Society

Who Will Wipe Away Our Tears? The Buddhist – Christian coexistence that lulled aggrieved Muslims

Admin October 6, 2019

JAYASIRI PEDURUARACHCHI “We lived like the children of one mother. An act of a handful of extremists hampered our unity. We must not find fault with all Muslims. Development of the country will be affected if we do so. Rev. Malcom Cardinal Ranjith acted in a very exemplary and commendable

Society

Voices of Humanity in Negombo “Bombs Cannot Defeat Us!”

Admin October 1, 2019

PRASAD PURNAMAL JAYAMANNA The people of Negombo emphatically feel that the Easter Sunday attacks will not damage community bonds. Sri Lankans who have moved past racial prejudices believe that a leading factor towards the collapse of societal co-existence is the segregation of education based on nationality. They strongly believe that this distancing has direct correlation

Society

The Master Haq Story How a Muslim awakened the taste of the Sinhalese

Admin October 1, 2019

LASANTHA DE SILVA Sinhala lyricist, Galagedara Haq, recounts his undervalued career and how music and love accompanied him on his path. The elderly Muslim was never learned in the art of music, however divine intervention allowed him to capture the hearts of Sinhala Cinema with his songs. “Music: It’s a wonderful gift and God’s will. […]

Society

In Conversation with M.S. Abdul Wasith Pottuvil in the Aftermath of Easter Sunday

Admin September 25, 2019

A.M.FAIS “Political leaders and religious scholars must work together to achieve desired goals and gain the confidence of Sri Lankans,” say M.S. Abdul Wasith, Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman of Pottuvil in the Eastern Province. Here is The Catamaran’s exclusive interview with him recently. Mr. Wasith is the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman of Pottuvil in the Eastern Province […]

Society

Living in Harmony The United State of Ashokapura

Admin September 25, 2019

UPUL THAMMITA Ethnicity is not a phenomenon that should manipulate to create division. Instead, it must be a tool for strengthening reconciliation. Sinhala and Tamil people who live in Ashokapura are a good example because they live together as one community here. “People must live in a mixed society if they want to build ethnic […]

Uncategorized

A Story from Arugam Bay Tourism is Recovering

Admin September 25, 2019

A.M.FAIS Arugam Bay, a key tourism hotspot in Sri Lanka was affected economically after the Easter Sunday attacks, affecting the livelihoods of many local establishments for over 3 months. Since of late however, the situation has been improving. The Catamaran spoke with business owners in the area to find out more. “For the past three […]

Society

Sujeewani’s Story Race Is Not the Stick by Which We Measure Life

Admin September 19, 2019

HIRAN PRIYANKARA JAYASINGHE “Religion teaches us that the value of life cannot be swayed by race.”Sujewani Chandima of the Thummodara Mallakele settlement attempts to spread the message that this truth is relevant even today. On the 13th of May, not close to a month after the Easter Sunday Attacks, A group of nearly 500 youth stormed […]

Society

Talking to Dilmi Fathima Bonding Hearts with Kind Words

Admin September 19, 2019

SARATH MANULAWICKRAMA The Catamaran recently spoke with Dilmi Fathima, a Muslim seamstress from Kurunegala who makes clothes for the Sinhala women in her community. Her work has become the glue that bonds her community together despite racial and religious differences among her and her clientele. “I left the teaching profession because it was not enough […]

Society

To be treated by all citizens Ethnic Conflict is a Disease

Admin September 19, 2019

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ‘Sri Lanka’s economy is yet to recover from a protracted thirty-year war, and this year Sri Lanka has suffered further setback by the Easter Sunday Attack. Hence, irrespective of whether they belong to minority or majority communities, it is the people who must decide,’ says Journalist and Writer, Murugabupathi. His work is based […]

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Talking to Wickramabahu Karunaratne (NSSP) “We need to identify politicians who act selfishly”

Admin September 19, 2019

KURINCHPPAARTHTHAN The Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) leader Dr. Wikramabahu Karunaratne said that if the state apparatus had functioned effectively to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks, there would be no re-emergence of racism and radicalism in the country. The government that failed to prevent it must be held responsible, he emphasized. Here is our full […]