Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam is a Sri Lankan journalist and author from Jaffna, known for incisive reporting on conflict, culture, and geopolitics across South and Southeast Asia.

Sri Lanka
"If Sri Lankan Tamils Truly Want to Shape Their Destiny, They Must First Become Financially and Institutionally Self-Reliant” – Prof. Thavam Thambipillai in Exclusive Interview with Jaffna Monitor
Prof. Thavam Thambipillai

"If Sri Lankan Tamils Truly Want to Shape Their Destiny, They Must First Become Financially and Institutionally Self-Reliant” – Prof. Thavam Thambipillai in Exclusive Interview with Jaffna Monitor

In many ways, Prof. Thavam ThambiPillai stands as an inspiring role model for Sri Lankan Tamils—and a guiding light for a community long in search of grounded, visionary leadership. A distinguished transplant surgeon, educator, and institutional leader, he became the first Sri Lankan Tamil—and possibly the first Tamil globally—to be elected World President of the International College of Surgeons (ICS). His journey is a masterclass in transforming tragedy into triumph and pain into profound purp
Interview August 2025
Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam
Two Centuries, Zero Extremists: How Bohras Became Sri Lanka's Model Muslims

Two Centuries, Zero Extremists: How Bohras Became Sri Lanka's Model Muslims

The usually bustling streets of Colombo took on a distinctly vibrant hue late last month, as over 10,000 members of the Dawoodi Bohra community from around the world descended on the city for a week-long spiritual convention. Held from June 27 to July 5, the gathering coincided with the global Ashara Mubaraka sermons led by the community’s spiritual leader, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, in Chennai, India. The Colombo leg of the event, held primarily at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centr
Cover Story Editorial
Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam
“Sri Lankans Are Hilarious, Creative, Sharp - And We’re Finally Getting to Show That to the World”: Sri Lankan Diaspora Comedian Sath Nadesan Speaks to Jaffna Monitor

“Sri Lankans Are Hilarious, Creative, Sharp - And We’re Finally Getting to Show That to the World”: Sri Lankan Diaspora Comedian Sath Nadesan Speaks to Jaffna Monitor

When you scroll through your social media feed and burst into laughter at the unapologetically absurd sketches of Yeah Mad, chances are you’re catching a punchline from Sath Nadesan. Or rather, Sathya Nadesan—as he was named at birth. Born to a Tamil father, Vasanth Nadesan of Kandy, and a Sinhalese mother, Araliya de Silva of Mount Lavinia, Sath grew up straddling identities in Sri Lanka before making his way to Australia. Today, he’s a Sydney-based stand-up comedian, a full-time cast member o
Interview July 2025
Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam