Jetwing Hotels announced the publication and launch of Ceylon in 1907, a remarkable visual record that reintroduces rare photographs of Sri Lanka from more than a century ago. Authored by Mr. Pali Wijeratne in collaboration with Dr. Antonia Laurance Allen, the book was unveiled at a launch hosted by Jetwing Hotels at Jetwing Colombo Seven, marking a significant cultural moment in the documentation and reinterpretation of the island’s past.
At the heart of the publication is a collection of photographs taken in 1907 by Scottish artist Edward Atkinson Hornel during his seven month journey across then Ceylon. Travelling through Mannar, Galle, and Kandy with his sister Elisabeth, Hornel captured scenes of everyday life, labour, ritual, and landscapes. While the images were originally created to support his Western art practice, Ceylon in 1907 reframes them as valuable visual records of Sri Lanka’s social, cultural, and economic life at the turn of the 20th century.
Published by Jetwing Hotels, the book reflects the group’s longstanding role as a cultural patron committed to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s heritage. By supporting research-led publications such as Ceylon in 1907, Jetwing Hotels continues to extend its engagement beyond hospitality, enabling meaningful contributions to national conversations around history, culture, and preservation.
The publication is authored by Mr. Pali Wijeratne, architect, town planner, and conservator of historic monuments, in collaboration with Dr. Antonia Laurance Allen, an art historian, educator, curator, and specialist in the history of photography. The book also features research and essays by leading Sri Lankan scholars, including the late Somasiri Devendra, Manuka Wijesinghe, Emeritus Prof. J. B. Dissanayake, Anura Gunasekera, Kowshika Gunasena, L. W. G. Kawshalya, and Udeshi Amarasinghe, bringing multiple disciplinary perspectives to the material.
“To preserve our history is to preserve our identity,” said Hiran Cooray, Chairman of Jetwing Symphony PLC. “At Jetwing Hotels, heritage stewardship is integral to our hospitality, with each property telling a story that’s rooted in place, especially our restored hotels in Jaffna, Rambukkana, Galle, and the hill country. Supporting this publication continues our commitment to presenting Sri Lanka as a living heritage, not merely a destination.”
“By examining early photographs alongside paintings and archival material, this book highlights the shared heritage of Sri Lanka and Britain, while documenting the realities of life on the island at the dawn of the 20th century,” said Mr. Pali Wijeratne. “It is both a historical record and a prompt to consider how we carry forward cultural and environmental legacies today.”
More than a historical publication, Ceylon in 1907 speaks directly to contemporary conversations around heritage, identity, and representation. By revisiting colonial‑era visual records through present‑day scholarship, the book encourages readers to engage critically with the past and to recognise history as a living force, one that continues to inform how Sri Lanka understands itself and tells its story.
Ceylon in 1907 is published by Jetwing Hotels and is available for purchase through selected Jetwing properties and designated bookstores.
With a legacy spanning over half a century in the tourism industry, Jetwing Hotels has established itself as a pioneer in curating unique experiences and offering the best of legendary Sri Lankan hospitality, with the values of passion, humility, tenacity, and the spirit of family being at its core. As a family-owned brand, Jetwing Hotels continues to be a leading advocate for sustainability and responsible tourism, with ongoing initiatives focused on community upliftment, environmental conservation, and resource efficiency. With over 35 properties across the island, the brand’s diverse portfolio includes a range of Luxury Reserves, Premium Hotels, Select Hotels, and Essentials, each offering a unique perspective on Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
