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| Sunday, 30 October 2005 |
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An insight into Dilini's hectic life :
Resonance by Rikaza Hassan
An undergraduate at the University of Colombo she is presently reading for a special degree in International Relations. A member of the Faculty of Arts, she emphasizes that she is "not ashamed to be an arts graduate n Sri Lanka," despite the usual disdain shown towards those holding such degrees in this country. "There are a lot of unemployed of graduates with B.A. degrees but I don't believe that a degree should necessarily be job oriented. The economical angle is very important, but the intellectual side of a person should not be ignored," she says firmly. She recently visited the country of Norway to attend a seminar on Conflict Resolution Peace Building where she made a presentation on Sri Lanka. "They loved it. They were able to understand the situation from a different point of view." Youth from thirty five countries participated and Dilini was one of the two picked out for the scholarship. Dilini sees her mother as the most important person in her life. Until the culmination of her Advanced Level examinations she says, "my mother bothered me all the time." The wonderful lady drove her around to school and to and from tuition classes and other places in relation to her studies and extra curricular activities.
Unlike most other students after their final examinations, Dilini did not find the long wait in between after advanced level examinations to actually entering university as a means of lazing around at home watching television and getting a lot of sleep. Instead this young woman made a step in to the world of business. With her mother as an equal partner and a loan from her brother, which she promptly paid back of course, she began the rudiments of manufacturing lingerie for the local market. Named Diyana Fashions, she now plans to enter the export market from beginning next year, with her now profitable unit. "I currently supply to most of the local retail stores. I've bought a land and the factory is presently under construction. We should be ready to supply to the international market soon." This incisive entrepreneur is also a very talented dancer. At the age of seven she began to learn bharatha natyam under her guru Rajini Selvanayagam. In 1996, the then sixteen year old held her arangetram guided by veteran Padmini Dahanayaka Ariyadasa. While a student at Museaus College she also became skilled at Kandyan dancing where she also participated in many a school ballet, playing the lead roles. In 1997 she prevailed at the All Island Youth Dancing Competition. "I did not want to give up my dancing talents at university," she says even though it was not very aesthetically inclined. At the time of speaking, a very tired Dilini was as yet to come down from her high of having single-handedly putting forth the idea, organising and participating in 'Ridmangali', held at the New Arts Theatre.
The event presented all types of dancing from Kandyan, Low Country, Sabaragama, Bharatha Natyam and other classics, bringing together the Lankan cultures as well as uniting the students of various faith and race in a country rife with hate and violence. Titled 'Feet in Fusion, Peace in Motion', it most certainly achieved its purpose. Not only were the invited audience highly entertained, but it also sent a powerful message to those present that acceptance and mutual respect was not only possible but the only way to the future. As seen Dilini Withanage is a firm believer in peace. She is a member of the Youth Parliament, one of the 225 people from all over the island, and is the coordinator for Colombo districts one to fifteen. "I have been given the opportunity to realise a lot of dreams for a period of two years as well as make the lives of the less fortunate much better," she says very seriously. Currently she is working on a language programme to the youth of Sri Lanka at least two of its widely spoken languages, ensuring better communication and hence understanding. In the future she wishes to continue her works of social service. "I want to serve my country for the free education and everything else that it has given me. Perhaps I will be able to work for the UNDP or some such organisation and help people better their lives." How does she cope with her multiple responsibilities, I ask. "I plan my day," she says simply. Dilini makes a time table on a little card as soon as she wakes up, squeezing in her other work in between her lectures. "Time management is very important or you will never get anything done." Her relaxation technique is to watch movies or chill out with her friends, though she usually manages to not be "very tired." Her message to the emerging youth of the country? "Don't stick to only books. These are the people who do not even get into university, let alone live a fulfilled life. Only studies will not help you. Ultimately it is the people who have a good exposure who succeed," she says |
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Dilini Withanage simply bubbles with life - the
first thing you notice when you speak to this 25-year-old with her winning
smile. Full of enthusiasm, as you continue to speak to her you discover
that it is very catching. She is also very much an optimist, one of those
people who do not believe that anything is impossible. However this is
sprinkled with a healthy dose of realism, so don't expect her to be coming
up with half-baked ideas that help no one. 
The younger sister of two older brothers by a considerable number of
years, she is and has always been very close to her mother. More like two
friends, Dilini always found her ready to lend an ear to her problems, a
shoulder to cry on when she felt like crying. Her mother according to her
constantly guided her without ever invading her space or stepping on her
toes. 
For the first time all six faculties of the university came together to
compose a very successful Festival of Dance. Dilini was not only the
brainchild behind bridging together the gap between the various faculties
but also made it an intercultural event. 
