Business
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka opens ‘The Foreigners’
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA Sri Lanka) opened its new exhibition titled ‘The Foreigners’ on 4 May 2023, at its premises on the ground floor of Crescat Boulevard, Colombo 3. Curated by Sandev Handy and Sharmini Pereira, ‘The Foreigners’ brings together the works of 15 contemporary artists who use varying media to address the entangled ways in which foreignness is inscribed onto them, marking them as strangers, outsiders, or transgressors. Together their works resist, reimagine, and re-mix well-worn tropes of how otherness is categorised and foreignness is perceived. These works include photographs, performances, video artworks, installations, drawings, and paintings.
The exhibition has been specially designed by Jonathan Edward and the exhibition identity has been created by Emile Molin. Speaking about the exhibition, lead curator of the exhibition Sandev Handy noted that, “The Foreigners considers how contemporary artists grapple with often contradictory ideas of home, borders, and belonging. We imagine this exhibition as a complicated cacophony of both local and diasporic voices coming together to testify to their experiences of place and displacement, inviting visitors to listen, tune in and parse through them.” He further added that “My hope is that this exhibition is a starting point; a stake in the ground from which we may begin to recognise the experiences of the foreigner, the outsider, and the stranger, as crucial artistic voices towards helping us critically examine how borders often imposed upon us by dominant cultural narratives may be questioned and even dismantled.”
‘The Foreigners’ features 15 contemporary artists who include Arjuna Gunaratne (b. 1976), Danushka Marasinghe (b. 1985), Dinelka Liyanage (b. 1994), Hema Shironi (b. 1991), Hania Luthufi (b. 1989), Imaad Majeed (b. 1991), Isuru Kumarasinghe (b. 1987), Janani Cooray (b. 1974), K K Srinath Chathuranga (b. 1987), Nina Mangalanayagam (b. 1980), Reginald S. Aloysius (b. 1970), S.H. Sarath (b. 1947), Shyama Golden (b. 1983), Stephen Champion (b. 1959), and Sumudi Suraweera (b. 1982). Two of the artworks titled ‘வாசல்/ එළිපත්ත/ Threshold’ (Part 1) and ‘வாசல்/ එළිපත්ත/ Threshold’ (Part 2) by Dinelka Liyanage (b. 1994), Hania Luthufi (b. 1989) and Sumudi Suraweera (b. 1982) of Music Matters, were commissioned by the MMCA Sri Lanka in 2021 with the support of the European Union. Lenders to the exhibition are based in India, Sri Lanka, Sweden, the UK, and the USA.
Speaking about the exhibition, Sharmini Pereira, Chief Curator at the MMCA Sri Lanka said, “‘The Foreigners’ will give the museum’s visitors an insight into the works of contemporary artists living and working in Sri Lanka, the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. One of the most important aspects of our work is to support and showcase the work of living artists; an opportunity not afforded to the generation of modern artists”, adding that “We look forward to welcoming visitors to an exhibition that we believe touches on many contemporary issues about who we are and where we are from.” Pereira further stated that “This is also our first exhibition to receive support from a group of individuals who reside outside of Sri Lanka and who wish to bring international attention to the country’s many contemporary artists. Through their example, we hope that other individuals will do similar and support research and curation around contemporary art.”
The MMCA Sri Lanka will also offer its visitors a host of free public programmes alongside ‘The Foreigners’. These programmes include Gallery Talks with artists and academics, Workshops conducted by art practitioners and professionals, guided Curator’s and Exhibition Tours, a Poetry club, performances, and other special events. All public programmes are made possible with the generous support of the European Union, whilst ‘The Foreigners’ exhibition is kindly supported by Anojie Amerasinghe, Hugues Marchand, Radhika Chopra, and Rajan Anandan, with additional support from the MMCA Sri Lanka’s Founding Patrons, the British Council, and Lite87. Generous support is also provided by the museum’s major benefactors and funders: John Keells Foundation, Nations Trust Bank, and Fairfirst Insurance.
The MMCA Sri Lanka is an education-led initiative that aims to establish a public museum dedicated to the display, research, collection, and conservation of modern and contemporary art for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public, schools, and tourists. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (except on Poya days and public holidays) on the ground floor of Crescat Boulevard, Colombo 3, and the entrance to the museum and all its public programmes are free. Information about the museum and its exhibitions and public programmes can be found via its website www.mmca-srilanka.org, or on Facebook at facebook.com/mmcasrilanka and Instagram at instagram.com/mmcasrilanka/.
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, hosted an event to mark the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, bringing together stakeholders and cricket enthusiasts as Sri Lanka looks ahead to one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events.
Over the years, Dialog has played an enduring role in supporting sport in Sri Lanka, with cricket at its core, enabling access to the game through partnerships and nationwide initiatives, reflecting its commitment to Powering the Passion of the Nation. Against this backdrop, securing the ICC media rights in Sri Lanka for the 2026–2028 period represents an important milestone in Dialog’s ongoing journey of bringing the world’s leading cricket tournaments to Sri Lankan audiences.
The event was attended by representatives from the Sports Ministry, Sri Lanka Cricket, the media, and the corporate sector, alongside former and current national cricketers. It recognised Sri Lanka’s proud cricketing legacy and the deep-rooted following the game enjoys among fans, while underscoring the scale and significance of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for local audiences.
As anticipation builds towards the tournament, the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup trophy was ceremonially showcased during the event, offering those present a closer look at a widely recognised symbol of the competition.
S.Achhudan, Director General of Sports said, “Sport plays an important role in strengthening national unity and identity. Public–private partnerships, such as Dialog’s continued support for cricket, are important in sustaining the sports ecosystem and in enabling broad public access to major international sporting events.”
Commenting on the occasion, Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, said, “Cricket holds a special place in Sri Lanka, with a following that spans generations and communities. Global tournaments such as the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup are events that fans look forward to and remember. At Dialog, our focus is to play a meaningful role in enabling these experiences — ensuring Sri Lankans can follow the game across platforms, with the quality, reliability, and reach it deserves.”
Sharing his views on the collaboration, Mr. Bandula Dissanayake, Honorary Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, said, “The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup is a major event for the sport and for cricket-loving nations such as Sri Lanka. With Dialog as the ICC media rights holder in Sri Lanka for the 2026–2028 period, this collaboration supports strong engagement around the tournament and reflects the scale of interest cricket continues to enjoy across the country.”
Sri Lankan fans will be able to follow the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 on Dialog Television and the Dialog Play App, alongside a free-to-air broadcast partnership with Supreme TV, ensuring wide access to the tournament.
The revenue that was earned from the tourism sector in 2025 was US $ 3.2 billion, which is a significant drop compared to the 2018 figure , which is US$ 4.3 billion, a top tourism sector specialist said.
‘Comparatively there is a revenue deficit of US $ 1.2 billion, which we cannot be satisfied with at any cost, ‘Island Leisure Lanka’ founder chairman Chandana Amaradasa said.
Amaradasa made these observations at a Rotary Club joint meeting organised by Rotary Club Colombo South, featuring also the Rotary Clubs of Kolonnawa and Sri Jayawardenapura, at the Kingsbury Hotel on Tuesday.
Amaradasa added: ‘To develop the tourism sector the government has to do many things which previous governments comprehensively failed to take up.
‘The revenue that comes from the local tourism sector is four to five percent of the GDP, while in Dubai it is more than 45 percent of the GDP.
‘At present the country has 51000 rooms, out of which not more than 10000 rooms are at the four to five star level. Of that number 6000 rooms are located in Colombo, which is a major issue for tourism promotion in tourism potential areas.
‘Sri Lanka should focus on high quality standards in tourism and also develop the East Coast with the necessary infrastructure; especially having an international airport is absolutely necessary.
‘Colombo could be developed as a MICE tourism hub in the region. But not having an international level conference/convention hall is a another bottle neck in promoting that market as well.’
By Hiran H Senewiratne ✍️
Business
A Record Year for Marketing That Works: SLIM Effie Awards Sri Lanka 2025 crosses 300+ entries
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) announces a defining milestone for the country’s marketing, advertising, and creative sectors, as Effie Awards Sri Lanka 2025 records the highest number of entries in its history, crossing 300+ submissions. The unprecedented response reflects a stronger, more confident industry, one that is increasingly committed not only to bold creativity, but to creativity that can prove its value through measurable business and brand outcomes.
Now in its 17th year in Sri Lanka, the Effie Awards remain the most recognised benchmark for marketing effectiveness, honouring campaigns that bring together creative excellence, strategic discipline, and results. As the industry evolves, the Effies have become a space where the agency community, brand teams, media and creative partners are collectively challenged to raise the bar, moving beyond attention and awards, toward work that drives growth, shapes behaviour, and delivers real impact.
The record volume of entries this year also signals a healthy shift in the market: more brands and agencies are willing to be evaluated against rigorous effectiveness criteria, and to put forward work that demonstrates clear thinking, strong execution, and proof of performance. SLIM notes that this momentum highlights the expanding role of marketing and advertising in Sri Lanka, not simply as communication, but as a strategic driver of competitiveness and value creation.
SLIM confirms that the judging process will commence soon, guided by the established Effie evaluation framework that assesses entries on insight, strategy, execution, and measurable outcomes. The Grand Finale is scheduled for end-February 2026, where Sri Lanka’s most effective marketing work will be recognised on a national platform.
For inquiries, entries, and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the SLIM Events Division: +94 70 326 6988 | +94 70 192 2623.
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