News

Three legends honoured with lifetime achievement awards

Published

19 hours ago

2026/02/22

Sarath Chandradeewa, Lal Hegoda and Nihal Fernando

The State Visual Arts Festival 2025 was held in February 2026 owing to postponement caused by cyclone Ditwah.It was held under the patronage of Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs at Suhurupaya, Battaramulla on February 18, 2026.

Organised by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Arts Council of Sri Lanka and the State Panel of Visual Arts, it celebrated eminent visual artists who have dedicated their creativity to the advancement and brilliance of the Sri Lankan Visual Arts Sector.

Winners of the 2025 State Visual Arts Festival were presented with awards and Professor Sarath Chandrajeewa (b.1955), Lal Hegoda (b.1947) and Nihal Fernando (1927-2015) were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Sarath Chandrajeewa (b.1955)

Educated at Ragala Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya and Karawita Central College, he obtained his first degree in Sculpture from the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya in 1978. He obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Bronze Sculpture Casting at the Royal Academy of Arts, a Master’s Degree in Sculpture at the Moscow State Academic Arts Institute and his Doctor of Philosophy Degree at the Moscow State Institute of Art Research.

Starting his career as a Youth Services Officer in 1979 at the National Youth Services Council, his appointments at various times included Lecturer-University of Kelaniya, Director-Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Professor -University of Visual & Performing Arts where he went on to become the Dean.

His solo exhibitions are many and he has emerged as an internationally renowned sculptor. He is the only Sri Lankan artist to be represented in the British Museum’s Portrait Gallery for his bronze portrait of Sir Christopher Ondaatje.

A recipient of numerous awards, he is also an author and editor, compiling many academic books and research articles on visual arts. Having accomplished much of his mission, he is a rare figure who is still an active sculptor who is also engaged in academic research works.” (Adapted from the Catalogue of the State Visual Arts Festival 2025)

Lal Hegoda (b.1947)

“Lal Hegoda was never one to follow the usual path. Rather than simply capturing photographs, he has explored the world itself, shaping ideas, objects, and moments with creativity, and bringing them to life through the lens. His work first reached the public in 1971, with the remarkable series ‘Freud’s Daughter,’ a work that show he was never just a photographer, but an artist deeply attuned to society and human experience.

Growing up with his father, the pioneering photographer Wilson Hegoda, Lal learned early the language of images, the discipline of craft, and the joy of seeing the world with fresh eyes. Yet he has always walked his own path, guided by an inner vision. Beyond photography, he has explored poetry, blending visual and verbal expression with sensitivity and respect for the very essence of his subjects.

As a scholar, teacher, and author of influential works like ‘Photography and Art’ and the ‘Seven Controls of the Camera,’ Lal Hegoda has enriched Sri Lankan art with both knowledge and imagination. His mastery of visual language, his expressive touch, and his ability to communicate meaning through images have left an indelible mark on our culture.

Today, in recognition of his lifetime of creativity, insight, and dedication, the Sri Lanka Arts Council, the Visual Arts Sub-Council, and the Department of Cultural Affairs proudly present Mr Lal Hegoda with the Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring his enduring contribution to art and culture in Sri Lanka.” (Catalogue of the Exhibition of Photography, State Visual Arts Festival 2025, 17-19 February 2026, Lionel Wendt Art Centre)

Nihal Fernando (1927-2015)

“Nihal Fernando often described himself simply as ‘a photographer,’ yet his life’s work profoundly shaped Sri Lanka’s visual, cultural, and environmental consciousness. Beginning as a schoolboy photographer and later transforming Studio Times Pvt Ltd into a national institution, he used photography not merely as a profession but as a means of understanding and revealing Sri Lanka to itself and the world. Through exhibitions, press features, public lectures, and influential publications such as the ‘Handbook for the Ceylon Traveller’ and landmark photographic volumes, he inspired generations to appreciate the island’s landscapes, heritage, and people.

Beyond photography, Fernando was a mentor to young artists, a custodian of Sri Lanka’s artistic legacy, and a passionate advocate for conservation and sustainable agriculture. His leadership in environmental activism, most notably the historic opposition to the Eppawela phosphate mining project, left a lasting legal and moral legacy. Widely known as ‘The Man who Framed Sri Lanka,’ Nihal Fernando was a visionary whose work consistently served the common good and enriched the nation’s cultural soul.” (Catalogue of the Exhibition of Photography, State Visual Arts Festival 2025, 17-19 February 2026, Lionel Wendt Art Centre)

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

15 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

19 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.