Peter Ponnaiyah earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Eastern University of Sri Lanka in 2023 and later worked there temporarily as an assistant lecturer. He is currently active in artistic practice and continues to present his work.
Shaped by experiences during the final phase of the Vanni war, Peter Ponnaiyah’s work reflects memories of displacement, loss of life, and psychological trauma witnessed firsthand. His practice explores war-related tragedies, the erosion of human rights, unresolved post-war suffering, and the environmental consequences of conflict, including ecological disruption and the continued threat of unexploded landmines.