Life Story

Sri Lanka’s Pushpi Weerakoon awarded ‘Rotary Alumni Global Service Award’

Published

7 months ago

July 3, 2025

Contributing to the many international accolades achieved by Sri Lankans this year, Pushpi Weerakoon has been awarded the ‘Rotary Alumni Global Service Award’.

This is the very first time a Sri Lankan has received this prestigious award and have been invited to address the Rotary International Convention, to be held this year from 21-25 June in Calgary Canada.

This award is the highest honour presented by Rotary International to an outstanding Rotary alumnus whose achievements have enriched their profession and whose services to humanity exemplifies the spirit of Rotary.

The award is intended to highlight the positive impact of Rotary programs and to inspire others worldwide to pursue service and leadership as the recipient.

Upon receiving the award, Pushpi will address the convention gathering together with other distinguish speakers such as Tawakkol Karman the first woman from the Arab world to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Isabel C. Scarinci a behavioral scientist with a deep commitment to the elimination of cancer disparities in low- and middle-income countries, Scott Simon host of National Public Radio who has reported from five continents on 10 wars, winning every major award in U.S. broadcasting.

Life Story

Taavi Samaraweera wins gold at world youth table tennis event

Published

7 days ago

January 19, 2026

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Ten-year-old Taavi Samaraweera of Sri Lanka continued his rapid rise in world table tennis by winning the Under-11 title at the World Youth Contender tournament in Bahrain, securing his first international gold medal of 2026.

The top-ranked Under-11 player in the world produced a calm and confident performance in the final, defeating Bahrain’s Yusuf Albanna to clinch the championship.

The victory marks a significant milestone in Samaraweera’s young career and further highlights his emergence as one of the sport’s most promising talents. Despite his age, he has gained international attention for his technical skill, discipline and maturity at the table.

Life Story

Sri Lankan-Born academic Knighted in King’s New Year honours

Published

3 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

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Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been knighted in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours.

Born in Jaffna and educated at St. John’s College, he moved to the UK on a scholarship to the University of Cambridge.

The honor recognizes his 30-year career and his leadership in making higher education more inclusive.

Under his guidance, the University of Leicester has become one of the UK’s most diverse institutions.

Reflecting on the honor, Professor Canagarajah described it as a “remarkable journey” for a boy from a once war-torn land, credited to the transformative power of education.