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.
Devika Brendon’s Aversion
Devika Brendon’s Aversion is a fearless literary debut that defies genre and convention. A longtime academic, teacher and editor of English Literature, Brendon steps into fiction with the same sharp empathy and intellectual rigor that have long defined her work.
Totems, Spirit Guides & Inner Peace A Journey Into Ancestral Wisdom
In our fast-paced world, inner peace is often pursued through therapy, meditation, and self-help, but still, something deeper can remain unresolved. What if the peace we seek isn’t only psychological, but spiritual and ancestral? What if animals that recur in our dreams or natural signs that stir something within us are not coincidences, but messages from beyond? In this episode of Cultivating Inner Peace, Anshu Bahanda sat down with South Africa
Ramzi Rahaman Giving Breath to Beauty 50 Years of Passion Elevating the Simple to the Sublime
There was tea on the table and pastries still warm. He had been expecting me but not in the way most people prepare for interviews. No notes. No handlers. No curated version of his story waiting to be told. Just Ramzi. Entirely himself. Completely present. This is how all stories with meaning begin, with people who remember who they are.
The Rich Tapestry of Ethiopian Culture
Ethiopia, a country located in the Horn of Africa, is a land of vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking natural beauty. With a population of over 115 million people, Ethiopia is a melting pot of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. The country boasts a unique cultural heritage that dates back over 3,000 years, with a blend of African, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences.
8 Lost Your Spark? Try These japanese Philosophies to Beat Laziness and Find Meaning
Before you beat laziness, you need to understand why you want to move at all. Ikigai combines passion, profession, mission, and vocation, what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Finding your ikigai is like discovering the compass inside your chest. You stop asking, “How do I get motivated?” and start asking, “What moves me?”
Maldives Celebrates 60th Independence Day in Colombo
A grand reception was held in Colombo to commemorate the 60th Independence Day of the Republic of Maldives. Hosted by His Excellency Masood Imad, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka, the evening brought together diplomats, officials, and distinguished invitees for a celebration of unity and bilateral friendship. Held at the elegant Luminia Ballroom at Cinnamon Life, the event reflected the rich cultural heritage and national pride of t
A Sky Full of Lies The Coldplay Concert Cheating Scandal
What was supposed to be a magical evening under the stars, a Coldplay concert filled with dreamy lights and emotion, ended up exposing a real-life drama that no one saw coming. Except 60,000 fans... and millions of people on TikTok. At a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Jumbotron zoomed in on what seemed like a couple cuddling mid-set. A woman, cozily nestled in the arms of a man, both wrapped up in each other like they were wat
Masma EAT Restaurant A Taste of Sri Lanka’s Island BBQ Delight
If you’re looking to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan BBQ flavors with a modern twist, then Masma EAT Restaurant is a must-visit. Located in Pelawatta, with other outlets in Kottawa and Nugegoda, Masma EAT brings the warmth and bold flavors of Sri Lankan cooking straight to your table.
Bodacious Beastly BRIDES
Weddings - oh, the romance, the glorious excitement, the anticipation. The families coming together, the happy couple looking at the world with all its possibilities, walking through life hand in hand. I may be a die-hard believer in the values that marriage stood for, a believer that every chapter in life has its time and season, a believer that when in a compatible, honest unit, the sky was, and is, the proverbial limit. Am I just blatantly mi
In the Shadow of Ravana
In the end, Ravana may remain unverifiable. There are no inscriptions that bear his name, no coins that link him to a dynasty. But history is not only what we can excavate. It is also what we remember, what we choose to forget, and what we revive. Ravana exists in a liminal space - between myth and memory, villainy and virtue, demonhood and kingship.
