Rohan Wijesinha

 “One thing can certainly be said of Nihal Fernando.  Despite his many years of photographic adventure in the receding past, he fixes his eyes firmly on the future and the task that faces the next generation…

‘All my work has been for the children of Lanka,’ he says.  ‘I hope it will help them on their way, as they become the leaders of the next millennium.’

Charith Pelpola, Serendib, Vol. 17 No. 3, May-June 1998

 Everyone needs something or someone to inspire them, to reach out from their comfort zone for something or somewhere new. Mine came through my love for wildlife and the wilderness. My inspiration – Nihal Fernando (NF). Unbeknown to me this legend of Sri Lankan photography and conservation had been reading my published scribbles and had decided that he possibly had a more worthy role for me to play. From that moment my approach to wildlife and the wilderness changed from merely being an observer, and sometimes recorder, of its beauty, to that of joining in the fierce fight for its preservation for the future. No more time to wonder but the passion to protect it, for present and future.

I had heard of NF, not just as one of the finest photographers this country has ever had, but who also engaged in many campaigns to conserve areas of environmental importance that were coming under threat from the increasing, unplanned, and often illegal, development.

Eppawela

 I soon discovered that there was more to the man than merely a taker of exquisite pictures. After just a single meeting with him, I was plunged into the campaign to protect Eppawela from a proposed mineral investment agreement for exploration and mining of phosphate. The said agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and a foreign company would have had many adverse consequences on the environment, the rich archaeology of the area, and on the people who lived there. Phosphate reserves which are available to Sri Lanka for several centuries would have been taken out in a matter of 30 years, with little overall benefit to the country.

Winnowing paddy, Polonnaruwa by Nihal Fernando

Much has been written about this landmark case and judgment but it was during this time that I realized that NF was not only a fount of knowledge, but also a supreme organizer, and motivator. He brought together people from diverse backgrounds who all had a common interest in preserving the environment; there was a role for each to play, every one, and they were made to feel comfortable in being a part of the process. He engaged with the religious community, academics (from Sri Lanka and elsewhere), lawyers, conservationists, journalists, and even Trade Union leaders. For the first time in the history of the Trade Union movement in Sri Lanka, and possibly the World, a half day General Strike was called in support of an environmental cause – Eppawela. Thousands attended the accompanying rally outside the Fort Railway Station. All of this thanks to the amazing organizational and leadership skills of NF. The judgment of this case, too, made legal history and is worthy of a read by any who has a love for this land and its people, and for Conservation Law.

Vadai Parties

 NF hosted weekly strategy meetings at his home at which ginger beer and vadais (a savoury snack made from lentils) were served. Knowledge was shared and the next steps planned, including that of a necessary Court Case. My talents were used in joining those of the team whose task was the dissemination of knowledge to the public on how damaging the rape of Eppawela would be to the country and its people. This was in the form of articles in the newspapers, not just in English, but in all three languages.

NIHAL FERNANDO

Foremost of these writers was Selvam Canagaratna (SC). In fact, SC was at the heart of many of the conservation campaigns organized by NF. With a journalist background and a career in publishing, he had a supreme command of English, and of its pertinent use, to fire the reader with the same fervor he had for the subject. A ferocious champion of the cause, if NF was ever looking for a more loyal deputy and friend, he could have not had any better than SC by his side.

There were many others, too numerous to mention, who were part of this and other campaigns. One other, however, who is deserving of special mention, and who was always up for the fight, was that legend of Sri Lanka, Iranganie Serasinghe. Always there, whatever her other commitments, and ever courageous in expressing her feelings, she is still a spur to all who love nature and environment, and artistic talent, of this blessed isle.

painting by kavindu sathsara

A Man for all

 Should history write more of NF, as it has and no doubt will in the future, but only as a supreme photographer whose mastery of light was unsurpassed, then it would just be describing a part of the man; a mere chapter of an epic tale. NF loved Sri Lanka, almost all aspects of it, with the passion of a true patriot, though he would cringe at the term as it has come to be used today. He collaborated with writers to compile works on its history, on its culture and lifestyle, he compiled a travel guide, the earliest of its kind in Sri Lanka, and a Handbook for the Ceylon Farmer, another passion of his, among other things. It was his way of sharing of the beauty of this land.

Above all he admired this Island’s Nature, its culture, its history and its people. For them, he was willing to fight fiercely, and attract others to his cause. This despite being a man of few words, who would rather observe and listen, but with the talent to almost immediately assimilate and analyze all of the information that was being shared. This was why the room would fall silent when he spoke, for his words were always few, to the point, and showed the way forward, for all. For NF was never one who willingly sat at the head of the table but would rather be a part of the team, provided the group achieved its purpose, albeit unconsciously guided by him. For his greatest talent was his ability to converse with anyone, and his extensive travels throughout Sri Lanka meant that he met many.

Apart from the Eppawela Campaign, he was a campaigner for the banning of mechanized logging in the Kanneliya and Sinharaja Rainforests. He served on the Board of Ruk Rakaganno, the Environmental Foundation and the Fauna & Flora Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Environment. He was involved in public interest litigation, seeking court rulings with regard to the Intellectual Property Bill and the Water Reforms Bill, the former ensuring that Sri Lankans would have access to quality drugs at affordable prices and the latter which ruled against the privatization of water.

His inspiration lives on

NF was always generous not only with sharing his knowledge, art and skill, but also in encouraging budding photographers and artists to practice their talents. This is best demonstrated by the wealth of outstanding photographers who learned from him, worked with him, apprenticed under him, and with his blessing, made names for themselves thereafter. With other artists, he organized exhibitions so that they could show off their skills and genius. As such, in a celebration of the photographic art of NF, it is fitting that along with his pictures, those of the other photographers who came under his influence should also have their work shown. Not only photographers, but artists and sculptors too, all who were inspired by him and his work, have a place.

The exhibits will feature the work of NF, Pat Decker, Maxi Decker, Mithra Weerakone, Luxshmanan Nadaraja, Charith Pelpola (all formerly of Studio Times Ltd.) as well as the talents of contemporary artists and sculptors Asela Abeywardene, Channa Ekanayake, Sumudu Ellepola, Chandika Gunasekara, Nimalasiri Jayasena, Hiranya Malwatta, Salome Nanayakkara, Thisaru Prabashwara, Ruwan Prasanga, Dominic Sansoni, Kavindu Sathsara, Kasun de Silva, Charlene Thuring, Sarinda Unamboowe, Shane Walgama and Karunasiri Wijesinghe.

An Exhibition of Photographs by Nihal Fernando, and others, will be held at the Barefoot Gallery, 706 Galle Road, Colombo 3, from 31 January 2025 – 06 February 2025, between 10 am-6.30 pm daily. Entrance is free and all exhibits will be available for purchase.