The leadership training workshop Voice of Visakha, of the Student Parliament of Visakha Vidyalaya was held on the 2nd and 3rd of April 2017 at the Camellia Resort and Spa, Habarana. The two day programme intended to develop leadership traits such as confidence, commitment, enthusiasm, authentic communication skills and positive attitude among the young parliamentarians. 

Voice of Visakha workshops has always kept excitement at its peaks making different moves each term. The enthusiasm was real, as the diplomatic Visakhians commenced the journey from school much early before cockcrow. Reaching the spectacular Camellia Resort at about 9.30am, the damsels were welcomed by a gourmet Amberella drink soothing the travel fatigue. The day till lunch was spent engaging in various leadership development activities filled with entertainment and knowledge. After been served with a piquant luscious lunch of regional and international cuisine, the activities were continued till sundown.  

The final educational stage of the day one, was followed by several presentations on leadership performed by the students at the resort Conference Room. The interesting session not only developed the knowledge on leadership, but was also a practical session to develop effective demonstration & communication skills of the students eradicating stage fears. The conclusion of presentations at about 9.30pm marked the commencement of the relaxation phase of a long day. The scrumptious dinner served by the resort succeeded in washing away the tiresomeness of the diligent Visakha parliamentarians. After an appetizing dinner, the resort presented the crew with an astonishing magic show. The magician left the audience much wowed and shocked. Entertainment is never acquired to its zenith, without a bit of music to dance to. The ardent dance moves of the Visakhians lit the dance floor to the DJ music rocking the resort till midnight.  

The second day of the enliven workshop, kicked off with an early morning hike around the resort and the nearby village. The Habarana locality was enriched with lush greenery and alluring sceneries to experience. The girls were able to spot about 15 to 20 glamorous peacocks joyously enjoying the morning drizzle. After receiving blessing of the village temple, the young diplomats headed back to the resort to start up the final day’s training.

Various leadership training activities went on throughout the day molding the young parliamentarians into responsible well disciplined administrators. This event had a very significant as well as emotional importance. As 13 senior members including two members from the founding batch, were to resign from the Student Parliament of Visakha Vidyalaya with the conclusion of this workshop. By the latter part of the workshop, juniors offered tokens of gratitude for the retiring parliamentarians for their outstanding service. The workshop wind-up with a swimming pool activity session cooling down from the heated atmosphere.

The scholars left the resort by eve, thanking the Camellia Resort and Spa, Habarana for their outstanding hospitality and high quality service. ‘Voice of Visakha’ successfully concluded creating the next generation of Sri Lanka’s democratic governance, the voice of the future.

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