Sri Lanka, our motherland also called the pearl of the Indian ocean is known for its exquisite culture and history worldwide. India being our neighbor, our country has had almost a brotherly relationship with them throughout history.

Lokaragh is one such collaborative event which creates a digital bridge between the cultures.

On the evening of November 22^nd 2025, as the clock struck 8.00 pm the oceanic borders faded away as over 20 Rotaractors gathered via Google meet for Lokaragh. This was an international cultural exchange initiative which was much more than a meeting but a journey back to our roots.

Lokaragh was hosted by Rotaract club of SLIIT in collaboration with the Rotaract club of Ashoka Artisans and Rotaract club of Indore Activists. This project was formed by the powerful realization that in our fast paced modern world the stories of our ancestors are almost unheard of.

Why is this important?

Youth today are global citizens. Yet most of us have forgotten or lack the knowledge of our indigenous culture that have shaped our lives throughout history. This initiative was organized with the hope of bridging this gap to create a platform to celebrate and understand the tribal culture and foster a cross-border understanding.

This session focused on two distinct but fascinating communities,

• ‌ The Wanniyalaeto tribe of Sri Lanka
• ‌ The Korku tribe in India

This session highlighted a vibrant history, lifestyles, crafts, rituals, languages, beliefs and their evolution over time. During the session, Rotaract club of SLIIT presented in-depth explanation of our Wanniyalaeto people who have a deep unbreakable bond with nature which is rooted in every aspect of their lives. How their craftsmanship and spiritual beliefs worked. We also highlighted the challenges faced by them in navigating the modern era while preserving their culture.

Meanwhile our partnering clubs presented in-depth exploration into the fascinating history of the Korku tribe emphasizing their rich culture, traditional attire, food and crafts. They also stated how the Korku community has deep geographical roots and how their life is community centric and how they have evolved over time in their lifestyles.

Through structured presentation, the Rotaract club of SLIIT took us on a journey to the deep forest conversing how our Wanniyalaeto people harmonize with the environment while our partners painted a vivid picture of the Korku community on their vibrant crafts and rhythmic patterns of daily lives.

Lokaragh isn’t just a history lesson. It was a conversation where they asked questions and shared experience which allowed members to compare the similarities, celebrate the rich diversity of the South Asian culture and also to reflect on the importance of preserving the beauty of dying languages and rituals.

Looking ahead, the success of Lokaragh has left us with more than just facts. It has left us with a renewed enthusiasm for international collaborations. By the end of the night, 15+ Rotaractors from both the nations walked away with new found friendships and a deep respect for indigenous identities that define us.

The flames of Lokaragh burns bright shedding light on the path ahead but also remind us that to know where we go we must understand where we came from.

Penned By:

Rtr. Erandi Sandunika

Editorial Committee Member 25.26