NATIONAL AWARDS 2021

(Sri Lanka, 26 February 2021) – The World Photography Organisation and Sony Sri Lanka are delighted to reveal Isira Sooriyaarachchi as Sri Lanka National Award winner for the Sony World Photography Awards 2021.

The National Awards program is an initiative set up by the World Photography Organisation and Sony to support local photographic communities around the world, with 53 countries taking part this year. 

Over 330,000 images from 220 territories were submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards 2021 and over 165,000 were entered to the Open competition (from which the National Awards winner was selected).

Isira Sooriyaarachchi was anonymously selected by judges for his photograph Hustle for Survival, entered into the Street Photography category of the Open competition. On a weekday in August, while I was wandering along Main Street, Colombo, this man caught my attention among the crowds of people and busy traffic. I crossed to the middle of the road and pulled out my phone to capture the life of a worker doing his best to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A teenager from Sri Lanka driven to seek the moments and stories through a lens. 

Commenting on his win Sooriyaarachchi said: As a person who captures what my eyes and heart enjoys, I want to give a message to the upcoming youngsters and rest of the people like me, ''regardless of whatever equipment you have, go capture it!''. This is a big achievement and turning point in my life and I hope this'll lead me to a better future. Honestly I never thought I'd achieve something like this in my life.

As Sri Lanka National Award winner, Isira Sooriyaarachchi receives Sony digital imaging equipment.