Roar Media Archive - History & Culture

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.
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How Sri Lankan Tamils Came To Have ‘English’ Names

Many Sri Lankan Tamils have English or otherwise European names, and are often confused with Burghers or Eurasians. How this came to be constitutes a vital part of the evolution of modern Sri Lanka.

A Brief History Of Modern Transportation In Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans love cars. Since the very first one entered the island in 1902, and in the 120 years since, the country’s vehicle population has grown despite recurring import restrictions and the economic instability brought on by the civil war. Car enthusiasts and everyday vehicle owners have built a culture of passion for and pride in the vehicles they drive, and an appreciation for what it took for the country to get here. Here’s a brief history of Sri Lanka’s relationship with modern transportation.

Nazis in Ceylon: In Search Of Aryan Origins

In 1938, Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler sent a five-member team on an expedition through South Asia to trace the origins of the Aryan race — which they believed was the ‘master race’.

The Moon Men In Ceylon

NASA’s Apollo 11 spaceflight made history in July 1969 when it became the first to land humans on the moon. The historic moon landing was followed by five more — and Apollo 12, which took 3 astronauts to the moon, landed in November 1969.

Prince Philip’s First Car: A Royal Artefact At A Colombo Hotel

In 1940, at the age of 18, Prince Philip bought his first ever car while he was posted to a British naval base in Trincomalee, British Ceylon.

Rock Doves That Rock Borella

For as long as we have thriving cities, pigeons will seek them out. But where did they come from? Take the massive flock of pigeons at the Borella junction: For the longest time, no one could figure out how these birds came to the city. So we went in search of answers.

Trendy ‘Western’ Diets Or Something More Accessible?

If you’re planning to make healthy changes to your life, alongside working out, incorporating an effective diet is one of the first steps you can take. Sri Lankan cuisine, as we know, is immensely rich in culture and heritage. The food offers a wide range of flavour-filled combinations. Despite this, many gravitate towards trending western diets to add balance and nutrition to their lives. However, popular diet plans, such as Keto and Paleo, and the ingredients required to make them work, are either not readily available in Sri Lanka or are significantly more expensive.

Nicholas Romanov: The Last Tsar’s Visit To Ceylon

Before he ascended to the throne and became infamous as the last tsar of Russia, Nicholas Romanov set out on a journey East to forge diplomatic ties.

Prisdang Chumsai: The Thai Prince Who Lived In Ceylon

Off the coast of Matara in the South of Sri Lanka, across the Polhena beach, is the little Galgodiyana island on which remains the ruins of a stupa — but one that differs in style from other Buddhist structures of ancient Sri Lanka.

How One Bookshop Is Trying To Revitalise Sri Lanka’s Love For Russian Literature

Sarath Lal Kumara was about 27, and newly married, when the Sri Lankan government began hunting down socialists in the country. This was during 1987 – 1989 — a period later described as “the years of terror” — when the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), today a political party, then an armed rebel group, launched its second insurgency against the government.

The Time-Tested Landmarks Of Maradana

Maradana — Colombo 10 — is one of the busiest areas in the city. But this was not the case, perhaps a century or so ago, when Maradana was a quiet suburban area in which a number of theatres, cinemas and schools were located.

The Unknown World Of Sinhala Science Fiction

The great melding of literature and science comes in the form of science fiction; from interstellar worlds filled with exotic alien life forms, to travelling through time and grappling with vast social conflicts of genetically advanced ‘superhumans’, this literary genre has fueled the minds of many over the years.

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