Books

Betty Bloch, jeune ethnologue française Dvivant en Inde, se voit chargée d'une passionnante mission : elle doit enquêter sur les derniers ermites tibétains pratiquant le yoga de la « chaleur intérieure » dans les solitudes glacées de l'Himalaya. Mais, curieusement, ceux qu'elle espère rencontrer disparaissent... L'équipe de tournage qui parcourre la région, avec son réalisateur célèbre et ses stars de Bollywood, y est-elle vraiment étrangère ? Et que dire de ce photographe écossais, au comportement bizarre ? A moins que les Chinois...

Une tradition millénaire du Tibet peut cacher des enjeux très contemporains, et Betty devra aller jusqu'à se transformer en yogi pour découvrir l'étonnante vérité.

Remarkable Stories from Pioneering Sri Lankan Women

Based on personal interviews, Pathways to the Peak, pays tribute to the vision and achievements of fourteen path-breaking Sri Lankan women. Authored by Shalini and Dinusha
Panditaratne, a mother-daughter team, the book highlights the journey of these pioneers to enter and excel in their respective fields, including in the arts, banking, commerce, education, engineering, journalism, law, medicine, sports and social activism. Their stories offer vivid insights into the many facets of their extraordinary success – their motivation and determination, trials and triumphs and lasting contributions to their country and professions. This is a book to inspire younger generations of women in Sri Lanka and beyond.

This rich collection of stories celebrates the courage and perseverance and achievement of fourteen extraordinary Sri Lankan women who made it to the top in our yet unequal world. They confirm the truth that paths are made by walking. The book is truly a labour of love and achievement – Bradman Weerakoon

Straddling a century of social change, this insightful book provides fascinating vignettes of fourteen amazing Sri Lankan women, and the creativity, courage and commitment that led each of these pioneers along their individual 'pathways to the peak' in an essentially male-dominated world – Dr Anila Dias Bandaranaike

Baby Baba wants to put everything he sees into his mouth. The doll, the keys,a fork, a shoe - even a pink balloon!

What is Akki to do? She is tired of telling him, 'Please don't put that in your mouth.' Then Mama has the perfect solution and both Baby and Akki are happy.

Please Don't Put That In Your Mouth is a funny, rhyming book about babies and all the mischief they can do!

Illustrated by Lalith Karunatilaka

The 9th Volume of Polity Magazine, Issues 1 & 2, Published by the Social Scientists' Association, Sri Lanka

Read an excerpt!

Minimalist, imagistic and often violent

Aparna Halpe's poetry captures the nuance of personal journeys through loss, dislocation and exile, foregrounding the collective history of a nation and a people fractured by the lived experience of racial, cultural and class based conflict Precarious traces the journey from the comforting confines of home, to the chilling, ironic spaces of an adopted city - Toronto. Fittingly, the poems broker an uneasy truce between real and imagined belonging, returning full circle to the point of genesis.

'Beautiful meditations on nature, myth, history, violence and longing. Aparna Halpé combines linguistic precision with poetic sensuality, to deliver a collection that will leave you 'looking for mermaids' while 'learning how to drown'.' - Shehan Karunatilaka

'What lingers after reading Aparna's poems is not just a memory of a dissected land or 'strangled ice' surrounded by words & music, but half light rain frozen between precariousness and unknown pain.' - Cheran

Mermaids, Demons, Gods....

Sita Devi, the wife of Lord Rama, the Prince of Arodhya, has been abducted by the Demon King Raavana. Hanuman, the Ape hero, is tasked with building a bridge to facilitate the invasion of Lanka. The Ape army gathers on the southern coast of India.

The expedition is however brought to a halt by the workings of the Mer-People who inhabit the Indian Ocean. Follow Hanuman as he struggles to overcome their enchantments and complete his task. However, who is the mysterious Mer-Queen who lures him into her undersea lair? What part has she to play in this epic war? Is all fair in love and war?

The Ramayana is a Hindu Epic as old and as famous as Homer's Odyssey. This is the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Hindu tale) retold by Nadishka Aloysius with illustrations by Vasika Udurawane.

"Beautifully descriptive and fast-paced, Raavana's Daughter is perfect for any Rick Riordan or mythology fans out there" - Joshua Grant (Amazon Review)

Once upon a time, the legendary king Ravana displeased Lord Shiva who unleashed nature's fury on the land of Lanka. To save his land and people, this resourceful king hit upon an ingenious solution. If you have read How the Squirrel got his Stripes, it is time to add to your collection. Immerse yourself in legend and be captivated by the illustrations of this book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

An expatriate reflects upon the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Sport, Society, and New Zealand

After a forty year voluntary exile an expatriate Kiwi returns to New Zealand to travel around while reporting on the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Return to Rugby Land is a challenging and provocative social commentary encompassing more than just the games or the scenery. Scott explores sport's place in society, along with the myths, psyche, and anxieties of a small nation. While questioning comfortable shibboleths, including about Maori and women, his personal account offers heartfelt insights and a broad understanding of New Zealand inextricably linked to the omnipresent game of Rugby.

A poignant travel memoir that tells the story of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka seemed like a version of paradise to Razeen Sally as a child, but conflict was soon to follow, tearing the family apart and severing their bond with Sri Lanka.

Return to Sri Lanka is the story of a twenty-first century reconciliation between Sally, now an academic and political adviser, and the land of his birth. A travel memoir with deep political concerns, it is a book full of spellbinding beauty and moving insight, from a writer who is a native, a tourist, both and neither.

He is a revolutionary,  but not the violent kind. 

Instead, Hemaka Amarasuriya transformed corporate Sri Lanka's method of thinking, asserting a quiet firmness that soon became his trademark style. Hemaka Amarasuriya is arguably Sri Lanka's 'intrapreneurship' pioneer, propelling the sewing machine and its brand to heights unknown and horizons unimagined. Singer Sri Lanka is now a case study for marketing and branding experts: Philip Kotler himself uses Singer Sri Lanka as a glowing example of a successful company that was always ahead of the curve. Amassing accolades for his unfettered thought processes that built teams, brands and portfolios, Hemaka remains in the lead as an undisputed Marketing Guru. He is renowned for marrying an unorthodox management style with non-conformist team building and revolutionary leadership approaches that are today tangibly visible within not just Singer Sri Lanka, NDB and Sri Lanka Insurance which he spearheaded, but also in the past on the sports grounds, be it cricket, rugby, hockey or motorsports.

However, this is not merely a story about a brain ticking continually, pioneering pathways and charting new journeys; it is the story of an individual who faced highs and lows at work and at home. Yet, the 5'11" mogul continues to stand tall and proud, wielding an indomitable strength that is always visible, riding the times at full gallop and indelibly inking history, all the while leading, motivating, mentoring, guiding, and most significantly, pioneering. 

Growing stellar performers in organizations

Against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean, in the early hours of the morning, are two men who walk on the beach sharing their life stories.

Encapsulated in a moving story of ambition, success, family and crises is a series of anecdotes that talk about the purpose and fulfillment at work and life as a whole.

'Amidst a sea of publications that often over-complicate the purpose and practice of leadership, coaching and mentoring, Rozaine and Pujitha guide the reader through the evidence-based research that sits behind the art and science of authentic leadership. The highly relatable characters make it a thoroughly enjoyable and inspirational read.' - Dr Chintha Dissanayake

'It simply amazes me to read an outstanding, exemplary, thought provoking series of writings, presented after much research on the challenges behing growing stellar performers in organizations.' - Romesh Moraes

Shortlisted for the BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK at the STATE LITERARY AWARDS 2019

Do you wish you could actually meet a Dinosaur?
Ronan is dealing with a crisis. He and his parents have just moved into an old mansion to look after his Grandmother who requires assistance. Ronan is very introverted and anxious and even refuses to venture out of the house. Everything changes when he makes an unexpected friend - a dinosaur. Scoot introduces the young boy to new experiences, new adventures, and new friends (including an Archaeopteryx) and helps him gain some self-confidence. However, all good things must come to an end...and more change and upheaval are on the way...
MOVING home, the ILLNESS of a loved one, LONELINESS can all lead to childhood ANXIETY. This chapter book shows that help can come from the most surprising of places, and all you really need is FAMILY and FRIENDSHIP.
This edition includes Comprehension and Analysis Questions for Children age 8 - 12 to empathize and understand

Roo is a little Tuk Tuk. From road races, to Polo tournaments, to animal rescues, this little vehicle has lived life to its fullest. Experience the joys and perils of Tuk Tuks on the streets, and learn many life lessons along the way with this courageous Tuk Tuk who is always ready to lend a helping hand and spread some cheer.

You are never too little to make a difference...

With seven full-page colour illustrations by Privanka Fernando

“Humainement, Xieng-Khouang n'offre aucune prise,, semblait-il aux tornades du cœur et de la chair, avec sa population globale et toute masculine de neuf Français. Raffin ne rentrait pas ? c'est que point n'était de se refaire, pour les heureux broussards du Laos, vous savez : le "climat de France" ..." Raffin Su-su est donc établi dans ce poste français du Haut-Laos et finit par y fonder une famille à la mode laotienne. Mais lors d'un retour en France après une longue absence, au lieu du bref séjour qu'il envisageait pour "se remettre", il y sera enterré su-su... ! Les deux syllabes qui, dans la langue laotienne réponden à tout et un peu plus encore...

SET is an indispensable tool for anyone wishing to gain a basic knowledge of simple colloquial Sinhala and/or Tamil. It is both an informative introduction to Sri Lanka's three languages, and an invaluable reference work for the elementary learner.

SET introduces a simple colloquial form of Sinhala and Tamil in a practical and user-friendly format. Sinhala and Tamil scripts are included, alongside a unique phonetic system designed to make the pronunciation of both languages as clear as possible. Supplementary notes provide further information on areas such as foods, festivals and family relationships. Usage notes explain grammar points such as noun endings, pronouns, forming questions and negatives, etc. And verb tables at the end of the book list the different forms of 100 common Sinhala and Tamil verbs.

Further information, together with sample pages from the book, can be found on the website www.mirisgala.net

Since times immemorial, people have experienced the divine spiritual through art and architecture. In Shared Sanctities, museuologist and writer Hasini Haputhanthri explores some of the historically sacred spaces in Sri Lanka together with photographer and film maker Sujeewa de Silva, producing five visual narratives on religious confluence.

Hasini and Sujeewa situate Sri Lanka as an island of encounters, where people, ideas and traditions from all over the world arrived via sail boats and ships and then took root, adapted and grew into new forms. By exploring heritage sites of Polonnaruwa, Nalanda, Kandy, Galle and Colombo they document how temples and kovils, churches and mosques have all borrowed, shared and evolved through time, making the island, as Marco Polo says 'undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world'.