A visit to the Republic of Korea gave Erandi Thanippularachchi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, opportunity to learn about culture, history, and how a nation can develop its potential.  The moment we stepped into the Republic of Korea, we were amazingly greeted as “Anna ye Seiyo” with friendly and beautiful smiles. Seoul is a …

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Youth live in a tech-savvy world but Tiloma Chandrasekera, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka now living in the UK, asks whether social media is creating a world of endless self marketing and attention seeking. Digital natives are considered to be a generation of the populace being born into digital technology, and are highly acclimatised with computers and …

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Floods and landslides brought enormous destruction to Sri Lanka, but they also brought community spirit and generosity that define the small nation, writes Navodinee Wickramanayake, 22, a Correspondent from Sri Lanka who urges continued positive response to the disaster. I guess the drought was not the very worst. After weeks of wishing for rains, rains we …

“The floods that healed a nation” Read More »

Zurich hosted a summit for young leaders, among them Navodinee Wickramanayake, 22, a Correspondent from Sri Lanka, who found inspiration in the kinds of change being led by youth.  Each year, young leaders from across the world travel to various cities to attend The Global Changemakers Youth Summit, which is an incredible experience for young activists, …

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Attempting to solve the complex issues in modern society can be a daunting task, but Navodinee Wickramanayake, 22, a Correspondent from Sri Lanka, describes one woman’s efforts to provide inspiration and support to those trying to make a difference.  Often times we look at the issues our society faces today and become overwhelmed by their complexity …

“A new social innovation for change makers” Read More »

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to end poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change by 2030. Madusha Erandi Thanippuliarachchi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, says even though the goals of 2015 have not been achieved, there is new hope as world leaders and citizens try to reach the greater target. …

“Looking at reaching the SDGs for Sri Lanka” Read More »

Society is highly competitive, and it is obvious that status is determined by profession, writes Madusha Erandi Thanippuliarachchi, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka. Parents commit to better education for their children, which raises question about the motives for and cost of higher education. Today in Sri Lanka, doctor, lawyer, and engineer are prominent professions that are highly …

“Higher education for earning or for serving” Read More »

Sri Lanka’s Right to Information Act was implemented on the 3rd of February this year. The Act enables any citizen of Sri Lanka to request any recorded information held by any public authority.  Annemari de Silva, 27, a Correspondent in Colombo, Sri Lanka, looks at the first few weeks of RTI. To quote its preamble, …

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On the dirt road from Wellawaya to Buttala, there stood two little shacks in a small expanse of garden. One would often spot an elderly gentleman there dressed in a sarong and simple baniyan, writes Annemari de Silva, 27, a Correspondent in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as she tells the story of a respected community builder. …

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Public versus private medical education in Sri Lanka is a hotly-debated topic, writes Madusha Erandi Thanippuliarachchi, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka. What is important to consider is whether one believes private education acts for profit or the public good. Sri Lanka is blessed to have a free education system which has produced many eminent professionals. C.W.W …

“Private education: For profit? Or public good?” Read More »