Nine-year-old Janujitha Mahinsasa Wickramasinghe proudly brought international recognition to Sri Lanka by winning a Gold award at the 55th International Children’s Art Exhibition in Japan in 2025. 

A Grade 4 student at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College, Kandy, Janujitha is passionate about art, chess, and creative handcrafts. 

He has been drawing since the age of three. Alongside his success in art, he is also an active young chess player with many competitive experiences. 

With a deep love for creativity and a dream of becoming a doctor one day, Janujitha continues to grow as a confident and determined young talent.

Can you tell us about yourself?

I am Janujitha Mahinsasa Wickramasinghe and I am nine years old.

I attend Sri Chandananda Buddhist School, Kandy, and am currently in Grade 4.  I have one younger brother. 

My hobbies are art, chess, and handcrafts. In school, I also enjoy dancing and music. I especially like making kites, and I am very good at it.

Since when have you been doing art?

I started drawing when I was about three years old. I mostly draw at home. My mother says I am very talented. 

My Punchi (aunt) is also an artist, and both my mother and my Punchi taught me how to draw. Punchi is abroad now, so my mother continues to teach and guide me. 

I like to draw animals, human figures, and vehicles.

What is your favourite medium?

My favourite medium is pastel. I like using pastel because I can colour neatly and smoothly. The colours look bright and soft, and I enjoy blending them.

Have you taken part in any important competitions?

Yes, I have taken part in several competitions. 

When I first started drawing at the age of three during the Covid-19 pandemic, I sent one of my drawings to a competition and won a certificate and a gift. I was very happy, and that encouraged me to continue. 

In 2025, I won a Gold award at the 55th International Children’s Art Exhibition in Japan. I received the Gold medal among participants from over 70 countries. When I received the letter, I felt very proud and happy.

Since when have you been playing chess?

I started playing chess in Grade 1. Since then, I have taken part in many competitions and I enjoy improving my skills and learning new strategies.

Your mother says you are very talented at making kites. Who taught you?

My Appachchi (father) taught me how to make kites. I have been making them with him since preschool. 

I can make many different designs, although the fish shape is still a little difficult for me. I have not yet taken part in a kite festival, but I enjoy making kites and taking them with me when we go on trips.

Are you interested in making new crafts?

Yes, I have been interested in making different crafts since I was very young. 

I like to use recycled materials to create things like cars, watches, and animal figures. Recently, I made a model of a bus stand in Kandy town for a competition.

It sounds like you like vehicles. Is that true?

Yes, I like vehicles very much. I carefully observe them and enjoy drawing cars, vans, and lorries. In the future, I would like to make handcrafts of a helicopter and a ship.

What is your ambition?

My ambition is to become a doctor. Even when I grow older, however, I want to continue drawing because art is something I truly enjoy.

Would you like to thank anyone?

Yes, I would like to thank the Founder of my school, Ven. Dr. Godagama Sri Mangala Thera, as well as Principal Ven. Godagama Dhammakiththi Thera. 

I also thank my class teacher Nadeeka Wedage, art teacher Isuru Abeysekara, and chess teacher C.N. Galappatti, as well as my art teacher Piyasena De Silva, who guides me for competitions. 

I am especially grateful to my mother and father for their love and support. I also thank my relatives, especially my aunts Lakmali Munaweera and Chandrika Munaweera, my uncles Rangana and Radha, my grandmother, and my younger brother.

Box begins 

Janujitha’s recent achievements 

Art

2024

• Participant – Diriya Siththam 2024
• 5th place – Under 8, Power of Mind Art Competition 2024
• Successful entry into the final round (national level) – Mitsubishi Asian Children’s Enikki Festa 2024–’25

2025

• Participant – 32nd Annual World Children’s Picture Contest 2025, Tokyo, Japan
• Participant – 2025 International Festival of Owls, USA (International Owl Center)
• 5th place – Junior category, All-Island School Competition (organised by the Sri Lanka Diabetes Federation and Sri Lanka College of Endocrinologists

Chess 

2024

• Equal Champion – Under 7 Boys, Kings Land Chess Challenge 2 (Kings Land Chess Academy)
• Champion – Under 7, Knight’s Way Chess Tournament
• Merit – Under 7, Kandy Zonal, Sri Lanka Schools Individual Chess Tournament 2024
• Merit award – Under 7 Boys, 3rd Battle of Brilliant Minds Chess Championship 2024
• Merit – Under 12 Open, Online Youth Rapid Fiesta ‘Battle of Rois’ 2024 (Golden Knights Chess Academy)
• Bronze-Level Performance – Under 9 Open, Kandy Chess Fiesta 2024 (64 Squares International Chess Academy)
• 1st Runner-Up – Under 8 Boys Rapid Master – Individual Chess Championship 2024 (Future Kings Chess Academy)

2025

• Best on Board 3 – Under 9 Boys, 2nd Central Province Inter-School Team Chess Championship (Kandy District Chess Association)
• Super Merit Performance – Under 7,  All-Island Chess Championship 2025  (Master Mind Chess Coaching Academy)
• 2nd Runner-Up – Under 9 Open Rapid Tournament, Rapid & Blitz Challenge August 2025 (Golden Knights Chess Academy)
• 1st Runner-Up – Under 9, Kandy Chess Fiesta (64 Squares International Chess Academy)
• 1st Runner-Up – Under 8, Royal Chess Crown Individual Chess Championship 2025 (Royal Chess School)
• 1st Runner-Up – Under 8, Future Chess Masters, Sri Lanka’s First Knockout Chess Event 2025
• 2nd Runner-Up – Future Master 2025 Individual Chess Championship (Future Kings Chess Academy)
• Super Merit – Under 9, Checkmate Challenge All-Island Chess Championship 2025 (The Greatest School of Chess)
• Bronze-Level Performance – Punchi Apita Chess 2025 (64 Squares International Chess Academy)
• 2nd Runner-Up – Under 8, Kings Rapid Challenges, Kings Night 2025
• Merit – Open Category, Kandy Chess Club All-Island Individual Chess Championship 2025
• Merit Performance – Battle of the Brave Knights

Box ends