Bridging Lanka, Hendro Illam, Olaithoduwai Road, Olaithoduwai, Mannar (2026)

17/10/2025

We are so proud of the talented Kavi Varman and luminous Suwetha, and their brilliant movie . A movie of hope amidst despair, this is one to watch.

16/10/2025

Break the Madness
When art imitates life, it can save one.

Kavi Varman's latest film, Break the Madness, captures the quiet ache of a remote village where poverty dims the future — especially for young people struggling to see one at all.

Suwetha Ranjith plays protagonist Athiti — a role that mirrored her own reality more closely than anyone knew. At school, she was isolated and felt deeply out of place. At home, support was scarce.

Self-doubt crept in. Life felt heavy and dark.

Bridging Lanka founder, Jeremy Liyanage, recalls:
"She had thought to end it all but was scared to take the ultimate step. The film came at the right time. Seeing her story reflected gave her clarity — that hope and love had always been there, just hidden."

Last night, Break the Madness was recognised at the 2025 Film Arts and Hearts Festival in LA — with Best Monologue awarded to Suwetha Ranjith. A moment of immense pride for her, deep joy for her family, and for all of us at Bridging Lanka.

Congratulations to Kavi Varman, Suwetha, Higher Souls Films, the incredible team who’ve created something extraordinary with minimal resources and an abundance of talent, commitment, and vision.

Thank you to all our supporters who believed in our vision and helped bring it to life - you make moments like these possible.

If you’d like to support Kavi’s work and help share these powerful stories with wider audiences, visit our website and be part of the journey — as these young voices rise to heights once thought unreachable.

https://bridginglanka.org/get-involved/

25/09/2025

*Spotlight on Supporters: Peter & Suparna Cooper*
"Every ripple of change in மன்னார் (Mannar) begins with a wave of quiet generosity."

At Bridging Lanka, our work is made possible by a community of donors who believe and champion grassroots action and the power of inner growth. Today, we’re honoured to introduce two such changemakers: Peter and Suparna Cooper from the

For the past three years, Peter and Suparna have stood beside us — not just as donors, but as champions of youth development, inner growth, and community resilience, bringing their values to life through action.

Their belief is simple yet profound: true change begins within. By nurturing inner transformation, we unlock the skills and wisdom needed to uplift others.

We’re deeply grateful for their light — and for every supporter who walks beside us in building a stronger, more compassionate Mannar for generations to come.

Pictured: Suparna with BL Director Lara Jeyaretnam at the Art of Living program — a practice rooted in mindfulness, resilience, and empowerment - which beautifully reflects the values that guide their work with Maitri and their generous support of Bridging Lanka.

Kalveena Navaratnarajah Terence Jeyaretnam Jeremy Liyanage Australian High Commission, Sri Lanka

23/09/2025

🐾 World Rabies Day - A Pawesome Update from Bridging Lanka 🐾

A heartfelt thank you to My Giving Circle and to everyone who voted for Bridging Lanka through their platform. We’re currently sitting at #229 with 212 votes—and while the Top 10 may still be 9,334 votes away (who’s counting?), at Bridging Lanka we celebrate .

To those who paused mid-scroll, mid-meeting, or mid-morning coffee to vote—thank you. You’ve helped us inch closer to a future where every fur friend in மன்னார் (Mannar) is safe, seen, and protected.

In just 5 days—on 28 September—it’s World Rabies Day, a global call to action that hits close to home.

Our frontline program, “A Rabies Free Mannar – Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release”, is working tirelessly to protect both dogs and the community. Rabies is deadly, but 100% preventable—and every dog vaccinated is one step closer to a safer, kinder மன்னார் (Mannar)

While World Rabies Day is marked on the calendar, our campaign continues beyond it. Because rabies doesn’t care what day it is—and neither do we, when it comes to protecting lives.

Here’s our ask...

Help us turn votes into vaccines.
Click, share, donate—whatever you can do, do it for the dogs who need us most. Every dollar helps us reach more pups, more people, and build safer communities.

Every dog deserves a life free from fear and sickness—and every community deserves the joy of a healthy, happy companion.
Support the Chuffed campaign here https://chuffed.org/project/145556-a-rabies-free-mannar?fbclid=IwY2xjawM_KEpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmxxnrVWK856fX3Sq0vYoWDLq6q8Hp9kG428EjBjDmU8S-fWE1EuZFgeWhIY_aem_yIHTl7X3YTbO8eHeWJgRNA

And here’s our cheeky challenge:
It would be great to get tails-wagging if we could get closer to one-third of our $4K target in just 5 days.

Will you take up the challenge?

21/09/2025

“The Courage to Speak, the Strength to Lead”

Road Less Travelled (RLT) – Bridging Lanka

In a quiet room in மன்னார் (Mannar), ten young girls came together to unpack the weight of limiting beliefs and discover the power of self-definition. What unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary.

One participant shared:

“My voice was never heard in my home. But since the program began, I’ve found a way to articulate my thoughts. Now, even my father consults me when he needs to think things through.”

Another, usually silent, stood before the group—gently supported by a leader—and found the courage to share her truth. Tears were shed. Strength was witnessed. And a sisterhood of support grew stronger.

“The girls are becoming incredibly insightful,” says Shyama Fuad, Chair of Bridging Lanka. “What I witnessed is that the group members are getting stronger in supporting each other. This is allowing a safe space for the girls, which is crucial to their personal growth.”

The Road Less Travelled is where quiet courage transforms into collective power—power that reshapes lives and communities.

Interested to get involved? Find out more https://bridginglanka.org/

Jeremy Liyanage Australian High Commission, Sri Lanka மன்னார் (Mannar) Kalveena Navaratnarajah Hindhujan Sinnaiyah Kavi Varman My Giving Circle

13/09/2025

Thank you to those who voted for us! Your support is so appreciated, and goes a long way to helping us make

‘You are now in position #360 with 91 votes and only need 5,954 votes to reach the Top 10.’

Just under 6,000 votes (only 😊) needed today to get Bridging Lanka into the Top 10.

24 hours to go!

Can we do it?

13/09/2025

Dear

We're trying something new—and you can help us make it count.
For the first time, Bridging Lanka is joining My Giving Circle, and we’re hopeful this will be a powerful way to raise awareness, give hope, and spark real change for vulnerable youth in , Sri Lanka.

From now until Monday, Sept 15, if just ONE person votes for us at mygivingcircle.org/vote and comments “done” below, we’ll receive 250 BONUS VOTES toward the September Grants Round 🙌

These votes could help fund our Touching Hearts, Lending Hands 2025–2026 campaign—supporting education, wellbeing, and opportunity for children and young women in Mannar, Sri Lanka.
https://chuffed.org/project/140136-touching-hearts-lending-hands-2025-2026?utm_campaign=success&utm_id=140136&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=chuffedreferral

🗳️ Vote now at mygivingcircle.org/vote
(Type ‘Bridging Lanka’ in the Charity box)
💬 Comment “done” below
📣 Tag
✨ Help us unlock 250 bonus votes this weekend!

Every vote is a step toward impact.

Thank you for helping us make it happen!

12/09/2025

Calling all pet lovers!

We’re nearly halfway through September and would love to get closer to our target. No amount is too small and every bit goes towards our save as many of our fur friends as we can.

Will you help us help them?

Bridging Lanka

11/09/2025

Real People. Real Impact. Meet the team driving the vision Lanka
Kalveena Navaratnarajah Treasurer, BoD (Aus)
Management Accountant by day, purpose-led changemaker by heart.

Kalveena Navaratnarajah brings precision, empathy, and impact to everything she does—from supporting Nutrien branches across Australia to rebuilding lives in as Treasurer of Bridging Lanka
Her leadership reminds us that real change starts with

Read her story
Employee Spotlight: Making an Impact at Work and Beyond – KKalveena NavaratnarajahArticle Credit: Sarah Aberdein, Internal Communications Advisor, Nutrien

Kalveena’s story is one of quiet determination, cross-continental moves, and a deep connection to purpose. Born in Malaysia and of Sri Lankan heritage, she studied in England before launching a finance career that brought her to Australia. After over a decade in corporate insolvency, she joined Rural Co in 2017 and now works at Nutrien as a management accountant, supporting branches across Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania.

Behind the spreadsheets lies a deeper drive: “I’ve always been looking for something more—something that gives meaning beyond the day-to-day,” she says.
That “something” arrived unexpectedly at a gala dinner for Bridging Lanka, a not-for-profit rebuilding lives in Mannar, northern Sri Lanka. Moved by their story, Kalveena offered to help with accounting. Months later, she was invited to join the board as Treasurer.

Since then, she’s volunteered her time and expertise, supporting programs that uplift those with limited opportunities. In 2024, she visited Mannar for the first time, experiencing the realities of the work firsthand: monsoon rains, mosquitoes, and minimal infrastructure. “It was grounding in the best way,” she reflects.
She helped distribute food parcels, met local families, and sat with young women eager to rewrite their futures. “There’s hardship, yes. But there’s also so much potential. Sometimes all it takes is one person believing in you.”

Kalveena sees clear parallels between her work at Nutrien and her volunteer efforts: “Inspiration, innovation, collaboration, visibility—those are the things that drive me.” Whether guiding branch managers or supporting people in Mannar, it’s all about impact.
Bridging Lanka is entirely volunteer-run and funded through philanthropy, grants, and campaigns. “We do a lot with a little,” she says. “And we’re always looking for people who want to help—donate, attend an event, or even just share our story.”

To learn more or support Bridging Lanka’s campaigns, visit bridginglanka.org

@

30/08/2025

🐾 In just one month, it’s —and Bridging Lanka is on a mission to protect lives, both human and animal.

We’ve already vaccinated and sterilised nearly 3,000 stray dogs in Mannar. Our goal is to reach 7,000—creating safer streets, reducing rabies, and building a compassionate model of care that can be replicated across Sri Lanka.

We believe in dignity for all living creatures.
Through our Catch–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release campaign, we’re preventing suffering, training vets, equipping volunteers, and transforming communities.

We’ve raised $1,560 of our $12,000 goal—and we need your help to keep going.

So here’s our ask….

*If just 500 people gave $21, we’d get there.
That’s less than a dinner out—but it could mean a lifetime of safety for a stray dog in Mannar.

👉 Donate. Share. Speak up.
Because compassion is contagious—and every life matters.

12/08/2025

From Mannar to Santa Barbara: A Story That Breaks the Silence

At the 2025 International Film Festival, over 100 films from around the globe lit up the screen—each one a testament to the power of independent storytelling.

Among them was *Break the Madness*, a hauntingly beautiful short by multitalented Kavi Varman, a young filmmaker, musician,storyteller and emotional conduit from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka.

Shot with secondhand gear and a cast of local youth, Kavi’s film dives deep into the emotional toll of isolation, addiction, and resilience in a remote Tamil village.

His raw, unfiltered lens earned him an Honorable Mention from the CEYIFF jury—an extraordinary nod to grassroots storytelling with global impact.

This is more than cinema. It’s a call to listen, to feel, and to act. Bridging Lanka

Bridging Lanka

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