Category: Avenues

The plight of the Crow Island Beach

Nestled in the north-west corner of Colombo city, in Modara—a location where one would scarcely expect it to be—is a once-beautiful stretch of sandy coastline with a fantastic view of the ocean. An area that could potentially rival Sri Lanka’s finest down-south beaches, without any of the travel hassle. By almost all counts, Crow Island Beach should be known by one and all. Yet, why is this beach seldom spoken of and, in fact, hardly even recognized? The sad truth is that, for all its potential charm, Crow Island Beach, in its theoretically fabulous locale, is overrun with trash. In an ideal world, being situated near the mouth of the Kelani River would make the area a picturesque natural haven—all…

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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.…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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