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by JAYANTHI LIYANAGE

For the Past Pupils Association of Visakha Vidyalaya-London Branch, the year 2003, which is its twenty first year since formation, is deemed as special for three reasons.

Past Visakhians at the Avurudu Ulela in London. (Shiranee in the centre).

Firstly, this is the year that the PPA's new enterprising President, Shiranee Munasinghe, seized her presidental duties. Secondly, that she spearheaded the PPA's grand Sinhala/Hindu New Year celebrations held for the benefit of past Visakhians and other well-wishers in London, during the April New Year season.

Thirdly, the best is yet in the pipeline. Londoners could expect a brilliant flash of Lankan fashion flair when the PPA will host fashion show at Hammersmith Hotel organised and mainly designed by the past Visakhian, Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne, the evergreen local designer.

To the past and contemporary Visakhians, Shiranee's dexterity in steering PPA needs no elaboration. "Super organizer" and "pretty level-headed" are the adages they bestow on her, which speaks volumes for this generally reticent personality.

Try as you may, by prodding questions at her, you might never discover the real Shiranee. Clues come from her friend, Chula, who ticks off Shiranee's accomplishments one by one.

Wooing Londoners with local traditional dance.

Begin with her artistry in cake decor and floristry and suddenly you discover that she and her husband, Sarath, had sung duets and produced a cassette of songs called "Sri Lanka" when Sinhala pop reached the height of popularity. The words "Bale, tikiri kale," bring faint memories of a once heard song over the radio.

What animates her are the queries on the PPA New Year celebrations held in London. "It was such a success with about 350 London-based people attending," says Shiranee. The attendees had a taste of what constitutes Sri Lankan culture, with a grand show of raban playing, Kandyan dance and crowning of Avurudhu Kumari and Kumaraya amidst general helpings of kevun, kokis and Kiri bath, specially flown from Sri Lanka, with baila-singing to add gusto.

The past Visakhians both here and in London could look forward to exciting and productive days ahead with Shiranee Munasinghe heading the PPA-London Branch.

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