Daham Loshitha Premaratne, a talented grade two student attending Mahanama Primary School in Thirappane, recently achieved an extraordinary feat by securing the top spot in the esteemed Commercial Crew Artwork Contest hosted by NASA in the United States of America. NASA organises this art contest annually to help star-seeking children to get engaged with the excitement of space exploration. 

Daham’s artwork, focused on living and working in space, won first place in the 4-6 age group among many other great entries. Because of this recognition, his artwork will be on NASA’s calendar for 2024.

This phenomenal achievement not only showcases Daham’s artistic talents but also serves as a source of immense pride for Sri Lanka as a whole. His exceptional talent and dedication have undoubtedly brought honour to his school, community, and the entire nation. Daham’s accomplishment serves as an inspiration for aspiring young artists nationwide, demonstrating that with passion, creativity, and hard work, extraordinary heights can be reached.

Daham, could you tell us about yourself?

I am Daham Loshitha Premaratne, and I am seven years old. I live in Thirappane, Anuradhapura. In February, I will be going to grade three. At the moment, I don’t have siblings, but very soon I will have one. I attend Mahanama Primary School in Thirappane.

How did you find out about the NASA art competition?

My aunt told me about it.

How did you get the idea for your drawing?

With the help of my father, I always try to learn new things about space. We’ve learned a lot about NASA and watched many videos about space-related things. When I was told about the competition, I liked the idea of living and working in space. So I decided to try to make a drawing under the theme. 

How did you feel when you heard that you won?

I felt very happy. My mother told me that she also submitted a drawing for this competition when she was a student. Both my parents were very happy too.

Who teaches you how to draw?

My mother is a good painter. She teaches me most of the time at home. My punchi (aunt) also helps me with art. My teachers at school also teach me. They are very happy when I complete the tasks they give in class. They say I’m good at it.

What’s your favorite medium to draw with?

I like pastels.

Is this the first time you’ve sent a drawing for an art competition?

No, I’ve participated in many local art competitions, especially at school or at the zonal level. I’ve submitted drawings to many international competitions recently, including competitions in Kerala, India, and Australia. I recently became one of the 10 finalists in the North Central Province Art competition.

What else do you do in your free time?

I love to sing, tell stories, and play. I also love to give speeches on different topics. I like spending time outdoors too.

What kind of stories do you like to tell?

I like stories like folk tales.

Do you take music lessons too?

Not really. I like music. We play and learn music at home.

What do you like to do in school?

I like all the different subjects in school. Out of them, I think I like mathematics the most. I also love Tamil and English.

Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?

I want to become a doctor. My parents say that I can become anything I like to be in the future.