Niveja Assalaarachchi
SFU’s new Southeast Asian research initiative set to host its first event
February 9, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer Editor’s note: The Peak’s arts & culture editor, Phone Min Thant, co-led this event. He was not involved in the editorial process of this article. The School for International Studies’ newly formed Southeast Asian research initiative will host its first event at SFU’s Vancouver campus on February 11. The ice breaker event aims to provide students curious about Southeast Asia a chance to discuss research regarding the region. It also aims to express the initiative’s future direction and bring together scholars from different post-secondary institutions in the Lower Mainland who study Southeast Asia, such as…
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SFU Residence Hall Association launches petition calling for affordable housing
February 3, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On January 14, the SFU Residence Hall Association (RHA) announced a petition calling on Residence and Housing to keep on-campus housing affordable. In the petition, the RHA highlights that “many students rely on campus housing”…
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We need to implement universal basic income
February 3, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer There are many instances where older generations would tell younger people to stop buying lattes and avocado toast. Maybe you haven’t heard this exact version but I can guarantee many young people have heard something…
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Premier Eby rejects further discussion on proportional representation
January 26, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer In BC, the debate around adopting a different electoral system has been ongoing for two decades. To this end, the New Democratic Party (NDP) set up a legislative committee in April 2025 to examine the…
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SFU professor highlights the danger BC faces from natural disasters
January 20, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer 2025 was one of the most destructive years on record for natural disasters. Though much of the damage to infrastructure and human lives was seen in the Global South, much of the economic cost was…
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Re: SFU’s Centre for Accessible Learning is not accessible
January 12, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer In 2021, The Peak featured an article detailing an SFU student’s attempt to get accommodations at the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL). The author recounted their experience facing a significant mental health condition and not…
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Calls emerge for increased program funding for BC sex workers
January 5, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On December 16, 2025, 10 organizations — including sex worker-led groups, feminist organizations, and First Nations groups — released a statement marking the International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers. In their statement, the…
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Students express frustration over Canvas outage during finals season
January 5, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer From 11:00 p.m. on December 14 to 4:00 a.m. on December 15, 2025, SFU Canvas experienced a service outage that left students unable to upload assignments or access course materials. Students took to the r/simonfraser…
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The coverage of Global South’s news is biased
December 20, 2025By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer A few months ago, two news stories caught my attention. On September 3, a funicular in Portugal’s capital Lisbon derailed, killing 16 people. This horrible tragedy, caused by a steel wire breaking, was reported across…
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Metro Vancouver passes pared-down budget
December 20, 2025By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On October 31, the Metro Vancouver Regional District passed its budget for the 2026 fiscal year. It focuses on “drinking water, waste management, solid waste management, regional planning, regional parks, and more,” according to a…
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