STORY AND PICTURES BY – HERBERT PERERA – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – DISCOVERY SRI LANKA
“ ARTFUL ECHOES” Collective Art Exhibition by 5 versatile artists Swarna Abeytunge, Anura Srinath, Samanthi Hemamali, Nilanthi Weerasekara and B. Wimalaratne is now on at the Welcome Gallery of ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, Colombo till 30th August, 2026.
The five artists profiles are as follows –
Artist Swarna Abeytunge is a Charted Secretary by profession who was graduated from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK (ICSA-UK). Until August 2021, Swarna worked as the Group Company Secretary of the Hayleys Group, a leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka. After leaving Hayleys with 36 years of service, she immersed herself in painting, one of her long forgotten hobbies as she moved to her next phase in life.
Artist Anura Srinath is a senior renowned artist in Sri Lanka who has been in the art field for decades. Born in 1957 and residing in Kottawa, Pannipitiya. Anura belongs to a rare breed of Sri Lankan artist whose diehard passion for art made them perfectionists in their own right. To this background comes Anura’s hands-on experience with commercial art with local global advertising agencies (Master’s Advertising and JWT) from 1986 to 1990 he worked as an Illustrator in several Advertising Agencies.
Artist Samanthi Hemamali is a renowned artist in Sri Lanka who resides in Colombo. Born in 1966 and by profession she is a holder of National Diploma in Teaching (Mathematics) from Siyane National College of Education. Hemamali is a full-time artist and former mathematics teacher. Having Transitioned from teaching at government schools, she brings a unique, structured perspective to the creative arts. Her evolving work blends analytical precision with expressive, contemporary visual storytelling.
Artist Nilanthi Weerasekera is a renowned professional artist and born in 1970 and lived in Moratuwa. She is currently works as a teacher in two schools as an art teacher at St. Mary’s College, Dehiwala and St. Anthony Vidyalaya in Mt. Lavinia. She graduated from the Institute of Aesthetic Studies at the University of Kelaniya and completed her Master’s of Fine Arts in Painting with first-class honors at the College of Art in New Delhi, India.
Artist B. Wimalaratne is a senior renowned artist in Sri Lanka who resides in Ratmalana. Born in 1946 and served for decades at an state bank in a senior managerial grade before his retirement. He joined the University of Colombo in 1965, but bid farewell to his university years shortly after to embark on a promising career at a State Bank in Sri Lanka
ARTIST SWARNA ABEYRATNE
ARTIST ANURA SRINATH
ARTIST SAMANTHI HEMAMALI
ARTIST NILANTHI WEERASEKERA
