Although we use money practically every day of our lives, our currency itself isn’t something we give much of a thought to (unless, of course, we’re fretting about inflation and exchange rates). And that’s a pity ‒ because, as it turns out, Sri Lanka’s notes and coins have a long history, peppered with fascinating stories. We paid a visit to ...
In 2015, then Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka, stated that Sri Lanka had embarked on a mission to enter into a new energy era, and was striving to become a nation self-sufficient in energy by 2030. Currently, Sri Lanka’s largest source of energy comes from hydropower at 21.91 Prescott Joule (PJ). However, in a country like Sri ...
Sri Lankans had, and still have, some strange traditions that are thought of as indigenous. However, much of these have their origins in other parts of the world, especially in India, and, to a lesser extent, in the Middle East. Here are three such local beliefs and customs with exotic origins: Dola-Duka (Pregnancy Craving) Sri Lankans, and especially the Sinhalese, ...
The etymology of the word ‘arrack’ has always left room for some doubt ‒ partly because it has been around for a very long time. What’s more, the word is also used in different parts of South and Southeast Asia, to describe local beverages made from the fermented sap from various sources ‒ fruit, sugarcane, grain etc. ‒ depending on ...
There was a time when being labelled a ‘nerd’ meant you were the laughing stock at your school or your workplace. But the term has taken on a new meaning in recent times, and is often used in relation to pop culture and ‘geekism’ in the modern era ‒ and being a nerd (or a geek) is now celebrated worldwide. ...
The streets of Colombo are increasingly associated with either traffic or protesters (and sometimes both). Yet, on occasion, we are treated to a riot of sound and colour when a celebration, or religious or cultural procession takes to the streets. A Hindu ther thiruvizha (Festival of the Chariot) is not an unusual sight in the city. Many temples organise these ...
The distinctive jewellery worn by a Kandyan bride has always been the cynosure of many eyes. There are many contemporary versions of Kandyan bridal jewellery that appeal to the present generation. However, the traditional jewellery set is different—in colour, texture, weight, and appearance. It is a widely held belief that a traditional Kandyan bride wears 26 pieces of jewellery on ...
We all come into life the same way ‒ kicking, screaming, and splashing body fluids everywhere. It’s kind of the same way we start our careers. In pain, confused by the bright lights, and being slapped around by a strange man wearing latex. All college gave me was a degree, a busload of student debt, a can-do attitude, and not ...
The current judicial system of Sri Lanka was established by the Judicature Act No 02 of 1978 and was entirely influenced by the English Law and Roman-Dutch Law. It originated during the Dutch rule of Ceylon, and further evolved in the British Period with the enactments of the Charters of Justice of 1801 and 1833. But what you may not ...
Five Questions is a short series where we interview interesting personalities and shine the spotlight on some of Sri Lanka’s more intriguing professions. Every evening at sundown, the Sri Lankan flag is lowered at the Galle Face Hotel to the music of a bagpipe. The ceremony, set against the splendid view of the Indian Ocean, the setting sun, and the ...
Sri Lanka, with its many names bestowed upon it by its many visitors, has always been a land of diversity. The following article is the second in a two-part series exploring the lesser-known inhabitants of Ceylon in the 19th and 20th centuries. Egyptian Exiles Portraits of the Egyptian Exiles who made it to Ceylon adorning the walls of the Orabi ...
When it comes to promoting Sri Lanka, there are a few predictable photos that always make the cut. Tea pluckers in the plantations. A coconut tree stretching over a beach. A cloud encircling Adam’s Peak. But perhaps most famously, an aerial view of Sigiriya emerging out of the surrounding greenery. It comes as no wonder then, that this ancient fortress ...
When one thinks of travelling in Sri Lanka, the first thing that comes to mind is its beaches. And we do have good beaches. But what’s less well-known is Sri Lanka’s amazing hill country. Mostly concentrated in the Central Province, the higher elevations of the island provide a very different environment to the rest of the country. We’re not referring ...
What is a Civet? The civet—a small nocturnal mammal native to tropical parts of Asia and Africa, is an animal most Sri Lankans have crossed paths with at least once. From causing a ruckus on our rooftops to eating fruits from our gardens, civets are arboreal animals, dwelling in the shadows, just out of sight of humans. Civets are recognisable ...
Sri Lanka’s South Eastern belt is so much more than just beaches with stunning views. While most of our beach strips are hotspots for tourists and surfers, the southeastern stretch, in particular, boasts a bit of history, more often than not, infused with its usual dose of myths, legends, and hearsays. From where Viharamahadevi landed after being set afloat as ...
Elaborately woven beeralu lace may be hard to come by these days, but this product of an age-old craft was once popular, and much valued, across the island. Today, lacemakers down South—particularly in Magalle and Weligama—work hard to keep the tradition of beeralu lacemaking alive and going. The process of making beeralu—though fascinating to watch—requires a lot of time and ...
Be it the Kandy Perahera, an Avurudhu celebration, or a traditional Buddhist wedding, almost every social, cultural or religious occasion in Sri Lanka highlights different forms and styles of dance that are indigenous to the country. For both ritualistic and aesthetic reasons, dance plays an important role in Sri Lanka’s culture. According to W. B. Makulloluwa’s book Dances of Sri ...
Initiated by the British in 1894, the St. John’s Fish market in Pettah was the primary hub for fresh seafood. Set smack dab in one of the busiest areas in the city, the market was incredibly popular, with trucks full of fresh fish rolling in as early as 2am. Needless to say, this created a lot of traffic in an ...
Sri Lankan avurudu celebrations are incomplete without music. The traditional banku (bench) rabana is a wide-topped drum with a membrane stretched tightly on top of a wooden cylinder, mounted on wooden trunks a few inches off the ground. The drum can be up to 48 inches in diameter and can be played by several people seated around it. The drum ...
Nearly a month has passed since the Central Environment Authority (CEA) announced a ban on plastics coming info effect on September 1, 2017. Since the announcement, there has been no subsequent news, leaving consumers and retailers at a loss as to what happens next. Undoubtedly, this is a bold and progressive new piece of legislation. But, as Roar previously cautioned, ...
