Commemorating Earth Day 2024 America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles (ASPAS), with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Los Angeles and the Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau, is holding an exhibition titled Sri Lanka in Focus “Beauty of Sri Lanka,” for the fourth year celebrating the breathtaking beauty of Sri Lanka through the lens of talented photographers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Grand Salon of the Kerkhoff Art Gallery on April 20 and 21, 2024.
The Exhibit will be ceremonially opened on the 20th with a Kandyan Dance performance by a recognised exponent of Kandyan dancing, Sandani Sulochani, and Waruna Hemachandra.
The visitors will enter a world of natural wonders as the exhibition presents an exquisite, curated collection of seventy-five captivating photographs that capture the essence of Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. From lush rainforests to pristine beaches, each image is a testament to the unparalleled beauty of the island paradise.
They will immerse themself in a visual journey as each photograph tells a unique story of nature’s tears and triumphs. From mountain tea gardens to majestic wildlife parks, these images capture the essence of Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
It is an opportunity presented to the American public to experience the magic of Sri Lanka through the lens of talented photographers on Earth Day 2024 weekend for an unforgettable exploration of nature’s wonders. Visitors will embark on a visual journey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka at the upcoming exhibition in April 2024, delving into the mesmerising beauty of the island nation and showcasing its diverse fauna, flora, wildlife, and marine life that will captivate visitors and immerse them in the 2500-year-old historical and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, as award-winning photographs bring to life the stories and traditions that have shaped this enchanting land over millennia.
A land where one can watch the land’s biggest mammal, the Elephant, and the biggest marine mammal, the Blue Whale, within a couple of hours and in between the majestic Leopard. All of them are depicted in the stunning photographs of the exhibition.
It showcases works by acclaimed photographer Suriya Jayalath Perera, the President of ASPAS, who is credited with holding the first Sri Lankan Photographic exhibition in the U.S.A. He will be joined by acclaimed photographers Laksitha Karunarathna, Vimukthi Weeratunga, K.G. Keerthirathna, Ravi Ranasinghe, Kasun Hulangamuwa, Jagath Kanaharaarachchi, Udaya Shantha Idamagedara (Best News Reader in Sri Lanka – Sumathi Award Ceremony), who will travel from Sri Lanka to exhibit their award-winning photographs and Sanjaya Warnasuriya, Andy Samarasena, and Shantha Weerasinghe award-winning Sri Lankan photographers from California. These talented artists will transport the visitors to the heart of Sri Lanka through their lens, offering a glimpse into the soul of this vibrant country. To make the exhibition more attractive to the public and to promote tourism in Sri Lanka, it will include a series of related events, including a seminar, lectures, a cultural performance, and a screening of The Blue Planet IMAX movie, a video on Sri Lanka Provided by BBC and produced by the Blue Planet Program. Arrangements are under way to move the Exhibit to New York to hold it on April 25 and 26 at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and on May 4 at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington, DC.
The Chief Guest, renowned professor Saloni Mathur, Professor and Chair of the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art Department, will deliver a keynote address relating to the history of South Asian photography.
Ecological Society of America (ESA) Prof. Priyanga Amarasekare, Professor of Ecology and Environment Biology at UCLA and distinguished Fellow of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), will make a presentation on biological and ecological mechanisms that maintain biological diversity in variable environments. Medini Rathnayaka will be the MC for the event.
This immersive exhibition is not just about showcasing art but also about promoting tourism to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. The exhibition will entice tourists to explore the scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, ancient history, and vibrant culture that make Sri Lanka a truly unique destination.
The exhibition will celebrate the essence of Sri Lanka and promote its allure as a premier tourist destination. The organisers will inspire tourists with the splendour of nature’s tears as they explore this visual feast on Earth Day weekend when the ASPAS will present a unique opportunity to experience the enchanting allure of Sri Lanka through the eyes of talented artists.
Previewed by: Nandi Jasentuliyana, Former Deputy Director-General, United Nations
