Joan Sutherland Theatre in Penrith was packed with music lovers last Saturday evening to participate in STAR LANKA Extravaganza. Some were the contestants of the amateur Sinhala Singing Contest. The others were guest artists of vocals, dancing & comedy apart from the large gathering of spectators.

This event was the first in NSW of such a talent quest organised within the Sri Lankan Community for amateur Sinhala vocalists. It was presented by SCATS NSW in order to encourage and introduce the hidden talents to the public music arena. There were 18 contestants selected to sing in both, Junior and Senior competitions.

The Judges of the competition were Mrs. Priyani Ganewatte, Dr. Gamini Goonathilake & Mr. Sarangan Ranganathan who were professionals in the oriental music field in NSW. They carried out their task undoubtedly in the most professional manner to pick up the best of the best 3 singers in each category.

It is obvious that the judges would have had a tough time to determine the winners, because the competition was so tough in the eyes of the audience.

The winners and the prizes they received were as follows-

Senior Competition-

•  The winner - Malith Gunarathne - $ 500- (Presented by Mr. Nissanka Dassanayaka of Kalu Tea)

•  1st runner up - Deepa Gangoda - $ 250- (Presented by Mr. Janaka Rambukwella of Transco)

•  2nd runner up - Chamalee Jesmin - $ 150- (Presented by Mrs. Surathi Sapperdeen representing Photonix)

Junior Competition-

•  The Winner - Tharushi Kaluarachchi - $ 250- (Presented by Dr. S. Fernando of Quakers Hill Family Practice)

•  1st runner up - Loshitha Hiruni - $ 150- (Presented by Mr. Sam Trek of Trek Food Islands )

•  2nd runner up - Cassandra Abeynaike - & 100- (Presented by Mr. Nande Kalupahana of Western Pitstop )

All competitors received a gift voucher each from Gloria Jeans, Parramatta, and all attendees to the event received a pack of Kalu Tea & a pack of Karapincha Herbal Tea each to carry home as a gift.

In addition there were entertainments by the veteran Sinhala singers of NSW, spectacular dances including Bollywood, and by a few comedy acts of popular comedians. The Compeer of the event was Nishantha Jayakody. Both the competition & the evening of entertainments were coordinated by popular vocalist Bonny Fernando.

Highlights of the event are in the photo album by Eranda Kumarapperuma
Click here to view