Hilton Colombo announced yet another stunning item in its Big 21 line up – a 21 metre giant ice sculpture, symbolising the hotel’s celebration of its 21st anniversary.

The giant display which will be a one of a kind exhibit for the public is one among the many exceptional and enticing features for the Big 21 celebrations scheduled for September 21st at the Sports Centre car park.

The most significant feature of the display is that the carvings will be shaped in the form of candles. The candles will be actually lit up with fire using an innovative method without causing any hazard to the ice carving itself. The illuminated carvings will be on display from 6.30 p.m. onwards and are expected to last for approximately five to six hours, providing the public with an opportunity of witnessing this dazzling display throughout the night.

Each ice carved giant birthday candle varying in size from large to small, will be placed on a carriage (also carved out of ice) creating a luminous string of twenty one carriages that will be hoisted upon a ramp across the length of the 28 meter pool proving to be a truly spectacular sight.

Commenting on the preparation for this unique spectacle, Gigi De Silva, Marketing Communications Manager, Hilton, said that at present the construction and design of the base of the carriage and the real carving of the candles has already begun and will be transported in two freezer trucks across the road to the poolside on the day of the event. "The stunning showcase of events for Big 21 including a 21 metre long sandwich, a variety of sizzling cuisine, toe-tapping entertainment featuring popular artistes and also an item by the children of the Ceylon School for the Deaf & Blind and many other exciting surprises makes this a "not to be missed" event, ensuring tons of fun and frolic for people from all age groups be they adults or kids", she added.

The 21 giant ice birthday candles and carriage will be made out of approximately 10,000 Kilos and would extend to 21 metres in length. The chief ice carver, Champika Rajapakse, in collaboration with ten of the best kitchen artistes will exhibit their creativity and skill in carving the 21 ice birthday candles. The carving team is headed by Executive Chef Rohan Fernandopulle, under whose able and efficient mantle all other culinary activities planned for Big21 are also being conducted. Picture shows one of the 21 candles which was made especially for the media.

Cyber security critically important to safeguard our vital systems – TRCSL DG

In an increasingly inter-connected and networked world, cyber security has become critically important to safeguard our vital systems and infrastructures against attack by cyber criminals, while instilling confidence in on-line transactions to promote trade, commerce, banking, telemedicine, e-government and a host of other e-applications, says Priyantha Kariyapperuma, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).

"As this depends on the security practices of each and every networked country, business and citizen, we need to develop and maintain a culture of cyber security", he said.

The President has taken the initiative for the country’s ICT development and overcome the wide disparity of ICT facilities between rural and urban areas. Recently, the President made initiatives and issued a direction to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission that the websites featuring obscene and pornographic materials should be filtered with immediate effect to protect the children against internet pornography, he said.

Appreciating and valuing the activities carried out in Sri Lanka’s ICT development and taking initiatives to the country’s culture for cyber security, Dr. Hamadoun I Touré, during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, presented the prestigious ITU Medal to the President.