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

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 […]

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 […]

Society

In Conversation with Bertal Pinto-Jayawrdena How the Unity Trust maintains harmony

Admin September 18, 2019

K.BAANU “I stopped reading one of the five English newspapers I regularly buy. It had provocative articles, full of hatred and it was not sensitive to ethnic issues at all” says Bertal Pinto-Jayawardena, a former People’s Bank employee and Founder of the Unity Mission Trust. The Catamaran interviewed Mr. Pinto-Jayawardena who spoke to us about […]

Society

Spoken Sinhala Classes A Great Demand in the North & East

Admin September 18, 2019

MANGALANATH LIYANAARCHCHI Spoken Sinhala classes are in great demand in many parts of the North and East today. In a country where more than 70% of the population is Sinhalese and many students leave the Sinhala medium, it is heartening to note that many still make the effort to learn Sinhala in the North and […]

Society

What connects us? Looking Beyond Race & Religion

Admin September 18, 2019

THARMINI PATHMANATHAN Since last year, the Jaffna Social Action Center has been conducting meetings and running programmes with religious leaders to create a sense of inter-ethnic harmony. Nadaraja Sukirtharaj, the Centre’s Coordinator raised this question during a special interview with The Catamaran recently: “No politician can speak for the Tamil people. They wish a