* Nadeera Jayasekara swims to victory in Women’s 800m event

Weerasooriya House emerged champions, with 363 points, at Visakha Vidyalaya’s annual Inter House Swimming Meet held at the School’s Swimming Complex recently. Dawes House (346 points) and Dias House (324 points) were adjudged second and third respectively.

Chief Guest on the occasion was Miss. Asangi Wijesundere, a Champion Swimmer and former Visakha Water Polo Captain. Also present was the Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola and several other distinguished invitees.

Around 200 Visakhians, representing the Motwani, Dawes, Jayatilleke, Weerasuriya, Dias, Pulimood Houses competed against each other in several individual events and in relays in five age groups.

Nadeera Jayasekara of Dawes House emerged overall winner in the Women’s 800 metres event while Hashini Mathew of Pulimood House and Shivani Gunawardane of Motwani House came second and third respectively.

Adding colour to the Meet were the many fun events organised for the younger swimmers while several invited schools such as Methodist College, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Lyceum and Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya also took part. A highlight of the evening was a beautiful performance by the Visakha Vidyalaya Synchronised Ballet Team to the music of Michael Jackson.

The Visakhian swimmers are guided by Teacher-in-Charge Mrs. Jayani Jayaweera and trained by Coach Nishantha de Costa.

A leading national girls’ school in Sri Lanka with a student population of 4500, Visakha Vidyalaya has excelled in the field of swimming at all meets conducted by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) during 2009. While winning the Championship Trophy at the Novices Meet and the National Schools Championships, Visakha’s swimmers secured positions among the top three in all other meets during 2009.

Photo caption: Weerasooriya House Deputy House Captain Pabasara Gunaratne receives the Trophy from Chief Guest Asangi Wijesundere.