• Raveendra Siriwardene on wildlife photographers and how the community can strengthen the next generation

Raveendra Siriwardene traces the start of his visits to national parks in the country to 2004, when he made his first visit with companions. At the time, he hadn’t realised his passion for wildlife photography, and the visits were made due to his love towards nature. Siriwardene loved staying at Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) circuit bungalows and designated camping sites inside the jungles, where he felt more relaxed.

“I became a frequent visitor to all Sri Lankan national parks and I’m very keen on travelling and relaxing with nature. I had my first leopard sighting in Rukwila, Yala National Park in 2007. It was a game changer for me to come on this journey of where I am today,” he said.

As a wildlife photographer, Siriwardene said he has visited almost all wildlife hotspots in Sri Lanka and is a frequent visitor to Yala, Kumana, Wilpattu, Minneriya, Kaudulla, Wasgamuwa, and Nilgala National Parks, as well as Kala Wewa, Galgamuwa, Jaffna peninsula, Mannar, Sinharaja, Kanneliya, Mirissa, and Kalpitiya.

“My intent is to photograph all kinds of animals, including birds, and I have received several local and international achievements, including Sri Lanka Tourism Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017,” Siriwardene said, sharing that he is a co-author of the coffee table book Avium – An endless journey through Sri Lankan wilds, along with Milinda Wattegedara and Sadeepa Gunawardana.

Siriwardene has also been an admin panel member of Yala Leopard Diary since 2016 and Kumana Leopard Diary since 2019, and is a co-founder and admin panel member of Wild Tuskers of Sri Lanka and Wild Sri Lanka. He is also a co-founder of Yala Leopard Centre.

In addition to his work as a wildlife photographer, Siriwardene also has over 23 years of managerial experience as a human resource (HR) professional with a Bachelor of Science in human resources (special degree) from the Sri Jayewardenepura University. He is a chartered member of the Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka, and has attended various local and overseas executive training programmes, including at the prestigious Harvard Business School.

Siriwardene joined The Daily Morning to give us a closer look at Sri Lanka’s community of wildlife photographers and the role of veterans in guiding novices.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

What draws you to this area of photography? What have been some memorable moments or captures?

It was not planned. I felt more relaxed and rejuvenated when I got back to work after spending weekends in the jungle, so I bought my first DSLR camera in 2007 – a Canon with a 75-300 mm telephoto lens.

When I talk about memorable moments and captures during the past 19 years, there are quite a lot of stories to tell, like my first leopard-mating encounter on the Yala main road in 2010; my first encounter with tusker Mahasen in Minneriya; my first leopard sighting in Udawalawa in 2014; my first sighting of a spot-billed duck and eight chicks in Kayts Lagoon in Jaffna; my first encounter with the tusker king Kawanthissa in 2016 in Palukadawala after 31 trips; and being named Cinnamon Sri Lanka Tourism Photographer of the Year 2017.

But the most memorable moment that I value or consider the highest achievement in the wildlife photography arena was the launch of our maiden coffee table book Avium – An endless journey through Sri Lankan wilds and photography exhibition held in November 2016 along with Milinda Wattegedara and Sadeepa Gunawardana.

You are one of the founders of Wild Sri Lanka. What is it and how has it brought together Sri Lanka’s wildlife photographers?

I was on a trip to Kumana National Park with Isuru, Amila, Nishantha, Lakshitha, Sudheera, Milinda, Sadeepa, and Ashok in 2014, when we had our very first discussion of forming a Facebook group to elevate the level of wildlife photography by giving photographers a proper platform to show off their talents. Subsequently, we were able to record a greater spotted eagle for the first time in Sri Lanka during that trip.

Just after the trip, we started the Wild Sri Lanka (WSL) Facebook group. Day by day, year on year, we had remarkable milestones, and as of now, we have 45,000+ members. With the development of the group, we started the WSL Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for our members and conducted it three times very successfully. 

Further, with the continuous development of the group, we started lots of community development activities (photography), such as free lectures and workshops for school photography societies, and have, so far, acted as a responsible group of people who are actively involved in wildlife conservation by doing various projects, especially for wild animals.

With the enhanced scope of work for the group, the founder admin panel has decided to invite energetic and young photographers whom we have marked to join us as new admins and take the group forward.

You are also a founding member of the Yala Leopard Centre. What led to its establishment and how important is the centre to conservationists, wildlife photographers, and those with an interest in wildlife, specifically leopards?

The concept behind establishing the Yala Leopard Centre came purely from Dushyantha Silva, a fellow admin of the Yala Leopard Diary team. Once we received approval from DWC, we spoke to the late Dr. Ravi Samarasinghe’s family and sought their approval to use the building built by them to memorise Dr. Samarasinghe and his invaluable contribution towards Sri Lankan leopards.

We completed and declared Yala Leopard Centre open in 2020. It was the world’s first information centre dedicated entirely to leopards. If you visit it, you’ll find a lot of information about Yala leopards and their behaviours with photographic evidence. Based on our first research paper published in 2021 regarding the multi-point leopard identification system, we have a giant television screen located at the centre to identify leopards’ photographs at Yala National Park, which was developed by our own Pramod Chamalka Sendanayaka and Chathura Jayawickrama, the fellow admins of Yala Leopard Diary. We believe this information is very important to photographers, schoolchildren, and all other parties who have an interest in leopards.

What’s it like being a wildlife photographer in Sri Lanka? Are there many opportunities? Any challenges?

I consider myself a person who engages in wildlife photography as a hobby. I think most Sri Lankan wildlife photographers are engaged in wildlife photography because it’s their passion. But I know a few very talented young people are engaging fulltime as wildlife photographers, and with their passion, they started selling their photographs online and maintaining YouTube channels and TikTok accounts, thus attracting people who are interested in Sri Lankan wildlife from the global community and hosting them.

I believe that, whatever you do, you have to do with your full capacity and passion in order to become successful.

Talking about the challenges faced by Sri Lankan wildlife photographers, I would say our society is not open-minded to exploring novelties and new techniques compared to other parts of the world. I observed that people engaged in this beautiful area of work are not willing to appreciate others’ talents. Most of them are living in their own circles and are not helping the younger generation. I believe a lot of constructive criticism is needed to change these practices.

In addition to the above, there are more opportunities for wildlife photographers in Sri Lanka:

• Sri Lanka boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, leopards, sloth bears, a variety of bird species, and marine life. This diversity provides photographers with ample opportunities to capture a wide array of subjects in their natural habitats.
• The country is home to numerous national parks and reserves, such as Yala National Park, Wilpattu National Park, and Udawalawe National Park, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. These protected areas provide a chance to observe and photograph animals in their natural settings.
• Sri Lanka is a paradise for birdwatchers and bird photographers. The island is home to many endemic and migratory bird species, making it an ideal location for capturing vibrant and diverse avian life.
• With its extensive coastline, Sri Lanka provides opportunities for marine life photography, including whales, dolphins, and diverse underwater ecosystems. Mirissa and Trincomalee are popular locations for whale watching.
• Beyond wildlife, Sri Lanka offers a unique blend of cultural and natural attractions. Photographers can capture the cultural richness of ancient temples, historical sites, and traditional ceremonies alongside the stunning natural landscapes.

What role does a wildlife photographer play in the protection of wildlife and nature?

Being a wildlife photographer, you photograph wildlife. However, that is not only what society expects from you as a wildlife photographer; there are dos and don’ts, and you need to have self-discipline if you are engaged in this passion. You won’t get it in one day, but with maturity, you will realise your social responsibility as a wildlife photographer. So your ultimate task as a veteran photographer is always to share your knowledge and experience with the younger generation.

As a wildlife photographer, your responsibilities include:

• Wildlife photographers have the power to educate the public about the beauty and importance of biodiversity. Through captivating images, they raise awareness about various species, ecosystems, and conservation issues, fostering a sense of connection and responsibility.
• By visually documenting the beauty of wildlife and their habitats, photographers become advocates for conservation. Their images can be powerful tools in campaigns aimed at protecting endangered species, preserving natural habitats, and combating issues such as poaching and deforestation.
• Wildlife photographers can influence tourism practices by promoting ethical and sustainable wildlife viewing. Through their images and stories, they encourage tourists to respect wildlife and their habitats, follow ethical guidelines, and support conservation-oriented tourism initiatives.
• Wildlife photographers often capture the impact of environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. By visually documenting these challenges, they contribute to the global conversation on environmental conservation and inspire action to address these issues.

What should one be mindful of when photographing wildlife in their natural habitat? Do you have any tips or advice for those just starting out as wildlife photographers?

We all start this subject as amateur, but step by step, with the association of seniors and veterans and experience gained, we all will mature one day. What I have to tell new entrants is to not only concentrate on photography. I consider wildlife photography as a way of communicating/developing awareness about conserving wildlife. You have to always think about conserving wildlife for future generations. We experience, enjoy, and observe wildlife today because previous generations attempted to conserve it.

We also must actively be involved in wildlife conservation activities. There are a number of small things you can do on your own, and as a wildlife photographer, you are responsible to the community. If you’re visiting a national park, whether in a hired safari jeep service or a private vehicle, you must have self-discipline as a driver or ensure the driver doesn’t break park rules. When photographing wildlife outside the national parks, you will have to travel by foot on most occasions. In such instances, you must seek the assistance or service of an experienced guide or villager who has the capability of taking care of your safety.

Further you are required to always prioritise the wellbeing and comfort of the animals. Maintain a safe distance and use telephoto lenses to capture close-up shots without intruding on their space. Avoid disturbing their natural behaviour, as it can lead to stress and negative impacts on their survival.

Using bait to attract wildlife for a shot can be controversial. If you choose to do so, ensure it’s done ethically and doesn’t harm the animals. Never feed wildlife human food, as it can disrupt their diet and health.

Stay on designated paths and trails to minimise your impact on the environment. Avoid disrupting vegetation or disturbing nests and dens. Leave no trace and follow ethical guidelines for wildlife photography.

What led to the coffee table book and how has the feedback been? Are you working on a second volume or reprints of ‘Avium’?

It was an awesome experience and a very good learning process. Publishing Avium as a wildlife photography coffee table book and conducting a photographic exhibition with a book launch was not an easy task. I must admire all the supporters and the blessings we received, especially from our families, to make it a success. 

Further, we represent a community of wildlife photographers. Without their help, we won’t achieve success. Again, it is thrilling to remember those days, when we spent sleepless nights with Kasun Beneragama of Wild Studio, who was the designer of our book. And I’m proud to say we sold all 2,200 copies printed.

We started discussions some time ago and will probably publish a new coffee table book in 2026. We don’t have any plans of reprinting Avium.

The Avium Wildlife Photography Exhibition was recently held in London. How did this come about? What was the experience like?

The wildlife photography exhibition held in London recently was a very successful event. It was organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in the United Kingdom, and the opening ceremony had quite a few invitees, including wildlife enthusiasts, travel agents, and inbound and outbound tourist companies. Our main intention was to highlight and make them aware of Sri Lanka as a wildlife tourist destination and develop purposeful wildlife tourism like the African region. 

Most travel agents include wildlife tourism as a half-day item in their tour packages, but our intention was to change that perception and introduce at least 4-5 days of specialised wildlife tours for Sri Lanka’s premium wildlife parks.

Do you plan on holding more exhibitions in the coming months?

We, as Avium, plan to conduct a wildlife photography exhibition and our second book launch, but the dates are not yet decided. We may conduct similar exhibitions overseas in future, with the group we conducted our recent exhibition in London.