• Dushan Sumindika Weerasooriya on following his passions

Dushan Sumindika Weerasooriya, a banker by profession, has a passion that has nothing to do with banking but everything to do with balance, joy, and freedom. Beyond the numbers and stress of his demanding career, he finds solace in travel and nature photography, capturing the beauty of Sri Lanka’s landscapes and connecting deeply with the world around him.

Born and raised in the hilltop village of Napatawela in the Nuwara Eliya District, he’s always felt a bond with the natural world – a connection he has managed to weave into his everyday life despite a busy banking career. “My village is the most beautiful place I have ever been,” he shared, noting that it was there that he nurtured his close relationship with nature.

Growing up surrounded by misty mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush paddy fields, his love for nature came naturally. As a child, he would take long walks through the village, marvelling at the landscapes that seemed to change with each season. “From my childhood to the age of 28, I lived in this beautiful village. It is full of paddy fields, streams, misty mountains, and waterfalls. I felt there was a great bond between me and nature.”

It was this early exposure to nature that inspired him to pick up a camera, finding a creative outlet that helped him to document beauty as well as to relieve the stress of his career.

Relaxation and inspiration

Dushan’s banking career is both busy and stressful; yet, it doesn’t stop him from exploring his love for nature and photography. “Banking is a very busy job with little rest,” he admitted. But he doesn’t let this deter him. Even on field visits for work, if he encounters a beautiful scene, he doesn’t hesitate to pause and capture the moment. His current post in Laggala, Matale District, has proven to be an ideal location for him – a region blessed with abundant natural beauty.

“I plan my vacations in advance to travel to beautiful places, go to a green environment with less people. The sound of a waterfall, the flowing water, the wind blowing, and the sounds of the forest can reduce my stress and refresh me,” he said. Nature, for Dushan, is a sanctuary and a source of peace. His enthusiasm for photography has found a welcoming audience on social media platforms, where he shares his images and receives encouraging feedback.

Some of his friends, inspired by his photographs, have even started to develop their own love for nature and photography. “I like to share the beautiful things I see with others,” he explained, noting that positive feedback from others strengthens his commitment to this hobby. It’s a fulfilling experience for him, knowing that his images can inspire others to appreciate the world around them.

Creative process and challenges

Unlike professional photographers who carry around extensive equipment, he prefers to keep things simple. His tool of choice is his Apple 15 Pro smartphone, which allows him to travel lightly. “I consider drones and DSLR cameras an obstacle to my travelling. I like to travel easily. That’s why mobile photography is my favourite. What I believe is that creativity lies in simplicity, and my process begins with an outline in my mind of how I want the image to look. I then experiment with angles, capturing each shot from multiple perspectives to find the one that best brings out the scene’s natural beauty,” he explained.

Yet, photographing in nature isn’t without its challenges. There are times when Dushan has chosen to keep certain locations hidden from the public eye, fearing that they may be spoiled if they receive too much attention. “I thought it would be better to keep some places I travelled hidden,” he revealed, even going as far as to remove posts from social media platforms to protect these delicate spots.

A source of inspiration and balance

Travel and photography have provided Dushan with something invaluable – a way to balance the demands of his career with the peace he finds in nature. This journey has also given him countless memories. He recounted one particularly memorable experience camping by a roadside, where he spent the night listening to the sound of running water.

“I felt a strange feeling as if I was meditating,” he recalled. In those quiet moments, far from the noise and bustle of everyday life, he said he felt fully connected to his surroundings. Sometimes, his travels take him to places where there is no phone signal, allowing him to disconnect completely from the outside world. “In areas with no phone signal, we realised we were standing still while the world was competing,” he said, describing the peaceful feeling of stepping away from the race of modern life.

These are the experiences that fuel his photography, each journey becoming a story that he captures in his images, and in his heart.

Pursuing passions

When asked what advice he would give to others wanting to pursue hobbies, Dushan stressed the importance of finding interests that bring joy and relaxation. “Hobbies improve our mental freedom and reduce work stress,” he said. According to him, it’s important to have activities outside of work that allow for self-expression and personal growth. He encouraged others to pursue hobbies that don’t interfere with their work commitments or disturb others, as they can be a source of renewal and happiness.

His perspective is shaped by his own experiences balancing a demanding career with a fulfilling hobby. By dedicating time for photography and nature, he has managed to bring a sense of harmony into his life, proving that it’s possible to maintain a passion even outside of a high-pressure job.

While Dushan has already visited many beautiful places around the country, there are still locations in Sri Lanka he dreams of exploring. High on his list are the Haritha Kanda, Manigala, and Yahangala mountains, along with the Laxapana and Aberdeen waterfalls.

“There are many such places,” he said, adding that he hasn’t had the chance to visit them yet but looks forward to the day he can. For him, the act of taking photographs has reshaped how he sees the world. “Many places that I have travelled and plan to visit are difficult places that cannot be reached easily,” he said. But he’s come to realise that the journey, no matter how challenging, is just as meaningful as the destination. Every trip he embarks on becomes a memory worth cherishing, a reminder of the beauty he’s encountered along the way.

“I realised that bonding with nature is more wonderful than bonding with material resources. Through photography, I’ve learnt that everything in the world has its own unique beauty – a beauty that I’m very eager to share with others.”

The joy of capturing beauty

His journey in photography is, at its core, a journey of discovery. He says his lens doesn’t just capture images; it captures moments, feelings, and the essence of places he holds dear. In every photograph, there’s a glimpse of his connection to nature, re-affirming his love for travel and his respect for the world around him. In his own words: “Nature loves me because I love nature.” It’s something that guides him, reminding him of his roots in Napatawela and the experiences that shaped him.

He believes his story will serve as an inspiration for anyone looking to pursue their passions outside of work, to seek joy and peace in the world around them, and to find beauty in even the smallest details. Through his photographs, he invites us all to see the world as he does – a place of wonder, tranquillity, and endless inspiration.