Founder President and CEO
Though he moved to a large metropolis, Suriya could not resist his love of nature and took the initiative to form the “America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles”.
Suriya’s recent publication “Kingdom of Ruhuna” a folklore based historical account. from the past to present of the Yala National Park, based on his two and a half year research project for his MA at the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. He was a Student at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In 2020, a certificate of commendation was presented to Suriya Perera by the prestigious conservation agency “The Nature Conservancy of America” in recognition of his tremendous contribution towards nature conservation through various programs organized by the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles.
Suriya Perera – President and CEO of the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles was the first ever Sri Lankan to hold a nature photographic exhibition in the USA.
Sadeesha Hulangamuwa
SecretarySadeesha Hulangamuwa is the Secretary of the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles (ASPAS) She is a former Registered Nurse in De Soyza Maternity Hospital, Colombo Sri Lanka. Currently Sadeesha works in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Sanjaya Warnasuriya
Director - EducationalSanjaya Warnasuriya At the age of five, his father took his camera and placed it around his neck and with a smile said “now you look like a photographer”. From that moment on, Sanjaya fell in love with photography and observing nature through a lens. His love and passion for the media has taken him to many parts of the world to observe and document animal behavior in their habitats as well as interactions with humans. As a self taught photographer he has a keen interest in learning and sharing creative ideas with fellow photographers. A business developer by profession, Sanjaya holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Sandani S Kahadugoda
Director Cultural Affairs / Academy of Performing ArtsSandani was completed her 4 years degree from performing arts in 2013 University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka. She has completed her masters degree in 2020 University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka. She has studied Indian Kathak dance to expert level. She was a main dancer in Chithrasena dance company since 2014 – 2022. She was a teacher in charge of Dance in Ladies College Colombo 7. She has a dance Choreography diploma in Sri lanka foundation institute. She also served as a external lecturer for Sabaragamuwa dance in University of Kelaniya.
Shantha Weerasinghe
Director - ExhibitionShantha Weerasinghe (FNPAS) was a photographer in the Department of Agriculture (1970 to 19….) and at the Agriculture Research and Training Institute, ARTI (19…. to 1980). Since 1973, he was the exhibition’s secretary of the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka and held his own exhibition in1975 at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. He has won the first prize at the UNESCO photo contest and at the Southeast Asian Wildlife Photography Competition. He was a Photographer and Colour Lab Technician in Sharjah and Dubai (1980 to 19….). There, he won numerous awards at photo contests, including the photographer of the year award twice in 1983 and 1986. He was the Geological Photographer at ADCO, the largest oil company, a subsidiary of the ADNOC group of companies, Abu Dhabi (1990 to 2010). There he conducted classes and workshops and organized photography competitions among oil companies. He also worked as a visiting lecturer in photography at Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. While in the UAE, he also won the Pentax and Agfa awards for excellence in photography. Since his retirement in 2010, Shantha has devoted his time to bird photography.
