SRI LANKAN LEOPARD
PANELISTS:
Rukshan Jayewardene and Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
Date:Saturday 4 July 2020
Time:Sri Lanka 8.00pm | UK 3.30pm. | USA PDT 7.30am
Join Live:Go to: https://www.facebook.com/aspaslausa/
This program is the 6th virtual zoom panel discussion hosted by America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles California, USA Member of Photographic Society of America (PSA) and The International Federation of Photography of Art in France(FIAP) to showcase the beauty of Sri Lanka’s fauna and flora. This week’s program will feature the Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), a subspecies native to Sri Lanka, classified as an endangered species by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (ICUN).
Mr. Rukshan Jayewardene has an MPhil in South Asian Archaeology from the University of Cambridge with 14 years of field experience in the Sri Lankan early historic period. For the past 25 years he has been a wildlife photographer, writer on wildlife related topics and a popularizer of Sri Lanka’s amazing biodiversity. He has intensively studied the Sri Lankan leopard in the wild and through that exposure been inspired to work for its long term conservation. His involvement with five( non-profit) conservation/environmental NGO’s over a twenty year period, with broadly common goals and like minded individuals, has resulted in both success and failure. He continues to fight for avoidable, biodiversity loss, in order to conserve the common heritage of all Sri Lankans. He sees the current decade, starting with 2020 being a deciding decade for the Sri Lankan leopards both in and outside legally Protected Areas, together with a host of other animals on land that are co-dependent.
Mr. Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne is amongst a handful of field naturalists in the world who have written and photographed field guides spanning terrestrial mammals, marine mammals, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, wildflowers, and trees. He is a passionate naturalist who through 15 books and numerous articles has drawn attention to the richness of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. In the words of British author and television presenter on wildlife, Bill Oddie, no single individual has done so much to raise the profile of a country’s wildlife scene. He is on the council of the London Natural History Society and He is on the council of the London Natural History Society and is the Chair of the London Bird Club.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AROUND THE WORLD
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AROUND THE WORLD
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH THE EYES OF PSA MEMBERS IN SRI LANKA
”
This program is hosted by America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles to promote and showcase the incredibly rich biodiversity of the pearl of Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, to the world. Annually America Sri Lanka Photography Art Society held a Photography Exhibition to promote Sri Lanka called “The Beauty of Sri Lanka” in University of Los Angeles (UCLA) California. But this year we are not able to hold the Beauty of Sri Lanka Photography exhibition due to the pandemic. So, the president of America Sri Lanka Photography Art Society decided to promote Sri Lanka via online discussion with a group of people who are well known about the nature, wildlife, history of Sri Lanka every Saturday morning in Los Angeles time. This is the second virtual panel discussion hosted by America Sri Lanka Photography Art Society.=This program is hosted by ASPAS – America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles to share the knowledge of travel photography through the eyes of PSA members in Sri Lanka, www.usacaaspas.com. America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles is also a member of PSA – Photographic Society of America and FIAP – International Federation of Photographic Art.This is the Third online panel discussion hosted by America Sri Lankan Photographic Art SocietyYou can join Live https:/www.facebook.com/aspaslausa/
Invited Panelists:
Dr. Vickum Senanayake (EFIAP, FNPAS, LPSS, QPSA, Hon.FSAP) Travel / Nature & Wildlife PhotographerVickum Senanayake, a senior ICT business professional in the corporate world took up to serious photography in 2012. Over a short period of a year, he managed to challenge the status quo, being a stimulant to the industry and taking part in international competitions of photography around the globe, during the period of 2012-2016.His crowning glory in the field has been the receiving of “Excellence” FIAP (EFIAP) from the Federation International de l’Art Photographique (FIAP), considered the world’s governing body of photography, among other global Distinctions received for photographic achievements.He is a Life Member of the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka (NPASSL) of which he holds the Fellowship Distinction (FNPAS) and the Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS). He has served as the Country Membership Director since 2014, and the Country Liaison Officer since 2017, of the Photographic Society of America (PSA), in Sri Lanka.
Hiranthi De Silva
Hiranthi’s interest in wildlife and nature developed at a very young age having traveled with family to many wildlife parks in Sri Lanka with special love for Yala. Having observed the behavior of animals she gradually started capturing them on camera, initially with a point and shoot which later developed into more advanced gear. She loves to travel the world to photograph the many wonders of wildlife and nature. Her latest adventure was a photographic tour to Iceland where she was amazed by its many beautiful landscapes.She is a banker by profession and uses the love for photography to escape from the stresses of her professional life. She was the first lady president of the Photographic Society of Sri Lankan having served as its President in the year 2016/17
Pandula Bandara MPSA
Star Ratings Director PTD PSA
Exhibition Standard Director – Region 17(Sri Lanka) He is a holder of MBA(International)Master of Business Administration from Edith Cowan University Australia. Managing Director of Theme Brand Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. In photography he is the fastest person in the world to reach 1000 awards in less than two years. As at now he has 1300 awards including 325 gold medals + 10,000 Acceptances.He holds 47 distinctions from 16 Countries “
[/vc_column_text]
UNTAMED WILDERNESS OF SRI LANKA
Panel Discussion on Wildlife Richness of Sri Lanka from Wildlife Conservation and Photographic perspectives.This program is hosted by America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles California, USA to promote and showcase the incredibly rich biodiversity of the pearl of Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, to the world. This program is hosted by America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles to promote and showcase the incredibly rich biodiversity of the pearl of Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, to the world. Annually America Sri Lanka Photography Art Society held a Photography Exhibition to promote Sri Lanka called “The Beauty of Sri Lanka” in University of Los Angeles (UCLA) California. But this year we are not able to hold the Beauty of Sri Lanka Photography exhibition due to the pandemic. So, the president of America Sri Lanka Photography Art Society decided to promote Sri Lanka via online discussion with a group of people who are well known about the nature, wildlife, history of Sri Lanka every Saturday morning in Los Angeles time. This is the second virtual panel discussion hosted by America Sri Lanka Photography Art Society.
Meet our panelists:
Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya is an Environmental Scientist and has a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University, in New Jersey, and was a Lead Environmental Specialist for the South Asia Environment and Natural Resources Unit of the World Bank. He has led Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Projects in South Asian countries, strengthening the institutional capacity of the relevant statutory conservation organizations, including the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka.
Chitral Jayatilake
Vice President of the John Keells Group and Head of Nature Trails at Cinnamon Hotels.Chitral has been an avid nature photographer for over 35 years and published four books celebrating the natural world in Sri Lanka. His passion to showcase what's ours to the world has driven him to facilitate 21 documentary productions in Sri Lanka by Major networks, and his recent efforts brought the BBC Blue Planet II - team to Trincomalee filming sperm whales and this sequence was narrated by the greatest naturalist in the world, Sir David Attenborough himself.
Namal Kamalgoda
Former Director Surveillance at Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.Former Chief Investment Officer and Fund Manager.Namal has been a wildlife enthusiasts, conservationist and avid Wildlife photographer who has been exploring and photographing the national parks and nature reserves of Sri Lanka for nearly 35
Art Photography Live From Los Angeles
A live program on contemporary photography featuring the preeminent Sri Lankan photographers originated from Los Angeles, California, USA on Saturday May 30th, at 7.30 a.m. Angeles time (8.00 p.m. Sri Lankan time). Internationally recognized award winning photographers Mr. Henry Rajakaruna, Mr. Ravindra Ranasinghe, and Mr.Jayanath Illangakoon will participated.
“THE BEAUTY OF SRI LANKA 2020”
September 19-20th 2020
UPDATES
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
- Nature’s Magnificent Eye Photography Exhibition on September 15th and 16th 2018 in Rosemead, California
- Bird walk and photography workshop for beginners on November 23rd 2018 in Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve Los Angeles
- Buddhist Awakened Island Photography Exhibition on February 28th 2019 in Los Angeles
- Recolor Sri Lanka Photography Exhibition July 20th 2019 in Pasadena City Hall Square
- The Beauty of Sri Lanka Photography Exhibition on September 21st 2019 in UCLA Los Angeles
- Bird Walk and Photography Workshop on November 9th 2019 in Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve Los Angeles
“THE BEAUTY OF SRI LANKA 2019”
– An Exhibition of Photography worth a Thousand Words
The America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society, a Member of the Photographic Society of America(PSA), in association with the Consulate General Office of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles, held an exhibition of Photography, at the University of California in Los Angeles(UCLA), titled ‘The Beauty of Sri Lanka’, on 21st September 2019.
The exhibition was ceremoniously opened, by Mrs. Swarna Gunaratna, Hon. Consul General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles and Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, Founder President of the Sri Lanka Foundation in U.S.A., and was well attended by a large number of visitors, who were appreciative of the efforts of the organizers as well as the participating photographers
BEAUTY OF SRI LANKA 2019 AT UCLA
LOS ANGELES PHOTO EXHIBIT ON THE BEAUTY OF SRI LANKA America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society, an affiliate of the Photographic Society of American (PSA), in association with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles, held a photographic exhibition in Los Angeles titled, ‘The Beauty of Sri Lanka’, on 21 September 2019, at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), which was attended by a large number of visitors.
The exhibition was designed to depict the beauty of the rich fauna and flora, and the serenity of the jungle life highlighted by its National Parks home for more than 400 species of birds, leopards, elephants, deer, and the prolific marine life such as whales, turtles and colourful coral reefs. The ancient cities of Sri Lanka with architectural gems that are part of the 2500-year-old cultural and religious heritage of the nation that blend with the tropical fauna and flora of the Island nation are also an integral part of the exhibit.The Exhibition consisted of several rare photographs of six award winning nature photographers who have travelled from Sri Lanka for the exhibition and four recognized Sri Lankan photojournalists in the United states.
Bird Walk and Photography Field Workshop
Bird walk and Photography Field Workshop for Beginners November 09,2019 @ 10.00 A to 12.00 Noon. Bird walk by Alexander Debarros and the staff of Audubon Society-San Fernando Valley Photography Workshop by Andy Samarasena A free book and a CD from the wildlife Department.
Nature’s Magnificent Eye University of the West Los Angeles USA 2018
“Nature’s Magnificent Eye,” an exhibition of award-winning Nature Photographer Suriya Jayalath Perera, hold in Los Angeles for the first time, on September 15 and 16, in 2018, at the Ken Locke Hall, University of the West, 1409, Walnut Groove in Rosemead California. “Nature’s Magnificent Eye” beholds the Shady trees, green hills, valleys, streams, colorful fauna and flora breezy air as well as the serenity of jungle life. These amazing creations of nature provide us with a wonderful experience. However, the effects of modern day industrialization are ever-present threats to the serenity of our natural environment. Nature Photographers are in the vanguard of the army of “Nature Saviors.” Emeritus Professor J. B. Dissanayake (the University of Colombo) was Chief Guest. The Professor shared his extensive knowledge of language historical Arts and Architecture, Buddhism and Cultural Heritage with visitors. Dr. Hasantha Hettiarchchi, Program Director and Manager of Independence Television Network addressed the visitors at the opening of the Exhibition. This program telecasted on ITN channel in Sri Lanka.Guest of Honor, The Consul General of Sri Lanka for the Western States of U.S.A. Mrs. Swarna Gunaratne ceremonially opened the exhibition on 15 September at 4 p. m. Exhibition hours were 4pm to 8.00pm on Saturday the 15th September and 10 am to 2.00pm on Sunday the 16th.
-Admission was free. For further information contact: 818-645-5726-
ABOUT US
America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society was established in 2018 in Los Angeles to promote nature photography. Our mission is to impart Knowledge and information in the field of nature photography. We carry out our mission by holding an annual photography exhibition and organising
SOCIETY MEMBERS
Suriya Jayalath Perera
President
America Sri Lankan Photographic Art Society
(Member of PSA, FIAP)
