“A man who possessed the unlimited dreams of a god but the limited power of a man. His ambition was to do all things and to do them flawlessly…Saradius went beyond simply capturing the best features of a person; his brush captured the very essence of their persona.” Tissa Hewavitarane

Saradius Lankatileke, often referred to as S. Lankatilake, was a distinguished Sri Lankan artist renowned for his exceptional portraiture and contributions to both traditional and modern art forms in the country.

Born in Galle, Lankatilake began his education at a village school before attending Ananda College in Colombo. His artistic talents were recognized early on by S.L.B. Kapukotuwa, the then District Inspector of Schools in Galle, who encouraged him to pursue formal art education. In 1932, he enrolled at the Ceylon Technical College, where he studied under the esteemed portrait artist J.D.A. Perera. During his time there, Lankatilake mastered both oriental and occidental art styles, completing his studies in 1941.

After completing his education, Lankatilake dedicated himself to full-time painting and served as an art master at the Government College of Fine Arts for many years. He was a prolific portrait artist, capturing the likenesses of prominent Sri Lankan figures such as President J.R. Jayewardene, Ven. Narada, Dr. G.P. Malalasekera, and Brig. C.P. Jayawardana. Some of these portraits are permanently displayed at the National Art Gallery in Colombo.

Lankatilake’s versatility extended beyond portraiture; he was adept in both Eastern and Western artistic styles. His notable works include “Lord Buddha and Two Disciples” and “At the Bazaar,” which are part of the permanent collection at the Art Gallery. He also represented Sri Lanka in various international exhibitions, bringing acclaim to the nation’s art scene.

Beyond painting, Lankatilake made significant contributions as a designer. He won several awards in postage stamp competitions and was responsible for designing the exhibition crest for the Colombo Exhibition. His skill was acknowledged internationally, with his name appearing in Stanley Gibbons’ World Stamp Album. Even those uninitiated to the arts may have seen his work; the well-recognized 1954 Ceylonese stamp with the image of king coconuts was designed by him.

Further, for over three decades, he served as the chief art designer in various government departments, including Laksala.  Lankatilake also held the position of vice president of the Ceylon Society of Arts for many years, further cementing his influence in the Sri Lankan art community. His legacy endures through his contributions to portraiture, design, and art education in Sri Lanka.