I think it was spelled 'Leela' and did you know the character on Futurama was named in her honor?
I think the first Romana was the best companion for Tom Baker's Doctor. She was another Timelord, and therefore much more competent than almost any other of The Doctor's companions. Most of them would constantly get lost not knowing what to do. The screamers & panicers were frankly annoying (although they were mainly companions of other Doctors). Not only did Romana actually know what to do most of the time, but she would poke fun at him, too. The 'second' Romana (The Honorable Lalla Ward, who is now married to scientist/author Richard Dawkins, btw...) was supposedly the same person but was written rather differently. I prefer Mary Tamm as Romana.