A Humble Prodigy
From rural beginnings to the red carpet at Cannes – a gentle and quietly luminous film star talks about the highlights of his career and the realities of life.It all began with a letter he wrote to Sri Lanka’s most famous film director expressing his interest to play the lead role in the film ‘Madol Duwa.’ From a very young age he was as avid reader who was particularly obsessed by the books of Martin Wickremesinghe which were central to his educ
CHARINI Stories Launches at One Galle Face
The launch of the CHARINI Stories was held on the 24th of July at One Galle Face Mall, welcoming guests to an elegant evening celebrating fashion inspired by the soul of Sri Lanka.
IORA Championing the Enduring Beauty of Block Print in Contemporary Fashion
In a world that’s constantly evolving, certain traditions remain quintessentially timeless, like slipping into a breezy, beautiful, comfortable, hand-block print garment, the perfect choice for the
Overcoming Procrastination: Beyond Time Management
Procrastinators always get a bad rep. People think they’re lazy, demotivated or all together unbothered. The truth is procrastination has much less to do with poor time management than it does with unregulated
Why Does Gaza’s Genocide Still Need Explaining?
For months, we’ve danced around the word. Politicians have carefully avoided it. Media outlets have sanitized it as ’’conflict’’ or ’’war.’’ Even genocide scholars, those whose life’s work is to identify and
Soft Femme Energy How to Dress When You’re Letting Love In
Clothes that open, invite, surrender. Explore how fashion reflects emotional availability and romantic shifts. There’s a subtle shift that happens when you begin to let love in again. It’s not always loud or obvious,
Saiyaara Debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda Rewrite Bollywood’s Rulebook
In a landscape dominated by star-driven blockbusters, Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and released on 18 July 2025, has created waves of change. Featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and
Ten Marketing Myths That Need to Die Already (Especially in Sri Lanka)
Let’s face it, the marketing world is full of noise. And Sri Lanka? Oh, we’re swimming in myths, shortcuts, and absolute nonsense. Whether it’s from your friend who thinks running a boosted post makes him a media strategist, or that uncle who read one Forbes article and now gives marketing advice over lunch, it’s time to clear the air. Here are 10 marketing myths that need to be buried. Today. From someone who’s done the work, built the brand, an
What If the Villain Was Right?
Every good story needs a villain, or so we’ve been told. The antagonist who snarls, schemes, and threatens the very fabric of justice. They’re the shadow to the hero’s light. The problem to be solved. The evil that must be defeated. But what if the villain wasn’t wrong?
Is Making History Optional the Problem or What’s Actually Taught?
Some of you may be wondering why this week’s column shifts from my ongoing series on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to something seemingly distant, Sri Lanka’s history curriculum
Serpent, Scepter, and Seduction The Untold Story of Cleopatra
In the grand halls of history, few names echo with as much allure, controversy, and mystique as Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Born in 69 BCE and dying by suicide in 30 BCE, Cleopatra’s life was a masterclass in survival, seduction, political genius, and tragedy. But her story is far more nuanced than the often-simplified Hollywood caricature of a sultry temptress. Cleopatra was a linguist,
Who Gets to Tell the Story? The Power Politics Behind Representation
In every culture, in every era, stories have shaped how we see the world, and how the world sees us. They teach us who the heroes are, who deserves empathy, and what version of the truth gets remembered. But beneath the beauty of storytelling lies a brutal question that too often goes unasked: who gets to tell the story? Because the one who holds the pen holds the power. And in a world built on hierarchies of race, gender, class, and language tha
Alpha Blondy Live in Sri Lanka 2025 Reggae Icon Alpha Blondy Ignites Colombo with Soulful Rhythms
In a night filled with electrifying energy and timeless music, reggae legend Alpha Blondy took the stage in Colombo, marking his first-ever live performance in Sri Lanka. The event drew in a diverse crowd of music lovers and reggae fans who gathered to witness the global icon perform his greatest hits, echoing powerful messages of peace, unity, and love. Backed by his dynamic Solar System band, Alpha Blondy mesmerized the audience with his signat
Trailblazing Across Borders: Tanuja Tennekoon on Leadership, Identity, and the Future of Global Travel
In today’s rapidly evolving global business environment, few professionals embody cross-cultural leadership like Tanuja Tennekoon. As the Product and Partnership Manager for Indian Ocean, Africa,
EXCELSIOR A TRIBUTE TO IMAGINATION
On the 2nd and 3rd of August, the Harold Peiris Gallery in Colombo 7 will host Excelsior, Sri Lanka’s first-ever photographic exhibition dedicated to pop culture archetypes. Curated and created by a group of local
The Healing Brew Different Teas and Their Health Benefits
Tea, one of the world’s oldest and most beloved beverages, has been cherished for its flavour, aroma, and therapeutic properties for centuries. From ancient Chinese medicine to British afternoon tea rituals, this
Breathing New Life Into Sacred Art Pooja Singhal’s Mission to Reimagine Pichwai
Pooja Singhal is quietly but powerfully reshaping how the world sees traditional Indian art. Born and raised in Udaipur, a city steeped in spiritual and cultural legacy, Pooja’s lifelong engagement with
Rotary Club of Colombo Fort Installs Its 37th President at Elegant Ceremony
The Rotary Club of Colombo Fort marked a significant milestone with the installation of its 37th President, Yudeesha Pathirana, at a distinguished ceremony held at Hilton Residencies Colombo. The event, graced
Did Shah Rukh Khan Really Get Injured on the Set of King? Untangling Rumours and Reality
Over the past week, Bollywood fans across the world have been caught in a storm of speculation surrounding Shah Rukh Khan
Is LinkedIn the New Dating App?
Once strictly a digital space for professional networking, LinkedIn now finds itself at an unexpected crossroads.
A Journey Through Bawa’s Colombo
Colombo is a city under constant metamorphosis. Day to day, nothing seems to change. In fact, it can be frustratingly mundane.
Is Soft Life a Privilege or a Mindset?
In recent years, a new lifestyle trend has been growing among young people across the world. It is called the “soft life.”
And Just Like That (2025) The Legacy of Sex and the City Rewritten Once More
When Sex and the City first aired in 1998, it changed the way women, friendships, and relationships were portrayed on television.
Prithi Fernando’s Birthday Celebration
Family, friends, and well-wishers gathered at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel for a heartfelt evening in honour of the remarkable Mallika Hemachandra
ColdplayGate When a Kiss Cam Moment Shook the Tech Executive World
On the night of July 16, 2025, at a Coldplay concert held at Boston’s Gillette Stadium, a seemingly innocuous Kiss Cam segment triggered a firestorm. A video clip quickly went viral showing Andy Byron, CEO of data‑analytics firm Astronomer, in an intimate embrace with Kristin Cabot, the company’s Head of HR. As the Jumbotron focused on them, Cabot gasped and covered her face; Byron ducked behind a seat in a moment captured and shared millions of
Karma FIGHT LEAGUE
Cinnamon Life, South Asia’s largest integrated entertainment destination, is set to host one of the region’s most highly anticipated combat sports events, Karma Fight League’s fifth K-1 fight night, known as KFL 005. Scheduled for July 25, the event will take place at the Lumina Ballroom, a premium venue within the Cinnamon Life complex in Colombo. Promising a night of intense action, athleticism, and regional pride, KFL 005 will feature top figh
Why Is It Taboo to Talk About Sex in South Asian Culture?
In much of South Asia, stretching across India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and beyond, discussions around sex remain largely taboo. Despite the region’s historical contributions to understanding human sexuality (the Kamasutra originated in India, after all), the modern reality is starkly different. For many in these societies, sex is cloaked in silence, discomfort, and even shame. But why does this cultural silence persist?
Beyond the Hustle Life Strategies That Help You Progress in Your Fitness Journey Featuring Tiro Wickramasinghe
In today’s fast-paced world, constant hustling is often worn as a badge of honour, seen as a sign of ambition, self-worth, and status. But while this mindset can elevate self-esteem, it often comes at a cost. Excessive busyness has been linked to chronic stress, burnout, and negative impacts on both physical and emotional health, sometimes even leading to long-term illnesses. As experts point out, being busy is about filling your time whereas be
How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe One Small Step at a Time
What if your wardrobe could tell a story, not just of style, but of purpose, values, and care? In a world where trends change faster than the weather and clothes are cheaper than ever, building a sustainable wardrobe might feel overwhelming or even impossible. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be perfect, rich, or radically minimalist to make a difference. Sustainability isn’t a final destination. It’s a journey, one thoughtful step at
