wdkkaohANANDAYA 2019 March 2019 ueoska Sivagurunathan Memorial Trophy Cricket Tournament and Panikkar – Thanabalasingham Memorial Shield English Debate yefudau ñ;=re lrf.k f,dj In 2012, Jaffna Hindu College and Ananda The customary, Celebratory Dinner attended by ch.kak hk wfma y;=re College started the Sivagurunathan Memorial students, academic staff, Old Boys and well- Trophy Cricket Tournament. In 2014 the Panikkar wishers was held on Friday 28th September at Y%S ,xld l%slÜ lKavdhfï – Thanabalasingham Memorial Shield English 7.00pm at the JAIC – Hilton. The Chief Guest was mqyqKqlre pkaosl y;=reisxy Debate between the Senior Debating Teams of Hon. Karu Jayasuriya MP, Speaker of the Parliament iu. isÿ l, idlÉPdj msgq the two colleges were institutionalised. This year, of Sri Lanka and the Guest of Hounour was Hon 4 the programme was extended by adding a Chess Ranjith Maddumabandara MP, Minister of Public Competition and a Basketball Match. Administration, Management and Law & Order.
We celebrated a weekend of friendship amongst In conjunction with the Celebratory Dinner, our students of the two schools whilst enjoying and distinguish alumnus Mr. Ranjith Padithage was developing camaraderie amongst the alumni of the conferred an “Honorary Member” of the ACOBA, two Old Boys’ Associations. in recognition of the invaluable services he had rendered for the betterment of our alma mater.
A SUNDOWN CHAT WITH Mr. Deva Rodrigo pg 6
fyd| úkhla we;akï muKhs ld, l,ukdlrKh lrkak mqΩjka fjkafka'
fidµaÜf,dcsla iuQy jHdmdr iNdm;s" wfYdala m;srf.a uy;d msgq iu. is≥≥l, idlÉPdj 14 wdkkaohANANDAYA Olcott Oration 2018
Olcott Oration, one of the most celebrated events l;=jelsh ''' of ACOBA was held on Saturday 3rd November at the Kularathna Auditorium. Commander of the wdkkaoh hkq ,xldfõ we;s m%Odk fn!oaO f.dvke.s,s ixjr®Okhg YsIH;aj ,nd oSu Sri Lanka Army, Lt. Gen Mahesh Senanayake mdi,hs' wdkkaohg we;=,;aj wOHdmkh úfoaY ixpdr i|yd i|yd wkq.%yh ,ndoSu delivered the Oration on the topic “The Indo Pacific: ,nkak we;s ;r.h w;s úYd,h' YsIH;aj iïuka;%K" jevuqÆ ixúOdkh ls¯u" l%Svd The Region of Global Connection”. úNd.fhka iu;aj iy w'fmd'i ^id$fm<& ixjr®Okh i|yd iyh ,nd oSu" fkajdisl iu;aj wE; m%foaYj, isák orejka orejka i|yd úúO wkaofï iyhka ,ndoSu wdkkaofha wOHdmkh ,nkak fmreïmqrñka ta w;˙ka lsysmhla muKs' isà' tmukla fkdj oeä ;r.ld¯;ajhlska Prize Giving 2018 m IT Infrastructure and Communication Sub Committee Samantha Rajapaksa (Chairman), Shashika Ranasinghe (Secretary), Manjula Makolage, Indula Sumithrarachchi, Yasas Abeywickrama, Asanka Deshapriya, Kelum Priya, Kalana Dias, Naleen Jayasuriya, Jeewantha Nadeera, Dinith Karunarathne, Varuna Chandana, Ashan de Zoysa, Roshan Totahewa, Theja Perera, Chamara Divithuragama, Sujeewa Ruwan Fernando, Thilina Pathirana, Minidu Abeysekara, Harindra Dahanayake, Nuwan Chathuranga, Parakum Pathirana, Ajantha Weerasekara, Sanji De Silva, Manoj Dhanushka, Jeewaka Karunaratne, Hiran Wijewardene, Hiran Wickramasinghe, Rajitha De Alwis. Sivagurunathan Memorial Trophy Cricket Tournament and Panikkar – Thanabalasingham Memorial Shield English Debate Highlights... 2 Ananda and Seetha Devi top teams SLSHA Inter-School Under-16 Division ‘A’ Hockey Championship for boys and girls Ananda College Colombo and Seetha Devi Girls’ School Kandy lifted the Boy’s and Girls’ titles respectively at the SLSHA Inter-School Under-16 Division ‘A’ Hockey Championship for boys and girls, concluded at Edward Park in Matale last Tuesday. The Anandians posted a thrilling 1-0 win over fancied St. Aloysius’ College Galle in the boys final which was closely contested. After a scoreless first half, midway in the second session centre forward Gayan Sasmina sealed victory for Ananda when he found a gap in the St. Aloysius defense to give his side victory with a solitary goal of the game. Duminda Perera and Ajith Manjula controlled the final with Indika Jayawardhana officiating as the Third Umpire. On the way to the finals Ananda beat Darmadutha College Badulla 2-1 and St. Aloysius’ Galle outplayed St. Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa 4-3 Boys award winners (from left): Janura Perera (Best Goalkeeper), Kushan Rathnasooriya (Best Player) and on penalties in the respective semi-finals. girls winners (from left): Hesangi Ranmali (Best Goalkeeper) and Ranmini Sanjana (Best Player) CSSL ICT Awards The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) is the This year, CSSL ICT awards recognized • Mr Ahamed Nishadh – Representative from premier organization dedicated to promoting for eight best performers of the year that ICT Agency Sri Lanka and improving professional standards in the includes ICT professionals, ICT Academics, Information and Communication Technology ICT students and a start-up as evident • Mr Prabath Samindra – Vice President of sector since 1976. below. Prof. Samantha Thelijjagoda, student CSSL Counselor/ Executive Council Member of CSSL ICT Awards is an award ceremony • Prof. Samantha Thelijjagoda – Project Chair, CSSL, chaired the project with the guidance CSSL ICT Awards conducted with the view of recognizing and of Yasas V. Abeywickrama, the President of motivating those who have served the ICT Computer Society of Sri Lanka, member of The winner of CSSL ICT Student award –School industry in Sri Lanka. These awards intend to the Old Anandians’ 99 Group. The Conference category was Ashan Hansaka Rathnaweera. encourage, recognize and celebrate excellence Chair was Dr. Parakum Pathirana, who is also Ashan is a student of Ananda College who in ICT practice by rewarding the best and the a member of the Old Anadians’ 99 Group. recently sat for the GCE A/L examination. finest of ICT Professionals. The final selections He received his primary education from H/ were made by a panel of experts from the ICT The judging panel of CSSL ICT awards 2018 Vijayabha National School. He has contributed industry as well as academia. included – as the Vice President of Ananda College ICT ICT Awards 2018 was organized by CSSL for • Mr Shanta Yapa – Past President of Society from year 2016 to 2017. He has won the sixth consecutive year and was held in Federation of IT Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) number of ICT awards including National parallel with the inauguration of its National IT School Software Competition GOLD award Conference 2018 (NITC 2018). His Excellency, • Mr. Geethapriya Tillekaratne – Past 2 times and also he has participated in the President Maithripala Sririsena was the chief Chairman, BCS -Sri Lanka Section International Olympiad in Informatics 2 times. guest. Hon Minister Harin Fernando was Recently he won the silver award of the • Ms Sandra De Zoysa – Member of the board International School Software Competition the guest of honor and 400+ distinguished of Directors-SLASSCOM invitees and ICT professionals participated held in Australia. in the event. The event was held at the main ballroom of Shangri-la Hotel Colombo on the 2nd of October. 3 wdkkaohANANDAYA Tn ;rÛhla mroskafka ;rÛh w;aye˙fhd;a muKhs Y%S ,xld l%slÜ lKavdhfï mqyqKqlre pkaosl y;=reisxy uq,skau Tfí mjqf,a f;dr;=re i|yka udi 06 la we;=,; YsIH kdhlfhla fjkak;a lf,d;a''' mqΩjka Wkd' 1998 ° ;uhs uu újdy Wfka' ìß˙|f.a ku Ysúld' mdi,a wjqre≥ 19 ka my< mq;=ka fofofkla bkakjd' ta l,ka yd phsla' ≥jf. ku irdhd' lKavdfhafï § oelajQ oialï wdj¾ckh lf,d;a''' mdi,a iuld,Skhka ljqo''' mdi,a lKavdhug uu l%Svd lf,a wdrïNl iuka; rdcmlaI" lksIal fyhshka;=vqj" m%idoa ms;slrefjla ú†hg' Bg wu;rj wdrïNl mrKudkf.a" ;=Idr chr;ak" jcsr o is,ajd" ,,s;a mka≥ hjkafkla f,i mka≥ hejqjd' uu ys;kafka isis,ska y;=reisxy uEKshkag yd óf.dv" ,,skaø chudkak" fyÜá.u" fl!Id,a l%Svlfhl=g tfyu wjia:d ,efnkafka b;d is˙fidau y;=reisxy mshdKkag neoafoa.u ug u;lafjkjd' ,Û° mej;s 87 wvqfjka' lKavdhfï ñ;=rkag jir 50 ms¯fï iqyo yuqj odj 1968 iema;eïnr® ui 13 b;d iqúfYaIhs' tys° merKs ñ;=rka rdYshla 1986 ° 19ka my< cd;sl lKavdhu iu. tx.,ka; jk †k ;,j;=f.dv° Wmka yuqùug yelsjqKd' ixpdrhl ksr; jqKd' kdhl;ajh oerefõ wixl pka†l y;=reisxy" wdkkao .=reisxy' lKavdhfï isá wfkla l%Svlhka w;r yIdka ;s,lr;ak" ≥ñkao fmfr®rd iy ixcSj uEKshkaf.a fijkg Wiia mdi,a l%Svd cSú;h u;la lf,d;a''' ud uq,skau l%slÜ l%Svdjg fhduqjqfka fõÆjk ùrisxy u;la l< yelshs' tu ;rÛdj,sfha° wOHdmkh i|yd msúfikafka úoHd,fha°' wdkkaohg l%Svd lrkak mgka .;af;a wr®O Y;l lsysmhla ,nd .kak" lvqÆ ,nd .kak ish m%d:ñl wOHdmkh fla˙ yd Wiia fm< wOHdmkh w;r;=r°' ta i|yd uq,sl ug yelsjqKd' f,daâia ;rÛfha° ;rÛfha ùrhd fõÆjk ú≥y,aj, ksu lrñks' jqfka ud ñ;% m%idoa mrKudkf.a hs' ud mdif,a l%Svd iïudkh;a ,enqKd' ish mdi,a iuh ;=< ;=ka b˙hõ l%Svlfhl= f,i oialï olajd ÷ úkh" mkakrh" ;rÕldÍ nj uu ,enqfõ wdkkaofhka miqj cd;sl lKavdhfï m%n, l%Svlfhl= f,i cd;Hka;rfhys ÷ rg fjkqfjka ;rÕ lsÍu f.!rjhla" th l%Svlhka /l.; hq;=hs lSr®;sh wdkkaohg f.k≥ka ÷ yeuúgu fjkia yd wΩ;a Wml%u Ndú; lf,d;a ch.%yK pka†l jr®;udkfha wNsfhda. m%;sY;h jeälr.; yelshs /ila iu. ia:djr ùug m%h;ak ork Y%S ,xld l%slÜ lKavdhfï 1987 ´iafÜ%,shdfõ mej;s 19 ka my< m 4 Tn ;rÛhla mroskafka ;rÛh w;aye˙fhd;a muKhs Y%S ,xld l%slÜ lKavdhfï mqyqKqlre pkaosl y;=reisxy l=v,s.u uy;d b;d wdorfhka iqN m;ñka udj Y%s ,xld lKavdhfï mka≥jg myr°fï mqyqKqlre nx.,dfoaYh b;d fyd¢ka l%Svd lrk ms 5 wdkkaohANANDAYA A SUNDOWN CHAT WITH Mr. Deva Rodrigo Interviewed by – Harindra Dahanayake (OBA) SCHOOL DAYS I recall him saying “as much as we love our instead of prating about the Buddhist spirit of social culture, religion, language and customs so do service that actuated an Asoka, a Buddhadasa, or a Talking about your days at Ananda, you joined others love theirs”. I would attribute my tolerance Dutugemunu, actively practice some social service college during its age of transition, under the and appreciation of other cultures and religions to ourselves, if instead of proudly pointing out that stewardship of three eminent principals who what I learnt from SAW and also my father who the Buddha imancipated the outcasts, we could rid also coincidentally happened to be Anandians. condemned the communal riots of 1958 and later ourselves of caste prejudices; if in short we could in Tell us a bit about your entry into Ananda. helped a displaced Tamil shopkeeper to reestablish however small a degree re-orient our minds, hearts In 1957 Ananda sparkled with the gleaming white his business in Panadura where we lived. and lives in accordance with the teaching of the façade built the previous year and declared open Enlightened One, that would be a form of Buddha by the Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike. It was Jayanthi which would be of incalculable value”. the pride of Ananda, especially among the teaching One other quote relevant today “… in however staff who knew, more than any other group, the small way give a lead to the right direction, and set effort and sacrifice that went into it. The middle at least the younger generation on the path, the school was housed in it and I was a lucky occupant Aryayan Eightfold Path that leads to the abode of of these classrooms from 1957 to 1959. loveliness and of liberation. They (students) should Ananda also shone under the enlightened keep their minds and hearts unsullied by thoughts leadership of S A Wijayatilake, the first Old Anandian and feelings of malice, jealousy, and revenge, to earn the distinction of being appointed Principal. such as (one regrets to admit) agitate so many of Under Wijayatilake, a western classics scholar, our countrymen today who brazenly profess to be Ananda blossomed and earned the respect of the Buddhists”. elite circles who quite rightly saw it as a bold and emerging force asserting itself during the nine years M W Karunanda who followed SAW as Principal in of rapid development under L H Mettananda the 1962 was the pioneer in the education of science in combative Principal of Ananda. Sinhala. He was acclaimed as the author of books in Sinhala to teach Chemistry and Physics for O’Level When SAW took over Ananda, it was ripe to reap exainations. He proposed that Tamil be reintroduced the benefits of the development efforts of the past as a school subject. Unfortunately the proposal and settle down to a quiet but esteemed era. SAW, could not be implemented. MWK’s stay at Ananda possibly the most erudite among principals of was cut short by political interference in the school Ananda, was impeccable in his speech and writings, Another passage from the 1955 Prize Day Report that had become state owned in 1961. both in English and Sinhala, was ideally suited to that, resonated with what Venerable Dr. Kotagama subdue the nationalistic and defiant character of Vachissara Thero taught through Buddhism classes He was a strict disciplinarian and focused on Anandians and give them self-assured dignity. and changed my outlook, is worthy of reproduction. studies. For these reasons he was not popular He radiated elegance that spread to the staff and among some of us. I was one who rejoiced the students. The head prefects he handpicked were “Today the entire Buddhist world is preparing news of his transfer. Soon we realized what a fine in his mold and those who represented the school to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of Lord human being and teacher he was and our respect in cricket, tennis and athletics and in co-curricular Buddha’s parinibbana. In our own country plans and regard for him grew as the days passed. activities were equally refined. are afoot to rebuild Dalada Maligawa, to complete the restoration of Mahiyangana Dagaba, to erect Colonel E A Perusinghe was a sportsman and had Walking into Ananda at a time like this was a statues and monuments to the pioneers of modern captained the cricket team in 1933. He encouraged refreshing and uplifting experience. Buddhist revival ….All these will … cost many students to take part in sports and co-curricular million rupees. There is however a Buddha Jayanthi activities. I was a beneficiary of this initiative. When SAW instilled values in us with eloquent addresses which everyone, be he labelled as a Buddhist or not, I left school during his time I carried with me a host at weekly assemblies and through his academic can celebrate more fittingly. To my mind the idea of rich experiences in organizing events, editing staff and senior students who had more opportunity of celebrating Buddha Jayanthi is incongruous if magazines and taking part in English debating. to interact with the great scholar. Our attitudes were the ideals for which the Buddha lived and labored These were in good stead later in life though they shaped by him in these formative years and it was are ignored whether in our personal lives or in were diversions from studies that assured me of a a great privilege to be at Ananda during five of his our life as a nation. If we could stamp out bribery place among the failures at the university entrance seven year tenure. and corruption, perjury, murder and other forms of examination. violence, if we could realise that as …, if we could 6 What I have seen during my involvement with the OBA for the past fifty plus years is that we have had workshops, seminars, discussions, minutes prepared, booklets issued on those, elaborate plans etc. Some of these I still have and read. There is hardly anything that has changed. What did you most enjoy learning during school These cinemas and books, authors and philosophers The cast included several from the engineering days? shaped my character and values. What I did at the class that produced record university entrance expense of school work laid a strong foundation for examination results; Ranjan Herath Gooneratne Chemistry and Mathematics grabbed my interest. a successful and rewarding career later in life. and Indra Hemachandra who shared the Ananda But I was keener to learn about the marvels of the Gold Medal and were adjudged island first and universe, life beyond our planet, understand what What sports and extracurricular activities were second respectively and Chandra Jayaratne the mind is and its nexus with consciousness and you involved in? Can you name few interesting were some of them. From the bio stream; Preethi study the structure and behavior of atoms and incidents (anecdotes) from back then (example: Wjegoonerwardena, Ranith de Alwis and Pushpa sub atomic particles and how they form the basic your role in the Well Mudliyar play) Gooneratne joined the troupe. I was not in the building blocks of all life and of the whole universe. As hostellers we were taken to the swimming pool cast but was among the five or six backroom guys When I was in the middle school my maternal aunt of St. Josephs College once a week. Swimming who helped organize the plays staged in Colombo Podi Amma, from whose house at Borella I attended became a lifelong recreation. and Kandy. It was a joyous experience during school except for the stint in the college hostel, our transition from schoolboys to undergrads or At the hostel we played cricket and football but I gifted me with a six month subscription to the Life apprentices of vocations. was never good in those to go beyond friendly Magazine. That created an interest in some of the games among hostellers. After the Well Mudaliyar I signed up as an articled above subjects and in reading. At the end of six clerk of a firm of chartered accountants for which months I used my pocket money savings to renew Post Senior Students’ English Literary Union was my the minimum entry was five credits at the O’Level the subscription and did so for many years. My Podi platform for co-curricular activities. I was its General which I had secured to qualify for medical entrance. Amma is the last survivor of my parents’ siblings Secretary in 1965. The same year I was the leader Fate was such that I had qualified as a Chartered and completed 98 in November, 2018. of the English debating team. I also edited the Accountant five years later when my class mates SPARK magazine with Sudharshan Seneviratne and Thanks to the influence of Sumith Mathugama I who entered medical college were still to sit their Ananda Weerasuriya who later became Professors became an avid reader of the novels by Leo Tolstoy, final. I was in receipt of a princely salary of Rs.1,600 of Archeology (Peradeniya) and of Physiology Anton Chekov, Dostoevsky and next generation a month, a senior staff house and many perks at the (Macon University, Georgia, USA) respectively. Russian writers such as Boris Pasternak. Tea Research Institute whilst my colleagues in the Through this work and English Union activities medical field could aspire to earn only a fraction of Ananda Weerasuriya introduced me to the we forged a close bond. Sanjiva Senanayake who it as interns. fascinating world, logic and rational ideas of Bertrand shared the Fritz Kunz with Sudharshan was drawn Russel and to novels by Somerset Maugham and a into our circle encouraged by his mother Maya S.A.W. was a proponent for the takeover of few Nobel Prize winners such as John Steinbeck Senanayke from whom we learnt many things. The schools by government. Do you hold the same and Jean Paul Satre. The reading text at school four of us remain bosom friends to this day and our view? Ananda went from a director managed was the Sinhala translation of Victor Hugo’s Les families are also close. school (under BTS) to a government school like Misarables. That inspired me to be upright in any other. All this happened during your time. Each of them excelled in their academic work and my behavior and attitude and demonstrated the What are your thoughts? rose to the top of their careers. I learnt a great greatness of sacrifice. deal from them and continue to benefit from their There is some controversy over who supported and So I would say that what I enjoyed doing was outside association. who opposed the takeover of schools. the school syllabus for the A ‘Level examinations, Sudharshan and I also edited the Ananda-Nalanda What I gather from SAW’s recorded speeches and but it was another form of learning. big match souvenir in 1966. By that time the little I remember of the news items I read or Ananda Weerasuriya also introduced me to quality my father narrated to me, he did not promote the I had spent two years at the A Level class and was cinema. After being crazy over Bridget Bardot takeover which he said could destroy the character effectively out of school awaiting results. I used the during my mid-teens and watching every film in of schools that were organisms throbbing with life. free time to do what I liked most. which she appeared sometimes in seminude poses He exhorted at the 1958 Prize Day that “It would be wise for us to remember also that, with all the and with sultry looks, I moved to more serious The Well Mudaliyar stage play was the production unseemly and unjustified political interference with but entertaining cinema. I would walk out from of a set of Anandians who wanted an activity to the administration of state schools that already exist the cinema halls in an elevated mood and clearer keep them together and occupied after the A’Level on such a colossal scale, this evil would increase thought about love and romance, challenges and examination in 1964. They sought the permission of a thousand fold if all schools were state schools. I setbacks in life and courage, noble living, righteous the Principal, Colonel Perusinghe to go ahead and for one … should be sorry if all the denominational conduct and a host of ideas on how I should live. received more than his enthusiastic support. He schools were extinguished and replaced by state became the mentor and chief of party. schools.” 7 wdkkaohANANDAYA A SUNDOWN CHAT WITH Mr. Deva Rodrigo (Contd.) I served as the Treasurer for two years including Ananda Centenary year 1986 and as a vice president from time to time. From 2011 to 2013 I served as the Deputy President and was due to take over as President in March, 2013 in accordance with the constitution. He was in fact a proponent of denominational OBA Secretaries). He was punctual, well organized and schools. However he expressed the view that it was conducted meetings with admirable efficiency. His inappropriate for the system to allow denominational Tell us about your very first introduction to the administrative skills would have been acquired schools to impart to students of other religious OBA. Which year did you join and under what during the many years he worked as private denominations an alien culture and religion. (This circumstances? secretary to J R Jayawardena up to 1952. He was is in conflict with the role played by Ananda when influential in the JRJ Government from 1978 to This is interesting. it catered to many Hindu and a few Christian 1989 and used that to help Ananda. He impacted and Muslim students during the Kularatne and As a schoolboy I was involved with many school on the lives of many of us. Mettananda era and until the medium of instruction activities aimed at developing the school, improving The Joint Secretaries of the OBA during the was changed to Swabasha in 1956.) its image and making it the school of first choice centenary year were Jayantha Wickremasinghe and among the Buddhists. But SAW did ask the school to be taken over Asoka Gunasekera. Immediately prior to that JW because he could not, as the Principal, guarantee In 1967, G P A Silva SPJ who later served as held the same office with Thilak Karunaratne. The the payment of teacher salaries without state the Chief Justice, was the President of the OBA. three of them and Pandu Liyanage,and Colonel Para assistance Ananda received as an ‘Assisted School’. Dr. Ranjith Cabral who organized the Ananda Molligoda who later served as Presidents come to The schools that opted not to be state owned lost Carnival a year or two back was on its committee. mind as stalwarts who transformed the OBA from such assistance. In September that year a casual vacancy in the a lackluster organization to a robust one with over committee arose and my name had been proposed. 1,000 members. I believe the political campaign for schools takeover Despite my young age I was elected and held the was spearheaded by many Anandians and men with Till the schools takeover the Principal of Ananda committee seat till I took up residency at the Tea authority such as former Principal P De S Kularatne served as ex officio President of the OBA. The first Research Institute at Thalawakele in 1972. From who was then a Memeber of Parliament in a House to be elected President from the membership was D 1974 to 1980 I was in employment with Coopers with only 56 seats. Their motives I should not W Rajapathirana (Governor of the Central Bank). At & Lybrand (now PwC) in its East Africa and London attempt to guess. But we have to admit that some that time I was a student and remember him as an offices. In 1981 I returned to Sri Lanka and was saw it as a method to level the playing field and take imposing figure that we looked up to. readmitted to the OBA committee in 1982. From away the advantages most denominational schools that year till 2015 I served on it without a break. G P A Silva who succeeded Rajapathirana was enjoyed. That was bad in my view and in hind sight an affable, pleasant and dignified person. He many proponents of the schools takeover today say Of the committee members who served in 1967 never raised his voice and would devote time to that it was an unwise move. only Dr. Ranjith Cabral and I are alive today. explain protocol and such matters which as young In the Principal’s report at the 1959 Prize Day But a heart attack early that month brought much members just out of school we did not appreciate SAW expressed his views on the ‘elimination of pressure from home to slow down and not accept till he pointed out. privileges’ that some campaigned for through the the OBA Presidency. So I informed the incumbent Thomas Amerasuriya was a rich proprietary planter schools take over. President Thilak Karunaratne and Lalth Senanayake who depended on the Jt. Secretaries to conduct who was to be elected Deputy President, just two “By the elimination of privileges is not meant a the business of meetings. At that time one Joint days prior to the AGM, that I have to reluctantly levelling down of higher standards but a levelling Secretary was an old boy who served on the tutorial decline the appointment to the post. up of lower standards to a position of equality with staff of the school. TA was the President of the those on a higher plane.” This applies to many I still enjoy being associated with OBA activities and Senate that was abolished with the adoption of the situations in the country today. keep in close touch with the office bearers. 1972 constitution. My personal view is that the worst of the possibilities Could you name some of the OBA luminaries Prof. D A Ranasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of of the takeover have realized and it has done great of your time and day at Ananda and how their Medicine, University of Colombo was a self-assured damage to Ananda which due to the Government presence in your life have impacted you as a person with a smile and a twinkle. His wife Anne administrated ‘Chief Occupant and Proximity Rule’ person? a German Jew was active in the social circles and has become a school for Mariyakade residents was renowned as a poet and author. It is said that he and has lost its character as a national school. The Ranapala Bodhinagoda, President from 1979 to was to succeed GPAS as OBA president but had to predictions of SAW about what could go wrong have 1992 was its Joint Secretary in the 1960s (though propose the name of Thomas Amreasuriya because come true with distressing accuracy. his name is not in the Anandaya list of office Jt. of a call he received just before he left home for the 8 AGM from a family member of TA requesting that he What I have seen during my Can you elaborate on it a bit more? does so. Being a gentleman he obliged and waited Discussions shouldn’t be personal. They should be two years to take over the chair. involvement with the OBA for the past fifty plus years is very objective. Prof. DAR had Harsha Seneviratne as the Registrar A culture of independence should be developed. in the 1970s when Dr. N M Perera was the Minister that we have had workshops, The primary goal should be to serve the interest of of Finance. The Prof. and Dr NMP had been seminars, discussions, the OBA or Ananda. classmates and good friends. Whilst Harsha was minutes kept, booklets issued with the Prof doing ward rounds one morning NM Strengthening the secretariat office is had dropped in to the De Zoysa Maternity Hospital on those, elaborate plans something that you pushed for in recent times, to visit a patient. Seeing him the Prof had inquired prepared. Some of these I still why? what brought him there. When NM explained Prof Ranasinghe had looked at his wrist watch and said have and read and find that A thing that I wanted to see realized was the its 10.30 in the morning NM, visiting hour is from nothing much has been done strengthening of the secretariat office. Our 12.00 to 1.00 pm. NM had apologized and left the in terms of strategic initiatives secretariat used to be of very poor standard and hospital. Such was the humility of a Minister of to the OBA it was a huge letdown. Having a strong Finance and the authority of a Professor. Harsha For example the school has to secretariat allows the President and the Board to Seneviratne himself served as the Professor of come out of the State owned focus more on value adding initiatives at a strategic Gynecology and Obstetrics for a long period and level. If we align these governance mechanisms and retired as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He and managed structure if it put them in place success will follow. This is where was one of three in my second form class to serve were to make best use of the discussions and ideas will be converted to action as the Dean of a University. efforts of the alumni and the and results. M B J Silva, Jt Secretary and later President was potential of Ananda. I am glad that during the presidency of Jayantha the Commissioner of Inland Revenue (before the Wickremasinghe a competent person has been appointed as the Manager. post was upgraded to Commissioner General). He manner. They are organized in advance and always was a quiet and unassuming man who stood out have a well thought out agenda. The meetings are Why do you emphasize so much on quality and as one devoted to the Dhamma and meditation. held in undisturbed comfortable surroundings. The standards? Another President in MBJ’s mold was L H Piyasena chairman leads the discussions and allows everyone also Commissioner of Inland Revenue and better to express opinions and at the end summarizes the What I have seen during my involvement with the known as the father of Srima Dissanayake, the views expressed and the conclusions reached. OBA for the past fifty plus years is that we have had Presidential candidate against President Chandrika Accurate minutes are kept and issued promptly for workshops, seminars, discussions, minutes kept, Kumaratunga. His name is also missing from the list action to be taken without delay. booklets issued on those, elaborate plans prepared. of past Presdients in the Anandaya. Some of these I still have and read and find that The OBA can follow suit to make the best use of nothing much has been done in terms of strategic From the pre 2000 set of Past Presidents only Dr. time spent at meetings. This was a dream I had for initiatives For example the school has to come out Ranjth Cabral is amongst us. the OBA. The meeting room that the OBA built in of the State owned and managed structure if it My association with the OBA is longer than 50 years. 2013 must have improved the quality of meetings were to make best use of the efforts of the alumni The most effective President during that period considerably. and the potential of Ananda. This matter has been discussed with expert legal advice and analysis but was Thilak Karunaratne under whose stewardship What else do you see as crucial for the OBA nothing has happened. Ananda celebrated its 125th anniversary with more when conducting successful meetings? than a half dozen highly successful events and fund I recently found among my old files the transcript of raising activities. Keep the discussions focused on the agenda. Keep a speech that I had delivered at an OBA meeting. the discussions short. Keep copious minutes but Going through the content of that speech I found Lalith Senanayake is in my view the most industrious highlight the conclusions, record clearly action to be that there’s not much today that I have to say of all Presidents I have known. taken, by whom and by which date. Report at the differently from what I said on that day. The reason next meeting the outcome of actions taken. These are personalities from the OBA of the past being that not much has been implemented from that come to my mind. A good chairman will gently check on the progress the points we discussed back then. However, I cannot comment about the current times because Mr. Rodrigo, why have you always pushed for made before the next meeting and will be properly I have not been involved directly with the OBA in conducting professional OBA meetings? prepared it. the recent past. But I do see that strengthening the At PwC, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and Don’t allow personal agenda to dominate the secretariat was one of the main developments that top end corporates and at the Ceylon Chamber of discussions. took place recently. I know some are critical over Commerce with which I was closely associated, how much it costs. But the cost is only a fraction of meetings are conducted in a highly professional the benefits we derive. 9 wdkkaohANANDAYA A SUNDOWN CHAT WITH Mr. Deva Rodrigo (Contd.) We have a rich history, a history that we as alumni, the teachers and staff can be proud of, a history that can inspire all of us if it is narrated properly and a history that could chart the future of direction of the school. You were appointed by the OBA as its President the political authority of the country to change the The cricket encounter with Jaffna Hindu College but you did not accept the position. For those present structure and give the freedom that schools was the idea of Sanjiva Senanayake. It came about who do not know, please tell us the reasons which opted in 1981 to go back to the assisted because the book extensively researched the role behind your decision. school system enjoy with great success. played by V T S Sivagurunathan who taught at Ananda for 26 years and was honored by Principal The Deputy President succeeds the President of Ananda does not have a good archive. Some of the S A Wijayatilake by having him as the chief guest at the OBA after his term expires after two years in valuable records infamous fire immediately prior to the 1958 prize giving. office. This is automatic unless the Deputy declines L H Mettananda took over as Principal. Since then in writing, which I did due to the heart condition I documents have been have been lost, discarded The book shows the broadminded views of suffered three weeks prior to the AGM whilst I was or misplaced. When we started on the project we Principals from Kularatne to Wijayatilake and the overseas and the pressure from home to settle had students of the Kularatne era on the editorial national outlook of Ananda that imparted education down to a stress free life. board. We wanted to record the history of Ananda to Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Sinhalese alike. It for posterity. It would make the task of writing the showcases the contribution made by non-Buddhist I was sad to do so but had to give way to the wishes history in the 150th or 200th anniversary a bit teachers and well-wishers in building Ananda with of my wife who had for a life time supported me easier. We are already in our 133rd year. Many of selfless dedication. Organizing an annual cricket in various endeavors and sacrificed immensely to you will be there to celebrate the 150th anniversary encounter with JHC was the best demonstration of make my life a success. of Ananda and may find the Anandaya a good those and the desire of Ananda to continue with the platform to build on. You were a major contributor to the Ananda non-sectarian goals of education it is committed to 125th Anniversary book ANANDAYA along with I have one fear. When the book was written we deliver. other notable OBA seniors of your era. Why found the recent period, the 30 years to 2011 The JHC event is now six years old. The trip to did you all decide to document the history of described as the ‘Modern Period’ rather shallow. Jaffna every other year is looked forward to by Ananda in that way? We finally decided to let it be seen it the way it was, many Old Anandians and their families. The initiative truthfully and candidly, and record facts. How will It was an initiative of Thilak Karunaratne, the has expanded to encompass an English debate, a the 25 years from 125 to 150 turn out? That’s why President of the OBA in 2010. He gave leadership basketball game and a chess competition. The post- the future direction of Ananda should be deliberated to the project till the book was published six years match dinner has grown to a sizeable fellowship intensely and documented. later. The other person that needs special mention is event. Snajeeva Senanayake without whose input the book One of the notable off-shoots of that book would have not been published. To me it’s a great success and is exceeding the project was the Sivagurunathan Challenge peace and reconciliation objectives of the initiative. We have a rich history, a history that we as alumni, Trophy that connected Ananda with Jaffna the teachers and staff can be proud of, a history Hindu College. Tell us the importance of this that can inspire all of us if it is narrated properly and whole project as one of its founding thought a history that could chart the future of direction of leaders. the school. It would provide the material to convince 10 Old Anandians’ Network and Digitising Student data The IT, Mass Media & Communication-Sub Committee of the ACOBA has enhanced the internal member management system as a web based Member Management Portal The IT, Mass Media & Communication-Sub Anandians can create their own profile by getting are IT savvy to update details of member profiles Committee of the ACOBA has enhanced the internal registered in the OAN. and approve member requests to tag them under member management system as a web based respective Affiliated Groups. Moderators of affiliated Member Management Portal, called Old Anandians’ ACOBA registered members will receive a link to groups must play a responsible role to make sure Network (OAN). This was launched at the 2018 AGM their personal emails (the link will be sent to the they approve the incoming requests post validation. and It is a platform that enables all Old Anandians email address registered in the system) stating to actively interact with one another including the instructions on how to access their own profile. If the For the 5th consecutive time the IT, Mass Media members of all other Affiliated Groups irrespective email address has not been updated in the system & Communication-Sub Committee of the ACOBA of being a member of the ACOBA or not. or is invalid, please get them updated by emailing facilitated the 2019 Grade 1, Grade 6 and Grade ACOBA Office via [email protected] 12 new student admissions with the Ananda Affiliated Groups will be able to manage their College School Management System. By end 2018 member information more efficiently and enable To make this operation more attractive and effective, all students’ data of the College was digitized and the members to update their information in a Old Anandians could upload their Photographs allocated to classes. ACOBA launched a new project convenient and user friendly manner, through this taken while in school and/or current photographs to digitize historical student data and student new web portal, OAN. when updating the profile. This will make it easier enrollment data captured in to digital format from for school mates to recognize the fellow Anandians. year 1945 to 1962. 7903 records were digitized. Each and every Old Anandian can access the OAN We are now in a position to generate reports for With the new web portal, all Affiliated Groups will be and create their own profile by entering a unique analytical purposes for future needs. user ID and it will allow them to update their contact able to manage information of their members more details and profile, without any hindrance. All Old efficiently and in a user friendly manner. All Affiliated Groups must appoint their own moderators who Battle of the Maroons and One Day Encounter The 90th Battle of the Maroons, held on 2nd and Nalanda scored 269/07 declared in their first Meanwhile, Nalanda won the 45th annual One 3rd March at the SSC ended in a draw. innings, with avishka Perera top scoring with 120. Day encounter, held on 17th March at the SSC, by Best Fielder, Kamesh Nirmal - Ananda In reply, Ananda were bowled out for 232 all out, beating Ananda by 16 runs under the Duckworth- with Moditha Ranatunga and Janindu Jayawardena Lewis method. Ananda scored 197 in 48 over while Best Batsman, Avishka Perera - Nalanda scoring half centuries. Nalanda scored 216 for Nalanda College replied with 141 for 5 wickets in Best Bowler, Dineth Samaraweera - Nalanda the loss of 5 wickets in their second innings, with 33.1 overs. Man of the match, Avishka Perera - Nalanda Lakshitha Rasanjana top scoring. 11 wdkkaohANANDAYA 5 msgqfjka'''' isákjd' ta i|yd ;rula wjodkï w;ayod ne,Sï lKavdhug" ;reK l%Svlhkag wms f;areï .kak ´fka rg fjkqfjka l%Svd is≥ls¯ug mjd n,dfmdfrd;a;= fjkjd' ta ksid Tnfok wjjdoh l=ulao@ ls¯u f.!rjhla nj' th ;ukag" foudmshkag" ;rÛ lsysmhla mrdchg m;aùu is≥úh yelshs' Tn ukiska Yla;su;a úh hq;=hs' yeÛSï md,kh .=rejrekag" mdi,g yd wjidkfha rgg n,mdk ishÆ mdr®Yjhka th f;areïf.k lghq;= lf,d;a lr.; hq;=hs' mrdcfh°;a" ch.%yKfha °;a th lreKla nj wu;l fkdl< hq;=hs' túg wfma m%Odk b,lalhg fhduqùu idr®:lj is≥l< ,eîfï fya;= fiúh hq;=hs' lKavdhï yeÛSu ch.%yK jeämqr ksr®udKh lr.; yels hs' yels nj uf.a úYajdihhs' b;d jeo.;a' ;udf.a ldr®hh f;areï.; hq;=hs' cd;sl l%slÜ lKavdhu Wiiau ;,hlg f.k ifydaor l%Svlhskaf.a olaI;d ;ukaf.a olaI;d fldhs úÈygo Tn Y%S ,xld l%slÜ tñka ch.%dyS lKavdhula f.dv ke.Sug j,g jvd w.h l, hq;=hs' ta iu.u b;d fyd| lKavdhu olaI lKavdhula njg ffOr®hh Yla;sh ,efíjdhs pka†l y;=reisxyg úkhla" YslaIKhla mj;ajd .; hq;=hs' f.!rjh m;a lrkak n,dfmdfrd;a;= jkafka'''' iqN m;ñka wms iuq.;af;uq' Y%S ,xldj i;= olaI l%Svlhka /ila isákjd' lshk foh iefklska ke;súh yels fohla ksid wjYH fjkafka Tjqkaf.ka ta ta ;rÛh i|yd iq≥iqu l%Svlhka f;dard .ekSuhs' ta i|yd uu fhdod .kafka l%Svlhkag lrorld¯ fkdjk ie,eiaula' among its members (Dr) Hudson Silva, Late Dr. D. uu lrkak yokafka olaIhskag Tjqkaf.a Wm˙u 'Pilibimbu' B. Nihalsinghe and his brother D.B. Suranimala, ;,hg tkak wjYH udkisl yd ldhsl ;;ajh Indra de Lanerolle, Daya Ranaweera, and Upali we;s ls¯uhs' Tjqkaf.a l%Svd ú,dYh fjkia lrkak Athurugiriya. According to Mr. K. L. F. Wijedasa, the uu n,dfmdfrd;a;= fjkafka keye' l%Svd ú,dYh Physics Teacher at Ananda, Mr. L. S. R. Wijetunga, fjkia fldg olaI;d fmkajkak yels fõhehs uu “used to come to the darkroom and help them úYajdi lrkafka keye' [the members] with the filters.” The society had established a cinematographic unit overseen by Dr. wdkkaofhka Tng ,enqfKa fudkjdo@ D. B. Nihalsinghe. úkh iu. ,enqKq mkakrh" ;rÛld¯ nj" udj wjxl" fyd| iy ord .ekSfï Yla;sfhka hqla; mqoa.,fhla njg m;al,d' ;rÕhl ch mrdch .ek Tn orK woyia ljf¾o@ uu l%Svlhkag lshk ldrKhkï" Tn ;rÛhla October is not the month of photography, not in mr†kafka Tn ;rÛh w;aye˙fhd;a muKhs' ta ksid Sri Lanka anyway. And yet, it is special. Almost Tn úiska ;rÛh w;ay˙k ;=re Tfí lKavdhu invariably, it is the month of Pilibimbu. Pilibimbu is the exhibition and final showcase event of the year mrdo keye∙ mrdo lrkak;a neye' The difference between students from a society at a of the country’s oldest school based such club, school like Ananda and those from societies that fall the Photographic Art Society of Ananda College. kdhl;ajh Tn olskafka flfiao@ outside the school photography circle in Colombo is Organised by the Photographic Art Society of Tn lrk iq≥iq foaj,a wka wh w.h lrhskï" that for the former, photography is more than just Ananda College, Pilibimbu was open to public on taking photographs. They have understood the “art” ta ;uhs kshu kdlh;ajh' wka wh úYajdi lrk 18th October at the Lionel Edirisinghe Rostrum of in the field, but are not enthralled by it so much that f,i Tn lghq;= lrhs kï" Tn .;au. thskï" Tn the University of Visual and Performing Arts. u; j.lSï Ndr lrhs kï" tal ;uhs kdhl;ajh' they pass over the other dynamics which determine the art. ;rÕldÍ lKavdhul Tn olsk Most students who take to photography, for ,CIK fudkjdo@ instance, are unaware of or choose to ignore the lKavdhula ú†yg Tn wo l%Svdlrk ú,dih relationship between photography and the cinema, †.gu mj;ajdf.k .sfhd;a wfkla lKavdhï ta between the still and the moving image, and are .ek oekqj;a ù tajd bf.k f.k Tfí lKavdhu therefore unresponsive to art forms that, while mrojkak l%shd lrkjd' Tn wfkl=;a lKavdhï different to photography, can go a long way in Ndú; lrk Wml%u wOHhkh lr Ndú;d shaping the aspiring photographer. In that sense Bumindu Jayaratne, this year’s President, is a l,fyd;a b;d m%n, ;rÛld¯ lKavdhula Ananda College is not the only school with a refreshing contrast: a film aficionado, he is acutely njg m;afjkak mqΩjka' yenehs Tfí lKavdhu photography society, but it is one of the few schools, aware of our cinema. yeuúg fjkia iy wΩ;a Wml%u Ndú; lf,d;a in and around Colombo, that has a set of students Ananda College has gained a reputation for ch.%yK m%;sY;h b;d by< w.hl mj;ajd. dedicated to the craft. When it was inaugurated inculcating within its students a love for the arts. kak mqΩjka fjkjd' in 1946, and later as it evolved along, it counted 12 Savindu Herath Savindu Herath who won the Fritz Kunz Memorial He was appointed Head Prefect of Ananda College Savindu was appointed President of the Career Challenge Trophy awarded to the Best Student for for the year 2012/2013. Guidance and Student Counseling Unit in 2011, the year 2012 at Ananda College was awarded Secretary to the Chess Club in 2010, Secretary to Vidya Jyothi Professor Dayantha S Wijeyesekera the Nation – X Company for the Year 2011/2012, Award for the most outstanding graduate of the year Assistant Secretary of English Literary Union in of all the faculties of University of Moratuwa. Criteria 2010, an active Interactor and Assistant Troop for this is to be a versatile graduate with proven Leader for Odyssey International Literary Festival academic standing with a GPA exceeding 3.7 (First 2010 held in City Montessori School, Lucknow, Class honours) who is recognized as a leader and India. held in high esteem by other students and has made He won several Prizes for his performances and a significant contribution through participation and bagged a Gold and a Silver at Sri Lanka Festival of service to the university and community. Music, Speech and Drama 2007. This is awarded considering all-round performance At University of Moratuwa, he University of Wollongong, Australia offered him excellence in academics, research, community shoulders the responsibilities an Under Graduate Excellence scholarship service, sports, creative and artistic skills etc. as the Deputy Batch and Engineering Merit scholarship to follow a the Most Outstanding Graduand award. Savindu Representative of the Faculty of Mechatronic Engineering Degree. had won 26 prizes at the College Prize Giving Savindu excelled in Hockey, where he represented including W.A. Pinnagoda Scholarship for his Engineering from March 2014. College and the country locally and abroad. He performance at G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination He is also a member of the represented the Sri Lanka Schools team, Western 2009, Randula Wanigasinghe Memorial Award for Hockey team of the university Province team and the Kalutara District team the Prefect with the Best Academic Achievement that emerged as the Champions securing numerous achievements for his alma at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, Ananda mater. He was awarded with Ananda College Colors Minimuthu Award (the prize for the Best Student of Inter University Games for hockey in 2011 and 2013. He was Vice Captain of the Grade) for 4 consecutive years. Bagging 2014. He was also a part of the of under 20 chess team in the year 2011 and he Distinction passes for the all 9 subjects appearing Rotaract Club and the World’s also has many Championships under his belt. He for G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination, he was largest organization for youth was also talented in athletics as well, as a long ranked First in English Medium and Third in the – International Association of distance runner and achieved medals at College School ranking. Consequently, going ahead with Athletic Meet from 2005 to 2011. his academic career he depicted his academic Students in Economics and excellence by obtaining four Distinction passes at Commercial Sciences. At University of Moratuwa, he shoulders the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in 2012 under responsibilities as the Deputy Batch Representative the Physical Science stream in English Medium of the Faculty of Engineering from March 2014. with a z-score of 2.2873, enabling him to gain He is also a member of the Hockey team of the admission to the Faculty of Engineering at University He was the Editor of the "Year Book" 2011/ 2012, university that emerged as the Champions of Inter of Moratuwa. He is the only Head Prefect to have an active member in organizing committee of University Games 2014. He was also a part of the obtained Four Distinctions in the Physical Science the Leadership Training Programme 2012, an Rotaract Club and the World’s largest organization stream for the past 128 years at Ananda. Savindu organizing committee member of “Feel the Field for youth – International Association of Students in is now reading for his final level of examination at 2011” and Souvenir committee member of 82nd Economics and Commercial Sciences. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Battle of the Maroons in 2011. Having cooperative (CIMA). He won a Bronze medal at the Physics in executing 18 remarkable projects like Big match, Savindu graduated with a First Class from the Olympiad in 2012 while securing a High Distinction Investitures, Leadership Programmes, Parade, Department of Electronic and Telecommunication at Mathematics Senior Olympiad in 2011. Colors Nite, Renovation Programmes- including Engineering, University of Moratuwa specializing the renovation of the Shrine Room and School in Biomedical Engineering. He had published 3 Savindu became an Assistant Prefect in 2010 and Rehabilitation ventures, he displayed his team spirit, research publications of assistive devices (for was ranked top in the Prefect rankings at the junior management capabilities and leadership qualities. visually impaired) and diabetic related foot ulcer levels. detection/prediction. 13 wdkkaohANANDAYA fyd| úkhla we;akï muKhs ld, l,ukdlrKh lrkak mqΩjka fjkafka' fidµaÜf,dcsla iuQy jHdmdr iNdm;s" wfYdala m;srf.a fudllao lsh,d okafka keye' /lshd ;sfhk lafIa;% j,g mdi,a ld,fha isgu fhduq lrkak ´fka' wfma úYaj úoHd,fha bf.k .kak iuyr foaj,a /lshdjlg fhdod.kak neye' A/L j,g fhduq jkúg orejkag wjfndaOhla ;sfhkka ´fka ;udf. .uka udr®.h fudllao lsh,d' wfma ;ju tjeks l%uhla keye' tfyu ;sfnkjdkï ld,h b;=relr.kak mqΩjka' O/L yd A/L j,g wu;rj Tnf.a wOHdmk jgmsgdj i|yka lf,d;a' lsisu fohla ;e;' Wmdêhla ke;' fjk;a lsisu iy;slm;% úNd.hla lr, keye' Tn iEu wjia:djlÈu úkh .ek wdkkaofha .;l, ld,h .ek mdi,a wOHdmkfhka miqj Tnf.a jvd;a ie,ls,su;a fjkjd' ta wehs@ i|ykla lruqo@ Ôú;fha lghq;= fjkia jqfka m%;sm;a;s.rel fjkak Tfka' úYajdickl fjkak uu wdkkaofha m 14 Social Media – Foe or Friend for Sri Lanka? By – Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama In March 2018, Sri Lanka experienced ethnic be brought into handle these, but in no way tensions and the government banned social should social media or internet be restricted. media platforms such as Facebook, Viber However, lets not forget that what we see and WhatsApp among many other steps, to online is a reflection of the actual society. Even bring the situation under control. This created without the involvement of social media, bad interest among many to discuss about the role things happen in the society. So blaming it all of social media in the context of hate speech on social media isn’t accurate. However, law and fueling ethnic tensions. reforms in a need. Sri Lankans are notorious to forget things It is important to work with social media quickly, so everyone seems to have forgotten companies (platforms) to ensure some of what happened.However the responsible the issues arising on platforms such as fake citizens should continue to engage in news, fake accounts, pornography, and use for discussions and contribute to ensure that such fraudulent activities are handled effectively by a situation does not happen again. the platform. Yasas V Abeywickrama When I say ‘such a situation’, I mean never The writer is a long standing industry activist To tackle those who cross the lines by using again we should see ethnic violence in this and an author/writer. He has taken a keen social media for fake news, fake accounts, country and never again should we see an interest on social media and its governance internet or social media ban in this country. in recent times. pornography, and use for fraudulent activities, law reforms can be looked into. However, this With my interest in the topic, I have listed some is a very different approach than looking at of the ideas I like to put forward in this context. It is important to work with banning or restricting. Just like there are laws However, these are my own ideas and opinions social media companies to handle offline issues, online world also need and do not form the opinion of any organization certain laws in place, and Sri Lanka is quite that I am attached to. (platforms) to ensure some of primitive when it comes to cyber laws, internet related laws, data protection laws, privacy The free access to internet should be respected the issues arising on platforms as a key principle. It is a fundamental right in such as fake news, fake laws etc and it is not clear which government today's context. organisation actually provides thought accounts, pornography, and leadership in these matters today but they are Freedom on social Media should also be use for fraudulent activities quite crucial in the world we live in today. upheld, however, when crossing the lines that are acceptable within humanity, we need to are handled effectively by the It is also noteworthy that there have been have measures to tackle those who do such platform. only a few cases of official reports from Sri things. Lankan authorities to social media platforms on wrong doers, therefore effective readiness While accepting that social media was banned systems needs to be developed in Sri Lanka. in March 2018 for national security reasons, While such internet and social media total These are more effective than bans, which are bans are unacceptable in a democratic society, it must be stressed that never again in the detrimental to the democracy. future of Sri Lanka, such total bans should be even strict laws like in China or new laws in implemented without proper assessment and Germany are also not healthy for democracy. Social Media companies also needs to be consultation. The process that was followed in People today expect freedom and access, and more culturally sensitive and responsive. When banning social media and controlling internet if they are blocked in whatever the form, they certain hate posts spread either on racial, is not known and in a democratic country, will respond in other ways. gender or any other matter, it is important that we need to review what processes should be It has to be noted that bans are ineffective as there is some local and contextual sensitivity is followed in such situations. people will use VPNs and other technology applied, and quickly responded to the situation. Social media may have helped tensions grow workarounds. Social Media has given voice to the people. It and riots start, however, it has to be noted that Social Media just like other modes of has created avenues for the people for their there was significant delays on proper actions communication are used for various life, business, relationships, entertainment and being taken when the incidents in Ampara malpractices such as pornography, fraud, many more. However, just like the society on happened as well as even after the vehicle black mailing, fake news spread etc. But bad the ground, it has issues and those need to be accident in Kandy. After all, other systems actors aren’t the majority, there are only a few tackled foresightedly. failed to respond, blaming it all on social media and they are far between. The laws should is incorrect. 15 wdkkaohANANDAYA Affiliated Group Activities 83 GROUP 90 GROUP 2018$2019 jir ;=, lKavdhu úiska bgqlrk ,o ldr®hhka wm 90 lKavdhu u.ska †h;a lrk ,o jHdmD;s ms 16 91 GROUP 2000 GROUP 2001 GROUP Maroon Sixes wdos wdkkaoSh 2000 lKavdhfï 7 jk jdr®Isl uyd iNd f.jqkq 2017$2018 jir wd† wdkkaoSh 2001 lKavdhfï iqrd– rKùr fidhqrdf.a kdhl;ajfhka 91 ,ì, lKavdhu /iaùu iy iqyo yuqj 2018 ckjd˙ ui 27 jk †k Jetwing jvd;au idr®:l jQ;a m%;sM,odhljQ;a jir úh' uõ ix.uh wr®O wjika mqr®j ;rÛhg iyNd.SjQ w;r' lu,ao is,ajdf.a Colombo Seven ysoS meje;ajqKs' 2018$2019 jir i|yd úiska l%shd;aul lrkakg fh≥k §2017 wdkkao md.uk¶ iy kdhl;ajfhka 91 ,ta, lKavdhu wjika uyd ;rÛhg iNdm;s f,i f;¯ m;ajQ ;s The group held a Medical camp in October for children who has disabilities in hearing. Annual Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common cricket carnival of the group is also planned. vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward 99 group would also like to update that they will be organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common organising the "Sarasa" musical show by veteran musician Dr. Victor Rathnayake on 12th of January people to attain uncommon results. 2019 at Maharagama Youth Center. Andrew Carnegie 17 wdkkaohANANDAYA Affiliated Group Activities 2003 GROUP A Solid Waste Management Program for Ananda segregate waste and teach them on how to dispose • To implement solid waste management strategy College was conducted by Ministry of Megapolis garbage, etc. Furthermore each student of the • To identify the most suitable waste management and Western Development, Green Energy Project school received a book similar to a bank book that method for degradable solid which can be with the participation of Old Anandians Class of is given for savings accounts and each time they implement in household level 2003. provide solid waste to “Sampath Karyalaya”, they • To inculcate the environmental friendly habits in will be given points. With the objective of making Colombo a cleaner students and other stakeholders of the school. city and to educate the citizens on garbage Waste segregation methods practiced in the college Future Plans: disposal mechanism “Nikasala Purawara” was are as follows: initiated by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western • Electronic waste • To persuade the Ministry to provide the school Development. Under the said programme as per • Metal waste with an electrically powered composting drum, 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle), set up of since the current project only focuses on • Plastic waste waste collecting centers in school and housing products other than organic wastes. complex basis, having provided the training to • Glass and Bottle waste the selected persons in the housing complexes, • Paper and cardboard waste • When students deposit waste to the “Sampath appointing of such officers as duty officers of the Karyalaya”, the government will provide money • Coconut waste solid waste management programmes and so on for the waste that is being collected. This money were performed. This was initiated in June 2017 by The waste that is deposited in the “Sampath will be given to the SDS under the green energy our Group. Karyalaya” collected by the Ministry of Megapolis project and this money will be allocated to the Bio and Western Development on weekly basis. Gas project and other green projects initiated by Through this initiative “Sampath Karyalaya” (a the group or the school. convertainer office) was established and school Objectives of this project: children were trained as the representatives of the • Persuade the Ministry to award a Presidential • To set up 3R concept (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) project. Through this project the plan is to teach the Award to high flyers. students and even the staff members on how to • To build up waste segregation as a practice 98 GROUP 98 Group proudly present a glimpse of projects “Dhana Paaramee” – Support for needy More than 150 on-line orders are already received undertaken in the recent past. 98 Group ensures children and processed. that the projects undertaken by 98 Group do have a 98 Group sponsored 30 scholarships under this Total Revenue made todate is Rs.580,000.00 positive impacts on all stake holders namely school, program conducted by OBA. This marks highest staff, children and the society. contribution by an individual group. Further, Ananda Gallery was the Gold Sponsor for Ananda College and Jaffna Hindu College Sports Supporting children in Thalassemia ward in Ananda Gallery – A platform for all school Festival held in September 2018. Anuradhapura General Hospital– 5th Consecutive merchandise year The project “Ananda Gallery” is progressing well. We have also been able to support 30 hostellers by The site was officially launched by the Principal at a providing stationery packs as per the request made Supporting children, parents and the medical ceremony held at Mango Tree. The Deputy Principal, by the Principal. officers in the ward is an annual event done by 98 President and Secretary of the Main OBA were also Welcome ceremony for Year 1 Students – Group. On yearly basis, we identify the requirements among the distinguished guests at the occasion. through medical officers in the ward and fulfil their Making it a memorable day requirement. This includes sponsoring unique Provides an effective platform with an extensive This project was vested upon 98 Group by the medical tests, providing dry rations, clothes, reach for all school official merchandise Principal. We ensured that all newcomers have a wonderful and memorable first day at Ananda. Total delicious meal and entertainment. One-stop shop for all stationery requirement of expenditure was Rs. 150,000/- This year, we fully sponsored the fun day organised school children. Primary Teachers’ annual get-to-gether– A fun filled by the hospital staff and donated more than Fully integrated secure Internet Payment Gateway day Rs.250,000/- worth of essential items for kids and with Sampath Bank to facilitate local & international for the ward. 98 Group provided a sponsorship of Rs. 190,000/- e-Commerce transactions for primary teachers’ annual get together. 18 125th ANNIVERSARY GROUP “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a Anada Nena Diriya - Phase 1 Anada Saviya – 2018 single step” The event was organized to handover computer The Group held the “Ananda Saviya” educational With a brief history of over 3 years from the equipment to two schools in the Matara District. workshop for the 2nd consecutive year in inauguration of the Old Anandians’ 125th The project was initiated based on a request October, which focuses on improving education Anniversary group in 2015, the group has been able made by a leading private company to the OBA. of underprivileged school children from rural to achieve significant milestones while serving back However, the company pulled out resulting in communities. The first version of this educational mother Ananda. The group has also been able to grave challenges to the committee. The committee workshop which spanned for a duration of 2 strengthen the bonds between its members which managed to complete the project with the support days was held at Galgamuwa Buduruwakanda comprise of the past students of 2012 Advanced of “ MilleniumIT Software (Pvt) Ltd” and few other Maha Vidyalaya with a participation of nearly 150 level due to active involvement of them in numerous philanthropists. students who were facing their G.C.E O/L exams in projects and events. December, 2017. Matara Central College, Matara and Narandeniya Reflecting the power of youth and cohesiveness Central College, Matara was provided the 7 sets of Students from 3 schools within the area participated of the members, we have lead several projects Computers each along with all facilities required for for this workshop which focused on improving the commencing from the inauguration towards a computer laboratory. The schools were also given knowledge of students in 3 core subject areas in unforeseen remarkable success and gain reputation academic book sets. O/L as well as providing the necessary confidence, and fame as a highly active group. motivation and a different perspective to their future. Anada Nena Diriya - Phase 2 Below are some of the key highlights and projects The Old Anandians' 125th Anniversary Group joined Carrying forward our experience in executing this carried by the group within the past two years: hands together with the Deakin Sri Lankan Students' highly successful project, we held “Anada Saviya – Association and the Rotaract District 3220 Sri Lanka 2018” in Habarana Maha Vidyalaya. The high level Annual Medical Camp - 2017 & 2018 to collect funds and to contribute to the people details for the project are as below: The Old Anandians’ 125th Anniversary Group joined affected by the adverse weather conditions in • Date: 27th & 28th of October hands with the Old Anandians’ 75-80 group in 2017. The group was able to successfully distribute • Duration: 9 am – 6 pm (both days) organizing the Annual Medical Camp for past and stationery items among flood victimized students in • School: Habarana Maha Vidyalaya present teachers in both years of 2017 and 2018. Matara Palatuwa Gunarathne MMV. The project was organized with the expectation of • Agenda: Session on 3 core subjects and a providing our teachers with the facilities and access Anada Saviya – 2017 motivational session to the best medical care. The project was conducted This project was organized as a two day workshop Apart from delivering educational sessions we with the support of the Old Anandians’ Medical which focused on knowledge transfer and experience provided educational equipment and stationery for Guild through which a large number of medical sharing for O/L students of underprivileged students and classroom equipment for the school practitioners joined our endeavor. communities to boost their confidence for as donations. upcoming O/L exams. It was held on 28th and 29th The medical camp included general care, Ayurvedic of October, 2017 at Galgamuwa Buduruwakanda All donations/sponsorships provided will be to used section, eye section, dental, cardio and other Maha Vidyalaya. Over 150 students from 5 different to brighten the future of a young child. essential medical facilities. The project facilitated schools within the community participated in this over 300 past and present teachers who we believe workshop. Maroons Night - 2018 took the best benefit of the project. It was opened by The Group will be holding their annual group get the religious sessions at the Ananda Viharaya, and Projects for the year 2018: together for the year 2018. This event focused on the opening ceremony graced by the OBA, 75-80 strengthening the bond and collaboration between Group, Medical Guild and other partners. Merchandizing of Ananda Crested Shirts the passed out students of the 2012 A/L batch of This project, which is currently ongoing was initiated Maroons Night - 2017 Ananda College. The crowd consist of a multitude of to raise funds required to support the projects Old Anandians in different paths and careers such This event was organized to improve the unity and planned for the year by 18/19 executive committee. as members who are employed overseas and locally camaraderie of the members of the Group and to A plain shirt with school crest was printed with in reputed companies, pursuing higher education raise funds required for its future projects. It was the aim of differentiating ourselves by providing a and managing their own ventures. hosted at the Grand Oriental Hotel. minimalistic professional looking attire. The project is currently a huge success with 300+ sales of This night was planned as a private event and Entertainment was provided by the “Loops” along shirts within the Old Boys community. featured great music, live artists and networking. with several games organized for the members. Below are the details of the planned event: The night featured a unique red carpet style “photo booth”. The successful event was concluded with • Date: 1st of December, 2018 prizes being awarded to the winners of the games. • Time: 6pm onwards The event saw the participation of over 150 • Location: Grand Solis, Nawala members of the Group. 19 wdkkaohANANDAYA Affiliated Group Activities 2005 GROUP 2008 GROUP e - Library Project Maroons Rally 2018 The entirety of the donation made were from the The e-library designed and constructed by Old Maroons Rally 2018, a TSD Rally (Time Speed funds collected from our own group members and it was done within a short period of time. Anandians’ 2005 Group was handed over to the Distance Rally), organized as a joint project for We would also like to inform that this project O/L students of Ananda College on 26th March the very first time by the Old Anandians 2008 was approved by the Ananda College Old Boys’ 2018. Group & Old Nalandians 1999 Group was held successfully on Sunday the 18th of February Association and recognized as one of the Main OBA Approved Projects. 'Aurudu Uthsawaya' by Past Teachers' 2018. Even though the concept of a rally is not new to the public and especially not to the Association Contribution for Ananda Values Programme ever-growing vehicle enthusiasts in Sri Lanka, As Old Anandians 2005, Group we were this is the very first time two schools joint Old Anandians 2008 Group, took the initiative privileged to sponsor “Aurudu Uthsawaya” together to organize such a rally. to contribute a sum of LKR 30,000.00 for which was organised by the Past Teachers’ the “Ananda Values Programme” organized Association of Ananda College. The start for the event was from the front gate by Education Development Subcommittee of of Ananda College and after a two and half hour Ananda College Old Boys’ Association which Soft Skills Development Programme journey with 5 checkpoints & many exciting was held on 29th and 30th June 2018 at Laya First phase of a series of programmes in order activities to complete along the way in a total Leisure, Kukuleganga to develop soft skills of the students was distance of 40km around Colombo and its Student Leadership and Personality conducted in collaboration with Department of suburbs, the finish line, after party and awards ceremony was at the Rakna Araksha Lanka Car Development Programme 2018 HRM University of Kelaniya at the University of Park & Restaurant Premises in Thalawathugoda. Old Anandians 2008 Group took the initiative Kelaniya on 4th of July 2018. to conduct “Student Leadership and Personality Even though many of the participants were Development Programme 2018” for Ananda Amila Siriwardana a past scout of our alma veterans, all three winning teams were first College Senior prefects in partnership with mater, who is also the volunteer Scout Master of timers and amateurs to a TSD Rally. This was Sasnaka Sansada. This was included in the our college scout group, was awarded the Wood truly a welcome call to all who did not participate year plan of the group for the year 2018/19. Badge at“Gilwell Reunion 2018”. After a lapse and were there to only witness the event, to join The programme concluded successfully on of 20 long years, Ananda College has secured the fun in the coming years. 9th September 2018 at College premises after the Wood Badge thanks to the skills and efforts being held for two days consecutively. Maroons Rally 2018 is the start to a long line of of Amila. He is an Old Boy of “2004 Batch”. consecutive rallying in the coming years. Await This programme was inclusive of training Amila has also completed 22 years of scouting. this exciting event in mid-February every year. sessions under following avenues: He takes this opportunity to thank Kithsiri Maroons Rally 2018 was proudly sponsored by • Personal branding Gunaratne, the former MIC of College Scouting, V Tech Motors, Wurth Lanka Pvt Ltd, Platinum • Teamwork and Team building Chandana Lokuge who was the Scout Master Auto Spa, Auto Miraj, Red Bull Sri Lanka, The • Lead a balance student life during his time and Lalitha Mendis of OASA, light house Pvt Ltd whom joined hands with the • Career guidance and all Old Anandians who have immensely organizing committee in true spirit of rallying supported him in his scout service and the and ensured that every participant had a gift to • Career Counselling journey thus far. take home. • Psychometric Testing Winner – Team 2008 (Rally Vehicle - Nissan The objective of the programme was to groom X-trail) future leaders of Sri Lanka infused with good 1st Runner Up – Team 2011 (Rally Vehicle - character and discipline. Further, this project Land Rover Defender) was approved by the Ananda College Old Boys’ 2nd Runner Up – Team Johnny Walkers (Rally Association and was recognized as one of the Vehicle – Toyota Aqua ) Main OBA Approved Projects. Budu Medura Painting 2018 Old Anandians 2008 Group took the initiative to take the lead on supporting the repainting of Ananda College Budu Medura leading up to the Vesak Festival. 20 History rewritten on 30th Anniversary of ACBB College Baseball coach, a proud product of Sri Lanka and Mother Ananda for the great opportunity awarded to school. Mr. Wijayanayake is contributing a lot for Sri Lanka’s Baseball and with his interests, Sri Lanka has constructed the first International level Baseball ground in Diyagama. Chairman of “AZ Hotel Chain” Mr.Anami Yasuo who has donated 8.5 million Sri Lankan rupees for this good deed and Ms. Fukunaga Eiko, President of “Ai Road Plus Eco Tourism company” in Japan have hosted dinner and social gatherings for our team whilst recognizing our under 15 well performed players at the tournament. College Under 15 team toured for Japan for “U-15 East Asia Baseball Championship 2018” College under 15 team toured Japan for "U-15 East Asia Baseball Championship 2018" 2nd row standing from left – Aloka Jagodage, Sandip Lamasuriya, Sunaath De Silva , Ashen Maleesha , Thevin Thenura Silva 1st row Standing from left -Aksen Anuk, Wasath Wimalasiri, Bhavantha Yasas, Akinda Gunarathne, Thisen Dharmasena, Ginura Vinwath, Chanuth Dinsara , Shenal Rajapakse, Dasun RanaweeraKavishka Gayashan, Dasatha Dahampath Front row seated from left – Mr.Kisal Udayana (Asst.Coach) , Mr.Rajeendra Munasinghe (Team Manager) , Mr.Bandara Unanthanna(Master In Charge) , Mr.S.M Keerthirathna (Principal) , Mr. Randika Perera (Dep. Principal ) , Mr.Dharmasena Lokuliyanage (Past teacher in charge) , Mr.Hasiru Malith (Coach) Ananda was one the pioneer schools in Sri Lanka Special cultural sharing events and gatherings in to establish Baseball and thus far have passed narrating to Japan – Sri Lanka companionship were many milestones with immense achievements. prearranged by the organizing committee. Also our Mr. Sujeewa Wijayanayake with Japan Prime Minster Commemorating 30 years of Baseball history at team was fortunate to take part with special and Mr. Shinzõ Abe Ananda, first time ever in history an elite tour exclusive press conferences with the Mayor of to Japan has been awarded to College under 15 Miyazaki City and Mayor of Ebino city in Miyazaki Baseball team. Prefecture of Japan. Tournament was held in Miyazaki city of Japan from This is the first time of Ananda history that full 16th to 21st of August 2018 with the participation team representing our Alma mater participated for of 51 teams representing Japan, Hong Kong, an international tournament in Japan. A special Korea, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. Our school has been gratitude and appreciation goes out to Mr. Sujeewa recognized in privileged levels at the “East Asia Wijayanayake who is the only International Baseball U-15 Baseball Championship” whilst receiving umpire from West Asia region qualified by World Meeting and press conference with Mayor of Ebino City of international level playing exposure to our players. Baseball softball Confederation / former Ananda Miyazaki Prefecture ANANDA DRAMA Ananda College put up a good defense of its hard did not make it past the intensely competitive Yaka, this is a brand new black comedy in Sinhala won Championship against D. S. Senanayake semifinal round. At the semifinal, Ananda won the and English from the team behind such hits as Alles College, St. Benedict’s College and St. Peter’s award for Best Stagecraft, and Ananda’s Rithmaka in Wonderland, Dracula!, Affair at Ward Place Hotel, College at this year’s Shakespeare Drama Karunadhara won the award for Best Supporting and Picket Republic. Competition Final on Saturday, 29th September, at Actor. the Bishop’s College Auditorium. The final started at Grease Yaka Returns stars a diverse cast drawn 6pm, with Ananda’s performance of “The Comedy Ananda Drama’s latest play, Grease Yaka Returns, from some of Sri Lanka’s best theatre companies, of Errors”. slipped onto the Lionel Wendt stage from 17th to together with Old Boys of Ananda who have brought 19th of August! great prestige to the school with their many 15 other boys schools, including many highly successes at inter school competitions. It is directed regarded past winners of the Championship, The sequel to 2014’s hugely successful Grease by Rajitha Hettiarachchi and Nishantha de Silva. 21 wdkkaohANANDAYA Dr. H S Perera He was 89 years. Anandians. HSP was at Bala's bed when he passed away. That was how close and personal he was to The Ananda swimming pool complex was renamed many friends from Ananda. Dr. H S Perera, Swimming Pool Complex on 8 August this year. It was the last event of his life and The funeral was held on Thursday 20th September. the last time he visited the school. He was touched His remains was brought to 105, Barnes Place, by the honour and the expressions of gratitude and Colombo 7, where he resided for the past 40 years was also emotional from time to time during the or more. It was a place where 100 or more meetings ceremony and speeches. of Ananda alumni committees had been held to plan and execute projects. HSP though known amongst all Anandians for He boasted that he had never missed an Ananda the leadership given to the construction of the - Nalanda cricket encounter even during higher Famed as a senior thoracic surgeon, he operated at swimming pool did much more for his alma mater. studies in the UK or during his sabbatical tours the National Hospital after retirement on a voluntary These are too numerous to mention but I can recall overseas. Such was his love for Ananda. basis to help the needy. a dozen or more projects he handled in which I was involved. In running many projects and the Swimming Pool Rarely does one find an old boy as dedicated as HSP he had the staunch support of Thilak Ediriweera, was to his school, Ananda. In 2009 he was the first among four to be conferred Vimal Vittachchi and Gilbert Jayasuriya. Dr. B M A Honourary Life Membership of the ACOBA. At any Balsooriya who predeceased him about 20 years Deva Rodrigo given time there can be only five living recipients ago was another key player in his team of Old of this honour. For over thirteen years he served on the board advice of his well-informed father turned down a Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya of directors of the Colombo Stock Exchange and career in medicine and joined the private sector as Dakshitha, a staunch Old Anandian passed away on was regarded as one of its most independent and a Management Trainee of Ceylon Trading Company. 23 October, 2018 at the age of 68 after battling courageous members. His father, himself an Anandian who excelled as an lung cancer for seven years. The indomitable spirit officer in the CCS (Ceylon Civil Service) was then the For several years he served as one of ten Vice of this excellent Anandian was evident throughout Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. Presidents of the OBA and worked closely with his illness which he fought with fortitude. Until the He considered the mercantile sector superior to the stalwarts like Dr. H S Perera, Pandu Liyanage and last week of his chequered life he stayed in touch medical profession as a Government doctor. But Colonel Para Molligoda. When he was at the peak with his friends engaging in lively discussions and Preethipal was more suited to the latter and did not of his career he enthusiastically supported Ananda analysis of the local political situation, matters about reach the zenith of the corporate world. with sponsorships and participation at school our alma mater, and a host of other subjects. events. He was a great presence at the Big Match He was refined in his conduct, gentle and proper in An accountant by training he was, whist in his for many years. his speech and liked and respected by his friends. late 20s, the chairman of the Land Reclamation He joined the hostel when his father served overseas Dakshitha leaves behind his daughter Natasha and Corporation which undertook the dredging and and blended well with the culture of the hostellers his brother Gihan who attended to all his needs filling of the Diyawanna Oya to build the Parliament though he was from an urban background. He was and looked after him with exceptional affection and replacing an expensive contractor from the very humble and unassuming even though his generosity. Netherlands. Concurrently he was appointed parents were affluent and well connected. He was chairman of the River Valleys Development Board most amiable and honourable and made it a point which under his bold leadership, constructed Preethipal Dayaratne to follow the progress of his school friends and alert many Mahaveli roads in difficult terrain. He was them if he found any adverse comments. also chairman of the Department of Mechanical Preethipal, a student at Ananda in the 1950s until His wife predeceased him and Preethipal lead Equipment which he converted to a State owned the mid-1960s, was in the D Form that comprised a lonely life communicating little with his school limited company. At one time he had under his the best students. It produced three Deans of friends who tried but failed to draw him in to their employment the largest contingent of engineers, leading universities, many other professionals and social circle. He was in his early seventies when he mostly civil and mechanical, at these three private sector leaders. But fate intervened and passed away in January 2019. organizations. His minister, the late Gamini Preethipal could not realize his potential. Dissanayake recognized his talents and leadership Like many of his class mates he gained entry to Deva Rodrigo very early on and appointed him to these positions. the Colombo Medical College in 1964 but on the 22 Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, appointed Vice Chairman / CEO of the Aitken Spence Group Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, expert in December 2018 he functioned as OBITUARIES shipping and ports, has been appointed the Secretary, Ministry of Ports & Vice Chairman / CEO of the Aitken Shipping. Under his stewardship the Dr. H S Perera Spence Group. He will succeed Rajan Colombo Port was ranked globally A staunch supporter of Ananda and the Builder Britto who retires after a long and highly second in terms of growth in 2018. of the Ananda College Swimming Pool, passed successful career in the private sector away. Parakrama has held many private both in Sri Lanka and the UK. General (retired) Rohan Daluwatte sector appointments and served Former Army Commander, General (retired) He was the CEO of Aitken Spence on the committee of the Ceylon passed away. Shipping for over 15 years but was released twice Chamber of Commerce for over ten years and as to serve as the Chairman, Ports Authority from an office bearer of international organizations in Mithra Wettimuni 2002 to 2004 and from 2015 to 2018. From shipping and ports. former Ananda (Captain – 1970) and Sri Lanka cricketer Mithra Wettimuni passed away. Upali Sirisena Constitutional Council approves Yasantha Kodagoda as Appeal Court President The Constitutional Council has approved Additional ASG Kodagoda’s name was recommended by Solicitor General (ASG) Yasantha President Maithripala Sirisena. Kodagoda as the President of the Court live wire of the Executive Committee of ACOBA and Senior Old Anandians passed away Appeal. Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, It was reported that the Constitutional former Vice President of ACOBA passed away. Council led by Hon. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya unanimously approved Preethipal Dayaratne Yasantha Kodagoda for the post. a student at Ananda in the 1950s until the mid-1960s passed away. Col. Sudath Madugalle 'Battle of the Maroons' Parade - 2019 former President of the Old Anandians’ Buddhist Association passed away. Major – General Nande (Mike) Silva Former Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army passed away on 20th February. He served as Chief of Staff during the tenure of Lt. Gen. Nalin Seneviratne. Major – General Nande Silva served in many parts of the country including Jaffna in the early 1960s. He has served as the Commandant of the Kotelawala Defence Academy and Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force. He was also the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry. 23 THE 3RD INNINGS (Annual reunion of past cricketers, Old Boys and well wishers of Ananda cricket) The cocktail and fellowship followed by dinner was held on 1st March at the Earl’s Court – Cinnamon Lakeside from 7 pm. The event was organized by Old Anandians’ Sport Club, Cricket Wing. Highlights from 'Battle of the Maroons' 24 Photography by Manjula Makolage | 077-6019296 | [email protected]