Hemas Opens the 75th Piyawara Preschool. A Landmark Moment in a National Journey of Early Childhood Development
The opening of the 75th Piyawara Preschool in Homagama on 7 January 2026 marked a defining milestone in Sri Lanka’s early childhood development landscape and in the long-standing journey of the Hemas Outreach Foundation (HOF). More than the inauguration of a single preschool, this moment symbolised over two decades of sustained commitment, partnership, and belief in the transformative power of early learning. With this latest addition, Piyawara h
WHEN EDUCATION BECOMES A BUSINESS: WHO PAYS THE PRICE FOR ACADEMIC SHORTCUTS?
Drive through Colombo or its ever-developing outskirts and the message is unavoidable. Smiling teenagers beam down from billboards asking, “After O-levels? What next?” The implication is clear: why endure the rigour of A-levels when a faster, shinier, allegedly smarter alternative is waiting just around the corner? Eight months, they promise. A shortcut to university. A head start in life. What these advertisements do not disclose is the ethical
The Cancelled Ne-Yo Concert and the Fight for Refunds in Sri Lanka.
For months, fans in Sri Lanka held onto a vibrant sense of anticipation. Posters popped up on social media, Instagram pages buzzed with excitement, and many lined up digitally to secure their tickets, some paying steep prices for a chance to see Grammy-winning R&B star Ne-Yo perform live organized by a newly formed company called Brown Boy Presents spearheaded by an American-Sri Lankan called Amith Boteju. The concert was more than a night out; i
Emily in Paris Season 5 Review
Season 5 of Emily in Paris takes the familiar formula of glamorous escapism and playful romance and propels it into new terrain by moving much of the action to Italy before returning to Paris. Released on Netflix in December 2025, this installment is notable for its shift in setting, its attempts at more mature character arcs, and a finale that leaves major questions unanswered as the series heads toward Season 6.
BTS Announce Monumental World Tour
BTS have officially announced a new world tour, confirming their long awaited return to the global stage and setting the tone for what is expected to be one of the biggest music events of the decade. The tour will mark the group’s first full scale world tour since pausing group activities for mandatory military service and individual projects, and it arrives alongside confirmation of a new studio album due for release in Mar
Legacies: Celebrating Sri Lankan Art Pioneers
Saskia Fernando Gallery presents Legacies, an exhibition honouring pioneers of Sri Lankan modern and contemporary art. Featuring a curated selection of works created between 1930 and 2020, the exhibition reflects the lasting influence of artists who have shaped the country’s visual art landscape. Legacies brings together works by some of Sri Lanka’s most respected artists, offering insight into their enduring contributions to the nation’s artisti
IN CONVERSATION CHANUKA SURAWEERA HANDU DE SILVA
In a dining culture that is often driven by formality, exclusivity, and rigid rules, Tilapiya Colombo has quietly created something refreshingly different. It is a place where people do not just come to eat but to
The Pressure to Be Okay All the Time
Somewhere in the quiet evolution of modern life, being okay stopped being something we felt and became something we were expected to perform. It turned into a social reflex, a polite answer, a way of
ASSASSINS, MONKS AND BROKEN THRONES HOW KINGS WERE ACTUALLY REMOVED IN MEDIEVAL SRI LANKA
The Most Dangerous Throne in the Indian Ocean. Medieval Sri Lanka did not lack kings. It lacked safe ones. From Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa and into the fragmented courts of the thirteenth century, Sinhala
IN CONVERSATION NADINI PERERA WICKRAMASINGHE
Nadini Perera Wickramasinghe’s professional journey is one rooted in purpose, compassion, and a deep commitment to creating meaningful change in the lives of children and families. With
Rhode How 15 Products Took Over a Billion-Dollar Beauty Empire
You’ve probably heard of Rhode, even if you haven’t tried it yet. Founded in 2022, the brand has released only around 15 products - most deceptively simple -, and in just a few years, it’s become a beauty
ART N ARTIST Edition One Opens at Lionel Wendt Centre
A new platform for contemporary Sri Lankan art, ArtnArtist – Edition One was officially launched with an opening preview at the Harold Peiris Gallery, Lionel Wendt Art Centre, Colombo. Curated by Mandira
Why We Listen: How Podcasts Became the Most Human Medium of Our Time
Most mornings, before the inbox floods and before the day’s competing demands announce themselves, I am out walking the dog in west London.
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Small Health Symptoms
Most people do not wake up one day and suddenly become seriously ill. Illness usually arrives quietly. It enters the body through small signals that are easy to dismiss and even easier to rationalize away.
Weird but True Food Combinations That Actually Work
Have you ever dipped fries into ice cream, or added a slice of cheddar to your apple? If your answer is no, you’re missing out on some of the quirkiest, and surprisingly delicious, flavour pairings out there.
Why Greenland Has Become President Trump’s Most Dangerous Foreign Policy Gamble
Greenland has become the most explosive flashpoint in the West’s own backyard because President Donald Trump has revived an idea that many Europeans hoped had died with his first term:
What Will Define Fashion in 2026
Every new year in fashion arrives with predictions. Colours are announced, silhouettes are crowned, and trend reports confidently declare what we should be wearing next.
THE HALO TRUST APPOINTS RISHINI WEERARATNE AS ITS AMBASSADOR FOR SRI LANKA
The HALO Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearance organization, has appointed Rishini Weeraratne as its Ambassador for Sri Lanka.
Iran at a Breaking Point as Economic Anger Fuels Nationwide Revolt.
Iran is in the midst of one of the most intense periods of unrest the country has seen in years. What began in late December as protests over economic hardship has grown into a nationwide challenge to the ruling system, with demonstrations spreading across every province.
Professor Ajith Malalasekera Inducted as President of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka
Professor Ajith Malalasekera was formally inducted as the President of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka for 2026 at a ceremony held in Colombo.
STARRING DARSHI KEERTHISENA
At the dawn of a new year shaped by reflection, resilience, and the quiet anticipation of renewal, Fame Game opened its doors to a voice seldom heard beyond the world of craft and creation. Fashion designer and Creative Director of Buddhi Batiks, Darshi Keerthisena, stepped into the conversation with a rare openness, joining hosts Kumar de Silva and Rosanne Diasz for a thoughtful and far-reaching dialogue. What unfolded was more than an interview
Life Is Just a Game of UNO, You Play the Cards You’re Dealt
Life rarely comes with instructions. Much like a game of UNO, you are handed a set of cards you did not choose and expected to play them wisely. You are often questioned when things do not go according to plan. On the surface, UNO seems simple: match colours, match numbers, and try to get rid of your cards. But anyone who has played it more than once knows that beneath its simplicity lies unpredictability, sudden reversals, and lessons that feel
KALĀ 2026. Shared Ground: South Asia in Conversation.
Colombo hosts KALĀ 2026: TAKE on Art × KALĀ this January, reaffirming its position as a significant hub for contemporary artistic exchange in South Asia. Returning as a cross-border arts platform, KALĀ 2026 brings together artists, curators, writers, scholars, and cultural practitioners from across the region for a programme that foregrounds dialogue, material inquiry, and shared histories. Taking place over the opening weekend of 17 and 18 Janua
Why Sleep, Movement, and Mindfulness Are True Health Superpowers.
In popular culture, health is often framed as a matter of discipline: waking up early, pushing harder at the gym, cutting calories, or following the latest wellness trend. We are taught to believe that if we simply try harder, we can outwork biology. However, decades of biomedical research tell a very different story. Human health is not governed by sheer willpower alone but by complex biological systems that are deeply influenced by how we live
The Invisible Battles People Fight Every Day
If you stood on a crowded street and quietly observed the people walking past, you would see a collection of faces moving through their day. Some appear confident and purposeful, others distracted or weary, some cheerful, some distant. From the outside, each person seems to be simply going about their life. Yet beneath these brief impressions lies a truth that often goes unnoticed. Every person you pass is carrying something unseen. Every one of
‘Meandering Moods’ painting exhibition opens at Lionel Wendt
The painting exhibition Meandering Moods by Shanthi Shanmuganathan was held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo, showcasing a collection of expressive artworks that reflect human emotions, nature, and everyday life. The exhibition attracted art lovers who gathered to appreciate the artist’s distinctive style and thoughtful visual storytelling.
THE ARREST OF NICOLÁS MADURO AND THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS
The arrest of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities has sent shockwaves across Latin America and far beyond it, reopening uncomfortable questions about sovereignty, democracy, and the true motivations that drive global power.
An Evening of Music Memory and Double Blue Magic
“Double Blue Resonance” promises to be a night where music, memory, and heritage come alive. On the 10th of January 2026, the majestic Main College Hall of Wesley College will echo with harmony as the Wesley College Choir takes the stage under the direction of Priyanthi Seneviratne Van Dort, accompanied by the dynamic sounds of the band Neighbors. This spectacular evening will celebrate the vibrant young talent of Wesley, performing timeless pop
IS BLUE MONDAY REAL OR ARE WE JUST BURNT OUT?
Every January, the term Blue Monday starts circulating online. It’s often labelled as the “most depressing day of the year” a point where post-holiday blues, financial stress, and failed resolutions collide. But as this conversation resurfaces year after year, a bigger question lingers: is Blue Monday actually real, or are we simply exhausted long before it arrives? Because for many people, January doesn’t feel heavy for just one day. It feels he
Ego The Voice in Our Heads That Won’t Shut Up
The ego has a terrible PR team. Say the word out loud and most people immediately picture someone loud, arrogant, and obsessed with themselves.
