Niveja Assalaarachchi

A wide shot of downtown Vancouver on a bright sunny day is pictured. False Creek and the mountains are also pictured.
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Metro Vancouver passes pared-down budget

Peak Web December 20, 2025

By: 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 Metro Vancouver press release.  Initially, the draft budget faced public scrutiny due to significant projected increases in spending. It would have raised average household costs by up to 5% compared to the previous year. However, following the completion of a financial review on April 9, the Board approved a plan that eliminated nearly $364 million in operating savings and $1.1…

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a woman walking down the street wearing an Osariya (saree) going past a shop with a sign that advertises a similar dress, but is advertised as a "new" thing.
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Cultural appropriation isn’t quirky, it’s deeply problematic

Peak Web December 20, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer What is a culture? Various things: customs, food, language, and among many other significant aspects — clothing. Clothing visually represents its people and is shaped by the environment it’s crafted and worn in, in addition…

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A photo of Dr. Shivaji Mukherjee.
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SFYou: Dr. Shivaji Mukherjee

Peak Web December 19, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi Editor’s note: In the printed version of this article, The Peak mistakenly noted that Mukherjee is an assistant professor at SFU. This is incorrect, as he is an associate professor at SFU, and the piece has been…

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George Rammell and another man stand on ladders next to a tall piece of art. The art is a map with the title “The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Fiasco: Mapping the Tipping Point, Fort McMurray to the Salish Sea” at the bottom. The map covers most of BC and features numerous photos, descriptions, and a snake as the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
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Art exhibition protests Canada’s oil industry on campus

Peak Web December 19, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On November 6, the “Banks Off Campus Day of Action” art exhibition was held at the Student Union Building social stage to showcase George Rammell’s art. Rammell is a Gambier Island-based artist whose work focuses…

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a collage of various news articles from different student-led publications.
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Student journalism’s role in our media cycle can’t be ignored

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer The media landscape we live in is diverse. From social media platforms, to traditional news sources like cable news, there are many different ways in which we can consume media. However another form stands: the…

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A student touches his head in frustration while looking at a computer at a desk.
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SFU students struggle to pay tuition due to BC public workers’ strike

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer The BC General Employees Union (BCGEU), which represents over 95,000 workers in the province, began strike action in early September over wage and job condition disputes. Since then, mediation efforts between the provincial government and…

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Greta Thunberg speaks among a close crowd of reporters and people holding up Palestinian flags. In the background, the ocean and a couple of boats are pictured, implying that this photo was taken sometime during the flotilla’s journey.
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Embark Sustainability expresses solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On October 7, Embark Sustainability released a statement of solidarity for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led convoy of activists from 47 countries aiming to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. The flotilla is the largest…

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The Mush Hole comes to Vancouver

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer Content warning: Mention of residential schools The Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) will, for the first time, bring their show The Mush Hole to Vancouver. The Toronto-based studio will be performing at Vancouver Cultch’s Historic Theatre…

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Halal restaurant recommendations in Metro Vancouver

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer October marks Islamic History Month in Canada, highlighting the many contributions of Muslim Canadians to society. One of the hallmarks of life for Muslims is the consumption of Halal (حلال) food. Roughly translating to “permissible”…

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A UBC residence building is pictured from its corner. The building is black and brown, and has many large windows. The ground floor is lit up with warm orange lights, and a side street is pictured as well.
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UBC tenants group demands protections for housing on campus

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On October 9, the Vancouver Tenants Union’s UBC chapter (UBC-VTU) issued ten demands for the UBC Housing authority. The proposals call on UBC Housing to enact tenant protections, establish rent controls, and build equitable housing…

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