Learning the Art of Negotiation
For years I mistook people pleasing for diplomacy. It took time, training and humility to realise that negotiation is not conflict but connection. I have always been a people pleaser. Even as a child, I would go
ECHOES OF CONSCIENCE PART I GANDHI AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
In the story of human progress, some figures emerge whose ideas transcend borders, languages and centuries. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were two such figures. The former faced
India’s Legal Battle Against Female Genital Mutilation Shames Sri Lanka’s Silence
The Supreme Court of India is now seized with a question that should shake every South Asian nation. ‘Can the systematic mutilation of girl children ever be justified in the name of religion or tradition?’As Chief
The Long Wait Degrees, Departures, and the Drama of Becoming
The fluorescent hum of the classroom fades into the dusk of another long evening. A teacher closes her laptop, her lesson plans marked and her students’ laughter lingering like a distant echo. On her desk lies a
Flex Studio Officially Launches in Colombo A Contemporary Luxury Pilates and Wellness Destination
Colombo’s wellness landscape reached an exciting new milestone with the official launch of Flex Studio, a contemporary Pilates and wellness destination located at Park Street Mews. The elegant opening event
SEASON TWO - EPISODE SIX Sakshi Chhabra Mittal in Conversation with Poppy Delbridge
In the latest episode of Hak It: The FoodHak Podcast, host Sakshi Chhabra Mittal, Founder and CEO of FoodHak, sits down with Poppy Delbridge, a renowned mind coach, tapping expert, author, and founder of
Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs WIM Hosts Women MSME Conference & Awards 2025
The Women MSME Conference & Awards 2025, organized by Women in Management (WIM), was held at Cinnamon Lakeside on the 7th of October. The landmark event recognized and celebrated women-led
Victoria Beckham
When a public figure as tightly managed and mythologised as Victoria Beckham turns the camera on herself, the result is perilously close to a PR pamphlet, but Victoria Beckham (Netflix) manages, at times precariously, to transcend its own gloss.
Outfits That Might Actually Get You Fined… or Jailed
But it’s not like there aren’t some laws out there that are just downright weird. For example, in Minnesota, it’s illegal for a woman to cut her hair without her husband’s permission.
Bedlam balderdash Bureaucracy II
Continuing on from last week when we looked at some of the nonsense that takes place involving bureaucratic escapades, we look this week at the entitlement, the delusions of grandeur, and the undercurrents of bullying that play out.
Why We Love to Be Scared: The Psychology of Halloween
Every year on the night of October 31, millions of people across the world transform into ghosts, witches, superheroes, and movie characters.
Why Vintage Never Goes Out of Style
There’s something about vintage fashion that feels timeless, a certain charm that refuses to fade, no matter how fast trends come and go.
“Freddy – The Sketch Show” Takes the Stage at Lionel Wendt Theatre
The much-anticipated opening night of Freddy – The Sketch Show by Feroze Kamardeen took place at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, bringing together theatre enthusiasts and familiar faces from the performing arts scene.
October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every October, pink ribbons, awareness walks, and social media campaigns fill our streets and screens. This is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global initiative that aims to raise awareness about breast cancer, promote early detection, support patients and survivors, and advance research for prevention and cure. Today, we explore the origins, significance, and global reach of this movement and spotlight how Sri Lanka is taking remarkable ste
Consumers as Advocates: The Power of Conscious Wardrobe Choices
Every garment we choose to wear tells a story. It signals identity, intention, and sometimes even ideology. For decades, the fashion industry has shaped trends, pushed consumerism, and created a culture of “newness”, a cycle where clothes are bought, worn briefly, and discarded. But that narrative is slowly changing. Consumers are beginning to realize that they hold power, the power to advocate for sustainability, for fair labor, for environmenta
Two ‘Firsts’ That Change History: Women Rise to the Pinnacle of Politics and Faith
Over the past few weeks, two milestones have emerged that are at once symbolic and seismic. In Japan, a woman stands on the brink of becoming the country’s first female prime minister; in the Anglican Communion, the Church of England has appointed its first female Archbishop of Canterbury. These two developments one political, one spiritual underscore a broader shift in the global order: the breaking of long-standing gender barriers in institutio
IRONMAN 70.3 Set to Make Triumphant Return to Colombo in 2026 Global Triathlon Series Returns to Sri Lanka After Six Years
The globally renowned IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon is officially returning to Sri Lanka, with Colombo set to host the prestigious endurance event on February 22, 2026. The announcement was made on August 21, 2025, marking the race’s return to the island nation for the first time since 2019. The 2026 edition promises a fresh experience for participants, with the course now centered around Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka’s modern urban development on the
A Budget-Friendly, Mouth-Watering Day at the Arcade, Independence Square.
As Colombo rises to become the wonder city of Asia, Arcade, Independence Square stands as a shining symbol of progress. Blending historic architecture with modern lifestyle, it’s more than just a beautiful spot, it’s a full experience. And for food lovers, it’s a paradise where you can eat to your heart’s content without emptying your wallet. So, here’s how you can spend a delicious day at the Arcade, trying some of the best food that’s flavorful
Women in Management Hosts 15th Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2025
The 15th edition of the Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2025, organized by Women in Management (WIM), was held in grand style on the 9th of October at 5:30 p.m. at Shangri-La Colombo. The prestigious event celebrated exceptional women who have made remarkable contributions in their professions and communities, recognizing their leadership, innovation, and resilience on both local and global platforms.
Are Men Scared of Successful Women? The Girlboss vs The Damsel in Distress
I’ve always wondered why a woman’s success sometimes feels like a threat rather than something to be admired. We’ve seen it play out in subtle ways: the ambitious woman who’s called “too much,” the confident one who’s told to “tone it down.” The girl who pays her own rent, buys her own shoes, and suddenly becomes “intimidating.” It raises the question, are men actually scared of successful women, or have we just been taught that a woman who doesn
THY WILL BE DONE
Death is never the closure that anyone of us imagines or expects it to be. Even when the remains of a departed soul are consigned to the earth or turned to ashes as they wished, some of their legacies have a strange way of returning to wreak havoc and destroy the peace of those left behind. I am aware of many instances where the lack of a ‘will’ has caused many conflicts and irreparable rifts within close knit families. This is less so when a wil
IN CONVERSATION EMB HASHMI From the BBC to the Boardroom How Emb Hashmi Is Teaching CEOs to Lead with Story
In a career spanning two continents and multiple media formats, Emb Hashmi has built a reputation as a consummate storyteller and communications leader. With foundational experience at the BBC, she has reported on global events, anchored flagship programmes, and interviewed high-impact figures across politics, culture, and business. Drawing on this depth of journalistic insight, she now leads Storytelling for CEOs, a pioneering programme designed
The Rehearsal of Life Where Boundaries Build Character
In an age of glittering screens, instant gratification, and rapid change, the word discipline often feels like a relic of the past, something old-fashioned, almost restrictive. Yet, when we peel back the layers of success, resilience, and respect in any thriving society, one truth remains: discipline is the root that nourishes it all.
Europe’s Gel Nail Ban The Real Story Behind the Beauty Shake-Up
When the European Union officially banned an ingredient used in gel nail polishes this September, beauty fans across the continent feared the worst. Social media was flooded with panic: “No more gel manicures in Europe!” “Goodbye to glossy nails forever!” In truth, the ban is far narrower than the headlines suggest, but its impact on salons, brands, and consumers is still being felt from Lisbon to Helsinki.
A Literary Evening with Sean Perera A Butterfly in Focus
Sri Lankan Australian author and academic Sean Perera took centre stage at Lakmahal Community Library on October 9, 2025, for a compelling conversation under the Author Talks! series. In discussion with Savithri Rodrigo, Perera reflected on his debut novel “A Butterfly”, which explores the life of a queer young adult navigating identity, relationships, and transformation across cultural landscapes.
Supporting Dreams through Art SJDSF Annual Sale Opens This October
Art and purpose come together once again as the Shiranee Joseph de Saram Foundation (SJDSF) hosts its much-anticipated annual art sale on October 11th and 12th at Radicle Gallery, 103 Chatham Street,
DIOR REBORN JONATHAN ANDERSON’S ERA OF ELEGANT REBELLION
Paris Fashion Week 2025 didn’t simply debut a new Dior; it detonated a revolution. When Jonathan Anderson presented his first womenswear collection for the house, he didn’t just turn a page; he tore it out
Journey of Nilma Dole-Williams
Nilma Dole-Williams is a cricket coach, humanitarian, and the wife of the British Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Dominic Williams. Her journey in sports and service has taken her across the globe, from playing for
Belle Colombo Debuts an Unforgettable Chef’s Table Experience
The newly opened restaurant elevates Colombo’s dining scene with an exclusive eight-course tasting menu and curated wine pairings; offering guests a journey of exquisite flavours and refined hospitality.
Baihu Launches in Colombo
Colombo’s ever-evolving dining landscape has welcomed a powerful new contender with the launch of Baihu, a Pan-Asian restaurant that celebrates bold flavours, cultural connection, and
