June 2020 Issue 3 Volume 55 Musaeus College Senior English Literary, Music and Drama Society PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY '19 SPORTS AWARDS CEREMONY ‘19 -Bhagya Semage -Ravindi Ratnayake The Annual Prize Giving Ceremony of Musaeus College was held on the 31st of The young sports stars of Musaeus College were proudly recognized and felicitated October 2019 at the Peter de Abrew Memorial Auditorium with much grandeur. The at the Annual Sports Awards Ceremony held on the 30th of December 2019 at the event was graced by the presence of Senior Professor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, Vice Peter de Abrew Memorial Auditorium. Mr. Mahela Jayawardene, veteran cricketer Chancellor, University of Colombo. and former captain of the Sri Lankan Cricket team graced this splendorous event as The event commenced with the arrival of the distinguished guests, followed by the the Chief Guest, while the Guest of Honour was Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman of the flag ceremony and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. The welcome address was Gateway Group of Organisations. delivered by the Chairman, Mr. Ajitha de Zoysa, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and was followed by the Annual School Report presented by Madam Principal Mrs. Following the arrival of the distinguished guests, the event commenced with Nelum Senadira. a welcome dance performed by the school dance troupe and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. The welcome address was delivered by the Chairman Mr. The Chief Guest, Mrs. Chandrika Wijeyaratne addressed the audience, imparting the Ajitha de Zoysa. award winners with her advice which left a lasting impression in the young minds of our students. The Distribution of Awards commenced with the Inter-House Championships and Then came the most anticipated moment of the evening: The Prize Distribution amidst much fanfare, Olcott house emerged as the Best house This was followed by Ceremony. Musaeuites who showcased their expertise in the academic arena were the felicitation of the School Games Captain and Deputy Games Captain for their felicitated with awards and certificates. dedication in enhancing the world of sports. The event concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Chamathka Jayasekara, Talented sportswomen of Musaeus College were recognised throughout the event School Captain for the years 2017/18 followed by the National Anthem. for their expertise in the sports arena. A stimulating and awe-inspiring speech by the We congratulate all prize winners for a job well done and wish them the best of luck Chief Guest, Mr. Mahela Jayawardena left a significant impact in the minds of the in their future endeavours! audience, and was succeeded by the most highly awaited Award Distribution: School Colours and International Representation. The most outstanding sportswomen of RISE FROM THE ASHES the school were felicitated, drawing conclusion to the Distribution of Awards. -Warsha Senaratne The highlight of the event was the donation of more than Rs. 11 million to the Little Life sees us through many journeys, which Hearts Project with the aim of constructing a new 12-storey Cardiac and Critical bring joy and torment alike. However, what Care Complex at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. This was officially handed over to Dr. defines us is not the amount of pain that we Duminda Samarasinghe by the Principal, Mrs. Nelum Senadira. have endured, but how well we have chosen Following a farewell to the former Deputy Principal, Mrs. C. Jayatilaka, the to rise from it. event drew to a conclusion with the Vote of Thanks being presented by Binuri The Peter de Abrew Memorial Auditorium Gunawardena, School Games Captain for the years 2018/19. and Sports Complex was a milestone in the Our sincere congratulations go out to all young sports stars for their exceptional 128 year legacy of Musaeus College. Rising achievements and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours. from the dreams of Musaeuites past and present, it stood as a beacon of hope of the evolution of our Alma mater in her journey towards a successful future. Yet, 2016 brought an unforeseen disaster as our dreams went up in flames along with our auditorium. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FELICITATED -Patalie Hettihewa It has been three long years but finally with the strength and courage of the students, the staff, the Past Pupils’ Association and the Administration of Musaeus College, Throughout the 128 year legacy of Musaeus College, Mother Musaeus has produced once again we walk through the doors of the newly renovated Peter de Abrew many talented young personalities in the academic arena. Through hard work and Memorial Auditorium as it opened on the 26th of October 2019 amongst the blessings perseverance, Musaeuites excelled at the Cambridge Ordinary Level Examination, of the venerable sangha. Pearson Edexcel Advanced Level Examination and GCE Advanced Level Examination Today, it stands as a reminder of the resilience nurtured by our mother; Musaeus 2019 surpassing all expectations. College, who urges us to ‘follow the light’ no matter how dark the times may seem. Here are our high achievers, Cambridge Ordinary Level Examinations – May/June 2019 MUSAEUS COLLEGE CELEBRATES 9A Grades Sandali Athukorala 128 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE! Imasha Fernando -Hansathi Pallewatte Kasuni Vitharana An epicenter for knowledge, talent, Sandali Athukorala was able to achieve the following awards at the Cambridge O/L dedication and spirit, Musaeus College Examination 2019: commemorated 128 years of excellence Award for 8A* grades on the 15th of November 2019. Currently educating over 6000 Buddhist girls First in Sri Lanka in Biology in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the First in Sri Lanka in Sinhala school prides itself on delivering a well- First in the World in Mathematics rounded education, with her students Best Across 9A Grades – World 1st place excelling in the fields of academics, Pearson Edexcel Advanced Level Examinations – May/June 2019 sports and aesthetics – a feat consistent 4A Grades across generations! Physical Science - Binali De Alwis, Hiumi Kumarasinghe, Tharusha Jayasinghe Decorations, courtesy of the Senior Prefects' Guild for the years 2019/20, spanned Biological Science - Gaveshika Gunasekera, Nethmini Sirimanne the entire school; from the archway at the Rosmead Place entrance where students Commerce - Tanushri Chakravarthy walk into school, to the staircases crisscrossing the school. A small ceremony, GCE Advanced Level Examination 2019 prominently marked by the release of 128 birds out of captivity, paralleled the spirit Arts Stream - Vinuri Perera- Island 2nd of Musaeus College enlightening students under her wing to be disciplined, well- Commerce Stream - Gimasha Tharindi Chandradasa - Island rd3 mannered and dedicated young women in society. rd We, at Musaeus Miscellany, along with the entire student population, past and Bio Science Stream - Binuri Gomez - Island 3 present, take this opportunity to wish our Alma mater – who pushed us and continues to push us to be the best version of ourselves – a very Happy Birthday! We heartily congratulate these achievers for their colossal accomplishments and wish them luck in their future endeavours! Musaeus Paththara 2020.indd 1 7/1/2020 12:21:54 PM Vol: 55 June 2020 Page 2 News EDITORIAL INDUCING EMPATHY INTO HEARTS We fall. We make mistakes. We go through overwhelming challenges. We get lost - Osuri Mapitigama in the maze of life. But, we will always find our way back. We rise. We learn. We In August 2019, Musaeus College joined hands with a national fundraising project overcome what seems to be the most daunting challenge. We grow and mature. during which the students compassionately embarked upon a meritorious deed to the We gather strength and courage in the process of conquering these tests that life whole nation of Sri Lanka. has to offer. We are human, not perfect. We endure pain. We heal, we recover. More than 3000 children born in Sri Lanka wait in line for a heart surgery every year Maybe you are yet to achieve greatness or witness a miracle. Maybe you believe but 1500 of them don’t live to see their turn. Although the majority of the surgeries that you are a human living a dull life. Tighten your seatbelts, you are about to ride on a rollercoaster and discover the greatest adventure of a lifetime. are successful, most hospitals lack sufficient aftercare facilities . You may not be a Harry Potter or a Peter Parker or any other superhero wearing The project initiated by Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe, Consultant Pediatric a cape, but you do have an extraordinary power: potential. Potential that will take Cardiologist at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, invited Musaeus College you to your greatest heights and guide you through your special journey. The to assist Little Hearts to gather funds to expedite the construction of a 12- storey aptitude that will help you soar. Cardiac and Critical Care Complex, allowing it to provide optimum treatment for Life itself is an ultimate irony. The most primitive form of life, so minuscule it's child patients. Currently, LRH is the only tertiary care referral centre for children invisible to our eye, has taken control over the planet. We never know what future with congenital heart disease and other critical illnesses in the country. has in store for us until it unveils itself. Musaeuites pledged to support these children and their families for whom hope is unreachable. “Time is limited. So don’t waste it living someone else’s life” -Steve Jobs Under the patronage of Madam Principal, Mrs. Nelum Senadira, each student Life is short. Everything is temporary. Death is inevitable. Think of what a was given a free till to help save lives. The Teachers' Guild of Musaeus College has precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think and to enjoy. Acknowledge the beauty of life. At the end, it is only your legacy you leave behind as you move bequeathed Rs.