Foreign writings on Sri Lanka are an important source for information on ancient Sri Lanka. There are many Greek and Roman references to Sri Lanka. These are largely based on the Greek experiences in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka was mentioned by Onescritus (4 Century BC) and Megasthenes (3 Century BC,) Onescritus was a pilot attached to the navy of Alexander the Great. Megasthenes was an ambassador...

BANGKOK -- Thailand's Culture Ministry says foreign tourists should be barred from getting Buddhist tattoos while visiting because the practice is culturally insensitive. Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat said in a statement that his ministry has been receiving complaints from residents that tattoo parlors are etching sacred images of Buddha and other religious images onto the skin o...

Brain drain can be identified as a significant feature which can be seen in developing countries. It is an important pattern of international human migration. Brain drain refers to ‘Migration of the highly skilled professionals to the foreign countries in search of better opportunities’. In modern world large number of intellectuals leave their native lands and settle in the developed...

A decade ago, having recently begun Buddhist meditation practice, I attended a lecture/Q&A with a Tibetan master at a Buddhist center in Hollywood. The warm vibes and the stunning icons and paintings suggested a sacred, healing space. The speaker -- I knew so little at the time, I thought his name was "Sri" -- seemed the embodiment of enlightenment. He described how we can foster spiritua...

Broadly speaking, one can identify five distinct constituencies that shape Sri Lanka’s image abroad: First Western Governments - which I define from a politico-cultural standpoint, as countries that are geographically located in North America, Western Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, second, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) - these include both International NGOs, as well ...