Roar Media Archive - Culture & Identities

Welcome to Roar Media's archive of content published from 2014 to 2023. As of 2024, Roar Media has ceased editorial operations and will no longer publish new content on this website.
The company has transitioned to a content production studio, offering creative solutions for brands and agencies.
To learn more about this transition, read our latest announcement here. To visit the new Roar Media website, click here.

English

Sinhala

SIN

Tamil

Bangla

BAN

Committing To The Ink: How Sri Lanka’s Tattoo Artists Learn Their Art

There is a long and arduous process aspiring tattoo artists go through before committing to the ink. Apprenticeships can vary from a matter of months to years, but remain one of the few ways tattooists can learn the tools of the trade, in a country where the industry still has very little official recognition.

The Ice Packet Vendor

For present and past students of Royal and Thurstan College, 76-year-old Buhary is a familiar face. For several years, he has been selling cold, thirst-quenching ice packets outside both schools. Even though he has faced numerous challenges all the way, he has plenty of memories of the good times.

Banding Together: Sri Lanka’s Metal Enthusiasts Attempt To Keep A Community Alive

Metal music facilitates cathartic release as well as a sense of community for its fans. Find out what’s behind the scraps and screams, and dive into Sri Lanka’s metal scene!

Disability Rights Shifts Focus From Charity To Independence

It’s time to move away from charity in our approach to disability, towards guaranteeing rights and nurturing independence. Where is disability in Sri Lanka at right now—both legally and socially—and what does the future hold?

Carved Creations: The Construction Of Hindu Kovil Chariots

Carving chariots for Hindu religious processions is no easy task and can take as long as twelve months. Here, we visit Amarasingham Narthana, a woodcarver from the ‘asari’ caste of ‘master’ carpenters in his hometown of Araly, Jaffna to see what his life is like.

Wanniyalaetto Kavitana: How The Vedda Language Came To Be

The Veddas (hunters), or Wannilayetto (people of the forest) as they call themselves, populated the island before the arrival of Tamil and Sinhalese settlers around 600 BC. Today there are only three major groups in existence, and their settlements can be found in the Anuradhapura district, the Uva Province, and along the East coast.

The Astronomic Numismatist

Dr. Kavan Ratnatunga is an accomplished astrophysicist who has worked with prestigious organisations like Princeton University, NASA and the Hubble Telescope Project. Now, his pursuits have shifted from the skies to something more down to earth, as he is one of Sri Lanka’s most respected numismatists.

The Father Of Sinhala Hymns

Sri Lankan Christmases would be very different without the service done to Catholic culture in Sri Lanka by Father Marcelline Jayakody.

The Majestic Cobbler

After working for a few years in Kuwait, Mohammed decided to return to Colombo to become a cobbler. Mending shoes has been the more lucrative option for him. However with rising costs, it is a challenge for him to make ends meet.

In Good Faith: A Day In The Life Of A Christmas Crib Seller

At an intersection on a busy street in bustling Kotahena is a shrine for St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things. Milling in through the three glass doors of the imposing Neoclassical façade are ordinary people wanting extraordinary miracles. The St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade has a reputation for granting the wishes of those who fervently pray at its altars, but is equally well-known for is its ability to draw a multi-religious audience.

Stories Behind The Songs Of Premakeerthi De Alwis

Premakeerthi de Alwis is one of Lanka’s best lyricists and someone with a character so loved that there are many stories about him, like these.

Three Of Sri Lanka’s Baila Champions

It’s hard to imagine Sri Lanka without the sweet sounds of baila. We wouldn’t have had a rich legacy of baila without ‘baila champions’ like these three greats.

End of Articles

No More Articles to Load

Roar Media is a global storytelling platform.