A laugh-filled 2nd happy b’day
If there is one thing that the members of Laughing Waters have been able to retain over the year that went by, it is their ability to break into laughter – something that they made quite obvious during the recent anniversary celebrations of the Laughing Waters Colombo branch.
Members pose for a group photograph and top President Siromi Unamboowe Udurawana cuts the birthday cake. Pix by Amila Gamage
A society that draws housewives, retired ladies and even work colleagues together to spend some time with one another and enjoy a good laugh, Laughing Waters Colombo held their second anniversary celebrations at The Ocean hotel in Colombo last week.
The event began with the singing of the national anthem and subsequent lighting of the oil lamp by the Chief Guest Mrs. Angela Kadirgamar. The day’s programme commenced with the customary laugh of the club members and proceeded on to interesting segments which they enthusiastically joined in.
Founder Member and President of Laughing Waters Colombo Branch, Siromi Unamboowe Udurawana who addressed the gathering, recalled the beginning of their parent club in Mawilmada, Kandy in 2000, on the occasion of her birthday, referring it to as a journey full of great memories of fun activities that never fade.
The energetic group that they are, the club members joined in enthusiastically in a series of fun activities – a competition to select the loudest laugh, club member Lyle Unamboowe’s performance of ‘Santa Lucia’, a pep talk by Minoli de Almeida who explained how laughter can be the best medicine for stress, dancing competitions and other such fun activities. For the best dressed competition – judges made their choices amongst the ladies in shades of blue and green- the event’s theme colour. There was also a ‘Laughing Waters Queen’ and the runners-up who readily accepted the challenges thrown at them to do a catwalk and a dance in front of the audience.
The Laughing Waters society has monthly meetings when they take time off from their routine to get together at members’ homes to enjoy fellowship and laughter. Their monthly session apart, they go on three or four excursions a year and take on charity work as well.
The Laughing Waters Colombo branch has around 35 members while their parent body in Kandy headed by Sashi Stephens has about 40 members.