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Meet The Drone Pilot, Nilrandha Fonseka 

• Tell us a little about yourself

I am an inspired Junior architect who also loves capturing moments, my love for photography was always something close to my heart. I want to take my skills in photography and videography to the next level through stunning aerial photography. My goal is to showcase to the world the beauty of our island ‘Sri Lanka’ from above. 

My journey continues around the island to capture unique locations connected with nature, architecture, and fauna. All things considered, I’m currently in my last year of the Architecture degree that I’m pursuing in. In the meantime, I’m also working with a couple of sustainability-based projects and a few other global undertakings as well, mostly in the aspect of the conservation of flora/fauna and promoting tourism through Architecture. 

• Throw some light on your architecture journey.

Architecture has been a part of my life since an early age, my dad being an Architect himself I experienced my life going on visits to constructions sites and being present at meetings with contractors, I was always fascinated by what my dad was doing which eventually made me realize I wanted to follow his footsteps and carry on his legacy, well obviously try and be better than him. He made sure that I learned how to live my life full of endless experiences. I was able to travel with him to many countries that showcased different types of Architectural styles. Living those experiences, I was fascinated by the Culture, Architecture, and history of Sri Lanka. In my Architectural degree, in terms of design projects, I constantly try to showcase the hidden stories of our motherland and celebrate the Arts & Crafts of Sri Lanka. I have continued exploring and experiencing the journey of my life through the lens of Architecture. Different Communities, Contexts, Climates, and Creatures on the Earth create Architecture through the main elements of Light and Shade. The combination of these components nourishes the voyage of my architecture journey which also has become the streamline of the truth of living as a modest Architect who understands the importance of them the co-existence of my life and nature.  

As far as Architecture & Design, I have worked under a few award-winning Architects, namely Architect C. Anjalendran, Architect Pradeep Kodikara and Architect Isuru De Zoysa. In my experience as a junior Architect, I got the opportunity to learn about Architect Geoffery Bawa and the modern contemporary arts and crafts of Sri Lanka. In addition to that, I work closely with the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, in which we are taking steps to revitalize the prominent tourist attractions such as Sigiriya, Pollonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura that are under the Central Cultural Fund.  

• What is your design philosophy?

This universe is a composition of balance between all the experiences. The balance between nature, aesthetics, and technology that lead to a sustainable design approach will be the primary design philosophy. But at the end of the day, any design should be user-friendly and environmentally friendly. The balance between these two elements will depict the success of any design. Therefore, ‘Building’; is a recurring theme for our nation. Sri Lankans were always considered builders. And if Lanka is a Storybook, magnificent architecture is a prime chapter. This is the path I follow, where Geometry, Nature, and Minimalism have always been my backbone when it comes to designing. I always wanted to focus on creating architecture that resonates with its surroundings while respecting them.  

• How did you get into Drone Piloting? 

I’ve always been a wanderer and have been exploring our little Island, discovering unseen spots, and partaking in adventures. Most adventures were spontaneous, which made them even more exciting, visiting these locations made me realize how magical they were, and several locations were just breath-taking from a higher altitude, I think not many people are aware of how beautiful our country and this world are from above, we only see the human-eye level of things. This is the point at which it inspired me to become a drone pilot and to share my adventures with everyone from a different POV. 

• Tell us more about your accomplishments as a Drone Pilot.

I’m grateful and proud to have the opportunity to visit unseen spots in Sri Lanka, that not everyone is allowed to go to since I’m currently working with a few of the authorities – including the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Department of Forest Conservation, and so forth. I’m glad to announce the endeavour I and my friend founded together, called ‘Abbove Dronic’, where we specialize in Aerial Photography and Videography. As of now, we have collaborated with the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance in promoting Tourism. In addition, we’re also glad to mention that we’ve partnered with Cinnamon Hotels to create content for one of their campaigns, called “One Island, Thousand Stories”. As Social Media refreshes, it has helped everyone to create content, promoting tourism in Sri Lanka but again, I believe that there should be a certain level of quality when delivering good content, that ought to be kept up with some sort of quintessence to the information which is published online or as far as content matters. In terms of Technology, I’m in discussions to partner with ‘Hyper Glade’ where we’re working on launching an NFT collection, which I’m immensely excited about and I can’t wait for everyone to see it. 

• What were some challenges you faced while piloting a drone?

Flying a drone is a task that needs a little bit more of just practice and concentration. You need to be aware of your surroundings and make sure each flight we take per battery (20- 30 mins) I need to pre-plan my route or the type of shots I will be capturing. There are instances where I capture amazing photos when I randomly just hover around a location not knowing what I’ll be surprised with. It’s me using my creativity and sense of framing to grab the perfect shot and composition to capture a special moment. There are times when I have had nail-biting moments when I’ve lost control of my drone, finding it stuck on a tree and inches away from falling to the ground, there was an unforgettable day when I had to emergency land the drone and go in search of it, to find it landed upside down, which was not normal. After heading back home and going through that day’s footage to my surprise the drone had flipped because a ‘Serpent eagle’ attacked and tries to carry it as soon as it lands.  

• What can you tell us about your upcoming project, “This is still my country, Sri Lanka”? What are your plans for executing this project?

This will be a project that I will be doing very close to my heart, I wish to travel around the island, to many hidden locations such as remote villages, locations along the coast, and little islands that are around Sri Lanka. I will be documenting my adventure from day one, but the sole purpose is to create a collection of aerial photography that will showcase the beauty of these locations. After all, we are the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean, so it’s high time we show that to the world. I hope to have my first-ever Exhibition with this collection and publish a book with them.  

This country and ‘we’ its people have always persevered and always been resilient through all the challenges we have faced; the goal of this project is to capture moments from above that will bring a smile to all of us and remind us how lucky we are to be in a country like this.  

• Quotes 

“If you don’t know yourself, you’re lost. You’ll be blown away by the style and be busy doing gimmicks. The goal in life is to not be a sucker. Knowing your culture and you are key… Also, when does that Elton John movie come out?” 

Archt. C. Anjalendran 

• Social Media Platform 

• Instagram : 

https://instagram.com/nilrandhafonseka?igshid=MTA0ZTI1NzA= 

• Drone company : 

https://instagram.com/abbove_dronic?igshid=ZDU1ZDhlY2E= 

• YouTube : 

https://youtube.com/channel/UCcID7tKD2UhryVra0VRgF-A 

• TikTok :

https://www.tiktok.com/@nilrandhafonseka?_t=8W0mlfysyp8&_r=1 

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MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

BY-BISHMA BAKEER      

Mental health refers to a person’s overall psychological well-being. It includes their emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and affects how they think, feel, and behave in their daily life. It is important for individuals to maintain good mental health in order to lead a fulfilling and healthy life. There are many factors that can affect mental health, including: Biological factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, and hormonal imbalances. Environmental factors such as stress, trauma, and social and economic disadvantage. Life experiences such as childhood abuse, neglect, or neglect, and other forms of trauma. Social factors such as social isolation, discrimination, and lack of support. Psychological factors such as coping mechanisms, resilience, and coping strategies. Substance abuse and addiction. Medical conditions such as chronic pain, chronic illnesses, and chronic stress can also affect mental health. It’s important to note that mental health is complex and multifaceted, and different things can affect it differently. Also some people might be more vulnerable to certain factors and less to others. Youths may face a variety of problems related to mental health issues, including: Difficulty in school: Mental health problems can affect a youth’s ability to focus, learn, and perform well in school. Social isolation: Mental health issues can make it difficult for youths to form and maintain friendships, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Substance abuse: Some youths may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of coping   with mental health problems, which can lead to addiction and further mental health issues. Self-harm or suicidal behaviour: Mental health problems can lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide, which can be a serious concern for youths. Difficulty in forming relationships: Mental health problems can affect the ability of youths to form and maintain healthy relationships, which can have a negative impact on their emotional well-being. Difficulty in self-care and daily functioning: Mental health problems can affect a youth’s ability to take care of themselves, leading to poor hygiene, lack of motivation, and difficulty completing daily tasks. It’s also important to note that youths with mental health issues may also be at a higher risk of experiencing physical health problems and may have trouble accessing appropriate care. 

There are several things that can be done to protect and maintain good mental health, such as: Eating a healthy diet: Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to improve mental health. Getting regular exercise: Regular physical activity can help to reduce stress and improve mood. Getting enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for overall health, including mental health. Managing stress: Finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques, can help to improve mental health. Building a support network: Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, and professionals can help to improve mental health. 

Seeking professional help: If you are experiencing mental health problems, it is important to seek professional help from a therapist, counsellor, or psychiatrist. Avoiding substance abuse and addiction. Having a positive attitude and outlook on life. Practicing self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for maintaining good mental health, this includes things like taking care of your physical health, getting regular check-ups, and practicing self-care activities. 

It’s important to note that different things may work for different people, so it’s important to find what works best for you. Additionally, if you have severe or persistent symptoms, it’s essential to seek professional help.    

Having good mental health can bring many advantages, improved overall well-being: Good mental health can lead to a sense of overall well-being and satisfaction with life. Increased ability to cope with stress: Good mental health can make it easier to cope with stress and challenges in life. Better physical health: Good mental health. 

Can have a positive impact on physical health, and can reduce the risk of developing certain physical health conditions. Improved relationships: Good mental health can improve the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. Increased productivity: Good mental health can improve focus, concentration, and motivation, which can lead to increased productivity and success in work or school. Greater sense of purpose and meaning: Good mental health can help to provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Greater ability to enjoy life: Good mental health can help to improve overall enjoyment of life, by allowing people to engage in activities they enjoy, and enjoy their life experiences. Better decision making: Good mental health can help with decision making and problem solving by providing the ability to think clearly and rationally. It’s important to note that good mental health is not just the absence of mental health problems, but a state of well-being in which an individual is able to function in their daily life and reach their full potential. 

On the other hand talking and educating about mental health should be normalized. 

Normalizing mental health discussions can help to reduce the stigma and shame associated with mental health problems. It can also increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues, which can lead to early detection and intervention. Talking openly about mental health can also help people to feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it. It can also help to educate people on how to support their friends, family and colleagues who may be experiencing mental health issues. It can also help to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for people with mental health issues, in which they feel comfortable discussing their experiences and receiving support. When mental health is normalized, people tend to have more realistic expectations and understanding of what is mental health and mental illness, which can lead to better self-care, self-awareness and self-compassion. It can also help to create a more informed society that can understand the importance of mental health and mental illness and create policies, laws, and systems to support it. It’s important to note that normalizing mental health discussions does not mean that mental health should be the only topic of conversation or that people should always be talking about their mental health. It means that mental health should be talked about in a way that is open, honest and non-judgmental, in the same way that physical health is. 

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First South Asian Team to Win at Bucerius Germany

Shayhum Aboosalih and Rishika Pandey made strides at the recently concluded Mediation Competition organised by the Bucerius Law School in Germany. The event was sponsored by Bodenheimer and brought to a finale a year of much developments in the ADR sphere.

Alternate Dispute Resolution or ADR is a culmination of solutions offered to resolve disputes out of court. People, institutes and even states are able to use the mechanism of ADR in order to negotiate, seek advise and be able to move forward in their dealings. While the main benefit is that parties are able to seek counsel in more than one matter with more flexibility than a sovereign’s judiciary, each offering under the ADR umbrella comes with its unique flavour and advantages depending on the interests of the parties involved.

Mediation is one such method which aims to facilitate an amicable settlement amongst parties. It gives parties the self-determination or freedom to choose how they would like to decide their case. A mediation is also private so information shared is kept strictly confidential protecting the interests of parties. In order to make those in disagreement more amenable to conversation, a well experienced mediator would be present to facilitate a forward-looking discussion. Parties are encouraged to also bring their lawyers, however in the case of a mediation,

legal counsels serve as professionals guiding their client. This is done by helping them to further their interests i.e. focussing on what they came to talk about. The counsels play an important role of ensuring that discussions do not get bogged down in legal positions about who is right or wrong. The lawyers also help provide an understanding of the alternatives at hand in case parties are unable to settle during the mediation.

The Bucerius Law school is one of the more prestigious establishments located in Hamburg Germany. They now host an annual international mediation competition where University students from around the world are given an opportunity to participate in a simulated mediation space. Judgement is made on their advocacy and negotiation skills. This year saw 24 teams from across the globe participant both on site and online from their countries in a hybrid competition format.

Shayhum Aboosalih is a past Pupil of St. Peter’s College and took part at Bucerius representing both Sri Lankaand the University of London. His experience in various fields like Tech, Finance, and media have given him an edge for cross-industry negotiations that take place internationally. Being a part of his family business in the gem and Jewellery trade brings out a sense of commercial acumen which is reflected in his negotiation style. Rishika Pandey from India is reading her final year in both business and law in the University of Jindal, Delhi. She is no stranger to ADR. Her contribution to the field ranges in a myriad of forms, from authoring many published articles to being a coach for over 10 media

Together Rishika and Shayhum caught the attention of organisers, mediators and judges with their advocacy skills and scored the highest overall marks in the preliminary rounds. The duo then became the only South Asian and Virtual team to make it into the semis, ultimately wining the competion. This is the first time in the history of the competion that a Sri Lankan won first place. In addition Rishika was also awarded for the Best
Negotiation Style.

While this is a proud moment for both Universities and our nations, the team wishes to use the experience and network made during the event to develop Mediation and ADR in their countries. Such competitions are useful ways where students can broaden their horizons and find better opportunities. Legal professionals can improve their attitude towards disputes, especially to always see how matters can be resolved in the most amicable manner possible

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Have you been waiting for the prime opportunity to showcase your technical and IT skills? AIESEC is here to answer your call. AIESEC in University of Moratuwa is pleased to announce the launch of IDEALIZE 2022, the second iteration of their largest app developing competition for tech entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The battle of the tech minds is set to begin in the month of June and is ready to find its Idealizers who will pave the way for the future of the technological industry in Sri Lanka.

AIESEC is a global youth-led organization present in more than 100 countries whose primary goal is to nurture the leadership skills of young leaders. It provides opportunities for enthusiastic youngsters to prove their skills by engaging in valuable projects, volunteering, and many more. IDEALIZE is one such initiative organized especially to highlight the technological entrepreneurship skills that many Sri Lankan youth possess. It is in no doubt that the future lies with technology. From the moment the first computer was invented, humans have always incorporated technology in their innovations. Today, there is hardly any person who doesn’t have a device that connects them with the rest of the world. This is why the future generations must be equipped with IT skills. Recognising this need, AIESEC in University of Moratuwa initiated IDEALIZE, an ideathon coupled with app development to equip the Sri Lankan youth with the necessary technological skills. 

The project was first initiated in 2021 with much success. More than 650 participants from all over the country came together to battle for the IDEALIZE championship. The event was concluded with the crowning of the Idealizers. Sujith Perera, Suween Ellawela, and Shashenka Gamage of Team 3X triumphed as the school category winners while Team Error 404 headed by Venushi De silva was victorious in the open category. 

IDEALIZE 2022 aims to reach even greater heights than before by upscaling the magnitude of the competition. To aid this grand cause, 99X Corporation, a pioneer in the technological industry in Sri Lanka has partnered up with AIESEC in University of Moratuwa as the Platinum Partner providing their valuable assistance and guidance. We also have NCINGA Corporation, a technology solutions provider forefront in the IT industry, as the Gold Partner of the event This year, IDEALIZE is focusing on uplifting the technological entrepreneurship aptitude of Sri Lankan youth and empowering women in tech. The competition will be open to two categories of participants as school and open categories. Any individual between the age of 19 – 28 who has a dream of kickstarting their entrepreneurship journey is welcome to take a chance at the IDEALIZE championship.

The project would embark on its voyage on the 14th of June, 2022 opening registrations. Participants will be provided knowledge of app development and guidance from mentors in technological companies during the competition. The project would span over three months with challenging and entertaining events. Well-known professionals in the technological arena will be gracing the event to impart their knowledge and insights    

Technology is the ticket to the future. IDEALIZE is here to provide that valuable opportunity to the future generations of this country. So this is a warm invitation to all youngsters with a passion for IT to join hands with us in unlocking their hidden potential. To find more information about IDEALIZE 2022 visit the AIESEC Sri Lanka Facebook site and IDEALIZE website. 

Facebook Event Page – https://fb.me/e/1vFiar7Ey 

Registration – http://aiesec.lk/idealize2022-reg  

Event booklet – http://aiesec.lk/idealize-events  

Written by: 

Chirasthi Amarasingha 

AIESEC in University of Moratuwa 

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Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has now increased to a point where people have to go without meals on  some days. This includes the young children of Sri Lanka, who are being deprived of the nutrition they  need at an early age.

In the status quo of Sri Lanka, it is estimated by the UN that 2.3 million children are in need of  healthcare and humanitarian assistance! How can we expect the future generation to be strong and  healthy when they are starving with no food! 

The Sri Lankan food harvest has already decreased by more than 30%, and it has been predicted to  further drop in the future by about 40% – 50%. Considering how agriculture is one of our main sources  of food, we can understand why people and children around the country have to go with only one meal  a day, maybe even no food at all! Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s economy is far from self-sufficiency. Our  reliance on imports from other countries also led to this lack of food, as we now have no foreign reserve exchanges to import essential food. 70% of households have reported that they are reducing their  consumption of food in order to save more for their family. We can see from this that people are being  ridden of their necessary food, leading to high malnourishment.  

People are also unable to afford some food, due to the high inflation rates. The Governor of the Central  Bank of Sri Lanka stated that food inflation is predicted to rise to 70% from 50% in a few months. This  signifies a huge change in the prices of food, putting the finances of families into dire states, as well as  risking their ability to eat 3 meals a day. 

Malnourishment in Sri Lanka was already high, at 1.0, in 2020! That is considerably high, taking into  account world standards, and it is growing higher day by day. Sri Lankan children are suffering the most  in this period of starvation. 56,000 children under the age of five are not being provided with the  necessary food for them to grow, leading to poorly built bodies and early deaths. 

Child malnourishment diseases in Sri Lanka are now deadly due to the lack of medicine in the country. It  has been confirmed that 25 life-saving medicines for children are facing a possible stockout in the  coming months. Kids who have a disease and must be rushed to the hospital might not be able to get  the medicines they need to be cured. This immediately puts the health of children at risk, so diseases  caused due to malnourishment are now deadly. 

The government has been suggesting solutions to curb this rising problem. Growing fruits and  vegetables in your backyard will save you from having to buy these from the market. Furthermore,  rather than buying small quantities of expensive fish, you can buy large quantities of low-price fish for  the same price, thus allowing you to eat more. However, many slum-dwellers and under-privileged  people are unable to do this because most of them don’t have gardens, and sometimes, they can’t even  afford to buy small quantities of cheap meat anyway. 

UNICEF has stated that it requires US$25.3 million to attend to the perils of the most vulnerable and  badly affected children and their families by ensuring continued access to essential services and support. Therefore, Sri Lanka’s only hope seems to be UNICEF and donations from other countries. 

There is one more possible short-term solution – helping each other out. As a humanitarian effort,  privileged Sri Lankans should make it their duty to provide small quantities of food to their surrounding  neighbours who are facing poverty and starvation. By rising together as one to help each other battle  this malnourishment, we can curb this problem and come out of dark times. 

Sri Lanka must try and curb this streak of starvation before our future generation becomes too  malnourished to make a brighter future. 

Yash Nanayakkara, 13 years old 

Asian International School

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PROJECT INSTRUCTIFY

Project Instructify was primarily aimed at young children in rural areas who lacked access to teachers and resources. The Rotaract Club of Kadawatha and Volunteers Sri Lanka collaborated on this initiative with Mr. Matias Baro Graf to teach and develop the understanding of those young children at Danakiriya Kanishta Vidyalaya. This project began on February 7th, 2022, and was completed on March 19th, 2022, with a little certificate handover ceremony at Danakiriya Temple.

Most pupils in this programme were very happy about it, and all of them were under 16 years old. This project concept was from former Rotaract president Pramila Silva is also the president of Volunteers Sri Lanka Society. On the occasion of the certificate handover ceremony, three members from the Rotaract district council participated. At the meeting, District Rotaract Representative Akila Wijethunga, District Rotaract Representative Elect Ahamed Hussain, and District Rotaract Representative Nominee Sathma Jayasinghe was also present. The Rotaract Club of Kadawatha was represented by President Rtr. Chamodya Rathnasuriya, Secretary Rtr. Harith Munasinghe, and Chairperson Rtr. Heshani Tissera.

The Principal of Danakiriya Kanishta Vidyalaya has thanked all the participants for the project and for donating sanitary products to the school. DRR. Akila addressed the occasion, and he explained the value of English education. Furthermore, he mentioned that “education is the key to success and it is the best possible way to change the world.” Also, another parent addressed the occasion and thanked all the members for their support and the guidance of their children, saying that they were grateful for this project as well.

Before the project started, former Rotaract president Rtr. Pramila Silva, current President Rtr. Chamodya Rathnasuriya, Secretary Rtr. Harith Munasinghe, and Rtr. Heshani Tissera informed the zonal educational officers and the district educational officers about the project. Thus, after handing over certificates to the 70 students of Danakiriya Kanishta Vidyalaya, the Rotaract Club of Kadawatha has donated sanitary products to the school.

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Scope Cinemas Premieres Top Gun: Maverick Starring Tom Cruise

Colombo, Sri Lanka – 26 May 2022. Scope Cinemas premieres Top Gun: Maverick in theatres today at Scope Cinemas, Colombo City Centre. The movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy, Oblivion, Only The Brave), features Tom Cruise reprising his star-making role as Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

The iconic 1986 movie, Top Gun, catapulted Tom Cruise to stardom. The long-anticipated sequel has been 36 years in the making and fans can finally immerse themselves in this action-packed, nostalgic experience. 

Plot Synopsis:

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of TOPGUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” 

Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

Watch Top Gun: Maverick at Scope Cinemas from May 26th 2022.

Production Crew:

Paramount Pictures and Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present A Don Simpson / Jerry Bruckheimer Production, A Joseph Kosinski Film, Tom Cruise, Top Gun: Maverick. 

Directed by Joseph Kosinski. 

Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks. 

Screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie. 

Based on Characters Created by Jim Cash & Jack Epps, Jr. 

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison. 

Executive Produced by Tommy Harper, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Chad Oman, Mike Stenson.

Cast:

Pete “Maverick” Mitchell: Tom Cruise

Tom “Iceman” Kazansky: Val Kilmer

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw: Miles Teller

Penny Benjamim: Jennifer Connelly

Vice Admiral Cyclone: Jon Hamm

Rear Admiral: Ed Harris

Jake “Hangman” Seresin: Glen Powell

Soloman “Warlock” Bates: Charles Parnell

Bernie “Hondo” Coleman: Bashir Salahuddin

Natasha “Phoenix” Trace: Monica Barbaro

Robert “Bob” Floyd: Lewis Pullman

Reuben “Payback” Fitch: Jay Ellis

Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia: Danny Ramirez

Javy “Coyote” Machado: Greg Tarzan Davis

About Scope Cinemas Pvt. Ltd:

Scope Cinemas Pvt. Ltd. is Sri Lanka’s first multi-sensory luxury entertainment company. It has dedicated itself to continuously raising the bar to offer customers an incredible theatre experience using state-of-the-art technology and comfort that’s on par with international standards. Scope Cinemas is known for having international premieres of blockbuster movies. 

For additional information please contact:

Chassy Cortes – Head of Marketing and Public Relations, Scope Cinemas Pvt Ltd 

chassy@scopecinemas.com

+94779579955

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Sundays are usually reserved for quiet days at home, or recently, for going to support
protests. However, last Sunday (8 May) saw Trace Expert City come alive with music, tents,
food, and of course, people. What was the occasion? It was none other than Hotdog
Showdown (HDS) 2022.

The signature project of the Rotaract Club of Informatics Institute of Technology (RACIIT)
since 2013, the ninth iteration of HDS is returning after the event's last run in 2020, the
2021 event having not been held due to the country's situation at the time.
HDS is, as the name suggests, an eating challenge revolving around hotdogs, and each year
there are dozens of competitors who just wanna eat it all, and fast.
“We wanted to make HDS ‘22 bigger and better of course,” said Rumeth Randombage, one
of the project leads. “It’s usually done at green path, but was moved to Trace Expert City
this year. Despite everything happening in the country, we are glad we pulled off this
fundraiser.”
The club has made the most of the break year and has expanded on the project's focus this
year; aside from the hotdogs eating competition, there are additions such as carnival games,
food stalls, musical performances, and even a motor show.
The crowd on a Sunday morning was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
“I think the best part of this event was the performance line up we had this year, specially
with UMARA, and the line up of voice/dream star finalists. Overall, even for the hotdog
competition we had good participation and we believe it went very well. We may have had a
few ups and downs but it all ended well and the event was a success,” Rumeth further
noted.

This year the competition itself was divided into two categories, one for the ladies and one
for the gents.

Preliminary rounds were held in the morning (but we are Sri Lanka, so it was more towards
noon), with the three winners (those who ate their hotdogs fastest) proceeding into the
next rounds, which kicked off shortly after 1pm.
Each round became increasingly intense (who knew eating hotdogs would be intense), with
four triumphant winners finally being declared towards evening.
● Male category: Chathura Rashmika
● Female category: Herin Yashmika
With that, and the motor show, plus a musical performance commencing right after, the
day's proceedings were finally over, with satisfied crowds dispersing in small clusters until
no one remained.
Despite the fun vibes and created environment, HDS is not simply about having fun for the
members of RACIIT. The funds from this project go towards one of the club's signature
community service projects, E-Mithudama. Under E-Mithudama, the club builds and
donates computers and makes computer laboratories for children in rural areas with limited
learning resources.
We spoke to RACIIT president Induwara Mapalagama to get his views.
“HDS ‘22 was a huge task for us, and as the club President sometimes it seemed like an
impossible task. But thankfully with the talented individuals from RACIIT, we were able to
pull HDS off this year, bigger and better than before,” he said. “HDS is a very important
project for us, since all the funds from this project will go towards E-Mithudama.”

“HDS Happened at a very critical time, with many issues popping up” he explained, adding,
“However, due to teamwork, hard work, and dedication, it ended up being a massive
success and I want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this journey.”
“We will be focusing on starting the planning process for building labs starting from 1 July
with the money that was raised,” he said regarding E-Mithudama.
“As a final note, I should thank everyone for coming that day, and I hope they had a
wonderful time while serving the community,” concluded Induwara.
All in all, a good event and a good day to come and eat hotdogs for a good cause.
RACIIT assures us that HDS will return next year, so stay tuned.

The post SHOWING OFF SPEED EATING AT HOTDOG SHOWDOWN 2022 appeared first on ChoKoLAAte Blog.

With everything happening in the country right now, not many people get the time or money to run to the cinema to watch the latest movie, even when it’s one from the MCU. However, this writer ended up at the cinema the day Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness came to theatres, to see a cinema packed on a weekday morning. Excitement thickened the air even before the screen lit up; but did the highly-anticipated instalment of the MCU deliver? 

If you’re yet to watch this movie, a word of caution before you proceed, that word being: SPOILERS!

In case you didn’t take that warning seriously enough, here’s some spoilers for you.

Sorry not sorry

Still here? Great. Let’s get to the real stuff. 

My own reactions to the movie may be a tad different to those of the rest of the audience, since I opted to go trailer-less and spoiler-less into this movie. This was achieved through great self control and one memorable occasion of plugging in earphones and humming very loudly in the cinema (yes, that actually happened, pre-movie trailers are a menace).

While Dr. Strange was instrumental in previous Marvel movies, his last (and first) solo film was in 2016, six years ago in a world that had no clue what COVID-19 is. In short, it was a really long time ago. However, something that stayed in our collective memories (or at least mine) were the visuals. The mirror dimension portrayal in the 2016 film was such an aesthetic marvel (no pun intended) that Dr. Strange scenes became a favourite simply for their visual splendour. 

Multiverse of Madness delivers spectacularly on that front, with the visual complexity one of the best that the MCU has seen. Whether it’s showcasing colourful universes, the mirror dimension, the place between worlds, or the horror-esque scenes nearing the film’s climax (more on that later), the visuals always came through. Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange(s) is always a treat to watch, which helped the film along. 

As chaotic and disarrayed as the different universes in the multiverse were, so was the plot of the movie. While some people were disappointed in the mess the plot had become (due to a change in directors, rescheduling, and switching places in the grand scheme of the MCU) the disarray played perfectly into the “multiverse of madness” theme. 

However, remember what I said about the last solo film being a long time ago? This fact comes into play in another (intended) key aspect of the plot: The romance.  Christine Palmer, a character we haven’t seen in six long years, makes a comeback. This writer had forgotten all about the romantic interest; when the good Dr. West says he didn’t get the girl, this writer said, “What girl?”

This girl, who is getting married to another man, not that this stops Strange

The romance for Strange did not mesh with the rest of the movie; how does pining for a woman even come close to being important when you’re a character grappling with the fact that you erased half of all living creatures in the entire universe to save it? Nevertheless, Palmer only served as a point for Strange to come to key realisations about himself, in every universe. The emotional weight, which should be enough to drive Strange across universes, was not felt. 

Instead, the emotional heavy-lifting came from the Scarlet Witch, who caught this writer by surprise in her arc which showed her turning against Strange instead of allying with him. The juxtaposition of the Witch’s power and corruption against her maternal longing makes for a haunting storyline which was delivered with frightening intensity in another show-stealing performance by Elizabeth Olsen. 

The Scarlet Witch arc does seem rushed and sketchy, but the performance and visuals become her saving grace. The unexpected turn around delivers on shock value, further  fuelled by just how good of a villain she makes. Scarlet Witch draws on her old nemesis Thanos, insisting she’s ‘reasonable’ even while scorching humans into flesh melting off bones. 

This particular marvel character has suffered so much, most keenly highlighted in her line: “I blew the head off the man I loved and it meant nothing, don’t talk to me about sacrifice.” It was almost a mercy killing by this point when she met her demise, as her visible pain and sadness carried most of the emotional heft of this film. However, we are left wondering if this is the last we’ll see of this character, so soon after she came into power.

Witchcraft is dark and sinister in the multiverse of madness

However, in this particular arc, where the romance would’ve been expected, we’re given no information about white vision. It’s as if the WandaVision droid never existed. The only reference to Vision is given early on in the film, when Wanda mentions that Vision thought the multiverse to be dangerous. 

Speaking of the multiverse, the titular concept of the film, and the excuse for much of it’s visual flair, is dismally underexplored in the movie. The only true glimpse we get into the magnitude of this discovery is the dialogue when we’re told that in the infinite multiverse, there exists a solution to every problem, every disease. Unfortunately, other than that single moment, the multiverse might as well have been a series of mirror dimensions, as it was all visual spectacle with no intellectual weight, and the only emotional weight being the various cameos littered throughout. 

One must admit the multiverse got a healthy sprinkling of cameos; if the purpose of the multiverse was to combine all the nostalgia fans could think of, then this film would get the gold star. Reed Richards, Captain Carter, Charles Xavier, Black Bolt, Maria Rambeau’s Captain Marvel, and even Karl Mordo show up in alternate universes. However, with the lack of a buildup, the moment fails to match up to Spiderman: No Way Home, which will retain the title of best MCU film to explore the multiverse. 

However, a key feature which differentiated the film from previous instalments, even of Dr. Strange himself, is the clear influence of the horror genre, thanks to director Sam Raimi of Evil Dead fame. The horror gets more intense towards the climax of the film, while the premise is typical Marvel, with bright colours and jokes thrown in here and there. While some of the more hilarious interactions lasted the length of the film, like the dynamic between Strange and Wong, the film did become noticeably darker towards its conclusion, with ghouls, zombies, and possession taking centrestage.

I don’t think I’ll forget the picture of a blood soaked Elizabeth Olsen limping after the protagonists in a dark tunnel anytime soon.

New hero or not? The new character lacks, well, character

Last but not least, the audience is introduced to a new character America Chavez, whose bright and bubbly (at least more bubbly than the rest of them) performance gives the film the Marvel vibe even when Raimi’s influence takes over. America is a great character and her unique power drives the plot forward; however, we’re not given much to relate to on her end and by the time the movie came to a close this writer did not feel a particular bond with the character. 

However, shoutout to her two moms, and the pride pin she wears on her jacket the entire movie. 

All in all, the multiverse of madness is a must watch, simply for the visual masterpiece it is, and for a healthy dose of nostalgia if you’re a long time fan. Fans of Strange get to see multiple versions of him in this film (not all of them nice), but for fans of Scarlet Witch, the film is a tad more macabre.  

The stage is set for Dr. Strange to return, with the addition of his third eye and the appearance of Clea, a long-time ally of Strange and his eventual successor in the comics, in the post-credits scene.

Article by Paramie Jayakody

The post WE’RE ALL MAD HERE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS appeared first on ChoKoLAAte Blog.