Damithu Fernando gains international praise for Angampora skills

International martial arts masters and practitioners gather at the Ko Ryu Jujutsu Federation (KGF) conference in the Netherlands, featuring Sri Lankan Angampora representatives Sandun Fernando and young martial artist Damithu Fernando (seated in front) alongside experts from Europe and Africa. Krishna Gopal, the founder of Kurodaiya martial arts and president of the KGF, Rob van Meebeek, Aiki Jujutsu from Italy, Win Lindemans representing Jodo from the Netherlands and Stefan of Aiki Jujutsu from Italy are in the picture

Damithu Fernando, a Grade 9 student of Ananda College, continued to gain recognition both in the Sri Lankan entertainment industry and in the international martial arts arena. 

Known to many as a promising child artist, Damithu recently brought pride to Sri Lanka by participating in an international martial arts conference held in the Netherlands, where he represented the country’s traditional martial art, Angampora. Recently, Damithu took part in the Korean Jujutsu Federation’s Annual Conference and Workshop held in the Netherlands. The event brought together martial artists from many countries, including France, China, Italy, Algeria, Madagascar, Suriname, and the Netherlands.  Participants demonstrated various martial arts disciplines such as Judo, Jujutsu, Kung Fu, Karate, Aiki Jujutsu and Angampora.

Accompanied by his father, veteran Angampora instructor Sandun Fernando, Damithu showcased Sri Lanka’s martial arts heritage to an international audience.  His performance and commitment received much appreciation and was awarded a Special Appreciation Certificate by the Korean Jujutsu Federation. In addition to traditional martial arts, Damithu has already established himself as a familiar face among Sri Lankan audiences through his television performances and voice acting. 

His talent earned him a Special Jury Certificate of Merit at the Raigam Awards for his role in the popular Swanavahini Hapan Padura program. He is also well known for portraying the character “Akila” in the Rupavahini teledrama Ira Hangila.  In addition to acting, Damithu has contributed his voice to several popular animated productions, including the character Rocky in Bhootha Bhanghalawa and the lead role in Super Bheem.

His success in the entertainment field continues to grow, with two new films, Seeni and Cricket Sadhu, expected to be released this year.