Originally published in LT Magazine, People feature, September 2015 A crazy diamond. A shooting star. A rider on the storm. Suresh de Silva can be called many things, but the one thing that truly stands out is his boundless talent. He spent the last 15 years as an ad-man, writer and caregiver to the many stray canines who now form ...
My interview with the Sunday Leader on motherhood, my new job heading the arts programme at the British Council and my passionate advocacy of the post-conflict arts scene in Sri Lanka. Photo by Pavithra Jovan de Mello.
An interview with local artist Sunara Jayamanne, on how art affects life published in today’s NATION. (http://www.nation.lk/edition/lifestyle/item/17023-the-soul-gallery.html) This country is in the throngs of an all-new explosion of art and culture, resultant of a sense of a combined cultural heritage, which may just be the way out of this country’s umpteenth uprising. I cringe at the term now because it ...
An interview with local artist Ruwangi Amarasinghe, on the benefits of the wandering mind, published in today’s NATION http://www.nation.lk/edition/fine/item/17177-the-soul-gallery.html Growing up in a family of artists must have been a wonderful experience. To come of age, watching different creative people bringing art to life through their varying processes has turned Ruwangi Amarasinghe into a creative animal all of her ...
It’s been ages since I wrote about Sri Lanka’s rich underground music scene. But I’m back! Here’s my first piece (among many more to come) for Decibel LK. Straight Outta K-Town is a feature on Unscripted, a new band with experienced players, giving Hip Hop an all new spin. Have a read, won’t you? http://decibel.lk/decibel-exclusive-straight-outta-k-town/
I spent several weeks in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka from April to June 2017 capturing the stories, lives and context of life after war for the women of the region. Here’s what I saw through my lens: This collection of photography is part of an extended project including a documentary film and photography exhibition funded by the International ...
A Critique on Sri Lanka’s Public Health System published by the Sri Lanka Press Institute on 19th November. It is a mistaken idea to assume that Sri Lanka offers a free public healthcare system. While people who are in need of such services don’t have to make immediate payments for surgeries, clinic visits, hospital stays and medication at state-run facilities, ...
Originally published in the Women & Media Collective periodical OPTIONS, in October 2015. The photo essay discusses single motherhood – a cause that hits too close to home. I share my story so that other single mums know they are not alone. And I demand that both state and society acknowledge us and our children. The issue was curated by Dr. Shermal Wijewardena. ——————————— In 2010, Social ...
I was a speaker at Sri Lanka’s first TEDx Youth conference held in Colombo in November of last year. The topic? Don’t expect a life outside the box while you’re working in a cubicle.
Dr. Milinda Salpitikorala, is better known outside medical circles as Doc666, the graphic artist, whose designs are much sought after by local rock bands such as Fallen Grace and Rhythmaya. He launched SkZin, a range of edgy, limited edition t’shirts early this year which I photographed along with Aki Peiris to accompany an article by Thushara Kulatunga of the Sunday ...
Originally published on PULSE Here is a meditation; a salutation to the Northern sun. A story from the upper quarter of the island, rising again. Years of conflict ripped apart the land and now, a decade later, shell-shocked houses remain scattered across the outskirts of towns. They sit there like reminders of dark days that seemed to never end. Thousands ...
Check out Ceylon Today | 30 years, many stories - an interview with myself and Sachini Perera on our part of the 30 Years Ago initiative by Groundviews. More information to follow. Watch this space!
A Brief History of Women in Sri Lankan Politics, published by PULSE on 18th November 2020 Everyone knows Mrs. B – the first woman to become Prime Minister anywhere in the world. Sirimavo Bandaranayke served three terms as PM, including in 1990 under her daughter Chandrika Bandaranayke Kumaratunga, Sri Lanka’s first woman president. It was also the first time the ...
I don’t own an umbrella.I fell in love with the rain a long time ago and have no desire to shield myself from it. And now, after weeks of maddening heat and humidity, it’s raining again. Pouring down and washing the city clean of its grit and dirt. A baptism, perhaps. We went through some dark days this year, but ...
An op-ed, originally published by the Sri Lanka Press Institute on 16th February 2021 We use the term ‘single mother’ loosely here, but it means different things to those who use it and moreover to those who carry the mantle. Single mother can refer to a mother who is divorced and has primary custody of the child or children – ...
In conversation with Tina Edward Gunawardhana for LifeOnline today about my battle with metastatic breast cancer, my experiences with public healthcare and how I perceive my new body after surgery. Features my own photography as I document my journey. LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE Resilient is one word I would use to describe Natalie Soysa when she talks about her journey ...
