Building Bridges Across Borders MR Rangaswami | Founder, Indiaspora
I first met M.R. Rangaswami at a Diwali Dinner hosted by Indiaspora at the House of Commons in London, where leaders from across sectors gathered to celebrate the growing global influence of the Indian diaspora. Warm, articulate, and brimming with quiet conviction, MR spoke passionately about community and connection. A few weeks later, we met again, this time over lunch at Maison Estelle in Mayfair, where our conversation flowed easily from Sili
The Myth of Being ‘Eco-Friendly’ Just Because You Buy Local
For years, Sri Lankan consumers have been told that “buying local” is the ethical choice, almost a shortcut to sustainability. We hear it everywhere: support local designers, buy from homegrown brands, keep money within the country. And yes, supporting local creativity is important. Empowering artisans matters. Keeping craft traditions alive is a form of cultural sustainability. But somewhere along the way, “local” became synonymous with “eco-fri
Inside Prague’s Forum Media 25: Where the Battle for Truth Begins
The last week of November, Prague, a city whose beauty is matched only by its sense of history played host to the 25th anniversary of the Foreign Media Forum, one of Europe’s most respected gatherings for strategic communications, political messaging, and media scholarship. It was my first time attending this long-running conference, and indeed my first time in the Czech capital. Yet from the moment I arrived, it was immediately clear why this ev
Smriti Mandhana’s Comeback is on Everyone’s Mind
There was a moment not too long ago when the internet seemed to glow with a kind of quiet happiness. It happened when Smriti Mandhana, the serene and graceful face of Indian women’s cricket, and Palash Muchhal, the young composer with an instinctive ability to turn emotions into melody, were seen together. Their worlds could not have been more different. One lived amidst stadiums, strategy, grit and national expectation, while the other lived ins
Audacious Acidic Artistry
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is a saying that is passed around, referenced, and re-referenced from time immemorial. It is true, there are those of us who can see, find, and “behold” beauty wherever we lay our eyes. This is nothing to do with perfection, but in seeing and finding that which pleases the “beholder’s” eyes. On the flip side there are also those who only see flaws, the negative, the unattractive in whatever or whoever they s
Lady Hilton Christmas Get-Together
A festive evening filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer! Guests came dressed in vibrant red, enjoyed a lively sing-along with Clifford Richard, and celebrated the magic of the season with a joyful crowd
Yaara by Nadee: A New Chapter of Mindful Elegance Blooms in Colombo
On the 15th of November 2025, Colombo’s fashion scene welcomed a graceful new beginning with the opening of the first Yaara by Nadee boutique. Located at the Shirohana Store on Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 08, the boutique marked a meaningful milestone for founder Nadee Kurukulasuriya, who has long dreamed of creating clothing that feels personal, comforting, and beautifully simple.
The HALO Trust: Clearing Paths, Rebuilding Lives In Conversation | James Cowan, CEO and Farzana Baduel, Trustee.
For nearly four decades, The HALO Trust has stood as a beacon of hope in the aftermath of war, restoring safety, dignity, and opportunity to communities once devastated by conflict. Founded in 1988, HALO began with a simple mission: to remove landmines that continue to kill and maim long after the guns fall silent. Today, that mission has evolved to meet shifting frontlines of danger, from Afghanistan to Ukraine, from Angola to Sri Lanka, whereve
What Is Nano Banana by Gemini?
Nano Banana is an artificial intelligence image generation and editing model created by Google DeepMind and released through the Gemini ecosystem. It is the public name for the technology known internally as Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, which became available in August 2025. The model allows users to create entirely new images using written prompts or to transform existing photographs with simple instructions. Its arrival marked an important step in b
PetVet Celebrates 29 Years of Service Excellence
On 30th November, PetVet marks 29 years of service excellence in providing compassionate, high-quality veterinary care. Established in 1996 by Dr Nalinika Obeyesekere, Dr Janaki Collure, and Dr Vipuli Kulasekera, PetVet has grown from a small clinic into Sri Lanka’s leading premier veterinary hospital. Over nearly three decades, it has become a beacon of compassion, excellence, and innovation in the local veterinary sector.
A Life Woven with Culture, Family, and Food.
I come from a multicultural background. My father’s parents were from the South, from Akmeemana in the Galle district, while my mother’s side of the family came from Hendala and Dehiwala. My maternal grandfather was a successful actor back in the day, and his home was always full of fans and people who came to visit him. Although his living room had sofas, he preferred laying cushions on the floor and sitting around a coffee table to end his day
A Christmas Carol Musical Lights Up the Lionel Wendt
A Christmas Carol – A New Musical by Jehan Aloysius brought festive charm to the Lionel Wendt Theatre, offering audiences a heartfelt retelling of the timeless holiday classic. The production featured enchanting performances, expressive music, and graceful staging, creating a warm and memorable evening for theatre lovers.
We Are a Resilient Island. We Will Rise Again.
Sri Lanka is grieving. In the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, as floodwaters begin to withdraw and the earth settles after devastating landslides, the scale of loss is becoming painfully clear. Homes have vanished under water. Hillsides have collapsed. Thousands have been displaced. And far too many lives have been lost, including that of a courageous Air Force pilot who died in a helicopter crash during a rescue mission. His final act was to save o
THE PRICE OF EMOTIONAL AVOIDANCE
We live in a world that encourages distraction. When sadness creeps in, we scroll. When anger bubbles up, we swallow it. When heartbreak threatens to push us off balance, we drown in work, food, friends or silence.
AmCham Sri Lanka and The Sun (Daily Mirror) to Host Farzana Baduel for Strategic Communications Forum.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL), in collaboration with The Sun (Daily Mirror), is proud to announce an expert-led forum titled “Narrating Sri Lanka’s Story: How Strategic Communications Can Fuel Investment, Talent and Global Partnerships.” The event will be held on 15 December 2025, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at the Taj Colombo, followed by networking and refreshments. As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward sustain
The Body Shop Marks 10 Years in Sri Lanka with a New Flagship Boutique at One Galle Face
Celebrating 10 successful years in Sri Lanka, British-born and globally-loved ethical beauty brand The Body Shop has unveiled its newest boutique at the prestigious One Galle Face Mall, marking a significant milestone in its local journey. This special launch was accompanied by an exclusive festive preview, offering customers an immersive glimpse into the brand’s upcoming collections and renewed commitment to conscious beauty. Since its entry int
Women in Management A Global Sisterhood of Leadership
Women in Management, known globally as WIM, began its journey in Sri Lanka with a clear purpose. It sought to uplift, empower and connect women across professions, communities and continents. Today,
Rewriting Rules: Nonita Kalra On Power Purpose And The Stories That Shape Us
I initially connected with Nonita Kalra through an introduction via a mutual friend. Our first exchange was a brief phone call while she waited to board a flight at Heathrow Airport, en route to Delhi for Diwali in
The Return of Statement Ears How A/W 2025’s Earrings Are Re-Shaping the Face
There are fashion seasons where accessories quietly complement the clothes, and then there are seasons like A/W 2025, where earrings don’t just complete the outfit, they define it. On the runways from New York
In Slovenia, Harvesting Olives Is Not Just a Tradition; It’s a Way of Life
It’s early September, the sun is still warm, and the afternoon carries the heady scent of thyme, oregano, rosemary and other fresh Mediterranean herbs mingling together with sweet lavender. There’s a slight
Sip & Paint for Her Brings Creativity and Connection Together
The Sip & Paint for Her event, organised by the Muslim Ladies Study Circle (MLSC), brought together a vibrant group of women for an evening of creativity, relaxation and community bonding. Held in a warm and
A Changing World Calls for New Skills in the Boardroom
Last week I chaired a panel at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations National Conference which explored a question that, until recently, many in our profession never imagined would be asked. Should PR professionals serve as non-executive directors as a standard. The discussion was lively and thoughtful, and what struck me most was how quickly the room agreed on one thing. Boards need communications expertise now more than ever. Our skills,
AmCham Sri Lanka Hosts High-Level Forum on the Amended Personal Data Protection Act.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham Sri Lanka) convened a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders, and legal experts for a high-level discussion on the recently Amended Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). The forum, held at the Taj Samudra Hotel, served as a timely platform to examine the new legislative framework and its implications for businesses navigating Sri Lanka’s accelerating digital transformation.
Nilrukshi De Silva: Leading with Vision, Resilience and Purpose
In a world shaped by rapid transformation, shifting power dynamics and constant economic pressure, leaders who can rise above complexity and guide organisations with clarity have become invaluable.
Billie Eilish
From a softly spoken teenage prodigy to a global icon, Billie Eilish has defined a generation in sound and spirit. Born December 18, 2001, in Los Angeles, Billie Pirate Baird O’Connell (better known as Billie Eilish) emerged almost overnight with a voice that felt like a whisper in a crowded room, but lyrics that echo long after the music ends. Billie’s journey began at home, where she and her brother Finneas O’Connell created music from their f
The Race to be Better Is it worth it?
Somewhere along the way, “becoming the best version of yourself” quietly transformed into a silent competition. Everywhere you look, Instagram reels, YouTube vlogs, TikTok productivity edits and someone is waking up at 5 a.m., drinking their matcha, journaling their gratitude list, reading three books a week, hitting the gym, building a side hustle, and still somehow having time to meditate before bed. Not that I think any of these habits are wro
Why Is Women’s Safety in Sri Lanka Only Urgent When a Tourist Is Harassed?
Sri Lanka has a predictable choreography whenever national humiliation goes viral. A video surfaces. Shock ripples across social media. Then the authorities rush in with statements, arrests, stern warnings, and a performance of efficiency meant to convince the world that such behaviour is an exception. It is a routine we have perfected. Recently, a young solo female traveller from New Zealand was in a tuk-tuk near Thambiluvil when a man on a scoo
International Christmas Charity Bazaar Draws Strong Crowds for a Festive Cause
The International Christmas Charity Bazaar was successfully held at the Grand Ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel, bringing together a large gathering of visitors for a day of festive cheer and community spirit. The annual event once again served as a vibrant platform for holiday shopping while supporting meaningful charitable initiatives.
IN CONVERSATION H.E. Mr. Yousef Hassan Khalawi Secretary General, Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD).
As global demand shifts toward ethical, transparent, and value-driven commerce, the Halal economy has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic growth frontiers, now valued at over US$2.4 trillion. At its
The Quiet Psychology of Letting Go
Letting go is one of those phrases people say easily but rarely understand deeply. “Just move on” sounds simple until you are the one trying to let go of something that once shaped your world. When a relationship
