PRINCIPAL – MS. VARUNI JAYASEKARA
Ms. Varuni Jayasekara has forty five 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 have participated 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 Three Hundred and Seventy Three (373) candidates for Teacher’s and Performer’s Diploma Examinations from 1993 – 2024. Three hundred and forty five (345) candidates have obtained Diplomas conducted by prestigious London Colleges under her training and guidance. Fourteen (14) obtained their Fellowship Diplomas, sixty four (64) their Licentiate Diplomas and two hundred and sixty seven (267) 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. From the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art Twenty Five (25) candidates have obtained their Licentiate Diplomas and Three (3) have obtained Associate Diplomas 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 five 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 – 2025
| 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), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK), Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Suhashi is an Attorney-at-Law who passed out as a lawyer in 2002. Having completed the Grade examinations of the Trinity College of London in Speech and Drama, her passion for teaching developed towards the end of her teens and she successfully completed the Associate Diploma of Trinity College in Speech and Drama. She has also obtained the Licentiate Teacher’s Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Speech and Drama. She has over twenty four years experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama, Spoken and Written English, Public Speaking and allied subjects. Her great love for children drove her into diversifying her skills and she obtained a diploma in Pre-School teaching as well. Her constant involvement in the sphere of teaching has created a great love for Drama and Speech. Suhashi is a Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (UK). 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 six 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 Soul Sounds. She is a part time singing teacher at the Soul Sounds Academy. She has represented Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific Choir Games held in Colombo, as well as at the World Choir Games held in South Africa in 2017 and in New Zealand in 2024. 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. HESARA WIJAYANAMA
CertHE (in Common law), LLB (University of London), ANEA (Sp/Dr)
Hesara is a Bachelor of Laws of the University of London. She is currently sitting for her examinations to qualify as an Attorney at Law. She has successfully completed the Grade examinations in Speech and Drama as well as the Associate Diploma 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 held the position of Deputy Editor in Chief of the Royal Institute Colombo Law Journal. To her, teaching at the Academy is undoubtedly a rewarding experience.
MS. KUMESHA PERERA
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK), FCHRM (Foundation), ACHRM (Advanced), DPHRM (Diploma)
Kumesha joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of four and completed the Trinity College London Grade Examinations in Speech and Drama. She then obtained the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London. She has also successfully completed the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking as well as its Licentiate Teacher’s Diploma in Speech and Drama. She is a Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (UK).
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.
MS. JANUKI JAYAKODY
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK)
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 New Era 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 has also completed the Licentiate Teacher’s Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Speech and Drama. Januki is a Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (UK). 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), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK)
Vihanya is an undergraduate from the University of Kelaniya reading for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in Business Technology. 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 of London in Speech and Drama in 2018. She has also completed the Licentiate Teacher’s Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Speech and Drama. Vihanya is a Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (UK). She 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 Varuni Jayasekara Academy as she loves working with children.
MS. RONALI FONSEKA
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK)
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. She has also completed the Licentiate Teacher’s Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Speech and Drama. Ronali is a Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (UK). 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. SIYARA WICKREMA
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MSTSD (UK)
Siyara successfully completed 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 is currently pursuing her Chartered Accountancy qualification at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) while completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Colombo School of Computing. She enjoys art in all its forms and is a trained Latin and Ballroom dancer, having completed the World Dance Council Bronze level examination with commended remarks. A former student of Musaeus College, she was very active in the school swimming team, representing the school in various competitions, and also served as a committee member of the Young Inventors Club. Passionate about teaching, she spends her weekends at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy, sharing her knowledge and helping young children develop their skills and confidence.
MS. DANUJI PERERA
ACALSDA (Sp/Dr-Recital)
Danuji joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of five and successfully completed Grade examinations of the Trinity College of London in Speech and Drama. She was educated at St. Bridget’s Convent and completed her London Advanced Levels. With a deep passion for teaching and a genuine love for working with children, she finds great joy in nurturing her students’ confidence, creativity, and communication skills. During her school years, she was actively involved in co-curricular activities as a member of the Legion of Mary and the Interact Club where she served as Assistant Finance Directress. She was also a side drummer in the Western Band. In addition to her teaching, Danuji is currently pursuing the ACCA qualification, further expanding her knowledge in the field of accounting and finance. She is currently preparing for a London Diploma examination in Speech and Drama. Her work at the Academy gives her great joy and satisfaction as she plans to pursue her career in teaching in addition to her other work.
MS. MOKSHAVI GUNASEKERA
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking)
Mokshavi joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy as a student at the age of six, and obtained the Associate Diploma 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. In addition she obtained the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. 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.