This week on Amazing Kids, we would like to introduce you to five special ballerinas, these ballet students are studying under the guidance of their teacher Moshika Jayathunge from the Moshika Ballet Academy in Galle and Matara.
The students of the Moshika Ballet Academy participated in the Australian Guild Exam, Sri Lanka competition in 2024 and won gold and platinum awards. They also participated in the BMICH international dancing festival on May 1, 2025.
Let’s meet the five ballerinas and hear what they have to say about their love of ballet and what inspired them to pursue this form of dance.
Suhadi Lavanya Thilakarathne is a grade 6 student studying at the at Model Primary School in Matara.
“When I was in pre—school my mother enrolled me in ballet classes, because of my interest and ability in dancing” says Suhadi. She has also participated in the Australian Guild Exam, Sri Lanka competition twice.
She too hopes to perform at international level ballet competitions in the future and also aspires to become a dancing teacher in the future.
Benadi Jihansa Rathnayake Weerakoon is a grade 7 student studying at Sujatha College, Matara. When she was a child, she saw a ballet concert on TV and became interested in learning ballet. “I have participated in many ballet competitions and festivals and have won awards. One day I hope to conquer the international stage as a famous ballerina, I also have hopes of becoming a ballet teacher in the future” said Benadi.
Vihana Vichali Weththasinghe is a grade 5 student studying at Sujatha College, Matara. She has studied ballet since she was three and a half years old, and in addition, she also studies Western Music and Kandyan dancing. “I have passed level one in Russian ballet exams says Vihana, studying ballet also helps me to do aerobics, which is a fun hobby I do in my past-time.” Vihana hopes to become a doctor in the future and is also working on furthering her career in ballet.
Nithini Sasandhi Guruge is a grade 8 student studying at Sujatha College, Matara. What interested Nithini was a ballet show she saw on YouTube, mesmerised by the beauty and the grace of the ballerinas, Nithini joined teacher, Moshika Jayathunge’s ballet class.
“I have participated in many ballet competitions and concerts and I have won many awards and completed primary level ballet exams” says Nithini. She too would like to become an internationally renowned ballerina one day but she also has high hopes of becoming a doctor one day as well.Nithini is also a accomplished badminton player and is ranked No 1 at the under 15 island wide category.
Suheli Manamperi is a grade 10 student at Sujatha College, Matara. She has been studying ballet since she was eight years old. She has participated in ballet competitions and received high marks and awards. She hopes to continue pursuing ballet and also has dreams of becoming an architect in the future.
These talented young ballerinas will get together to perform a concert on May 17, 2025 at the Sanasa Auditorium in Matara. We at the Kids Chronicle wish our young performers all the very best in all their hopes and dreams. And any one of you who lives close by can try to catch our young friends in action and let us know what you think!
