Collecting pebbles
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
Learning is a never ending process. Each
passing minute there is an ocean of knowledge to be absorbed. Even a
genius like Sir Isaac Newton, after a life of tireless research, once
commented “I have collected only pebbles on the shore of the ocean of
knowledge.”
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School plays a pivotal role in nurturing young minds. Friend’s
companionship and teacher’s guidance helps mould futures. It is an
arduous journey for there are pitfalls and competition along the way.
The roots of education maybe bitter but the fruit is sweet indeed.
W A Madhuri Yasodha Withanage tasted success when she invested her
knowledge at the GCE Ordinary Level Examination held in December 2010.
She was placed all-island first. Besides Madhuri, Visakha Vidyalaya,
Colombo, produced 128 students who have scored 9 As. A high percentage
of girls who had achieved eight As and one B had also been generated
from the school.
“We got a lot of backing from the school. Our principal Sandamali
Aviruppola advised and guided us. She made sure that the syllabus was
covered and that revision was conducted properly,” said Madhuri.
According to her term tests were held according to schedule. Seminars
were organized to upgrade knowledge. “She cooperated with the grade
heads Amara Basnayake and Damayanthi Rajapaksa and discussed the best
means of preparing us to face the exams. She even checked our report
cards and noted our weak points,” Madhuri explained.
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Learning is a never ending process. Each
passing minute there is an ocean of knowledge to be absorbed. Even a
genius like Sir Isaac Newton, after a life of tireless research, once
commented “I have collected only pebbles on the shore of the ocean of
knowledge.” |
Hailing from Gampaha, Madhuri entered Visakha after obtaining the
highest marks at the grade five scholarship examination in 2004. Her
parents are H S Priyantha Withanage, a Highway and Bridges Consultant
Engineer, and J P Dammika Jayaweera. She began her studies at Gampaha
Sama Vihara before beginning her primary education at Yashodara Devi
Balika Vidyalaya, Gampa
ha. “I did English Literature and Commerce apart from my main
subjects. I went to tuition classes for both subjects as well as
English, science and mathematics. Those lessons also helped, but the
credit should go to my school. My teachers P Indrani and Chandrakanthi
Basnayake helped me in many ways,” she said.
Queried about her timetable Madhuri said that she did not allocate a
special schedule to engage in studies. She made sure that she did not
postpone what must be done. Since work did not pile up she was able to
revise with a free mind.
“English literature was somewhat difficult because it is hard to
predict what kind of questions will be in the paper. However I knew that
I would pass the examination once I have summed up writing for all the
papers. I did not expect to top the grades in the whole country. That
was a pleasant surprise,” she added, her face lighting up with a smile.
Another interesting aspect about Madhuri is that she is also a
talented sitarist. She had performed at musical shows like the Miyasi
Visakha in 2009 and had bagged the All Island Solo title in 2008. She
had excelled in music under Thusara Samarasooriya and Nirmala Kumari.
A skilled badminton player she had played for school tournaments and
represents the Gampaha District Badminton Association. She has a younger
brother studying at Royal College, Colombo, who is into playing
badminton and the guitar.
She aims to follow the biology stream to follow her childhood dream
of becoming a doctor. |
