The Unseen Ordeal: What Happens After a Child Speaks Up About Sexual Abuse
When a child speaks up about sexual abuse, the world often reacts to the story only at its most tragic endpoint – when it’s too late. But what I need the public…
Culture
Documentary Explores Land Grabs in the Name of Buddhism
is a thought provoking documentary produced by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) that delves into the ongoing land conflicts that continue to plague the North and East regions after the civil…
Not Enough: Zero Tolerance and Ragging
How do we end ragging at our universities? It is a question that never goes away and one that re-appears every time a student is killed. Charith Dilshan took his own life,…
Burning Donkey Festival: A Celebration of Creativity and Sustainability
Nestled on the picturesque shores of Kalpitiya, the Burning Donkey Festival stands as a testament to creativity, sustainability and community spirit. The festival was launched in 2019 by a group of passionate…
Opportunity Costs: Identity Politics and Sri Lankan Diaspora Writing
The Asian Literary Society (ALS) facilitated a forum at the National Library in Colombo where the convenors invited a range of academics, scholars, journalists and creative writers to discuss a timely and…
Motherhood and Manufactured Consent: The Hegemony of the Good Mother
Every year on the second Sunday of May Mother’s Day rolls around complete with soft focus advertisements, heartfelt social media tributes and the ceremonial gifting of flowers and breakfast in bed. At…
Local Government Elections Herald a Positive Change for Women in the East
Women in Sri Lanka shun participating in politics for numerous reasons including hostility, harassment, threats, intimidation, violence and personal attacks on all fronts. While women consist 52 percent of the country’s population…
Reflections On Aversion: A Story of Contemporary Sri Lanka
I have titled my first novel Aversion. The definition of this word is “a strong dislike or disinclination” and “an opposition” or “a repulsion” towards a thing, a place or a person….
Sri Lanka’s Silent Cultivation of Incel Culture Through the Matriarchal Nuclear Family
Incel is a term that started to come into popular use a few years ago, fuelled by the digital era, and escalating during the enforced lockdowns during the pandemic, which disrupted our…
Dealing with Sri Lanka’s Two Systems
James Edition Since colonisation of Ceylon by the British, we had two systems: the native social system with strong cultural and religious orientation and the colonial system with British cultural (including educational),…
The Thaiyatty Land Issue
Although the civil war ended 16 years ago, Sri Lanka’s land conflicts continue with state agencies appropriating land used and owned by Tamil and Muslim communities in the north and east in…
Dreaming of Candies and Guns: Objects of Resistance
In , Anupa Perera’s exhibition at the Paradise Road Saskia Fernando Gallery (PRSFG), still life serves as a powerful lens to examine turbulent intersections of politics, conflict and environmental degradation. Perera fuses…
A Venerated Teacher, Author and Scholar
In my tribute to her last week, I noted that Sumitra Peries belonged to a generation which also saw Mahagama Sekara, Gamini Fonseka, Madawala S. Ratnayake, Premasiri Khemadasa, Gunadasa Amarasekara and Siri…
Reflections on Professor Gananath Obeyesekere
Professor Gananath Obeyesekere was an excellent teacher, researcher and scholar as well as an excellent communicator mainly in English. Although born and raised in an urbane middle class family and educated in…
Israeli Tourists Spark Tensions in Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay, once an idyllic and peaceful coastal town in the southeast, is facing growing tensions as the number of Israeli tourists, particularly those with military connections, continues to rise. The influx…
