Captivating Canvasses of the Vibrant Colours of Culture

The Exhibition of Paintings organized by the SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) in Collaboration with the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL) was ceremoniously inaugurated on 7th November 2023 in the Gallery of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. The Captivating Canvasses of the Vibrant Colours of Culture is the first exhibition to held at the Gallery of the Royal Asiatic Society.

This auspicious occasion was graced by H.E. Ho Thi Thanh Truc Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, Prof. Ankuran Dutta Director of the Swamy Vivekananda Cultural Centre representing the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Abbas Esufally the Honorary Consul of Bhutan in Sri Lanka, Mr. Mohammed Reyad Hossain Counsellor & Head of Chancery of the Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka, Ms. Aishath Nihad Third Secretary of the Maldivian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mrs. D.P. Dharmasena Director General SAARC of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka and Mr. Seyed Mostafa Hashem Third Secretary of the Embassy of Iran in Sri Lanka. The other distinguished guests who graced the inauguration are as follows:

• Dr. Malini Dias – President of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka,

• Mrs. Renuka Ekanayake – Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre,

• Deshamanya, Vidyajothi, Jathika Uruma Prasada Pranama Architect Mr. Ashley De Vos – Hony. Immediate Past President of the RASSL,

• Architect Ms. Shereen Amendra – Hony. Vice President of the RASSL,

• Deshamanya, Vidyajothi Emeritus Prof. Nimal De Silva – Hony. Librarian of RASSL,

• Dr. Mallika Karunaratne – Hony. Joint Secretary of the RASSL,

• Dr. Susantha Goonetilake – Hony. Past President of the RASSL,

• Mr. Denis Fernando – Director Mahaweli Centre,

• Mr. Prasanna Ratnayake – Additional Director General, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka,

• Prof. Gamini Adhikari – Director, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka,

• Ms. Iromie Wijewardena – Artist

• Mr. S.H. Sarath – Artist.

Director, SAARC Cultural Centre, Ms. Renuka Ekanayake delivered the welcome remarks after dignitaries lit the traditional lamp. In her speech, she emphasized the commitment to maintaining the commonalities found in the diverse cultures of South Asia. Further, she highlighted the significance of art as a bridge between nations. President of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Dr. Malini Dias expressed her immense pleasure and enthusiasm in partnering with the SAARC Cultural Centre to organize this event. She emphasized her deep satisfaction and excitement about this collaboration. Furthermore, she reiterated the Society’s unwavering commitment to providing continued support in all aspects related to the event. vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Bindu Urugodawatte, Deputy Director- Programmes, SCC, following which the exhibition was officially opened for public viewing.

The exhibition contained painting created by artists of the SAARC Member States during the nine Artists’ Camps held in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka between 2011 to 2019 in different styles and themes.