Celebrating Women : Women's Photography Exhibition 2011

“Men ~ their rights, and nothing more; WOMEN~ their rights, and nothing less” ~ Susan Brownell Anthony (15th February 1820 ~ 13th March 1906, American Women’s Rights Activist, Civil Rights leader and suffragist)


My Boops;
My Body;
My Business~ Photograph by DushiYanthini Kanagasabapathipillai is on display



Journalism is still a heavily male dominated field in Sri Lanka. Women are slowly but steadily getting into the field of journalism. On the other hand, we are mostly assigned to cover “soft” issues such as to handle the women’s page of a newspaper or cover culture or sub edit stories. We are hardly and rarely assigned to cover conflict or sports, because male journalists and editors think that these are “hard” issues women are unable to cover. Women are equally dedicated, determined, educated, focused and of course talented. We have proven our talents over the years, while standing side by side and shoulder to shoulder on the field with men to cover from disaster to design.

34 women photographers participated in the Women’s Photography Exhibition 2011. The exhibition was organised by the Women and Media Collective. The event was organised to celebrate the International Women’s Day. It was held at the Harold Peiris Gallery in Colombo. It was held from 25 - 27 March 2011.
The photography exhibition displayed the work of women, from professionals to amateurs, and featured a wide range of photography, from travel photography to portraiture to wildlife photography.

The photographers featured were :~
Aamina Nizar
Adilah Ismail
Anushka Fernando
Arosha Ranasinghe
Azra Abdul Cader
DushiYanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Gazala Anver
Himadhu Kottege
Hiranya Malwatte
Indu Bandara
Iresha Umagiliya
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala
Keren Sadanandan
Maduri Raja
Manikya Kodithuwakku
Marisa de Silva
Naomi Fernando
Natalie Soysa
Nathali Devinka
Nihara Fernando
Piyumika Pathirana
Poornima Perera
Rasika Deepani
Revati Chawla
Roshanthi Weerawardena
Rushika Silva
Sepali Kottegoda
Shifani Reffai
Shyala Smith
Surani Bandara
Tehani Ariyaratne
Thilina Kaushalya
Tia Goonaratna
Velayuden Jayachitra



Covering from protests to portraits by women are on display

Women and Media Collective Director Dr.Sepali Kottegoda welcoming the guests to view the photography exhibition

Women and Media Collective Director Kumudini Samuel lights the oil lamp

It's always been a challenge for the women to fight for their space, while being on the field to cover news

Viewers taking a closer look at the photographs on display

"It's an excellent effort which encourages women to carry camera, and click. More women are encouraged through this exhibition to experiment their hidden talent" says Deminithurage Amarabandu

The photos on display were a canvas of versatility

An array of photographs on display

Photography lovers thronged in large number on the inauguration day