THE BALLET SCHOOL OF COLOMBO
Sri Lanka’s First PBT-Certified Ballerina, Anitra Gunaratne, Emerges from The Ballet School of Colombo (TBSC)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — In a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan dance education, Anitra Gunaratne has become the first ballerina in the country to earn Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Certification and the first Sri Lakan to be listed on the PBT website. At just 21 years old, Anitra; an instructor at The Ballet School of Colombo (TBSC) now holds an internationally recognized credential in a revolutionary conditioning method designed to improve technique, strength, and flexibility for dancers.
PBT enhances technical development while prioritizing health and promoting longevity. It is widely adopted by ballet teachers, yoga and Pilates instructors, sports physiotherapists, and both professional and non-professional dancers aged 17 and above. Beyond refining ballet technique, PBT is increasingly used in injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Anitra’s ballet journey began at age three at the Oosha Garten School of Ballet, under the guidance of the late Kalasuri Oosha Saravanamuttu. She later joined TBSC, which has served since 2020 as Sri Lanka’s sole affiliate of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD). Today, Anitra teaches full-time at TBSC, leading classes from Pre-Primary to Adult Intermediate levels.
Anitra aims to introduce PBT at TBSC to create a pathway for future generations of dancers—exposing them to a training curriculum aligned with global standards. She believes this will be a vital step in creating opportunities for young artists to refine their talents and pursue their passion beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.
Currently, Anitra is pursuing her Teachers’ Diploma in Classical Ballet offered by CSTD and is actively involved in TBSC’s Teacher Training Program.
Founded in 1964 by Kalasuri Oosha Saravanamuttu and rebranded in 2016, The Ballet School of Colombo continues to nurture Sri Lanka’s artistic talent, offering world-class instruction and inspiring the next generation of dancers providing enchanting ballet classes for all ages, blending the magic of movement with the joy of self-expression.
