Sisi Arundathee

Blending eastern and western tradition:

Nilma Dole

A brilliant cultural show with extravagance and culture resonated through the Nawarangahala Hall at Royal College premises recently. The Applied Science students from Sri Jayawardenapura university including former students and lecturers all participated in this glittering event called Sisi Arundathee which was held for the 10th consecutive year.

The chief guest of the ceremony was Prof. Gamini Samaranayake who is the chairman of the University Grants Commission and the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science, Prof. Ajit Abeysekera and the Vice Chancellor Dr. N .L. A. Karunaratne all graced the occasion.

Speaking to the Daily News, Bhagya Batugedara the Secretary of the Students Council of the Applied Science said, “This show that took place this year coincided with the 50th anniversary of Sri Jayawardenapura university where we had a segment to acknowledge our lecturers who have taught our faculty for over 30 years with special merit awards”.

Despite the problems that have been taking place in the university, the organizing committee have overcome many odds and got their student body together to make this show a reality. Danushka Sampath Edirisinghe was the Chief Organizer of the event and he said that it has been dedication and hard work that culminated in the success of the show. “I am happy that we somehow managed to brave the storm to hold the Sisi Arundathee show” he said.

The President of the Students’ Council Kasun Chandana Kumara said, “Our scientists and those who have passed from the Applied Sciences faculty are not only bookworms and scientific-minded people but they also hidden talents so we gave the support for everyone to join and tap their potential”.

They said that it also gave the students a big morale boost and it make them see the light at the end of the tunnel knowing that fighting and protesting won’t get you anywhere.

“In fact, it helped some people work on their talents better by managing their time and energy into studying and rehearsing for the show which made them mentally and physically balanced,” said the Student Council President.

The media Organizer of the show, Janani Amarasekera said, “The show encompasses three aspects which is a medley of classical, modern and a mixed assortment of dances to blend eastern and western tradition together making it interesting and exciting”. The show took about two to three months to rehearse and many of those who participated had a reunion of their former comrades by singing together in unison.

“With the success of the Sisi Arundathee cultural show we can now say that our students are working and joining hands together to mark a new beginning where there is no negative attitude, ragging, fighting, protesting or any forms of abuse to our seniors as we are committed to a safe and secure education at Sri Jayawardenapura” concluded the Student Council President Kasun Chandana Kumar.