Bhi Bhiman: A Folk Soul Singer with Sri Lankan Heritage

Born to Sri Lankan parents, Bhiman grew up in St. Louis and was initially inspired by Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder.

Sri Lanka Opens First Highway

The Geo Quiz is taking a look at Sri Lanka’s first-ever highway. It runs north-south, connecting two cities 75 miles apart. Can you name those cities?

Sri Lanka’s unifying cuisines

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Even during the height of the Sri Lankan civil war, Sinhalese and Tamils were able to come together on a few things. One of those was food. Reporter Ike Sriskandarajah gives us a tour of Sri Lankan cuisine. Download MP3

Find out some mouth watering Sri Lankan recipes here.

Asian island nation

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In the Geo Quiz we’re searching for the jungles of Mullaitivu this time. These jungles are found at the northern end of an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It’s an area that was scarred by a civil war that dragged on for 25 years. Download MP3

A lovers’ park in Sri Lanka

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Showing affection in public is frowned upon by some in Sri Lanka. So the government has come up with an idea to make everyone happy by creating a sheltered Lovers’ Park so that those who want to cuddle can do so, away from disapproving stares. The BBC’s Charles Haviland has more from Colombo. Download MP3

Tamil asylum boat arrives in Canada

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A Thai ship carrying hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamils arrived at the Esquimalt naval base in British Columbia on Friday. The MV Sun Sea had been intercepted off the Canadian coast on Thursday. According to Canada’s public safety minister there were 490 people aboard the ship, possibly including members of the banned Tamil Tiger rebels. The CBC’s Curt Petrovich has been following the story unfolding in Western Canada. Download MP3

• CBC coverage
• Vancouver Sun story

Buddhist festival

Today’s Geo Quiz celebrates the Perahara: It’s a 10-day Buddhist festival with elephant parades and fire-dancing all rolled into one. It gets underway this week in city in central Sri Lanka. That’s the city we want you to name.

• Watch an audioslideshow

Sri Lankan’s wounds of war

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Sri Lankan journalist Sonali Samarasinghe about life in Sri Lanka today – a year after the Sri Lankan government proclaimed victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels, ending a long, bloody civil war. Download MP3

• See a video about Sonali Samarasinghe’s husband, Lasantha Wickrematunga
• Listen to “One year later in Sri Lanka”

One year later in Sri Lanka

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Its one year since the Tamil Tiger separatists in Sri Lanka were defeated after a bloody civil war that lasted over three decades. The government’s main priority since their victory has been reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation with the Tamils in an effort to consolidate their win. The government claims it’s all progressing very fast. But some Tamils aren’t impressed. The BBC’s Tinku Ray reports from Sri Lanka. Download MP3

• The World background coverage
• BBC coverage

Sri Lanka Tamils claim persecution

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Thousands of Tamil Sri Lankans are fleeing their country fearing government persecution after the Tamil Tiger rebels lost a 30-year battle for an independent homeland earlier this year. But the government says they have nothing to fear. Rebecca Henschke reports. Download MP3