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| Friday, 9 July 2004 |
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A child artist discovered by Yasser Arafat Eight years ago, in 1996 a little boy studying in the Upper Kindergarten was asked by his parents to accompany them to the Colombo airport. The parents were travelling down to the airport to greet and welcome the President of the State of Palestine, Yasser Arafat, a friend of the little boy's father. Having greeted the Palestinian leader the family accompanied him to Hotel Taj Samudra, where Mr. Arafat was to stay. While his parents were conversing with him about global issues of war and peace, the little boy - obviously bored with what the adults were discussing - took a little piece of paper that was lying on the hotel table, and sketched a profile of the great Yasser Arafat with a pencil. Seeing the little boy's drawing, Yasser Arafat picked it up, autographed it, and told his parents that here's an artist in the making. He advised the parents to send the boy to an art class to improve his skills and techniques. The parents were not slow to follow this advise. The little boy of 8 years ago is none other than Rohitha Chandana Rajapaksa, a Year 10 student at S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia who is the son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The autographed pencil sketch of Yasser Arafat, subsequently framed and preserved, is a proud procession of the Rajapaksa family. Rohitha Chandana Rajapaksa, whose paintings are on exhibition for the second time, is the vice captain of the under 15 rugby team. Equally proficient in studies and sports, Rohitha was awarded the best allrounder's shield at S. Thomas' College in 2004. He will be exhibiting his paintings with others at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7 on July 9 (today), 10 (tomorrow) and 11, 2004. |
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