Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Monthly Lecture on 18 May

• Top photographer Mendis Wickremesinghe to share insights to ‘Capturing Wildlife – with the Eye and the Heart!’

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) monthly lecture on 18 May at 6 p.m. at the Cinema Hall, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 will focus on wildlife photography and would be delivered by Mendis Wickremesinghe. His photography is framed not only by his extensive knowledge of the subject at which his lens is pointed, 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. Most importantly, he places great emphasis on practicing his talent without disrupting the lives of his subjects, or by breaking the laws that ensure their preservation in the wild.

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 of Mendis Wickremasinghe’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

L.J. Mendis Wickramasinghe is the founder and the President of the Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka. Overcome by an unusual childhood passion for snakes, and inspired by the magical diversity of his motherland, he has spent over two decades of his life exploring the forests of Sri Lanka. To date, he has discovered 24 new species of gecko, skink, snake, and amphibian, while several more of his discoveries await taxonomic description. Three of these species were thought extinct and his re-discovery of them, in the Sri Pada massif, is perhaps his greatest contribution to global conservation.

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Monthly Lecture is open to all members and non-members, admission free.