Domestic workers enable women’s employment and sustain urban care systems. Yet they lack minimum wage protections, EPF/ETF, paid leave and pensions. Read our article to learn why recognising care work as dignified labour is crucial to advocate for domestic workers' rights ⬇️

Interested in raising awareness about social protection? Check out our practical guide on how you can engage with communities to understand, engage with, and shape social protection policy in Sri Lanka. See the full guide here: www.csf-asia.org/a-guide-for-...

Pettah’s Floating Market shows how urban regeneration can go wrong when projects ignore local needs and context. High costs, low relevance, and poor planning turn ‘regeneration’ into a tourist trap. Read more here: www.csf-asia.org/white-elepha...

Missed our panel on social protection and urban infrastructures of care? Read our latest article. Link to article: www.csf-asia.org/panel-discus... Full report: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... Summary in Sinhala: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u... Summary in Tamil: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u...

Top-down urban development risks creating costly but underused spaces. Arcade Independence Square shows why inclusive planning and tenant engagement are essential. Learn more here: www.csf-asia.org/white-elepha...

Post-war Colombo invested heavily in iconic urban projects. Using two major case studies, our latest report unpacks how planning, finance & participation shaped their failure. Read it here : www.csf-asia.org/white-elepha...

Working-class mothers in Colombo face severe time poverty. Rest is rare, exhaustion is common. Time poverty isn’t inevitable. Care infrastructure and social protection can change this. Read more here: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... (continued below)

Cost, safety concerns, and social norms make daycares a rare choice for Colombo's working mothers, even when facilities exist. Investing in care infrastructure must address trust and affordability. Read more here: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... (Continued below)

Some scenes from our report discussion last week on social protection and urban infrastructures of care. Full report: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... Summary (Tamil): www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u... Summary (Sinhala): www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u... Supported by UNICEF Sri Lanka.

Returning to work after childbirth is a major challenge for working mothers in Colombo. Our research shows why maternity protections, care infrastructure, and financial support are essential. Full report: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... This work has been supported by UNICEF Sri Lanka

Working mothers in Colombo juggle care and work daily. Our research highlights recommendations that can support women across households and workplaces. Full report: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... Summaries: Sinhala: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u... Tamil: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u...

Key reflections from our recent report discussion on social protection and urban infrastructures of care. Full report: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote... Summary in Sinhala: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u... Summary in Tamil: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u... This work was supported by UNICEF Sri Lanka

The findings of our report, Social Protection and Urban Infrastructures of Care in Colombo, are now available in Sinhala and Tamil. The summaries highlight key findings on care, work, and social protection in Sri Lanka. See links below

NEW REPORT: Social Protection and Urban Infrastructures of Care in Colombo Based on research with working-class mothers in Colombo, the report shows why social protection must go beyond cash transfers and treat care as essential infrastructure Read here: www.csf-asia.org/social-prote...

Join us for the launch of our new report where we explore how working mothers balance work & care, and why strengthening social protection is vital for care, and caregivers. Limited seats – register here: forms.gle/xTARjVdwicpa...

Popular narratives around social protection are deeply flawed and vilify already vulnerable communities. This article by CUL's Iromi Perera unpacks the myths about social protection in Sri Lanka, to show why dignity, universality, and rights-based systems matter for just recovery. See linked below

In our recovery from Cyclone Ditwah, ad-hoc targetted cash transfers will not suffice as many urban poor families still fall through the cracks. We need universal, dignified social protection for real recovery. Read more here: www.csf-asia.org/how-can-colo...

Ditwah exposed how unprepared our systems are. Without real data on vulnerabilities, shelters, income loss, or displacement, relief becomes unequal. Transformative recovery needs proactive planning with communities. Read more here: www.csf-asia.org/how-can-colo...

The floods following Cyclone Ditwah exposed deep gaps in Sri Lanka’s disaster planning, social protection, and urban policy. We break down the three shifts Colombo needs to build back better. Read the article here www.csf-asia.org/how-can-colo...

"What happens when export-focused infrastructure meets everyday food realities in Colombo? Colombo Urban Lab Research Associate Meghal Perera’s article in @roadsides.bsky.social reveals how vendors reshape the cold chain to survive. Read it here: roadsides.webflow.io/articles/8248 "

"Devana Senanayake’s article for The New Inquiry draws on CUL's research, including URP review ""Built on Sand"", and features insights from director Iromi Perera on how “slum-free” policies deepen poverty and erase decades of housing gains. Read here: thenewinquiry.com/housing-cris...

Colombo Urban Lab’s Iromi Perera will join a panel at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2025 titled "Branding Cities for People, Not Just Tourists" 🗓️ Sunday, 23 November 2025, 15.45- 16.45 📍 Level 8, The Shoppes, Cinnamon Life To learn more and register, visit www.srilankadesignfestival.lk

Leisure isn’t a luxury - it’s a right. In Colombo’s low-income communities, parks are vital for care, safety, and connection. Stories from 4 parks in Wanathamulla show how communities turn space into belonging. Link to the long read here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3971...

Have you read the latest edition of Colombo Urban Lab's New Publications Newsletter? Inside, you’ll find a round-up of our recent publications and articles. Read it here: mailchi.mp/bdf7f65eef55...

CSF Director Iromi Perera will speak at the National Symposium on Housing at Temple Trees, organised by the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing alongside World Habitat Day 2025, focusing on inclusive & sustainable housing for Sri Lanka

CUL researcher Meghal Perera shares her thoughts in The Examiner on how Colombo’s lack of toilets and gender-inclusive planning “shortens” women’s geography. Read the article here: www.examiner.media/number-two-p...

Evicted overnight. Homes bulldozed. Compensation denied. Colombo’s “beautification” was enforced through militarised planning. Read how poverty was policed through planning : www.csf-asia.org/criminalisat...

In Colombo, eviction was framed as liberation. Media & state narratives cast poor communities as “squatters” & “slum dwellers,” justifying their removal. Learn how stories were used as a strategy to criminalise Colombo's urban poor: www.csf-asia.org/criminalisat... "

Colombo’s wattes are rooted, self-built communities. Yet in the race to be “world-class,” they were recast as disorderly & removed. Urban planning became a tool of criminalisation. Read more: www.csf-asia.org/criminalisat...

What does it mean when informality is treated as a crime? In Colombo, criminalisation is not just about what happens after an arrest. It is built into laws, planning, and design. Learn how Colombo’s poor are criminalised beyond courts and prisons : csf-asia.org/criminalisat...

In Colombo, poverty itself is punished. From street vending to self-built settlements, survival strategies are recast as unlawful. Evictions, militarised planning & high-rises turn homes into carceral spaces. Read our full article: www.csf-asia.org/criminalisat...

Colombo is being reshaped to look “world-class” — but often at the cost of inclusivity. Hostile architecture makes public spaces less welcoming for citizens, while prioritising visitors. Read our StoryMap to learn more: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a277...

"NEW POLICY REPORT: We look at how Sri Lanka's polycrisis has impacted the economic, social and cultural rights of working class poor families in Colombo. Despite clear State obligations, there are persistent gaps between formal commitments and reality. www.csf-asia.org/covid-19-eco...

What is hostile architecture and how does it impact us? Does Colombo have hostile or exclusionary infrastructure in public spaces? Read our latest StoryMap and see the map of locations, and why Sri Lanka must avoid this type of urban design. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a277...

Missed our webinar 'Boiling Point'? It is now up on our Youtube channel! Read our policy brief on the impact of heat stress on outdoor workers. To watch the webinar- www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDFI... To read the policy brief-https://tinyurl.com/2n22zh9u

The first journal article from our FRESH food environments research with @ids.ac.uk is now out - We discuss the methodology, framework, application and findings in Colombo, Sri Lanka. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... "

WEBINAR STARTING IN 30 MINUTES We present findings from our policy brief on heat stress and outdoor workers, followed by a panel on extreme heat in South Asia, its unequal impacts and urgent policy responses. Join here: us02web.zoom.us/j/88231558646.

HAPPENING TODAY Join our webinar ‘Boiling Point’ at 6:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK. We’ll share key insights on heat stress & outdoor workers, and discuss extreme heat in South Asia, its unequal impacts, & policy solutions. Click here to join: us02web.zoom.us/j/88231558646

HAPPENING TOMORROW Our webinar ‘Boiling Point’ will present findings from our report on heat stress in Colombo, followed by a discussion on extreme heat in South Asia and policy solutions. Time: 6.30pm IST/ 2.00pm UK Click here to join: us02web.zoom.us/j/88231558646

Join us this weekend as Colombo Urban Lab’s Iromi Perera speaks at There Was Something Here Before — an exhibition tracing the entangled histories of slavery, memory & urban space between Sri Lanka & South Africa. 🗓️ July 19 📍Arcade Clock Tower, Colombo 7 Free Entry

Colombo is at a critical juncture in urban planning and climate adaptation. Read our policy brief to understand the effect of heat stress on outdoor workers and actionable ways forward to build a climate-resilient city. Read here: 🔗http://bit.ly/46EQ4EX

Our webinar next week ‘Boiling Point’ will present findings from our report on heat stress in Colombo, followed by a discussion on extreme heat in South Asia and policy solutions. Date: 22nd July 2025 Time: 6.30pm IST/ 2.00pm UK Register - forms.gle/zZsr4fMPgiE9...

Public infrastructure like taps & shade can be a lifeline for Colombo's outdoor workers on days of extreme heat - but only if designed for their needs. Our policy brief on heat stress in Colombo discusses what some of these solutions could look like. 🔗 bit.ly/46EQ4EX

"Colombo's rising heat isn't just a climate issue; it is also an economic crisis. Outdoor workers face spoiled goods, health risks, and no protection. Our policy brief reveals who bears the cost and how to respond equitably. Read more www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u...

Heat stress does not affect people equally. In Colombo, street vendors, cleaners & gig workers bear the brunt. Our new policy brief exposes the crisis facing outdoor workers & suggests solutions to build a cooler, fairer city. Read now: www.csf-asia.org/wp-content/u...

Colombo faces rising heat stress with limited policy response. Iromi Perera highlights the need for data-driven urban planning, green spaces, and adaptation finance to protect vulnerable outdoor workers. www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/07/06/b...

Colombo is heating up - and outdoor workers are feeling it first. Our new policy brief explores how rising temperatures impact street vendors, gig workers, and others exposed to extreme heat. How can the government and new CMC prepare for a hotter future? www.csf-asia.org/heat-stress-...

Colombo Urban Lab & Sevanatha hosted another round of community discussions with leaders from Colombo’s wattes & high-rises. This quarter, they mapped key issues to raise with the new Municipal Council.

Following our participation in the recent policy dialogue on Sri Lanka’s Social Protection Strategy, Colombo Urban Lab reflects on the critical reforms needed to build inclusive, transparent, and resilient systems. Read here: www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/06/15/b...

“Changing the physical landscape to alter social patterns” still dominates housing policy in Sri Lanka. Meghal Perera questions this logic in the Sunday Observer, calling for an evidence-based, people-first approach. Read: tinyurl.com/39ra6h9t