An ambition to succeed

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

She came down the staircase moving her hips like a ballering. She was simply clad in a trouser. Her charming smile was arresting. Janaki Hill, the wife of SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill - is that charming person.

When I visited her at her Battaramulla spacious residence Janaki, who hails from Arakawita greeted me in a manner as if she had known me for long years. Her Public relations was excellent.

'Dancing is my life'. Though I hail from a remote area, I studied at Sri Pali Vidyalaya in Horana. I am the eight in a family of nine said janaki with a mischievous smile.

Janaki was very open about her past and sincere in the explaining of words. She has started her dancing career, as a primary school student. "I had an artistic back ground in my family. My brother Athula Edirisighe is a musician. We used to dance and sing together in our childhood. That was the beginning" she claimed with pride.

Sometimes talents are hidden in us. Meanwhile, I started to learn drama\acting. Then I participated at Drama competition at school, she said.

"In the year 1993, I acted in the 'Maya Shakthi' stage drama by Dhamma Jagoda. Then I participated in stage dramas 'Lihini', 'Yerma, and 'Polina'. In the drama 'Polina' I had to do a very difficult character (sub conscious mind). "But it was successful", Janaki recalled with pleasure.

In the meantime, the crew of 30 members in the drama class started a newspaper called 'Kasaya'. It was fascil on Artistic news. We printed 25,000 papers per month. We had to sell every single copy of the paper on our own. That's how I started to do take responsibilities in life. That period was the worst period in my life.

I am used to doing team work, from my childhood. Because I have number of brothers and sisters. When it came to society, it was easy to meet challenges. If I had to sell King coconuts in the street, Yes I'm ready to do that." We should have self confidence", Janaki elaborated in a proud manner.

In the mean time she has, worked as a production manager in the group of 30. Under her production, dramas such as 'Hiroshima', 'Kanthoruwa', 'The Banyan Tree' and 'Piriven Piuma' emerged.

Janaki has participated in various kinds of programmes such as performing art, leadership training programme, yoga and meditation programmes in various countries.

"In 2003, I started to do volunteer service to 'Noguchi' children orphanage. She had got close to children through such service. She further added that as gratitude she was building a hall for her village school.

At present she conducts leadership training motivation programmes for school children. "I'm doing these workshops together with SriLankan Airlines. I'm the Work shop director and I do get good support from my husband. On May 19th, we are planning to conduct personality development work shop (Diriya Daruvo program) in Matale", she added.

She said, I am willing to take any responsibility in life. I have self confidence. I do acting as a hobby. In the future I'm planning to conduct a dancing programm that include, all types of dancing and I am also planning to produce a film too.

With a beaming smile all over her face she said, I have sacrificed my life to children. 'I had many tough times in my life but I accept all that with pleasure,' she smiled.

The Sunday Observer extends its wishes to Janaki to continue her artistic career successfully.