Note: This article contains a discussion on the topic of suicide. If you feel you are in crisis, or are concerned about someone likely to attempt suicide, talk to Sumithrayo (when dialling from within Sri Lanka, phone: 011 269 6666) or CCCLine (1333). Approximately 3,025 people committed suicide in Sri Lanka in 2016, with a death rate of 14.7 per ...
Editor’s Note: This photo essay is part of our series on communities around Sri Lanka. Click here for more photographs on the Vedda community in the Gal Oya National Park. The Veddas are Sri Lanka’s indigenous people. Or as they call themselves, the Wanniya-laeto or the Forest Dwellers. Once a proud and independent people, they are now often reduced to ...
Taking progressive steps to conserve seabeds and aquatic lives, bottom trawling was banned in Sri Lanka as of 06 July 2017. The practice is an industrial mode of fishing which uses weighed-down nets to sweep across the seabed and catch everything in their way, thereby causing irreparable damage to coral and plant life. According to the amendment made to the ...
Walking along the cobbled streets of the Galle Fort, one will come across several stores that display an array of gems and jewellery. Colombo already has it’s fair share of recognised gem and jewellery stores, so the Fort may not even cross our minds when it comes to jewellery shopping. Since the restoration of the Galle Fort and its growing ...
For a miniscule country dotting the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s stories—the myths, legends, and urban histories intertwined with factual history—stand tall. From Adam’s Peak to the legendary Ravana caves, from Ritigala to Jungle Beach—the mountains, forests, and beaches are all dipped in local folklore. Sometimes, it’s the origin stories that make a place worth visiting. Ussangoda is one such place. ...
“An investigation of truth is each one’s responsibility.”- Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í faith. An undated photograph of Bahá’í community members. Image Courtesy of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sri Lanka. In 1949, one year after Sri Lanka gained independence, a Persian doctor established his clinic in a little corner of Slave Island. Known as Dr. Luqmani, the ...
Over the last few weeks, there have been several protests against the Rohingya refugees in Sri Lanka. Led by extremist elements, the group protesting against the refugees held banners and placards expressing solidarity with Myanmar’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and demanded the immediate removal of the asylum seekers who are currently in the country. The situation escalated ...
The Burghers are, and have always been, a vibrant part of Sri Lanka’s ethnic fabric. Despite being a minority, their contributions have played an important part in shaping our culture of food, music, fashion, and literature. Here, we take a look at a few of Sri Lanka’s most popular, and award-winning, Burgher authors. From contributing to the education sector through ...
You would be hard pressed to find anyone disputing the allure of Ella — a misty, windswept, and picturesque region of caves and waterfalls, approximately eight hours away from Colombo. Ella is also home to an intriguing set of ‘secret’ waterfalls, caves, and underwater ponds that are off the tourist trail and also difficult to access. Most of the pools ...
Kandy is one of the most popular cities in Sri Lanka. Locals and tourists alike, visit this historic city because it is the perfect holiday destination for those who want to get away from the heat, dust, and of course the traffic that comes with Colombo and its suburbs. More importantly, the city has an array of enchanting places of ...
From hungry schoolboys to drunken party-goers in the middle of the night, Pilawoos has entertained them all. This small restaurant sandwiched between the towering monoliths in Colpetty has an outsized reputation: its ice Milos and heavy, moist kottus are nothing short of legendary. The Original Hotel De Pilawoos The small restaurant in Colpetty is THE original Hotel de Pilawoos, famed ...
Black hair is the most popular type of hair found among humans, but that doesn’t mean it has no traits that make it special. One of the biggest misconceptions about black hair is that is unique to only those living in Asia and Africa when in reality, black hair is found in those living in all parts of the world. ...
