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NEWSLETTER ISSUE O1
2. NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Newly elected Executive Committee together with the 05 Members who were co-opted according to Rule 8 (1) ( C ) are : Patron: Dr David
Ponniah EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE 3. APPOINTMENT OF SUB COMMITTEES At the First Meeting of the new Ex-Co held on April 08,2002 the following Sub-Committees were appointed, with their respective functions spelt out.
Mr.Sunil Watawala
- Convener ii.Finance To
raise Finance for the Projects and to fund such finance in a Mr.Gamini Fernando
- Convener
Mr.Shervon
Fernando - Convener v.Rules To examine
the existing Rules of the OBA and recommend changes thereto. vi.Social &
Dinner To organize the Annual Dinner of the OBA and to consider other
events to facilitate fellowship within the OBA vii. Reunion Day The Members of this Sub Committee were to be appointed in due course. Each Sub Committee
is headed by a Convener appointed by the Executive Committee. Every
Member of the Executive Committee is expected to be actively involved in
at least one of the Sub Committees. The Senior Vice President and the
Secretary shall be Ex Officio members of the Sub Committees and be
noticed of all meetings by the Convener. The Sub Committee may co-opt any member of the OBA to assist in their deliberations and to broad base as much as possible the participation of members of the OBA in its activities. 4. Rules : Mr. Bandula Wanigasekera is doing an extensive study. While the New Rules will not be intended to be too exhaustive, care will be taken to avoid controversial situations arising and making ambiguous provisions clearer and identify definite responsibilities. A working draft had been prepared and is due to be considered by the Sub Committee shortly. A copy has been made available to the Executive Committee in advance. Copies of the draft of the Sub-Committee would be made available to Members of the Ex-Co well in advance of June 15,2002 i.e the next Meeting of the Ex-Co at Gurutalawa, so that, hopefully, that draft could be discussed and finalized at the Ex-Co level on that day. Once finalized by the Ex-Co, it would be transmitted to the Membership for their consideration. It is suggested that the Membership be given about a month for consideration of same. Proposals and suggestions of the Membership which may be sent in too, would be considered and incorporated and the final draft, after discussion at Ex-Co level, would be sent to the Membership together with a Notice of a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose of approving and adopting the new Rules of the Association. It is suggested that the new Rules of the Association be effective as from January 01,2003, so that the present Ex-Co can ensure that the Rules are put in place and working, for the ease of operation during the change over period. 5. Accounting Etc b. It is hoped to give the Membership a clear picture of the total expenditure and connected details regarding the Dining Hall Project in due course. c. Monies received by way of Donations and Contributions towards Development and Welfare of College will be deposited in a Current Account, while a new "STCG Development Fund" account in the Ledger will be opened. All such monies to be thereafter transferred to a Fixed Deposit Account to be retained until the Ex-Co decides how such money should be utilized towards development and welfare of the College . At that stage, the money could be uplifted from the Fixed Deposit Account and transferred to the Current Account with proper Resolutions passed by the Ex -Co. d. Complete lists of all books, files, papers etc handed over by the former Secretary and Treasurer have been made and Minuted. All of those (together with other accounts and papers that may have come in to their hands during their period in office) will be handed over to the next Secretary and Treasurer immediately after the next AGM is concluded, in 2003 and proper receipts previously prepared will be obtained for such books and papers. It is hoped to regularize this aspect of the transition, from one Ex-Co to the next. e. We checked how much money is due to the OBA on the sale of the College History Books. According to the Minutes of the AGM of February 02, 1997, it appeared Rs. 300,000/- was due to the OBA from the College. But since this was for purpose of College development and since the College itself is in dire straits financially, the Ex-Co has resolved to write off this amount as a bad debt. f. A sum of Rs. 250,000/- had been donated by Mrs. Mary Hayman towards the Dr. R L Hayman Museum. We will find out where this money is deposited before proceeding with the Project. g. Reference has been made to the Award of the Dr.R L Hayman and Fr. A. J.Foster Scholarships several times by Old Boys at Meetings. In fact the criteria for the award was also worked out by Mr. Arthur Perera with Mr. Collin Ratnayake, the Head Master at that time. The Secretary's Report for the year ended December 31,1996 makes reference to this. However, the awards do not appear to have been made to date. The Membership will be informed of the correct position. h. A fair sum of money is supposed to be due to the OBA from the Board of Governors. This has been due for quite some time. Reference is made to this in several Minutes including the Minutes of the last Meeting of the previous Ex-Co on February 21, 2002. According to the Report of the Secretary for the year ended December 31, 1997, at a Meeting of the Ex-Co as far back as April 10,1997 the Secretary was authorized to write to the Chairman of the Board of Governors to inform him inter alia that "Members regret that the donations sent to the Treasurer, the Board of Governors have not been promptly acknowledged thereby eroding the members confidence, in the Board of Governors on the one hand and in the Ex-Co of STCG OBA on the other. Unless prompt remedial action is taken it will impede future fund raising projects". The situation does not seem to have changed. We hope to resolve this early. A letter has been written and the Board of Governors representative has verbally agreed to settle monies due very soon. 6. Finance and Fund Raising: It was the general belief that it may not be prudent to engage in too many Projects to raise finance having in mind the Dinner Dance, now scheduled for Saturday November 16,2002 at the "Sapphire Ball Room" of the Ceylon Continental Hotel. Please keep the date free. The Senior Vice President has already sent out personal letters to Old Boys sufficiently well-known to him as regards placing Standing Orders to meet, particularly, recurring expenditure of the OBA, advances and a host of administrative expenses and costs. He has also suggested that the following Projects be considered: a. Gala Dinner
Dance
7. Newsletters :
It is hoped to make the First Newsletter ready to be sent before 8. College Magazine: A quotation for the printing of 600 copies of the College Magazine is awaited. We intend meeting the Head Master at Gurutalawa initially and thereafter the different Masters in Charge of Sports and Extra Curricular Activities including Clubs and Societies for the purpose of reviving the College Magazine. An English Master could be appointed the Editor of the College Magazine in co-ordination with the Head Master. Students could submit their contributions in all three languages. In this venture too the active involvement of those at College is a pre-requisite. 9. The Directory of Members : The total Number of Members whose names and addresses are available is 579. The Directory can be put out before end of May 2002. It is in a simple format. It has been decided to sell it at Rs.150/-. A more elaborate publication can be done at the 2nd Issue. 10. Register of Members: The new Register of Members is complete. Membership Numbers have been allocated therein. It could be inspected by any member during normal working hours. If the Members inform their change of addresses, it will facilitate regular communication between the Secretary and the Members. A uniform procedure to make endorsements as regards change of addresses is in force. On an endorsement being made in the Register of a Change of Address the Member will be notified in writing. There are 769 members. The addresses of 190 members are not available. Their names have been made available to the Ex-Co members in the first instance and in this Newsletter to facilitate tracing them. Friends of theirs who see their names are kindly requested for any information on them. Already members of the Ex-Co have sent in some information. 11. Membership Cards : are printed and written up. This will be issued after lamination, before the end of May. It is hoped that Admission to or participation at the next AGM would be on the basis of production of the Membership Cards. Membership Cards of the Members of the Ex-Co have already been delivered. It is hoped to send the Membership Cards together with this Newsletter. 12. Membership Drive: Each Member of the Ex-Co has a set of Application Forms for Membership to be handed over to those interested Old Boys. The Application Form has been reformatted making necessary corrections of obvious errors, as well including additional information required for the Directory to obviate the need to fill up 2 separate Forms, one for Membership and one for the Directory. It is also hoped that Each member of the Executive Committee will enroll at least one new member each month. Applications for Membership are now acknowledged in writing within 03 working days together with an official receipt. The Membership card too would normally be sent simultaneously. Ways and means are being explored to simplify and expedite processing and verification. We intend meeting the Warden of STC Mt. Lavinia regarding Applications from Old Boys of Mt. Lavinia. We will also discuss this with the Head Master at Gurutalawa. All applications received are being chronologically filed in a separate file. If the original is sent to the Head Master or Warden for verification, a photocopy is retained. 13. Ex-Co Meetings Members who are interested could participate at Meetings of the Ex-Co by invitation. Those interested may first write to the Secretary.
The Re-Union Day Celebrations Sub Committee will be named shortly so that they can attend to their work as regards procedures etc, and co-ordinate activities with the College authorities. Work will relate to inter alia sleeping arrangements in Dormitories and Sick Room area etc; Meals Menu From Friday Dinner to Sunday B'Fast; Foster Hall AGM arrangements relating to lighting (if necessary); Public Address System and Microphones for Participants, Podium, and Head Table; the Cricket Match and Refreshments at the Grounds; Band for Music at Grounds; Swimming Pool; Registration Desk; and Attendance Marking at entrance of Hall for AGM; Liquor; Beer; and Chasers; Bites and Short Eats etc for Fellowship with glasses and other necessary items; Band/s or Music for fellowship; the Procedure and Order of Speeches at Dinner and saying of Grace by Chaplain etc etc. In short, there must be some finesse in these arrangements. Also the unity of all Old Boys must be encouraged. 15. TRANSITION AFTER AGM, BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS, RECORDS, FILES, MINUTE BOOKS AND OFFICE PROCEDURES. ETC. 1. Minutes of Meetings of the Ex-Co's and of the AGM's prior to July 1997 and February 1996 respectively and all correspondence addressed to the Secretary and letters that were sent for tabling at Meetings during the previous period from 1959 up to 1996/1997 are not available. Any member or former Ex-Co official, who can assist in this regard is kindly invited to do so by sending in any document of value or of interest for purposes of rebuilding/retention/reconstruction of past records. 2. As from 03.03.2002, an Inward Letters Register and an Outward Letters Register are opened. So also 02 files to retain in safe custody letters received and copies of letters sent by the Secretary. 3. The names of several Members who have complained of not having received Newsletters or communications from the Secretary are now entered in the new Register and steps will be taken to ensure proper and regular communications with the membership. 16. Development
Projects - As regards the various Projects the position is as follows:- (b) There has been an inquiry with regard to providing Uniform Beds, mattresses and lockers for the Dorms. This is being pursued. If it materializes, the Dorms will once again have the same appearance as in the Hayman era. The present students will be free to take back home their mattresses, almyrahs, cupboards, clothes racks etc of various shapes, sizes and hues. (c) Mr.Ruwan Munasinghe has indicated that it would be possible to supply bunk beds with 2 Ceyesta mattresses at Rs.3,000/- per unit. This is being pursued. (d) Foster Dorm : Mr. Kaleel Majeed a Young Old Boy has undertaken to rehabilitate the Foster Dorm which needed extensive repairs and was left out of the December, 2001 Painting and Refurbishing Programme. (e) Farm - : A preliminary inspection of the farm and it's books was carried out. There are many areas in which Mr. Anilal Algama will be able to help. His advice is already being followed. With his expertise, farm activities should show a vast improvement. The Old Boy presently attending to the completion of refurbishing of the Senior Dorms has undertaken to have the roofs repaired of the buildings/sheds occupied by the farm animals with the surplus materials on completion of the Senior Dorms. Anilal has already visited Guru, spent some time at the Farm and had discussions during the Holidays. Ruwan has also agreed to look into various aspects of the farm and suggest improvements and also assist with regard to sales to well known business establishments in the Province. Mr.Sujeewa Godage has already made arrangements for Bandarawela Hotel to purchase at least 100 birds (Broilers) per week. Ruwan and Sujeewa have already spent a considerable time during the Holidays at Guru looking into various aspects. (f) Dining Hall : Ruwan has indicated he can complete the bio-gas project within 2 weeks from commencement. He has already visited the site and is resolving some incidental problems of waste disposal etc. We also looked into the question of the Dining Hall furniture. It was felt that the present tables appeared to be satisfactory. Where necessary they could be replaced with new tables of the same dimensions. But the benches must have a uniform height and be steady. This will be looked into and attended, through Ruwan. (g) Squash Court -: The Squash Court will be attended to by Mr. Prabath Jayasundera during the August holidays and completed. It will involve perhaps a parquet flooring, re-plastering of the walls and attending to the ceiling and roof. He is handling this personally with the help of an Old Boy who is planting and who was a National Player, i.e Mr.M.L.U.C. Pinto. Prabath has been informed that Mr.Christopher Dias and Mr.Gamini Amaratunga too may be of added assistance. (h) Basket Ball /
Badminton- : Mr.P.J. Fernando is in charge of the Basket Ball and (i) Generators - Mr. Rizvi Jalill has already repaired 03 of the College Generators thus enabling all students to have evening prep, hitherto cancelled owing to the power cut. (j) Telephone and Intercoms : An Old Boy has left with Rizvi a Telephone System to be handed over to the Head Master in due course once relocation is complete. The wiring will be done by Mr. Kamal Kodituwakku. The extensions will be provided to the Old Class Room block, the Laboratory and the Middle School Class Rooms at one end of the Campus and the Keble Complex at the other end of the Campus. It was felt that the following extension points may be appropriate.
1.Keble Complex If the Administration and Accounts Sections including the Head Masters Office is re-located in the new complex, then the above arrangement needs adjustment. We have asked the Head Master for his observations.
(l) Softwear for
Accounts Department : Rizvi has undertaken to arrange for his Softwear (m)Landscaping: Sujeewa has agreed to attend to the landscaping in and around the swimming pool. The gardens immediately below the Senior Dormitories would be attended to first, immediately after the rehabilitation of the Senior Dormitories is completed and the debris has been cleared. (n) IT Classes and Computers: The Head Master has indicated his interest in commencing I.T Classes. Information Technology or Computers must be a subject in the curriculum. Old Boys can come forward and assist in the supply of computers and printers. It is hoped to set up a separate unit of at least 10 computers so that computer classes can be conducted. We are also endeavouring to obtain the services of a Computer Master and if necessary an advertisement to that effect will be inserted in the newspapers. All this of course will be subject to necessary adjustments being made in College, as regards security, recognized teaching skills and a proper time table. Any member who can donate any IT equipment is requested to do so. (o)Class Room Furniture : Ruwan is also able to procure the class room furniture. He has been requested to deliver 30 tables and chairs for the Upper 6th class room as an Old Boy has undertaken to meet that cost. Others are expected to come forward and support in due course for other Class Rooms. (p) Plastic chairs - Kaleel has agreed to supply 75 plastic chairs for use in the College Hall or elsewhere as the Head Master thinks fit. (q) Water Supply System: Rizvi has undertaken to supply the necessary water pumps and rehabilitate the wells, pipes, overhead tanks etc. and improve the water supply system so that water is available right throughout the year. He has visited Guru to initiate work but found that due to the recent rains the wells have received a fair amount of water and cleaning them at this stage will not be practicable. He hopes to attend to this project during the August vacation. ( r ) Staff Quarters - ( Chummery ): The provision of suitable staff quarters received our attention.A renowned Chartered Architect had drawn up preliminary plans for the Chummery. However, it was found that hardly any of the staff were happy to live within the campus. The question of recruiting foreigners with particular reference to English, Maths, Science and Computers is being explored. In this context it is felt that improving the entire Staff Quarters must be given priority now that accommodation for the students is being looked after. (s) Groceries : Rizvi has also made arrangements for Thushara Traders of Welimada to supply and deliver to the door step all grocery requirements of the college on a regular basis. An undertaking has been given that this establishment owned by an Old Boy will supply groceries at the lowest price quoted in Welimada. (t) Laboratory and
Library: Mr.Don Gazara has already made arrangements for the supply of a
huge volume of books. Supply of Laboratory equipment will be no problem
to him. The response of the Head Master with regard to the actual
requirement and specifications of the microscope and the books etc has
been received. A large consignment of books gathered by Don was
delivered to the Head Master. Brig. B Munasinghe too has arranged
regular consignments of books from Asia Foundation and the first of
these was delivered to the Head Master at the Ex-Co Meeting on May
17,2002. Don has visited College and looked in to various matters and
reported back his observations. 17.Resignations and Appointments: Mr.Nihal Wanniarachchi the Hony.Secretary tendered his Resignation from the onerous position of the Secretary due to personal reasons, change of Employment and re-location. The Association thanks him for his services which were very sincerely appreciated. He will continue to assist the new Secretary, the Ex-Co and the OBA with his long experience. Mr.B A Mahipala and Mr.Anilal Algama had declined to accept office as members of the Ex-Co. They have however indicated their total commitment to give their unstinted co-operation to the Executive Committee and all development work proceeding at Gurutalawa. Mr. Mohamed Najeeb (from the very young group of Old Boys) has accepted an assignment in South Africa and consequently has submitted his resignation from the Ex-Co. He has made arrangements so that all Development work he has undertaken will be continued by his friends. Mr.Shervon Fernando of the Executive Committee was appointed as Secretary in terms of Rule 8 (2). Our good wishes go to him in the difficult task ahead. Mr.Kaleel Majeed was appointed to the Ex-Co in place of Mr.Mohamed Najeeb in terms of Rule 8 (2). Mr.K.Bandusena has been co-opted to the Ex-Co in place of Mr.B A Mahipala in terms of Rule 8 (1) (C ). Mr.Nihal Wanniarachchi was in terms of Rule 8 (2) re-appointed to the Executive Committee to fill the vacancy created by Mr.Shervon Fernando who was appointed as Hony. Secretary. 18.Dinner Dance :
It is hoped to organize the Dinner Dance on a grand scale. Mr. Sunil 19.The Hayman
Museum : The location was to be Dr.Hayman's Office Room. The project was
20.Naming New Dining Hall : Mrs.Mary Hayman has been written to as
discussed at the last 21.Standard of
English :The procuring of competent English teachers is a matter that
must
22. The Way Ahead A hand picked team
of Members can be co-opted into a Sub-Committee to co-ordinate with the
Head Master. Members thus selected should be experts in their fields and
be able to work with the Head Master tactfully. The Head Master, who has
a very onerous task, as it is, naturally would welcome the reasonable
suggestions and advice offered, to eliminate wastage, corruption, mis-management,
mis-appropriation and also put in place proper and regular checks and
procedures for the smooth and efficient administration, and also lay
down criteria, guidelines, etc etc, even for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps there may be more members able and willing who may be delegated
different tasks. They need to be identified. As this is a very sensitive
area of operation, this Sub-Committee will perhaps be the most important
for the future well-being of College. The OBA should use some gentle persuasion tactfully, to assert its right with regard to an important matter that had been referred to at the First Meeting of the Executive Committee. CONTRIBUTING MILLIONS OF RUPEES FOR DEVELOPMENT WORK OF AN INSTITUTION WHICH HAS NO CLEAR VISION OR DIRECTION IS TO OUR MIND UTTERLY FOOLHARDY. All Members who wish to make contributions financially and otherwise WERE VERY KEEN THAT OUR ASSOCIATION TAKE A KEEN INTEREST IN FINDING OUT THE CAUSE FOR THE DETERIORATION. ALL OF THEM ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING SACRIFICES ONLY IF THE COLLEGE CAN BE BROUGHT BACK TO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THE HAYMAN ERA. Considering the present trends we feel it will be very difficult if not impossible to maintain the well known standards and traditions which we speak so much of. Not many students appear to be interested in proceeding to STC Mount. It is necessary to collect some data on the current student population. WE KNOW PAST HEAD MASTERS HAVE EACH OF THEM HAD THEIR OWN PRIORITIES, AGENDAS AND IDIOSYNCRASIES. We should have serious deliberations on those matters. These matters do require discussion by our membership, at least those interested, and eventually proceed along the best course of action. We should involve the Head Master in these deliberations. He is during his stewardship undoubtedly the most important individual who charts the course of College. He may succeed or he may fail. We can all of us give him the benefit of our collective advice guidance and expertise. To ignore the collective expertise of those who have risen in their respective fields and who really do care enough for the College to come forward to help, would be foolish. We need at this juncture to harness each and every resource for the common good. Let us therefore listen, discuss and then chart the course. We do not think we should be blindly led on these matters. It is too much to be left to chance . We have seen what happens when numbers are increased indiscriminately students are admitted without any screening; etc etc. Guru was meant to be a Boarding School. It was undoubtedly the best boarding School in all of Sri Lanka at one time.- for a long time. Not any more. Unless that attitude and vision are changed none of us will eventually get any satisfaction in what we are doing. It is best that all be informed of this and corrective steps taken before generous and willing Members pour in their hard-earned monies to an Institution which we are not going to be proud of to associate with. These are matters on which several Old Boys wish to have a discussion. Some members are not in the Ex-Co. We feel it is best we organize same very early and invite persons who can make worthwhile contributions. PLEASE HELP TO
TRACE THESE MEMBERS OF THE OBA
List B MEMBERS AS PER
MAILING LIST OF LAST EX-CO -NOT AVAILABLE AT GIVEN ADDRESSES 1. Mr.Abeysinghe N
P - 16,Fredrica Road, Colombo 06
1. Mr. Candappa
M.P.R. 17/4, Weeraman Road, Panadura List D MEMBERS AS PER MAILING LIST OF LAST EX-CO NOT AVAILABLE AT GIVEN ADDRESSES (RETURNED LETTERS )
Colombo
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