W. Berty Lokuliyana
Professional Counsellor • Visual Artist • Humanitarian • Innovator • Entrepreneur
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About — From Art to Humanity
My journey began with art. From childhood, drawing and painting were a natural part of my life. My mother encouraged creativity through drawing and colour, while my father, a building contractor who worked with plans and technical drawings
As my interest developed, I gained practical experience in traditional Sri Lankan temple painting and sculpture, working alongside an experienced traditional artist. I later expanded my understanding of visual art through further studies and training, including painting conservation.
My creative journey also moved into drama and theatre, photography, poetry, screenwriting and visual storytelling. These experiences gradually connected with another strong interest of mine: understanding people and human behaviour.
This led me into psychology and counselling studies, and eventually into humanitarian and psychosocial work. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and during Sri Lanka’s years of conflict, I worked with children, families and communities through programmes that combined psychosocial approaches with creative methods such as drawing, drama and group activities.
My professional journey later expanded into community development, peace-building, training and project work, while creativity remained at its centre
Today, I continue to work across different areas — counselling, art, writing, humanitarian ideas, independent research, innovation and developing film and community projects.
For me, these are not disconnected fields. Painting taught me to observe. Sculpture taught me form. Conservation taught me to understand before intervening. Theatre taught me about people, emotion and space. Counselling deepened my understanding of human experience. Humanitarian work brought those lessons into communities. The fields may appear different, but for me they belong to one continuing journey — a journey that began with art and continues through people, creativity, humanity and ideas.
Education & Professional Qualifications
My education has developed across several areas, reflecting my continuing interests in human behaviour, counselling, visual arts, theatre, politics and society.
Counselling Diploma in Counselling — Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, with studies connected to the Department of Psychiatry.
Psychology University-level studies in Psychology — Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia.
Drama & Theatre Diploma in Drama — Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, Sri Lanka, together with additional theatre workshops and practical training.
Political & Social Studies Political studies through a Youth Political Academy, followed by further studies in Sociology and Political Science through the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Painting Conservation Certificate Course in Painting Conservation — University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, including practical experience in the conservation of traditional temple paintings and sculpture.
Visual Arts Studies at the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts (VAFA), together with extensive self-directed artistic development and practical training in traditional Sri Lankan temple painting and sculpture.
Photography & Creative Media Photography studies and practical experience in photography, documentary-related work and visual communication.
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Professional Career & Project Experience
My professional career has developed across counselling, humanitarian and psychosocial work, child protection, community development, peacebuilding, training and project implementation.
Humanitarian & Psychosocial Work
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, I became involved in psychosocial support for affected communities. I later joined Terre des hommes, working extensively with children and communities through centre-based programmes that used drawing, creative activities, conversation and group participation as part of psychosocial support.
I subsequently worked with World Vision, where my responsibilities expanded across programmes involving children, families, staff and communities in different parts of Sri Lanka. My work included child-focused activities, psychosocial approaches, staff training, parent and caregiver engagement, and creative methods including art and drama.
Peacebuilding
I later worked professionally as a Peacebuilding Advisor, engaging with conflicts and tensions within communities and helping explore practical approaches to dialogue, conflict resolution and peaceful relationships.
This work brought together skills developed through counselling, communication, community engagement and my experience of working in conflict-affected environments.
Community Development & Household Cash Management
I was also involved in implementing and handling a Household Cash Management project with the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT) within Sri Lanka’s plantation communities.
I became involved during the project’s early implementation and helped establish and carry forward field activities. The programme addressed practical household financial management, including awareness of income, expenditure, budgeting and everyday financial decision-making.
Training & Facilitation
Alongside my principal professional roles, I was invited by different organisations to contribute to training programmes and workshops.
These included areas such as psychosocial support, counselling, working with children, communication, community engagement and the use of creative approaches in programmes and training.
Across these different roles, one principle has remained important to me: professional work becomes meaningful when knowledge can be translated into practical work with people and communities.
My professional career has developed across counselling, humanitarian and psychosocial work, child protection, community development, peacebuilding, training and project implementation.
Humanitarian & Psychosocial Work
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, I became involved in psychosocial support for affected communities. I later joined Terre des hommes, working extensively with children and communities through centre-based programmes that used drawing, creative activities, conversation and group participation as part of psychosocial support.
I subsequently worked with World Vision, where my responsibilities expanded across programmes involving children, families, staff and communities in different parts of Sri Lanka. My work included child-focused activities, psychosocial approaches, staff training, parent and caregiver engagement, and creative methods including art and drama.
Peacebuilding
I later worked professionally as a Peacebuilding Advisor, engaging with conflicts and tensions within communities and helping explore practical approaches to dialogue, conflict resolution and peaceful relationships.
This work brought together skills developed through counselling, communication, community engagement and my experience of working in conflict-affected environments.
Community Development & Household Cash Management
I was also involved in implementing and handling a Household Cash Management project with the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT) within Sri Lanka’s plantation communities.
I became involved during the project’s early implementation and helped establish and carry forward field activities. The programme addressed practical household financial management, including awareness of income, expenditure, budgeting and everyday financial decision-making.
Training & Facilitation
Alongside my principal professional roles, I was invited by different organisations to contribute to training programmes and workshops.
These included areas such as psychosocial support, counselling, working with children, communication, community engagement and the use of creative approaches in programmes and training.
Across these different roles, one principle has remained important to me: professional work becomes meaningful when knowledge can be translated into practical work with people and communities.
My Blog
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami became a major turning point in my professional life. With my background in counselli
no a
nd a growing interest in psychology, I became involved in psychosocial support for affected communities.
I later joined Terre des hommes in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, working particularly with children and communities affected by the tsunami. Creative activities such as drawing, conversation, play and group participation became important parts of my work. Through a network of programme centres, this work reached approximately 15,000 children.
I subsequently joined World Vision, where my work expanded across different parts of Sri Lanka and included children, parents, caregivers and staff. Drawing, drama, group activities and outdoor programmes were frequently incorporated into psychosocial and child-focused work.
Across these major programmes, my work ultimately connected with more than 25,000 children.
Much of this work took place during Sri Lanka’s years of armed conflict. My ability to communicate in Sinhala, spoken Tamil and English helped me build direct relationships with people from different communities.
For me, creativity became more than art. It became a way to communicate, participate and connect with people
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The Hidden Benefits of Taking a Walk at Lunch
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Humanitarian & Psychosocial Work
In 2004, following the Indian Ocean tsunami, my humanitarian work developed through direct engagement with children, families and communities affected by disaster and conflict.
I later joined Terre des hommes in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, working particularly with children through centre-based psychosocial programmes. Drawing, conversation, play and group activities became important ways of encouraging communication, participation and emotional expression. This work reached approximately 15,000 children.
I subsequently joined World Vision, where my work expanded across different parts of Sri Lanka and involved children, parents, caregivers, staff and communities. Creative approaches including drawing, drama, group activities and outdoor programmes were incorporated into child-focused and psychosocial work.
Across these major programmes, my work ultimately connected with more than 25,000 children.
Much of this work took place during Sri Lanka’s years of armed conflict. My ability to communicate in Sinhala, spoken Tamil and English helped me build direct relationships with people from different communities.
For me, creativity became more than art. It became a way to communicate, participate and connect with people.
Working with Children
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, I worked with children and communities affected by disaster and conflict. Creative activities including drawing, conversation, play and group participation became important ways of supporting communication, expression and psychosocial
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Title: Sir
Medium: Clay
Award: First Place — Sri Lanka National State Art & Sculpture Award, 2002
Artist: W. BertyLokuliyana
VisualArts — Painting, Sculpture & Conservation
Art is the starting point of my creative journey. I began drawing and painting as a child, encouraged by my family and particularly influenced by two different forms of creativity at home.
My mother enjoyed drawing and encouraged us with pencils, colours and art materials. My father was a building contractor who worked with plans and technical drawings. Watching him prepare plans and accompanying him to building sites introduced me at an early age to lines, proportion, structure, space and the transformation of an idea into physical form.
From Childhood Drawing to Traditional Art
Art became one of my strongest subjects at school. I regularly drew for school activities, entered children’s art competitions and continued developing independently by observing artists and visiting exhibitions.exhibitions.I was particularly fascinated by traditional Sri Lankan art, temple paintings and sculpture.
Traditional Art and Practical Experience
An important opportunity came when a temple priest who already knew of my ability to draw invited me to assist with artistic work at the temple. There, I had the opportunity to work alongside an experienced traditional artist and gain direct practical experience in traditional temple painting and sculpture, including work on large architectural surfaces.
Painting & Sculpture
Alongside painting, I developed a strong interest in sculpture and continued creating work independently.
Over the years, my visual art received recognition through youth and state-level competitions. Among the most significant was recognition at the 2002 State Painting & Sculpture Festival, where my work received First Place in Clay Sculpture and a Distinguished
I also spent a period studying at the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts (VAFA), which broadened my exposure to contemporary art, cultural discussion and different ways of thinking about visual practice.
Painting Conservation
My experience with traditional temple art later led me to undertake a Certificate Course in Painting Conservation at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
The course introduced me to a different relationship with art: studying historical materials and techniques, examining deterioration, documenting existing conditions and learning appropriate approaches to conservation.
Practical conservation work at Samudrasanna Viharaya in
Dehiwala gave me experience working directly with traditional paintings and damaged sculptural elements.
Conservation taught me an important principle that has remained relevant far beyond art:
taught me to create. Conservation taught me to understand before interveningContinuing as an Artist
Painting and other forms of visual expression have continued throughout my life, even while my professional work expanded into counselling, humanitarian work, theatre, community development and other fields.
For me, visual art is not simply one chapter of my past. It remains the foundation from which much of my way of seeing and thinking developed.
Psychology & Counselling
My interest in psychology began with a simple but continuing question: why do people think, feel and behave in the ways they do?
As an artist, I had already developed a strong interest in observing people, emotion and human expression. Over time, this curiosity developed into independent reading and more formal study of psychology and counselling
From Knowledge to Practice
My early training included a short workshop connected with Leipzig University, conducted at the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka. I later completed a Diploma in Counselling through the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, with studies connected to the Department of Psychiatry.
I also undertook further counselling-related studies and training and later continued university-level studies in psychology at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia
From Knowledge to Practice
My early training included a short workshop connected with Leipzig University, conducted at the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka. I later completed a Diploma in Counselling through the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, with studies connected to the Department of Psychiatry.
I also undertook further counselling-related studies and training and later continued university-level studies in psychology at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia.
Continuing Inquiry
My interest in human behaviour continues today. Alongside counselling and practical experience, I continue to read, question and independently explore psychological ideas.
I see psychology not as an isolated subject, but as another part of my continuing effort to understand people, behaviour, emotion, creativity and human experience.
Drama & Theatre
My interest in theatre began during my school years and through activities at Dhamma School. My mother was a teacher and was involved in organising plays, giving me early opportunities to experience performance and storytelling.
As my interest developed, I began exploring drama more seriously alongside my work in visual art.
Theatre Training
An important early step was a theatre training programme at Sarasavi Paya, directed by Tilak Gunawardena. This introduced me to more structured approaches to performance and theatre practice.
I later joined the Diploma in Drama programme at the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, where I received more extensive training in theatreFurther Training & Theatre Practice
My development also included workshops and practical learning opportunities, including training with an Indian theatre practitioner, as well as involvement with other theatre artists and productions.
Writing, Directing & Theatre Production
Over time, I became involved in different areas of theatre, including writing, directing, performance development and set design.One of my short plays, Romantic Minihek (A Romantic Man), was selected for the final stage of the short-drama category at the 2003
State Drama Festival.
My visual-art background naturally influenced my theatre work, particularly my interest in stage space, set design and the visual construction of performance.
Theatre Beyond the Stage
Drama later became particularly important in my work with children.
During humanitarian and psychosocial programmes, I regularly incorporated drama, role-play, improvisation and small group performances. Children could create characters and situations, work together and express ideas and experiences through performa
In this way, theatre became more than a stage art for me. It became another form of communication, participation, imagination and human connection.
Theatre taught me that a story does not exist only in words — it can exist in a body, a space, an image, a movement or even a moment of silence.
Film, Television & Screenwriting
My interest in film developed naturally from my earlier experience in visual art, photography and theatre. Painting taught me composition and visual observation, while theatre introduced me to performance, character, space and storytelling. Film brought these different interests together.
Early Screen Experience
My involvement with screen work included acting and participation in television and film-related productions. These experiences allowed me to observe how performance changes when it moves from the stage to the camera and how
visual composition, movement, sound and editing contribute to storytelling.
Over time, my interest increasingly moved toward developing my own stories and exploring screenwriting and filmmaking from a more independent perspectiveScreenwriting & Independent Film Development
My approach to screenwriting is strongly influenced by visual storytelling, psychology and observation of everyday human behaviour. I am particularly interested in stories that can communicate through image, sound, silence, space and small changes in behaviour rather than depending entirely on dialogue.
I continue to develop original
film concepts and screenplays, exploring themes such as loneliness, human connection, identity, observation, memory and the relationship between individuals and the systems surrounding them.
Current Film Projects
My current independent film development includes several original feature-film concepts, including RECALCULATING (යළි මඟ), BIN MAN, and a developing story centred on a young artist whose painting disappears before an exhibition.
These projects are being developed with an emphasis on originality, psychological depth, visual storytelling and eventual international film-festival presentation
A Continuing Creative Direction
For me, film is not separate from the other areas of my creative life. Visual art influences the way I think about composition and colour. Theatre influences performance and space. Psychology influences character and behaviour. Humanitarian experience has deepened my awareness of people, communities and the complexity of human experience.
I am interested in developing films that do not simply explain everything to the audience, but allow viewers to observe, interpret and emotionally experience the story for themselves.
Film has therefore become another stage in the same creative journey that began with drawing and painting — a journey that continues through image, performance, psychology, sound, silence and human experience.
Political Studies, Dialogue & the Search for Peace
My interest in politics began during my school years, particularly during the political upheaval and violence that affected Sri Lanka in the late 1980s. Rather than remaining attached to one political tradition, my journey gradually became one of questioning, listening and searching for different ways of understanding society.
Early Political Exploration
During my early years, I was drawn towards left-wing political thought. For a period, I became a member of the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL) and participated in political discussions, including discussions involving Wije Dias and others.
The RCL was founded in 1968 and was renamed the Socialist Equality Party in 1996.
Listening Beyond One Ideology
Over the years, I attended discussions involving people
from different political and intellectual traditions. I was interested not simply in belonging to a political organisation, but in listening, questioning and reaching my own conclusions.
The X Group and New Perspectives
My search for different ways of understanding politics and society later brought me into the intellectual environment surrounding Sri Lanka’s X Group. I initially attended discussions and later became a member for a period.
The X Group became associated with alternative cultural and political discussion in Sri Lanka and with introducing new critical and postmodern ideas into Sinhala intellectual discourse.
My involvement exposed me to perspectives that differed from the political traditions I had encountered earlier and encouraged me to continue questioning established ideas.
From Politics to Peace
One of the defining questions of my generation was the conflict in Sri Lanka: would the country continue through war, or could people find a path toward peace?
My own thinking increasingly moved toward peace and opposition to the continuation of Humanitarian Experience and Political Understanding
When opportunities later took me into humanitarian and psychosocial work in Sri Lanka’s North and East, I did not undertake political activities as part of that professional work. My responsibilities were humanitarian and community-focused.
However, working directly among communities affected by conflict profoundly influenced the way I understood politics. Political questions were no longer only theoretical. I encountered the human consequences of conflict through the lives of children, families and communities.
Language as a Bridge
My ability to communicate in both Sinhala and spoken Tamil, together with English, became particularly valuable.
Speaking directly with Tamil-speaking communities helped me listen without depending entirely on translation and understand people’s
experiences, emotions and everyday lives more closely.
For me, language became more than a communication skill. It became a bridge between communities.
An Independent Political Journey
At different stages, I considered developing an independent political movement of my own. I began discussions, explored possible structures and considered how a political organisation might be built without simply reproducing established models.
That thinking continues to evolve.
My political journey has therefore not been a straight line from one organisation to another. It has been a continuing process of questioning ideology, studying society, listening to different perspectives, experiencing the realities of conflict and considering how political structures might better serve people.
Political thought led me toward peace. Peace led me toward people. And working with people changed the way I understood politics.
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Writing, Poetry & Ideas
Writing has remained another important part of my creative and intellectual life. I have written poetry, dramatic work, screen ideas, essays and reflections arising from my observations of people, society and human behaviour.
For me, writing is not limited to one form. Sometimes an idea begins as a poem, sometimes as an image, a psychological question, a scene for a film, or simply an observation of everyday life.
Ideas, Psychology & Society
My continuing interest in psychology, human behaviour
and social systems has also led me to develop independent concepts and theoretical ideas. I often begin with a simple observation and then question what may lie beneath it — psychologically, socially or structurally
Developing Independent Concepts
Among the ideas I continue to develop is what I currently call Traffic Light Theory. It began with a simple observation: when every direction at an intersection is given a red signal at the same time, movement stops. I became interested in whether this simple image could also help us think about psychological, social and institutional situations in which different parts of a system become blocked simultaneously.
Rather than presenting these developing ideas as established scientific theories, I treat them as questions and conceptual frameworks to be examined, compared with existing research and refined through further study.
Writing as Exploration
Writing gives me a way to bring together areas that may initially appear separate — art, psychology, politics, humanitarian experience, social observation and film.
I see writing as a process of exploration: observing something, questioning it, examining it from different perspectives and allowing an idea to develop without forcing an immediate conclusion.
Innovation & Current ProjectInnovation & Current Projects
My current work includes the exploration and development of original ideas across technology, human wellbeing, creative practice and social innovation.
Some of these projects are currently at research, design or development stages. For this reason, detailed technical information about concepts that may involve intellectual property is not published here at this stage.
As individual projects progress and become appropriate for public presentation, selected information and updates will be added to this web
Awards & Recognition
Throughout my creative journey, I have received recognition in visual art and theatre. These awards are meaningful to me not simply as achievements, but as milestones within a much longer process of learning, experimentation and creative development.
Visual Arts
At the 2002 State Painting & Sculpture Festival, my work received First Place in Clay Sculpture and a Distinguished Award in Lacquer Painting.
Drama & Theatre
In 2003, my short play Romantic Minihek (A Romantic Man) was selected for the final stage of the short-drama category at the State Drama Festival.
Current Work & Future Direction
My work today continues across several interconnected areas: counselling, visual art, writing, film development, humanitarian ideas, independent research and the development of new concepts.
I do not see these as separate careers. Each has influenced the others. Art strengthened observation. Theatre developed my understanding of performance and communication. Psychology and counselling deepened my interest in human behaviour. Humanitarian work brought these ideas into direct contact with people and communities.
Looking Forward
I continue to develop creative, social and practical projects, including film and writing projects, community-focused initiatives and independent concepts that are still under development.
Some current innovation projects remain private while their research, intellectual-property and development pathways are being considered.
My future direction is therefore not defined by a single profession. It is a continuing journey of learning, creating, questioning and developing ideas that connect creativity with people and society.
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Professional Services & Collaboration
I welcome opportunities for professional collaboration across counselling, visual arts, humanitarian and community initiatives, creative projects, writing, research and innovation.
Enquiries regarding exhibitions, creative collaborations, speaking, project development and professional partnerships are also welcome.
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W. Berty Lokuliyana
Professional Counsellor • Visual Artist • Humanitarian • Innovator • Entrepreneur
