Rs. 3 million in Prizes Await Photographers Capturing Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity and the Urgent Challenges of a Changing World

The Dilmah One Earth Photography Competition returns for its second year, inviting nature enthusiasts, students, and professionals to use visual storytelling as a powerful tool for conservation. This unique initiative challenges photographers and videographers to capture the delicate balance of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, highlighting both its inherent beauty and the mounting pressures of human activity and climate change.

This year’s competition moves beyond the boundaries of national parks, encouraging participants to document nature and wildlife found in backyards, urban neighbourhoods, and domestic landscapes. By focusing on these overlooked spaces, Dilmah Conservation aims to bring the reality of land, air, and water pollution into sharp focus. The competition features three primary photography themes: Life in a Changing World, which captures resilience in the face of environmental crisis; Biodiversity in Your Backyard, documenting urban wildlife; and Conservation in Action, celebrating small steps toward sustainability. Additionally, the ‘Wonder of Biodiversity’ video category seeks unedited footage that captures the raw essence of the natural world.

The competition follows a successful inaugural year that culminated in a landmark exhibition at Genesis, the Dilmah Centre for a Sustainable Future. Previous winning entries delivered a realistic look at anthropogenic impacts, such as a drone image of a dead elephant lying a few yards away from a plastic-choked landfill (possibly the cause of its death) and a Brahmin kite abandoning a fish it caught due to plastic entanglement. These powerful images highlight the competition’s mission to foster environmental empathy through visual storytelling.

A total prize pool of three million rupees is available across the School and Open categories, with no age limit for entry. Submissions will be evaluated by an expert panel of wildlife photographers. In the previous cycle, the judges particularly praised the inclusion of lesser-known species, such as reptiles and insects, noting the high level of technical skill and environmental awareness displayed by student participants.

Entries are currently open and will be accepted until April 30, 2026. This serves as the perfect opportunity for anyone with a passion for nature and wildlife to flex their creative muscles while contributing to urgent dialogue on conservation. The full list of rules, regulations, and submission guidelines is available on the Dilmah Conservation website, with regular updates provided through their official social media channels. Through this competition, Dilmah continues its commitment to turning the lens toward a more sustainable future.