Campaign posters of Mahinda Rajapaksa with the eyes scratched out. (Photo by Indi Samarajiva)

I fled to the U.S. after my government threatened my life. Trump’s got me worried.

What can America learn from the successes and failures of Sri Lankans who opposed a corrupt, racist, power hungry president?
Feb 15, 2017
Credit Cards (Photo from Flickr by frankieleon)

Is the American dream still alive for new immigrants?

Even after decades of professional accomplishments in her home country, Frederica Jansz says the American Dream has been elusive.
Oct 10, 2016
A homeless man sleeps in Pioneer Square. A count last January tallied 2736 people sleeping outside in King County without shelter. (Photo by C4Chaos via Flickr)

Sri Lanka offers dark lessons in addressing homelessness

The grisly murders of beggars in Colombo’s city center are a frightening contrast to efforts to solve Seattle’s downtown homeless problem.
Oct 17, 2013
Egyptian protesters in Tahrir Square in 2011 celebrate Facebook's contribution to the Arab Spring. (Photo by Essam Sharaf via Flickr)

“Why don’t you like my post?” Americans keep it apolitical on Facebook

Millions of people around the globe are on Facebook. But when she moved to Northwest from Sri Lanka earlier this year, Frederica Jansz found out that the way people post here is completely different.
Aug 21, 2013
Sri Lankan Independence Day. Photo thanks to Frederica Jansz.

From Sri Lanka to South Puget Sound: My first nine months in Puyallup

In Sri Lanka, Independence Day is celebrated with a show of military strength that keeps most residents of the capital city locked in their homes for the day. Frederica Jansz’ first Fourth of July in the States was just one of many things that felt familiar, yet oh-so-different.
Aug 5, 2013