VISAKHIANS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Excerpt from the Daily Mirror, 16 August, 2002 Visakhians leading the wayBy Kshanika Goonesekera Knowledge is power. Einstein would disagree and say imagination is more important but nevertheless, the correct information can get you anywhere you want may it be to the top of Everest or the president of the United States of America. Visakha Vidyalaya, recognised for producing exceptional students, awarded two scholarships to two more future leaders recently at the Susan George Pulimood Memorial Oration. "I didn't do all the things I did hoping to be rewarded, but for fun," said Kamali Wickramage, the disbelief still showing on her face. Nilakshi Pandigamage, recognised more for her academics, was surprised that she was even considered for the scholarship. For extra-curricular activities in the international arena, she has received the highly commended awards for English writing two years in a row at the Royal Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition and was the winner of the 1999 Asia Pacific and South African Roy Morgan Plain English Speaking Competition. She is also a member of the UNESCO World Youth Council. In the national level, other than her public speaking and writing skills, Nilakshi is recognised for her debating, singing, acting and swimming talents. She was appointed as the Controller for Synchronised swimming in Sri Lanka and a member of the executive committee of the National Aquatic Sports Union (NAASU). "School life was the best period of my life" said Kamali. She started her school career at Musaeus College but after the year five scholarship exam transferred to Visakha Vidyalaya. At the GCE Ordinary Level exam she was placed seventh island-wide and received a two- year scholarship from the People's Bank. "Mathematics was my favourite subject during the O'levels but Physics was much more interesting when it came to A' levels." Music was Kamali's strong point having carried away the western music prize every year. She played the violin for the National Youth Orchestra. Being in the school choir and orchestra they have won national as well as inter-school competitions. "I also do a bit of art," she said giving the impression of dabbling in the field. Later I learnt that she has quite a talent and is hoping to exhibit her work sometime next year. The 20 -year- old described herself as a "Jack of all trades" being ready to help out in any school activity may it be Shakespeare or the sports meet. Always happy to draw a banner or compose music for English and science days held in school. "I slept in most of my classes and was constantly getting hit by pieces of chalk. I had nicknames such as sleeping beauty," she laughed. Thinking back on all the fun, Kamali's best times were when she was a prefect, dodging classes, getting more involved with school activities, but most of all it was a learning experience. A special encounter for her was visiting the under privileged in Bamu-nugama in 2000 by the prefect's guild. "Collecting food rations and clothes and talking to them was an eye-opener," she says. For Nilakshi having had more exposure in the international forum a special experience was when a 10- member delegation from Sri Lanka under the banner of "Leadership for World Youth" was sent on a cruise. "Six weeks were spent on a ship with 268 people from all over the world." We had no outside contact except when we were at port," she explained. "Being soon after the September 11th incident there were a few tense moments but we learnt that regardless of skin colour, we are all the same." If there were many more such opportunities there would be far less wars. Delegates from all over the globe were present and the Sri Lankans made their mark by enlightening them on our plight specially the Americans who were ignorant as to others who suffer similarly. "One delegate was an American journalist. After hearing about us he came to Sri Lanka the following year." Nilakshi's initial plan was to enter the law faculty and become a lawyer and plan B was to go abroad but now, after receiving a full scholarship to Yale, she has decided not to narrow her field but to obtain a basic degree in humanitarian arts. "Yale has so much to offer," she said. Talking about the future, the 20- year- old would like to work in the international arena and focus on our little country. "We as Sri Lankans have so much to offer. I for one will come back to help our nation," she declared. Nilakshi's happiest day was when they announced the school prefects and she was appointed school captain. "I have won many competitions both in the national and international field but this was the highest honour. I had a prefect's guild of 80 and they were all twice my size," she recalls, with a smile and all the times she had fun bossing girls much taller than her. Cramming for exams is another thing both girls have in common and those last two weeks when the pressure builds up. Wanting to repay the school in any little way she can, Kamali taught advanced level physics and mathematics after her A' Level exam. The constant prize winner is very grateful to her school and parents who applied no pressure but supported her throughout all those extra-curricular activities. Today she is attending the Moratuwa University and hopes to have her own animation studio. "It's a case of quality not quantity, don't limit your horizon but explore all your talents," is her message to the public. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for my school," said a proud and grateful Nilakshi, who could have easily neglected her studies if her teachers hadn't been insistent. She is also grateful that her parents didn't push her but gave her their support. "I value the little things like discipline the school has instilled in me." After her advanced level exam she worked with Prof. Harendra de Silva at the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) as an assistant researcher for a survey on child domestic workers in Sri Lanka for the ILO. She describes it as a learning experience which will lead her in many more community service projects. "We Sri Lankans have so much to offer to the world and vice versa. Come back to the country and make a difference," she said, telling me that this is our chance to work together.
Excerpt from the Island, 04 August, 2002
Young Women in Public Affairs Award (YWPA) 2002 Kamilka Malwatte
Young women of 21 years of age or younger who are enrolled in secondary schools are eligible to enter the competition. They are judged on the student activities and the leadership role they play, community service activities, international awareness and on their understanding of the status of women in Sri Lanka and worldwide. The goal of the Club is to encourage more women students to enter careers in public affairs, public policy and community organizations. The distribution of the YWPA Award was held on the 27th of July at the Galle Face Hotel together with the awards for the "Women of Achievement" 2002. The chief guest for the evening was Prof. Lalith Mendis, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo and Prof. Kusuma Karunaratne, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya as the guest of honour. The recipient of the prestigious YWPA award for 2002 was 18 year old Kamilka Malwatte of
Visakha Vidyalaya. She is the first Visakhian to receive this award. Kamilka was the head
prefect of the school in 2001, She was Head of state of the first ever delegation from Sri
Lanka at the "Future World Leaders Summit" held in Washington USA in 2002. She has also
represented Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Camp in Malaysia and the Youth Camp in Korea
organized by UNESCO. She has been an outstanding President's Guide having won the "C. P.
Jayawardena Memorial Award" for the Best President's Guide. Kamilka was also the president of
the English Literary Association United Nations Club and the chairperson of Colombo Model
United Nations Conference 2001. She captained the debating team and was also judged best
actress at the All Island Drama Competition conducted by the Institute for the Western Music &
Speech. At school she was excelled in netball and badminton. A number of community service
projects have been undertaken with her leadership in Maguldamana and Dehiattakandiya.
NOTE: Kamilka is the daughter of Visakhian Mrs. Indira Malwatte nee Perera and Mr. Harin Malwatte and the grand daughter of Mrs. Mallika Perera formerly on the staff of Visakha Vidyalaya. In the 2001 Advanced Level Examination, she topped the Arts stream in the whole Island.
Excerpt from the Sunday Times, 17 February, 2002
Manjula, Gishanthi are bestW.P. Manjula Kumara of Vijitha MMV, Dickwella and Gishanthi Jayakody of Visakha Vidyalaya carried away the Most Outstanding Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards at the 11th Sri Lanka Schools Awards Ceremony held at the BMICH on February 14 (Thursday). This Award Ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Education and sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd. Manjula was rewarded for his feat in breaking the Sri Lanka high jump record and Gishanthi for her excellence in Netball. She represented the national team at the Asian Netball championships where Sri Lanka emerged champions. There were two other special awards given to the up and coming sportsman and sportswoman which was won by Sri Lanka Badminton champion Niluka Karunaratne of Royal and the sportswoman going to ace diver Harini Jayasekera also of Visakha Vidyalaya. Full Story
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The Zonta Club I Colombo organizes the Young Women in Public Affairs programme to recognize secondary school women's commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership, achievement and commitment to the advancement of the status of women.
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