COLOMBO ; mPrime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the opening of the “19th Century Views of Ceylon” exhibition, jointly organised by the George Keyt Foundation and the British High Commission in Colombo, held at Westminster House, the official residence of the British High Commissioner, on Thursday July 30,
The exhibition marks a historic milestone as the first public art exhibition to be hosted at Westminster House. It features a rare collection of 19th-century artworks depicting Ceylon by celebrated British artists, including Edward Lear, Andrew Nicholl, and Constance Gordon Cumming. Drawn largely from private collections, many of these artworks are being exhibited to the public for the first time, offering a remarkable visual record of Sri Lanka’s landscapes, architecture, and cultural heritage as interpreted by visiting artists of the period.
During the visit, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya toured the exhibition and engaged in discussions with the organisers and invited guests on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and fostering international cultural cooperation through the arts.
Jointly organised by the George Keyt Foundation and the British High Commission in Colombo, the exhibition reflects the longstanding cultural and historical ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom while encouraging a deeper appreciation of Sri Lanka’s rich artistic legacy.
British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick, Chairman of the George Keyt Foundation Malaka Talwatte, representatives of the George Keyt Foundation, members of the diplomatic community, artists, cultural personalities, and invited guests were also present at the occasion.
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