Released in Sri Lanka in December, the book (Rs 1,995) traces the journey of the 56-year-old artist: from a six-year-old Senaka painting a 20-ft-long mural on the school wall; and then, as a 14-year-old, taking his canvas The Outer Harbour Colombo to Washington where it was added to the White House art collection; to his most recent series where he took inspiration from the rainforest. Bhatkal notes the influences on Senanayke’s art, from the encouragement received by family members to his days in Yale to the environmental concerns that are often depicted on his canvas. “There was a deliberate attempt to weave in personal anecdotes,” says Bhatkal.

Even though Senaka’s India launch is yet to happen, it has already sold 3,000 copies between India and Sri Lanka. “It is meant to introduces Senanayke to everyone who is interested in art. There is no technical jargon involved and our aim is to show a variety of creations with the needful text,” says Bhatkal, 45. And while he plans a retrospective of Senanayke’s works, an art museum in Alibaug is also on the anvil. “This will display a permanent art collection and we intend to organise workshops and lectures,” he says.