of the entrepreneurial enterprise of Melissa Dharmadasa, who created a lifestyle brand that made cafe culture part of a new Belle Époque in Colombo; the sharp, insightful video photography and camera work of Don Isuru Epasinghe, who shows us the wonders and struggles around us with a clear and compassionate lens; and the social awareness of Natasha Rathnayake, who entertains with vibrant song and showstopping performance, and whose telling words via social media make us positively re-evaluate the life choices by which we shape our lives.

I am informed by the objectivity, good judgment, intellectual generosity and fact-based, journalistic professionalism of the media writers, editors and commentators Smriti Daniel, Adilah Ismail, Marianne David, Aisha Nazim, Kris Thomas, Munza Mushtaq and Thulasi Muttulingam; and the essential historical contextual knowledge of DBS Deyaraj. The news stories and articles all of them write add layers and depth to what we think about each other and urge us to be accountable in how we treat each other, and allow ourselves to be treated.

I am educated by the civil consciousness and integrity of Raisa Wickrematunge, Malathy Knight of Verite Research, the big ideas and bold pictures of Natalie Soysa the inspired photographer and writer, the sharp insights offered in informed discussions about gender equity conducted by Sharanya Sekaram of Bakamoono and Grassrooted, the challenging perspectives into socio-economic access and educational justice given by Kavindya Thennakoon, and the strong and abiding commitment to female empowerment of Shameela Yoosuf Ali, Founder of FemAsia Magazine - all of whose work bring into the cultural conversation the voices of the often marginalized, and highlight the need for continuing education to raise awareness of diversity and inclusiveness in a pluralist society.

I am challenged by the colourful clarity of Aritha Wickremesinghe, who uses his extensive knowledge of law and justice to raise issues which expand the idea of the range of what is socially acceptable, via the reasoned arguments he makes on social media, and his willingness to engage in difficult public conversations.

I am nourished by the strong moral compass and practical wisdom of Oshitha Narangoda, who mindfully engages in spiritual and philosophical discussions on FB and IG, and also dazzlingly embodies characters in intricately costumed cosplay; the open-minded realism, sincerity and integrity of Ayesha Ratnayake; and the honesty, engagement and articulacy of Nadeesha Paulis, who shows us how to live a more environmentally-conscious and wholistic life, and brings to us the benefits and joy of plant-based diet via her Instagram story.

I am prompted by the generosity of Koluu Ranawake, who urges us to live our best life, cheers everyone up with a quote of the day every day on FB, and a weekly column which holds a mirror to the way we live; Ramya Weerakoon with her halo of bright hair, whose entrepreneurial energy powers industries and aircraft; and Sarrah Sammoon, who has created a dynamic and evolving literary circle, and opens Sri Lankan enterprise and the world of international business to each other daily, in her work.

I am relieved by the brilliant You Tube talk show ‘Shhh!’ (Talk About Taboos) created by Shanuki de Alwis and Shifani Reffai, which has opened up crucial issues for discussion this year that our society until now has often shut down. The conversations started on this platform are positively transforming the way we think about a variety of issues that affect our citizens. I am impressed by the social articulacy of Grace Wickremasinghe, who hosts poets and voice artists in open mic events at various cafes; Eesha Coswatte, who raises a fierce and humorous amplifier to the issues of the day on her FB page; and Lilanka Botejue, and Cassendra Doole, who expand our vision of what citizens of the world sound like, with their pointed comments and revelatory opinions on social media.

I am impressed by medical doctors Pathum Kerner and Lawanya Wijesekara who not only heal the afflicted, but also create projects which help clean the environment, and create literary work which makes us question and want to participate.

I am upheld by the work of Nivendra Uduman, the clinical psychologist, who teaches workshops on identifying those who are struggling, and shows us how to support each other to become more productive and fulfilled; and the musician and composer Rukshan Perera, who has written songs for children which embody social values we would like to see flower in the lives of the future generation, in the ‘Little Minds, Strong Values’ Project.

Image Courtesy: independentbanker.org

Like bright lights, these individuals shine, and as this year ends I honour them for what they do, and thank them with full appreciation for the multi-faceted ways in which they do it. May their presence and their work continue to transform us and enrich our lives, in the years to come!