Researcher & activist | I work on urban development & spatial justice | Founder/ Director of @colombourbanlab | Asia Consultant at @BIC_updates
Colombo
Joined January 2011
- Tweets14.3K
- Following719
- Followers3.7K
- Likes4.3K
Iromi Perera retweeted
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: csf-asia.org/white-elephants…
Iromi Perera retweeted
Second day of #UTADo2026, a Keynote by Iromi Perera on their work in Colombo, advocating for a Just City. Insightful lessons on Urban Food, Injustices caused by different ‘modern’ infrastructure projects and the work done by communities to gap fill after @colombourbanlab
Iromi Perera retweeted
2/2: Read how urban development projects became symbols of progress, without the foundations to sustain them:
csf-asia.org/white-elephants…
Iromi Perera retweeted
1/2: Post-war regeneration in Colombo prioritised spectacle and control over participation and use.
Iromi Perera retweeted
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/xTARjVdwicpaaKaC9
Iromi Perera retweeted
#SriLanka: "Social protection is a right and should not be viewed as charity," writes @iromip, making a strong case for expanding and improving social protection for a just and equitable recovery from the polycrisis, as well as Cyclone Ditwah
ft.lk/opinion/Legalised-begg…
Iromi Perera retweeted
Great read from @iromip on Aswesuma's place among Lankan social protections, and the attitudes that continue to undermine this work. ft.lk/opinion/Legalised-begg…
Iromi Perera retweeted
Whether after floods or in urban redevelopment, relocation must centre people’s real lives.
Past projects show the cost of ignoring this.
Transformative recovery rebuilds both housing and the systems that sustain families.
Read more here:
csf-asia.org/how-can-colombo…
One of the biggest complaints we’ve heard from working class poor families in Colombo is that when they finally got some money into their hands this week there was nothing left to buy and they went hungry again. Their houses weren’t impacted so they weren’t eligible for aid.
Iromi Perera retweeted
There is no public accountability in a disaster fund managed by corporate interests. Only of men? Serious conflict of interests. Those with money can donate funds but that should not buy seats to oversee funds to be used in the public interest.
Iromi Perera retweeted
#Ditwah #ditwacyclone
Govt has established Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund to rebuild country post-cyclone. Management committee members are all MEN from govt and private sector. Why is private sector part of comm to decide how funds should be spent? adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=11…
Iromi Perera retweeted
What happens when export-focused infrastructure meets everyday food realities in Colombo?
Colombo Urban Lab Research Associate Meghal Perera’s article in @road_sides reveals how vendors reshape the cold chain to survive.
Read it here: roadsides.webflow.io/article…
Iromi Perera retweeted
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 srilankadesignfestival.lk
Iromi Perera retweeted
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/colo…
Iromi Perera retweeted
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.
csf-asia.org/covid-19-econom…
Iromi Perera retweeted
👇As a human, a Tamil, and a journalist, I present to you the story of #ChemmaniMassGrave💔
It has taken weeks and sleepless nights to write about what broke me.
This has stories of hope, courage, and enduring pain.
Thanks @kumanan93 @ambikasat
frontline.thehindu.com/world…
Putting each veg in a separate plastic bag is so wasteful. Companies need to do more to proactively discourage this, since it seems Sri Lankans are too stupid / selfish to think of changing behaviour on their own. Just put it all in one bag & paste sticker on an old receipt.
Iromi Perera retweeted
The first journal article from our FRESH food environments research with @IDS_UK is now out - @leah_salm @AniGooneratne @nicknisbett @iromip & colleagues discuss the methodology, framework, application and findings in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
sciencedirect.com/science/ar…
Looking forward to this exhibition and the week of talks and programmes. I’ll be on this weekend alongside @VraieB, Sharni Jayawardena & Firi Rahman. Check out the full programme which includes a talk by Sujit Sivasundaram and Nira Wickremasinghe as well. linktr.ee/thecityagency?fbcl…
