Iftar at Independence Square: Over 3,000 people broke their fast at Independence Square on 02 April (Sunday), almost at the risk of running out of food organised for the event. However, thanks to those who brought food and shared with everyone, the iftar at the Square was a successful abundance of samosas, kanji, faluda and tea that were shared among ...
That is the question. The government’s decision to privatise — selling the shares owned by the government to the private and possibly foreign shareholders — several state enterprises has been challenged by many. This includes the national airlines, the telecommunicator and several other companies: which will be sold to bring in much-needed foreign revenue. Will this work? #lka #srilanka #economy ...
Amnesty International’s recent report revealed some stark truths about Sri Lanka: human right violations, government crackdown of protests, and how the global west is ignorant about these violations. Amnesty’s Senior Director for Human Rights Impact Deprose Muchena highlighted the “sickening double standards” the world continued to face in the protection of human rights. Commenting on how Sri Lanka’s protest movement ...
After her husband’s passing, Irosha Perera took charge of their homegrown business to be able to provide for her family. But Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic crisis has amplified the challenges they face on a daily basis. How can Women Headed Households be better supported in these trying times? Irosha’s story shows us how gender-responsive policymaking may be the answer.
This #InternationalWomensDay, we want to highlight the lives and guiding words of women in our lives. Send us your stories, in a vertical video format, about a woman that inspires and leads on a daily basis. This is your moment to show your appreciation. The videos must be shot in portrait or vertical mode and should not exceed 10 seconds. ...
In Sri Lanka, the ‘war on drugs’ is a recurring topic in political and social circles. Towards the end of last year, after significant socio-political upheavals in the country, the conversation on drugs rose up once more– this time with a specific focus on school children using Ice, the street name for crystal methamphetamine. People with addiction or substance use ...
Modern Sri Lanka’s most significant political attempt at finding a lasting solution to tensions between the two main ethnic groups — the Sinhalese and the Tamils — was the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, which, among other changes, introduced the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment has come into sharper focus recently, with President Ranil Wickremesinghe promising a full implementation ...
In 2020, the world saw a dramatic shift in gender roles – but what changes really took place? Were they long-lasting or has their impact already begun to fade? Experts on gender studies who work on the ground in Sri Lanka help us explore this tricky phenomenon.
An inconspicuous little culvert along the Minneriya-Polonnaruwa route has become an unusual tourist attraction. While usually seen alone or in a pair, this shaded waterhole — aptly named the ‘Kabara Bokkuwa’ (කබර බොක්කුව) — is home to a bank of some 15 kabaragoya, Asian water monitors (Varanus salvator salvator) that has formed a rather peculiar reciprocal relationship with a local ...
“People ask me why I don’t have a job,” Gayan said. “They ask me if it’s difficult to find work. Most often, it is confusing for them because they know I’ve studied well, and technically, it shouldn’t be hard to find work. They get even more confused when I say that I like what I do.” Gayan Pitawalagedara (28) is ...
Twenty of Sri Lanka’s 34 known endemic bird species are now threatened, the National Red List on the conservation status of native birds report. Ten endemic bird species have seen their conservation status deteriorate from the last time the National Red List was published – that was in 2012. Over 520 bird species call Sri Lanka their home, and many ...
The 75th anniversary of Independence Day is days away. Here’s a breakdown of how much the government is spending on the parade. #lka#SriLanka#independence-day-english
There’s something about Sri Lanka’s beaches – and Petter Toremalm, CEO of Sunshinestories and Ceylon Sliders, has discovered it all. Catch some waves with Petter and join him on a typical day in his life as he visits the most stunning beaches on the Southern coast of this South Asian island. From surfs and swims to discovering the historical Galle ...
Over 200 kites took to the sky on Saturday (14) in Velvettithurai, Jaffna as it celebrated its annual kite festival this year. The festival was held at the Valvettithurai beach as part of the Thai Pongal celebrations, organised by the Valvettithurai Udayasooriyan Sports Club and the Vigneshwara Committee, with the support of the Ministry of Sports. M. Prashan (31), won ...
For the past 38 years, Bose Pichai Chandran, 52, has been cultivating vegetables on the Dryden Estate in Kotagala. “My three children are all schooling,” he told Roar. “My oldest daughter is studying to become a chartered accountant in Colombo, and my younger son and daughter are both pursuing their higher education. My vegetable business has been the only support ...
Everything is expensive now – even condoms. From groceries to many essential services, the economic crisis that began in 2022 has increased the prices of almost all consumer goods – condoms too, have seen a 100% (or more with some brands) price hike. Contraception is the use of medicines, devices or surgery to prevent unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and also ...
Niraz Sharfudeen (27), has dedicated his time to directing traffic on the single-lane iron bridge known as the “Yakada Palama” (යකඩ පාලම) in his hometown of Hunupitiya. The bridge, built over the busy railway tracks of the Hunupitiya Railway Station, is frequented by light vehicles like motorcycles, tuk-tuks and small cars that want to bypass rush-hour traffic on the ...
