Features

On education and schools

Published

11 months ago

2025/02/10

Thilina Walpola

A representational image. (Courtesy Sri Lanka Foundation)

by Usvatte-aratchi

Two thoughtful short essays on schools and education appeared in The Island newspaper on January 20th and 21st. The first was written by Lokubandara Tillakaratne, and the second by Mahendran Thiruvarangan of the Department of Linguistics and English at the University of Jaffna. Both urged reforms in the systems in Sri Lanka. Thiruvarangan’s essay was more abstract and global in perspective. Tillekartane examined the structure of schools in Sri Lanka.

Thiruvarangan explicitly set out to examine the relationship between ‘school leavers and the job market’; he proceeded to observe this relationship from a global perspective; obiter dicta, he emphasized the value of ‘the humanities and social sciences’ in university education to enable, among other things, students to resist the hegemonies of global capitalism’. Neither of them had any numbers in their essays. Neither referred to the systematic empirical information on these subjects, which is widely available.

I will first deal with Tiruvaragan’s essay. He started with observations about ‘… the global south and its working classes (who) are pushed to experiencing extreme forms of vulnerability’. That assertion is worth examining in light of developments in the last 30 years or so, especially in this part of the world. We have seen a spectacular rise in living conditions of more than a billion in one short generation in China and India.

A generation before that, a large swath of people in Japan, Korea, Taiwan (China), and Malaysia emerged from poverty and are now among the affluent. Consequently, that part of Asia now contains the second (Japan), third (China) and fourth (India) leading economies in the world and contain about 45% of the world’s population. Indonesia may be hard by their heels. In Africa, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Rwanda and some others have done well during the last 30 years or so.

Those goals were all achieved by joining ‘the globalized labour force for the (mostly) private sector’. The lives of those who rose from poverty have been made less vulnerable as one can see in the changes in the consumption goods baskets of these people. They all have begun to consume more protein. Sri Lanka was a striking exception that failed to participate in that spate of rapid economic growth during the last 50 years and more. Our entrepreneurs failed to join the world supply chains in the burgeoning production of and trade in electronic goods. An infatuation with the imagined greatness of our past consumed government policies, forgetting that we live in the present and will live in the future; it is sheer vanity to search for lost time.

Thiruvarangan supports the claim for teaching and research in the humanities and the social sciences. This is a part of a larger debate spread among academics and others in most parts of the world. The relationship between universities and the economy and society was rapidly transformed in the latter half of the 19th century. From an institution that the church dominated, universities became partners in innovations in the economy and in the formation of economic and social policies. Germany led the way. In the words of the official historian of Cambridge University, it changed ‘… from a provincial seminary (in 1870) to … (a university) teaching disciplines almost past counting and of high international fame in many of them.’ There were five clusters of great inventions in the second half of the 19th century that transformed people’s lives, wherever, forever.

The first was electricity and the electric motor; the second, the internal combustion engine; the third., petroleum and natural gas and the production of plastics; (In early 20th century, Sir Wiiliam Hardy, who made important contributions in both chemistry and physics, advised young Joseph Needham that the future lay in ‘atoms and molecules, atoms and molecules, my boy’.); the fourth, in entertainment and communications and the last in running water, indoor plumbing and urban sanitation structures. These inventions which contributed to the marked continued rise in living standards worldwide (A few years ago, Prime Minister Modi announced to the General Assembly of the United Nations that his government had built 112 million toilets in his country) did not come from universities but were the output inspired skilled craftsmen.

During the period 1850 to 1900, teaching and research in natural and social sciences became common, in Germany, the US and the UK. In Cambridge, the Natural Sciences Tripos was established in 1851 and the Mechanical Tripos in 1894. The Economics Tripos examination was first held in 1905 with 10 students. Meanwhile, universities came into people’s lives more forcefully. Across the Atlantic, the Merrill Acts of 1862 and 1864 had started Land Grant Colleges in individual states. John Bascom, President of Wisconsin University, pledged, in1887, that (the university) would contribute to the work of social advancement by encouraging a more organic connection between its activities and community needs.

In 1892 Richard T. Ely (who founded the American Economic Review) started the School of Economics, Political Science and History making the university more of a ‘service station’ for the society it served. Way off in the North Pacific, the Imperial University of Japan was opened in Tokyo in 1887. Over the years, it has been a major institution in Japan’s economic and social development. These links between the university and the economy and society grew far closer, a hundred years later when universities became incubation chambers for new industries and enterprises. Universities began teaching politics (not simply the Plato-Aristotle variety) and government and business administration. As I remarked in the J. E. Jayasuriya Lecture in 2004, Sarasvati had met Lakshmi in universities. (This year, Professor Panduka Karunanayake of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo will deliver the lecture on February 14 at the SLFI auditorium.)

That long harangue was to bring home the point that universities, industry, and society have drawn closely together because mathematics, natural sciences, economics, and social studies in universities have become integral to the working and development of modern societies. That connection is weak in those societies where the structure of the economy still does not need the services usually provided by universities to industry and services in rich countries. Once the need for school teachers is satisfied (as in Sri Lanka), the demand for university graduates in the humanities will fall and the demand for graduates in science and technology rise, when industries develop. Hence the voluble demand from School Development Officers to be appointed as teachers, in a situation where the student: teacher ratio is as low (good) as 18. Recently, the Arab countries (Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain), flush with funds from the sale of plentiful petroleum at monopoly prices, opened some universities, all for science, technology and management. In general, universities have followed changes in economies and societies.

In as much as church and religion were integral parts of the lives of people in medieval societies, science and technology are integral parts of people’s lives in modern societies. One switches off a light and goes to bed at night and gets up to switch on a fan, to begin the day. The modern equivalents of liberal arts are mathematics and science. As economies and societies have changed, the demand for education in the traditional liberal arts has declined. One cannot live in the past.

Tillakaratne dealt with the structure of the school system in the country and found there ‘a neo-caste’ system. This is wholly misleading. I will not deal with ‘International Schools’ because they are neither international nor schools. They are business enterprises that sell educational services to local people with adequate purchasing power. Children of a few foreigners, temporarily resident in this country, also attend them. The students and teachers are overwhelmingly local, though they prepare students for examinations overseas. However, local schools in many countries prepare students for the International Baccalaureate (IB). In any case, I know little about them.

There are now 10,000 government schools in five categories depending upon the grades they teach and the subject areas they teach. The most numerous (7,200) are primary schools. 2,000 teach up to Grade 11 and the balance up to Grade 12 in the arts and/or science streams.

More than half of all schools enroll less than 200 pupils; 15% less than 50 and another 16% have less than 100. Of all schools, 400 are national schools, teaching 380,000 students. The student/teacher ratio is 15 students in Provincial Schools and 19 students in National Schools. The low student/teacher ratio in provincial schools is accounted for by the large number of small schools there. Nor is there a shortage of Graduate Trained teachers in them. There is a shortage of English, mathematics, science and technology teachers. There is a s shortage of competent English teachers overall. In an analysis of student’s performance in the GCE (O/L) examination, a few years ago, NIE showed that the proportion of students who received pass marks, and above, was 17 percent of all who sat for that paper. The real disadvantage that children in small schools suffer is that they have narrowly limited options. Small schools in their vicinity are necessary for small children to attend. It is economically infeasible to provide in small schools the multiplicity of options available in large schools. It is a hard nut to crack. Back in the 1940s, the solution was to open boarding schools in rural centres (e.g. Wanduramba, Matugama, Ibbagamuwa, Poramadulla). With the rapid growth in the school population that proved an unlikely solution. Poor transport facilities in rural areas make a feasible solution many years away.

With that rough sketch of the structure of schools, it is grossly misleading to label it as a ‘neo-caste’. A caste system, as we know, stratifies society. People belong in castes by ascription; they are born to it and there is no escape up; they can fall. When a Brahmin woman marries a Shudra man, their children are Shudra. That stratification lasts from generation to generation. In contrast, our school system consists of five steps, success at which paves for entry into the next higher. Does the term neo-caste take away the essential feature of a caste system? Tillakaratne’s contention that among schools there are differences of endowments is perfectly valid. Royal College, Colombo, is endowed differently from Royal College, Polonnaruva, or the Central School in Narammala. This is true of schools in all societies: in China, governed by the Communist Party, and in the US, governed by competing parties. In China, children of workers who migrate to cities must go to rural schools where their hukou is valid. More prosperous city dwellers are entitled to attend city schools superior to rural ones. This is true in the US, as well. Children of more educated and more wealthy parents live in culturally richer homes and, and no matter what school they attend, they outperform those from culturally poorer homes. Black children, who are the most culturally deprived population, perform worse than any other ethnic group in the US. Among us, so do families in plantations. When the two disadvantages combine, as often, when children from poor homes who go to poorly endowed schools, they suffer a disabling double whammy.

One of the major contributions educational policies made to this society is the rapid advancement of women. There are more girls than boys in government schools. More women than men go to university. More men opt to study engineering and related disciplines. That is a common feature in most societies, except in Eastern Europe (e.g. Hungary). In the civil service, there are more women than men. Women have occupied the highest seats of power in the country. This year, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister are women- the head of the judiciary and the leader of the governing party in Parliament and of the Cabinet (primus inter pares); and those positions, they occupy, not as close relatives or acolytes of powerful men. The displacement from government in 2024 of a cautery of urban plutocrats some of whose principal sharpened talent was plundering the public purse (degree PPP) was the handiwork of a generation that had been educated in rural government schools. They are expected to change much in our society.

But for the education system chastised by Tillakaratne as a ‘neo-caste system’ millions of young men and women who during the last 75 years and more became university professors and vice-chancellors, civil servants, doctors, lawyers, school teachers and principals, businessmen and other professionals who otherwise would have been stuck in a genuine caste system. The education system is the alchemy that dissolved the rigidities of a caste system, that Tillakaratne mentioned. The education system is not responsible for the economic stagnation in this society which has limited opportunities for a burgeoning educated population.

Our school system has no features in common with a caste system. There are differences between the quality of schools in rich urban areas and poor rural areas. However, this is a feature in almost all societies. Those differences arise from large inequalities and inequities in the wide society which affect both the quality of schools and the culture in households. It is when access to education and wealth are closed to certain groups that an education system takes on the nature of a caste system. The school system in this country during the last 75 years has been a wide ladder on which, millions climbed onto a platform that remained too narrow to accommodate them. Those crowded out jumped onto platforms overseas.

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Features

Race hate and the need to re-visit the ‘Clash of Civilizations’

Published

23 hours ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: ‘No to race hate’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done very well to speak-up against and outlaw race hate in the immediate aftermath of the recent cold-blooded gunning down of several civilians on Australia’s Bondi Beach. The perpetrators of the violence are believed to be ardent practitioners of religious and race hate and it is commendable that the Australian authorities have lost no time in clearly and unambiguously stating their opposition to the dastardly crimes in question.

The Australian Prime Minister is on record as stating in this connection: ‘ New laws will target those who spread hate, division and radicalization. The Home Affairs Minister will also be given new powers to cancel or refuse visas for those who spread hate and a new taskforce will be set up to ensure the education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.’

It is this promptness and single-mindedness to defeat race hate and other forms identity-based animosities that are expected of democratic governments in particular world wide. For example, is Sri Lanka’s NPP government willing to follow the Australian example? To put the record straight, no past governments of Sri Lanka initiated concrete measures to stamp out the evil of race hate as well but the present Sri Lankan government which has pledged to end ethnic animosities needs to think and act vastly differently. Democratic and progressive opinion in Sri Lanka is waiting expectantly for the NPP government’ s positive response; ideally based on the Australian precedent to end race hate.

Meanwhile, it is apt to remember that inasmuch as those forces of terrorism that target white communities world wide need to be put down their counterpart forces among extremist whites need to be defeated as well. There could be no double standards on this divisive question of quashing race and religious hate, among democratic governments.

The question is invariably bound up with the matter of expeditiously and swiftly advancing democratic development in divided societies. To the extent to which a body politic is genuinely democratized, to the same degree would identity based animosities be effectively managed and even resolved once and for all. To the extent to which a society is deprived of democratic governance, correctly understood, to the same extent would it experience unmanageable identity-bred violence.

This has been Sri Lanka’s situation and generally it could be stated that it is to the degree to which Sri Lankan citizens are genuinely constitutionally empowered that the issue of race hate in their midst would prove manageable. Accordingly, democratic development is the pressing need.

While the dramatic blood-letting on Bondi Beach ought to have driven home to observers and commentators of world politics that the international community is yet to make any concrete progress in the direction of laying the basis for an end to identity-based extremism, the event should also impress on all concerned quarters that continued failure to address the matters at hand could prove fatal. The fact of the matter is that identity-based extremism is very much alive and well and that it could strike devastatingly at a time and place of its choosing.

It is yet premature for the commentator to agree with US political scientist Samuel P. Huntingdon that a ‘Clash of Civilizations’ is upon the world but events such as the Bondi Beach terror and the continuing abduction of scores of school girls by IS-related outfits, for instance, in Northern Africa are concrete evidence of the continuing pervasive presence of identity-based extremism in the global South.

As a matter of great interest it needs mentioning that the crumbling of the Cold War in the West in the early nineties of the last century and the explosive emergence of identity-based violence world wide around that time essentially impelled Huntingdon to propound the hypothesis that the world was seeing the emergence of a ‘Clash of Civilizations’. Basically, the latter phrase implied that the Cold War was replaced by a West versus militant religious fundamentalism division or polarity world wide. Instead of the USSR and its satellites, the West, led by the US, had to now do battle with religion and race-based militant extremism, particularly ‘Islamic fundamentalist violence’ .

Things, of course, came to a head in this regard when the 9/11 calamity centred in New York occurred. The event seemed to be startling proof that the world was indeed faced with a ‘Clash of Civilizations’ that was not easily resolvable. It was a case of ‘Islamic militant fundamentalism’ facing the great bulwark, so to speak, of ‘ Western Civilization’ epitomized by the US and leaving it almost helpless.

However, it was too early to write off the US’ capability to respond, although it did not do so by the best means. Instead, it replied with military interventions, for example, in Iraq and Afghanistan, which moves have only earned for the religious fundamentalists more and more recruits.

Yet, it is too early to speak in terms of a ‘Clash of Civilizations’. Such a phenomenon could be spoken of if only the entirety of the Islamic world took up arms against the West. Clearly, this is not so because the majority of the adherents of Islam are peaceably inclined and want to coexist harmoniously with the rest of the world.

However, it is not too late for the US to stop religious fundamentalism in its tracks. It, for instance, could implement concrete measures to end the blood-letting in the Middle East. Of the first importance is to end the suffering of the Palestinians by keeping a tight leash on the Israeli Right and by making good its boast of rebuilding the Gaza swiftly.

Besides, the US needs to make it a priority aim to foster democratic development worldwide in collaboration with the rest of the West. Military expenditure and the arms race should be considered of secondary importance and the process of distributing development assistance in the South brought to the forefront of its global development agenda, if there is one.

If the fire-breathing religious demagogue’s influence is to be blunted worldwide, then, it is development, understood to mean equitable growth, that needs to be fostered and consolidated by the democratic world. In other words, the priority ought to be the empowerment of individuals and communities. Nothing short of the latter measures would help in ushering a more peaceful world.

Features

The perennial challenge of peace-keeping and reconciliation

Published

23 hours ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Christmas

Peace on Earth to all people of good-will is the perennial and the pristine song of Joy and hope aired in every nook and corner during every Christmas season commemorating the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. In his own day, Jesus of Nazareth was himself a wonderful instrument of peace and reconciliation in his own homeland of Palestine. He was open to all classes of people, whatever their ethnicity, race, language or social class with preference particularly to the sectors of the poor among these social strata. He would freely crisscross the various regions of Palestine which at that time was tri-partite: Galilee in the north with its fishing villages, lakes graced with wonderful beaches and imposing ranges of hills and valleys; Samaria in the middle and Judea in the deep south which located the religious centers of Judaism with its magnificent temple and also housed the State buildings of the Roman prefectures.

Liberation from Oppression

Entire Palestine was colonized with Caesar sitting in Rome his capital and having his legates governing the local provinces. People too were living in the expectation of a Messiah who would fight the colonial power and thus bring liberation to their oppressed motherland. There was a strongly prevalent messianic current of hope circulating and the longing for the day and the appearance of the Messiah, the liberator. Though inundated by Roman paganism and constantly under the threat of foreign invasion, the people kept to their traditional religious beliefs with their festivals, pilgrimages, rituals and rites and laws.

Unfortunately, there was a historic breach with the breakaway of the Samaritans from the Jews, both claiming to be authentic descendants of their earliest patriarchs. They had different holy centers of worship. Jews considered the Samaritans a hybrid race enabled by the inter-marriages encouraged by the invading Assyrian foreigners (721 BC) with the local population that were not deported by the invaders. It was a historic schism that had very sad socio-cultural, religious and political repercussions. As time went by, this enmity had created many tensions and had percolated into many other serious issues that caused estrangement within the country. The story of the Good Samaritan who came to the rescue of the Jew fallen among the robbers along the road to Jericho and the sole leper who returned to thank Jesus following his healing and who happened to be a Samaritan are gospel incidents that strived to heal this division and bring reconciliation among the two dissenting groups. Creating confusion among the general public was also the fact of the misunderstanding of the mission of the Messiah wholly thought of as a purely political liberation which was only a partial truth.

The homeland of Jesus was desperately in need of a profound spiritual and religious revolution. There had to be a more humane understanding of the Law of Moses, the great code of the national ethic and putting relationships in their correct perspective despite the fact that the land was surrounded on all sides with kingdoms and ruling monarchs who were pagan and the worship of idols was rampant. People treasured their religious and cultural traditions and were in great fear of them being lost when invading foreigners threatened their sovereignty and even territorial integrity. Their very land was sacred for it was the land of their God and therefore defended against any foreign pagan aggression. In fact, there had been often and on many insurrectionist movements rebelling against the Roman colonial rule that were summarily crushed.

Religion at the service of Freedom & Liberation

Jesus Christ saw the need of introducing a new spirituality based on a new ethic to restore the religious sensibilities of Israel. From the mountain he taught the classical sermon on the Beatitudes which declared the poor as blessed and those who suffered persecution for the sake of justice and righteousness as blessed too. It would be the meek who will inherit the earth and those who are merciful would be the true children of God. Pharisaical spirit of religion that is subservient to the letter of the Law that kills and false religiosity limited purely to rites and rituals were to be empty of meaning. Love of God to be total had to be matched with the love for the neighbor. Even enemies were to be loved without conditions. Self-righteousness had no place in the spirituality he propounded. People have to be fed both with spiritual food of truth as well as material nourishment to feed their hunger as he multiplied fish and loaves in the Galilean mountains to cater to the thousands who had flocked to hear him and sought blessings of healing and solace. Many were stunned wondering how the son of a carpenter could have such wisdom and powers even over demons who rattled at his presence. Simple jealousy, unfounded fear and a great amount of misunderstanding and suspicion finally caved in from his enemies, the religious authorities of Jerusalem and the Roman governor that led to that shamefully blatant and unjust condemnation ever recorded in legal history: the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

In some ways the celebration of Christmas, which is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is being caricatured with commercialism and mere external fanfare with décor and illuminations. The deeper truth is that we are celebrating a spiritual event that was decisive in history: God entering the world in the real physical and bodily appearance of a human being. He made humanity make its peace with God and brought enlightenment about the mystery of life and death declaring the importance of love and respect of others in neighborly love and forgiveness. Like an industrious fisherman he cast his net into the deep and distant waters for an abundance of harvest that would bring civilization itself a mighty haul of blessings. Christianity is very much alive in its two millennia history cutting across cultures and civilizations witnessing to the belief in God and the dignity of man who has an eternal destiny. This religion is pro-life in all dimensions: safety of the unborn, the sacredness and inviolability of every life, the sanctity of marriage, life-beyond death, no violence of any kind, no wars, no nuclear weapons, no arms race or unwarranted ethnic or racial superiority, no danger to sovereignty of nations and their territorial integrity and safe haven for refugees and migrants of every hue.

It is in some of these very difficult issues that peace-keeping and work of reconciliation are becoming global priorities. Science and technology alone are no saviors of humanity embattled as it is in problems that appear to be very dramatic and far extensive. In no way should human beings become victims of their own creations however impressive they may be. Humanity must be the center of our global concerns and innovations with everything serving it towards a better quality of life. A Human being must never be instrumentalized in dehumanizing experiments. On the contrary, he must be served in all things so that his unique place in creation may not be displaced and continue to be the final point of reference in all world’s undertakings and ventures. To this must all regional and international bodies commit themselves in earnest. Christianity considers Jesus Christ the Lord to be the goal of human history, the focal point of the longings of history and of civilization, the center of the human race, the joy of every heart and the answer to all its yearnings as the great Vatican II Council document put it (Gaudium et Spes 45) while the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts (Gaud. et Spes 1).

Christianity & Secularity

It is this spirit of Jesus Christ that impels Christianity to be closely involved in the world society’s journey which registers the triumphs and failures of history. Wherever it has gone, it has opened hospitals for healing the sick, schools for education and other charitable institutions thus playing the role of the Good Samaritan in keeping the fires of charity and compassion alive in a society always prone to various kinds of natural disasters and human conflicts that bring misery and suffering. Christianity favors an economic system that is neither radically socialist nor downright capitalistic and holds primacy of labor over capital, thus taking a clear anti-Marxist stand in this ever important socio-political issue. The dignity and working conditions of the worker with the issue of a living wage, pension benefits, sharing of profits, private enterprise are considered important human issues to be dealt with within the parameters of social justice and labour rights. Democratic principles are preeminently Christian in outlook empowering people to make the needed political options in constructing a system of governance and rule that benefits the common and the greater good. Christianity wishes its voice to be heard in international fora and in contexts in which important decisions affecting people globally are made.

If the spirit of Christmas is to endure beyond its usual annual celebration, the challenges of the Christmas event must be faced and due response to its newer questions met with courage and hope. In the concrete, they are the peace among nations, inter-religious harmony, war against terror and fundamentalisms, economies without disparities and respect for human rights as well as basic freedoms. These are all elements for reconciliation and building-blocks for peace-keeping. Military superiority and economic imperialism are the most satanic forms of modern paganism that plague our world creating so much suspicion, instability and tensions. More spirit of listening, dialogue and understanding are in demand for a stable world and a new form of warm humanism. In emulation of Jesus Christ the eminent peace-maker and reconciler, it behoves that all those who claim to be peace-makers and agents of reconciliation pursue the same mission. Thus, the spirit of Christmas is preserved ever alive.

by Rev. Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI
Ph.D., Th.D.

Features

So this is Christmas …

Published

23 hours ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

The world over, Christmas is being celebrated today. However, in our part of the world, Christmas, and the lead up to the New Year, will be observed on a sombre note.

With this in mind, I wish my readers a Blessed Christmas and let’s hope 2026 will be a good one … without any fear.

Several known personalities also send their greetings and best wishes to The Island readers:

* Noshin De Silva (Actress):

Happy Holidays to everyone across our beautiful island! As we move toward the end of the year, my heart goes out to all communities affected by the recent floods and severe weather. In these challenging weeks, we have also witnessed the true spirit of Sri Lanka through the humility, compassion, and unity of people coming together to support one another. May this season bring comfort to those rebuilding, gratitude to those giving, and hope to us all. Wishing everyone Peace, Healing, Great Health, and a very Happy New Year!

* Melloney Dassanayaka (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024):

As we celebrate the blessings of Christmas and step with hope into a brand-new year, I am reminded of the strength, resilience, and spirit that define us as Sri Lankans. This festive season invites us to reflect, to appreciate what we have, and to look ahead with courage.

Be positive and embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Be smart, be brave, and work hard for yourself, because your future is shaped by the determination you carry within.

May this Christmas fill your hearts with peace and joy, and may the New Year bring you endless possibilities, renewed strength, and the confidence to pursue every dream.

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Bright, Prosperous New Year!

With love and warm wishes.

* Raffealla Fernando (Photographer/Designer):

Wishing you a beautiful, light-filled Christmas and a New Year overflowing with inspiration.

As a photographer and designer, I’m constantly searching for the moments, colours, and stories. that make life extraordinary and this season always reminds me how much beauty there is in the simple things: warm laughter, shared memories, and the quiet magic of togetherness.

Thank you for being part of my creative journey this year.

May your holidays be filled with genuine joy, and may 2026 bring you new adventures, brighter light, and endless reasons to smile.

This season, I’m also wishing for something close to my heart: for Sri Lanka to rise up bigger, better, and stronger. Nothing more to ask for than peace in these turbulent hearts, peace of mind for every soul, and the strength to rebuild our country in the coming year.

Merry Christmas, and a Vibrant, Inspiring New Year.

* Andrea Marr (Singer – Australia):

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year. May the message of Christmas remain in your hearts and give you peace.

* AROH (Music group):

We thank you for sharing your year with us, for every lyric sung, every rhythm embraced, and every stage shared. Your incredible support fuels our passion and continues to inspire the music we create.

Although the past few weeks have seen heaps of problems cropping up, may your Christmas be filled with Joy, Peace, and the beautiful harmony of family and friends.

Also, may the New Year bring you prosperity, health, and a score of exciting new possibilities.

We look forward to connecting with you through music in the coming year, as well.

* Melantha Perera (Singer):

Music heals the soul, and sharing its gift this season fills our hearts with joy.

May our melodies spread love to every soul, making our Creator smile as we celebrate His birth.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year in perfect harmony!

* Natasha Rathnayake (Singer):

As we close another year and step into a new one, may this season remind us of what truly matters — kindness, connection, and love for all living beings.

Let’s carry forward the lessons, the healing, and the gratitude we’ve gathered, and step into 2026 with open hearts, courage, and compassion.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas filled with blessings and joy, and a New Year that inspires clarity, creativity, and love in all that you do.

With love, and abundance of blessings!

God bless.

AROH

* Sohan Weerasinghe (Singer):

Yes, Christmas is back and 2026 is around the corner. It’s time once again to convey my good wishes and also to remind myself to be careful of my waistline as I have a weakness for goodies, especially Christmas cake!

Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year and you also must do your utmost to help the needy people around you, especially those affected by the disaster that took us all by surprise; give till it hurts!

* JJ Twins (Duo):

As the magic of Christmas fills the air and a brand-new year approaches, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for your continued support. May this festive season bring you joy, peace, and time spent with those you cherish.

We also take this moment to warmly wish Ivan Alvis a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year filled with success and happiness.

Jesus bless you all, and may you have a Christ-filled Christmas and New Year!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Bright, Successful New Year!

* SEVEN NOTES (Music group – Dubai):

SEVEN NOTES

As we celebrate the joy of Christmas and welcome the dawn of a brand-new year, we extend our heartfelt wishes to the readers and the dedicated team of The Island newspaper.

May this festive season bring peace, love, and harmony into your homes, and may the New Year 2026 be filled with success, good health, and new opportunities.

Thank you for inspiring communities across the globe with trusted journalism and unwavering service.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2026.