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

Celebration of taste, culture and elegance

Published

5 days ago

2025/12/7

Thilina Walpola

Ambassador Damiano, Jagatheeswaran, Barbara Troila and Ambassador of Vietnam, Trinh Thi Tam

Italian Cuisine Week

This year’s edition of Italian Cuisine Week in Sri Lanka unfolded with unmistakable charm, elegance and flavour as the Italian Embassy introduced a theme that captured the very soul of Italian social life ‘Apertivo and’ Stuzzichini’ This year’s celebration brought together diplomats, food lovers, chefs and Colombo’s society crowd for an evening filled with authenticity, refinement and the unmistakable charm of Italian hospitality.

Hosted at the Italian ambassador’s Residence in Colombo, the evening brought Italy’s golden hour ritual to life, embracing the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality and sophistication of Colombo social scene.

The ambience at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, effortlessly refined, evoked the timeless elegance of Milanese evening culture where ‘Apertivo’ is not just a drink , but a moment of pause, connection and pleasure. Guests were greeted with the aromas of apertivo classics and artisanal stuzzichini,curated specially for this edition. From rustic regional flavours to contemporary interpretations the embassy ‘s tables paid homage to Italy’s diverse culinary landscape.

, Italy’s small bites meant to tempt the palate before meal. Visiting Italian chefs worked alongside Colombo’s leading culinary teams to curate a menu that showcased regional authenticity though elegant bite sized creations. The Italian Ambassador of Italy in Sri Damiano Francovigh welcomed guests with heartfelt remarks on the significant of the theme, highlighting how “Apertivo”embodies the essence of Italy’s culinary identity, simple, social and rooted in tradition.

Sri Lanka’s participation in Italian Cuisine Week for ten consecutive years stands as a testament to the friendship between the two countries. This year focus on ‘Apertivo’ and ‘Stuzzichini’ added a fresh, dimension to that relationship, one that emphasised not only flavours, but shaped cultural values of hospitality, family and warmth. This year’s ‘Apertivo’ and “Stuzzichini’ theme brought a refreshing twist to Italian Cuisine Week. It reminded Sri Lankan guests t hat sometimes the most memorable culinary experiences come not from elaborate feasts but from the simplicity of serving small plates with good company.

Italian Cuisine Week 2025 in Sri Lanka may have showcased flavours, but more importantly it showcased connection and in the warm glow of Colombo’s evening Apertivo came alive not just as an Italian tradition.

(Pix by Dharmasena Wellipitiya)

By Zanita Careem

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is one of the longest-running thematic reviews promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Founded in 2016 to carry forward the themes of Expo Milano 2015—quality, sustainability, food

safety, territory, biodiversity, identity, and education—the event annually showcases the excellence and global reach of Italy’s food and wine sector.

Since its inauguration, the Week has been celebrated with over 10,000 events in more than 100 countries, ranging from tastings, show cooking and masterclasses to seminars, conferences, exhibitions and business events, with a major inaugural event hosted annually in Rome at the Farnesina, the HQ of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The 10th edition of the Italian Cuisine Week in the World.

In 2025, the Italian Cuisine Week in the World reaches its tenth edition.

The theme chosen for this anniversary is “Italian cuisine between culture, health and innovation.”

This edition highlights Italian cuisine as a mosaic of knowledge and values, where each tile reflects a story about the relationship with food.

The initiatives of the 10th Edition aim to:

promote understanding of Italian cuisine, also in the context of its candidacy for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage;

demonstrate how Italian cuisine represents a healthy, balanced, and sustainable food model, supporting the prevention of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes;

emphasize the innovation and research that characterize every stage of the Italian food chain, from production to processing, packaging, distribution, consumption, reuse, and recycling

The following leading hotels in Colombo Amari Colombo, Cinnamon Life, ITC Ratnadipa and The Kingsbury join in the celebration by hosting Italian chefs throughout the Week.

Jesudas, chef Collavini,Travis Casather and Mahinda Wijeratne

Barbara Troila and Italian Ambassador Damiano F rancovigh

Janaka Fonseka and Rasika Fonseka

Mayor Balthazar and Ambassador of Vietnam,Trinh Thi Tam

Anika Williamson

Alberto Arcidiacono and Amber Dhabalia

Thrilakshi Gaveesha

Dasantha Fonseka and Kumari Fonseka

Life style

Ethical beauty takes centre stage

Published

5 days ago

2025/12/7

Thilina Walpola

Body Shop team

The Body Shop marked a radiant new chapter in Sri Lanka with the opening of its boutique at One Galle Face Mall, an event that blended conscious beauty, festive sparkle and lifestyle elegance. British born and globally loved beauty brand celebrates ten successful years in Sri lanka with the launch of its new store at the One Galle Face Mall. The event carried an added touch of prestige as the British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick to Sri Lanka attended as the Guest of honour.

His participation elevated the event highlighting the brand’s global influence and underscored the strong UK- Sri Lanka connection behind the Body Shop’s global heritage and ethical values.

Chief guest British Ambassador Andrew Patrick at the Body Shop

Celebrating ten years of the Brand’s presence in the country, the launch became a true milestone in Colombo’s evolving beauty landscape.

Also present were the Body Shop Sri Lanka Director, Kosala Rohana Wickramasinghe, Shriti malhotra, Executive chairperson,Quest Retail.The Body shop South Asia and Vishal Chaturvedi , Chief Revenue Officer-The Body South Asia The boutique showcased the brand’s

complete range from refreshing Tea Tree skin care to the iconic body butters to hair care essentials each product enhancing the Body Shop’s values of cruelty ,fair trade formulation, fair trade ingredients and environmentally mindful packaging.

The store opening also unveiled the much anticipated festive season collection.

With its elegant atmosphere, engaging product experiences and the distinguished present of the British High Commissioner, it was an evening that blended glamour with conscience With its fresh inviting space at Colombo’ premier mall, the Body Shop begins a a new decade of inspiring Sri Lankan consumers to choose greener beauty.

Life style

Ladies’ Night lights up Riyadh

Published

5 days ago

2025/12/7

Thilina Walpola

Queens of grace

The Cultural Forum of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia brought back Ladies’ Night 2025 on November 7 at the Holiday Inn Al Qasr Hotel. After a hiatus of thirteen years, Riyadh shimmered once again as Ladies’ Night returned – an elegant celebration revived under the chairperson Manel Gamage and her team. The chief guest for the occasion was Azmiya Ameer Ajwad, spouse of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to K. S. A. There were other dignitaries too.

The show stopper was Lisara Fernando finalist from the voice Sri Lankan Seasons, wowed the crowd with her stunning performances. The excitement continued with a lively beauty pageant, where Ilham Shamara Azhar was crowned the beauty queen of the night. Thanks to a thrilling raffle draw, many lucky guests walked away with fabulous prizes, courtesy of generous sponsors.

The evening unfolded with a sense of renewal, empowerment and refined glamour drawing together the women for a night that was both historic and beautifully intimate. From dazzling couture to modern abayas, from soft light installation to curated entertainment, the night carried the unmistakable energy.

Once a cherished annual tradition, Ladies’ Night had long held a special space in Riyadh’s cultural calendar. But due to Covid this event was not held until this year in November. This year it started with a bang. After years Ladies’ Night returned bringing with a burst of colour, confidence and long-awaited camaraderie.

It became a symbol of renewal. This year began with a vibrant surge of energy. The decor blended soft elegance with modern modernity cascading its warm ambient lighting and shimmering accents that turned the venue into a chic, feminine oasis, curated by Shamila Abusally, Praveen Jayasinghe and Hasani Weerarathne setting the perfect atmosphere while compères Rashmi Fernando and Gayan Wijeratne kept the energy high and kept the guests on their toes making the night feel intimate yet grand.

Conversations flowed as freely as laughter. Women from different backgrounds, nationalities and professions came together united by an unspoken bond of joy and renewal. Ladies’ Night reflected a broader narrative of change. Riyadh today is confidently evolving and culturally dynamic.

The event celebrated was honouring traditions while empowering international flair.

As the night drew to a close, there was a shared sense that this event was only the beginning. The applause, the smiles, the sparkles in the air, all hinted at an event that is set to redeem its annual place with renewed purpose in the future. Manel Gamage and her team’s Ladies’ Night in Riyadh became more than a social occasion. It became an emblem of elegance, and reflected a vibrant new chapter of Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Thanks to Nihal Gamage and Nirone Disanayake, too, Ladies’ night proved to be more than event,it was a triumphant celebration of community, culture and an unstoppable spirit of Sr Lankan women in Riyadh

In every smile shared every dance step taken and every moment owned unapologetically Sr Lankan women in Riyadh continue to show unstoppable. Ladies’ Night is simply the spotlight that will shine forever .This night proved to be more than an event, it was a triumphant celebration of community, culture and the unstoppable spirit of Sri Lankan women in Riyadh.

In every smile shared, every dance steps taken and every moment owned unapologetically Sri Lankan women in Riyadh continue to show that their spirit is unstoppable. Ladies’ Night was simply the spotlight and the night closed on a note of pride!