The

SriLankan

VOL. 1 ISSUE 2 A$4.00 (INC GST)

Quads Turn

Shalini’s
TINTAGEL Designer
From political Genes
home to hotel
Melanie & Alluring
Ryan wed Sri Lanka
Dhini comes
of couture age > > > Win an LCD TV! < < <
 In SOCIETY today From the Ed
4… ‘Explosion of Colour’ for Metho
5… Win a colour LCD TV
12
COVER GIRL
To our readers,
IT’S good to be back with this, our second issue!
Ever since our launch in May, many have been
Dhini’s picture the eager queries about the next edition, and
6-7… NZ’s beautiful triplets by Dhamindra here we are, back with a smorgasbord of visual
Kahaduwarachch
8… Lighting up Kirigalpotta and reading delights: glamorous attire, inspiring
people, captivating stories, informative columns
9… Restaurant guide+Recipe and even an exciting competition.

10-11… Fusive ’08 concert Speaking of content, there seems to be, among
us humans, a fascination for multiple births, and
12-14… The Dhini Label if that be the case, then this issue is going to
interest a great number of readers for featured
15… Nugegoda Notes today are stories of triplets, quadruplets and
hang on, our cover girl Dhini, an identical twin!
16… A Hot Topic: a mum’s foray into the realm of spices
First, on pgs 6-7 we have our deeply moving
17… Miris Recipe + Mental Health with Dr. Carlyle Perera story from New Zealand; the story of Jackie and
Rohan Samaratunga who went through much
18-19… Tintagel: From political home to boutique hotel trial and heartbreak and today are the doting
20… S. Thomas’ OBA President + Real Estate parents of beautiful triplet daughters.
Then on our very colourful centrespread we
21… Thomians’ Autumn Ball have the Dandenong Quads, a delightfully heart-
warming story if ever there was one.
22-23… Melanie & Ryan wed
Thirdly, there’s Dhini Pararajasingham, the award
24-25… The Quads turn 2! winning dress designer from North Balwyn who
we have featured on pgs 12 - 14. Dhini is one of
26-27… Alluring Sri Lanka:
Stefan’s coffee table book 26 a twin; her sister Shini is her identical twin.
So there you have it; twins, triplets and
28-30… Ethnic glamour with Mary quadruplets! All in one issue.
Anyway, enough said; I leave
31… The pulse in Beijing/fund-raiser for Cheshire Home it to you to savour the great
32-33… Nuptials of Chamari & Dasun experience that is SOCIETY.

34… Samantha Sirimanne’s Villawood Express

35… Book launch + Kari Mancha is back!
18 Raine W.
The SOCIETY family/contact info
36-37… Shalini, the industrial designer Editor Raine Wickrematunge
38-40… A grand wedding at the Cinnamon Deputy Editor
Advertising & Business
Jennifer Barthelot

41… Victor Melder remembers growing up Promotion Manager

Graphic Designers
Cowdrey Zacky
Paul Savy, Jan Lamb
in Nawalapitiya Reporters/Contributors Dream Wikramanayake,
Angie-Singam Lye, Varsha Perera
42-43… Dan the Man; Dollars at the end Contact us P.O. Box 1503,
of a re-cycle dream Doncaster East, Vic 3109
E-mail info@theslsociety.com
44… Movie on Prince Siddhartha Gautama Phone: (Editorial) 03 9842 7924, 0422 177 550,
03 9568 4096
45… St. Peters re-union Advertising Contacts 0400 340 419 or
cowdrey@theslsociety.com
46… Check out your stars Website www.theslsociety.com

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2 | The Sri Lankan Society 2008 The Sri Lankan Society 2008 | 3
Jacqueline’s Triplet
Odyssey!!!
Jacqueline and Rohan Samaratunga had one
problem after another trying to become pregnant.
Finally, Jackie conceived way beyond their
expectations….she was going to have triplets!
W
HEN their son Sash was 6,
Rohan and Jackie Samaratunga
from Glendene, West
Auckland, New Zealand, began
trying for another baby. The
pregnancy happened almost straight away,
but things didn’t look good. The doctors
told them the added pressure from the
baby gaining weight had resulted in her
cervix opening like a funnel.
At 19 weeks, they lost the baby. “It’s a
little boy,” Rohan told his wife. “He’s not
breathing. Do you want to see him?”
“I think I’ll recover quicker if I don’t,”
Jackie wept. Rohan went off to be with
the baby and take pictures. “Who did
he look like?” Jackie asked him later. “I
can’t compare him to anyone, he was too
special,” he replied.
Jackie’s grief didn’t go away even after
six months. She decided to open the file
and take a look and saw the imprints of
his little hands and feet. She felt a sense
of relief at finally knowing who she was
grieving for. She decided to call him
Hamish.
When the couple tried to get pregnant
again, it was discovered that Jackie had
cysts in her ovaries. More pain and a sense
of uselessness. But a burning desire to forge
ahead kept her going and Jackie was put
on fertility treatment. Rohan had to inject
hormones into her tummy every day.
“I could think of nothing else than
producing an egg!” Jackie says.
Five weeks later, a scan revealed she
was pregnant…and it was a multiple
pregnancy! The Samaratungas were over
the moon, after all they had been through,
this was such wonderful news.
6 | The Sri Lankan Society 2008
But things were not easy. Jackie had to
have a cervical suture inserted at 12 weeks
gestation due to her incompetent cervix.
At 18 weeks a scan revealed the suture was
not performing (there was three times the
weight to carry) and she had emergency
surgery to place another suture higher into
the cervix.
Rohan set up a bed for Jackie in the
storeroom of the café they ran together in
Glendene so she could rest properly and
he’d be there if anything went wrong.
Jacqueline and Rohan Samaratunga
The triplets at a few months old
Week by week the scans revealed that the
chances of carrying the triplets to a viable
stage were diminishing. Jackie was ordered
to have complete bed rest. Options they
were offered included, selective reduction
- to carry two babies to a viable stage, and
reducing the fluid around the babies to
lighten the stress on the suture.
“It would be best to terminate one
pregnancy,” the doctor said. “I can inject a
chemical into one baby and hopefully save
the others.”
“No way,” Rohan and Jackie told the
doctor. “We will take the risk.”
Jackie tried to protect herself emotionally
in case the babies didn’t survive. “I
stopped allowing myself to feel they were
mine. I thought of them as aliens.”
“You are lucky to be having three,” people
told her but Jackie found little to smile
about. The stress brought on ante-natal
depression. She was prescribed an anti-
depressant to keep her calm and able to
face the challenges ahead.
Her internal anatomy was also under
strain. Besides the fact that one baby’s head
was pressed firmly against her bladder and
would kick so hard that she felt her sutures
would rupture, her stomach was pushed
up almost into her armpit. At 20 weeks,
the doctor informed her she measured up
to a full-term pregnancy and she was only
half way through the pregnancy! She also
started feeling Braxton Hicks contractions
which were very uncomfortable.
At 26 weeks, Jackie received steroids to
help speed up the development of the
babies’ lungs. Breathing difficulties is one
of the biggest problems faced by premature
infants, so this was given as a precaution.
The family out on a day at the zoo
The following weeks revealed that the
middle baby was not gaining weight and
may have been stressed. At 34 weeks as
baby B had not shown any significant
growth and the doctors felt Jackie should
check into hospital. Consequently she
would have the babies by caesarean section
at 34 weeks. The long wait to meet our
babies was almost over.
Jackie decided to have an epidural so
she could be awake to know what was
going on. Besides the doctors and nurses
necessary to care for her, there would be at
least two staff for each of the babies, plus a
film crew. The Samaratungas consented for
the Unichem Medical File documentary
TV programme to film the delivery. Hence
the already crowded theatre became even
more crowded.
Sash’s 16th birthday
The first to be born was Chloe Tiara
(1925gms). A minute later, Roselle Anjalee
(1890gms) made her entrance into the
world with a cry that sounded like Donald
Duck! Finally, one minute later, came little
Chanel Harsha (1885gms), who was rather
crinkled up and had to be given a hard rub
to get her all stretched out.
Breast engorgement and soaring hormone
levels took its toll on Jackie’s mental
state and she went into deep post-natal
depression. She was weepy and generally
overwhelmed. She suffered panic attacks,
hot flushes, poor sleep and eating patterns.
She says she did not feel any elation at
having three beautiful daughters.
After battling on for three weeks in hospital, “I would not have my life any other way,
Jackie finally felt able to take the plunge the entire experience of my reproductive
and go home. The nurses insisted they years has given me many challenges and
carry the babies downstairs and release I have overcome all of them and I have
them to the couple at the door of the gained inner strength. I have also learnt
hospital. that with medical conditions, you the
“I think it was then that my husband patient need to undertake research and
felt the enormity of the task we faced discuss all possible options for treating
rearing the three babies on our own! I was your condition and feel totally empowered
speechless, as I worried about how we were to address these options with your medical
going to cope,” Jackie says. provider.”
“When we arrived home half an hour later “Today Rohan and I hope that we would be
all the babies were asleep and not the least able to add one more child to our family to
impressed with their new surroundings. complete our 5 child family dream that we
had from the beginning of our relationship.
Jackie tried to protect herself If it happens naturally we will be very
emotionally in case the babies
happy, and if it does not we still have our
four angels and our special angel that spent
didn’t survive. “I stopped allowing
a short time with us.”
( Jacqueline Samaratunga is the president
myself to feel they were mine.
and newsletter editor of the NZ Triplet Plus
Club)
I thought of them as aliens.”
We will never forget this moment as it was
the beginning of a whole new way of life
for us!”
Diapers and bottles, the Samaratungas
needed lots! In only the first year they used
6,800 disposal diapers and 4,900 prepared
bottles!
The girls were all walking by 13 months
so child-proofing the house has been a
constant and challenging responsibility.
Jackie says, at first she was very nervous Pretty princesses, tiaras and all
about leaving the house with the triplets
as she was already depressed and did not
want to make a spectacle of herself.
When she finally
felt confident
enough to go out,
she says, she could
not believe some of
the things people
would say.
“Are they natural?”
“You poor thing.”
“Better you than
me!” “I thought I had
it bad!” And when
the triplets started to
grow and did not look
like triplets any more:
“Don’t you and your
husband own a TV set?”
The triplets Chloe,
Roselle and Chanel are
8 years old now and big
brother Sash is a young
man of 16. It has been a
busy, hectic eight years
with a lot of huddles and
challenges to overcome for
Jackie and Rohan. Despite
all she has been through,
Three little dancers
Jackie, now 43, says,
The Sri Lankan Society 2008 | 7

Lighting up
Kirigalpotta
Shanil’s vision for a rural hamlet
T
he village of Kirigalpotta in the
Moneragala district of Sri Lanka is
not known to many people. A five to
six hour drive from Colombo, it isn’t
exactly a tourist spot, nor is it on the
scenic route home. But for a bunch of post-
grad students from the University of New
South Wales, Kirigalpotta is a place close
to their hearts.
Shanil Samarakoon, a young graduate
with a project team of students from varied
backgrounds and diverse qualifications,
has started a project to provide electricity
to the village of Kirigalpotta. Armed
with nothing but a driving ambition to
make a difference, Shanil is unfazed
by the magnitude of the task. “Though
unquestionably ambitious and challenging
given the remote nature of the project, I
believe this rural electrification initiative
in Sri Lanka could be a pivotal step given
that it’s a pilot project,” he says.
Shanil’s project is aptly called ‘Empower’
and is scoped out in a project document
that provides well researched information
about the problems with hydro electricity
and diesel power generation. These
alternatives are not available to rural
villages in the recess of Sri Lanka. The
Electricity Board provides electricity to
only 60% of households in Sri Lanka.
‘Empower’ plans to provide an alternative
renewable fuel source, bio-gas, for the two
hamlets in Kirigalpotta. A practical and
cost efficient option, bio-gas is made from
organic waste materials, such as animal
dung, agro-residues and garbage. One bio-
gas cubic meter volume, which is equal in
atmospheric pressure and temperature, can
produce 1.12 kWh of energy.
Shanil’s team has decided on a system
that uses different types of biodegradable
waste products to maintain continuous and
uninterrupted energy flows. The residual
by-product of bio-gas fertilises the soil and
for a community dependent on agriculture
such as Kirigalpotta, it provides an added
bonus.
8 | The Sri Lankan Society 2008
by Angie Singam Lye
At present, the project team is working
on getting funding for the project. “Every
cent counts,” says Shanil. “We are not
looking for big corporate handouts, even
though that would help, but even a few
hundred dollars goes a long way in Sri
Lanka.”
The students have volunteered their time
and effort but the task at hand involves a
lot more than setting up the digesters and
maintaining them. They have identified
that the reasons for the failure of these
types of electrification projects is the lack
of local government support and the lack
of grassroots education.
Shanil says with foresight, “To have
sustainable electricity generation we
have to conduct a training programme
to educate villagers on how to feed and
maintain the bio-gas digesters. We are
hoping to create a template to serve as a
model/resource for similar initiatives in
remote communities.”
Biogas units are used by more than 1200
families in Sri Lanka. It seems, while it
Shanil Samarakoon
from the University
of New South Wales
is spearheading a
volunteer project to
‘Empower’ a village
in Sri Lanka
Shanil Samarakoon: driving ambition to make a difference
is a practical and environmentally sound
fuel option, that there is little or no support
post-implementation to maintain the bio-
gas system and Empower plans to remedy
that. They have included in their strategic
planning a four to five month period of
monitoring and post-implementation
evaluation.
While the students are all following formal
course of study in Sydney, Shanil says both
partners in the project are local and have
their finger in the pulse of the community.
“They also have the required government
permission to undertake such projects.
In addition to this we will ensure that the
local district council members are aware
of our project and its aims, enlisting their
assistance with regard to surveying and
mobilizing the village community.”
If you are interested in helping with
funding or finding out more about
Empower, contact:
shanil.samarakoon@gmail.com
Ph: 0412187108
leesajperry@gmail.com
Food & Wine
John Lazar has more than 30 years experience in the restaurant
industry. His familyowned and ran the very successful and award
winning Lazar’s Charcoal Grill in Fitzroy for many years.
A Gallic soiree
at Frenchy’s
T
o truly enjoy and maximize a
dining experience, one must be
prepared to dedicate the time to be
pampered, to experience the menu, the
hospitality and the expertise of the staff of
an establishment.
Most people today are often in too much
of a rush and with stress governing their
actions, just don’t give themselves the time
to savour the pleasures of a truly relaxed
and enjoyable dining experience.
I wish to share with you one recent
gastronomical soiree- that was most
satisfying in every way.
Our destination was Frenchy’s, a
contemporary French food restaurant in
Glen Waverley’s Village Walk and having
dodged shopping centre traffic, my dining
partner and I were warmly met by
staff at the restaurant.
George,
who was to
remain our
host for the
remainder of
the evening,
selected a
table for us that
overlooked the
busy bar and an
open kitchen that
was alive with
activity.
Owner and Head Chef Klaus Lemm was
not at the helm steering the ship on this
night and I wondered how this evening’s
dining would pan out. We had nothing
to fear as it proved we were in more than
capable hands.
Having quite a carnivore background, I
was tempted to indulge in their signature
dish, a classic pepper steak. Instead I
requested that we be guided by our host in
both food and wine. What followed was an
entrée of Morton Bay bug tails, a special
listed for the day, and an addition to their
normal starters.
A delicate and creative ensemble of bug
tails encased in Serrano ham resting on
a perfectly prepared snow pea risotto
Recipes from
By John Lazar
Angelo’s
Kitchen
Angelo Suriyabandara who migrated
to Australia in 1991 has worked at Jean
Jacques, The Grand Hyatt and Zapatas
Mexican restaurant in Williamstown. He
now owns and runs CAFE 22 with his wife
Manuella and friends and business partners
Malcolm and Michelle Campbell. Cafe 22
is at 22, Williams Street Melbourne.
Spicy Lentil Soup
INGREDIENTS
2 kg can crushed tomatoes
enhanced with sage and lemon oil was 10 cups chicken or vegetable stock
placed before us and our mistake was that
we did not order a separate serve for each 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
one of us! 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
A glass of Phaedrus Estate Pinot Gris 2 teaspoons ground ginger
2008 was the wine choice to accompany
1 teaspoon ground cummin
our entrée. What a superb selection by
George and certainly demonstrated his 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
expertise. The wine was exquisite and a 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
must purchase at a later date.
1 teaspoon turmeric
Main courses followed and my partner was
2 teaspoons ground fenugreek
delighted with her offering of oven roasted
1 teaspoon garam masala
breast of free range chicken that nestled
on a mushroom and asparagus risotto with 1 cup chopped coriander
prawns and prosciutto, thinly sliced.
Extra sprigs coriander, for garnish
Before me was a composition of duckling,
twice cooked with a crispy skin, macaire
potatoes, glazed savoy cabbage and METHOD
finished with a morello cherry sauce. 1. I n a large saucepan, combine
Heavenly. I was not only impressed with tomatoes, stock, lentils and spices.
the delicate flavours but also with the Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
presentation. A glass of Barratt Piccadilly
2. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes
Valley Adelaide Hills Chardonnay was
until lentils are cooked and soup
divine and totally complemented our meal.
thickens slightly. Season to taste.
Another surprise was in store; George had
3. Stir coriander through. Top soup
saved for us to enjoy, a magnificent soufflé
with coriander sprigs and serve with
that just rounded off a wonderful dining
papadams.
experience.
Please do allow yourself the opportunity TOP TIP
to be impressed as we have been and For added flavour, sauté spices in a little
enjoy a wonderful dining experience. oil for a minute or two, until fragrant,
The menu is pleasantly in balance and then add the remaining ingredients.
the wine list is extensive with French
influence as it should be with a name that
this establishment promotes. Prices range
between $14 – $29 for entrees and $28
– $36 for mains.
The décor may be termed as old world but
this diner for one felt it was appropriate
and certainly blended and indeed
enhanced the atmosphere that provides
one the feeling of being welcome and in
warm surroundings.
The Sri Lankan Society 2008 | 9
‘Cult Designer’
By Raine Wickrematunge
comes of
couture
Dhini Pararajasingham has certainly
earned her name in bright lights
age M
By Raine Wickrematunge
y first introduction to Dhini
Pararajasingham and her designer
label came about while rustling
through the glossy pages of the
Age Magazine’s annual fashion
issue earlier this year. Beautiful, bright
eyes on an exquisite face smiled from the
‘watchthisface’ column where Dhini told
an inspiring story of a young girl with a
lifelong passion and a high-fashion dream;
a dream that saw her charting a course
through an RMIT fashion design course,
teaching English in Japan to save enough
to attend Yokohama fashion school, doing
an internship at London design firm
Boudicca after which she released two
fashion collections and then voila! her own
fashion label Dhini Couture.
Now, the designer rubs lapels with the
top guns of the industry and exclusive
boutiques are quick to pick up from her
range. Top models strut Dhini Couture
stuff and her seasonal collections have
shared the ramp with some of the
world’s revered names in fashion. Dhini
Prararajasingham, the little girl who
watched in awe videos of international
fashion shows, sewed little dolls’ clothes
12 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8
Pix of Dhini by Dhamindra Kahaduwarachchi
under grandma’s guidance in Colombo
and perhaps wished upon a star, has today,
clearly come of couture age.
She has been ascribed tags such as ‘a
genius in complicated tailoring’ and
‘cult designer’ while her lines have been
described as ‘unique but wearable,
‘directional and inspiring’ and having
“a hint of eccentricity.’’ But eccentric or
not, the Dhini label is definitely bales
away from your everyday line of K-mart
clothing. Her clothes fit into a very definite
upmarket-young-funky-offbeat niche
market and the accent is on luxurious
fabrics in brilliant whites, metallic greys,
jet blacks and splashes of bright reds.
There’s a lot of lapels, flaps, buttons and
buckles going on here and Dhini is the first
to admit to a ‘collar fetish.’
On any given day Dhini is busy in the
studio of the family’s home in leafy North
Balwyn. The family incidentally were in
the early days keen to see Dhini find her
life’s vocation built around her marketing
credentials; however today the family and
notably her identical twin Shini, is firmly
behind Dhini, supporting her marvellous
career every step of the way.
Q&A
Dhini spoke to SOCIETY Magazine about her journey from
little-lass-in-Colombo-with-stars-in-her-eyes to Melbourne’s
face-to-be-watched in high fashion stakes.
Q: Dhini, as a child, despite being fostered
in and guided towards a very bookish
path, you dreamed of silks, satins and
sequins. Was it hard not being able to
follow your heart in the early days?
A: It was definitely frustrating. I was b
ored during my Marketing days and did
the work because I had to. I was never
inspired or excited by the work the way
I was during my fashion studies. Having
said this though, my marketing studies
have definitely come in handy now!
Q: But you must have shared your
dreams with your twin sister?
A: Yes, we planned a lot together
and obsessed over our dreams. I
talked about my fashion dream
while she talked about fine art.
Q: Doing the RMIT’s BA design
course was the beginning of a new
direction for you. Tell us how
things worked out following that?
A: I graduated with distinctions
and this gave me such a sense
of confidence and excitement
to challenge myself even more.
At that time, I really looked
up to fashion design that was
coming out of London. So
I applied to a few London
designers to do my internship
there. Boudicca – an
avant garde fashion label
– accepted my application
and I pretty much packed
my bags immediately
and left for London!
Q: After your
graduation from
RMIT, and being
awarded the Alice
Euphemia’s Most
Promising Student
award, this renowned
Melbourne boutique
held an exhibition of
your collection during the L’Oreal
Melbourne Fashion Festival 2004.
Tell us about that experience.
A: Alice Euphemia’s Most Promising
Student award was really what finally
influenced and encouraged me to start
my own fashion label and continue with
my vision to create my own collections. My
graduate collection was exhibited at their
store during LMFF 04 and through this, I
achieved a lot of press. The niche public got
to know my work and the positive feedback
from this fuelled my passion even more.
Designs from the Dhini Label
Q: What were the highlights of your stint
at Boudicca?
A: The biggest highlight was two days after
arriving in London being thrown in to the
deep end and working directly on Boudicca’s
collection that they were showing at London
Fashion Week. They allowed me to do
patterns and even allowed me to sew some
of the garments that were being put on the
runway – such a high-responsibility job for
someone brand new – but it was thrilling!
We would do 14-hour days seven days of
the week for three weeks. Strangely, I wasn’t
tired, it was just an amazing environment
and atmosphere of pure creativity.
Three weeks later was their runway
show and backstage I met the
eccentrically fabulous Anna Piaggi
from Italian Vogue – another Cat Pepper loves to join Dhini at work!
highlight!
Q: How much did the Boudicca stint
help define your style and influence
your confidence and approach?
A: Boudicca are well known for their
experimental and sharp tailoring. As a student
I specialised in tailoring and that’s why I applied
to Boudicca. But the experience there
showed me how to refine and raise my own
standards in that art and design and think
outside the square of tailoring. My time with
these designers taught me to push tirelessly
for a vision to be realised. Also, while I was
working there, very early on in the role, I was
assigned very high-responsibility jobs such as
supervising the production room, overseeing
manufacturing, liasing and dealing with the
factories. My learning curve was nearly vertical!
Dhini Pararajasingham/Bio
Parents: Sarojini and Emanuel Pararajasingham
Siblings: Shini (twin) and Arvi (brother)
Born: Sri Lanka, 1975
Schooling: Sri Lanka (very young) , India, UK,
US, Australia (Presbyterian Ladies’ College)
Q: Tell us about the run-up to the birth
of Dhini Couture; the hard work, the
preparations, the frustrations and the thrills
and how it was launched into the market.
A: I resigned from Boudicca nine months later
and began the preparations of setting up my
own label in London. This involved finding
a studio, setting up very basic equipment
in it because I didn’t have a lot of finances,
meeting with factories to see who would
do my work, researching a lot – suppliers,
manufacturers, agents, the market. It was
definitely daunting because it was a foreign
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 13
 Q&A
‘Cult Designer’
Continued from page 13

masses of fabrics, trims and patterns to

take to the factories who sewed up my
sample collection. It was so challenging!
But three months later, the collection
was ready in time for London Fashion
Week and this was the biggest thrill!!!
Q: And now you have your label stocked at
upend boutiques as Marais, Cactus Jam,
Blondies, Christines, Blonde Venus, Dilettante,
and Stenbeck&Morse (in NZ), among others.
You must feel a great sense of achievement?
A: When I came back to Australia and
launched my collection in 2006, I felt a
great sense of achievement when these
high-end boutiques bought my pieces,
but not so much anymore. It’s because
the initial goal that I set myself, of getting
into these boutiques, has been met.
Q: What inspires your very unique designs?
A: I get inspired by things as diverse as
concepts, architecture, historical clothing,
a piece of music, a movement in art. Last
winter season, I was inspired by masculine
tailoring from the Victorian era. A season
before that I was inspired by the story of
great women such as Virginia Woolfe and
Sylvia Plath whose lives ended tragically. One
collection derived inspiration from a concept
I coined called ReConstructed Tailoring.
(taking apart the elements of a classic tailored Dhini at work in her studio
garment (for example taking apart the sleeves,
collars in a jacket) and juxtaposing those Q: Have you ever been tempted to dip Q: Then there is that eternal debate about
elements in different parts of that garment). into your roots and derive from your ‘wearable’ and ‘unwearable.’ Granted,
very colourful heritage for inspiration Dhini Couture like most other labels,
– perhaps for a particular line? feed a niche market. How would you
A: It’s funny you ask this question because describe the profile of your clientele?
two weeks ago I returned from a trip to Sri A: They are women who are passionate and
Lanka where I was a bridesmaid at my cousin’s unwavering followers of innovative conceptual
beautiful Sri Lankan wedding. I had to wear a design; women who know the difference
saree! I was doing some quick sketching for my between TRUE fashion design and throw-
new collection yesterday and I found myself away fashion or trend-driven fashion. They
incorporating lots of pleats (like the pleats despise the latter. In fact, they are creators
in the fall of a saree) into my designs. It was
of a trend without even meaning to. They
completely unconscious. I’m definitely going to
understand and appreciate conceptual
continue with this idea. The outcome will most
design because they are brave and self-
likely be obviously western and the eastern
assured women who wish to assert their
elements will end up being subtly hinted at.
individuality and stand out from the rest.
Q: Designers usually tend to cater to
stick-thin waif figures. The bigger girls Q: So what new and exciting things
ask ‘where does this leave us?’ Does this are in the pipeline for Dhini personally
sound like Dhini Couture as well? and for the DHINI Couture label?

A: Not really. I do sizes 6-14. Many of the
stores that stock my label cater to an older
market and these stores tend to order
bigger sizes (12s and 14s) with my label. My
product is doing very well at these stores.
A: For me personally, nothing exciting just yet.
I am just too busy thinking about the next
step for my label. As for the DHINI label,
I’m making plans to enter the international
market so that should be exciting!

14 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 15
TINTAGEL By Dream Wikramanayake
The courtyard The lobby The swimming pool
F
or over five decades Tintagel
created history as the home of the
most prominent political family
in Sri Lanka, the Bandaranaikes.
Today, this monumental home is an
exclusive boutique hotel where visitors can
sample a slice of history while enjoying a
luxurious ‘home away from home’ holiday
lifestyle.
The history of Tintagel is as interesting
as the personalities who lived there.
Incidentally, the house was not built for
the Bandaranaikes, but was the home
of eminent gynaecologist Dr. Lucien de
Zilwa, who designed the house along with
architect Homi Bilmoria in 1929.
During the bleak years
of World War II, Dr. de The home of Sri Lanka’s most prominent political family – the Red Bar, the imposing
Zilwa was forced to give
the house up for occupation Bandaranaikes – is now an exclusive boutique hotel
by British troops and was
heartbroken at its state of ruin, when he
eventually got repossession of the house.
Disheartened, he decided to sell it nearly
a hundred thousand rupees below market
price for Rs. 160,000. Sir Solomon Dias
Bandaranaike who was at the time looking
for a suitable house for his Oxford-
educated son and his young family, was
quick to close the deal and soon young
SWRD, wife Sirima and daughters
Sunethra and Chandrika moved in.
Son Anura was born at Tintagel and the
events that took place in the life and times
of the family thereafter are etched in the
annals of the country’s history.
In 1959, SWRD who went on to form the
Sri Lanka Freedom Party and become
prime minister of Ceylon, was brutally
18 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 Tintagel: timeless elegance
assassinated in a hail of gunfire at Tintagel;
his grieving wife was to take on the mantel
almost overnight, along with the honour
of becoming the world’s first woman prime
minister. Chandrika after being widowed
at an early age herself, was sworn in as the
first woman president of Sri Lanka. Anura,
hailed by many as the finest orator of Sri
Lanka’s parliament, would serve as speaker
and minister of two governments.
Like with many ancestral properties,
maintenance of such a large property
was becoming difficult, and Sunethra,
with the blessings of her younger siblings
who were co-owners decided to follow
the worldwide trend and give it up for
long lease as a hotel. Co-incidentally,
designer/entrepreneur Shanth Fernando
was a personal friend of Sunethra,
engrossed in multiple projects at the time, where hi-tech gadgetry blend in rather
but harbouring hazy visions of opening
a boutique hotel himself, one day. On
learning that the Bandaranaike siblings
were toying with the idea of leasing
Tintagel to a foreign mission, he lost no
time in making an offer himself.
And so the transformation of this ancestral transformation from stately mansion to up-
heritage into an upmarket hotel of unique
beauty was the vision and arduous
accomplishment of Fernando. Already the
founder of Colombo’s Paradise Road and
hip eatery Gallery Café, he embarked on
the project with customary dedication and
after a three-year labour of love, the hotel history - perhaps in the form of a few
opened its doors in 2005.
The South East Suite
The hotel itself, is a masterpiece of
restoration and addition. The carefully
retained marble pillars, wooden floors
and annexation of a completely new wing
which blends in with the rest of the stately
mansion unnoticed, are the inventive
works of architect Philip Weeraratne.
Once inside, it is easy to forget that you are
in Sri Lanka. An eclectic mix of custom-
woven carpets from Nepal, chandeliers
from France, sofas from Portugal, Chinese
cabinets, antiques and ‘objets d’art’ such
as oversized vases, Italian sculptures and
original classic and modern artworks are
thrown together creating quiet refinement
with a truly international flavour.
The striking décor of the
library with an impressive
collection of leather-bound
volumes, a stylish dining
room open to non-residents, an inviting
pool glinting in the sun, 10 luxurious suites
than contrast, an al fresco restaurant with
elegant black parasols surrounded by a
cascading creeper are some of the unique
features that make up Tintagel.
The illustrious former owners now passed
on, would certainly approve of this
market boutique hotel. In fact, I think they
would be downright proud.
If there were one little detail I might add,
it would be an unobtrusive addition of
memorabilia from Tintagel’s colourful
greying photographs.
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 19
 Melanie &
Ryan wed
On the morning of April 26, 2008, Ryan Kurtz and Melanie
Hattotuwa were married in a beautiful church ceremony at
the St. John’s Anglican Church in Toorak.
This was followed by a poruwa ceremony and reception
at Morning Star Estate in Mt. Eliza. The highlight of the
reception was a Bollywood dance by the bridal party.
Adeline Wu (maid of honour), Linda Copland and
Gayathrie Ediriweera were the bridesmaids while Daniel
Zicari (best man), Cavin Kurtz and Rohan Hattotuwa
were the groomsmen.
Melanie is the daughter of Thilak and Manthri Hattotuwa.
Ryan is the son of Rudyard and Lucille Kurtz
Poruwa by Mangala Wedding Services, Melbourne.

22 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 The Sri Lankan Society 2008 | 2

Dandenong Quads turn
It’s Macdonalds party
It
was Macdonalds party time
for four brothers, Kevin,
Dylan, Ryan and Brian
Ranaweera when they
celebrated their second
time for Kevin, Ryan, birthday on June 1. The
quadruplets from Dandenong, Victoria,
who had, a week earlier celebrated the
occasion at home on their real birth
date – May 25, had a great time with
Dylan and Brian!!!!
their parents, family and friends when
SriLankan SOCIETY Magazine together
with Macdonalds, Noble Park, organised a
birthday bash for the fabulous foursome.
By Varsha Perera
Pix by Fern Perera Dressed alike in rainbow colours on a
rainy day, the quadruplets looked very
much alike, their sizes being the most
obvious difference. Everybody enjoyed the
party hats, ice-cream cake and McHappy
meals in the usual McDonalds birthday
party fashion. The quadruplets themselves
however, sat mostly wide-eyed, with a few
tears shed (all excepting one smiley one).
Thank You MACCAS!
nalds, Noble Park A big thank you to Cameron Barnett and his team
right; with Manager Macdo
andparents, on
s and paternal gr at Macdonalds, Noble Park, for throwing a party
ds, above, with parent
family and frien
Having fun with for Kevin, Ryan, Dylan and Brian!
24 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8
While the kids frolicked and tucked in to
their goodies, the ‘superparents’ Niroshan
and Veronica spoke of how having
quadruplets had changed, and in many
ways, enhanced their lives over the last
couple of years.
It was while Veronica was still pregnant
with what they believed was triplets, that
the couple, together with their daughter,
migrated to Australia. Niroshan left his job
in a government factory and Veronica gave
up teaching science to come over and settle
down in Victoria where Niroshan now
works as a textile engineer. Their daughter
Vinuri, 6, Veronica says, is fond of her little
brothers except for the occasional rivalry.
The babies were born on May 25, 2006 at
28 weeks, all weighing between 700 – 950g.
Multiple Births Australia who have 200
volunteers helping were there for them
initially round-the-clock and now the
children attend day-care 5 days a week.
2
At the moment Niroshan’s parents are in
town helping out. The family has a hectic
schedule that becomes very busy after
2
5.30, when day-care is over.
They all get up at 6 o’clock in the morning
and sleep at 8:00pm together in the
same room. The kids each have
four separate cots.
When they were first
born, the quads would
go through 50 nappies
in a day; now, 50 nappies
stretch out to three days!
Veronica breastfed the quads
for as long as 3 months. The
distributors of Nan Milk powder
arranged for a year’s free milk
supply for the family.
The four boys have distinct personalities;
Kevin the eldest is shy, Dylan is the
smallest and has the cheekiest personality
of the boys. The real little rascal though
is Ryan who likes to bite the others. The
youngest, Brian, though last to arrive, is
the biggest in stature.
It would indeed be interesting to follow
the lives of these four bundles of joy in the
years to come and we wish the Ranaweera
family all the very best!
2
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 25

With this
exquisite coffee-
table book,
Stefan D’ Silva
hopes to create appreciation
for the rich diversity of his
homeland and dispel the
notion that Sri Lanka is just a
bombed-out shell.
‘Alluring Sri Lanka’
By Raine Wickrematunge
B
ustling about in the chaotic throng
of dusty Pettah, sipping a kahata in
a wayside ‘boutique’ in some rustic
hamlet or capturing a spellbinding
‘ jungle’ moment on his trusty
Canon, every moment Stefan D’Silva
spends in Sri Lanka is another step on a
therapeutic journey.
“Consider it a prescription,” his doctor in
Sydney once told him when, after having
returned from Sri Lanka, tests proved
he was in the pink of health. This, after
having had a heart-attack at 41, must have
been birdsong in Stefan’s ears. After all,
there’s nothing he enjoys more in this
world than spending time in the land of his
birth with which he maintains a ‘deeply
stirring,’ passionate and almost spiritual bond.
One wouldn’t however go so far as to say
his love for the land of the sunning leopard
and the tittering polkichcha is beyond
description. For, Stefan, the 52- year-old
prison superintendent from Sydney, has
26 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8
translated his passionate love of Lanka into
an exquisite 135-page coffee-table book
where rare and beautiful moments from
the wilds of Sri Lanka have been captured
and presented in what can only be
described in a cliché – ‘a labour of love.’
Stefan who migrated to Australia
at 21 is disturbed by the general
picture painted of Sri Lanka
as ‘a bombed out shell.’ He
believes it is the perspective
that makes the difference
and sees only the beauty
of a troubled but exquisite
land. That was one reason
he was motivated to do a
book of photographs,
Alluring Sri Lanka, to
showcase to the world
the incredible beauty,
the rich diversity and
yet the simple charms of a land
that many have written off as a ‘war
zone.’
Young leopard
Photography has been a lifelong interest,
one which he took up actively again after
recovering from his heart attack and
realising he had neglected his hobbies. Old
and rare books from Sri Lanka and
improving the standards of rugby
at his alma mater S.
Thomas’ College, Mt.
Lavinia, are among the
other passions of this
father of two who says his family
have supported him all the way
through his shutterbug forays in to
the wilds.
Here, Stefan talks
to The SriLankan
SOCIETY about his
passion for Lanka, his
wildlife photography and now
the brightest feather in his cap – Alluring
Sri Lanka.
Chestnut-headed bee eater
Q&A
Q: Stefan, what has the reception been
thus far to Alluring Sri Lanka?
A. Very interesting. A steady stream of orders
have been received. What I am detecting
though is that the book has touched a
nostalgic nerve in many Sri Lankans. I sense
a great yearning and love for the country
and in the present day context, most of
the buyers are just glad to have a book
that reminds them of places they have
visited and trips they have taken. There is a
great passion out there, I am glad to say. because we enjoy the discomfort!!
Q: The book does not contain long scientific
explanations and yet, it is more than a
coffee table book. It educates the reader
on the rich diversity of Sri Lankan fauna
while also encouraging a deep appreciation
of the wild. What was your motivation in
doing a book of this nature?
A: Quite frankly I
am sick and tired of
a one-dimensional
perception of that
complex and exotic
land. I am twice as
disappointed to hear
people of Sri Lankan
extraction have a
belief that the place
is a bombed out shell
of a country. About 20
million people go about
their daily lives...sure it is a
troubled land...but there is
a vibrant, colourful journey
to be had if anyone wants a
terrific experience.
Tusker
From its beaches, to its
hills, to its wild, to its amazing dolphin
and whale pods visitations, Sri Lanka has
a lot to offer...so let’s get some balanced
perception about the place as a whole. I like
to think the book will be a wake up call to
those who want a great travel experience.
I had this vision as to how I wanted to
present a particular image of Sri Lanka
and that was a great motivation for me.
Q: Alluring Sri Lanka contains some exquisite
pictures and captures not just the beauty and
diversity of the Sri Lankan wilds but your deep
and abiding love for wildlife. Tell us about this
passionate love story. Where does it begin?
A: As a kid I would visit KVG’s, Caves and
Lake House bookshops and look at wildlife
books in awe; I loved National Geographic and
still subscribe to that magazine.
I had an uncle in the Ceylon Government
Railways going back to the early 1960s. He
would enthral me with stories of the jungles of
Trincomalee. Habarana and Mannar. His steam
engine actually collided with an elephant and
the story even ran in the Sunday Observer!
He used to sneak me off to the Zoo about the
age of four to see the black panther and we
would spend all day at the Zoo.He bought me
my first wildlife books. I was ‘hooked’ for good
on the wonders of what Sri Lanka had to offer.
Q: And there’s more than a hint of your
love, a deep stirring if I may call it, not just
for wildlife but for your land of birth?
A: Ah! Very perceptive question. I have a
passionate love affair with Sri Lanka. I have
my closest friends on earth still there! I travel
there twice a year and love the place dearly. I
have often thought about this great affection
and apart from the places I visit, I really think
it is the people that draw me back time and
time again. I cannot explain the deep, close
bonds of friendship I am privileged to have. I
don’t go looking for the downside; there is a
charm about the country that knocks me out.
Q: You have mentioned that you enjoy the
wildlife of South America, India, Africa
and South east Asia but nothing stirs you
as much as the Sri Lankan wilds.
What makes Sri Lanka so special?
A: I suppose because it is the land of
my birth. Australia too has some exotic
wildlife, but there is a “stirring deep
in me” when it come to Sri Lanka....
is it ‘love?’...must be! I just know I am
happiest when I am there and I am
at peace with the world when I am
somewhere deep in the countryside,
camera in hand....or sipping hot
plain tea with a piece of jaggery
with some fresh hoppers or sitting
waist-deep in the Kuda Oya
behind my close friend’s house
which we call the Lodge with a
beer by my side waiting for birds
to photograph.. I love that...it
works for me and I suggest many others try it.
“I want to distribute to rural schools in Lanka a small booklet on the
natural wonders around them. My strategy is to instil an appreciation
in the local folk for ‘what is in the garden.’ ”
Q: Is your passion for wildlife encompassed
in a wider save-the-earth philosophy?
A: Why not...it is no secret that loss of habitat
is one of the greatest threats to wildlife
everywhere. I will be glad if people start
with Sri Lanka; it is ours to protect. If we
don’t get busy about it we stand to lose a
great treasure. Sri Lankans must get involved,
nobody else will do it for us ...yes, I like to
think I can spark the interest in a few people.
Q: What has been your most challenging
shoot thus far?
A: Not sure. The trip I made in January was
an experience with leeches and mosquitoes,
bad weather and closed roads; dusty trips in
Toque monkey yawning
the back of ‘rust bucket’ landrovers with
enough jolting to rearrange my intestines! I
don’t really know if all of that was challenging
Perhaps bird photography is the most
challenging....they don’t hang around and
almost laugh at you as they keep moving.
Q: Your idea is to create wider awareness
and appreciation of the beauty of Sri Lanka
with particular emphasis on fauna. Any
ideas to take the message home as it were,
to those Sri Lankans who can do their bit
to help preserve this great gift of nature?
A: I do have an ambition and that is to
distribute to rural schools in Lanka a small
booklet on the natural wonders around
them. Alluring Sri Lanka is one way of my
now being able to approach any sponsors......
my strategy is to instil an appreciation in
the local folk for “what is in the garden”...
These are the people who will grow up to
be the future protectors of our National
Parks and study local fauna and work in the
conservation fields. Most of the “richer”
Colombo school students are off to other
parts of the world. I feel rather than float
an ‘idea’ with sponsors it is always better to
produce some tangible effort.....I want the
book/booklet to be in Sinhala and Tamil,
targeted at school kids. Most of the books on
wildlife are in Colombo, highly priced, and in
English, sort of preaching to the converted
or preaching to those well-informed.
Q: And lastly, while wishing you all
the very best with Alluring Sri Lanka,
tell us where it is available for sale?
A: At this point in time anyone can e-mail me
on Stefan@alluringsrilanka.com I will reply
without delay and the buyer can nominate
payment method, autograph, packing, perhaps
a message if it is a gift, and where ever I can I
will avoid postage costs. Alternatively, they can
drop me a line to, S. D’ Silva, P.O. Box 180,
Sutherland. NSW, 1499.
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 27
 astern
G L A M O U R
Teledrama actress Mary goes for
eastern glamour as she poses for
The SriLankan SOCIETY Magazine
at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in
Colombo recently.
Pix by Dhaminda Kahaduwarachchi

28 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 29
30 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 31
 The nuptials of
Chamari & Dasun
IT was a picture-book wedding for Chamari and Dasun
when they tied the knot on July 7 at the Caesars Castle
in Hawthorn, Victoria.
Dasun is the son of Ravindra Pathinayake and Vijitha
Ambuldeniya. Chamari is the daughter of
Agnes Weerakoon and S. K. D. Edman.

Pix by Chandana Weerakoon

32 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 33
The girl with the
designer genes
S
halini Seneviratne is an ordinary
youngster with an extraordinary
passion – she is an industrial
designer with a social conscience.
She looks petite and ladylike and
I can’t quite imagine her whittling away
at a piece of wood with her sleeves rolled
up, but Shalini’s achievements in design
challenge my attempts to pigeon-hole her.
What you see is definitely not what you get.
Shalini looks no more than 16, but when
you speak to her she is a quietly composed,
confident and assertive young woman. She
has packed a lot of living into her 22 years
and her degree in Industrial Design has
obviously given her a range of skills and an
intellectual zeal that is apparent when you
speak to her.
Her interest in designing things began at an
early age and was inspired by her father.
“To me he was a sculptor, because you need
to love what you are doing and have that
skill and dexterity to turn a piece of wood
into something useful that looks good as well.”
So how did Shalini’s mother react to her
daughter’s unconventional hobby?
“My mother always gave me unconditional
support,” she remembers. “She gave me a
36 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8
by Angie Singam Lye
Cap
free hand with cartons, tissue boxes, paper
and toilet rolls in the house. I had my fair
share of Barbies, but alongside I would
have massive Lego structures and Meccano
cars and detailed houses I had modelled
out of cardboard.”
It was the first time in the ten
year history of DesignTECH that
one student took out both prizes
on offer.
The awards were judged
independently by two separate
panels of judges
She remembers very clearly in Year 2,
trying to figure out a way to make an
elevator out of a Coco Pops box, complete
with sliding doors and a pulley system, so
that as one elevator box went up, the other
went down. She was clearly too young to
cope with the mechanics of it, but it didn’t
stop her dreaming!
High school spelled the real coming of age
of Shalini’s creative impulse. Happily for
her parents, she never went through any
The 2003 winner of the
prestigious Powerhouse
Museum Award for
‘Excellence in
Design’ and the Alan
Broady Memorial Award,
Shalini Seneviratne is a
young product designer
with ideals and idealism!
teenage angst and doing the high school
selective exam was a ‘given’ because of her
above average grades at school. If there
was ever any soul-searching about her
career path and vocational interest, it was
then that she had a moment to reflect and
consider her options.
“I wanted to choose subjects which I felt
passionate about. I didn’t want to do a
typical subject for its ‘high scaling’ which
would involve mindless cramming and
hours of tuition just for a few final exams.
In fact, the challenge of undertaking a self-
directed major project really stimulated
me, and seemed to offer more of a sense of
accomplishment than any other subject,”
she says. Design and Technology was an
inspired subject choice and one that North
Sydney Girls High School offered and
Shalini never looked back.
The students were given a project to design
a product to address a marketing or social
need. Looking around for ideas, Shalini
noticed that her kid brother would never
put away his toys after play time. He had
to be bribed, cajoled and yelled at before
he reluctantly put his toys away. “Each
night we replayed the same drama. It took
years off my parents’ lives and TV time
off me to deal with the little battler. It
wasn’t something unusual. Every parent I
knew had the same problem to deal with,”
Shalini says.
Her concept was magically simple – she
would design and manufacture a kids’ play
furniture concept that would encourage
kids to not just pack up after play time
‘but to develop a sense of independence
and respect for their play environment.’
Shalini began her project by interviewing
members of her target group and based her
design strategy on their feedback.
Shalini’s final design was called ‘Stacks
of Fun’ - a multifunctional, non-gender
specific, childrens’ play centre which could
be pulled apart with different activity
layers such as tangrams, lego, chess and a
whiteboard. It had educational appeal and
was timeless in its concept.
Her concepts revolutionise simple principles- a band aid dispensing unit
using the simple concertina type method that allows for children to feel
independent and handle a scrape on their own!
There is always a strong social purpose in all of her designs!
After play, the unit was simply ‘stacked’
away, back into its fun, vibrantly coloured
egg form - a fun approach to encourage
kids to tidy up after themselves. The
original decorative design was based
on the colours of the Aboriginal flag to
heighten children’s awareness of Australia’s
indigenous heritage; the inspiration came
from simple objects, glue sticks, children’s
stacking toys and even the Pavlova magic
mix container, shaped like an egg.
“Before handing my project in for marking,
I invited a few young seven-year-old
friends of mine to have a play with ‘Stacks
of Fun’ to see how well it would go down.
And they loved it! One boy even offered
to pay me ‘five hundred thousand million
trillion dollars’ for it! I should’ve taken him
up on the offer....”
Shalini didn’t earn ‘five hundred thousand
million trillion dollars’ for it, but ‘Stacks
of Fun’ was selected to be a part of an
HsC design and technology exhibition
organised by the Powerhouse Museum
called ‘DesignTECH 03’; one of only
74 projects selected from over 4500
submissions from HsC students. It was just
the beginning of her winning streak!
When the exhibition opened at the
Powerhouse Museum, Shalini was
surprised to find that she had won
both prizes on offer – the Powerhouse
Museum Award for the project that best
demonstrates a thorough approach to
product innovation and the Alan Broady
Memorial Award for the use of materials in
her design.
Winning both awards opened doors for
Shalini. She was given the opportunity to
work with a industrial design consultancy
firm called ‘Design Resource’ for a week,
and was able to sketch some concepts for
the design brief they were working on
- creating a new children’s lamp for Disney,
USA! The managing director of the
company took some of Shalini’s ideas to
present to the CEO of Disney USA!
In February 2004 she was asked to appear
on a day time teen TV show telecast by
Channel 7 called ‘Girl TV’. She appeared
in a segment titled ‘Designing Girls’ where
she explained the nature of her project
and the awards she had won and talked
about her future plans to study design at
university.
In April 2004, Shalini was invited to be on
the cover of the Sydney White Pages by the
Powerhouse Museum, alongside renowned
indigenous artist John Moriarty (who
designed the Aboriginal artwork painted
on Qantas planes) representing the theme
for that year ‘our innovators.’
Shalini has almost completed her degree
in Industrial Design. She has designed
a range of products during her time at
university. Her modular street furniture
concept for Sydney’s Town Hall was
highly commended at the ‘Street Furniture
Australia Awards.’ She designed a
children’s band aid dispensing unit which
was entered into the Southern Cross
Packaging Awards.
Shalini is currently developing a concept
for her final major - a sleep head mask
which shuts out noise and allows new
mothers to have an uninterrupted sleep.
The mask is connected via Bluetooth
technology to the baby’s sleep monitor, so
that if the baby wakes up, the mask will
gently alert the mother to attend to the
child’s needs. The innovative idea is still
in development but promises to be another
exciting phase in her design life cycle.
A few months ago Shalini was invited
by the Powerhouse Museum to speak
at a series of seminars for high school
students for DesignTECH 2008. It proved
to be inspirational for her. She had an
opportunity to share her designs, her
experiences and her dreams and a subject
close to her heart – sustainable design
practices.
Shalini works in her spare time at the
very eclectic designer product store ‘Top
3 by Design’. The store sources designer
products from local and international
markets for the savvy consumer. Shalini’s
work involves helping customers select top
of the range gifts to suit their needs and
their budget. “Hmmm…would you rather
take the sleek, minimalist pepper grinder
or the snazzy, retro recliner, Ma’am?”
In the meantime Shalini is living life to
the fullest. Cramming isn’t her style, but
cramming life into a finite number of
hours is her ‘thing’ it seems. In the past few
months she has been working on designing
poruwas for family weddings.
“It helps to be passionate and it helps to be
a perfectionist,” says Shalini. It obviously
does, judging by her list of achievements.
Oh, and let’s not forget the designer genes!
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 37
 Wedding of Chamindri & Kavinda
Kavinda Akmeemana and Chamindri Samaraweera were married on May 29,
2008 in a beautiful ceremony at the Galle Face Hotel.
Kavinda is the son of Savithri and Pragath Akmeemana and
Chamindri is the daughter of Savithri and Padmanath Samaraweera.

22 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t Pictures
y 2008 by: Dhamindra Kahaduwarachchi, Creations Photography T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 39
 NAWALAPITIYA
Memories of growing up in a railway town
M
y father, Randolph
Melder, was employed
as an Engine Driver on
the Ceylon Government
Railway for a period
of 40 years. During his tenure, he was
stationed at many upcountry stations –
Kandy, Matale, Nanu Oya, Kadugannawa,
Nawalapitiya and Bandarawela.
Nawalapitiya was the railway town where
he was stationed at on two occasions, 1945-
1951 and again 1956-1960. Considering
I was just nine when we first moved to
Nawalapitiya and spent the next seven
years there, it’s small wonder that it has left
a deep impression on me.
Nawalapitiya was an important rail stop
on the journey from Colombo to Badulla.
It was here that train crews changed over,
whilst continuing the train journey to and
from Colombo. Nawalapitiya was 1,913
feet above mean sea level and 87 miles
from Colombo.
It was a quaint town situated between a
row of hills on one side and the Mahaweli
River which skirted the outskirts of the
town, on the other. It was home to some
100 odd railway families.
There were departmental residences
(railway bungalows) for some 60 of the
staff, whilst the others lived in private
residences or had their families live away
in their home towns.
The main streets which ran through the
town contained the major shopping area.
Two hotels – Central Hotel and Hotel De
Luxe served as a watering point for tipplers
and had residential areas for short-term
visitors to the town. Three cinemas, a
convent, four colleges and several private
medical practitioners were also in the town.
The hills were dotted with the railway
residences and many of the tradesmen
who called had to walk uphill and down.
I felt particularly sorry for the baker who
would travel daily from Sproules Bakery
in Kandy by train and then back again at
the end of the day. His box was a treasure
trove of delicious cakes, buns, rolls and
bread, all of which this thin wiry man had
to carry in his box, on his head.
A band of traders also wended their way
among the residences selling their ware;
they called often with their jaggery, eggs,
honey, haberdashery and a draper who
called with bales of cloth etc.
40 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8
Many of the tradesmen who called
had to walk uphill and down.
I felt particularly sorry for the
baker who would travel daily
from Sproules Bakery in Kandy
by train and then back again at
the end of the day.
His box was a treasure trove of
delicious cakes, buns, rolls and
bread, all of which this thin wiry
man had to carry in his box,
on his head.
Others who called infrequently were the
rattaner, who went from home to home
fixing and re-stringing any sagging or
broken rattan work on chairs, loungers etc.
A member of the Ephraums family who
was blind from birth, but an accomplished
piano tuner visited homes that owned
pianos, tuning them meticulously and
mellifluously, he was led around by a
young lad. He was a pleasant man and a
delight to talk to.
By Victor Melder
Another man, a very efficient and capable
ladies’ tailor would come down from
Colombo every now and then, visiting
each home. He carried with him a variety
of dress patterns and designs. He would sit
on the floor of each household, explaining
his designs to the ladies and trying to
accommodate changes or listening to what
patterns and designs they needed.
A retinue of beggars called regularly,
many of them were blind, deaf or dumb.
Some had a number of children with them.
They were a part of life one experienced
in many towns or cities. My mother
occasionally got us boys to go to town and
bring in a group of beggars to whom she
gave a meal. It was fascinating waiting on
them, as they sat on the floor eating their
meal and then departing with a packet of
food too.
The Railway Institute was the gathering
point each evening for the young boys
and girls. The two cinemas in town were
also frequented by the youngsters. We
had great fun even though there was no
television, restaurants or fast food outlets.
During the holiday season, many families
organised picnics and spent a pleasant day
enjoying themselves in the company of
their friends at the many scenic areas in
and around the town I was the eldest of a
family of eleven (seven boys and four girls)
and we had great fun among ourselves, as
the boys were the elder lot. Cricket was
more often than not, the order of the day.
By the time my father was stationed
at Nawalapitiya a second time, I had
joined the railway and was serving my
apprenticeship at Colombo. This was the
first occasion that I had to leave home and
live in Colombo, which I despised as it was
hot, dusty and cheerless.
Any wonder then, every time I found
myself with a few hours to spare, I would
take the first available train home to
Nawalapitiya. As soon as the train began
its ascent up the Kadugannawa incline a
new breath of life entered me.
With the passing of the steam era and
dieselisation taking its place, the number
of railway families have dwindled, the
charm and charisma of the town has
evaporated. However Nawalapitiya will
always be home to me.
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 41
Old is Gold
W
hen Dr. Dan Godamunne
first submitted the idea of
re-manufacturing Fuji Xerox
photocopier/ printer used
parts as both a cost cutting
and environment-protecting mechanism,
there was scepticism among his colleagues
at Sydney-based Fuji Xerox. Some in
senior management didn’t believe his idea
would save even 200 dollars for Fuji Xerox.
This was in 1993, and, although
Godamunne was a freshman in the
Australian corporate world, he had a
brilliant history of cutting-edge expertise
behind him. A physicist, mechanical and
electrical engineer, Godamunne had given
up impressive engineering postings in the
US and UK to test the waters in Australia.
And it was this impressive track record
that convinced his bosses Godamunne
should be given the green light to proceed
with the idea of breathing life into dead
photocopier parts.
“At the end of the day, if you can say to
senior management, ‘Yes, we can do the
recycling and the remanufacturing in a
cost efficient way and all the investment
you put in will give a year on year return,
they will listen,” Godamunne says.
His idea paid off and today Fuji Xerox
Australia’s eco manufacturing facility in
Zetland, Sydney, headed by Godamunne,
employs more than 100 and provided
the company a cost benefit of over 220
million dollars. Few would have believed
that used and worn-out components of
a photocopier/printer machine, rather
than being treated as waste, could be
re-engineered, in an eco manufacturing
process, and turned into a better-than-new
part. But that’s what was being done, very
successfully at the Eco Manufacturing
Centre. (EMC)
Today, the EMC’s success has been well
documented; the Australian press has
42 | T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8
for Dan and his team
Dr. Dan Godamunne/General Manager Eco Manufacturing
Centre, Fuji Xerox Australia, talks to The SriLankan
SOCIETY magazine about how his idea to breathe life
into dead photocopier parts has today become a through the venture. I did a demonstration
million-dollar industry.
Dan Godamunne and team member at the Eco Manufacturing Centre
been enthusiastic in giving the story
reams of column inches, television
stations have run stories on Dan and the
EMC’s achievements and to top it all,
Dan’s brilliant idea has found a place as
a permanent display at the Sydney Power
House Museum after the EMC won the
prestigious Australian Museum Eureka
Prize for Industry In June 2002.
As a direct result of the Eco-
Manufacturing Centre’s dedication to
environmentally responsible corporate
practices, the company was also
admitted to the United Nation’s Global
500 Environmental Roll of Honour.
The company has also won many
environmental awards for their approach
to eco-manufacturing.
All these feathers sit light on Dan
Godamunne’s cap; he remains a simple
man and a true Sri Lankan at heart.
Hailing from Ampitiya, Kandy, Dan had
his early education at Trinity College,
Kandy and then moved on to St. Benedict’s
College, Colombo. In 1972, he left for
England to do his A/Levels and thereafter
entered the University of London where
he received his degree in engineering.
He then entered the prestigious Cranfield
Institute in England where he earned his
doctorate.
A committed environmentalist, Dan
believes he must have inherited his love for
nature from his father, champion of animal
rights and the leading light behind Gal
Gawa Mithuro, Dr. Cecil Godamunne.
In the interview below, Dan Godamunne
tells us how a seemingly simple idea has
had a dramatic and far-reaching impact on
his company, the community and Australia
as a whole.
Q&A
Q: Take us to the beginning of the story
Dan. Initially, there was septicism and
resistance to your ide a of rehabilitating
used photocopier parts, at Fuji Xerox. Today
you are general manager of the company’s
eco-manufacturing operation with a staff
of 100 and a 8 million dollar plant. What
eventually convinced the bosses that there
could be dollars at the end of your dream?
A: It was all about making them appreciate
that there was commercial gain to be made
of a case study related to ink cartridges I had
patented and there was a level of confidence
because it had been my original idea.
Although there was also some
apprehension at the beginning, there was
also trust and confidence that I would
deliver what I promised. My credentials
too, I believe, influenced them.
At the end of the day, if you can say to senior
management, ‘Yes, we can do the recycling
and the remanufacturing in a cost efficient way
and all the investment you put in will give a
year on year return,’ they will listen to you.
Since 1993, when we began, our growth
has been exponential in every way. Year
on year we have grown 20 percent. In the
first few years of operation, there was still
some apprehension at senior management
level and investment was low. But with
proven results over the years we have not
only made it feasible within the Australian
operation but part of the international one.
Fuji Xerox now has re-manufacturing factories
in nine locations; in Europe, North and
South America and the Asia Pacific region.
Q: Convincing the powers that be was hard
enough. But how much convincing did it
take to make acceptable the notion that re-
manufactured products were even better than
new, among customers and service operators?
A: Initially people have a perception about
recycled products and they use the term
‘second-hand’ which I dislike very much.
If anybody mentions second-hand, I get
pretty hot under the collar because it has
nothing to do with second-hand. It is a
re-processed part, as good as new. The
difference in what we do to the corner shop
is that we test it functionally. Sometimes
parts may work at 80 percent but we will
not accept that; we get 100 per cent.
Q: Your personal vision, and now that of Fuji
Xerox Eco Manufacturing Centre, has been
sustaining the environment through better
technology. Can you describe for our readers,
how this vision is put into practice in your day
to day operations?
A: Basically, we look at all used components
as company assets and we utilise that asset by
turning it into a better-than-new product.
At our centre we conduct six operations
involving fuser rollers, laser optical systems,
electronics, magnetic rollers, signature
analysis and customer replaceable units
remanufacture. The first, fuser rollers,
involves recoating it to exacting specifications
that ensures high quality prints and longer
operational life. The remanufactured fuser
rollers are superior in quality to the originals.
Signature analysis reprocesses magnets
and this procedure has resulted in saving
the company 40 million dollars worldwide.
This innovation was a front-runner for
the national Eureka science awards.
Magnet re-processing has also been very
successful. We found that by introducing
a simple coil spring, we put a factor of 2.5
times into the life of the product. The average
life of the current magnet is 1.2 million
prints, this gives us 3 million prints.
rs a t th e end of a d
und big do
lla
munne: fo
Dan Goda
Today, the EMC’s success has been
well documented; the Australian
press has been enthusiastic in
giving the story reams of column
inches, television stations have run
stories on Dan and the EMC’s
achievements and to top it all,
Dan’s brilliant idea has found a
place as a permanent display at
the Sydney Power House Museum
after the EMC won the prestigious
Australian Museum Eureka Prize
for Industry In June 2002.
Q: The company has struck a happy marriage
between environmental and business
interests and it seems to me you must have
grown up nurturing the ideal of achieving
business success within an environmentally
responsible work ethic. How and when did
your passion for the environment begin?
A: Even as a child, I never had any of my toys in
one piece. I took them all apart and put them
in collection boxes and utilised them in some
other way. I guess I was being an engineer
even then. Much later, when I was grown up
and working in the US, I was appalled at the
volume of industrial waste that was being
disposed of into landfill. I had a passion for
industrial waste management. I considered it
to be an asset and we were throwing it away.
Q: The eco-manufacturing centre is on a
constant search for ways to re-use components
and materials and has developed around 200
re-manufacturing programmes. Obviously,
even the tiniest of components is not
overlooked. For instance, the re-design of a
15 cent spring on a roller saved Fuji Xerox
1 million dollars per annum. Your success
must induce other companies to approach
you for business solutions for themselves?
If yes, could you give us some examples?
A: We have been closely working with
CISRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial
and Research Organisation) in Melbourne
to diversify our business into the automotive
industry. We have done case studies on gear
box, steering column and auto braking system
and we need funding to develop these into
prototypes. Funding for research is very hard
to come by so our efforts have not borne fruit
as yet. One good thing however is that there
is legislation going through the senate currently
to penalise manufacturers who add to waste.
ream
Q: Another goal of Fuji Xerox is ‘Waste free
products from waste free factories.’ What
steps do you take to reduce or eliminate the
emission of harmful pollutants and waste
during the re-manufacturing processes?
A: Basically, all emissions are filtered and
tested by the Environmental Protection
Authority. Even the water is re-cycled and
re-processed. Nothing ends up in waste.
We ensure that all solvents have been
removed from the cleaning parts and
components, dry ice or frozen carbon
dioxide is used under high pressure to
clean components, environmentally neutral
bicarbonate of soda is used under high
pressure to remove the original coating
from fuser rollers and all metal parts that
cannot be used are sent for recycling.
T h e S r i L a n k a n S o c i e t y 2 0 0 8 | 43