Newsletter Issue 05

1. Newsletter No.4 was sent to 655 members.

2. Since then 21 members have joined the Association. The Audited Accounts of the Association up to December 31,2002, the Secretary's Report, draft Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of March 02,2002, draft of the new Rules of the OBA proposed to be adopted at the Annual General Meeting on February 23,2003, the Programme of Events in connection with the said Annual General Meeting and the Annual Re-Union Celebrations of February 2003 together with the Notice of Meeting etc were sent to 676 members of the OBA.

3. Previously only the few members who attended the Annual General Meeting had the benefit of the Audited Accounts and the Secretary's Report whilst the vast majority of Members i.e over 550 were left in the dark about the activities and accounts of the Association & matters relating to College etc. It was therefore felt that the entire membership must be embraced and kept informed and that they should not be communicated with only for the purpose of soliciting donations. There are over 50 members outside Sri Lanka alone who would otherwise fall in to this category of uninformed members. By following this policy several members have been able to make their own contributions towards the development activities in College which otherwise would not have materialised.

4. It is noteworthy that no monies have been drawn from the Association for any expenses in connection with the printing, postage etc of Newsletters, flyers (relating to the Thanksgiving Service on December 03 2002 in respect of past Headmasters and Fr.A J Foster as well as for the Dinner Dance) and Notice of the Annual General Meeting, Secretary's Report, Audited Accounts etc,etc. These expenses have been met by Old Boys and well exceeded Rs.150,000/-.

5. The sum of Rs.11,038/24 under the heading Postage and Stationery appearing at page 03 of the Audited Accounts sent to the members relate to expenses incurred prior to March 02,2002 i.e before the current Ex-Co came in to office. The accounting year of the Association is from January 01 to December 31st. Thus no expenses whatsoever have been charged to the OBA on account of Newsletters, Flyers routine correspondence etc. There are over 5000 communications that have gone out from the Secretary to the membership.

6. It had been recorded in the Minutes that a sum of Rs.190,000/- was due from the Board of Governors of the College to our OBA representing donations made by Old Boys and well wishers. This amount had been outstanding for several years. Of this a sum of Rs.120,000/- was returned in late 2002, after the concerted efforts of the current Ex-Co. Of the balance in view of the absence of records we compounded our recovery at Rs.30,000/-. This matter which had been outstanding for quite some time has thus been concluded satisfactorily.

7. Any Old Boy who wishes to make a donation to the Association in connection with it's development activities of College through the Board of Governors for the purpose of obtaining tax relief is kindly requested to keep the Association informed immediately the donation is made with relevant payment particulars so that the Association could follow it up and collect the money without delay. If this procedure is followed by any Old Boy, then the unnecessary controversies and delays as before could be eliminated.

8. One of the main objectives of the current Ex-Co was to establish the Role the Association should play in the affairs of the College. This objective has been realised and accepted. Another important aspect was the creation of the office of an Administrative Officer. This too has been achieved. It is almost certain that an Old Boy will very soon be appointed to hold this office after necessary advertisement in the News Papers. An Old Boy is already in place as the Farm Manager through the intervention of the Association. All these factors auger well for College and the Association.

9. The Ex-Co was successful in arranging to have the rate of interest on the Overdraft facility enjoyed by College with the Hatton National Bank reduced from 24% to 8%. The saving per annum is over Rs.100,000/-. The excess overdraft made use of by College is also to be given the same concession and the resultant aggregate saving on interest for the College would now be more than double that figure.

10. Apart from the Development Projects completed and referred to in the last Newsletter the following projects too have now been completed successfully.
a. Partitioning of Room for Headmaster's Secretary in new Block.
b. Donation of a DVD player for Audio Visual Laboratory.
c. Donation of Rs.15,000/- towards the Staff Welfare Fund.
d. Donation of Rs.30,000/- towards the Dr.R L Hayman and Fr.A J Foster Scholarship Awards for two students in the Middle and Senior School respectively for the year 2003.

11. We have been informed that the English Teachers from the British Council will be arriving in Gurutalawa in March 2003 to take up their assignment. Their quarters were made ready by the Association. Necessary furniture, fittings and equipment would be put in place shortly.

12. The College Magazine which was defunct has now been revived. It is expected that 430 copies of the Magazine for the year 2002 will be made available to the Headmaster by the OBA within the next few days.

13. The 2nd Issue of the Members Directory should be available at Gurutalawa during the Re-Union Celebrations, and thereafter, with the following:-

a. Mr. Shervon Fernando, Hony. Secretary, No. 78/2, Kumaragewatte, Pelawatta, Battaramulla. Phone: 075 553017/0777- 746221
b. Mr Bandula Wanigasekera, 85/18 Jawatta Gardens, Colombo 05. Phone: 585865, 500424
c. Mr.Mahen Ranasinghe, No.185, Madinnagoda Road, Rajagiriya
Phone 071-228675
The cost will be Rs.200/-.

14. The 3rd week end of February will see our Old Boys congregating at Gurutalawa from all parts of the Country, some even from abroad. These annual Re-Union Celebrations are organized by the Association. It is also the occasion of the AGM of the Association when activities of the past year are reviewed and elections are held to appoint an Ex-Co. These events at Gurutalawa are had after arrangements are discussed and co-ordinated with the Headmaster and his staff on the one side and the Ex-Co of the Association on the other. This year's celebration are being arranged, as in the past, to afford all Old Boys of every vintage an opportunity of gathering once more at Gurutalawa to renew old ties, chat about old times and also make new friends. It is also an opportunity for Old Boys to see for themselves conditions in College, meet the Headmaster and his staff, talk to them and do what is possible to help in the progress of College. These activities and celebrations strengthen the relationship and bond between the members themselves, between the members and the Association and also with the College, it's Headmaster, staff and students. This year's activities have accordingly been arranged with these objectives in mind.

15. All Old Boys are therefore cordially invited to co-operate with the organizers of this year's events in making these celebrations a happy and useful occasion. Let us meet, greet and when we part do so in a spirit of friendship and co-operation having as one objective our love and concern for the College to which we owe so much so that the current batch of Thomians and future generations to come will benefit. Let us conduct ourselves in such a manner that perhaps in the not too distant future, it will be possible for the Old Boys Annual Celebrations to be had at Gurutalawa with the full participation of all the current students as in the Hayman era.

16. Efforts are being made to conduct the Re-Union Celebrations in a more organised manner. It is intended to start the Cricket Match on time. Old Boys wishing to play are being contacted in Colombo itself. Two Trophies are to be awarded to the Best Batsman and to the Best Bowler. A Score Board is being put up by an Old Boy which is to be ceremonially declared open before the commencement of the match. If all goes well we are hoping to exhibit some films done by Dr.R L Hayman of Old Boys Annual Re-Union Celebrations and other events of interest on Friday at the Foster Hall. For the first time a contest is being organised in the Swimming Pool in the form of a Medley Relay between Old Boys and present Students. So also a Basketball match between the Old Boys and Present Students. Two Old Boys have challenged each other to a Squash Duel to open the newly refurbished Squash Court. The looser will pay Rs.10,000/- towards Squash at College. The day's events will be covered by a Video Camaraman.

17. The Fellowship is to be had in the lawn/quadrangle of the Junior Dorms provided the weather keeps fine. Music appropriate for the occasion will be provided by a DJ from Colombo. Dinner will be in the new Dining Hall with all Old Boys sitting down together after grace is said by the Chaplain. All Old Boys have been requested to come in their best attire, Lounge or National (at least in tie) for this occasion.

18. As the AGM will be on Sunday morning, following the request of several Old Boys, a Traditional Thomian Lunch will be hosted by the Headmaster.

19. Tickets are already available in Colombo to those Old Boys who wish to participate in the Annual Re-Union Celebrations. No increase has been made in the charges. The amount is Rs.500/-. Tickets could be purchased from
a. Mr. Shervon Fernando, Hony. Secretary, No. 78/2, Kumaragewatte, Pelawatta, Battaramulla. Phone: 075 553017/0777- 746221
b. Mr Bandula Wanigasekera, 85/18 Jawatta Gardens, Colombo 05. Phone: 585865, 500424
c. Mr.Mahen Ranasinghe, No.185, Madinnagoda Road, Rajagiriya
Phone 071-228675

20. Several Old Boys have made inquires with regard to transport arrangements. Air Conditioned Vans are being arranged to leave Colombo on Friday morning and some in the afternoon. They will be returning from Gurutalawa after early lunch on Sunday. The cost is Rs.750/-. Those interested should contact Mr.Shervon Fernando or Mr.Mahen Ranasinghe at the above addresses without delay. Reservations have already been made.

21. The Membership drive initiated this year has resulted in the enrolment of over 100 members. This in itself has been a fair achievement. We hope these new members will join in all the activities of the Association and also get to know their Seniors and Juniors so that stronger friendships can be established.

The members who joined this year are:-

M.W A P Jayatilaka, Mr.Dilantha A Wijesinghe, Mr.Upali Jayatilaka, Mr.M H F Farook, Mr.M P Dissanayake, Mr.S A R S Peitersz, Mr.Ranjit Lowe, Mr.Fedrick Edwin, Mr.Lankanesan Nesiah, Mr.C S Fernando, Mr.Muthiah Shashikumar, Mr.S K Punyadasa, Mr.S S Landekumbura, Mr.J A B Ranasinghe, Mr.Jayantha Wanniarachchi, Mr.Ajith C Lamahewa, Mr.Annamalai Rajenthran, Mr.Rukman R Wijekulasuriya, Mr.N W J Perera, Mr.Shiyan Fernando, Mr.Vijitha Fernando, Mr.R M S.Ratnayake, Mr.D C Rupasinghe, Mr.S G A Fernando, Mr.G D Meemaduma, Mr.P A S Saram, Mr.F M Tan, Mr.Ananda S Jayasinghe, Dr.P S Dias, Mr.S M Marikkar, Mr.K D L M Gunathilaka, Mr.K Warnakulasuriya, Mr.G C B Tammita, Mr.N D P Sugathapala, Mr.W V Dikkumbura, Mr.W H Ellepola, Mr.S R Rathnapala, Mr.D Rathnayake, Mrs.C L Dias, Mrs.S H Jayasekera, Mr.W W M Sumanapala,Mrs.M W Wickramage,Mr.M F Mohamed Nauman, Mr.S P Palihawadana, Mr.D N J M Lihinikaduwa, Mr.R Ranaweera, Mr.J R Waragoda Arachchi, Mr.R Wijesekera, Mr.R Wignarajah, Mr.M M S Wijesiri, Mr.G Nesaseelan, Mr.R C Kumara, Mr.D Ekanayake, Mr.W M Bandulasena, Mr.P P M Dias, Mr.R Renganathan, Mr.H Athanayake, Mr.S Prabaharan, Mr.B Marikkar, Mr.M H M Mohideen, Mr.S Navaratnam, Rev Fr.Nihal J R Fernando,Mr.K S Sureshkumar, Mr.H Nilaweera, Mr.R A T Pushpika,Mr.R A T.Warnaka,Mr.S.Karuneshwaran, Mr.S.Senaratne, Mr.A H M Ameen, Mr.W V Eknath, Mr.W M R Wijesinghe,Mr.S Mahindadasa, Mr.D M G K H De Silva, Mr.M E N Thilakaratne, Mr.S.Dimbulana, Mr.J N P Maddumage, Mr.K R B Keerthisingha, Mr.P R B Keerthisingha, Mr.S C A Jayakody, Mr.J S Ravisinghe, Mr.J Attanayke, Mrs.J Nesaseelan, Mr.E Seneviratne,
Mr.S Karunagaran, Mr.W G Seneviratne, Mr.A D N Pietersz, Mr.A J H Pietersz, Mr.N P D Waidyanayake ,Mr.D R Wijewardena, Mr.A I Vadysinghe, Mr.N D Amukotuwa, Mr.K F R Abayasekera, Mr.V P Velayutham, Mr.C P S K Kotakethana, Mr.C N Ratwatta, Mr.S K M Azwar Khan, Mr.D M M P Dissanayake, Mr.K Wimalraja, MR.D G Kannangara, Mr.Don Damith Karannagodage

They are extended a warm welcome. All of them have been handed over their Membership Card and copies of past Newsletters depending on availability. They are kindly requested to keep the Secretary informed of any change of address/telephone no etc in order that the records of the Association could be updated.

We request members to bring Old Boys who are not members for the Re-Union Celebrations and the AGM. Facilities will be available for them to join the Association immediately.

22. We have also been successful in enrolling 19 members of the Staff to the Association.

23. During the year that has passed the Ex-Co has made much effort in having a cordial relationship not only with the Headmaster but also with the staff and students, discussing their problems and trying to find solutions. We have been successful to some degree, we have attracted the attention of Old Boys who had forgotten or given up on College for years. They have rallied round, taken note of our call and made generous donations. A few have made enormous contributions. We are confident more will follow now that the enthusiasm of the current Ex-Co has been infectious.

24. Attention has been given by the Ex-Co to requirements of College in the Dormitories, Classrooms, Toilets, Staff Quarters, Sports Facilities and Equipment, Scholarships, Laboratory Equipment, Books for the Library, Audio Visual Equipment, Teaching Aids for the Classrooms, improving standard of English, reviving the Farm, relieving the Headmaster of routine Administrative matters, health of all campus residents, their recreational activities discipline, neatness and tidiness in the Dormitories and general cleanliness in the College, landscaping etc, etc. In these endeavours individual Old Boys have taken the lead and even before the Association could assist College made their own contributions, some of which have been unique and without parallel in the history of the College and of the Association.

25. Much more remains to be done. In this year's activities, we have tried to draw more students and members of the staff to the celebrations so that there is better inter-action. Perhaps soon it will be possible to have Dance recitals, Science and Art Exhibitions, Presentations by the Choir etc etc during the Old Boys Annual Re-Union Celebrations.

Colombo
February 11,2003 Sub Committee for Newsletters