News

Young lensman champions the beauty of Sinharaja

Published

3 months ago

2026/03/1

There is a popular saying that every individual in the world is gifted in one special way. For 22-year-old Sansuka Gamage of Koswatta, Kalawana, that gift has found expression through the lens of a camera — and a deep, abiding love for the rainforest that borders his hometown.

Born and raised in Kalawana in the Ratnapura District, Sansuka is a past pupil of Kalawana Gamini Central College. While many youths his age pursue conventional career paths, Sansuka has chosen a different route: dedicating his time, energy and personal resources to showcasing the splendour of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve to the nation and the world.

Armed with a camera and laptop purchased with the support of his father, who is employed overseas, the young photographer ventures deep into the rainforest, often from dawn to dusk. His subjects range from rare birds and owls to reptiles, cascading waterfalls, towering trees and intricate vines that form the lush ecosystem of Sri Lanka’s last viable stretch of primary tropical rainforest

What he captures, he shares freely.

Through social media posts and videos, Sansuka presents vivid visual evidence of Sinharaja’s biodiversity, countering the common misconception that the forest is merely a leech-infested jungle with little to offer visitors. His photographs tell a different story — one of colour, life and extraordinary natural heritage.

Sansuka Gamage and some of his photogprhas left)

“I turned to wildlife photography shortly after finishing school,” Sansuka said in an interview. “I have loved nature since childhood. Living so close to Sinharaja, I always wanted to tell the country and the world about its beauty. Many think it is just a forest full of leeches, but it is far more than that. It is a complex, beautiful ecosystem.”

He explains that the true richness of a rainforest cannot be grasped in a hurried visit. “You cannot see everything in a few hours. You need at least a day or two to really experience it,” he noted, adding that his aim is to encourage both local and foreign tourists to appreciate the site’s ecological and aesthetic value.

Remarkably, Sansuka undertakes this mission without earning a single rupee. All expenses — transport, meals and the fees of local guides — are borne personally. What he receives in return, he says, is “the happiness in my heart.”

Wildlife photography, he points out, is far from easy. It demands patience, physical endurance and long hours in unpredictable weather. Undeterred by rain, heat or fatigue, Sansuka spends his youth immersed in the wilderness, waiting quietly for the perfect shot.

In many ways, the work he carries out mirrors the promotional role expected of tourism authorities — yet he does so independently and at his own cost. His efforts have drawn a growing online audience through his Facebook page, where followers regularly engage with his images and videos of Sinharaja’s hidden wonders.

Sansuka credits his parents — his mother, Anushika Menu Kumari, and his father, Shyamaka Gamage — for their unwavering encouragement. He also acknowledges the support of local tour guide Gayaan and a network of friends who assist him in his fieldwork.

Looking ahead, the young photographer hopes to organise a wildlife photography exhibition dedicated to visitors to Sinharaja, further amplifying awareness of the forest’s global significance.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sinharaja remains one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured ecological assets. Through the quiet determination of youths like Sansuka Gamage, its story continues to reach beyond the forest canopy — to the wider world.

As he continues his solitary journeys into the green depths, one thing is clear: in the heart of Kalawana, a young man’s passion is helping a rainforest find its voice.

Text and Pix by Upendra Priyankara Jathungama

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Latest News

USS Canberra makes port call in Colombo

Published

8 hours ago

2026/06/12

Priyan

The United States Navy’s USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived at the port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 12 Jun 26.

The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy
in compliance of naval traditions.

USS Canberra, a Littoral Combat Ship, is commanded by Commander J McLaughlin.

News

Complete the Proposed Education Reform Policy Framework Within One Month – President

Published

10 hours ago

2026/06/12

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to complete work on the proposed Education Reform Policy Framework within one month.

The President issued these instructions during a discussion held on Wednesday (10 June) at the Presidential Secretariat on the education policy concept paper presented by the National Education Commission.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the National Education Commission stated that the current education reforms are being undertaken across several pillars: early childhood education, general education (primary, secondary and tertiary), higher education, vocational education, technological education, digital education and non-formal education.

Attention was also given to Sri Lanka’s education system to date, the various education reforms implemented over the years, and the social changes brought about by those reforms. The President instructed officials to review previous education reforms and to take into account the key lessons emerging from them when formulating the new education policy framework.

Members of the Education Commission noted that, since the establishment of the National Education Commission in 1991, education policies have been formulated from time to time. They pointed out that a significant portion of the 1997 policy had been applied to primary education.

It was further observed that although a policy was formulated in 2016 for general education, it was not implemented accordingly. Likewise, while an education policy was prepared in 2023, it was not adopted as the national education policy. Attention was also drawn to the fact that previous education reform efforts had often been based on programmes developed according to the functions of education-related institutions, rather than on a clearly established policy framework guiding educational change.

Describing the present moment as a significant opportunity, the President emphasised that education reforms should be implemented in a manner that does not disrupt the continuity of the existing education process. Rather than creating a separate policy framework and attempting to operate independently through it, reforms should be integrated carefully into the functioning education system.

The President stated that this represents a considerable challenge for the National Education Commission. He also noted that it would be inaccurate to conclude that either the previous education system or the current one is entirely successful or entirely unsuccessful.

He stressed the importance of carefully identifying both the strengths and weaknesses of the existing system. He further observed that it is not possible to determine in the short term whether an education reform is successful or unsuccessful, as its impact must be assessed over the long term through the changes it brings about in society. For this reason, he emphasised that education reforms require greater caution and consideration than many other types of reforms.

Discussions also focused on the need to conduct an in-depth review of anticipated future social challenges and to incorporate into the new policy framework the elements necessary for developing citizens suited to a changing society.

Special attention was given to the need for a policy framework to regulate all sectors of education that are currently not subject to proper regulation, as well as to the adverse consequences arising from the lack of regulation of private education.

The importance of conducting research into university education reform and the regulation of private universities was also discussed.

Among those present were Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Madhura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Chairman of the National Education Commission Professor A. Sarath Ananda, and other members of the National Education Commission.

(PMD)

Business

Committee appointed for restructuring SriLankan Airlines

Published

10 hours ago

2026/06/12

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a Committee, chaired by Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, to conduct a strategic review and restructuring of SriLankan Airlines.

The other members of the committee are as follows:

• Senior Presidential Economic Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa

• Financial and corporate strategy expert Deshal De Mel

• Transaction and investment banking, mergers and acquisitions expert Dumith Fernando

• The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance or his Representative

• The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development / a representative of the Civil Aviation Authority

• The Chairman of SriLankan Airlines

• Legal experts with specialised knowledge in corporate, aviation and public law

• Aviation industry experts to be appointed

The Government has recognised the urgent priority of undertaking a comprehensive strategic review of SriLankan Airlines, taking into account the broader macroeconomic context.

The main objective of this exercise is to establish a financially sustainable and commercially efficient national carrier, while reducing the long-term fiscal burden on the Government.

Accordingly, it has been deemed appropriate to establish a dedicated committee to carry out the strategic review and restructuring process in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is serving as the Transaction Advisor.

The committee will be responsible for:

• Conducting an independent review and assessment of the airline’s strategic direction and future course of action

• Recommending restructuring requirements and possible restructuring models

• Evaluating specific strategic options and identifying the most suitable course of action aligned with the Government’s overall objectives

• Providing oversight, guidance and support for the implementation of the selected strategy and execution framework determined by the Government

The committee will function for the duration of the strategic review and restructuring process, or until it is formally dissolved by the Government of Sri Lanka.

(PMD)