Freeing children from cycle of pooja watti with education
It was a town they visited often in the southeast of the country – Kataragama, with its unique culture. People flocked to the Kataragama Temple, the pristine Kiri Vehera and the devala (shrines) dotting the area, with other folk living in the surrounding environs making ends meet by selling pooja watti, trays of fruit used [...]
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to hit the ramp with design beyond glamour
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka (MBFWSL) returns from November 19–23 at Cinnamon Life, introducing a bold new vision – Design Beyond Glamour. The annual design event reimagines the role of fashion in shaping culture, lifestyle and the future of modern luxury. Under the timeless star of Mercedes-Benz, MBFWSL 2025 looks to transform Colombo into a [...]
When Panadura girls broke boundaries with maiden strokes 100 years ago
The story of women’s cricket in Sri Lanka is an extraordinary tale of vision, determination and breaking social barriers. At its heart lies the remarkable contribution of St. John’s College and St. John’s Girls’ School in Panadura, institutions that dared to challenge convention in the 1920s and 1930s when the very idea of women playing [...]
Letters to the Editor
Young athletes do us proud, now time for authorities to do their bit Sri Lanka’s young athletes have once again brought pride and glory to the nation, excelling at both the South Asian Games and the Youth Games held in Bahrain. Their outstanding performances have reaffirmed that our island is a nation blessed with strength, [...]
Appreciation
My special friend CHEREEN DHARMARATNE It was during the last three years of my schooling at Bishop’s College that Chereen and I laid the foundation of a lifelong friendship despite the fact I was one class above her. It was at one of her birthday parties that my husband and I cemented our future commitment [...]
Insights into the beginnings of Buddhism in Germany
The Buddhist House in Berlin-Frohnau celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. It is considered the oldest Theravada centre in Europe and was founded in 1924 by Dr. Paul Dahlke (1865–1928), a German physician and dedicated Theravada Buddhist. In 1957, the Sri Lanka-based German Dharmaduta Society sent the first three monks to Berlin, acquired the house and [...]
From magnets to stories: First of its kind travelogue of Sri Lanka
An evening of heartfelt storytelling and cultural appreciation marked the launch of Around the World in Magnets – Sri Lanka, the first-of-its-kind travelogue by Dr Anthony Vipin Das and Vidushi Duggal, published by Sarasavi Publishers. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Shri Santosh Jha was present at the launch, held on October 16, at [...]
A book that is personal but also universal
A story of migration, belonging and the fragile transformation that shape who we become. This is how Sean Perera, writer, academic, and self-described experiential philosopher, introduces his debut novel, “ a Butterfly”. While the story draws heavily on his experiences, it seeks to resonate with readers navigating their own paths of self-discovery, he says – [...]
Il Poya that brings to a close Kathina Chivara month
The Kathina Chivara (robes) month which began with Vap Poya, will end with Il Full Moon Poya on November 5. Many important events took place during the life of the Buddha, on an Il Poya. When Maithri Bodhisattva went before the Buddha he was ordained and the Buddha mentioned that the Bodhisattva would be born [...]
A film of many hidden depths, Ayu lights up the screen
The movies are back. Or so it seems. Since Asoka Handagama’s somewhat controversial Rani made waves early in the year, 2025 has seen a resurgence of Sri Lankan cinema unlike any in recent memory. Hit after hit – from Ilango Ram’s Tentigo and Lakmal Darmarathna’s big-screen debut Walampoori to the highly successful Clarence Wijewardena musical-fantasy-dressed-as-biopic [...]
Continuing his journey inspired by the yakada yaka
There’s movement on the canvases, and colour. For a change, the Paradise Road Gallery Café has lots of cheery hues from neon green to cherry, and the very broad brush strokes curve and cross, signifying the movements of a train – just like in those night-time photos where the movement of vehicles is caught like [...]
Visual exploration of impermanence
Impermanence – an exhibition by Preethi Hapuwatte and Nelun Harasgama now on at the Barefoot Gallery explores the subtle and sweeping shifts that shape the human experience. The artists, both accomplished designers explore the tensions between presence and passing, the fleeting beauty of a moment, the loss embedded in transformation, and the resilience that emerges [...]