'Vision of a Nation' exhibition provides rare glimpse of the past

Capturing moments in the lives of postindependence leaders of the country, the 'Vision of a Nation' exhibition is now on at Independence Square.

Providing a rare glimpse of pictures from the past, "that are of both political and cultural value" is the focus of 'Vision of a Nation' according to Director General (DG) of Information, Prof. Ariyaratne Athugala. Compiling the old photographs was the toughest part of staging the event. However since Sudath Silva "who has worked with about three or four former presidents" is on board, getting the pictures together was made easier, he says. This exhibition is thus a collaborative effort between the Department of Government Information and Sudath Silva's team.

"Films are definitely more popular," comments Prof. Athugala who feels people would readily watch a movie rather than look at photographs. What should be interesting he says is looking at the moments captured in the stills in the light of the knowledge we have of the same incident today. The peripheral infor- mation from lives of leaders in both official capacity and the lighter moments these photographs have captured are snippets that even movies fail to show. "Some of the pictures haven't been seen before," he says.

The photographs are displayed in the airy open space of the Independence Monument. The exhibition, which is free of charge, was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 1 and will continue until November 3.

"This is just the first leg," the DG discloses, with plans to take the exhibition to other parts of the country in the pipeline.