The Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls' Association celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala get together of its members at High Tea on Saturday, November 21, 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 lifetime bringing honour to her alma mater. The proud winner of this Lifetime 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. |
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