AI Is Draining Our Planet
AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.
The August Colour Palette Dressing in the Glow Between Seasons
August is a strange kind of beautiful. The air is still warm, but the light has softened. This is the sweet spot between two worlds. Sun-soaked spontaneity and the grounded calm of early autumn. It’s the moment where colour tells a deeper story. The August colour palette is less trend, more tone. It’s a soft rebalancing. A transition. A gentle re-entry into real life, laced with memory, mood, and sun-warmed skin. So, what does August look like in
Wanton Wacky Weddings
As a follow-up to my opining last week on “Bodacious Beastly Brides,” I thought it only apropos that I move on to the arena that offers these “Beastly Brides” a platform for their frightful escapades. On to the grandest of the grand, the pinnacle of parasitic profiteering, the highlight of the heinous, the all-encompassing wedding.
The baritone on broadway Gehan A. Cooray Returns to the New York Stage with a Solo Performance
On August 22nd, the bright lights of New York’s Theatre District will shine a little more brightly for Sri Lankan-American actor, singer, and filmmaker Gehan A. Cooray, as he takes the stage for a solo concert titled “The Baritone on Broadway.” The show will be held at the iconic Green Room 42, a leading cabaret venue nestled inside YOTEL Times Square on 42nd Street, just a stone’s throw from Times Square, the beating heart of Broadway. This perf
10 Things You Can Only Experience in Down South Sri Lanka
There’s something enchantingly chaotic about South Sri Lanka. The kind of place where you can get a fresh coconut on the roadside, watch a monk meditate by a jungle beach, and find a man selling grilled corn with zero context or pricing. It’s rustic but radiant. Untamed, yet unforgettable. From Galle to Tangalle, and every sleepy surf town in between, here are ten things you can only truly experience in Down South Sri Lanka.
Indika Wijewardana Presents “LEGENDS” An Exhibition Inspired by Andy Warhol
An exclusive art exhibition titled LEGENDS, inspired by the works of iconic artist Andy Warhol, was unveiled at Curado Art Space on the 31st of July 2025. The exhibition featured the work of talented Sri Lankan artist Indika Wijewardana, who presented a powerful series of portraits that celebrated legendary figures through bold colour, repetition, and Warhol-inspired techniques.
Read With Caution This May Cause Laughter Lines
In the not-so-distant past, turning 50 meant surrendering your wardrobe, covering up, and slipping your perfectly pedicured feet into ghastly-looking orthopaedic footwear. Deemed to have passed her
The City That Never Sleeps Exploring Tokyo, Japan
If cities had personalities, Tokyo would be the shy genius brilliant, unpredictable, and endlessly fascinating. A place where a centuries-old temple might sit next to a robot café, and where fashion
Why Every Product Wants to Be “That Girl” - And Every Girl Wants to Buy Her
Ever seen those girls, especially on TikTok, the ones with their perfectly curated morning routines, a 1.5 litre Stanley cup in hand, heading off to Pilates in a matching workout set at 6 am, sipping on an iced matcha? She looks like she has her life together, which is something we wish we could be on a Monday morning - hydrated, productive, and organised. She is That Girl.
How To Have Difficult Conversations with Loved Ones
Do you avoid having difficult conversations at all costs? Is disappearing through the floor more appealing to you than broaching that topic? You are definitely not alone. Confrontation can be scary,
Is Female Genital Cutting Patriarchy’s Worst-Kept Secret in Sri Lanka?
There are louder ways to be silenced, but my favorite is the quiet kind. A call you’re not copied in. A question disguised as concern. A reminder, subtle but firm: “The author is targeting one particular
Adya by Ashanthi, Celebrating Originality
There are few collections that capture the soul of individuality quite like Adya. Inspired by the Sanskrit word for original, Adya is a bold celebration of personal expression and timeless artistry. Each piece in
One Island, Two Childhoods A Tale of Split Realities in Sri Lanka
In the mirror of memory, childhood should reflect innocence. But on a small tear-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, that reflection fractures. The same country. The same years. Two vastly different childhoods, divided not by oceans, but by the accident of birth, by language, ethnicity, and history. Sri Lanka. One island. One anthem. But not one reality.
Stop Hiring Dinosaurs to Run Digital Marketing
In too many boardrooms in Sri Lanka, the marketing decisions are being made by people who: Don’t know how TikTok works
The Systematic Erosion of Rights since 2021
Since returning to power on 15 August 2021, the Taliban have dismantled decades of progress for women and girls in Afghanistan. Over 70 decrees and directives have progressively stripped away rights to education, employment, freedom of movement, health care, public voice, and basic dignity. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, established in place of the former Ministry of Women’s Affairs, enforces strict moralit
Yumi at Taj Samudra Colombo
If you’re a fan of Japanese food or simply curious to try something new, Yumi at Taj Samudra Colombo is a great place to visit. This elegant Japanese restaurant offers a special curated menu that brings together some of the best dishes from Japan. From soup to dessert, every part of the meal is carefully prepared and full of authentic flavors. At just LKR 5,500 net per person, this set menu also includes a choice of a cocktail or mocktail, making
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sets his ultimatum UK to recognise Palestinian state in September
On 29 July 2025, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a major shift in British foreign policy. Unless Israel takes decisive action to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, halts any plans for annexation, and recommits to a two-state solution, the United Kingdom will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Hymns of Hope A Soulful Celebration of Sacred Music and Readings
St. Paul’s Church in Colombo came alive with the sound of sacred harmonies during Hymns of Hope — a special evening dedicated to music, worship, and spiritual reflection. The event brought together the Euphony Choir Australia and The Victoria Welsh Male Choir, directed by Rushan Hewawasam, along with The Music Ministry Choir led by Ishan De Lanerolle. Adding to the richness of the program were the renowned De Lanerolle Brothers, whose voices reso
The Price of Survival in Gaza Soaring Costs of Food and Essential Items Amid Blockade
In Gaza the cost of survival has soared beyond imagination. Families face astronomical prices for basic food water fuel and medicine. The economy has collapsed under a tight blockade and insecurity. With
Gandhi’s Complex Legacy The Untold Story Behind His Celibacy Experiments
Mahatma Gandhi is remembered around the world as the guiding force behind India’s independence. He is celebrated not just for freeing a nation from colonial rule, but for doing so
Shaping the Future of Sri Lanka’s Agri-Wellness Landscape. A Conversation with Muditha Rasanjalee
At just 27, Muditha Rasanjalee is redefining what it means to be a modern entrepreneur in Sri Lanka’s agricultural and wellness sectors. As the founder of TRN Ceylon Agri (Pvt) Ltd and co-founder of several
The right exercise balance A wellness guide to moving with purpose - Featuring Tiron Wickramasinghe
We return with another compelling feature in Raise The Bar, your trusted source for insightful fitness content that not only informs but empowers. Our goal is to deepen your understanding of
WEAPONISED INCOMPETENCE How laziness becomes a strategy and a culture
Weaponised incompetence is a phrase that has been quietly making the rounds in management circles. However, in mainstream discourse, it rarely receives even an honourable mention (perhaps
An Elegant Gathering to Celebrate Indu’s Birthday
Indu Satyapala’s birthday was celebrated in the presence of close friends and loved ones, in an evening that embraced elegance and simplicity. The event followed a pastel-themed dress code, with guests
Why Are We So Afraid of the Truth?
In an age of so-called transparency and truth-telling, it is strange, and yet not surprising, how fragile our collective relationship with truth really is.
A City Born of WATER AND WONDER
Imagine a place where there are no cars, no roads just canals weaving between centuries-old buildings, and the only traffic you’ll encounter is a gondola gliding past, its oars slicing gently through emerald-green water.
Why Are We Uncomfortable Watching Two People Kiss on Screen?
It is a scene as old as cinema itself. Two people fall in love, emotions build, and they kiss. In most parts of the world, this is an unremarkable moment, a storytelling device as ordinary as a monologue or a song.
Nadaaniyan (2025): A Must Watch Teen Romance Film
If you’re a rom movie lover and have missed Nadaaniyan, it’s time to add it to your watchlist. This 2025 Hindi-language teen romantic comedy may not be a critical darling, but it offers an enjoyable blend of romance, drama, and personal growth.
Green Is the New Black: But Is It Really?
In recent years, ‘sustainability’ has become the hottest trend in fashion. From glossy campaigns to clothing tags that boast buzzwords like ‘eco,’ ‘conscious,’ or ‘green,’ it seems every brand is suddenly saving the planet, or at least claiming to.
Colombo University’s Science Faculty Millennium Batch Celebrates Silver Jubilee
Members of the 1999/2000 Alumni Association of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, came together for a heartwarming evening to mark 25 years since their university enrollment.
