Today in Amazing Kids we feature a little boy who is a talented young artist. Despite his young age, his abilities are outstanding. The Kids Chronicle had a chat with Saven Diniru de Silva, who has become an award-winning up-and-coming little artist.
Saven with his parents
Q: Saven, can you tell us about yourself?
A. My name is Muthumuni Saven Diniru de Silva. I am six years old and I am studying in Grade 2 at Dhammissara National College, Naththandiya. I live in Japan. We came to Japan in December 2023 because my mother got a scholarship from her workplace. I studied at the Hachinako pre-school and day care centre from December 2023 to March 2025, and I am currently studying in Grade 1 at Higashi Show Gakko Primary School.
My father is Amith de Silva and my mother is Chamilani Udatiyawala.
Q: How did you get into art?
A. During my pre-school years, my teacher, Yuki practised drawing animated characters that Japanese people liked, such as animals, shapes and vehicles. My best friend is Soya and he can really draw well, this inspired me to start drawing too.
Later, I started studying art under the teacher Nadeesha Jayarathna through Zoom technology, and she realised that I had a talent for drawing and encouraged me to do so.
After that, I studied art via Zoom under the guidance of my teacher Niluka Dhanwanthari, and she always urged me to participate in various art competitions and shows.
Saven with his best friend Soya and others
Q: What are your achievements?
A. I won first place in the 2024 Commercial Bank Arunalu Siththam Art Competition in the foreign category in the age group of 4-6 years.
In 2025, I was able to win first place in the 4-6 age group category in the United Nations World Wildlife Day art competition. There, I was able to win first place out of more than 3,400 paintings representing 140 countries. I won the award for the best painting grand prize in the Japanese school category out of 10,383 paintings at the Kanagawa Art Competition in Japan held for the 23rd time in 2025.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A. I like to play baseball.
Q: What is your favourite subject?
Saven’s art teacher, Niluka Dhanwanthari (Divine School of Arts)
A. I like Buddhism, because I really like drawing the pictures in Buddhism books. Saven, what is your future ambition?
I want to be a principal in the future.
We all at Kids Chronicle wish every success to young Saven and hope his strengths continue to shine bright, bringing pride and joy to all Sri Lankans living far and near.
