 Umaria does Sri Lanka proud
by Mahes Perera
Umaria has done Sri Lanka proud.
With that special singing style of hers, Umaria carried off the Silver
Award at the recently concluded 11th Asia New Singer Competition held at
Beijing, China. Thirty two contestants competed and the event was
organised by the Cultural Ministry of China. Nineteen year-old Umaria
with her astonishing range of voice won the Silver Award with 9.63 pts
while the winner a singer from the Philippines was adjudged the Gold
Award winner with 9.64 pts.
 “When I started singing, my song at the finals I was a trifle nervous
but that was only for a moment so to speak, but when I got into the song
all that nervousness vanished and my main thought was to do my country
proud.
The stage which was an international stage, was like home to me
although it was a new experience. I was in Group A for the contest and I
sang four songs. ‘My Dream’ was an original composition by my sister
Umara, with lyrics by Ashanthi. My three covers were ‘Listen’ by Beyonce,
‘At Last’ by Etta James and ‘I Love You I Do’ by Jennifer Hudson. I’m
happy that I competed because I was invited for the Arts Culture
Festival by Yunnan TV and I will be going for the event. I will be also
going to Turkey, for their competition which will be in a month’s time.
Here I will sing ‘My Dream’ and another song with Sri Lankan cultural
influences.” This has been a good experience for you could you comment
on the organisation of the event?
“The whole organisation of the event was extremely impressive. The
day rehearsals worked to a well timed schedule but what was most
important was that they respect the artiste and appreciate your talent
and treat you accordingly. All the contestants were friendly with one
another and believe me, I made a lot of friends from the States,
Bulgaria, Slovania and Thailand and they keep in touch with me through
email”.
How did the group ‘Four’ from Sri Lanka fare at the competition?
“They won the Excellent Singer Award and a certificate for the Best
Group Performance.
“They sang an acapella ‘In the Still of the Night’. Umaria was
accompanied by her mother, singer Ayesha Sinhawansa who was invited for
an official discussion on whatever shortcomings that could be overcome
in the organisation. “I voiced the opinion that the organisation should
look at giving recording contracts to the winners,” expressed Ayesha.
Both parents Tony and Ayesha are happy that their daughters won awards
in this competition. Umara in 2006 won the Bronze Award. Umaria’s fans
can expect a CD soon.
A versatile singer with an indefinable magical aura Umaria sings in
many languages which is an established fact and her confident parting
shot was “I’m hoping to get the Gold next year!”
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