Negombo, Sri Lanka — In a rare and inspiring display of industry camaraderie, two of Sri Lanka’s most legendary photographic pioneers, Mr. Mohan de Silva (Proprietor of Apollo Studio & Digital Color Lab) and Mr. Sarath Wijeratne (Proprietor of Dinalie Studio & Digital Color Lab), recently shared the same stage at the National World Photography Day Celebrations 2026.
Organized jointly by the All Ceylon Professional Photo Studio Owners Association and the Gampaha District Professional Photo Studio Owners Association, the event served as a momentous occasion to honor veterans who have shaped the nation’s photographic landscape. Both Mr. de Silva and Mr. Wijeratne served as Gold Sponsors for the event, making significant financial contributions to its success.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Mr. Sarath Wijeratne, who served as the pioneering founder and President of the Gampaha District Professional Photo Studio Owners Association from 2014 to 2017, was awarded a special honorary award by the Chief Guest, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. Mr. Mohan de Silva was also honored with a special commemoration award in recognition of his immense financial backing and organizational support.
Despite operating in the same hyper-competitive industry within Negombo, both business icons have maintained a harmonious relationship, treating each other not as rivals, but as mutual pillars of strength. Their enduring success—spanning from the classic film-roll era to today’s cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration—lies in their relentless commitment to embracing modern technology. While many local studios faded away over the decades due to an inability to adapt, Apollo and Dinalie studios have remained at the peak of popularity through continuous innovation.
Beyond their business brilliance, both leaders have played pivotal roles in fostering communal harmony, social welfare, and community leadership in the multicultural city of Negombo
