Renowned Maldivian Artist Husen Ali Manik collaborated with the High Commission of Sri Lanka and the National Art Gallery of the Maldives to bring together paintings by artists from Sri Lanka and the Maldives for the contemporary painting exhibition โColomboโMalรฉโ which is held at the National Art Gallery of the Maldives from 10 โ 17 September 2026.
The exhibition features paintings by Sri Lankan artists: Sarath Gunasiri Perera, T.P.G. Amarajeewa, K.D. Lakshman and Chaminda Gamage and Maldivian artists: Afzal Shaafiu, Ahamed Anil, Ahameed Azmee and Hussain Ali Manik, offering audiences an opportunity to explore different artistic approaches, themes and visual languages emerging from Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The Opening Ceremony of the exhibition took place on 10 September 2026 with the participation of Maldivian Government officials including Chairman of the Maldives-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group MP Ahmed Xamyr, State Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Mohamed Ikram, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Sri Lankan and Maldivian Artists, members of the Sri Lankan community and art lovers. Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Mohamed Rizvi Hassen highlighted that the exhibition seeks not just to appreciate the work of art, but also to celebrate the longstanding cultural and artistic connections between the two neighbouring nations while creating a platform for contemporary artists to share their perspectives, experiences and creative expressions.
The exhibition is currently open to the public and will continue until 17 September 2026.
In order to give an opportunity for the Sri Lankan audience to witness the richness of Maldivian artistic practice and to strengthen cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and Maldives, High Commission wishes to collaborate with the Sri Lankan and Maldivian artists to bring โColomboโMalรฉโ exhibition to Sri Lanka.
