OBUNews

24-October-2011

Wesley College double Blue Ball 2011

Wesley College OBU UK, celebrated the Nineteenth annual dinner dance at the City Grange hotel

In London on the 18^th Oct 2011. The social secretary in his opening address stated that Wesley college was 137 years old and has produced great statesmen, public servants, professionals and sportsmen.

We were honoured to have his Excellency the deputy high Commissioner Mr P M Amza and Mrs Amza as chief guests at the dinner dance. Mr Amza stressed the importance of Wesley Colleges’ heritage as one of the oldest educational institutions in Sri Lanka. Mr Sanjika Perera the Director Sri Lanka Tourism also graced the occasion.

The evening was highlighted by the presentation of 3 special awards to three distinguished old boys of the Wesley College Colombo.

Mr Nalin Perera – Sri Lanka Tourism UK

Mr Paul David – Total (France)

Mr Rex Devadasan – Civil Service UK

The President Mr Tharanga Jayasinghe thanked all the VIP’s and the guests for their support in attending the dinner dance. He especially thanked his executive committee, Mr Mohamed Lhahir ( Hony Secretary ), Mr Nalin Perera (Hony Treasurer), Dr Ana Thevathasan (Social Secretary), Mr Roshan Perera ( Sports Secretary), Mr Azahim Mohamed (Membership Secretary), Mr Rex Devadasan (Vice President).

Peter Casie Chetty's (Christie) Report

The Wesley College Old Boys Union Branch of the United Kingdom has continuously, since its inception under the Presidency of Douglas Raymond in 1993, continued to provide support both morally and financial to the welfare of the school. This year is no exception. The nineteenth Double Blue Ball held at Grange City Hotel in East London raised over £2500 for the alma mater.

The hard working committees set up here in London have single-mindedly striven to collect funds towards the School’s Educational and Sports Development helping the Principal Dr Shanthi McClelland’s aim to make Wesley the most successful Academic Institution in Sri Lanka.

Incumbent President Tharanga Jayasinghe in his message said that there were many young old Wesleyites in positions of the OBU an encouraging sign for the life span of the Union in the United Kingdom. He also mentioned that the Union had hosted visits from the Principal Dr Shanthi McClelland and former International Rugby Player and Athlete Reggie Bartholamuze and his wife Dawn.

The Old Boys Union teams take part in the annual Festival of Cricket and the Rugby Festival. The smooth running of the Union followed the reconciliation after The Presidency of Spencer Hoffman (2005 -2006) when there was no Dance held.

Wesley College has always been a beacon of the multiracialism and will continue to be one in the many years to come.

Wesley College Old Boys Union UK - 19th Annual General Meeting
Sunday 30th January 2011

As you begin your AGM on Saturday 30th January 2011, my thoughts, prayers and good wishes are with you. As I approach my 96th birthday, regrettably I am unable to engage with your activities in any more practical way but am honoured that I am still remembered after more than half a century! As I read your agenda and the reports of your current concerns and activities, I can see that the strong spirit of the school lives on in its old boys. As you reflect on the past year and plan for the new, I send you my very best wishes for your continuing success.

With Best wishes

Wilfred Pile

Wesley College OBU (UK) was formed 19^th years ago. The union continues to meet the objectives under which the union was formed. The year 2010/2011 was an eventful year for the union. The Union maintains close working relationship with the Principal of Wesley College Colombo Dr Shanthi Mclelland and continues to support him and fully endorse the tremendous work that he has undertaken for the betterment of our Alma Mater that too in such a short space of time.

Committee Meetings and Membership: The OBU held six formal meetings at committee level. At these meetings the overriding principal, that the polices of the Union should be formulated and decisions guiding us on the course of action to be taken after profound discussion. The membership of the Union closed on 15^th November 2010 as per the constitution. During the year our membership increased. Which no doubt, speaks well for the future of the union. My thanks to our Membership Secretary Azahim Mohamed.

Social Events: The 18^th Annual double Blue Ball was held on Saturday 16^th October 2010 at the Holiday Inn, Kingston South, Surbiton Surrey. The Dinner/Dance is one of the major fund raising events in our calendar year for Education and Sports developments programme for our Alma Mata. The dance was a financial success and was an enjoyable and a memorable event. My thanks to the Social Secretary Siva Kandakumar.

The 15^th Annual combined Methodist / Wesley College OBU carol service was held on Sunday 5^th December 2010 at Wesley’s Chapel, City Road, London EC1. The event was well attended as is customary, the evening closed with a fellowship. My thanks to Rex Devadason for overseeing matters on our behalf.

Sports Activities: The OBU participated in the festival of Cricket 2010 for the 17^th year as a full member. The team was captained by Roshan Perera. The performance of our team was exceptional. Wesley came into the semi finals and lost to St Benedict’s by eight runs. The Union was proud to note, that this Year’s festival was headed by an Old Wesleyite Azahim Mohamed. The OBU also, played two cricket matches with Dharamaraja College and Isipathana College. Wesley took part in the one off Cricket tournament organised by SriLankan Airlines.We participated in the Touch Rugby Tournament 2010. The team was captained by Jehan Jaldin. Our performance at this tournament was far below our normal high standards.

This year we were able to enter, a team for the SLFA (UK) Festival of Football 2010 tournament. The team was captained by Altaf Jawfar. Our Representatives at the Festival of Cricket 2010 were Roshan Perera, Nalin Perera and Ananda Thevathasan. My thanks to our sports secretary Roshan Perera.

During the year, the Union passed £2250.00 for the refurbishment of the College (M H Mohamed) sports pavilion Project at Campbell Park.

Website: Our website is one of the oldest amongst the Sri Lankan schools in the UK has now been reconstructed to facilitate present needs. Since the reconstruction of the site in January 2010, we have had a large number of visits to the site, which is very encouraging. The site has many new features for members and well wishes to browse. May I request the members to leave your comments on the guest page so that we can use your comments to further improve the site. May I take this opportunity to thank and my appreciation to two old Wesleyites Bunny Taylor (Canada) and Mahindra Dissanayake (Sri Lanka) for undertaking this task successfully. Bunny Taylor continues to update and maintain the site and Peter Christy Cassi Chetty for his valuable editing.

In Memoriam: It is great sadness that we received the news of the death of Derrick Juriansz and AlHaj M.Z.M Jai Lameer.

Derrick an old boy of Wesley College Colombo in the 1940’s. He represented Wesley College firstX1 at Cricket and Tennis. He was a loyal member of the OBU UK and supported the Union in all its activities.

AlHaj Jai Lameer passed away on 8^th January 2011. Jai was at Wesley College Colombo from 1946 -1963 and represented College at Rugby. He was a founder member of the Wesley College OBU UK and did all the initial work to get the Union up and running. Jai was elected the first secretary of the union and became its 3^rd President. He also, held the post of Treasurer. Jai was the founder of the Charity “Mercy Mission“. The medical mission visits Srilanka annual ly and works closely with deprived children.

Appreciation: I must place on record our appreciation to our Patron Rev Wilfred Pile, our Vice patron Dr Shanthi McLelland. To our Treasurer Nalin Perera who discharged his duties diligently. Our Auditor for examining our books and the general membership for their support and participation in all our activities. The members of the Committee for their help and assistance.

I wish to pay a special tribute to our President Tharanga Jayasinghe who held this office with dignity and respect.

Conclusion: My final word to all our members is that we must remain united and work with the interest of our Alma Mater primarily in mind. The union will continue to do good work as in the 19^th years of its existence.

Refreshments and fellowship followed immediately after the service....

Rgds

Azahim

Hi Azahim and Rex,

Many thanks for organizing the Carol Service. Many commented that the service was excellent and it was well organized. Please convey my thanks (on behalf of the MCPPA UK) to Tharanga - the President. Please could you thank the Readers from Wesley who took part and all the others who took part in the drama etc, the choir, organist, clarinet player and the soloist. The food was great. Please thank those on the Wesley side who contributed food.

Kind regards
Kumari