Life style

Will these bills amplify women’s voices?

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/14

Thilina Walpola

Ambika Satkunanathan

Women empowerment, gender and equality

By Zanita Careem

Ambika Satkunanathan is a human rights advocate based in Sri Lanka. For more than twenty years she has worked with persons and communities impacted by human rights violations, and assisted them with accessing remedies. From Oct 2015 to March 2020, she was a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, where she led the first ever national study of prisons. Prior to that foreight years she was a Legal Advisor to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
She is a board member of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Torture, a member of the Expert Panel of the Trial Watch Project of the Clooney Foundation and a member of the Network of Experts of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.
Her research, advocacy and activism have focused on counter-terrorism law and policy, drug control and rehabilitation, transitional justice, custodial violence, penal policy, militarization and gender. Her research on drug control, detention and rehabilitation in Sri Lanka, the first such study, was published in August 2021 by Harm Reduction International. She is currently working on recording the experiences of women who come into conflict with the law due to drug offences.
Her publications include contributions to the International Journal of Transitional Justice, the Oxford Handbook of Gender & Conflict, the Routledge Handbook on Human Rights in South Asia, Feminist Studies and Contemporary South Asia.
She is Chairperson of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, a local grantmaking organisation in Sri Lanka and was a founder member and Vice Chairperson of Urgent Action Fund- Asia and Pacific, a feminist regional grantmaking organisation.
She was an Open Society Fellow from 2020-2022. She has a B.A. and LL.B from Monash University Australia and a LL.M from University of Nottingham, where she was a Chevening Scholar.

Could you tell us about you and some of the early influence in your life?

My experiences as a Tamil in Sri Lanka influenced the way I engaged with the world and drove me to work in human rights protection because I became aware of discrimination, violence and prejudice even as a child. As I grew older, as a woman, I experienced different forms of discrimination and prejudice that women generally face, which were worsened by my ethnic identity. This point at which both my identities intersected, and where I was exposed to the violent and ugly side of humanity is where what I believe something positive- my work, values and activism- were born.

Tell us about your most inspiring moments in your work so far?

In the kind of work I do, what I find most inspiring are the people that despite being subject to discrimination, loss, violence and pain, continue to struggle for their rights and that of others; those who continue to be humane despite the inhumane way in which the world has treated them.

What do your experience as the main challenge as someone working on human rights. And how do you deal with obstacles in your work?

The main challenge persons working on human rights protection face is the state/government viewing persons who work on human rights as enemies and threats to their power, and constantly trying to intimidate and/or discredit them and curtial and/or undermine their work.

The lack of viable, substantive and holistic remedies for persons who experience human rights violations is also a considerable challenge. Even the remedies that do exist, such as filing a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court or complaning to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka can take months or even years, and even when a remedy is granted, it does not address all aspects of the violations experienced.

Not surprisingly, the various difficulties faced in supporting victims of human rights violations and assisting them to obtain remedies as well as challenging abusive state power can lead to feelings frustration or dejection. Personally, as a Tamil woman working on human rights I have often been labelled a terrorist, LTTE, anti-national, traitor and subject to gender-based online abuse, vilification and harassment.

One of the ways to deal with these obstacles is through collaborative work, partnerships and networks, and sharing resources. The other is long-overdue state reform, including reform of institutions such as the police. Human rights activists can advocate for such reform but it requires political will and progressive vision, which to date is sorely lacking in Sri Lanka. Another means is to step up and support those that are being attacked for the work they do or because of an aspect of their identity, such as LGBTIQ persons.

Your news on women empowerment bill, gender and equality Bill. Will these bills implement concrete actions to amplify women’s voices. There had been a national policy on women’s empowerment since 1911 your comments?

Many provisions of the Gender Equality Bill and the Women’s Empowerment Act give the appearance of sections of national action plans that have been turned into law. For instance, what is the purpose of making the appointment of focal points, which is an administrative function, a provision in a law? Furthermore, women’s groups and activists have stated they were not consulted on the gazetted version of the laws. Hence, the lawmaking process seems haphazard, was lacking in transparency and was not inclusive. The President’s remarks in parliament about the Supreme Court determination on the Gender Equality Bill where he stated that a parliamentary committee should be appointed to review the determination seems like an attempt to control judges and threatens the independence of the judiciary. Although the Suprene Court determination is problematic and not progressive, the executive undermining the independence of public institutions, particularly the judiciary, will only further erode the rule of law and democracy in Sri Lanka.

Enacting laws or establishing commissions or institutions will not magically lead to gender equality or women’s empowerment. To achieve gender equality, we need to acknowlege the patriarchal nature of Sri Lankan society and address misogyny, sexism and discrimination structurally and socially. This means we must address it in the family, school, universities, workplaces and particularly public institutions and systems.

Most importantly, do not forget that every right the government undermines, also undermines the rights of women and their safety and security. Every government attempt to undermine the rule of law, also adversely impacts women. Therefore, enacting these laws, while undermining the rule of law and public institutions and enabling violence by state entities, such as the police, is farcical and will only further undermine the rights, security and well-being of women.

Human rights remains a issue not only in Sri Lankan but all over the world. What is your assessment of the situation?

As you rightly say, human rights are under threat globally and the international legal order is being attacked and undermined. Sri Lanka is complicit in this as much as global powers, such as the US. What the detractors of the international legal order do not seem to understand or perhaps do not care about is that respecting the international legal order, international human rights standards and international processes, such as the UN processes, creates safety for all of us. Yet, the reality is that generally states do not like to be held accountable and go on the offensive when challenged, particularly in international fora as they feel being held accountable is a loss of face. States also weaponize human rights against certain countries and contexts and countries often point to other states that flout international law to justify their own violations. None of these positions are valid or viable. As I say, this is not a race to the bottom and you cannot claim the protections that international law affords only when it is expedient because then others will do the same and the result will be anarchy.

Specifically what are the main problem areas of human rights in Sri Lanka?

We have a government that does not respect the rule of law – for instance, police officers engaging in torture and the government and other state entities ignoring Supreme Court judgments and determinations is quite common. This further entrenches impunity and enables the government and state entities to abuse their power and continue to committ human rights violations. There is lack of trust in public institutions due to successive governments undermining their independence and policitising them.

Corruption is another critical issue that needs to be addressed. Repressive laws that do not adhere to international human rights standards, such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Vagrants Ordinance, the Online Safety Act and provisions that criminalise same sex relations remain on the statute books.

Fifteen years after the end of the war a political solution to the ethnic conflict is elusive, and those responsible for war time violations have not been held accountable. Instead, war affected populations in the North and East, such as the families of the disappeared that demand truth and justice are surveilled, intimidated and harassed. This year families of those killed during the last stages of the war were not even allowed to hold ceremonies to remember the dead.

Socio-economic rights are also human rights- hence there are many violations that are taking place, including due to the economic crisis, such as the loss of livelihood, increasing poverty, malnutrition and reduced access to health care and education. The position of social groups that have been marginalised and discriminated against, such as persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ persons and Muslims and Malaiyaha communities remain largely unaddressed.

What are the main changes you like to see in the world particularly in relation to women and their rights?

I would like to see a world that is not patriarchal, sexist or misogynist- in which women do not have to constantly struggle to be seen, respected or heard. A world in which they are equal and have the choice to make decisions about their bodies and their lives, without being criminalised, abused, vilified, ridiculed or controlled.

ambikasat@gmail.com

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Life style

After dark in Sri Lanka: Tiny wild cats step into the spotlight

Published

3 days ago

2026/04/19

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka’s wildlife story has long been told through its giants — the stealth of the Sri Lankan leopard, the quiet power of the Asian elephant, and the ocean drama of the blue whale.

These icons have shaped the island’s global image, drawing travellers from across the world.

But as the sun slips below the horizon and the last safari jeeps return to camp, another Sri Lanka awakens — one that is far less known, yet just as extraordinary.

In the half-light of wetlands, along bunds of ancient irrigation tanks, and at the edges of village paddy fields, three elusive felines begin their nightly rounds. The Fishing Cat, the Jungle Cat, and the Rusty-spotted Cat — small, secretive, and largely overlooked — are now emerging as the island’s most intriguing untold wildlife story.

Fishing Cat

And according to researchers, their time in the spotlight may have finally come.

A Hidden World, Ready to Be Seen

“These cats have always been here — living quietly alongside us,” says Chaminda Jayasekara, a researcher and conservationist who has spent years studying Sri Lanka’s lesser-known carnivores.

“What is changing now is not the cats, but our awareness. We are beginning to understand that these species are not rare in the sense of being absent — they are rare because we have not been looking for them in the right way,” he said.

Jayasekara notes that all three species are distributed across wide swathes of the island — from the dry zone landscapes of the Cultural Triangle to the wetter lowlands and even human-dominated environments.

“The remarkable thing about the Fishing Cat and the Jungle Cat in particular is their adaptability. They are not confined to deep water. They use wetlands, paddy fields, scrublands — habitats that exist right next to where people live,” he explained.

: Jungle cat

: Rusty-spotted cat

: Chaminda with wife Thilini Sandamali

Three Cats, Three Remarkable Stories

The largest of the trio, the Fishing Cat, is a wetland specialist — a muscular, spotted predator with partially webbed paws built for hunting in water. Across Sri Lanka’s vast network of tanks, marshes, and mangroves, it stalks fish with silent precision.

Globally listed as Vulnerable and considered endangered nationally, the species faces mounting pressure from wetland loss and pollution. Yet paradoxically, it is often found within sight of human settlements.

“Seeing a Fishing Cat hunting along a village tank is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences Sri Lanka can offer,” Jayasekara said. “It challenges everything people think they know about where wildlife belongs.”

The Jungle Cat, by contrast, is a creature of grass and scrub — long-legged, alert, and often active at dusk. It thrives in the margins where farmland meets wilderness, preying on rodents, birds, and reptiles.

Though not currently endangered, its habitat is steadily shrinking.

“These are landscapes we often dismiss as ‘empty’ or ‘degraded,’” Jayasekara noted. “But for the Jungle Cat, they are essential. Losing them means losing an entire ecological story.”

And then there is the smallest of them all — the

Rusty-spotted Cat.

Weighing little more than a kilogram, this tiny feline — found only in Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal — holds the distinction of being the world’s smallest wild cat. With its soft, rust-coloured coat and disproportionately large eyes adapted for night vision, it appears almost unreal in the wild.

“To encounter a Rusty-spotted Cat is something very few people in the world have experienced,” Jayasekara said. “It is not just a sighting — it is a moment of disbelief.”

A Tourism Opportunity After Dark

What makes these cats especially compelling is not just their rarity, but their accessibility.

Unlike the island’s larger, more famous wildlife, sightings do not always require long hours inside national parks. Instead, they can occur in carefully managed landscapes — wetlands, forest edges, and even within the grounds of eco-sensitive hotels.

One such example is Jetwing Vil Uyana, a property that has quietly demonstrated what is possible.

Located in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, the hotel sits within a restored wetland ecosystem where all three cat species have been recorded. Over more than a decade, guided night walks conducted by trained naturalists have offered guests rare glimpses into this hidden world.

“These experiences must be done with extreme care,” Jayasekara emphasised. “Low-impact lighting, small groups, and knowledgeable guides are critical. If done incorrectly, we risk disturbing the very species we are trying to protect.”

A Changing Global Audience

Sri Lanka’s tourism narrative has long revolved around its “big five” — elephants, leopards, sloth bears, blue whales and sperm whales. But global travel trends are shifting.

Today’s wildlife traveller is increasingly seeking intimate, lesser-known experiences — encounters that feel personal, rare, and authentic.

“For a visitor from Europe, where wild cats are virtually absent, the idea of seeing even one species is exciting,” Jayasekara said. “To potentially see three — in one country, in one journey — is extraordinary.”

He believes Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to capitalise on this niche.

“This is not about replacing what we already have. It is about expanding the story — showing that Sri Lanka is not just about large animals, but also about the small, the secretive, and the scientifically fascinating.”

Conservation Through Experience

Beyond tourism, the implications are deeper.

The Fishing Cat continues to decline due to habitat destruction and human conflict. The Rusty-spotted Cat remains poorly studied, with significant gaps in scientific knowledge. Even the adaptable Jungle Cat is losing ground as grasslands disappear.

Jayasekara argues that responsible tourism can play a vital role in reversing these trends.

“When communities begin to see value in these animals — not as threats, but as assets — attitudes change,” he said. “A Fishing Cat alive in a wetland can generate far more long-term benefit than a wetland converted for short-term gain.”

Tourists, too, become part of the conservation chain.

“A single meaningful encounter can transform how a person sees the natural world. They go back, they share the story, and suddenly these small cats are no longer invisible.”

The Night Belongs to Sri Lanka

Across the island, as darkness settles over ancient reservoirs and forest edges, this quiet transformation is already underway.

A ripple disturbs the surface of a tank — a Fishing Cat at work. In the tall grass, a Jungle Cat pauses, ears alert. And somewhere in the shadows, almost impossibly small, a Rusty-spotted Cat watches with luminous eyes.

These are not distant, unreachable moments. They are unfolding now — in landscapes that millions pass every day.

Sri Lanka has long been celebrated for what it shows the world in daylight. But, as researchers and conservationists now suggest, its future may also lie in what it chooses to reveal after dark.

“The story is already here,” Jayasekara said. “We just need to tell it — carefully, responsibly, and with the respect these animals deserve.”

Life style

Whispers of love beneath distant skies

Published

3 days ago

2026/04/19

Thilina Walpola

Designer wedding shaped by heritage and elegance

A destination wedding in Sri Lanka is not just an event,it is an experience that unfolds over days, sometimes even a week. From the golden shores of Bentota to the colonial charm of Galle Fort, and the cool romantic highlands of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka offers a stunning diversity of settings for exotic weddings. Destination weddings are more than romantic celebrations, they are a dynamic driver of tourism, drawing high spending travellers, global attention, and long stay visitors. In Sri Lanka, these weddings seamlessly blend scenic beauty, culture and luxury promoting Sri Lanka on the world stage.

Sri Lanka is one of the most diverse destination wedding hubs in Asia – drawing couples from India, Europe and even Pakistan who are looking for something beyond the ordinary.

What makes Sri Lanka irrestible is its rare ability to offer multiple wedding backdrops within a few hours – from sun kissed beaches, misty mountains, colonial charm, and lush tropical landscapes, all seamlessly woven into one unforgettable celebration.

For many couples the dream begins by the sea. Along the southern and western coastlines, Sri Lanka offers a perfect beach wedding, with golden sunsets, and endless horizons.

Celebration of love in an elegant setting

For many Indian couples, in particular, Sri Lanka presents the perfect blend of proximity and exotic appeal. While the couples seeking cooler climes and a dramatic scenery, Sri Lanka’s hill country offers a dreamlike alternative. Nuwara Eliya, often called Little England, is loved by European couples. With its colonial bungalows, rose gardens and cool climate, it lends itself perfectly to elegant garden weddings, reminiscent of an English country affair.

What sets Sri Lanka apart is not just the beauty of these locations but how seamlessly everything comes together – food, culture and locations.

From décor and catering to cultural performances and legal formalities – ensure couples and their families to focus solely on the celebration itself without hassles.

: An ancient symbol of grace at a modern wedding

It is also the versatility that attracts a global clientale, Indian weddings find space for grandeur and tradition while European couples discover intimacy and charm. Some European couples are drawn to Sri Lanka’s tropical allure, heritage architecture, and a promise of a wedding that feels both intimate and extraordinary. Hotels and resorts across the island have elevated destination weddings into an art form.

Some of the hotels, such as Shangri-La Hambantota, Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Sheraton Kosgoda and Weligama offer bespoke wedding packages that go for beyond décor and dining.

Wedding planners curate menus, from floral themes, cultural performance to dining, ensuring each celebration reflects the couples story. Guests, too, are not left out, they find themselves embarking on wildlife safaris or indulge in Ayurvedic wellness retreats along the southern coast. Weddings becomes rich with memory making moments. Unlike Bali or Phuket, Sri Lanka offers five star venues, world class cuisine to the island’s ability to offer something deeply personal yet effortlessly luxurious.

In Sri Lanka, couples will never confined to a single venue. A beach ceremony can be followed by a hill country honeymoon or a cultural

celebration near Sigiriya can transition into a coastal after party and personalised service at a fraction of the cost, allowing couples to enjoy their ceremonies at a low cost. Culturally the island offers depths and colour. Kandyan dancers, traditional drummers, Poruwa ceremonies and vibrant local rituals add authencity and character.

The island’s year round tropical climate further enhances its appeal. Couples can host outdoor ceremonies under open skies. The exotic landscapes lend themselves beautifully to photography. Above all this, Sri Lanka offers warmth and the hospitality is genuine and deeply personal.

Sri Lanka stands out in a world where destination weddings are becoming increasingly extravagant.

Sri Lanka is a place where love is celebrated against a backdrop of nature, culture and timeless beauty. And perhaps that is why so many couples choose Sri Lanka to say ‘I do’ and to began their journey in a place that feels like home.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

Festive cheer comes alive

Published

3 days ago

2026/04/19

Thilina Walpola

Elegance in tradition, pride in service

at Cinnamon Grand

This Avurudu season, Cinnamon Grand Colombo invited guests to embrace the warmth, joy, and timeless traditions of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with a thoughtfully curated series of festive experiences for the whole family.

Blending authentic Sri Lankan heritage with the hotel’s signature hospitality, the celebrations promise a memorable April filled with traditional flavours, lively entertainment, and meaningful moments of togetherness.

The festivities began with the Avurudu themed tea buffet, at the tea lounge, where guests savoured a delightful spread of seasonal sweets, festive treats, and local favourites inspired by Avurudu traditions.

During the season, Nuga Gama came alive with Happy Avurudu, featuring a charming traditional sweet table followed by an authentic Sri Lankan lunch buffet. Guests immersed themselves in the festive spirit with traditional Avurudu games, cultural celebrations, and special seasonal activities, recreating the joy of a classic Sri Lankan New Year gathering.

: Behind every celebration is a team of culinary artists

Swinging into elegance and unforgettable memories

As the celebrations continued into the evening, Nuga Gama presented the Sri Lankan New Year Dinner on 14th April, an indulgent dinner buffet showcasing cherished festive recipes and beloved Sri Lankan flavours.

The guests enjoyed a host of seasonal experiences across the hotel. Coffee Stop featured the Avurudu Kavili Pop up, offering an irresistible selection of traditional New Year sweets, while palms of beautifully curated festive hampers perfect for gifting family, friends, and colleagues.

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the Avurudu feast at the lobby brought the traditions of the season to life with live raban performances by traditional Sri Lankan ladies and live cooking stations serving freshly prepared local sweet treats, creating an immersive festive experience for guests and visitors alike.

For those looking to extend the celebrations, Cinnamon Grand Colombo also introduced a festive Avurudu stay, inviting guests to enjoy the season with an exclusive city escape. Guests booking with the promo code CGA26 enjoyed special benefits, including 15% off on all food and beverage, 10% off spa treatments, and a complimentary stay for one child, valid for stays until 30th April 2026. Reservations can be made via cinnamonhotels.com.

The celebrations continue later in the month with Baila Night at Nuga Gama on 24th April, featuring a lively performance by Sri Band SL, followed by a delicious dinner buffet in a festive village style setting.

Celebrate Avurudu season with unforgettable flavours, cherished traditions, and heartfelt hospitality at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, where every experience is designed to capture the true spirit of the season.