Alumni Spotlight - Sadeepa Sandaruwan

Meet Sadeepa Sandaruwan, a 2020 Study NT Student Ambassador and an accomplished Sri Lankan dancer, who established the Lankan Dance Academy NT over 5 years ago.

With a wealth of experience spanning over 10 years, Sadeepa envisioned and established the academy with the primary objective of imparting the rich traditions of Sri Lankan Kandyan dancing to the youth of the Northern Territory. Being a fully fledged Traditional Sri Lankan dancer, Sadeepa has performed at numerous competitions and events across the globe in many countries such as Malaysia, France, Germany, India, Russia, and Australia.

Earlier this year, the academy celebrated their 5th Anniversary with a grand Dance Extravaganza, Thaanama, at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.

From its humble beginnings with just four students, the Lankan Dance Academy (LDA) has flourished and currently boasts an enrolment of over 50 enthusiastic learners. The academy takes pride in actively participating in various Northern Territory events, volunteering their performances to contribute to the cultural mosaic of the region. Notable appearances include Australia Day, Harmony Day, India at Mindil, Kindness Festival by Kindness Shake, and many more.

Beyond these local festivities, LDA enthusiastically engages in Sri Lankan events and activities hosted by the International Buddhist Centre, showcasing the beauty and grace of Kandyan dance. Notably, LDA has taken the initiative to organise two major events in the past three years. The Silambu Ceremony in December 2021 and the Sri Lankan Dancing Extravaganza – Kankariya’22 in November 2022 were ground-breaking occasions, offering a platform for local talent and making history as the first of their kind in the Northern Territory.

As Sadeepa spoke to us about this milestone, he said, "Being a Study NT Student Ambassador in 2020 played a significant role in my journey. The experience not only helped me grow personally and professionally but also contributed to the achievements I’m celebrating today. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and encouragement from Study NT".

We are all really proud of Sadeepa's achievements and the wonderful contributions he's making in our community.