Gold medal for Pravishtah

Twenty-four-year-old Pravishtah Gunaratne has won the gold medal for 2006, securing the highest marks at the Bachelor of Hotel Management examination of the P.E.S. Institutions affiliated to the Bangalore University in India.

Pravishtah, a student of St. Paul's Milagiriya, studied languages for her Advanced Level excelling in French, Japanese and Business Studies, while also gaining fluency in Hindi, passing the Prathamika and Madhyama at the Indian Cultural Institute.

An all-rounder in school, she was the leader of the Junior Western Band, capturing the award 'Best Band in the Western Province' in 1997. A Senior Prefect, she also took part in sports such as badminton and swimming.

Once she completed her ALs, while awaiting admission to the Kelaniya University, she won a scholarship from the Indian government to pursue higher studies in hotel management at the P.E.S. Institutions of Hotel Management.

While in Bangalore she was offered a two-month internship at France's Vatel Institute of Hotel Management, where her chosen field of study was wine.

Pravishtah is the only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Nimal Gunaratne of Maharagama.