The Boy on the Bus at Jaffna

Sri Lanka added another feather to its cap of International Endorsements for 2026, winning the People’s Choice Award in the Travel Photographer of the Year awards. This was for a captivating image of the boy on a bus in Jaffna. Chosen by the general public from all over the world out of 164 different photographs short listed from over twenty thousand images submitted to the Judges. The winning photographer in this category was Mark Julian Edwards, who highlighted the destination with his eye catching portraiture style and amazing skill of incorporating the spirit of travel in one superb shot. 

Sri Lanka was also the destination chosen for the rising talent mentoring programme taking place this May in Galle and Yala, with accommodation provided by Jetwing Hotels an iconic name in the hospitality and sustainability sector of Sri Lanka, along with the Sri Lankan Tourism Bureau who are sponsoring these fantastic first place prizes. A life changing training for five winners and one or two Sri Lankan photographers, who will also be joining them on an exciting mentoring programme.

The winners were revealed on the 25^th of January, on Travel Photographer Of The Year Awards (TPOTY) with coverage on the BBC and many other media outlets excited by the exceptional body of work this year from the worlds No 1 travel photography competition.

The People’s Choice Award for the boy on the bus was a clear winner as everyone voting was captivated by the relatability of the Jaffna boys’ sparkling eyes. A image that encapsulates that first adventurous magical moment, that makes us all so happy and childlike again. Particularly when embarking on an exciting road trip. Taking an award-winning travel portrait is not simple with so much intense competition out there, particularly one that speaks to all of us about our inner love for travel. The winning image beautifully framed by the bus window also received the largest number of votes due to its deeply authentic style of catching life as it really is.

After all to take a photograph that talks to all of us, requires a passion for meeting new people, listening to their stories with enormous human empathy, combined with an exceptional eye, that in this case was all about zooming in on the story. Finding that one special character and moment in all the chaos, that stands out takes enormous skill. It is a deeply memorable portrait for many reasons including the fact that it connects us the audience with that sense of wonder and exploration that comes with travelling around Sri Lanka. 

I caught up with the award-winning photographer on a video phone call in London shortly after winning to find him still dancing for joy. For Mark this is his biggest life time dream come true. Here is what he had to say

‘As the sun began to fade, I decided to venture out to Jaffna Bus Station in Sri Lanka. I wandered through the busy station. I spoke with people waiting for their buses, sharing small moments of conversation as the light softened into that magical golden hour. I spent time with locals, chatting, occasionally taking their photographs and then showing them the images on my camera. I left the buzzy bus station feeling so happy - full of the kind of real connection we yearn for as travellers, when we’re fortunate enough to genuinely do so with people from a culture so amazingly rich and different from our own. As I moved beyond the bus shelter, I wandered among the arrival and departure terminal points, gazing at the people seated on the buses and wondering where they were heading. At one point, I noticed a young boy quietly staring out of a window. For reasons I can’t fully explain, he intrigued me. I approached the bus and took the shot. I was drawn not only to the boy - his fine features, distinctive fringe, and expressive twinkly eyes - but also to the setting itself: the rusting paintwork, the vivid, ageing reds, and the browns, and the stripes forming a subtle backdrop to and fantastic frame that summed up the scene. For many years, I’ve looked up to world-class photographers recognised by TPOTY. To now find myself among that group is a moment of immense pride’ he explained the story behind the ‘Award’.

It is clear from talking to Mark that he has a deep gratitude to Sri Lanka and of course to the boy in the photo, who he would love to find and give him and his family a framed picture to treasure and as a thank you. He hopes this is an image that highlights why the island should be on everyone’s travel bucket list to go and explore.

Admired around the world by all media due to it being uniquely run by photographers for photographers, with judges choosing powerful ground breaking images each year, that are non-AI-generated imagery. The competition covers diverse genres ranging from portraiture, to landscape, wildlife, and in depth portfolios with thematic photo stories. Focusing on not just how to capture the spirit of a place, but also demanding we take images that make the world think about our planet. 

TPOTY-winning photographers have had their work showcased around the world: established photographic careers received a huge boost and have been highlighted for their hard work and tireless efforts to make their contribution to rejuvenate the Art of photography.