Feathers

Photographic portfolio of birds :

by Ananda Kannangara

Bird lovers will get a rare opportunity to study about numerous bird species of Sri Lanka with the launching of the photographic portfolio of birds in Sri Lanka `The Feathers' at the BMICH on April 20 commencing at 5.00 pm. Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya

Prof. Dr. H. Abeygunawardene will be the chief guest.

The book was published by Veteran bird lover and a former Magistrate and District Judge M.N.S.L de Costa.

He said during his legal career in the outstations, he spent his leisure at national parks in Bundala, Sinharaja, Kalawewa, Wilpattu, Kumana and Uda Walawe to capture the natural pictures of birds.

"This encouraged me to publish a book on birds living in the Sri Lankan jungles," he said.

According to the writer, Sri Lanka has 482 species and sub species and they are recorded as indigenous, migrant, oceanic and vagrants.

"Of these around 220 species are breeding residents and among them 27 species are 'definite-endemic' while six are proposed. About 145 are migrant while another 117 are vagrants," he said.

De Costa has so far conducted five photographic exhibitions, including `Water Falls in Sri Lanka', `Nature', `Sun Rise and Sun Set' and the final exhibition `Feathers' at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo last year.

He said he had carried out many research on birds and this research had helped him to study the lifestyle and the living conditions of birds.

He also said resident species had come to the country from a long time ago and not returned back, but migrant birds usually return back to their countries after the season is over.

[email protected]