High Tea and Champagne

Some of the best dressed set in town gathered at the Colombo Hilton to celebrate Harshini Nadesan Struys birthday. It was a joyous occasion with the women enjoying themselves and tucking into the variety of food that ranged from waffles and savouries with wine and champagne besides tea and coffee. A cake was cut a la tradition with the birthday song rendered by the all female choir, except for husband Dave, Koluu Ranawaka and Manoj.
The range of Harshini’s friends was from many walks of life among them many from the media including Preethiva Dharmadasa, the Editor of the In Vogue magazine, the Editor of Hi, Shyamalee Tudawe, besides Zanita Careem and Kamini Mukundan. As wide was the range of styles the women wore among whom were a galaxy of old friends including Malinee Bodinagoda, Swarna Ameratunge, Ilica Karunaratne, Ruki Maharaja, Vijes Nagendran and Harishini’s mother Subodhra, sister Sharmini Arulnathan and cousin Subhashini Loganathan. Making a comeback after a disastrous accident was Zarina Raheem, and among the others were Sriyani Samarasinghe, Chamari Jayaratne in black and ecru, Gowri de Silva glamorous as always in an empire waisted aquamarine dress, black and white was the choice of both Reshma Hundlani and Sarah, while Mesina Lukmanjee wore a mustard gold salwar kameez with a blue dupatta.
An all black outfit was foil for the unusual necklace Ruki Mahoraja wore, with Lankanganie Edirisinghe in a lavender chiffon high waisted dress, the halter top draped over a black bustier was tres chic. Always in style that is unmistakable for its elegance was the outfit Ramani Fernando wore. The salwar kameez in pink patterned in white daisies was Sheranee Sellamuttu’s choice. Saree was the choice of several of the others with Harshini setting the pace in a beautiful chillie red saree embroidered in thread and tiny oxidised gold sequins, which also made broad borders on it. Mother Subadra had her charcoal saree printed in amber, and Anne Jayamaha too relief on a print for her saree. Softly pastel and gentle was the pale peach saree Anusha David wore, while a striking green silk was the choice was Lakshmi Puimanasinghe.
Citrus green verging on yellow made Vijes Nagendran’s. There were many more clothes of distinction which was certainly a compliment to the birthday girl, which also enhanced the ambience of the event.