(This post is written as an attempt to explain to a non-Sri Lankan what the story surrounding the Sri Lankan 2015 Presidential Elections are all about, why the excitement, some background, and information. Please note not all opinions cited here are my own, I have attempted to show ALL sides - opinions and constructive criticism are welcomed. I've tried to ...

Keeping in with what I have been doing for a couple of years now, once again (after quite a hiatus) I return to the small space of the internet that harbors parts of my soul, to reflect upon the year gone by and what is to come. I also decided that I will put down some lessons and dreams I ...

(This is inspired by a piece in EliteDaily.com titled '5 Hard Truths That We All Have To Handle At Some Point In Our Lives')1. Somebody hurting you doesn't absolve the mistakes you have madeWhen somebody in your life treats you badly and hurts you - it is the easiest thing to latch on to that and blame them for the ...

(Its been a long long while since I had an installment of the 'From Another's Blog' posts - I guess its been a long while since something I came across made me feel compelled to share it. This poem is written by a friend - Jessica Ferrari and was posted on Facebook. It struck me for its raw bleeding honestly, ...

On Saturday evening with a full heart, I boarded the plane at the Ahmedabad airport in India to return after an incredible 3 days attending 'Shape South Asia'. This was the regional South Asian Community meet of the Global Shapers Community taking place for the first time, hosted by the Ahmedabad Hub with Shapers from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, ...

Earlier this year the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (UN FAO) organized a field visit for the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP) to the Northern Province to observe the various agricultural practices currently in function there.On the second day we drove up to Pooneryn to meet two young men who showed us the seaweed cultivation that has been ...

There is a reason people struggle to muster up the courage to follow their passion - it is easily one of the most terrifying things you can do to your life. You fill it with uncertainty, sleepless nights, exhaustion, and sometime bone-crushing, gut-wrenching fear. Oh and because it gives you amazing moments when these frighting times hit you have to ...

What happens when you put 356 passionate, remarkable, loud, very special and stellar people; from 156 different cities spanning over 150 countries together for 4 days in the beautiful city of Geneva?The experience of a lifetime (please forgive the cliche).Who are the Global Shapers and the Global Shaper Community (GSC), you may ask? You can explore the various Hubs, Shapers, ...

And little less than two weeks have passed since the opulent, breathtaking opening ceremony was held at MRICC, Hambantota to mark the start of the World Conference on Youth 2014. The opinions surrounding the conference have been widely expressed, are varied and continue to be so. It has been called everything from a 'carnival' to a 'historic milestone in youth ...

"There are things that you can't do – like writing letters to a part of yourself. To your feet or hair. Or heart" - The God of Small Things.Here is a letter to a feeling - which I suppose is a part of myself. Can it be done? I tried anyway.Hey you,I often catch myself thinking of you at times ...

The United Nations in Sri Lanka following the idea of the UN Sectary General's Special Envoy on Youth - Ahmad Alhendawi, became one of 20 nations so far to implement the first ever United Nations Youth Advisory Panel. This exciting new initiative [so new that the existing 20 panels have all been around for under 6 months at best] is ...

This really is a hell of a week where Colombo is concerned - with Colomboscope having just been wrapped up (expect a post on its wrap up soon), the Colombo Art Biennale in full swing and now Colombo Fashion Week (CFW). The glam, the glitz, the gorgeousness - oh Colombo how exciting you are right now!An interesting initiative that is ...

On Sunday, the morning 2nd February 2104 while many people in Colombo were lounging enjoying a Sunday morning or hurrying to the next Colomboscope event - finance journalist Mel Gunasekara was found killed at her home. I have good friends who knew her well, and although I didn't share that privilege having known of this bright, wonderful woman I felt ...

Its Sunday and the sun is at its brightest, which serves to really illuminate the imposing while columns of Ashok Ferry's beautiful colonial mansion (I exaggerate not when using this word) that he purchased - in its rickety state "at the age of 26 in a fit of complete lunacy". Of course to any one who has watched Deepa Mehta's ...

Organised by Goethe-Institut, British Council and Alliance Française, the Standard Chartered Colomboscope 2014 is Colombo's arts festival and celebrates contemporary literature, music, film and dance, bringing together national and international academics, authors, musicians, dancers, filmmakers and actors to reflect upon history in all its complexities. This year they share their theme with the Colombo Art Beinnale 2014 (soon will write ...

(Poetry this time. One of those pieces that were cathartic to write more than anything. The structure is well - unstructured, something I find myself leaning towards a lot more as of late when I do write poetry. A phase? Perhaps. On another note - Khaled Hosseini's new book, 'And the Mountains Echoed' is beyond amazing. MUST read)Waiting for Extraordinary ...

It seems prudent and apt that the final post of 2013 is a tribute to the wild ride that 2013 has been. I haven’t even completely absorbed the completely incredible experiences that it has given me, the untarnished memories, and the numerous lessons. This year I did a live international TV interview,made it to a paper cover, traveled, went viral ...

Last week in Bangalore, India over 600 Toastmasters from Bangalore, Mangalore, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka gathered for the Mid-Year Conference of District 82. The two days were a chance for the D82 Toastmasters to network, wrap up the first term of the year, watch the finals of the Evaluation and Hunrous speech contests and the fantastic educational sessions.One ...

Shortly after graduating from college in a great move by the universe I was invited to be a part of Ekamuthu Orray Makkal Unity Mission Trust (for those confused by the first three words; Ekamuthu’ is Sinhalese for ‘Unity’ and ‘Oray Makkal’ is Tamil for ‘One People’)The Unity Mission Trust has been in existence since May 2009 and is a ...

This amazing video by Katie Makkai, a veteran poetry slammer - defines the word 'pretty'.You can't NOT think when you watch this. You just can't."This is about the self-mutilating circus we have painted ourselves clowns in. About women who will prowl 30 stores in 6 malls to find the right cocktail dress, but haven't a clue where to find fulfillment ...