The average treasure hunter’s focus would be fixed on the key to everlasting life, which will surely be found, somewhere just beyond the wholesale trade of humanity. The scholar’s domain of concerns would be burdened by the overarching duty to preserve human knowledge. Meanwhile, the average citizen would encounter a paltrier by-product of antiquity, a buzzkill called the Antiquities Ordinance. ...
Upon further scrutiny of Romeo and Juliet, instead of the superficial perspective the commercial world has chosen to capitalise on, it can be seen that Shakespeare has skillfully disguised a Marxist prophecy foretelling the suffering that mankind will incur by the Capitalist State-experiment. A prophecy that embodied the class struggle and the ethos of the Haymarket Affair, which is now ...
Sri Lanka’s hill country has the power to evoke wanderlust even in the most ardent armchair anthropologists. The interior conjures pure romanticism: undulating green hills, serene mountain air, nineteenth century steam trains, and timeless tea plantations. It’s a must-see for international visitors and a welcome retreat for citizens island-wide. But all this loveliness shades a little known truth: that “these ...
This story is brought to you by CEAT – Never Stop Moving Koneswaran Temple is in many ways, the cultural capital of the East Coast. Perched atop Swami Rock, and overlooking the crystalline deep waters of the Trinco harbour, the classical-medieval structure and its surrounding locale are layered in history. The temple itself is chock-full of unique and noteworthy features, some ...
Sri Lanka’s most romantic export commodity is probably cinnamon – that is, “true” cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), earlier known as Ceylon cinnamon, (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). Mentioned in the erotic Biblical Song of Solomon (it allegedly fragranced the garments of Abishag the Shunemmite), besides being touted as an arouser of amorous ardour, the enigma of its origins added to its mystique. Some historians ...
Brought to you by AMDT Sri Lanka has a long and rich heritage of arts and culture. With its strategic location, we’ve been blessed with visitors from across the globe, who have gradually added layers of complexity and hybridity to our art and culture. That said, it’s unsurprising that many Sri Lankan’s harbour great skill in when it comes to ...
When we think of the Veddas, we often think of them as hunters, chasing after anything they can make a meal of. However, little do we realise that they had, and still have, something of a culinary tradition of their own, including some unique meaty delicacies only a forest dweller could come up with. This was especially so in the ...
On 21 November, Iresha* (33) and roughly a hundred other public school teachers from around the country wore smart casual clothing to school in protest of the state forcing female teachers to wear sarees to work. The anti-saree movement was the result of school teachers being exempted from a recent circular that allowed all public sector workers to come to ...
Every morning, 26-year-old Dinesh Ruban sets off with the fishermen in his village to set crab traps in the vast Vakarai lagoon on Sri Lanka’s east coast. Ruban, a father of two young children, is just one of over 400 ‘dhoni’ boat fishermen in his area. Acute poverty and the lack of career prospects in the region meant Ruban was ...
Traditional martial arts preserved by generations becomes a subject of pride for a nation. Angampora has been a key component of Sri Lankan culture and heritage since ancient times. The martial art form requires years to master and is a deeply spiritual form of combat that was long considered a lifestyle. Its rich history will tell you that it was ...
Are you familiar with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda? This year, Sri Lanka adopted its first ever National Action Plan (NAP), with a strong focus on Women, Peace and Security. This roadmap shows real promise in creating a conducive environment for gender equality, lasting peace, and the security of women. We sat down with Ramaaya Salgado and Esther Hoole, ...
Nilanthi Pushpakumari (36) is a parking attendant working in Colombo. “I don’t have a house of my own, so I still live with my parents in Grandpass, while taking care of them. My mother is very old, and a cancer patient so I bring this one — he is still nine months old — to work with me,” she said. ...
A mainstay at Liberty Plaza for the past 18 years, Rohan’s Bookstore is instantly recognisable from the display of books piled from floor to ceiling at the entrance to the shop, almost impossible to ignore. “I order a variety of publications,” says owner Rohan Kannangara (57), “We are always updating our collections — if a new book comes out, people ...
Which of your most basic needs do you worry about fulfilling most? For most people, it’s food, water, and a roof over their head — and they’re not wrong. But few, if any, prioritise clean, breathable air the same way, and it shows. In December 2022, Sri Lanka experienced a sudden drop in air quality levels. Around the country, a ...
Sri Lankan cricket is at an interesting place right now. But, what does its future hold? In episode 6 of Strong Foundations, Sade Greenwood reveals what’s holding young cricketing talent back from realising their full potential and a proactive initiative that’s working to nurture them from the ground up.
Coral reefs are one of Sri Lanka’s most precious marine ecosystems, but their numbers here have dramatically reduced due to human activity and climate change. In episode three of Strong Foundations, Sadé Greenwood travels to the seaside town of Rumassala on Sri Lanka’s south-west coastline to find out how the Tokyo Cement Group, together with the Blue Resources Trust, Ocean ...
Recovery from a mental health condition is a non-linear journey; it includes regaining your hope, curiosity, interests, and social connections. But, without a steady income, this journey can be filled with roadblocks. For many, engaging in a business can be a lifeline. Watch our space as we uncover why.#mentalhealth #lka #SriLanka
