SONGS OF BRITAIN
Westminster House was the venue for the evening of ‘Songs of Britain’, an annual event of The Association of British Residents for which UK High Commissioner James Dauris and Helen
generously lend their home and host the event. The soloist was Harin Amirthanathan, the
pianist Johann Peiris and on the flute was young
Tilanka Jayamanne, All three are perfectionists with exceptional talent who get better with each peformance and gave the audience a evening of unforgettable music. Tilanka’s proud parents Nihal and Rohini
Jayamanne sat in the front row while his girlfriend
Lydia, glowed with pride too. It was a good repertoire of music, taking us through a medley of religious songs, some delightful
Sri lankan songs of yore, and songs of wartime Britain “A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’,’ A lover and his lass’, ‘We’ll gather Lilacs’. It was a well organised evening by Averil Nathanielsz, energetic President of ABR and secy
Gillian Mailer. I sat next to Paul Van Driessche, British Consul in the Maldives, who showed that chivalry still existsin insisting on escorting us to my car through heavy rain. Music maestros Mano
Chanmugam and Neomal de Alwis, Chitrani Buell. her daughter Shalini, Raj and Sharon Rajendra, Rohan and Subashini
Victoria, Premila Paulraj were among those present. The proceeds were for three Charities including the Cheshire Home in
Mt Lavinia.