When dusk falls across the rain-soaked forests of Sinharaja, a low, rasping call echoes through the canopy — neither frog nor owl, but something eerily in between. It belongs to the Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), one of the most secretive birds ever to inhabit the island’s forests. Its strange croak seems to rise from the mist itself — an ancient whisper from the treetops.

For Suranjan Karunaratne, an ecologist with the Nature Explorations and Education Team, this haunting sound became a lifelong fascination.

Speaking to The Island, he said: “It was like finding a ghost in the forest,” he recalls. “The bird was perched motionless, its feathers blending so perfectly with the bark that even my camera couldn’t distinguish it from a branch.”

That “ghost” became the subject of Sri Lanka’s first comprehensive, 20-year study on the species — research that has redefined what we know about one of Asia’s most enigmatic nocturnal birds.

A Two-Decade Search for Shadows

Between 1998 and 2018, Karunaratne and his collaborators traversed the length and breadth of the island — from the misty lowlands of Sinharaja to the scrublands of Yala and the arid forests of Hambantota. Their work, recently published in Ardeola, the journal of the Spanish Ornithological Society, mapped the distribution, habitat associations, and conservation status of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth with unprecedented precision.

The project brought together a powerhouse team of Sri Lankan and international researchers, including Salindra K. Dayananda, Dinesh Gabadage, Madhava Botejue, Majintha Madawala, Indika Peabotuwage, Buddhika Madurapperuma, Manjula Ranagalage, Asanka Udayakumara, and Prof. Thilina Surasinghe, who led the modelling work from Bridgewater State University, USA.

“This was no short-term study,” Karunaratne says proudly. “It took years of patient night work — sometimes returning from the field at 2 a.m., drenched, bitten by leeches, but exhilarated by a single call.”

A Forest Specialist

The team’s findings confirmed the frogmouth’s status as a true forest specialist. The species was found in 18 percent of the 249 survey sites, spread across all of Sri Lanka’s major bioclimatic zones — wet, intermediate, dry, and arid. Yet 90 percent of sightings were in forested areas, highlighting its extreme dependence on intact ecosystems.

“It simply cannot survive in heavily degraded habitats,” Karunaratne notes. “That makes it a perfect indicator of forest health.”

The frogmouth’s range extended from 11 metres above sea level to about 767 metres, confirming its preference for low-elevation rainforests and evergreen forests. Its camouflaged plumage, nocturnal habits, and motionless roosting posture make it nearly impossible to detect — a natural master of disguise.

Listening to the Forest

To locate these secretive birds, the researchers used a combination of visual surveys and call recognition, often navigating rough terrain at night. Over two decades, they documented the frogmouth’s calls, nesting sites, and habitat preferences, revealing patterns that were previously unknown.

The team employed cutting-edge geospatial analysis using Google Earth Engine and Landsat imagery to map land-cover changes around the frogmouth’s habitats. The results were sobering: 535.9 square kilometres of forest were lost between 1998 and 2018, with an annual loss of nearly 27 km².

Suranjan Karunaratne

“Forest loss is the single biggest threat,” warns Karunaratne. “The frogmouth depends on large tracts of undisturbed forest. When those are fragmented, its populations collapse silently.”

An Evolving Range

Perhaps the most striking discovery was that the frogmouth’s range is far wider than previously thought. Traditionally believed to be confined to the southwestern rainforests, it was also recorded in the dry and arid zones — from Maduru Oya to Yala and even the southeast plains.

“We were surprised to find it calling in unexpected places,” Karunaratne admits. “This suggests that older, mature secondary forests may now serve as refuges, especially where primary forests have vanished.”

The team’s Habitat Suitability Model (HSM) predicts that the southwestern lowlands will remain the stronghold of the species, while climate change could make mid-elevation forests more suitable by 2050.

A Fragile Sentinel

In ecology, the frogmouth is what scientists call a sentinel species — its presence signals the health of an ecosystem.

“If the frogmouth disappears, it means the forest has crossed a threshold of damage,” Karunaratne says. “It is nature’s quiet warning.”

The bird’s behaviour underscores its fragility. It avoids human settlements, tourist trails, and even faint noise pollution. Its nesting success depends on complete stillness; both male and female share incubation duties, each guarding the nest in total silence.

Conservation and Hope

Currently, the Sri Lanka Frogmouth is listed as ‘Least Concern’ by both the global IUCN Red List and the National Red List. But the study’s authors believe this underestimates the risks.

“We recommend that its status be upgraded to ‘Near Threatened’,” says Karunaratne. “It may be regionally common, but it’s locally rare — found in small, isolated pockets that are vanishing fast.”

The team urges conservation planners to protect mature secondary forests — often dismissed as “degraded” — because these areas now harbour viable frogmouth populations.

“Sri Lanka’s secondary forests are hundreds of years old,” Karunaratne adds. “They’ve regained enough complexity to support wildlife. Protecting them could make the difference between survival and extinction for species like the frogmouth.”

The Whispering Forest

In the stillness of the rainforest night, when the moonlight filters through lianas and mist, the frogmouth’s hoarse croak carries far — a sound that few have heard, yet one that defines the mystery of Sri Lanka’s wilderness.

For Suranjan Karunaratne, that sound is both a warning and a gift.

“It reminds us that there’s another world in our forests — one that wakes when we sleep. Protecting it means protecting our own future.”

As he and his colleagues continue to monitor these spectral birds, one message echoes through their research: listen to the night, before it falls silent.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️

In today’s world men’s grooming has evolved far beyond a basic haircut. It’s about personality, lifestyle and confidence. At the forefront of this transformation stands Ramani Fernando – a name synonymous with sophistication and style With decades of expertise, in shaping Sri Lanka’s – beauty industry, Ramani and her team continue to redefine men’s hairstyles, introducing refined cuts, textures and blends effortless styles to complement individuality.

From polished corporate looks to casual, textured trends Ramani believes modern men are embracing grooming. She has trained and inspired generations of stylists. Yet, beyond her creativity, Ramani remains deeply passionate about empowering confidence in every client who walks through her salons. Whether it is a bold haircut or a classic refined look, her philosophy is simple,true style begins with self assurance essential expression of self care and identity.

A pioneer in Sri Lanka’s beauty industry, Ramani has built a legacy defined by elegance, innovation and trust. From transforming bridal beauty to setting the standard in men’s grooming her vision has shaped how Sri Lankan perceive personal style. Her salons continue to shape the country fashion and grooming landscape. Known for her timeless approach to elegance and precision styling, she has become a trusted voice on how personal appearance influences confidence – for women and men.

Ramani Fernando’s world beauty isn’t gendered – its expressive. Her presence at Colombo Fashion Week and her constant collaboration with top designers reflect how deeply she believes in the creative power of hair.

Men’s grooming becomes an art

Sri Lankan men are stepping into a new era of self expression and at the heart of this transformation, stands one name – that is Ramani. And in Sri Lanka no conversation about men’s grooming and fashion can happen without mentioning this beauty ion, With her keen eye for detail and timeless taste, Ramani guides men toward discovering their personal aesthetic – where fashion and grooming merge seamlessly.

Q: What trend do you see taking centre stage this season and how do they differ from last year?

A: This season, I see a move towards softer, more lived-in hair—effortless waves, natural textures, and muted tones. Last year, it was all about sleek, polished styles and very defined colour techniques like balayage. Now clients want something more low-maintenance yet chic, that feels authentic.

Q: Which classic hairstyles do you believe will never go out of fashion, no matter the trends?

Ramani leads the way in men’s fashion

The timeless bob, glamorous waves, and a beautifully done chignon will never lose their charm. These styles have a sophistication that suits any generation, and with little tweaks, they can be made modern again and again.

Q: How is social media influencing hair trends and client requests?

A: Social media has completely changed the way clients approach their hair. People now walk into the salon with screenshots of Instagram reels or TikTok videos, wanting the exact look. While it’s exciting, it also challenges us as professionals to guide them on what will work with their hair type and lifestyle.

Q: Are you noticing a shift towards more natural textures, or is high-gloss styling still in demand?

A: Definitely a shift towards embracing natural textures. Clients are learning to love their curls, waves, and even frizz, and we’re seeing less reliance on over-styling. That being said, high-gloss, glassy looks are still popular for evenings and special occasions.

Q: What’s one underrated hair trend you wish more people would try?

A: Short, chic cuts! Many women shy away from them, but a well-done pixie or cropped style can be so liberating and stylish. It frames the face beautifully and really brings out one’s features.

Q: How are global fashion weeks shaping local hair trends?

A: They set the tone. What we see on the runways in Paris, Milan, and New York always trickles down. Locally, we adapt those looks to suit Sri Lankan women’s hair textures and climate—so runway trends become wearable but still carry that international edge.

Q: How do you adapt high fashion runway styles into everyday, wearable looks?

A: It’s all about simplification. A highly sculpted avant-garde look might inspire me to take just one element—like texture, volume, or a unique braid—and translate it into something elegant and practical for day-to-day wear.

Q: What makeup trends are dominating the beauty scene this year?

A: This year it’s all about skin. Fresh, glowing, healthy skin with minimal coverage is in demand. The “no-makeup makeup” look with soft blushes, glossy lips, and subtle eye definition is everywhere.

Q: How is the rise of clean and sustainable beauty influencing makeup artistry?

A: Clients are much more conscious now of what’s in their products. They ask about cruelty-free, vegan, and sustainable options. As artists, it pushes us to use cleaner formulations while still ensuring professional results—it’s a positive change for the industry.

Q: Which single makeup product do you think can completely transform a look?

A: For me, it’s a good lipstick. The right shade can instantly lift the face, change the mood, and make someone feel confident and radiant.

In November 2025, CFW will introduce a new season which focuses on a new aspect of fashion which will open new opportunities for Sri Lankan designers which also includes Bridal and destination weddings. In South Asia this segment of fashion has grown and presents potential for Sri Lankan designers. Each year CFW identifies relevant opportunities before opening the platform to promote and facilitate the new season.

This segment of fashion is experiencing notable growth in the region and offers designers the chance to upgrade their knowledge base and skill sets. The March season of CFW focuses on the versatile summer season, which forms the foundation of fashion in Sri Lanka and South Asia. The fashion industry in the region is currently going through an exciting phase, finding its balance between functionality, wellness, craft, identity, sustainability, and celebration.

Since its inception in 2003, CFW has progressively developed into a South Asian platform by welcoming designers from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to showcase alongside Sri Lankan and European designers, solidifying its position as one of South Asia’s leading fashion weeks for over two decades. CFW is among only four fashion weeks in Asia with a 20-year legacy, alongside Japan, India, and Australia.

“Couture and Trousseau have been on CFW’s agenda for the last few years. I feel the time is right to introduce it in a smaller way and then expand into a full-blown season in 2026. This segment of fashion focuses on Occasion wear, Bridal, and Couture. This is a high-growth segment in South Asia, and we want to encourage Sri Lankan designers to create collections for this market. This also supports the Destination wedding position of Sri Lanka’s tourism. Our goal is to expand the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka and give more business opportunities to Sri Lankan designers in Sri Lanka and South Asia,” Says Ajai Vir Singh, Managing Director, CFW Holdings.

Over the last two decades, CFW has successfully built pride in Sri Lankan fashion. Starting with one established Sri Lankan designer in 2003, it has, over the years, encouraged a young generation to take up fashion design as a profession, opening avenues to dream big.