In Focus

Reconciliation Flows Born on the Yan Oya River Dam

Admin February 9, 2020

UPUL THAMMITA How shared problems within a multi-ethnic community can pave the way for reconciliation Several large-scale irrigation projects have been initiated in Sri Lanka recently with many nearing completion at present. One such initiative is the Lower Yan Oya reservoir project. This

Society

Natural Disasters Take Much Away From Us Our Humanity Was Not Carried Off in the Floods

Admin January 24, 2020

KARUNARATHNA GAMAGE They knew that swimming in the floods that took even massive tuskers away was not an easy feat. But they had no alternative but to jump into the flooded waters to save the lives of people marooned inside a bus in the floods. The floods caused by the torrential rains that soaked the […]

Society

Just one shirt for the whole year Free uniforms?

Admin January 24, 2020

VAIRAMUTHU THUSHANTHAN “If not for the free uniform provided by the state, it’s a fact that many children would be deprived of an education,” ‘What is it, Kamalam akkaa? ‘Oh …. The white shirt is not dry … that’s all’ We hear several conversations of this nature from the people of the village. “Sometimes children […]

Society

The Shoemaker’s Story Positive Attitudes that Mend Old Soles

Admin January 20, 2020

SARATH MANULAWICKRAMA Shanmugalingam is a cobbler. He stitches new soles to old shoes. Shanmugalingam is a cobbler. He stitches new soles to old shoes. The townsmen like him because he is a man with a positive attitude. He spoke with The Cataraman while at work one day and told us his story. Broken shoes come […]

Society

The Dangers of Insufficient Infrastructure: A Road Decides the Fate of the People

Admin January 20, 2020

KURINCHPPAARTHTHAN A story from the Lianweli Estate and it’s deadly roads that claim lives “A month before the baby was born, we left this place to live somewhere else. We will not return to this place for a while”’ says Sathasivam Thayaranjani who currently resides in the Lianweli Estate, about 34 Kms from Nuwara Eliya […]

Society

Words that brought me back to life: “Your baby is alive!”

Admin January 20, 2020

SARANYA SUBRAMANIYAM Latha lost 4 children and her husband in the 2004 Tsunami. This is her story. I was standing on the brink of despair as my entire family was lost in the tsunami. But the word “Your child is safe” brought me back to life. Everybody was grief stricken looking at the situation of […]

Society

Excelling without Special Needs Assistance This Young Girl is an Example to Us All

Admin January 20, 2020

VAIRAMUTHU THUSHANTHAN A young goat herder from Batticaloa is in need of special needs but excels without it Dilani controls a herd of 30 goats. She shouts ‘Hey … This way, this way …. Go .. Go’. We could even find dried elephant dung on the path. As a herder working on lands where wild […]

Society

Misunderstanding: The Root of Our Problems

Admin January 20, 2020

JAYASIRI PEDURUARACHCHI How reconciliation prevails in the town of Akurana after the Easter Sunday Attacks Traders in the Akurana town were affected by the recent incidents of ethnic violence. Now they have recovered from the crisis and they have re-launched their businesses with new hopes. The reconciliation that prevails in the town is the cause […]

In Focus

Because individuality is different from national identity Reconciliation is not a mathematical activity

Admin January 20, 2020

KALAVARSHNY KANAGARATNAM The Catamaran in conversation with social activist and writer Sarmila Seyed THE CATAMARAN: Reconciliation is viewed in relation to politics. How is it possible to focus on reconciliation via literary activities? Reconciliation in contemporary times has become a multinational business venture that accepts or denies past pogroms and genocides when it

In Focus

When someone asks you who you are: The real answer should be”Sri Lankan”

Admin January 17, 2020

A.M.FAIS In conversation with National Coordinator of Peace and Social Work, T. Dayabaran on reconciliation and our national identity The National Coordinator of Peace and Social Work, T. Dayabaran is educated in conflict resolution and peace-building and comes with many years experience implementing this work. He has also won the International Peace Award from