waiting for the war to end
In this place there are No trees no old house With the rope swing Between the karatha kolombang Trees Here there is only White heat white-brown sand Four tin walls And a…
Author: Sharni Jayawardena
Slave Island and Us
By Sharni Jayawardene and Tarika Wickremeratne Going into Slave Island at first, we were told to expect animosity and suspicion. Two women venturing into the depths of the residential settlements, taking pictures…
Recycling the plastic we throw to make a living: Nazaruddin’s work in Slave Island
On a walk down one of the many byroads of Slave Island during midday, we encountered a curious sight: a fairly elderly man wearing a sarong and a dusty green cap, sitting…
Sharing a common god: The Sivasubramaniam Kovil in Slave Island
Munisekar has always been devout. From the age of nine, he began working at the Sivasubramaniam Kovil of Slave Island – the place of worship closest to where he lived with his…
The education of a Muslim girl: Snapshots of Fatheema
15-year-old Fatheema Sulaika has lofty plans for her future. Study hard, become a psychologist, do her bit for mankind and hope that her example inspires oppressed women the world over. Needless to…
Female deities of Theravada Buddhism: Kannagi and Pattini
[Editors note: Once published, does not change the heading of an article. On this post, the author concedes to a point made by Chandula Kumbukage that it would have served her intent…
Smokin’ soldiers: The Zippo Special Edition lighter
Zippo’s special edition lighter to celebrate Sri Lanka’s war victory is most definitely more colourful (and cheerful?) than versions produced for the US military in Vietnam.