Life style
Be smarter than your smart phone
Marking the World Mental Health Day which fell on October 10, we spoke to Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya, Consultant Psychiatrist, National Hospital of Sri Lanka and the Senior Lecturer from the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo who warns that “all frills of digital devices including smart phones come at a huge cost,” impacting our overall mental health and well being.
by Randima Attygalle
The smart phone has come to stay with us and there is no escape. From communicating with people to reading your daily newspaper, the smart phone has become indispensable. More than a mobile phone, it is now a movie theatre, a TV, a radio, a camera, an alarm clock, a diary, a notebook, a flashlight, a navigator, a health checker, a banker, grocer and so much more! It has become the first thing we check in the morning and the last thing before we go to sleep. While leaving home without the phone makes one ‘lost’ for the rest of the day, losing it is a nightmare.
While addiction to our smart phone or other digital devices such as tabs or computers (with access to the internet) is yet to be classified as a ‘mental disorder’, the negative impact of their overuse on our overall health and well being cannot be underpinned says, Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya, Consultant Psychiatrist, National Hospital of Sri Lanka and the Senior Lecturer of the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.
“Drunk driving could crash your car and kill another pedestrian and leave you disabled for the rest of your life. But one need not necessary be an alcohol addict to be in this predicament. It is the same with device or screen addiction. There need not be an underlying pathological condition for us to understand the seriousness of addiction to these devices. Your family and work life, education, social connections and even sex life would all be at stake,” says Dr. Rajasuriya.
A mental disorder is diagnosed on acceptable diagnostic guidelines. There are two such internationally renowned guidelines: The International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10, ICD 11) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) by the American Psychiatric Association. None of these guidelines still recognize a ‘disorder’ for addiction to screens or electronic devices, yet it recognized internet ‘gaming disorder’ in the section recommending conditions for further research, along with caffeine use disorder and other conditions.
In a move that addresses concerns about the public health implications of excessive use of electronic devices, WHO has included gaming disorder in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) which is to come into effect on January 1, 2022. Accordingly, Gaming disorder is defined ‘as a pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.’ According to the WHO, for gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behaviour pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 months.
However Dr. Rajasuriya explains that not all people who engage in gaming will develop a gaming disorder. “Studies have shown that gaming disorder only affects a small proportion of people who engage in digital/video-gaming activities.” Evidence-based research findings are yet to emerge on the pathological use of digital devices, yet the obvious harms such excess use can inflict on the user and his family and loved ones which are larger than pathological conditions, cannot be overlooked he says. “It is no rocket science,” reflects the psychiatrist who goes on to say that if the use of digital devices entail any concerns for you, your children and others, certain interventions are necessary. These would include neglect of daily chores, drop in academic performance, strains on family life and cyber/online harassment including sexual harassment.
The physical and mental health cost of device abuse is enormous. An increase in energy intake, sleep disorders, daytime tiredness, the displacement of time available for physical activity and reduction, poor attention and lack of concentration in metabolic rate are among the latest research findings related to physical health impact. Irritability, low mood, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development and poor educational performance are among the mental health consequences of excessive device dependency. In case of ‘developing minds’, this could be worse, resulting in low IQ levels and poor interpersonal skills in children.
Citing the Screen time Guidelines by the American Association of Paediatrics, Dr. Rajasuriya says that for toddlers under 18 months, no screen time is permitted unless it is to connect with a loved one such as ‘video chatting with grandma.’ While little screen time of ‘high-quality educational content’ is permitted for toddlers between 18 months and two years, according to each age groups up to 13 years, the Guidelines offer advice for parents and care givers.
While letters, post cards and aerogrammes could be ‘ancient communication regalia’ for the present youth, forging a life banishing the latest technological devices would only be unreal. Hence, empowering them to be the master of their smart phone without becoming a slave to it is the way forward, points out Dr. Rajasuriya. “We need to accept that youngsters spend a considerable time on their smart phones, connecting with the world and people. Today WhatsApp groups are popular which could collectively link many people instantly- both students and adults. The instant communication these enable is beneficial, especially in an emergency situation. The COVID pandemic situation further validated the benefits of the digital world.”
In case of social media, while it enables enhanced connectivity, it could also be an intrusion on privacy, calling for ‘smart’ navigation of it. Cyber bullying, online sexual harassment and even digital crimes are rampant today. ‘The projected reality’ created by many digital platforms could lure their users, especially the youngsters, notes Dr. Rajasuriya. “The online social connections foster a false sense of enrichment although in reality the brain is negatively stimulated by them. Such experiences are not deepening or rewarding.”
Identifying early markers of ‘digital device’ addiction could help mitigate its long term cost. “If you or your adolescent child use social media, yet forge real-life social connections with no phobia, socially interact with the extended family, peers and colleagues at the workplace, it does not become a concern, yet if the only social connections are those made on social media, then it becomes a serious concern,” warns the psychiatrist. Inter personal skills, negotiation skills, problem solving, mentoring and even intimacy are all essential elements of human development which could never be replaced by social media, he adds.
Introverts and those with social anxiety find social media and other digital devices as a means of escaping from the reality. “As a result their behaviour doesn’t get corrected but enhanced. In case of depressed people, no real life friend would be there to identify early markers and intervene, the repercussions of which could sometimes be fatal. While some of these introverted people including adolescents may harbour a false sense of achievement and self-esteem in the digital world, in the real world, they would be socially handicapped.” Excessive dependency on these media could even trigger conditions such as depression as a result of an exhausted brain and lack of coping strategies says the Consultant.
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Sri Lanka is a land renown for stunning natural beauty. Yet, LUXASIA still managed to usher in a different kind of beautiful to the market through its expertise in luxury beauty retail and omni-distribution.
In November 2019, LUXASIA unveiled its inaugural classy beauty counters at Odel, One Galle Face. Since then, it has brought enchanting fragrances from luxury brands such as Burberry, Calvin Klein, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs, as well as trendy skincare from KORA Organics to beauty-lovers in an exquisite and captivating retail format.
Now, having successfully overcome the challenges in 2020 imposed by COVID-19 and related lockdowns, LUXASIA is ready and excited to thrill Sri Lankan consumers again. This time, it is with the launch of both skincare and make-up collections from the prestigious Japanese beauty brand, Shiseido. Arriving with a glamorously magnificent pop-up at One Galle Face from 8 to 14 February 2020, LUXASIA promises to bring memorable consumer experiences and a feast for the eyes that showcases the best in Japanese beauty.
Leading up to this pop-up, LUXASIA partnered the Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and top influencers of Sri Lanka to excite the beauty community with a sneak peek of what Shiseido have to offer. This campaign garnered more than 100,000 social interactions, with over 1.2 million social media impressions, piquing consumers’ fascination in Shiseido’s award-winning and best-selling serum, The Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate.
Looking ahead into 2021, LUXASIA aims to continue delighting consumers with even more fresh retail innovations to spice up the luxury beauty scene in Sri Lanka. Soon, fragrance enthusiasts can expect a unique pop-up of all the scents that Luxasia carry, featuring new launches from Davidoff and Calvin Klein, as well as other interesting novelties. Beauty-lovers can also expect more limited edition products and gifts-with-purchases, interesting workshops, as well as seasonal offerings in the coming months. Concurrently, LUXASIA also aspires to continue grooming the Sri Lankan beauty community through more entertaining collaborations with KOLs throughout 2021.
LUXASIA sees immense potential in Sri Lanka’s fast-growing beauty market and has been its voice in the international beauty industry. For some time now, LUXASIA has been relentlessly reaching out to numerous luxury beauty brands across to world to interest them in Sri Lanka. While it is encouraging to see the first-fruits, LUXASIA is aiming much higher. Forging ahead, LUXASIA strives to champion and lead the growth of luxury beauty in Sri Lanka, through even more partnerships with great brands, and by continuously delighting consumers.
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by Ifham Nizam
Shipping lanes to the south of Dondra pose the threat of ships colliding with whales as the area has very rich marine life which also attracts whale watching boats, says prolific wildlife writer and photographer Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, author of the recently published ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Sri Lanka’.
He says international shipping industry organizations have written to the government to push back the existing shipping lanes and if no action is initiated, there is the danger of whale watching boats colliding with vessels.
Dr. Susannah Calderon and her colleagues at the University of Ruhuna have recommended the shipping lanes be moved 15 nautical miles south. The cost impact to all concerned will be negligible, but it significantly improves safety at sea, especially at night when the sea is dotted with the lamps from hundreds of small fishing crafts in the path of giant container carriers.
“It is primarily a safety issue though an important secondary impact will be that it reduces fatal collisions with whales, while generating favourable publicity for the government of Sri Lanka. It boils down to moving the shipping lanes further south and saving lives, Wijeyeratne stressed in an interview with The Sunday Island.
Asked what’s special about his latest publication, he said: “This is the first photographic field guide which covers nearly all of the mammals found in Sri Lanka. It covers 96 per cent of the land and marine mammals. The book, which is portable and affordable, also contains a large number of images from 40 photographers which are practically useful in the field to identify 
a mammal to species level. It also covers a number of small, discrete, nocturnal mammals whose existence that even many local wildlife enthusiasts will not be aware of.”
On the book’s coverage of the marine mammals, Wijeyeratne said there are two noteworthy aspects. Firstly, it covers all the species recorded in Sri Lankan waters expect for one, the Omura’s Whale. This will be included in a second edition. Secondly, it uses images of the whales and dolphins (cetaceans) which will show the animals the way a whale watcher will see them on the surface.
Artwork that shows the whole animal is important, but in field conditions, they are often of limited value to identify cetaceans which only show a little of their upper body in sections at a time they surface.
Q: You were the first to publicize that Sri Lanka was the best location for Blue Whale sightings and offered the best chance to see a superpod of Sperm Whales. Can you explain briefly how you set about branding Sri Lanka as a top international destination for whale watching?
A:
I started with field work to ascertain the facts and launched a media campaign initially with Jetwing Eco Holidays and Jetwing Hotels which was supported over many years by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and others in the media and tourism business. I have published 37 articles on whale watching in Sri Lanka. The first, in May 2008, was pivotal as it boldly stated that Sri Lanka was best for Blue Whales. This set everything in motion. My articles give due credit to many people who were a part of this amazing story. This includes Dr. Charles Anderson who first told me it would be feasible to see Blue Whales from the South.
A Belgian millionaire philanthropist who prefers to remain anonymous and helped create the infrastructure for whale watching by 13 tsunami affected fishing youth who set up Mirissa Water Sports and Sue Evans who was important for connecting all of us and Anoma Alagiyawadu (the Jetwing Lighthouse Naturalist) whom I tasked with collecting the initial data for the Encounter Rates I publicized in the media.
Remarkably, no Sri Lankan marine biologist played any role in publicizing whale watching in the early years. However, soon after, they benefited by being thrust into the media spotlight by film crew researchers who had read the publicity which began with my various widely disseminated articles. Having read them, and sometimes after conversations with me, the film crews and the press came to Sri Lanka and incorporated local marine biologists into their story.
At the time I broke the first story, I do not think any of the local marine biologists had even one image of a Blue Whale of a publishable standard or had any idea that Sri Lanka was the best place in the world to see Blue Whales. Hopefully, the increased profile of local marine biologists has made it easier for them to raise the funds needed for their important research.
Q: Did the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau help your efforts with publicity and branding?
A:
Yes indeed. At the start of the publicity campaign, we produced a series of informative and attractive publications designed by Chandrika Maelge. These were printed and distributed at key consumer and travel trade fairs such as the Bird Fair, WTM and Destinations where a number of important press and tour operators were informed about Sri Lanka being a good place for whales. At some of the press drinks events in London hosted by Jetwing Eco Holidays, around 35-45 press people would attend. These events were held in collaboration with the London Office of the SLTPB.
In some years, As many as three of these press events were held allowing personal interaction with a wide pool of media people. Another important and later development is the role played by Nalin Perera who ran the SLTPB office in London for several years and attended many consumer and travel trade fairs. I had developed media briefs for him which he would print and distribute. In one conversation, he estimated that he had printed and distributed over 10,000 copies of this material.
There were others who also disseminated my stories to the international press; a notable example being Chitral Jayatilake who shared my publicity pdfs with various wildlife documentary makers he invited to Sri Lanka.
Q: Did everyone readily embrace your ideas?
It took a couple of years. I remember even into the second year of the publicity campaign there were doubts from the big companies in tourism.
I remember Srilal Miththapala who was then President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka speaking to me and joining a celebrity whale watching event I was leading with Shyamalee Tudawe. This was organized by Olivia Richli of the Amangalla in Galle.
Srilal wanted to report back to the association if there was any truth to the claims being made by me about how easy it was to see Blue Whales. On the coastline, the people running small guesthouses readily embraced the story as tourists who were reading my stories turned up with copies of my articles and asked for boats to take them whale watching. The international press also readily took it on as I provided credible data.
Q: What do you say to criticisms that whale watching needs better regulation?
I agree on the need for better regulation and higher standards. The tourism industry has played its part in publicizing whale watching. Other state agencies also need to step up their efforts to regulate the industry in a way that is good for the welfare of the animals and provide a good visitor experience.
Q: What do you expect ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Sri Lanka’ to achieve?
I would like people to understand that there is still a lot to be discovered about Sri Lanka’s mammals and I hope this portable and affordable guide will find its way into the hands of local naturalists and inspire more research and more practical steps to conserve habitats and species.
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Brides and Grooms of Sri Lanka – Reimagined
“Together we’re creating moments of happiness and cherished memories for the new couple and their families” said Founder and CEO of LOVI Ceylon, Asanka de Mel, as he introduced LOVI Ceylon’s Groom collection. Each groom’s look was paired with extraordinary creations from Sri Lanka’s top bridal designers, jewelers, florists, hair and make-up artiste and was captured by story-telling photographers.
The presentation graciously hosted by the Taj Samudra and Shangri-La hotels saw 30 leading designers working hand in hand to infuse fresh ideas, celebrate cultural diversity and show-off Sri Lankan couture—the island’s hand craft heritage.
The stunning bridal costumes were painstakingly made by renowned designers Messrs. Dhananjaya Bandara, Rishard Raheem, and Michael Wijesuriya as well as Mses. Indi Yapa Abeywardena of Brides by INDI, Sonali Dharmawardena, Darshi Keerthisena of Buddhi Batiks, Ramona Oshini, Sandani Perera of IKIGAI Bridal, and Jaish Parathalingam of Aashkii. The newcomer, Ms. Anusha David also presented her couture creations under the label Gabriel.
“We want our Groom and all of the men in the wedding including the groomsmen, dads, young boys and friends, to be themselves–to feel rooted in culture, well dressed and at ease on the wedding day,” says Asanka. Celebrating the religious and cultural traditions including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Kandyan, Malay, Muslim, Sinhala, Tamil and western traditions of the island LOVI Ceylon’s Grooms’ range presented modern sarongs paired with formal shirts, jackets, kurtas and more. They were paired with sarees, dresses, lehengas, pant suits and an array of breathtaking outfits. There were many looks offered for the Sri Lankan diaspora, as well as couples seeking inspiration for destination weddings.
As the designs progressed from sketch to stitching, our jewelry partners Careems, Lalitha, Mallika Hemachandra, Tiesh and Vogue jewelers added their brilliant sparkles with handcrafted fine jewelry made of precious metals encrusted with diamonds, sapphires and rubies. And what wedding would be complete without flowers? Bringing the latest floral creations were florists Designer Flowers, Flowers by Joan and Karen Forbes, Lassana Flora, and Supreme Flora who made the spectacular bridal outfits blossom with their creations.
Breathing life into these wonderful creations with superb hair and make-up was anchor of the shoot, Ms. Nadiya Fernando and her collaborator Omesh, while Ramani Fernando Salons, Shane Perera, Viran Peter, Brides by Leena and Talia designs, also worked magic on the models.
The father son duo Dinuka and Dineth Fonseka of Studio3000 took on the herculean task of capturing all the creations as the anchor photography partner. The works of Ashene Bernard, Amarante Studio, Geeshan Bandara, and Portrait Culture were also presented in imaginative and artistic captures.
De Mel expressed his thanks to the wonderful models who brought the visions and fancies of the designers to life, as well as poet and author Ashok Ferrey for being the MC of the shoot and providing an eloquent commentary, delivered with his inimitable panache!
“We have world class craftsmanship here, it’s fun to work with so many experts, who just happen to be friends, to present a beautiful collection that could nudge the course of Sri Lankan clothing identity” said Asanka when asked about the work that went into this.
As he rightly reminded the gentlemen to choose wisely, “on that special wedding day, when all eyes are on her–her eyes are on you!”
