Life style

Chandi works for the unheard voice of innocent children

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/15

Chandi Aluwihare has come a long way since coming into the top ten at the Mrs. International pageant in 2016. She was recognized with the ‘Silpathom’ medal in Bangkok. for her war against child prostitution. A beauty queen with beauty and brains, she is highly involved working for the unheard voice of innocent children. Recognised as the global goodwill ambassador, she has a vociferous voice to make a positive impact in society ensuring social justice, social equity and human dignity. For those who have no parents, street children, war victims, and abused kids. “My focus is to protect the love and care of underprivilged chidren. A woman with courage, strength and commitment, Chandi Aluwihare believes in the axiom ‘Beauty is not skin deep’

by Zanita Careem

An introduction to your career

To say the least, at my younger days, I was floating between what I want and what I have. Like many college students I was utterly confused on what I want in life. This made me experiment in many different fields. Fashion, management, customer relation, travel and tourism, hospitality and service, publication were few. I don’t think I will ever be satisfied with what I do, as challengers excites me and if what I do is not challenging enough I am unable to remain interested. This put me in the threshold of the next paradigm of my career, to explore and execute new ideas that are ‘business disrupters’ to find that space to leverage my diverse yet interlocked experiences.

Your emowering single mothers is a very touching concept when did yous tart and why?

We all know that extreme poverty and lack of opportunities or of serious underlining problems, women are driven to the very edge of humane existence. The QUESTION is what is the future of their children?

I was passionate about empowering children, and spent many years with less privileged children, abused children, young mothers’ etc. one thing I learnt through my involvement with children was, that most of them came from broken families and the sole breadwinner is either the mother or it is a family with a single mother. On top of that the impact of financial hardship has a strong impact on psychological wellbeing of them as well as the children.

Being a mother myself, I can very well relate to the difficulties of being a single mother. This in fact was the reason I decided to find ways to strengthen their income sources, their abilities, their mindset, and last but not least their personality to stand on their own.

At this tragic moment where women are thrown out of employment sometimes they are the sole the bread winners. They juggle betweenhome and work. How can we overcome these problems?

This has being a social distress throughout that has no permanent solution. Unemployment with dependents can lead to isolation, anxiety, depression, paranoia, and even suicidal thoughts. When a woman become the primary financial provider, they feel the financial pressure in an undermining husband’s masculinity and in deepening conflicts between employment and mothering.

Having said that, the COVID-19 pandemic has a major threat to the working women. Social distancing, lockdowns sent unemployment rates skyrocketing and millions of jobs disappearing, economy is especially hard on working mothers. COVID-19 massive disruption to employment, childcare, and school routine has crippled the economy and pushed millions of women and families to the financial brink.

This moment provides an important opening to rethink how policy supports women’s roles as financial providers and parents.

Solutions should do more than provide temporary support to working mothers. While the role of women in our economy has shifted over the last 100 years, our systems have not similarly support them. The solutions should not exclusively focus on short term recovery, but long-lasting changes aim to close the wage gap, improve working conditions and family level options, better childcare system to the needs of the working mothers.

However, temporary fixes such as make work more accessible to woman, fund predictable work scheduling, guaranteed number of work hours, extended school-day or after school programs etc.

Your mode of success and your own moment

‘Success’ is a very powerful word, many of us. run behind it, most of us want to conquer it. While this is true, success includes all kinds of wealth.

For me, success is much more than the richer, power or fame, success is simply the satisfaction and happiness I get from leading a particular way of life.

I have always define my own concept of success rather than following someone else’s footsteps. Passion is where my heart and soul follows. The path to success is always challenging. We should build confidence and the last most important factor is discipline.

Success is a journey which continues even after the goal is achieved.

Do you think your mission of empowering women and children will goa long way? Will it be a challenge or a success?

Parenting is too important responsibility to bear alone, yet all too often single mothers are forced to do just that, but those living in poverty face plenty more. I believe that effective parenting leads to successful, well-adjusted children, we scaffolds families facing income loss, emotional trauma, and social deterioration as the result of divorce, abandonment, or widowhood. With a mission to “empower single mothers and their children by providing hope, support, and resources so families can become self-sustaining and thrive.”

“Financial independence is what single mothers struggle to achieve,” these women have virtually no savings and carry a heavy burden on their shoulder. We were working on a project to provide overall holistic development to these single mothers. The aim is to help achieve the concerns such as reduction of malnutrition and sicknesses, improvement of the living conditions, improvement in dressing, reduction of early marriages, improvement of school enrolment, skills development, and reduction of violence and strengthen their personalities.

This is indeed a challenge as we faced many obstacles down the road. We need the community to dedicate a few minutes, flex a few muscles and shed a few hundreds to be a part of the change. The change that these mothers and children stand next with pride and dignity as they too will hold financial independence.

What are your greatest strength and weaknesses?

I like to believe myself as a blessed and empowered woman thanks to my parents, my son and my partner. That has being my primary source of inspiration and confidence to look at this world with empathy and force of purpose.

My greatest strength is my desire and natural ability to create connections, to build strong relationships and bring together people to make a piercing impact for the betterment of the causes that I mentioned above.

My biggest weakness is also my greatest strength. I embrace my every dimple and curve with two scoops of ice cream and be the cherry on top. I will never call myself a survivor…. I am a warrior.

What are the challenges the single mothers face in our society and comparethem with women around the world

Compared to many other countries that has developed systematic support systems from social services for single parents and their children, countries like ours has minimum to none existing.

We required a National Action Plan so the single mothers in Sri Lanka will be better empowered to face their many challenges. The single mothers will definitely benefit from policies to fit their requirements in areas such as provision of adequate child care facilities, should they choose to work, and skills training to make them employable, just to name a few. The corporate and business establishments as well as the government organizations has a major leap of faith to come together.

Give a list of your achievements or titles you hold

Received the Women’s Excellence Award for the Women’s Day 2017

Presented the ‘Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights’ 2016

Presented with the ‘Global Goodwill Ambassador’ 2018

100 Successful Women in Business Honorees – Global Trade Chamber

Top 10 at the Mrs. International Pageant 2011. She was a member of the Sri Lanka National Basket Ball team winning National Colors for Basketball

The mantra you live by

Work hard, play hard and love hard.

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Life style

Beauty of Sri Lanka in focus: Global showcase blends art, diplomacy and conservation

Published

4 days ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

Ambassador Jovita Neliupsiene, Head of the EU Delegation to the US, and Mahinda Samarasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US, joined a special viewing of the exhibition

By Ifham Nizam

The sixth edition of the “Beauty of Sri Lanka” Photography Exhibition is set to unfold across North America this April, transforming the power of visual storytelling into a compelling platform for cultural diplomacy, environmental advocacy and nation branding.

Organised by the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society in collaboration with key diplomatic and institutional partners, including the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C., the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles and Toronto, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the exhibition will run from April 22 to May 4 across Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and Washington, D.C.

Held in conjunction with Earth Day, the exhibition continues to evolve as a globally recognised initiative that brings together art, conservation and international engagement. What began as a photography showcase has now matured into a dynamic soft-power platform that tells Sri Lanka’s story to the world—through its landscapes, biodiversity, and deeply rooted cultural heritage.

Photographers from Sri Lanka at Nigara State Park

The 2026 tour will feature prestigious venues that reflect its growing international stature. These include the iconic Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International, Metro Hall in Toronto—marking the exhibition’s debut in Canada—the Permanent Mission in New York, and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C., as part of the widely celebrated Passport D.C. event. Each venue represents not only a geographic expansion but also a widening of the exhibition’s global audience and influence.

Exhibition

At its heart, “Beauty of Sri Lanka” is a vivid narrative of a nation’s natural and cultural wealth. From the mist-covered central highlands and pristine coastal belts to dense rainforests teeming with endemic wildlife, the exhibition captures Sri Lanka’s ecological richness through the lenses of talented photographers. These images serve as both an invitation to explore and a reminder of the urgent need to protect fragile ecosystems.

This year’s programme takes a significant step further by integrating real-world environmental action. The “ReTree Los Angeles” initiative, launched in line with Earth Day, focuses on tree planting, urban restoration and community engagement. It also includes a children’s painting competition aimed at fostering environmental awareness among the younger generation. Organisers believe that nurturing creativity at an early age can instil a lifelong commitment to conservation.

Adding a scientific dimension to the event, Dr. Sarath Gunapala will deliver the keynote address on “The Journey of Infrared Photography,” exploring how advanced imaging techniques can reveal unseen dimensions of the natural world. His participation highlights the exhibition’s interdisciplinary approach, where art meets science to deepen understanding and appreciation.

The exhibition will also feature a vibrant cultural segment designed to immerse international audiences in Sri Lanka’s living traditions. A carefully curated lineup of performances—including the sacred Wes Pooja, the dramatic Naga Raksha mask dance, the rhythmic Thelme ritual dance and the light-hearted Salu Paliya—will bring to life the island’s folklore, rituals and performing arts heritage. These performances are expected to add colour, rhythm and emotional depth to the visual experience offered by the photographic displays.

ASPAS President Suria Perera emphasised that the exhibition is more than a display of images. “It is a celebration of Sri Lanka’s identity—its natural beauty, its cultural vibrancy, and its responsibility to future generations,” she said. “Through photography and community engagement, we aim to inspire a deeper connection between people and the environment.”

Over the years, the exhibition has drawn a diverse audience, including diplomats, policymakers, conservationists, art collectors and members of the Sri Lankan diaspora. Its ability to connect these varied groups underscores its role as a bridge between cultures, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding while strengthening Sri Lanka’s global presence.

The continued support of diplomatic missions, cultural institutions and tourism authorities has been instrumental in elevating the exhibition’s profile. Their collaboration reinforces the role of art as a powerful tool in shaping perceptions, building partnerships and promoting sustainable tourism.

As the 2026 edition prepares to open its doors, “Beauty of Sri Lanka” stands as a testament to the island nation’s enduring appeal and its commitment to conservation. It is not merely an exhibition, but a movement—one that celebrates beauty, inspires responsibility and connects Sri Lanka to the world through the universal language of art.

Life style

Vibrant celebration of tradition and togetherness

Published

4 days ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

This holiday season, City of Dreams Sri Lanka invites guests to step into the heart of a truly Sri Lankan celebration with Signature Avurudu—a four-day cultural experience taking place.

Blending time-honoured traditions with contemporary flair, the festivities promise to capture the spirit of the Aluth Avurudda (Sinhala and Tamil New Year) in all its colour, rhythm, and warmth. From the moment guests arrive, they will be welcomed into a space transformed with festive décor, echoing the charm of a village celebrations brought to life in the city.

At the centre of the celebration is the Pahan Pujava, a symbolic lamp lighting ceremony led by the management, setting a tone of unity, prosperity, and new beginnings. This meaningful ritual reflects the essence of the New Year—a time to pause, reflect, and step into the new year with hope and positivity.

Throughout the four days, guests can experience the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka through a series of traditional performances. The rhythmic beats of raban and drums, alongside vibrant dance acts, will fill the air, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and celebratory. Adding to the experience are elegantly dressed Sri Lankan hostesses, offering a warm, authentic welcome that embodies the island’s renowned hospitality.

No Avurudu celebration is complete without its flavours, and City of Dreams Sri Lanka delivers a feast to remember. Guests can indulge in an array of traditional sweets and savouries, alongside curated Avurudu-themed buffets and creative beverages inspired by local ingredients. Passing canapés and festive treats ensure there is something to enjoy at every turn—whether you’re reminiscing over childhood favourites or discovering new twists on beloved classics.

Designed as a celebration for all, Signature Avurudu brings together families, friends, and visitors from around the world to share in the joy of the season. It is a reminder that Avurudu is more than a festival—it is a feeling of togetherness, renewal, and shared happiness.

This April, celebrate the sights, sounds, and tastes of Avurudu at City of Dreams Sri Lanka—where tradition meets modern celebration, and every moment feels like home.

Life style

Thomian sailors secure many medals in India

Published

4 days ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

Thomian sailors witj official

Students of S. Thomas’ College recently demonstrated commendable performance at two international sailing events held in India: the inaugural Indian Sailing Regatta and the 4th North-East Regatta. Both events featured participation from foreign teams, including Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, Russia, Great Britain, South Korea, Singapore, and India.

The inaugural Indian Sailing League (ISL), held at Umiam Lake, Shillong, India, marked a significant milestone in the sport and was prominently featured in The Times of India. The ISL is a first-of-its-kind franchise-based sailing league, bringing together 14 teams, 182 sailors, and 58 international participants from eight countries.

The ISL follows a concept similar to the Cricket Indian Premier League, where top sailors are “bid” and selected into franchise teams representing different regions. The competition introduced an innovative team-based format in which the best sailor from each team in each category competed, combining multiple race formats such as fleet racing, team racing, marathon races, and rig-and-race challenges. This pioneering structure, widely regarded as a first in global sailing history, has significantly enhanced the spectator appeal and competitive depth of the sport, while promoting youth, women, and high-performance sailing on a single platform.

At the first Indian Sailing Regatta, in the Boys’ Optimist category, Haren Wickramatillake secured 3rd place and was also awarded a special medal for his courage during the rig and race event. Dhiren Perera achieved 3rd place in the rig and race event alongside his team member.

At the 4th North-East Regatta, performances continued to be noteworthy. In the Main Optimist Boys category, Haren Wickramatillake was placed 6th, while Shem Fernando secured 19th place out of 32 participants. In the Junior Green Fleet Optimist Boys category, Anuruth Tennakoon achieved 2nd place and Dhiren Perera was placed 4th out of 10 participants. In the ILCA 4 Boys category, Akaine Ubayasiri was placed 11th out of 22 participants.

These achievements highlight the high level of skill, determination, and sportsmanship demonstrated by the young sailors, while also reflecting Sri Lanka’s strong presence in an emerging and globally significant sailing platform.

Upcoming international sailing events, featuring students of S. Thomas’ College, include the Asian Beach Games 2026, to be held in China ,in April 2026, and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) competition, scheduled to take place at Port City, in Sri Lanka, in December 2026. These events will provide valuable international exposure and further opportunities for the young college sailors to compete at a high level.