As the Directors of the Environmental Services Avenue of the Rotaract Club at Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, we are very proud to reflect on a year packed with impactful projects and dedicated participation from our members. Our efforts have not only enhanced the environment but also fostered a sense of responsibility and community among fellow members. This year, we successfully completed three major projects: Pruthuwi, Sobaru, and Blue Horizon, each leaving a significant mark on our journey toward environmental sustainability. Our year began with Pruthuwi, a planting project in a rural school in Pannipitiya. That was a joint project with community service avenue and this initiative aimed to enhance the green cover in school premises while introducing the importance of environmental…
Author: RotaractArts
Month in Review: March
Hey everyone! Aaaaah the madness that was March! Remember how we thought February was crazy? Well, March took things to a whole new level with those never-ending assignments (seriously, they just kept coming!). As always, a huge shoutout goes to our amazing group of writers who wrote these updates, juggling so much work! We truly appreciate it. Since exams are nearing (yikes!), this month’s update will be in English only. Even though the Sinhala and Tamil New Year coincide with our study leave, we hope that you all will be able to recharge and celebrate new beginnings! Here’s to conquering those exams! Wishing you all the best of luck, The co-editors The Editorial In March, we successfully completed the Cinematic…
In the Realm of Military Service: A Conversation with Mrs. Sujanthi Namasinghe
In the field of military service, women are constantly breaking down gender stereotypes and advocating for equality through their professions. Through Beyond the Labels, we had the opportunity to speak with a retired Air Force Aero Instrument and Electrical Technician and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Mrs. Sujanthi Namasinghe, about her journey, experiences, and reflections on gender equality in the military. What inspired you to pursue a career in the military, and were there unique challenges you faced as a woman entering this field? I thought of joining the Air Force after seeing the beauty of their uniform. And I've always liked the Air Force Band. After seeing those things, I became interested in them and wanted to join the Air Force.…
Nurturing Creativity: A Conversation with U. L. Thiyara Ranasinghe
U. L. Thiyara Ranasinghe is the proud owner of @Ytartsandcrafts, an Instagram-based hand-painted cards business she manages with her sister. We interviewed Ms. Ranasinghe as a part of the project ‘Beyond the Lables’, in order to get insights as to her motivation in starting this business, the hurdles she faced and her advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs, among other key aspects. The following are the questions we directed to Ms. Ranasinghe during the interview and her remarkable responses. What motivated you to start your business? Since we were kids, both of us were talented in art, and my sister and I used to make birthday cards for our parents as well as our best friends every year. They were quite…
Beyond The Home: Unveiling The Invisible Sacrifices and Unspoken Challenges of Modern Housewives
Motherhood and marriage heavily impact a woman's professional journey. Many women have faced difficulties in balancing their family life and their career, and have often been forced to choose between one or the other due to societal pressure, economic burden or simply having no other choice. Kumari, a 51 years old woman who wishes to remain anonymous, tells us about her struggles of being a housewife and also a working mother. Can you tell us about the dreams or goals you had and if you were able to achieve them? (Were you forced to give up your dreams due to marriage, children or family commitments) I was actually quite ambitious when I was young. I was known as a workaholic,…
Redefining Stereotypes: Girl’s Empowerment Through Sports
In a society where traditional gender roles often confine women to certain domains, sports stand as a prime example. Despite prevailing notions that sports are primarily for men, there are countless female athletes breaking through these barriers. Through our Beyond the Label project, we had the honor of conversing with one such remarkable athlete, A.M Chinthani VishmikaBandara in the University of Jaffna currently playing for Colombo Football Club. Her story echoes the journeys of women defying societal norms in sports. 1) How have you initiated your journey in the field of football professionally and as a woman what motivated you to pursue it professionally? I started playing football at 8 years old, back in grade 3. It all began when I joined the school…
Breaking the Binary: A Conversation with an IT Professional
The IT sector is usually thought to be best suited for men solely due to the high level of technical and mechanical expertise needed. In a conventional society where people believe girls are best suited for delicate vocations, we got the chance to speak with an outstanding female IT professional. Her story and what she has got to tell us have something for everyone eager to defy convention. 1) How do you perceive the role of women in the ICT industry today compared to, let’s say, a decade ago? Since I’ve been in the industry for only four years, I still can’t speak for what it might have been like a decade ago, but from what I’ve seen and heard, it’s…
What’s the News Today? Interview with News Anchor, Therunee Karunaratne
Unlike in the past, women nowadays are entering the work field more and more with each passing day, breaking barriers and redefining boundaries. In journalism, a field which is considered to be difficult to persist in as a woman, Therunee Karunaratne stands out. Starting as an aspiring presenter, she's now a respected news anchor, defying stereotypes along the way. As part of our project, "Beyond the Labels," we explore her journey, delving into the obstacles she faced, and the wisdom she shares with other aspiring women. Therunee's dedication is truly inspiring. While working as a news anchor for Sirasa TV's ‘News 1st: Prime Time English News’, she also presents programs and coaches scrabble—all while pursuing her education at the Faculty of…
Month in Review: February
Hello everyone! February was one of the busiest months for us undergraduates because of all those mid semester assignments and exams! However, that did not stop our Rotaract club from conducting various projects and initiatives, and as usual, we are here to fill you all in! A massive thank you to our dedicated group of writers who tirelessly documented all of them amidst so much work! You guys rock! Happy reading! - The co-editors The Editorial Following the success of our "Cinematic Narrative" project, we have published numerous articles capturing the essence of storytelling on screens. Further, we've ensured quality through proofreading and editing the content and also providing gripping captions to keep our audience entertained. As we continue to…
Twinkling Watermelon: A Time Slip to the Past
I’m sure everyone, at some point in their lives, has wondered: “What if I could turn back the time, change the course of events, and maybe relive some moments for a second time?” The Korean TV series ‘Twinkling Watermelon’, directed by Son Jong-hyun, seamlessly blending elements of time-travel, coming-of-age, family and love, delves into the idea of rewriting the past. However, the approach is different as the main leads Ha Eun Gyeol (Ryeon) and On Eun Yu (Seol In-ah) are, in fact, trying to rewrite the lives of their parents, ultimately leading to a restructuring of their own life. This drama reminds us that our parents were also once teenagers with their own hopes, dreams and inner struggles. That there…