Benadee Siyansa is a nine-year-old student from Yatiyana who is currently in Grade 4 at Ananda Sastralaya National School, Matugama. 

She enjoys reading fun books, watching movies, and learning music and singing. She also participates actively in pastimes like chess, swimming, dancing, scouting, and drama.  

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Little Stars, she told us about the activities she was involved in at present.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is K.D. Benadee Siyansa. I’m nine years old and I am from Yatiyana.

I’m in Grade 4 at Ananda Sastralaya National School. I live with my parents, my grandmother, and my dog. 

I also go to dhamma school at Yatiyana Sri Sarananda Daham Pasala. I am a school prefect. 

We would like to know more about your doggy.

His name is Bruno. He’s a black-and-white German Shepherd. He’s eight years old, just one year younger than me.

His birthday is on 14 August, and mine is on 16 August. We celebrate our birthdays together. He loves eating meat and going for walks.

What are your hobbies?

I like reading fun books. One of my favourites is ‘The World’s Worst Children’ by David Walliams. I also enjoy books by Sybil Wettasinghe. 

I like watching movies too. ‘Zootopia’ and ‘Frozen’ are the films I like best. My favourite is ‘Zootopia.’ I love the character Judy. I even have a toy like her, and I’ve named it Judy too.

At school, apart from your studies, what do you do?

I like studying English and Maths. I also participate in chess, swimming, and dancing, and play the guitar as well. I’m a scout too.

Since when have you been playing chess?

I’ve been playing chess for a few years. I have taken part in many all-island tournaments and have lots of certificates.

In 2023, I won first place at the zonal level in the Under 7 category. I was also placed sixth in the Western Province once.

How about swimming?

I’ve been swimming for some time now. I like freestyle, backstroke, and dolphin. I’m learning all four strokes.

Which stroke is your favourite?

Backstroke is my favourite, and I also love just floating. It’s very relaxing.

You said you won a trophy recently. What was that for?

It was for elocution. I got a trophy and a certificate. It was at the All-Island Graded Examination 2024 organised by the Institute of Western Music and Speech (IWMS).

Tell us about your scouting experience.

I started scouting in Grade 2 and continued until Grade 3. In 2022, we took part in the first ‘National Kiddoree’ organised by the Sri Lanka Scout Association.

What was the most fun thing you did in scouting?

At the ‘Kiddoree,’ we worked together as a team to do fun activities. It was great to do them with my school friends.

Are you keen on taking part in drama?

Yes. I took part in the ‘Punchi Nadea Children’s Performing Arts Workshop’ held in Moratuwa. It went on for eight months. I learnt a lot about stage acting there.

We played, sang songs, walked like different animals, and talked about characters. On the final day, we performed a drama.

What was the drama about?

It was called ‘Gamarala Divya Loke Giya Hati.’ I played the role of Gama Hamine. We practised a lot, and it was so much fun.

Are you learning how to play music?

Yes, I learn music at a private class. I’m also receiving training in singing. I’ve taken part in many singing events too.

Anyone you’d like to thank?

I want to thank my parents mainly, and then my guitar teacher and my school teacher. My school teacher helps me a lot and supports me to do my duties at school as a prefect.

I would also like to thank my Loku Amma (aunt). Once, when my dad was in hospital, she helped me with my homework and fed me.

PHOTOS © SURANJITH JANAKA