Kala Pola concludes with highest visitor turnout

Organised by the George Keyt Foundation in association with the John Keells Group, the 22nd Kala Pola, Sri Lanka's annual open-air art fair which was held on January 25, brought together 292 artists and over 22,000 estimated visitors in a vibrant explosion of colour along Nelum Pokuna Mawatha.

Gracing the official ceremony as chief guest was Y.K. Sinha, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Also present were Deputy Chairman of John Keells Holdings PLC Ajit Gunewardene, the Chairman and Trustees of the George Keyt Foundation, and a large number of well-wishers and invitees.

Expressing his pleasure at being present at the 22nd anniversary of Kala Pola, chief guest, Y.K. Sinha, said ".... Kala Pola has attained iconic status in this part of the world as a street fair that helps promote artists from all over the country." Y.K. Sinha also expressed that he was happy to see modern artists come and show their paintings at 'Kala Pola'. "I think that it is a great initiative that The George Keyt Foundation and the John Keells Group support and organise."

Cedric De Silva, Chairman of the George Keyt Foundation, said the Foundation's core objective has been enabling opportunity for art, especially for aspiring artists.

"This year too 'Kala Pola' provided artists and the art-loving public an enabling forum to appreciate and exchange works of art. The 13-hour event is estimated to have generated over Rs. 13 million in sales, excluding what might have been commissioned by potential buyers.

John Keells Holdings' Head of CSR Nadija Tambiah said, "This year's Kala Pola is the 21st consecutive year where the John Keells Group has been the sole sponsors and organisers.

This year has seen unprecedented numbers of visitors and art sales. We are encouraged to see art teachers from places as far as Tissamaharama bring students to see the scope and depth of art in Sri Lanka.

The enthusiasm and the response from the artists and the art-loving public of Sri Lanka give us the encouragement to continue with this project as part of our support for the development and promotion of art and culture of Sri Lanka".

'Kala Pola' 2015 also included a Kids' Art Corner attracting 98 children who expressed themselves in art and were rewarded with a certificate and ice cream courtesy Elephant House and a colouring box sponsored by Sakura Agency.

This year the Kids' Art Corner included the participation of children from "The Dream" - the Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

As dusk fell over Colombo, the night's entertainment included lively performances by the acclaimed Ravibandhu Vidyapathi Drum Ensemble and Thriloka with their innovative blend of traditional Sri Lankan folk music, Indian raga, jazz and rock.

'Kala Pola' would not be a success without the dedication of the staff volunteers from across the John Keells Group who were entrusted with various tasks.

A record 107 staff volunteers worked in teams throughout the day.

Volunteers also assisted artists at the Kala Pola to register on www.srilankanartgallery.com which is Sri Lanka's first corporate digital art gallery. The website, designed, maintained and hosted by John Keells Foundation (JKF) - the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the John Keells Group - under its focus area of Arts and Culture, enables Sri Lankan artists to showcase and market their work after Kala Pola and throughout the year to local and foreign buyers.

First time volunteer at Kala Pola Savindi Lucas said, "Volunteering at Kala Pola was a fulfilling experience. It gave me the chance to meet large numbers of people from different walks of life throughout the day. That to me was also a learning experience. In my opinion, this was CSR in its purest form.

It was a certainly a privilege to be a part of an initiative that embodies the true essence of corporate citizenship."