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Lankan voice in Oxford choir
By Priyanwada Ranawaka
The Queen's College Chapel Choir of the Oxford University which will be visiting Sri Lanka this week has among its ranks Anushka Herath, the first Sri Lankan and only foreign student to be a part of this prestigious choir.

Anushka, 20, is currently studying for a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford. "Although she is brought up in a completely Christian background, she has remained a Buddhist," says her father Karu Herath adding that Anushka can speak and write Sinhala fluently.

Anushka has excelled in playing the viola and the piano and performed at the 2000 Millennium concert held at St. Paul's Cathedral before a crowd of many thousands including Queen Elizabeth.

The 21-strong Queen's College Chapel Choir directed by Dr. Owen Rees comprises choral scholars as well as volunteers and performs in well-known churches in England. Although they usually tour European countries, this time they have decided to come to Sri Lanka because of Anushka. According to her father, Anushka has told her friends so much about Sigiriya and Pinnawala that the choir will spend two days touring the country to take in the sights.

Their programme in Colombo and Kandy is as follows: Sunday, September 12 at 8.15 a.m. Eucharist at the Anglican Cathedral, Bauddhaloka Mawatha. Sunday, September 12 at 6 p.m. Evensong at the Church of St.Michael and All Angels, Polwatte.

Tuesday, September 14 at 6.30 p.m. at Trinity College, Kandy in aid of Kandy Cancer Homes. Thursday, September 16 at 7.30 p.m. at Ladies' College, Colombo in aid of the Ruhuna Children's Trust.

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