PRINCIPAL – MS. VARUNI JAYASEKARA
Ms. Varuni Jayasekara has forty three years of experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama, Spoken and Written English, Public Speaking and allied subjects. She is the Founder Principal of the VARUNI JAYASEKARA ACADEMY OF SPEECH, DRAMA AND COMMUNICATION. Students are trained for International and Local examinations in – Speech and Drama, Effective Communication, Solo and Choral Verse Speaking, Individual Acting Skills, Acting in Pairs, Spoken and Written English, Public Speaking and other allied subjects.
Students ranging from Initial Grade to Fellowship Diploma Level have been entered over the years for examinations conducted by examining bodies such as the Trinity College of London, The London College of Music and Media, The New Era Academy of London, The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, The Victoria College of London and The Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art. Students participate in Public Stage performances in addition to sitting examinations and this provides the much needed opportunity for students to perform on stage and gain confidence in speaking and performing.
She has presented candidates for Teacher’s and Performer’s Diploma Examinations conducted by prestigious London Colleges and under her training and guidance three hundred and thirty four (334) candidates have obtained their Diplomas from 1993 – 2022. Fourteen (14) obtained their Fellowship Diplomas, sixty four (64) their Licentiate Diplomas and two hundred and fifty six (256) their Associate Diplomas as Teachers or Performers in the fields of Speech and Drama, Acting, Musical Theatre, Effective Communication, Public Speaking, Interview Technique and Presentation Skills. Seventeen (17) candidates have obtained their Licentiate Diplomas from the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in subjects ranging from Speech and Drama to Public Speaking and Presentation Skills and Interview Technique.
She has in addition trained thousands of students for Grade Examinations over a span of forty three years.
The Varuni Jayasekara Academy has established very high standards of achievement, introducing the best of poetry, prose and drama in English to teachers and students, and encourages the development of skills in speaking and performing.
TEACHING STAFF OF THE VARUNI JAYASEKARA ACADEMY – 2023
| Principal | : | Ms. Varuni Jayasekara |
| Administrative Staff | : | Ms. Rita Perera |
| : | Ms. Nelun Ranaweera | |
| Address | : | No: 111/2, Kirula Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka |
MS. SUHASHI PERERA
Attorney-at-Law, ATCL (Sp/Dr), Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Suhashi is an Attorney-at-Law who passed out as a lawyer in 2002 and she also successfully completed the Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama from the Trinity College of London. Having completed the Grade examinations of the Trinity College in Speech and Drama, her passion for teaching developed towards the end of her teens. Suhashi has over twenty years’ experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama, Effective Communication, Spoken English and allied subjects. Her great love for children drove her into diversifying her skills and obtain a diploma in Pre-School teaching as well. She is currently preparing for the Licentiate Teachers’ Diploma in Speech and Drama. Her constant involvement in the sphere of teaching has created a great love for Drama and Speech. She is a part-time teacher at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy of Speech, Drama and Communication.
MS. UVINI SIRISENA
ACIM (UK), ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking)
Uvini joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of 6 and completed all the Grade Examinations of the Trinity College of London in Speech and Drama. She then obtained the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama and the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. She has also completed a Diploma at the Institute of Marketing (CIM), Sri Lanka. Having a great passion for singing she has been training and performing with the Soul Sounds Academy Choir and was also a part of the award winning all female ensemble. She is a part time singing teacher at the Soul Sounds Academy. She has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Pacific choir games which was held in Colombo and at the World Choir Games held in South Africa in the year 2017. By profession she’s an Apparel Merchandiser for an International sourcing company. She completed her studies at Bishop’s College and was an active participant at the school drama productions and singing competitions. During the weekends she looks forward to teaching at the Academy and enjoys spending time with children and sharing her knowledge of drama and speech to the best of her ability.
MS. ASHVINI SILVA
CertHE (in Common law), LLB (University of London), ATCL (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking)
Ashvini is a Bachelor of Laws of the University of London. She was a legal intern for three months and then worked as a Paralegal for one year at John Wilson Partners. She joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy as a student at the age of 3 and having completed all the Grade Examinations in Speech and Drama from the Trinity College of London, obtained the Associate Diploma (ATCL) in 2017. Born with a passion for drama, singing and dancing, she has been training and performing at various Institutes – Classical ballet with ‘Dance Works Centre’, Jazz ballet with ‘Dance World’ and singing with ‘Vocal Essence’ for several years, taking part in various singing competitions and winning places. Having witnessed first-hand the positive impact of language, drama and communication skills on students, Ashvini focuses her work in the Academy on fostering these skills from early childhood onwards.
MS. MELISHA PERERA
ATCL (Pub/Sp), LLCM (Pub/Sp)
Melisha is an undergraduate at the Sri Lankan Institute of Information and Technology, reading for her BSc degree in Psychology awarded by the Liverpool John Moores University of England. She obtained the Associate Diploma (ATCL) in Public Speaking from Trinity College London and proceeded to complete the Licentiate Diploma (LLCM) in Public Speaking from the London College of Music, affiliated to the University of West London. After completing her Advanced Level she began her teaching career as an English teacher at Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya. While at school she was a member of the Debating Team and Gavel Club. She was also a member of the school athletic, swimming and tennis teams, and held the title of school tennis captain. She was awarded the best all-rounder for the year 2018 for her outstanding academic performance along with her extra-curricular activities. She was the All-Island winner in Public Speaking, Bible Reading and Sight Reading at the Sri Lanka Festival for the Performing Arts for five consecutive years. She is very passionate about working with children and assisting them to excel in their language and performing skills.
MS. HESARA WIJAYANAMA
CertHE (in Common law), ANEA (Sp/Dr)
Hesara is a final year undergraduate reading for the LLB from the University of London. She has successfully completed the Grade examinations in Speech and Drama as well as the Associate Diploma (ANEA) from the New Era Academy of London. She completed her studies at St. Bridget’s Convent where she held positions of House Captain and Treasurer of the Interact Club. She currently holds the position of Deputy Editor in Chief of the RIC Law Journal. To her, teaching at the academy is undoubtedly a rewarding experience.
MS. KUMESHA PERERA
FCHRM (Foundation), ACHRM (Advanced), DPHRM (Diploma), ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking)
Kumesha has successfully completed the FCHRM (Foundation Level), the ACHRM (Advanced Level) and DPHRM (Diploma Level) in Human Resources Management and currently pursuing the Chartered qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka. Educated at St. Bridget’s Convent, Kumesha was a member of the drama club while at school and an active participant in the school’s theatre club. She participated in a variety of stage productions and concerts. She was also an active member of the school’s badminton and swimming teams and a Girl Guide. Having joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of 4 she completed the Trinity College London Grade Examinations in Speech and Drama and obtained the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London (ANEA). In addition she has also completed the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. She is currently preparing for the Licentiate Teachers’ Diploma in Speech and Drama.
MS. JANUKI JAYAKODY
ANEA (Sp/Dr)
Januki is an undergraduate at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo reading for her LLB. She completed the Grade Eight Examination of the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama in 2021 and was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Academy – The Ray Cooney Award, which is presented to the student who obtains the highest pass mark in the chosen subject for the year in all the Centres both local and international. She successfully completed the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy the following year. She was a student of Musaeus College where she held the positions of Senior Prefect, President of the English Debating Society and the Vice President of the English Drama Society. She continues to take part in theatre productions as she did during her school years. To her, teaching at the Academy is a delightful experience that yields nothing but happiness. She enjoys working with children and helping them discover their own strengths and talents.
MS. VIHANYA MENDIS
ANEA (Sp/Dr)
Vihanya is an undergraduate from the University of Kelaniya reading for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in Financial Management. Having joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of 5, she went on to complete the Grade Examinations of the Trinity College of London and in addition successfully completed the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy in Speech and Drama (ANEA) in 2018. Vihanya is also a Passed Finalist of AAT Sri Lanka with a Diploma in Accounting and Business and is currently following a course in Chartered Accountancy. She attended Holy Family Convent Colombo 4, and was a school Prefect and House Captain. While at school Vihanya was a member of many clubs and unions including the Senior Choir (Western), and the Interact Club. She has also completed the Grade 5 Practical and Theory Examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. During the weekends she looks forward to teaching at the Academy as she loves working with children.
MS. RONALI FONSEKA
ANEA (Sp/Dr)
Ronali is currently reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of London. She completed the Grade examinations of the Trinity College of London and successfully completed the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama. Over the years she has shown a great interest in the Performing Arts by being an active member of the Drama Society and Primary Choir of St. Bridget’s Convent, a member of the Dance Work Center and Yasho’s School of Ballet. In addition, she has played an active role in the Interact Club of her school by holding the position of club secretary, and later on a position in the Interact District Council of Sri Lanka. As a teacher at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy she obtains great satisfaction by imparting her skills and knowledge to her young pupils.
MS. MOKSHAVI GUNASEKERA
ANEA (Sp/Dr)
Mokshavi joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy as a student at the age of six, and obtained the Associate Diploma (ANEA) in Speech and Drama from the New Era Academy of London, having completed the Grade Examinations in Speech and Drama from the Trinity College of London. She completed her studies at Musaeus College. While at school, she was a member of the school scrabble and tennis teams, and has held positions of leadership such as Scrabble Captain, Junior Prefect and Primary Prefect. She has also taken part and been placed in many English language competitions while at school. She is an avid scrabbler and has taken part in scrabble tournaments in school, national and international levels. She has also been a member of the Anatoly Karpov chess club of the Russian Center. Having had a strong passion for the Performing Arts since a young age, she has also been a member of the school Junior Western band, Senior Brass band and Senior Western choir. She has been a member of the Russian School of Ballet and Dancing. She has also taken part in many school theatrical productions. She is a member of the UNV V-force and is also a member of the Sri Lanka Scrabble League. She’s loves working with children, and helping them to discover and maximize their potential.