A person’s bookshelf tells a story of interests, inspirations, and ideas that have shaped them. In Pages & Perspectives, we ask people to share what they’re reading, their all-time favourite books, and the ones that have left a lasting impact. This week, Raffealla Fernando, fashion and celebrity photographer, takes our Q&A.

The familiar panic is setting in. Your A/L examination is just weeks away, and you’re staring at a mountain of syllabus content that seems impossible to conquer. Your phone buzzes with notifications from study groups sharing three-hour YouTube lectures on economic theories, but who has time to watch those when you’re juggling tuition classes in Colombo, part-time work to support your family, and the endless pressure to perform?

Aqua Pazza may be relatively new to Colombo’s restaurant scene, but it walks in with the quiet confidence of a place that knows exactly who it is. The interiors are sleek and sculptural, with warm lighting, curved European furniture, and tableware so chic I found myself running my fingers along the bread basket. It’s modern, yes, but never sterile. The kind of space where you want to linger, preferably with good company and a lot of food. Fun fac

On the evening of June 7, 2025, the MJF Centre Auditorium in Katubedda, Moratuwa, transformed into a powerful symbol of inclusion, determination, and musical brilliance. The debut performance of Bright Light—Sri Lanka’s first musical band formed entirely by visually impaired young musicians- was not only a showcase of talent but an unforgettable evening that stirred hearts and redefined perceptions.

Today on Buzz with Danu, I spotlight a marketplace that’s doing more than just selling products—it’s selling purpose. Athwela Marketplace brings together Sri Lankan artisans, survivors, and change-makers to create sustainable, meaningful products that empower communities and protect our planet. It’s not just commerce—it’s conscious living. Let’s dive into the story behind this inspiring initiative

Recently, a local influencer posted a video of herself eating a burger in a crop top. Harmless, right? Except the comments section lit up like it was the second coming of the apocalypse. “No shame!” “Think of the children!” “This is not our culture!”. Never mind that the burger was from a global chain and the crop top probably from ODEL. The point wasn’t food or fashion, it was rage.

This past week’s news came with plot twists, parrots, and people showing more spine than most governments. We had a rare macaw stolen (again) from a zoo that can barely hold its gates together, a gentle reminder that being loud online isn’t the same as being right, and 11 brave civilians who sailed into dangerous waters just to deliver food and medicine. Let’s get into it.

Those random days where we sit on the sofa on a rainy day and notice in a world where artificial intelligence can churn out artwork in seconds and digital tools promise instant creativity, a decades-old Japanese animation studio continues to capture hearts across our island and beyond. Studio Ghibli’s painstakingly crafted films raise important questions about what we truly value in art and creativity today.

On certain days, everything seems perfectly balanced. You’re sipping your iced coffee, vibing to your playlist, and your life feels like a Pinterest board. Other days? You’re crying over a dropped call or typing an angry essay in response to a dry “k” text. (No shame, we’ve all been there.)

Over the weekend of May 31st and June 1st, 2025, Oscar-nominated Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta launched Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ inaugural “Signature Weekends” – a series of curated events and immersive experiences designed to celebrate the arts, culture and heritage that puts destination Sri Lanka in the spotlight.