Well known photographer to deliver WNPS lecture
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L.J. Wickremesinghe
Well known photographer L.J. Mendis Wickremesinghe will deliver this month’s Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) Monthly Lecture on ‘Capturing Wildlife – with the Eye and the Heart!
L. J. Mendis Wickramasinghe is the founder and the President of the Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka. Inspired by his unusual childhood passion for snakes, and the magical diversity of Sri Lanka, he has spent over two decades exploring the forests here. To date, he has discovered 24 new species of gecko, skink, snake, and amphibian, while several more of his discoveries await taxonomic description.
His photography is framed not only by his extensive knowledge of the subject, but also by his passion and commitment not only to record them in picture, but also to preserve them for posterity. This is where heart and eye meet to produce works of living art.
Despite having a busy schedule as an advisor and consultant to several international and local conservation bodies and initiatives, most notably to the Committee to the Central Highland Natural World Heritage Site UNESCO (Ministry of Environment), the Species Survival Commission groups of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN/SSC) and many others, it is Mr. Wickre-masinghe’s learnings and experience as a wildlife photographer that this lecture is based on. Having already published a book – “Repertoire: A pictorial gateway to Sri Lanka’s nature” – his photographs have been acclaimed internationally, one even adorning the back cover of the March 2017 issue of the National Geographic Magazine.
This lecture will be bilingual and of appeal not only to adults who appreciate the wild places and wild creatures of Sri Lanka, and wish to learn more on how to photograph them and conserve them, but also for children for whom the magical imagery on show will open their eye to the wondrous world of wildlife.
The lecture is on May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Cinema Hall, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Monthly Lecture is open to all members and non-members, admission free.
