How the Ne-Yo Concert in Sri Lanka Turned Into a Public Fiasco. Inside the Brown Boy-Amith Boteju Debacle.
In 2025, Sri Lanka seemed poised for a significant cultural moment. A world-renowned American artist, Ne-Yo, three-time Grammy-winning R&B singer and songwriter, was announced to perform in Colombo on December 28, marking his first ever concert in the country. Event Promoters portrayed it as a historic event that would elevate Sri Lanka’s entertainment scene and tourism profile. But as the event approached, the situation unravelled into one of
IRONMAN 70.3 | Colombo 2026 Relay Teams
As the momentum for IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo accelerates at an exponential pace, its presence is already being felt across the city. From early morning runs along Colombo’s streets to cyclists logging long kilometres and swimmers grinding through disciplined sessions, the unmistakable trail of IRONMAN preparation is visible in every corner of the capital. Colombo is training, and the countdown has truly begun. As Sri Lanka braces itself for its large
Capacity-Building Programme for Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery Sector.
A 20-member delegation of professionals from Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery sector visited India from 1–20 December 2025 to participate in a specialised Training and Capacity-Building Programme. The delegation comprised experts representing the gemstone cutting and polishing segments of Sri Lanka’s renowned Gem and Jewellery industry, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance technical expertise and global competitiveness. The programme
Why 2025 Had Everyone Talking?
The year 2025 will be remembered as a time when the world felt both exciting and unsettling. It was a year when technology, science, culture, and human behavior collided in unexpected ways. From artificial intelligence reshaping relationships and creativity to record-breaking achievements in clean energy and space, 2025 gave people plenty to talk about. These were not just headlines that passed quickly, but moments that sparked conversations, deb
Female Genital Mutilation in Sri Lanka
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a documented practice in Sri Lanka. This is not an opinion or allegation; it is acknowledged by multiple authoritative sources.
Christmas at Prithi Fernando’s
Prithi Fernando celebrated Christmas on 25th December 2025 with an elegant gathering at her penthouse in Colombo City Centre Residencies. Guests savoured a warm festive atmosphere, delightful canapés, and a sit-down dinner, all enhanced by live music from a talented pianist.
CHRISTMAS, AT ITS HEART, IS NOT A SEASON OF PERFECTION. IT’S A SEASON OF PRESENCE.
Strip away the noise, shopping lists, social media aesthetics, the pressure to be cheerful on command, and what remains is a story about love entering ordinary life. A child born in a borrowed space. A weary couple searching for shelter. Strangers arriving with gifts, not because they were invited, but because they recognised something sacred. The true meaning of Christmas is not more; more lights, more plans, more spending. It is with; God with
Are Elves Real? Have You Seen Elves?
When I was a child, elves lived only in storybooks. They appeared between colourful pages as tiny figures with pointed hats and mischievous smiles, always busy and always cheerful. As I grew older, they followed me onto television screens through cartoons and animated movies, where they danced, laughed, and worked tirelessly in snowy workshops. Years later, while decorating my classroom for Christmas, I found myself cutting out paper elves and pa
Why Christmas Feels Like a Pause Before Life Restarts
There is something about Christmas that makes time feel different. The days still pass, the clocks still tick, and yet everything slows, almost as if life itself has leaned back, taken a deep breath, and asked us to do the same. It is not quite an ending, and not yet a beginning. Christmas exists in that gentle in-between space, a pause before life restarts. Throughout the year, we move with urgency. We plan, push, respond, and recover, often wit
Christmas Gala Celebration Brings Festive Cheer
A Christmas Gala Celebration organized by Prithi Fernando was held in Colombo, bringing together guests for an evening filled with seasonal joy, festive décor, and warm camaraderie in the true spirit of Christmas.
MINOLI WICKRAMASINGHE CAPITAL TRUST HOLDINGS LIMITED
Minoli Wickramasinghe stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most accomplished and resilient business leaders, bringing together decades of experience across banking, logistics, corporate training, and real estate. As
ECHOES OF THE HEAVENS THE ORION MYSTERY AND THE MATHEMATICS OF THE ANCIENT WORL
Let us begin with a question as old as human curiosity itself: What is a constellation? At its most basic, a constellation is a group of stars that, to the attentive human eye (with the exception of Gen Z or Gen Alpha
A Tuk Ride Should Cost More Than a Cab. Why Not?
There is something quietly absurd about a tuk costing more than a car. Not absurd in a numerical sense, but in what it signals. A tuk is loud, imperfect, open to dust and rain, driven by someone who may tell you
Christmas at 700 Feet Lunch at Citrus Blue Orbit’s Festive Buffet
Some places live in a city’s memory long before they become dining destinations. The Lotus Tower is one of them. It rises above Colombo not just as an architectural icon, but as something almost
Chanel Turns Your Daily Life into a Runway Even Where You Least Expect It
You’ve probably never thought twice about a supermarket aisle, an airport check-in line, or a subway platform. They’re places you move through half-awake, phone in hand, just trying to get from A to B, not
Business Excellence Honoured at Golden Awards 2025
The Golden Business Excellence Awards 2025 was held as a grand gala night celebrating outstanding achievements in the business sector. The prestigious event brought together leading entrepreneurs,
A Humbling Reset: What Clearing Mines in Northern Sri Lanka Taught Me About Safety, Dignity, and Real Reconstruction
Sometimes life delivers a humbling reset. Last week, I travelled eight hours north from Colombo to Jaffna with The HALO Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian demining organisation.
WHEN 150 BILLION GARMENTS MEET 8 BILLION HUMANS
The global fashion industry produces between 100 and 150 billion garments every year.
What’s Actually Special About Christmas
Every year, as December rolls around, the world seems to shift into a completely different mood. Streets light up, stores decorate every inch of their windows, and people suddenly become obsessed with finding “the perfect gift
Saint-Tropez, Long After the Sun Sets
Saint-Tropez is not just a destination, it’s a feeling. Once a quiet fishing village on the French Riviera, this small coastal town has grown into a global symbol of glamour, art, and effortless Mediterranean living.
The Rise of the Third Culture Adult: Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere
The first time someone asks, “Where are you really from?” it often sounds like curiosity. By adulthood, for many people who have grown up across countries and cultures, it begins to feel like something else entirely. The question is rarely about geography. It is about legitimacy. It is about whether you fit cleanly into the story others want to tell about you.
STARRING SANTA CLAUS
As Christmas approaches, excitement fills the air, and what better way to celebrate than with an exclusive appearance by the man himself, Santa Claus. On a special episode of The Fame Game, Kumar de Silva and Rozanne Diasz had the unique opportunity to interview Santa Claus, who shared insights about his life, work, and philosophy.
Tasha’s Journey: Making Bucket-List Adventures Possible for Everyone
From leaving a stable career in pharmacy to building a thriving global community of travellers, she has carved an unconventional path powered entirely by passion, curiosity, and a love for adventure. Today, she’s visited over 50 countries, built a viral online presence, and co-founded ‘Say Yes Adventures,’ a group travel brand making bucket-list destinations accessible to everyone. Let’s dive into the questions she answered, from what inspired he
Jevahn Sathasivam on His Golfing Journey. “It’s About Mindset, Not Just Swings.”
Jevahn Mikel Sathasivam represents a new generation of Sri Lankan athletes, disciplined, curious, and quietly driven. A young golfer with an impressive list of achievements already behind him, Jevahn’s journey is defined not merely by trophies or titles, but by the maturity, patience, and self-awareness with which he approaches the game.
Why Nostalgia Is So Strong Right Now
Lately, there is a noticeable pull toward the past. Old songs are finding their way back into playlists. Childhood television shows are being streamed again late at night. Photographs from years ago resurface on social media, often paired with captions that speak of longing and escape. Phrases like take me back or life was easier then appear again and again, almost as if they belong to a shared emotional language. Nostalgia no longer feels like a
CYCLONE DITWAH | KANDY
This week, I thought I’d take a break from the usual flow of my column and focus on something far more pressing. On 28 November, Sri Lanka was hit by a devastating cyclone that caused extensive damage to the area I live in.
Women in Management Top50 Global Week Morning Networking Breakfast Held in Colombo
The Women in Management (WIM) Top50 Global Week Morning Networking Breakfast was held recently, bringing together business leaders, professionals, and changemakers for a morning of insightful dialogue and meaningful connections. The event featured a keynote address by Farzana Baduel, Founder and CEO of Curzon PR, who spoke on the power of storytelling in shaping nations, brands, and futures. Her address highlighted the importance of authentic na
South Asia’s First Ever Reggae MUSIC FESTIVAL ONE LOVE 2026 Set to Ignite Bentota
Sri Lanka is poised to make cultural history as it prepares to host South Asia’s first ever Reggae Music Festival, One Love 2026 A Tribute to Bob Marley, from 27 to 29 March 2026 on the golden shores of Bentota. The three-day beachfront festival promises to bring the spirit, soul, and global legacy of reggae music to the region on an unprecedented scale, positioning Sri Lanka firmly on the international music and cultural tourism map.