VISAKHIANS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PLEASE NOTE: If you know of any past or present Visakhian in the spotlight, please mail an original copy of the newspaper/magazine article to: Dr. Priya de Silva 22/2, Nandimitra Place, Colombo 6, Sri Lanka. Thank you. HI! Writeup 75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association The Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala get together of its members at High Tea on Saturday, 21st November 2009 at the Galle Face Hotel. The highlight of the evening was the recognition and felicitation of past Visakhians who since leaving school have brought honour to the Country and to the School. Since the numbers of Visakhians who have excelled in the national arena are legion as is well known, the VVOGA had thought it timely that on this 75th anniversary of the Association, the bar should be raised higher (so to say) and acknowledgement be made of those who have earned awards/acclaim in the international arena by the presentation of Platinum Awards. Nominations for these were received from the public from diverse fields such as Law, Architecture, Medicine & Health, Literature, Engineering, Science & Technology, Sports, Industry & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Performing Arts & an Open category. Ten winners were selected solely by a panel of eminent judges who described the winners as being the “Best among Equals”. The winners of the Platinum Awards were Mrs Upeka Chitrasena de Silva- Performing Arts Dr Binodh de Silva – Science & Technology Mrs Nela De Zoysa – Architecture Mrs Shirani Damindra Dias – Industry & Entrepreneurship Dr Shanika Karunasekera – Engineering Dr Kamini Mendis – Medicine & Health Professor Ira Thabrew - Education Mrs Anoja Wijeyesekera – Community Service Mrs Kishani Jayasinghe Wijeysekera - Performing Arts Dr Anula Wijesundere – Medicine & Health The awards were rounded off by a Life Time Achievement Award initiated & presented by the VVOGA in recognition of a past Visakhian who has won acclaim for achievements spanning almost a life time bringing honour to her Alma Mater. The proud winner of this Life Time Achievement award was the famous Film Director & Cinematographer - Mrs Sumithra Peries. The awards took the form of a glittering ceremony preceded by the screening of a documentary of the Old Girls’ Association. The evening was rounded off by singing & dancing by a capacity crowd both young and old who seemed bent on enjoying the camaraderie of being fellow Visakhians.     Excerpt from the Daily Mirror, 30 September, 2009 Visakha regain Edussuriya Trophy Visakha Vidyalaya regained the Edussuriya Challenge Trophy when they defeated Ladies College by two goals to nil in their annual under 19 water polo fixture at their college pool on Friday. Both goals were scored in the first quarter of the game by number 12 C. Wickramage and Limashi Kosgoda. However, both sides missed several scoring opportunities due to bad shooting. In the under 15 game played earlier between the schools, Visakha Vidyalaya posted a seven goals to three win. At the end of the first quarter, Visakha led 3-0. But in the second quarter Ladies College pulled the lead back with two goals. In the third quarter Visakha increased their lead with two goals and in the final quarter, Ladies College fired their third goal of the match. For Visakha Vidyalaya Varuni Ekanayake scored one, while Limashi Kosgodage was responsible for one and Aneka Abeywickrema was in cracking form with four goals which was inclusive of a hat trick. For Ladies College Shenani Ratwatte was on target with two, while the third was scored by Darithri Amarasekera. (BM)   Visakhians in the Spotlight!   Dr. Preethi Perera, a past pupil of Visakha, appointed president of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists for the year 2008/9. Prof. S. Wimalasena, a past pupil of Visakha, recognized at the 5th convocation of the College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon held on 30th January 2009.   Excerpt from the Daily Mirror, 27 November, 2006 Visakha has splashing success in water polo They have won 27 matches in-a row this season with wins over Air Force and arch rivals Ladies College By M. Shamil Amit The Visakha Vidyalaya Water Polo team is recognized as one of the top women’s team in the local circuit.This year happens to be their best ever as they have tasted phenomenal success when they emerged undisputed champions by rounding off the season with a hundred percent record by winning all 27 matches they played this year. Led by Sri Lanka’s national synchronized swimmer Shahili Gomes the champion team ended the season in style defeating the strong Air Force and arch rivals Ladies College to clinch the senior national title in the last major tournament of the season. The champion team first struck gold at the national knockout tournament early this year by edging out rivals Ladies College and from there on success flowed. The winning captain Shahili Gomes shared glory and honour with the captain of the losing team Isuru Beneragama by being adjudged the best player of the tournament which they shared jointly. Commenting on the performance of her team skipper Shahili said it was the their dedication and professional approach to the games that brought them glory. I give my unreserved credit to my team mates. Coach Thanula Abeywardena stated the girls showed grit and determination also by attending practices regularly and said even that some of the students though sitting for their public exams never refrained from attending training sessions. It is going be a daunting task for any other team to achieve 27 straight victories for the season. The girls have proved that if anyone who is aiming to perform or represent at national level that the sports you love is nurtured at school level which is the training ground if you want to fulfill your aims. Their arch rivals the formidable Ladies College team had to play second fiddle in most of the major finals they confronted. Shahili stated that energized by the success of winning the nationals championship the girls made a big impact by going on to clinch the junior nationals, the Under 20 and the inter-schools championships with their opponents in all these being Ladies College who gave stiff opposition with the games ending in nail biting finishes which she cherished as the best titles the team won. They were also able to regain the Edissuriya trophy in their annual encounter against Ladies College. She further stated that all the girls played well and of course the brilliant goal keeping of Tharindri Wariyapola along with the determined style of play of her deputy Chariya Dharmadasa and Lukshani Ratnayake definitely gave the team the much needed impact for our victories. In fact Charya was adjudged the best player in the Under 20 tournament. It was evident to all, that the way the Visakhians entered the fray, that they were well prepared, physically and mentally and had the necessary ingredient of a champion team. Even their junior team too had a successful season and the champion team is lucky to have several multi skilled aquatic sportswomen in their team in the likes of skipper Shahili, Rovini Illukumbura, Dethree Samarajeewa and Shahili’s sister Elisha. From here on having showed their talent and skills in the national arena they go to the international arena with sisters Shahili, Elisha along with Rovini and Dethree have been included to represent Sri Lanka in synchronized swimming at the forthcoming Asian Games 2006 in Doha, Qatar.   Rohini Chandrasekera; a real-life example of the strength of a positive attitude To some of you, Rohini Chandrasekera may be a very familiar name and may not need any introduction. Whilst at Visakha Vidyalana, she represented Sri Lanka in the years 1972, 1974 and 1976 in various international athletic meets. 30 years after leaving school in 1976, Rohini represented Sri Lanka in the Masters Games held in Bangalore, India in 2006, and once again brought credit to her country by winning 3 Silver Medals! In 2005, Rohini was diagnosed with breast cancer, and to date is under medication. Her strong belief that “a positive approach can change any unfortunate situation to that of a more challenging one” drives her to strive with determination to make life more meaningful rather than one which evokes sympathy. “Believe in yourself” is the lesson behind her story of success. Excerpt from the Daily Mirror, 9 January, 2006 Visakha lasses dazzle at hockey By Bruce Maurice The Visakha Vidyalaya lasses crowned themselves in hockey glory by winning three of the four tournaments held last year and emerging runner-up in the other at the Colombo Schools Hockey Tournaments conducted by the Colombo Schools Hockey Committee. The Visakhians em-erged unbeaten champions in the under 19, 15 and 13 tournaments, while the under 11 team won the runner-up trophy. Throughout the tournament, the Visakhians displayed tremendous skill, ball sense, ball control, speed over the ground and were the cynosure of all eyes at the tournament. The team with their impressive to watch ball skill, immaculate dribbling and quick fire passes tormented their opponents to come out worthy winners in three age categories. In all four tournaments they amassed as much as 89 goals, while only five were scored against them. This achievement speaks volumes for their dominance throughout the tournament. In the under 19 final, Visakha drubbed Musaeus College 4-2, in the under 15 final they beat Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya 1-0 and in the under 13 final, trounced Gothami Balika 6-0. However, they surrendered the under 11 final to Musaeus College by one goal.The most prolific goal scorers in the under 19 segment were, Kanishka Withana with 10 goals, Jayanthi Anupama eight and skipper Saachinka Weerasinghe seven. In the under 15 tournament, the main scorers were Nipuni Punsiri with six, while Maneesha Welaratne and skipper Dulmini Nanayakkara scored five each. Maneesha Welaratne was the leading goal getter in the under 13 segment with 16, while skipper Charini Kulaweera netted six and Ashwini Madanayake contributed nine. Ashwini Madanayake was adjudged the most outstanding player of the tournament in the under 11 age group. The Visakhians are coached by the handsome Rohan Dissanayake, the former women's national coach, whose hockey career was crippled by a nasty knee injury.                               Excerpt from the Daily Mirror, 11 January, 2006 Sri Lankan swimmers return with six medals The Sri Lankan swimmers returned from the Hong Kong Synchronized Open Swimming Championships 2005 with a haul of six medals. Over 50 participants from Macau, Sri Lanka and the host country Hong Kong participated in the competition that was held in the Kowloon Park Swimming pool from December 8 to 11. Dehara Katepiarachchci of Musaeus College won both gold medals that Sri Lanka bagged. Under 12 - Paddle Scull - Stroke event) and the 13-15 age group Figure Competition. One silver medal was won by Gayani Warnapura, Hashani Warnapura, Rovini Illukkumbura, Dilini Kithsiri, Deerthi Samarajeewa, Dehara Ketepiarachchi and Elisha Gomes. While Elisha Gomes won a bronze in the under 12 - Egg Beater - stroke event, Dehara Katepiarachchi won the bronze in the 13-15 age group solo event and Rovini Illukkumbura also took bronze in the 16-18 age group, Solo Event. Excerpt from the Sunday Island, 30 October, 2005 Visakhians in the Spotlight in 2002 Visakhians in the Spotlight in 2001 Visakhians in the Spotlight in 2000 Visakhians in the Spotlight in 1999

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