Dr. Alan Lightman’s Inspiring Lecture at the American Center Colombo Highlights U.S.-Sri Lanka People-to-People Ties

The U.S. Embassy is proud to support the visit of acclaimed American physicist and best-selling author, MIT professor Dr. Alan Lightman, to Sri Lanka. On May 31, Dr. Lightman delivered an inspiring lecture at the American Center Colombo, attended by members of Sri Lanka’s academic, arts and sciences community and First Lady Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe. Dr. Lightman’s lecture focused on spiritual materialism, our feelings of connection to nature and other people, reflecting on our cosmic insignificance, as well as the immense significance of our unique position as observers of, and in, the universe. The American Center event fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas and highlighted the enduring cultural ties between the two nations.

During his visit to Sri Lanka, Dr. Lightman paid tribute to his late friend, Sri Lankan artist Jayantha Premachandra, by inaugurating an exhibition organized by the Jayantha Premachandra Foundation. The exhibition celebrates the creative legacy that Premachandra had planned to present in Boston before his passing. Dr. Lightman’s visit symbolizes the power of art to forge connections and underscores the United States’ commitment to deepening mutual understanding between Sri Lankans and Americans.

Welcoming Dr. Lightman to Sri Lanka, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung stated, “As both a renowned theoretical physicist and a novelist, Dr. Alan Lightman bridges the gap between art, the humanities, and science. His lectures on the creative and scientific processes, the role of intuition and imagination, the work of Einstein, the meeting of science and faith, and the wonder and fragility of human nature—what it means to be alive—resonate deeply with us all. We are honored to host visionary Americans like Dr. Lightman at our American Center to engage with audiences, strengthening the ties between our nations and fostering mutual understanding.”