Life style
From ‘nobody’s child’ to somebody’s child
‘The Probable Age Certificate’ (PAC) issued to children without a birth certificate for lack of key information required for its issue often means discrimination and social stigma despite the PAC’s legal validity. In a bid to renew discussion on this social dilemma and find more socially acceptable alternatives at policy-making level, we spoke to multiple stakeholders including those who had left care homes and have been at the receiving end of the consequences.
by Randima Attygalle
Dhanushka Kumara Jayaratne was rejected by several leading schools when seeking Grade One admission on the grounds of his holding a ‘Probable Age Certificate’ as opposed to a Birth Certificate. When he was finally admitted to a school, he was shut out of cultural events and sport competitions at various levels on the basis that he had no ‘proper birth certificate’. When applying for his national identity card and travel visas on several occasions, bottlenecks were many. One of the main problems was that the probable age certificate (PAC) did not specify any guardian in the absence of names of parents.
Today a 31-year-old executive, Dhanushka gives leadership to the ‘Generation Never Give up Network’ (GNGN), an initiative of the SOS Children’s Villages, Sri Lanka which advocates the causes of care leavers (children leaving child care institutions at 18 years). Lobbying for a more socially acceptable form of a birth certificate in place of the PAC is one of the top priorities of this collective.
“PAC often leads to discrimination and stigmatization due to its format,” observes this young man pushing for a more ‘dignified’ birth certificate with ‘better terminology’ and provisions for ‘guardians’ that could either be an individual or a child care institute. “The issue was taken up by the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Children a couple of years ago and was discussed for a while but unfortunately no solution was tabled,” notes Danushka who hopes to renew the dialogue among relevant partners through the GNGN initiative.
“The probable age certificate of mine is nothing but a piece of paper with some dotted lines claiming that I was born within such a time frame. It is very humiliating to produce this piece of paper for government exams, employment etc,” says Nirmala Niroshini. Recollecting the emotionally traumatizing moments when she was viewed almost as an ‘abnormal’ individual on the basis of her PAC, Nirmala urges the authorities to revise its present format and enable a more acceptable document. She also proposes that an endorsement on the PAC by the Registrar General’s Department to make it as good as a normal birth certificate for official purposes. “It was an uphill task for me to get my NIC. I had to submit so many supporting documents verifying the legality of my PAC to convince the authorities. Finding employment was another battle,” says Nirmala, who is today employed as a clerical staffer at a dental clinic.
Current regulations
The Registrar General’s Department makes provisions to obtain a PAC for children who are in homes approved by the government, children who are not in such homes and even adults. Statistics on the exact number of children presently holding PACs in the country however remain unclear.
The PAC is issued to individuals (children as well as adults) who cannot be granted a ‘birth certificate’ due to lack of key information required for the latter. “This includes the absence of an exact date of birth or even the mother’s name. To issue a birth certificate, an informant is required and if the informant (who is often an authority from a child care institute in case of children under 14 years) cannot furnish the information required, providing a birth certificate would become difficult,” admits the Senior Deputy Registrar General G.A.L.D. Ganepola.
The Establishment Code and the Public Administration Circular 26/1995 provide for the acceptance of the PAC. The Public Administration Circular 26/1995 states that PAC ‘is acceptable for the purpose of confirmation of name and date of birth of persons.’
“Probable age certificate is a legitimate legal document which should be accepted by all agencies although in reality it doesn’t happen largely due to ignorance of the regulations,” notes Ganepola. Increased public awareness on this matter with wide media coverage is necessary for this, says the official. A unique ID number at birth is another alternative proposed by the Senior Deputy Registrar General which could be used for all administrative purposes including school admission, admission into children’s homes etc.
Social stigma
Despite the law recognizing all individuals to be treated equally regardless of any complications pertaining to their birth, children with the PAC are discriminated and stigmatized from all directions in society when they sit for government exams, apply for jobs, universitiy admission, competitive sports and government benefits, says Divakar Ratnadurai, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka.
Out of 900 children currently living in SOS villages, around 300 have PACs. Also, many who have left the homes are similarly burdened. Lobbying for the reintroduction of the Extract (a shorter version of the birth certificate) with certain modifications enabling practical options where the required information is not available is a possible solution says Ratnadurai. This Extract which was once available was discontinued in the 1970s.
Constraints in obtaining basic information of destitute children is another bottleneck which has led to certain children receiving the PAC instead of a birth certificate, he points out. “Sometimes children are enrolled in care homes without basic information and care givers are faced with difficulties searching for this information.”
Ratnadurai proposes several measures to raise awareness among multiple stakeholders including school authorities to eliminate discrimination. Establishing a special unit in the Department of Probation and Child Care Services to provide continuous awareness on the PAC; lobbying policy makers and administrators for the ‘Extract’ to be given legal recognition etc. are among the correctional proposals made to make life easier for those carrying this burden.
Sensitizing stakeholders
Proposing a probable ‘birth’ certificate replacing the present probable age certificate, Commissioner, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, Chandima Sigera calls for sensitizing the stakeholders at every level including education authorities, other government officials, private sector and the community at large on this issue. In the best interest of children moving for a more socially acceptable form of identity which wouild eliminate dicrimination is urgent says the Commissioner who alludes to the fundamental rights of ‘non discrimination’ and and ‘best interest’ of children upheld in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Determining the age of a child
The current regulations require for a medical certificate estimating the age of the child (probable age) to be submitted to the Registrar General’s Department to obtain a probable age certificate. This is issued by a JMO who collaborates with other specialists.
“In estimating the age of a child, factors such as development of teeth and bones are taken into account. If there is any other medical evidence such as a diagnosis card, we take it into consideration as well,” explains the Consultant JMO, Dr. Uthpala Attygalle. Once the probable time frame of birth is established, the applicant’s date of birth is recorded either as January 1 or July 1, depending on each case.
A vicious cycle
Care leavers sadly become victims of a vicious cycle points out Prabodhini Munasinghe Wickrematunga, Attorney-at-Law with special interest in gender issues. “When women are unable to care for them, children are abandoned. Often the mother is unable to reveal the identity of the father because the pregnancy is a result of rape, sometimes by a relative.
Most employers know nothing about PACs making it difficult for their holders to find decent work and sometimes out of sheer desperation are driven to prostitution. This vulnerability exposes them to risks both in terms of health and security.
Uncertain identity arising as a result of not having a birth certificate which is regarded as an essential document can lead to many negative emotions, explains Dr. Neil Fernando, Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer from the Kotelawala Defence University. “Uncertainty frequently brings with it unpredictability which reduces the mental well being and frequently acts as a stress factor. Long term stress is a predisposing factor in causing many non-communicable diseases which include heart disease and diabetes,” he said. Feelings of alienation from the community can lead to social isolation and depression, he added.
In a country where creative pursuits are often treated as indulgences rather than vocations, Saman Halloluwa’s journey stands apart — carved patiently through brushstrokes, framed through a camera lens, and articulated through the written word. Painter, wildlife and nature photographer, and independent environmental journalist, Halloluwa inhabits a rare space where art, ecology and social responsibility converge.
His relationship with art began not in galleries or exhibitions, but in a classroom. From his school days, drawing was not simply a subject but an instinct — a language through which he learned to observe, interpret and respond to the world around him. Under the guidance of two dedicated mentors, Ariyaratne Guru Mahathaya and Gunathilaka Guru Mahathaya, he honed both skill and discipline. Those early lessons laid the foundation for a lifelong engagement with visual storytelling.
“His work navigates between traditional Sinhala artistic sensibilities, abstract compositions and expansive landscapes.”
That commitment eventually materialised in two solo art exhibitions. The first, held in 2012, marked his formal entry into Sri Lanka’s art scene. The second, staged in Colombo in 2024, was a more mature statement — both in content and confidence. Featuring nearly fifty paintings, the exhibition drew an encouraging public response and reaffirmed his place as an artist with a distinct visual voice.
His work navigates between traditional Sinhala artistic sensibilities, abstract compositions and expansive landscapes. There is restraint in his use of form and colour, and an underlying dialogue between memory and space. Yet, despite positive reception, Halloluwa speaks candidly about the structural challenges faced by artists in Sri Lanka. Recognition remains limited; fair valuation even rarer.
“This is not merely an artistic issue,” he observes. “It is a social and economic problem.”
In Sri Lanka, art is often viewed through the lens of affordability rather than artistic merit. Many approach a painting by first calculating the contents of their wallet, not the value of the idea or labour behind it. In contrast, he notes, art in Europe and many other regions is treated as cultural capital — an investment in identity, history and thought. Until this mindset shifts, local artists will continue to struggle for sustainability.
The decisive push toward wildlife photography came from Professor Pujitha Wickramasinghe, a close friend who recognised both Halloluwa’s observational skills and his affinity with nature. From there, the journey deepened under the mentorship of senior wildlife photographer Ravindra Siriwardena.
Both mentors, he insists, deserve acknowledgment not merely as teachers but as ethical compasses. In a field increasingly driven by competition and spectacle, such grounding is invaluable.
Saman Halloluwa
Wildlife photography, Halloluwa argues, is among the most demanding visual disciplines. It cannot be improvised or rushed. “This is an art that demands restraint,” he says.
Among all subjects, elephants hold a special place in his work. Photographing elephants is not merely about proximity or scale, but about understanding behaviour. Observing social patterns, movement, mood and interaction transforms elephant photography into a constantly evolving challenge. It is precisely this complexity that draws him repeatedly to them.
Halloluwa is cautiously optimistic about the current surge of interest in wildlife photography among Sri Lankan youth. Opportunities have expanded, with local and international competitions, exhibitions and platforms becoming more accessible. However, he issues a clear warning: passion alone is not enough
Sri Lanka, he believes, is uniquely positioned in the global nature photography landscape. Few countries offer such concentrated biodiversity within a compact geographical area. This privilege, however, carries responsibility. Nature photography should not merely aestheticise wildlife, but foster respect, aware ness and conservation.
Parallel to his visual work runs another equally significant pursuit — environmental journalism. For the past seven to eight years, Halloluwa has worked as an independent environmental journalist, giving voice to ecological issues often sidelined in mainstream discourse. His entry into the field was guided by Thusara Gunaratne, whose encouragement he acknowledges with gratitude.
An old boy of D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo, Halloluwa holds a Diploma in Writing and Journalism from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and has completed journalism studies at the Sri Lanka Press Institute. He is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Wildlife Management and Conservation at the Open University of Sri Lanka — a testament to his belief that learning must remain continuous, especially in a rapidly changing ecological landscape.
Outside his professional life, he enjoys cricket, rugby and badminton. Yet even leisure intersects with responsibility. He is a founding member and former president of the D.S. Senanayake College Old Boys’ Wildlife Forum, an active member of Wild Tuskers Sri Lanka, and a contributor to several independent environmental and wildlife volunteer organisations. In an era dominated by speed, spectacle and short attention spans, Saman Halloluwa’s journey unfolds differently. It is deliberate, reflective and rooted in values. Through art, he captures memory and form. Through photography, he frames life beyond human control. Through journalism, he asks uncomfortable but necessary questions.
“What I do, what I love” is not fashion here.
It is conviction — patiently lived, quietly asserted, and urgently needed in a country still learning how to value its artists, its environment and its truth.
By Ifham Nizam ✍️
Ramani Fernando Sunsilk Hair and Beauty Academy
Ramani Fernando Sunsilk Hair and Beauty Academy marked their graduation of their latest cohort of aspiring hair professionals in a ceremony held at Kingsbury Hotel.
Senaka de Silva, creative force behind Ramani’s shows
For over two decades, the Ramani Fernando Sunsilk Hair and Beauty Academy has stood as a beacon of excellence in beauty education in Sri Lanka. Founded by industry icon Ramani Fernando, the Academy has built a reputation for producing highly skilled professionals who go on to make their mark in salons, both locally and internationally. As the newly minted graduates step out into the world, they carry forward not just certificates, but also the promise of creative authority and personal empowerment.
The chief guest for the occasion was Rosy Senanayake, a long-standing supporter of the Academy’s mission. Addressing the graduates her message echoed her enduring belief that the beauty industry is not merely about aesthetic but about. confidence, self-worth and future leaders.
Over months of rigorous training, these young professionals honed their skills in cutting colouring, styling and contemporary artistry readying themselves to set trends rather than follow them.
Each graduate walked the stage with confidence, their dedication signalling a promising future for Sri Lanka’s beauty and fashion industry! With this new generation of stylists preparing to raise the standard of professional hairstyling.
Ramani Fernando, addressing the audience reflected on the academy’s mission to cultivate not only skills but vision and confidence in every student.
She urged the graduates to embrace continuous learning to take risks with creativity .The world of beauty is ever evolving, stay curious, stay bold and never underestimate the power of your talent, she added emphasising the importance of confidence, discipline and passion in carving a successful career in shaping the future of style.
These graduates are stepping into a world of endless possibilities. They are future of the country, who will carry a forward legacy of creativity. Behind every successful graduate at Sun silk Hair Academy stands a team dedicated to excellence. While Ramani Fernando serves as a visionary Principal and it is Lucky Lenagala, her trusted person who ensures that the academy runs seemingly.
From overseeing training sessions to guiding students, through hands on practice, Lucky plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of hairstylists.
Kumara de Silva, who has been the official compere Ramani’s, Hair graduation ceremony, from inception has brought energy, poise and professionalism. The Sunsilk Hair Academy is a celebration of talent and mentor ship for the graduates stepping confidentially into the next chapter of their careers, ready to make their mark on Sri Lanka beauty landscape
A moment of pride Ramani with chief guest Rosy Senanayake
Statement in style
Gliding in romance and sophistication
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
By Zanita Careem ✍️
During this season, Romesh Atapattu’s Capello Salon buzzes with a unique energy – a blend of festive excitement and elegance. Clients arrive with visions of holiday parties, office soirees, seeking looks that capture both glamour and individuality. The salon itself mirrors this celebrity mood. Warm lights, tasteful festive décor create an atmosphere where beauty and confidence flourish.
Romesh Atapattu himself curates the festive décor, infusing the space with his signature sense of style. His personal eye ensures that the décor complements the salon’s modern interiors.
As Colombo slips effortlessly into its most glamorous time of year, the Christmas season brings with it more than twinkling lights and celebrity soirees – it signals a transformation season at salons across the city. Capello salons are no exception.
At the heart of this festive beauty movement is Romesh Atapattu of Capello salons, a name synonymous with refined hair artistry, modern elegance and personalised style.
Christmas is about confidence and celebration. Romesh believes ‘People want to look their best without losing who they are”. Our role is to enhance, not overpower. This philosophy is evident in the salon’s seasonal approach.
Beyond trends, what sets Atapattu apart is the attention to individuality. Each consultation is treated as a creative collaboration – face shape, lifestyle, hair texture and personal style all play a role in creating the best for Romesh.
Stepping into Romesh’s salon during the Christmas season is an experience in itself. The space hums with festive energy while maintaining an atmosphere of calm sophistication.
The décor embraces the Christmas spirit with understated elegance. Tastefully adorned décor, beautiful Xmas tree, soft gold and ivory tones, and gentle hints of red are woven seamlessly into the salon’s contemporary design.
His staff, known for their warmth and professionalism also plays a key role in shaping the salon’s atmosphere—friendly, stylish and always welcoming. The Capello staff combine skill and creativity to deliver results that have a lasting impression.
Beyond trends, what sets Romesh Atapattu apart is the attention to individuality. Each consultation is treated as a creative collaboration – face shape, lifestyle, hair texture and personal style all play a role.
He is a professional who blends technical mastery with a deeply personal approach to style. His dedicated team of skilled professionals, operate with quiet confidence ensuring styles that create an atmosphere of trust, turning every appointment into a personalised and memorable experience.
(ZC) ✍️
Pic by Rohan Herath
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