Sri Lanka is a place of extraordinary beauty and fascinating history. An island shaped by centuries of colonialism and conflict, religion and tradition, resilience and reinvention.
With its lush highlands, sun-drenched coastlines, ancient temples and blend of cultures, it’s no surprise that photographers—both international and Sri Lankan—are drawn to documenting its landscapes, faces, and stories, attempting to distill the unique essence of this fascinating land.
1. Village of Ehetuwewa, 1980s – Nihal Fernando
Often regarded as the father of Sri Lankan photography, Nihal Fernando dedicated his life to capturing the island’s landscapes, people, and heritage with profound sensitivity, artistry and skill. In 1963, he bought out Studio Times, where he had previously worked, and, alongside his team, created a vast visual archive documenting the country in all its complexity, from depictions of ancient temples, remote villages and pristine coastlines to everyday life.
His images go beyond aesthetics; they are acts of preservation, infused with quiet reverence for the country’s beauty and culture. Long before mass tourism and the image-saturated era we know today, they helped shape how Sri Lanka saw itself, and how the world saw Sri Lanka.
2. “The Waiting Mother”, 2023 – Dave Davis
This poignant portrait by Dave Davis is part of a 2023 project documenting the Tamil families still searching for loved ones lost during Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war. The conflict, which raged from 1983 to 2009, saw the Sinhalese-majority government wage a devastating campaign against the Tamil Tigers, a separatist group seeking independence for the Tamil minority. In its final phase, tens of thousands of civilians disappeared, many abducted or killed without record. This mother’s 14-year-old son vanished on his way home from school. Her face reflects the loss and grief that endures for many Tamil families, a visible reminder of the unanswered questions and lasting trauma still carried today.
3. Nine Arch Bridge Road, 2029 – Gemm Afjam
Perhaps no image of Sri Lanka has come to represent the country for international visitors quite like the vivid blue (or sometimes red) train gliding across the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. Completed in 1921 during British colonial rule, this stone viaduct—built without steel—arcs gracefully over a lush jungle valley, framed by lush tea plantations (a similarly iconic sight). Today, the bridge is more than infrastructure; it’s a visual icon, a symbol of slow travel, the island’s colonial history and the incredible natural beauty of the its highland landscapes.
4. Declaration of the Constitution 1972 – Sirimavo Bandaranaike Museum
This historic image captures the moment the country declared its first republican constitution in 1972, officially severing ties with the British monarchy and changing its name from Ceylon to the Republic of Sri Lanka. Led by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike—the world’s first female head of government—the new constitution marked a bold step toward national sovereignty. However, it also centralized power and gave primacy to Sinhala Buddhism, decisions that would deepen ethnic divides in the decades to follow. Today, this moment is seen as both celebratory and controversial, symbolizing a critical turning point in the nation’s post-colonial identity, a legacy that continues to reverberate through Sri Lanka’s contemporary struggles with inclusion and unity.
5. Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, 2016 – Frédéric Lagrange
Situated in Jaffna, in the north of the country, Nallur Kandaswamy Temple stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most important Hindu landmarks and a powerful symbol of Tamil identity. Originally built in the 10th century and rebuilt in 1734 after colonial destruction, the temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and remains the heart of Jaffna’s religious life, especially during the annual 25-day Nallur Festival, when thousands gather in devotion. In a country marked by religious and ethnic divisions, Nallur remains a testament to resilience, continuity, and cultural pride, with its towering gopuram and red-and-white façade an unmistakable sight, captured beautifully here by French photographer Frédéric Lagrange.
6. Human Elephant Conflict – Thilina Kaluthotage
Sri Lanka is one of just 13 countries that is home to wild elephants. Elephants are deeply revered in Sri Lankan culture, especially within Buddhism, where they symbolize wisdom and strength. However, despite legal protection, their numbers are dwindling, exacerbated by the ongoing human-elephant conflict in rural areas. Due to habitat decline, elephants often wander into human settlements in search of food and water, leading to violent clashes that can result in the loss of both human and elephant lives. Sri Lankan photojournalist Thilina Kaluthotage has documented this conflict over several years, capturing raw, yet sensitive images that raise awareness of the issue and prompt questions about how we can balance conservation with human development.
7. Stilt Fishermen, 1990 – Xavier Roy
This stunning image by French photographer Xavier Roy captures the stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka, exponents of a centuries-old tradition still practised in parts of the country. These fishermen perch on wooden stilts—some with sacks hanging below for their catch or tools—which rise from the waters of the Indian Ocean near the country’s southern coastline. This unique practice is said to have originated during the British colonial period, and though today it is largely symbolic, with many fishermen supplementing their income by posing for tourists, it remains a powerful representation of the island’s profound and enduring connection to the sea.
Discover our profile on Xavier here.
8. Protests at Galle Face Green, Colombo 2022 – Jonathan Jasberg
This striking image by Jonathan Jasberg captures scenes from the mass protests that erupted across Sri Lanka in the spring of 2022. Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans gathered in the capital, demanding the resignation of brothers President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with other members of their influential family, whose leadership was widely criticized for mismanaging the economy and seen as a central factor behind Sri Lanka’s severe financial crisis. Jasberg’s image, taken at Galle Face Green—the park that became the movement’s symbolic epicenter—beautifully captures the unity that defined the moment. The twin Sri Lankan banners, held aloft, reflect the collective hope and shared purpose that ultimately drove the regime to step down.
Discover our profile on Jonathan here.
9. Sigirîya, 2024 – Sander Traa
Rising dramatically from the lush jungles of Sri Lanka’s central region, Sigirîya—also known as “Lion’s Rock”—is one of the island’s most iconic landmarks. This towering granite monolith was transformed into a royal citadel in the 5th century by King Kasyapa, complete with water gardens, vibrant frescoes, and a palace perched at its summit, along with a pair of giant lion paws flanking the entrance at the base, giving it its evocative nickname. Today, Sigirîya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to Sri Lanka’s ancient ingenuity and enduring beauty, captured here in breathtaking detail from an aerial perspective by Sander Traa.
10. Colors of Ceylon, 2017 – Antoine Jonquiere
Part of Colors of Ceylon, a photographic travel diary of Sri Lanka shot in 2017, this stunning image was taken near Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple, about 40 km north of Jaffna in Tamil territory, by French photographer Antoine Jonquiere. A group of young Buddhist monks had just bathed in the nearby Kīrimalai Sacred Water Springs—a revered natural pool just meters from the sea—and were drying their kasaya (the saffron robes worn by ordained monks) in the afternoon wind. The vivid orange fabric, fluttering against the muted blue wall with the ocean beyond, creates a scene so evocative it makes the viewer feel as though they are present. A moment of everyday life that conveys a small part of the island’s extraordinary beauty and rich cultural heritage.
All images © their respective owners