Jayasinghe paints in Paris

By Susitha R. Fernando

Sanath Jayasinghe with Eric Pillon, the owner of auction.

Two paintings depicting typical Sri Lankan scenery were sold by public auction in France recently. Painted by Sanath Jayasinghe, a Sri Lankan domiciled in Paris for a number of years the two paintings depicted the exotic presentation of the Kandy Perehera and an open air market (pola) in a Sri Lankan village.

The visitors at 'Eric Pillon encheres', the French auction rooms in the royal city of Versailles near Paris were attracted to Jayasinghe's painting which represented unique local styles. A chance not very often received by outsiders, it is the first time a Sri Lankan artist has sold some of his works in a Paris auction.

Working in a painting shop in France, Jayasinghe's inborn talent forced him to start painting during his leisure. Son of late Mr. Solomon and Mrs. Francina Jayasinghe, Sanath was born in Pagoda, Nugegoda and completed his studies at Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte. Sanath Jayasinghe is also the present president of Sri Lanka cultural Association in Paris.