In this issue

As you prepped for your advanced level examinations, you probably had an idea of what you wanted to do once you graduated, and chances are your options were limited to three: get into university, find a job, or (for some) get hitched. University is often the no-brainer choice and more women are venturing into different, more male-driven, fields of study.

This month, we had the opportunity to meet some remarkable women who have broken away from the pack and taken on professions so unconventional that they’ve set the bar high. If you’re ever in doubt wondering if you should head down a rockier path, we hope their stories will give you the strength to follow your passions no matter how OTT they may be. Read all about these phenomenal women who dared to go against the grain chasing their dreams, and while you’re there, celebrate in their triumphs and learn from their mistakes. One thing is for certain: loving what you do is paramount. Click through for more…

The Greying Anatomy

Gone are the days when grey hairs were only to be seen on your 80-year-old grandparents. In this day and age even peeps still in high school have started experiencing premature greying. Fellow canities victim, Lakshika Pinto looks for the answers.

4 mins

A Sea Full Of Inspiration

From nursing to marketing to engineering to defending clients in court, over the years, women have found themselves progressively breaking boundaries in terms of career goals. Dr. Asha De Vos, marine biologist and pioneer of blue whale research, found the strength to break boundaries paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. The road she took was rocky, to say the least, and she met with resistance at every turn. But, she didn’t give up. She went after what she wanted, and got it.

3 mins

Female And Fearless

With her larger than life persona and humble attitude, Ishani Jayamaha, film director and writer, is a delightful conversationalist. The vibe she exudes isn’t a surprise being a storyteller of our generation. With her beautiful and heartwarming short film Kakkutta, she made her mark in a largely male-dominated industry which women usually think twice in venturing into! Here, she talks about the trials and tribulations she faced.

3 mins

Beating The Norms

Music has been an integral part of our country’s culture, and while we’ve heard fantastic local musicians and artists, an all-female percussion group is a rare find. Young and inspiring, the women that make up the group, Thuraya, is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. This group of drummers is extraordinary in their own way as they are committed to creating their own type of beat! I sat down with Sithara Maduwanthi, the group’s leader for a one-on-one.

3 mins

A Wild Stance

When I first heard about Anjali Watson, co-founder of the wilderness & wildlife conservation trust in Sri Lanka, my interest was piqued. Here was a lady who pushed forward despite the obstacles that stood in her way and followed a passion that was resoundingly different – a path perusing research and preservation of one of our beloved species, the leopard. Anjali spilled all on the nitty-gritty of the leopard project, what it takes to make it in a field that is far from glamorous and what it took to get here.

4 mins

Mila Kunis - Mystery Woman

Over the years, the versatile actress and producer has remained an enigma. Yeah, we know that she married Ashton Kutcher and they have kids—but that’s about where our intel ends. And we want details! So Cosmo asked SNL’s Kate McKinnon, her friend and costar in this month’s big-screen comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me, to chat her up and deliver the goods. Let the revelations begin.

7 mins

I Was Told I Was Going To Die Five Times A Day...

Morgan Reardon trialled WeCroak, an app that constantly reminded her that her life could end at any moment. Here's how she got on...

4 mins

Everything You Need To Know About Tampons

If you look closely at Lankan society, you will notice two types of people: The ones who are totally against the idea of tampons, and those who are completely on board with wearing them. What’s alarming to note is the fact that as Sri Lankans, we’ve grown up perceiving tampons as taboo (no thanks to what we’ve learned at school and home). As a result, young women are considerably unlearned on the subject of tampons. All we seem to know is that’s its totally frowned upon. So, what the deal with tampons and why are we so fussed about using them? Sumaiya Shuaibdeen shares with the class.

3 mins

When You Coach Him To Be A Great BF (...For His Next GF)

Raise your hand if this has happened to you: You dated a guy when he still had his relationship training wheels on. But after spending months—or years!—with you, he learned a bunch of important stuff, like how to share his feelings, buy his newborn niece a cute #OOTD, and chase his dreams. And then…he left, only to take his fresh skills (and the clothes you helped him pick out) straight into a rocksolid bond with someone else.

3 mins

Your Guide To Not-So-Romantic Kisses

Great kissing can lead to some fun places like the bedroom or the backseat of your car, while others will make your hormones question their own existence! Here’s a round-up of terrible kisses and how you can deal with them.

2 mins

Read all stories from Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka Magazine Description:

At the heart of every feature, column, tweet, and post is the ethos that Cosmo must inspire women to be the best they can be — on their terms. Whether that’s by empowering them through campaigns, giving them the confidence to ask for that pay rise, offering them honest relationship advice, or helping them hunt down those heels, Cosmo engages with the reader on an emotional level deeper than any other magazine, providing solid, intelligent advice she really trusts.