The Wendy Whatmore Academy of Speech & Drama (WWA) is Sri Lanka's pioneering institution for English elocution, speech, and communication skills. It was founded in 1940 by legendary educator Wendy Whatmore. Today it has grown into a prestigious nationwide network.
I had the distinct honor of participating in the Wendy Whatmore Academy for elocution; my teacher was Miss Joys Weerakoon, who currently resides in Australia. My journey at the academy began when I was around 10 or 11 years old, and the fond memories of both the institution and my instructor remain vivid in my mind.
Miss Weerakoon imparted invaluable lessons on proper pronunciation and the art of reciting poetry in public, effectively helping us to overcome any fears associated with performing in front of an audience. The experience was profoundly enriching, and I cherish the recollections of the various poems she introduced to us, particularly "Roly Poly Pudding" and "Blackberry Pie," Additionally, I have a clear recollection of the book "Radiant Way," from which several lines have become ingrained in my memory, notably the phrase, "Sing, Mother, sing. Can Mother sing? Mother can sing. Pat can sing. Pat, sing to Mother. "......
As a young child, I was also introduced to the music of Simon and Garfunkel through Miss Weerakoon, who frequently played their iconic songs such as "The Sound of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
One particular incident stands out in my memory: our class, which consisted of 8 to 10 students, started at 4 PM at Miss Weerakoon's home, where she conducted lessons at her dining room table. On one occasion, I arrived early, around 3:15 PM, and she opened the door and made me sit in the living room while Miss Weerakoon baked a cake in the kitchen.
After a while, she called me from the kitchen and asked, " Ruwan, what is the time now? This sudden question made me puzzled. I found myself in a predicament, as I did not yet have the ability to read the time. There was a large Elam clock on the wall, which featured symbols instead of numbers. In an attempt to avoid embarrassment, I hastily replied that it was 4 PM. Miss Weerakoon promptly emerged from the kitchen and began the lesson, only to later realize that I had provided an incorrect answer, resulting in the class starting 15 minutes earlier than intended. But she did not say anything and ended the class on time.
Years later, while I was working at the Kalubowila Colombo South Teaching Hospital, I unexpectedly encountered my former elocution teacher, Miss Joys Weerakoon, in a clothing store. To my delight, she recognized me immediately, and our meeting turned out to be a heartwarming surprise.
We are so blessed to have educators like Miss Weerakoon in our lives, as they not only impart knowledge but also instill confidence and introduce us to elements of Western civilization. It is indeed unfortunate that many of these refined people have chosen to leave Sri Lanka and migrate to the West.
At the age of five, my son became a student at the Wendy Whatmore Academy of Speech & Drama, marking a significant milestone as he represented the second generation of learners to engage with the esteemed institution.
Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge
