Life style

Fight like a Girl

Published

6 years ago

2020/08/16

Inspired by fellow ‘Endometriosis Warriors’ across the world and fuelled by her own struggle with the little-talked of condition, The Endometriosis Awareness and Support Foundation, the first of its kind here at home, is the brainchild of corporate lawyer, Rashani Meegama. The Endometriosis Soldier that she is, Rashani shares with the Sunday Island her chilling experience with the incapacitating condition which propelled her to reach out to fellow Sri Lankan women and young girls suffering silently …

by Randima Attygalle

“When I was 14, I almost passed out in period pain at a mid-term exam. I had to abandon the paper half way to be taken to the school sick room by my classmates where I waited for my mother to come and pick me. With the passage of time, the pain got worse and it was presumed to be just normal period pain. The obstetrician who first investigated dismissed me as a ‘fussy young girl’ who eats too much of oily food and then complains!” recollects Rashani Meegama who is a severe Endometriosis combatant.

Rashani, 41 years now, was first diagnosed with Endometriosis in her early 30s. She would go through harrowing episodes of prolonged pain, confined to bed with pain killers and heat packs. In a nerve-wracking recollection, she relives collapsing and rolling in pain in her lawn. “The washroom visits which I had to muster up so much courage to take, were agonizing due to pain and exhaustion. I would be up at wee hours in the morning with a heat pack when my mother and husband would be exhausted and flat out after attending to me and I would feel helpless, scared and desperate,” she recounted.

A painful disorder where endometrial tissue (the lining of the womb/uterus) grows outside the uterus, Endometriosis most commonly involves ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. “An extreme case of Endometriosis”, as she calls herself, Rashani is now at ‘Stage four’ of the condition. Still very much an unspoken topic here at home, the disease itself is a mystery she says. Although several theories have been suggested including genetics, retrograde menstruation (when some of the womb lining flows up through the fallopian tubes and embeds itself on the organs of the pelvis, rather than leaving the body as a period) and problems with immune system, none of them fully explain the reason for this ‘confusing’ and debilitating condition.

From crippling pain of body to intangible fatigue and mind fog, the condition can severely affect personal and professional life, job goals, reproductive health and self-esteem. Its symptoms varying in great degree from woman to woman, makes the diagnosis difficult. According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, the disease affects one in 10 reproductive-aged women (aged 12-52) – an estimated 200 million individuals worldwide, and many often experience a decade-long delay in diagnosis. It is also one of the leading causes of infertility.

The physical, mental and life-altering toll Endometriosis has had on Rashani’s life drove her to champion The Endometriosis Awareness and Support Foundation (EASF) under the banner ‘Fight like a girl’. A corporate lawyer by profession, this life crippling condition has robbed so much from Rashani’s life. The excruciating pain accompanied by migraines, irritable bowels, joint and back pain, nausea, brain fog, excessive mood swings, infertility related issues, weight gain, and even bouts of depression- all by products of her condition, left her professional life at the receiving end, forcing her to give up her court practice.

“Even a small court visit would keep me tied to bed with severe migraine caused by heat, stress, and general fatigue. There were times when I had to end up in Emergency Care with injections to mitigate the pain coupled with suppositories. With all this, it would still take about five days for me to completely recover.”

No longer be able to hold to a ‘regular job’, Rashani finally created her vocation around her disease and related issues by setting up two small-scale law firms. “This way, I could have my own time and take my own leave and mercifu

missed out on many personal milestones as well as my social life,” says the vivacious lady whose smile and warm persona are infectious. “I was so sick when I was sitting for my Masters in Law and I missed out my graduation as I had to go through emergency surgery.”

lly it has worked out well,” smiles the Endometriosis trooper that she is today. “In my struggle with the condition, I have

The girl who never missed a party and was often the last to leave one muses: “friends found it difficult to understand why I would go into a shell and stay away from gatherings, parties etc. Besides my pain struggles, I also found it difficult to make people understand my difficulty in coping with daily life. Even simple chores like doing groceries is impacted due to fatigue the condition entails. The biggest issue was that it was a debilitating disease which took a hit in all areas of my life but it was an unknown and unspoken disease which resulted in more frustration confusion and misunderstanding medically and personally.”

Inspired by Padma Lakshmi – model, author, actress and television host rolling into one and the Co-Founder of The Endometriosis Foundation of America, Rashani, set up The Endometriosis Awareness and Support Foundation (EASF), the first of its kind here at home to galvanize passionate individuals to rally around it and thereby lend a voice for the cause. “One need not necessarily be an Endometriosis fighter, anyone committed to this cause either at personal or professional capacity could come join hands with EASF.” Inspired by Endometriosis warriors like Padma Lakshmi whose experience drove her to take a personal shift in her battle with the condition, Rashani has devised her own coping mechanism besides clinical interventions. Eating healthy, indulging in physical activities she enjoys, meditation and music had made wonders in her life.

“By raising awareness in terms of the disease, its symptoms and treatment options, EASF aspires to let the rest of society know how much women with Endometriosis go through and thereby create better communication and support at the school, family and public level, to let women in this predicament know that it’s normal to feel this way and that they are not abnormal or alone in this battle and to initiate a strong support network and improved coping mechanisms.”

Although the world is yet to find a cure for Endometriosis, it could be successfully managed, notes Rashani, if diagnosed accurately with the right team of medical practitioners on board- be it western, Ayurveda or alternate medicine. Yet it is never on a platter, says the ‘Endo-Fighter’ whose platform seeks to be a harbinger of hope and guidance in disease recognition

, treatment options and lifestyle enhancement. Empowering women with Endometriosis and their families to make informed decisions on medical and child bearing options, to help them improve their quality of life are also on EASF’s mandate.

Passionate to ensure that both our young girls and older women are aware of Endometriosis and that period pain may not always be a trivial ‘girl issue’, Rashani urges to be mindful of heavy periods, unusual weight gain in young years- early markers which ought to be flagged and investigated as she says. EASF, although still in its infancy, is confidently positioned to make a positive change in the lives of Sri Lankan women silently suffering with Endometriosis and its ripple effects. EASF also hopes to facilitate more research studies on the subject locally.

Enabling better understanding of the condition at family and corporate level is also envisaged by the Foundation. While encouraging women battling with it to ‘listen to their bodies’ and afford ‘plenty of ME time’, EASF’s founder avers: “don’t build walls around you, talk to someone about your condition outside your doctors. Never let the condition control your life, goals and dreams. Most importantly, don’t let it steal away the woman in you….”

For those who would like to rally around The Endometriosis Awareness and Support Foundation, please write to LankaEndoWarrior@gmail.com

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Life style

Grace, grooming and confidence

Published

5 days ago

2026/03/29

Thilina Walpola

The leadership team behind the academy at the head table

Ramani Fenando’s new Image and Etiquette Academy

In a world where first impressions speak before words, Sri Lanka’s beauty icon Ramani Fernando has taken a bold step beyond the salon chair to shape confidence from within. Her newly launched Etiquette and Image Academy is designed to refine not only appearance, but presence, poise and personal power.

Step into a space where confidence meets sophistication, Ramani Fernando Academy is redefining how Sri Lankans approach personal branding ,offering a unique blend of ettiquette, style and communication mastery.

Her newly launched personal branding and EtiquetteAcademy was unveiled in a simple ceremony at the Galle Face hotel. This marks a bold and timely step into the realm of confidence leadership, presence and modern social grace.

Colombo’s social elite, corporate leaders, fashion insiders and longtime clients gathered in celebration of a vision that seeks to shape not just appearance but cofidence building.

Ramani, in her opening speech, said “our courses are carefully designed to meet with international standards, ensuring participants recieve training that meets both local and global expectations.

Ramani Fernando – shaping confidence

Professional face of etiquette training

Faith Launders who is the Director of Etiquette and Protocol in the Academy pointed out this personal branding and etiquette programmes will help participants cultivate grace, confidence and refined personal style through expert guidance. A former Miss Sri Lanka beauty queen, with experience in aviation, will contribute a creative and professional lens to the Academy’s curriculam.

Invitees from the world of fashion gathered to celebrate the occasion

Carolyn Jurie

Chalana at the helm of beauty

She brings professionalism, poise and a strong commitment to cultivate confidence and promote refined social skills among students. Known for her approachable style and inspiring presence, she strives to create an inclusive learning space where students can transform into confident individuals to navigate life with dignity and elegance.

For decades, Ramani has been a transformative force in Sri Lanka’s beauty industry.

and now this venture signals a natural evolution from external refinement to the art of personal distinction.

The programme blends traditional etiquette with contemporary relevance, offering personal branding and professional image building both in social and corporate etiquette. These are some of the programmes:

= Communication skills and body language, grooming, style and wardrobe alignment.

= Digital image and social media conduct.

= Platforms or in social events the ability to command attention with confidence has to become an important tool.

In today’s hyper connected world, impressions are formed in seconds often long before a handshake, whether in boardrooms, diplomatic circles or in the media.

The teaching staff consists of industry experts trainers amd adminitrators led by othe senior professionals

The Managing Director, Lakmini Lenagala, Training and Administrative Manager, Ramono, Navaratnarajah, Personal Assistant, Merisha Aserappa and Chalana Munasinghe are all industry professionals who have experience, theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

They are experienced instructors with hands on expertise in grooming, etiquette, image building and communication.

While the vision of the Personal Branding and Etiquette Academy belongs to Ramani Fernando, its strength lies in the collective expertise of the professionals who bring the programmes to life.

By bringing together specialists from diverse fields, the Academy offers participants a rare opportunity to refine every dimension of their public and private persona under one roof.

Sessions cover skin care, hair, make up, wardrobe planning and colour coordination.

Communication and public speaking recognising that presence is also conveyed though voice and expression, the Academy offers training in articulation tones, posture and body language.

The training also includes table manners, event conduct, professional courtesy and cross cultural awareness. This Etiquette Academy us designed for both women and men offering guidance on grooming, communication, professional conduct and social confidence.

The Academy acts as a transformative space – one that equips individuals not merely to succeed but to stand out with authencity and grace. The institution reflects Ramani Fernando’s belief that true elegance is a way of being not simply a way of dressing!.

By Zanita Careem

Pix by Thushara Athapatu

Life style

From rescue to rewilding, Kalo’s journey continues

Published

5 days ago

2026/03/29

Thilina Walpola

World Wildlife Day 2026:

He arrived at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe on March 23, 2024, barely eight months old. Kalo had spent an unknown number of days trapped at the bottom of an abandoned well near Galenbidunuwewa in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura District, separated from the herd he had lost. When wildlife officers from the Department of Wildlife Conservation pulled him out, they found a frightened calf, but also something else: resilience.

Today, nearly two years after his rescue, Kalo is no longer the fragile elephant calf who arrived at the Transit Home alone. He is growing steadily, eating well, and has fully integrated into a group of calves preparing for eventual release. His progress is measured not only in size, but in behaviour like social bonding, herd interaction, and independent foraging skills that will determine his readiness for life beyond human protection. Since his arrival, Kalo has grown from 125 kilograms to over 300 kilograms. The wounds he sustained before rescue have fully healed, and he is no longer on any specific medical treatment instead routine management only. He is, by every measure, active, playful, and thriving.

The Elephant Transit Home, also known as Ath Athuru Sevana, has operated within Udawalawe National Park since 1995. It is not an orphanage in the traditional sense. There are no rides, no performances, no human dependency. Human contact is limited strictly to feeding and veterinary care. The rest of the time, the calves are left to bond with one another.

That philosophy is intentional. Elephants are deeply social animals, and calves that grow too attached to humans struggle to survive in the wild. The daily play, the hierarchy, and the formation of peer bonds are all part of a structured rehabilitation process designed to prepare them for rewilding.

Since its establishment, more than 200 orphaned elephants have passed through the Elephant Transit Home. Over 100 have been successfully released back into the wild. In July 2025 alone, six young elephants were returned to Udawalawe National Park during the facility’s 26th release. If all continues as planned, Kalo will follow that path in 2029.

On May 8, 2024, less than two months after Kalo’s rescue, Sun Siyam Pasikudah formalised its long-term commitment to his care through the CarePhant initiative under Sun Siyam Care. The resort pledged ongoing monthly contributions to support Kalo’s nutrition, veterinary care, and daily rehabilitation needs through to his planned release.

Sun Siyam Care is the group’s overarching sustainability programme that integrates environmental stewardship, biodiversity conservation, community engagement, and long-term socio-economic value creation across all Sun Siyam Resorts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Through Sun Siyam Care, we invest in initiatives that protect marine and terrestrial ecosystems, reduce waste and single-use plastics, improve resource efficiency, support renewable energy and local sourcing, and promote awareness and participation among guests and communities alike. Kalo’s journey from rescue to rewilding is one example of how Sun Siyam Care extends beyond hospitality, connecting responsible tourism with meaningful environmental and wildlife conservation impact.

“We are delighted to embark on the CarePhant project and become stewards of Kalo’s well-being. Sri Lanka’s elephants are not just a conservation issue; they are part of the living identity of this island, and we feel a genuine responsibility to play our part in protecting them,” said Arshed Refai, General Manager, Sun Siyam Pasikudah.

For Chaminda Upul Kumara, Sustainability Project Manager at Sun Siyam Resorts, the commitment reflects the deeper purpose of Sun Siyam Care. “Conservation is not a single moment. It is a process that requires patience and consistency. With Kalo, we committed to being part of that journey from rescue to release. Every month of support is an investment in his return to the wild,” said Upul.

In the month that marks World Wildlife Day, observed on 03rd March, Kalo’s story serves as a reminder that conservation is not abstract. It is individual. It is long term. And it depends on partnerships between public institutions and responsible private sector actors. In a landscape where habitat loss and human–elephant conflict continue to threaten Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population, sustained commitments like CarePhant demonstrate how responsible tourism can contribute to tangible, measurable conservation outcomes.

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, which holds Travelife Gold Certification and operates under the broader Sun Siyam Care sustainability framework, integrates conservation, local sourcing, and community engagement into its daily operations. The CarePhant project builds on that foundation by linking responsible hospitality directly to wildlife protection.

Three years from now, in 2029, Kalo is expected to walk beyond the protective boundaries of the Elephant Transit Home and into Udawalawe National Park as a young wild elephant. Every veterinary check, every month of nutritional support, and every bond formed within his herd brings him closer to that moment.

“When Kalo walks back into the forest in 2029, it will mark the completion of a journey that began in crisis but was sustained through commitment,” added Arshed Refai. “We are proud that Sun Siyam Care is part of that long-term promise.”

Until then, Kalo continues doing what young elephants at Ath Athuru Sevana are meant to do: growing, learning, and preparing quietly for a life in the wild.

Life style

Pakistan’s 86th National Day celebrated in Sri Lanka

Published

5 days ago

2026/03/29

Thilina Walpola

The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka celebrated the 86th National Day of Pakistan with traditional flavour and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant and progressive democratic welfare state.

The day commemorates a defining moment that led the foundation for the creation of Pakistan.

The ceremony commenced with the raising of their national flag, fluttering proudly against the morning sky, symbolising faith, unity and discipline, the ideals upon which the nation was built. Dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, community leaders and guests gathered in silence as the national anthem resonated creating an atmosphere charged with emotion and national pride .

Cultural elegance added a distinctive charm to the occasion, with traditional attire and warm exchanges reflecting the rich heritage of Pakistan. Guests were later invited to partake in light refreshments, providing an opportunity for cordial interacton and celebration.

Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Zunaira Latif unfurled the Pakistani flag to the tune of Pakistan’s national anthem in a ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission

The National Day of Pakistan is celebrated on 23rd March every year in remembrance of the historic 1940 resolution passed in Lahore, calling for a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.

Special messages by the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were readout, in which both the leaders highlighted the importance of the day and paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in her message on the occasion said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka continue to maintain their traditionally close and mutually beneficial relations, based on mutual respect and trust. She said that the strength of the Pakistan – Sri Lanka relationship lies in diversified engagement in many fields such as trade, defence, science, culture, and education. She also extended sincere greetings and best wishes on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to the government and people of Sri Lanka.