Legends of the Wild: A tribute to Sri Lanka's vanishing giants

A rare photographic tribute to the giants who shaped a nation's soul

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

When the first rays of sunlight pierce through the misty canopy of Yala or Udawalawe, and a wild tusker emerges from the shadows, the world seems to pause.

There is majesty in his stride, wisdom in his eyes, and a sense of timelessness that ties the present to a 2,500-year-old heritage.

These gentle giants — the tuskers of Sri Lanka — are more than symbols of strength. They are living emblems of history, culture, and spirit. Yet, today, they are vanishing. Fewer than five percent of the country's wild male elephants bear tusks — a sharp contrast to their once-proud numbers.

It is this urgent reality that has inspired "Legends of the Wild," Sri Lanka's first-ever wild tusker photography exhibition, opening at the Lotus Gallery, Colombo National Museum, from 22 to 26 October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but the experience, organisers say, will be priceless.

A Vision Born from Passion

"This exhibition is not just about photography — it's about awakening," said Milinda Wattegedara, a member of the Wild Tuskers Organising Committee, speaking to The Sunday Island.

"The main purpose is to create awareness about Sri Lanka's majestic tuskers. Very few people truly understand their importance. Most Sri Lankans don't realise the treasures we have in our wild."

The exhibition features 75 stunning photographs taken by over 40 wildlife photographers from across generations — a visual journey that stretches from the 1980s to the present. Each frame captures the grace, solitude, and raw power of tuskers — the last true giants of the island's wilderness.