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.
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

The Legacy Of The ‘Horagolla Walauwa’

Sri Lanka’s political landscape of the 20th century was dominated for the most part by a handful of prestigious families. These included the Bandaranaikes and the Wijewardenes, whose members were among the most powerful and influential in the country (and perhaps still are, to this day).

‘Wadakaha Sudiya’: The 1955 Solar Eclipse Hoax

So go the lyrics of a popular baila song (translated from the original Sinhala) written and performed by the legendary Wally Bastiansz himself.

Things You Didn’t Know About Colombo’s Oldest Buildings

Colombo Fort has, for over a century, been the centre of Sri Lanka’s economic activity; and being strategically located to facilitate international travel, it is not surprising that colonisers, be it the Portuguese, Dutch, or the British, chose to consolidate their control over the city.

The History Of Independence Square

As we celebrate our 73rd Independence Day, here’s a story you might not have known about the Independence Square, where the country celebrated gaining freedom for the first time

Forgotten Stories Of Colonial Colombo

Colombo is rapidly evolving into a busy metropolitan city.

72 Years Of Independence: Here Are Some Of The Events And People That Contributed

Sri Lanka today celebrated 72 years of independence from the British with performances and parades at the Independence Square in Colombo. And although Independence Day celebrations have today become a show of military strength, independence for Sri Lanka was a negotiated settlement that was the cumulative end to many events and movements throughout the period Sri Lanka was colonised.

History’s Longest Flight – To Koggala

75 years ago, history’s longest ever commercial flight happened between Perth and Koggala Lake.

The Murders That Inspired The Movie: The Crimes Of Father Mathew Peiris

The film “According to Matthew” has renewed interest in the ‘vicarage murders’, the real-life crimes that the film was based on. From newspaper clippings and interviews, we pieced together the sequence of events that inspired the making of the movie.

The Tsar That Came To Ceylon

From the times of kings to great figures in modern times, Sri Lanka has been a desired stop for travelers over the centuries. One such figure that seems almost forgotten is the last Tsar of Russia; Nicholas the Second.

The History Of The Beira Lake

Now in the midst of a bustling city, how did the Beira Lake come to be? Discover the origin, and various roles of Colombo’s iconic lake.

The Hayleys Story: How a British Businessman Started One Of Sri Lanka’s Biggest Companies

Hayleys produces 3.29% of all Sri Lanka’s exports, reaches over 7.6 mn customers worldwide, and is the first listed company in Sri Lanka to cross USD 1 bn revenue in the fiscal year 2017/18. The company, however, started off as a small import and export business based in Pedlar’s Street in Galle Fort. Here’s the story of the founder of Hayleys, and how the company became what it is today.

3 Real Events That Inspired Sri Lankan Movies

Sometimes in Sri Lanka, real-life events seem like they are from a movie. Here are three occasions in which movies drew from real life.

End of Articles

No More Articles to Load

Roar Media is a global storytelling platform.