Music, his passion

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Music washes away from the soulthe dust of everyday life - Berthold Auerbach

Despite taking up music to please his parents, Keet Malin Sugathadasa, 16, soon developed a passion for the art. The grade 11 student of S.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, clinched a special award for obtaining the highest distinction marks for music in theory from grade V up to VIII in the music examination conducted by the Trinity College - London in 2008.

Keet Malin Sugathadasa

He was presented with the Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Goonetileke Memorial Prize, donated by Shanti Goonetilleke, by Director, Press and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of the United States of America, Jeffrey Anderson at the prize awarding ceremony for 2008 Examinations at Bishop's College auditorium, Colombo, on March 28.

"I found the questions easy and knew I'd obtain full marks for the examination," the gifted lad who enjoys listening to Classical music and Westlife songs. He said that more than 50 students had faced the examination but none of them had been able to cut the highest grade.

Keet had passed five stages in the examination. He has three more stages to go. His brother, Leet Milan, too had taken up the examination some years back and had completed the task up to grade IV.

Apart from music he takes part in extra curricular activities like swimming and badminton.

"I bagged third place in Art at school last year," Keet said adding that he believes students should be encouraged to becoming all-rounders.

"Limiting yourself to books is unhealthy. You need diversity in your routine and an opportunity to explore your hidden talents." His ambition is to serve his country to the best of his ability in whatever profession he chooses in the future. He is grateful to his class teacher, P.H. Khema, his school and his parents, Rohitha Sugathadasa and Mallika Sugathadasa for encouraging him on his path to success.

"I'm pleased with my achievement and my future goal is to top the list at all island rank in the G.C.E. O/L Examination. I believe that I can achieve a significant victory because I believe in the fact that if a Thomian puts his heart into a task, he would be able to achieve it," he concluded with a smile.