Cultural DIARY

NAPSL 30th anniversary international exhibition

The National Association of Photographers - Sri Lanka (NAPSL) has organised the first ever international photographic exhibition with the participation of four international photographic organisations, Federation of International Photographic Art (FLAP), the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the United Photographers International (UPI). They have extended their recognition and offered their medals and Honorable Mention Ribbons to be awarded to the winners. Also for the first time in Sri Lanka, Digital Projected Image judging system which is widely used in other countries, was used to judge the entries. Entries were called in digital file format in CDs and accepted entries will be printed by the organizers for the public viewing.

Altogether 747 entries in both colour and monochrome were received from 20 countries and 200 images were accepted for the display. Four Sri Lankan entrants have won a medal and Honorable Mentions for their entries.

Norman S.K. Lau a veteran photographer from Hong Kong SAR and two veteran Sri Lankan photographers Bandu Gunaratne and H. M. R. Perera served in the panel of judges. Mount Lavinia Hotel was the host hotel for the event. Printing of accepted entries was sponsored by the Kodak and Lakdam Digital Color Lab.

Along with the international competition, a local amateur photographic competition was also organised for the students in schools and other photography training institutions. It was judged by two veteran Sri Lankan photographers, H. M. R. Perera and Henry Rajakaruna and prize winning Indian Photo journalist Ms. Sucheta Das. Prizes of winners are sponsored by the Olympus camera agents in Sri Lanka Brown & Company Ltd.

The exhibition will be ceremonially opened at the National Art Gallery in Colombo 7 on 16 September at 3.00 p.m. by Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi. It will be open to the public from 17 to 19 September from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Dharmasiri Gamage remembered

The 6th death anniversary of Dharmasiri Gamage falls on September 19. A series of events have been organised by Pahan Tamba Centre and Dharmasiri Gamage Foundation on this day at Mihilak Medura at the BMICH premises. A floral tribute followed by a memorial oration of Mahinda Chandrasekera will take place at this event and two of his popular books namely Siripala Ha Ranmenika and Dambadiva Charika will be re-launched.

Singers Sunil Edirisinghe, Nanda Malini, Deepika Priyadarshani and Victor Ratnayake will sing to the music of Jayantha Ratnayake.

Sergeantge Nandamma

(Mother-in-law)

Sando Haris's rib-tickling comedy Sergeantge Nandamma (Mother-in-law) will go on the boards at Nalanda Vidyalaya hall Minuwangoda today at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

The cast include Sando Harris, Chanchala Warnasuriya, Shiromi Fernando, Udaya Thalpawila, Milinda Perera, Padmasiri Gamage, Kapila Sigera and Saveendra. The play is scripted, directed and produced by Sando Harris.