Society

From Malay Pickle to Mulligatawny The Taste of Harmony

Admin March 11, 2020

MISHKA FERNANDO AND SHAKYA MEDAGEDARA Food as the unifying ingredient in the multicultural, multilingual and multi religious island of Sri Lanka From Malay Pickle to Mulligatawny, food has been the one unifying ingredient in the multicultural, multilingual and multi religious island of Sri

Society

From Kerala to Kandy Granny was a Feminist

Admin March 7, 2020

JEEVANI SINNIAH The story of Winifred Jacobs who travelled from Kerala to Kandy in the 1800s My great-grandmother Winifred Jacobs aka Granny (front row, second from right with baby on the lap) packed all her eight children on to a ship and sailed from Kerala, India to the golden shores of Sri Lanka soon after […]

Society

Reporting from Moratuwa The Carpenter’s Story

Admin March 6, 2020

SARATH MANULAWICKRAMA The story of a multi-ethnic community joined together by a common craft. Shot in and around the Moratuwa area, this Catamaran video story tells of a community connected by a common profession: carpentry. The carpenters, their employees and the business community alike are linked together with their customers in one seamless community. This […]

Society

A Commentary on Sri Lanka’s Wall Art Trend “No value in art that promotes hatred”

Admin March 2, 2020

UPEKSHA UDUWARALLA Senior Lecturer, Charles Dayananda comments on the growing public space art trend in Sri Lanka “Sri Lanka will benefit immensely if our deteriorated national unity can be repaired with art and wall paintings,” said Charles Dayananda, senior lecturer of the Art Department at Aesthetic Teachers’ College in Giragama. However, he opines that the […]

Uncategorized

The Power of Sports & Arts The bridge between ethnic, religious & language

Admin March 2, 2020

KALAVARSHNY KANAGARATNAM In conversation with Karate instructor Shihan Anto Dinesh on sports and creativity as forms of national reconciliation. “In our country reconciliation is considered a primary issue. It is necessary to cultivate reconciliation from school days and this could be achieved specifically through the arts”, says Shihan Anto Dinesh, a Karate Teacher. 

Uncategorized

The Politics of Individualism What do minorities gain from identity politics?

Admin March 2, 2020

A.M.FAIS In conversation with retired public official, A.L.M. Saleem, Founding President of the Center for Social Change and Development. A.L.M. Saleem, Senior Administrative Service Officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service served as Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Controller, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director, Government Information Department and Additional

In Focus

Photo Essay: The Psychology of Species

Admin February 21, 2020

MAHENDRA DHAMMIKA In this photo series, photographer Mahendra Dhammika captures the duality of human-animal interactions Human-animal relationships are multi-dimensional. At times, there is an uncanny similarity and at times, a stark contrast. We interact with animals in many forms; as pets, as farm animals, as strays, as exhibits and as food. Can our interactions with

Society

Demands from Sri Lanka’s Youth Paving the Way for Lasting Peace

Admin February 9, 2020

GAYAN YADDEHIGE In conversation with youth leader P.J.T. Thanesh from Jaffna on the engagement of youth in national reconciliation We are accustomed to giving more publicity to the opinions of senior politicians and social activists when it comes to matters of peace, reconciliation and ethnic unity. Meanwhile, our youth work tirelessly on aspects missed out […]

Society

Saying ‘NO’ to Separatism Saying ‘YES’ to Harmony

Admin February 9, 2020

SARATH MANULAWICKRAMA The story of a Muslim student excelling under the guidance Sinhala teachers in this Anuradhapura town Riaz is the younger son of Razeed Nawshad and Fareena. Nawshad is a small businessman in Kada Thiha, Anuradhapura. They sent their daughter to a Tamil school but decided to send their son to a Sinhala school, […]

Society

In Conversation with actress Niranjani Sanmugarajah “Culture is not decided on at birth”

Admin February 9, 2020

A.M.FAIS The ‘TSUNAMI’ lead talks about her experience as a Tamil actress in this iconic new Sinhala film “In this country where multicultural communities live, there is nothing wrong with getting to know one another. Everyone should do it,” says actress and TV host Niranjani Sanmugarajah who played the lead role in Tsunami, a recently […]