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A Sri Lankan stilt fisherman works on his pole in the southern town of Galle.

Environment

‘There’s No Fish to Catch’: Global Warming Upends Traditional Livelihoods in Sri Lanka

Two separate studies highlight Sri Lanka's increased risk to changing weather patterns that are driving extensive changes in both living standards and livelihoods.

Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Sri Lankan security forces secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after an explosion hit St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade on April 21st, 2019 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Social Justice

The Colonial History of Christianity in Sri Lanka

After the Easter Sunday attacks that left at least 200 people dead, a religious studies professor looks back at how Christianity came to the island nation.

Sri Lankan officials inspect St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, after one of the multiple explosions targeting churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, April 21st, 2019. Across three church bombings, and three luxury hotel bombings, at least 207 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

Viewfinder: Church Bombing in Sri Lanka

Across three church and three luxury hotel bombings in Negombo, at least 207 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

Pacific Standard Staff

Commuters interact with an elephant as he rests on a public road ahead of the annual Navam Maha Perahera festival of the historic Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 18th, 2019. Some 50 elephants, most of them from the central area of Kandy, along with thousands of traditional drummers, dancers, and monks, have gathered in the Sri Lankan capital to participate in the city's biggest two-day annual procession, scheduled for February 18th and 19th.

Viewfinder: Elephants Arrive in Sri Lanka’s Capital for an Annual Festival

Commuters interact with an elephant as he rests on a public road ahead of the annual Navam Maha Perahera festival of the historic Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 18th, 2019.

Pacific Standard Staff

Elephants at Kaudulla National Park.

Environment

Researchers Create First Evidence-Based Map of Asian Elephant Populations

A Sri Lankan research team used a series of interviews over a four-year period to create a country-wide distribution map of the endangered species.

Shreya Dasgupta

Police fire tear gas and use water cannons to disperse Sinhala extremist monks from Bodu Bala Sena on November 19th, 2018, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The monks came to meet with Sri Lanka's president to hand over a message calling for the release of BBS General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who was sentenced to six years in prison. Sri Lanka's president later apologized for the severe treatment of the protesters.

Viewfinder: Police Fire Water Cannons at Monks

Police fire tear gas and use water cannons to disperse Sinhala extremist monks from Bodu Bala Sena on November 19th, 2018, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pacific Standard Staff

People gather near the Slovak National Uprising square on March 9th, 2018, during a rally against alleged political corruption, where they pay tribute to murdered Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova in Bratislava, Slovakia.

News in Brief

The Week in Photos: From the March4Women in London to Political Demonstrations in Slovakia

A round-up of images from Viewfinder, Pacific Standard's daily photo feature.

Pacific Standard Staff

Women carry banners during a demonstration on March 5th, 2018, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

News in Brief

Viewfinder: A Demonstration for Women’s Safety in Sri Lanka

Women carry banners during a demonstration on March 5th, 2018, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pacific Standard Staff

Traditional Kandyan dancers perform during a procession in front of the Gangarama Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 1st, 2018, during the Navam Perahera Festival, the city's biggest two-day annual Buddhist procession.

News in Brief

Viewfinder: Traditional Kandyan Dancers in Sri Lanka

Traditional Kandyan dancers perform during a procession in front of the Gangarama Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 1st, 2018.

Pacific Standard Staff

News in Brief

‘A Small Window of Consciousness’: An Interview With Anuk Arudpragasam

Chatting with the Sri Lankan novelist about civil war, art, and memory. By Jeffrey Zuckerman The Temple of…

Pacific Standard Staff