World Press Photo Exhibition 2024 arrives in Sri Lanka!

A migrant walks atop a freight train known as “The Beast.” Migrants and asylum seekers lacking the financial resources to pay a smuggler often resort to using cargo trains to reach the United States border. This mode of transportation is very dangerous; over the years, hundreds have fallen onto the tracks and have been killed or maimed. (Piedras Negras, Mexico, 8 October 2023)

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), have together announced the arrival of the prestigious World Press Photo Exhibition (WPP) 2024 in Sri Lanka. It has been 21 years since the exhibition graced the city of Colombo in 2002.

The much looked forward to exhibition, running from January 10 to February 2 (2025), presents a curated selection of the best and most impactful photojournalism and documentary photography from around the world to engage in critical reflection on crucial global issues. 

The exhibition will be showcased across three vibrant Sri Lankan cities: Colombo, Jaffna, and Galle. The exhibition was last hosted in Colombo during the year of 2002.

Founded in 1955, the World Press Photo Foundation presents impactful exhibitions, promoting media freedom and visual literacy. Since 2021, the World Press Photo Contest has embraced a regional strategy, ensuring greater geographic and cultural diversity among participating photographers. The 2024 contest involved six global regions, with entries judged within their regions of origin, offering a more nuanced perspective on global affairs.

Over 61,000 entries from 3,851 photographers in 130 countries were meticulously reviewed by regional and global juries comprised of 31 highly qualified photojournalists. This rigorous anonymized process (except for Open Format entries) ensures the selection of powerful and impactful stories. The 2024 WPP showcases the work of 31 photographers from 24 countries. In this edition of the exhibition, 20 of the winners are local to the regions their stories represent.

The organizers invite those interested to witness this incredible opportunity and experience the best of photojournalism! Specific venues in each city will be announced in the coming weeks.

More Information about the event can be obtained by logging on the following websites:

• World Press Photo Website: worldpressphoto.org
• SLPI Website: https://slpi.lk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldPressPhotoSL
• Netherlands Embassy Website: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/web/sri-lanka/home