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 eighty five (385) candidates have been presented for Teacher’s and Performer’s Diploma Examinations from 1993 – 2026. Three hundred and forty nine (349) candidates have obtained Diplomas conducted by prestigious London Colleges. Fourteen (14) obtained their Fellowship Diplomas, sixty four (64) their Licentiate Diplomas and two hundred and seventy one (271) 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 / Association of Language Skills and Dramatic Art Thirty Six (36) candidates have obtained their Diploma – Thirty One (31) candidates have obtained their Licentiate Diplomas and Five (5) 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 six years.
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), MCALSDA (SL) 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. She successfully completed the Associate Diploma of Trinity College in Speech and Drama and 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 of 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. KUMESHA PERERA
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MSTSD (UK), MCALSDA (SL), 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. VIHANYA MENDIS
BCom (Hons) in Business Technology, ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK), MCALSDA (SL)
Vihanya is a graduate from the University of Kelaniya, with a degree in Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in Business Technology. Having joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of five, 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
BSc (Hons) Psychology, ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Sp/Dr-TD), MSTSD (UK), MCALSDA (SL)
Ronali is a graduate of the University of London, having completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In addition to her academics, she has also 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. UVINI SIRISENA
ACIM (UK), ANEA (Sp/Dr), ATCL (Musical Theatre), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MCALSDA (SL)
Uvini Sirisena began her journey at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of six, where she went on to complete all Grade Examinations of Trinity College London in Speech and Drama. She further advanced her training by obtaining the Associate Diploma from the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama, as well as the Licentiate Diploma from the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. In addition, she holds the Associate Diploma in Musical Theatre from Trinity College London. Uvini has also completed a Diploma at the Chartered Institute of Marketing,Sri Lanka. With a deep passion for singing, she has trained with Mary Anne David Singers and the Soul Sounds Academy. She is also a member of the award-winning all-female ensemble Soul Sounds. She currently serves as a part-time singing teacher at the Soul Sounds Academy. She has proudly represented Sri Lanka at international events including the Asia Pacific Choir Games held in Colombo, as well as the World Choir Games 2017 in South Africa and the World Choir Games 2024 in New Zealand. Uvini completed her schooling at Bishop’s College, where she actively participated in drama productions and singing competitions. She continues to pursue her passion for the performing arts and finds great joy in teaching. On weekends, she dedicates her time to nurturing young talent at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy, sharing her knowledge of speech, drama and music with enthusiasm and commitment.
MS. SIYARA WICKREMA
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MSTSD (UK), MCALSDA (SL)
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
ANEA (Sp/Dr), ACALSDA (Sp/Dr-Recital), LCALSDA (Pub Sp), MCALSDA (SL)
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. 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. With a deep passion for teaching Speech and Drama and a genuine love for working with children, she finds great joy in nurturing her students’ confidence, performing skills, creativity and communication skills. Danuji is currently pursuing the CIM (UK) qualification, further expanding her knowledge in the field of marketing. Her work at the Academy brings her immense joy and fulfilment, and she aims to continue building a career in teaching alongside her other professional pursuits.
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. Having completed her Attorney-at-Law examinations, she is currently engaged as a legal apprentice. 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. KEMINDI ALGEWATTE
ANEA (Sp/Dr), ACALSDA (Sp/Dr-Recital), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MCALSDA (SL)
Kemindi is a former student of Musaeus College. She has completed Grade examinations of the Trinity College of London and the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama. She was a Prize Winner in both the Grade 8 examination and the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama. She has successfully completed the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Association of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. She has demonstrated a sustained interest in theatre from an early age, having received provincial awards in recitation and participated in The Light of Asia contests and the final round of the All Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition representing her school. Kemindi served as an Executive Committee Member of her school Science Society, where she contributed to the organisation of Science Day exhibitions and related activities. She also has a deep passion for music and has completed Grade examinations of the Trinity College London in piano. She is currently pursuing the CIMA Accountancy qualification while awaiting undergraduate admission in the Biological Sciences stream. She is at present actively involved in teaching at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy.
MS. NETHULI SURIARACHCHI
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MCALSDA (SL)
Nethuli joined the Varuni Jayasekara Academy at the age of five and successfully completed all the Grade Examinations and subsequently obtained the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama and the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Association of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. She has also obtained a Diploma in Information Technology from ESOFT Metro Campus and is currently pursuing her studies in ACCA at the PPIM Institute. Nethuli completed her schooling at Visakha Vidyalaya and during her school years, she actively participated in English Day competitions, demonstrating her strong interest and skills in language, speech, and performance. She has demonstrated strong leadership and sporting ability throughout her school career. She served as the Overall Badminton Captain, and in addition actively engaged in sports such as swimming and athletics. She was also a Junior Prefect, Senior Prefect, as well as a House Captain. Nethuli enjoys working with children and finds great joy in teaching at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy, where she is dedicated to inspiring young students and helping them develop confidence in speech and performance.
MS. SAFAA ABDEEN
ANEA (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Public Speaking), MCALSDA (SL)
Safaa is currently reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Hons) in Teaching English as a Second Language at the University of Sri Jayawardanapura – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She completed Grade examinations and obtained the Associate Diploma of the New Era Academy of London in Speech and Drama. She has also completed the Licentiate Diploma of the Colombo Association of Language Skills and Dramatic Art in Public Speaking. She has a deep appreciation for art in all its forms, with a special passion for creativity and graphic designing. A former student of Muslim Ladies College, she was very active in the English literary union, representing the school in various competitions. Passionate about teaching, she spends her weekends at the Varuni Jayasekara Academy, sharing her knowledge and helping young children develop their skills and confidence.