The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and most awe-inspiring Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka. Perahera loosely translates to pageant, which comes from the Sanskrit word ‘parihara’, a ritual that involves the parading and display of sacred objects. In Sri Lanka, the Esala Perahera has come to represent a grand procession that occurs over a series of days.

It’s a small village, situated on the outskirts of Piliyandala, about 20 kilometres south of Colombo. The architecture is decorated with bright colours, walls adorned with child-like paintings and messages of hope. There is a distinct warmth and vitality to the environment, as a familiar sense of belonging hangs in the air. It feels like walking into a family home. To these children, it is home.

I am travelling on Ahaspokuna, Sri Lanka’s first and only bush-walk and camping experience. The name itself has significance in the Sinhalese language, as "ahas" means "sky" and "pokuna" means "pond" or "pool". This is in reference to the nearby lake, which is situated in the hills and fed by rain waters. Its shore was also the site of a former settlement; however the jungle tide has washed away these bygone days to give way to a unique wilderness retreat. The area, steeped in rich history of the Kandyan Kingdom and the subsequent colonial invasions, is today the site of a holiday experience like no other.

I explore Jaffna’s lesser known islands and peninsula in an attempt to understand and experience the unique culture found in Sri Lanka’s northern province.

SOS Children’s Village in Sri Lanka has called for support from the government and private sector to help develop support systems for youth leaving alternative care. A ‘Speak Out’ session was held on Thursday at Waters Edge to provide a public platform for past SOS youth to share their experiences of leaving care, as well as opening up the room for discussion. Past SOS children called upon industry leaders and politicians to provide additional funding for preparation services and aftercare support to better equip youth in childcare for independent living.

One of Sri Lanka’s top venereologists and former regional adviser on HIV for the World Health Organisation throughout the South East Asian Region, Dr. Iyanthimala Abeyewickreme, has called for greater awareness surrounding HIV in Sri Lanka. Dr. Abeyewickreme delivered a passionate speech at the 27th Susan George Pulimood Memorial Oration, which was held at Visakha Vidyalaya, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected girls’ schools. The oration was titled "Thirty years into the HIV epidemic in Sri Lanka: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives," which addressed the contemporary issues surrounding HIV and AIDS in the country.

Yoga is a series of physical, mental and spiritual practices that originated more than 5,000 years ago in ancient India. The meaning of "yoga" derives from the Sanskrit word "yuj", which translates to "union or connection"; the main goal of yoga being a sustained connection between the body, mind and soul.

Last Thursday marked the opening of a unique bakery, the likes of which have not been seen before in Sri Lanka. Situated on Palipitiya road, its distinctive flags fluttered on the shop front, illustrating its connection to a country that is as big as it is diverse. The interior is clean and modern, an inviting atmosphere that provides customers with a comfortable experience.

The launch of Seasons Sri Lanka, the nation’s first internationally recognised drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, was held last week at their facility in Waskaduwa.

The 2017 British Council IELTS Awards and Partner Forum was held last week to recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations that make outstanding contributions towards IELTS examinations in Sri Lanka. The event took place at the King’s Court, Cinnamon Lakeside and was attended by representatives from more that 50 IELTS (International English Language Testing System) registration centres.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have introduced Sri Lanka as a new international chapter in their global community. The inaugural reception was held on Thursday and hosted at Westminster House Gardens at the British High Commission.

The 16th Profood Propack & Agbiz Processed Food Exhibition – 2017 was inaugurated at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre in Colombo last week. Speaking at the event, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen emphasized the importance of this exhibition series as a significant trade and networking platform for the food and packaging industry.

Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics becomes Sri Lanka’s first medical laboratory to receive internationally recognised accreditation. This accreditation acknowledges LHD as meeting globally recognised standards of medical laboratory practices. It is also the first medical laboratory in Sri Lanka to achieve CAP accreditation, joining 7,000 CAP accredited facilities world-wide.