President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who attended the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, was presented with the recently launched coffee table book, “Kingdom of Ruhuna,” by the America Sri Lanka Photographic and Art Society in Los Angeles, USA, on September 20.
The author of the book, Suriya Jayalath Perera, residing in Los Angeles, is the founding president of the America Sri Lanka Photographic and Art Society. Perera is an award winning wildlife photographer and formerly served as a project officer in the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka.
The “Kingdom of Ruhuna” offers a historical and folkloric account of Yala National Park. Based on Perera’s two-and-a-half-year research project for his MA at the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka, the book is a groundbreaking achievement that provides a unique perspective on the history and culture of this beautiful region.
The book stands as a testament to the shared appreciation of art, culture, and diplomacy between the United States and Sri Lanka.
Its captivating visuals and compelling narratives offer readers a glimpse into the history and natural beauty of the Ruhuna region. Suriya’s accomplishments as a wildlife photographer and conservationist have been widely recognised in both Los Angeles and his home country, Sri Lanka.
He is a member of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and a lifetime member of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).
In recognition of his significant contribution to nature conservation through various programs organised by the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles, Suriya was presented with a certificate of commendation in 2020 by the prestigious conservation agency, “The Nature Conservancy of America.”
The America Sri Lanka Photographic and Art Society is based in Los Angeles and strives to foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation between the United States and Sri Lanka, strengthening ties that bind the two nations.
