LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR

Dear Reader,

It’s 2026: a new year. And if you are like me, with it comes renewed motivation and resolve to grow for the better.

As you explore new paths for personal growth and set new goals for the year ahead, this issue invites you to pause and enquire: which of your goals are fueled by your aspirations and which of them originate from societal expectations? Which expectations are at odds with your personal beliefs and ambitions? If there is a mismatch—well, then what?

We invite you to ask these questions, and identify which expectations may not be yours to fulfil. And as examples and inspiration, we offer you the stories of women the world over, each defying an expectation foisted upon her and emerging all the better for it. As always, we wish you happy reading, and we hope this newsletter inspires you to embark on a bold new journey of your own, in 2026.We invite you to share your thoughts, responses, and suggestions at [email protected] .

In solidarity,
Chathuni Uduwela
Guest Editor - 2026 Issue I

“At the invitation of Everystory Sri Lanka, I put together this reading list on the broad theme of masculinity. As with any attempt to condense a vast and evolving field that spans decades and vast geographies, it is imperfect and partial. However, I believe it offers a glimpse into a diverse range of works—ranging from historical, theoretical and empirical investigations to policy-oriented and journalistic accounts. There are some Sri Lanka-specific works and others from around the world. The readings are grouped thematically, allowing you, the reader, to choose which ones resonate with you and engage with them at your own pace.”

-Senel Wanniarachchi

Read the full reading list here

THIS MONTH
WE’RE READING

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

In Fundamentally, Nadia, a British academic flees from heartbreak and attempts to start anew in Iraq, leading a deradicalization program for ISIS brides… with disastrous consequences. The book speaks to competing narratives and expectations surrounding faith, femininity and belonging that Muslim women face in the West, and it draws liberally from author Nussaibah Younis’s background as a a peace-building practitioner and a globally-recognized expert on contemporary Iraq to do so. The result is a funny, often raunchy take on a very grave subject.

Fundamentally was shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize in Fiction.

THIS MONTH
WE’RE WATCHING

Ghost School (2025)

Ghost School is the story of 10‑year‑old Rabia, who defies rural superstition and bureaucratic neglect to uncover why her school abruptly closed. Untangling eerie rumours, corrupt local power, and silence, she undertakes a solitary, courageous search for truth and justice.

Narrated from the point of view of a child, the film explores the educational crisis caused in Pakistan, where millions of children lack access to education, but some schools exist only on paper.

Minor Matters Podcast

This podcast by Minor Matters, a national campaign dedicated to fostering religious harmony and protecting the Freedom of Religion or Belief in Sri Lanka, has several episodes and is available on YouTube. In Episode 3, titled "Beyond the Silence: Reforming MMDA & Exposing FGMC | Women, Faith & Freedom”, activist Nabeela Iqbal of the Sisterhood Initiative shares her personal journey into activism.

THIS MONTH
WE’RE DOING

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