Wonders of the underworld

Now is the ideal time for underwater photography:

by Ananth Palakidnar

"Mike Wilson who filmed Ranmuttu Duwa, the Sinhala film which focuses on the corals of Sri Lanka and the renown space scientist Dr. Arthur C. Clarke are the pioneers in underwater photography in the island.

So with the interest of framing the wonders of the world underwater I ventured taking pictures of marine life. The environs beneath the sea are serene, colourful and pleasant. The marine life centred around the coral reefs around our country is marvellous.

Apart from the natural reefs the old ship wrecks in the sea beds also remain a classic breeding ground for countless marine species," says Saman Liyanage.

Focusing his photographic interest at first on snapping reptiles and other rare wild insects, Saman Liyanage of the Rupavahini Corporation has now established himself as an underwater photographer with more than five hundred pictures highlighting the marvels of marine life of Sri Lanka.

Saman had his first exhibition of pictures taken under water in 1997 at the British Council, Colombo, where he exhibited forty pictures under the title of `Reef'.

The books written by Dr. R. L. Spittel on the wild life of Sri Lanka and the writings of Jim Corbert on the `Man eaters' of Bengal, the Tigers' had fascinated Saman to take up wild life photography. However he later developed his skills as an under water photographer with the coaching he received from the Marine Biologist, Professor Ranjith N. Silva.

Elaborating on diving to shoot his pictures Saman says that 40 feet below the sea he could spend one hour and handling his under water cameras. "From the end of December to the latter part of March is the ideal season for underwater photography.

During this period the sea is not rough and the atmosphere underwater remains calm. So a diver who handles his camera underwater can manure it in a relaxed manner", Saman says.

Commenting on the spots he dived for underwater photography Saman says the reefs found in the seas of Mount Lavinia, Hikkaduwa and Trincomalee are highly potential.

"There are several sea locations as far as underwater photography is concerned. But the current security situation remains a stumbling block for an enthusiastic diving photographer of my calibre".

Armed with Nikonos-5, the camera meant for underwater photography Saman has over five hundred pictures of marine life and is looking forward to have his second exhibition of marine life photography.

"The awareness over the protection of the environment and wild life is now gradually picking up around the globe. But the damages done to the corals and reefs are little known. Our coastal belt is blessed with rich and beautiful marine life.

However with the corals and reefs being destroyed massive damage is being done to our potential marine life. Therefore it is high time for our country men started to care for the wonders of the underwater as well," says Saman Liyanage who insists that the marine bio diversity around our scenic island should be protected at all cost.

"If peace returns a large number of underwater photographers from various parts of the world would flock into the island and our sea beds would be a haven for them," adds Saman.

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