EVENTS/PROJECTS 2010/2011
In this section you will find information on the events projects conducted in the year 2010/2011.
Executive Committee Meetings
A total of 11 Executive Committee Meetings and Two Special Executive Committee Meeting were held during the period April 2010 to March 2011.And the turn out averaging above 60%. All meetings were chaired by President Lasantha Fernando.
Web Site – Convener Mr.Cassim Farook
A young new committee member Mr.Cassim Farook initiated the www.wesleyobu.lk web site. It was a long felt need, have been spoken on many occasions but not materialized. Within a short period of two and a half months the site was operational without any financial burden to the OBU. And the site was made good use of during the Wesley Walk.
Cricket Carnival – Convener Mr.Dilshan Hossan
The much looked forward event, the softball cricket carnival conducted for the third consecutive year during the month of June, At the Campbell Park. Over 200 old boys young and not so old took part in the cricket carnival.
Walk of Grit – Convener Principal
The Wesley Walk named Walk of Grit was held on 31st July 2010.The walk is a project carried out by the Wesley fraternity comprising of current students, old boys, teachers, Parents and well wishers. But this year under the able leadership of Dr.Shanti McLallend the Old boys who were mostly Exco members of the OBU played a major role in organizing the walk. The initial target of 2 million had to be revised every fortnight and the end result was a staggering 9 million. The proceeds from the walk will be utilized to establish an Information Technology Centre.
Rhythms of Double Blue – Convener Mr.Maithri Vithanage
The Rhythms of Double Blue a musical show in the tune of the Hits of the 70’s was held on 25th September 2010 at the college hall. The objective of this project was to raise funds the OBU. The show was well organized and the crowd did enjoy the music.
Double Blue Ball “Simply the Best” – Convener Mr.Senaka Amaratunga
The DBB’10 the signature event of Wesley College jointly organized by OWSC and OBU was held on 27th November 2010 at Waters Edge. The Dinner Dance meticulously planned and well executed was simply best of the best. A total of 440 reveled the night away on the said date.
Kiddies Christmas Party – Convener Mr.Chryshan Rodrigo
This project too is a joint project between the OBU and OWSC. For many years it was the OWSC that took the lead in organizing the event, but this year since the OWSC was full of activities the OBU took the lead in organizing same. Thanks to Mr.Chrishan Rodrigo who came forward to chair the project and ably assisted by Derrick Goonatillake, Peter Wijayasekera, and Amal Dissanayake and facilitated by Dashing Events saw that the kids had a merry time. A total of 85 kids participated at the party. And I wish to thank all those who contributed by way of sponsorship and made this event a success and minimized the loss to the OBU and OWSC.
Wesley College Chapel
At the request of the Chaplain the OBU donated 6 fans to the chapel. The fans were donated by M/s.Anil Fernando, Laksanda Gunawardane, Dilshan Hossan, Farman Cassim, Ranjith Cooray and Oliver Rajadurai.The cost of wiring and labour charge was borne by the OBU. It’s also significant to note that Mr.Lasantha Fernando has started a fund named Mr. & Mrs. L.P.Fernando Trust Fund and the beneficiary being the Wesley College Chapel. And the total contribution as at now is Rs.180, 000/- and the target of Mr. Fernando is to see that it reaches Rs.500, 000/-.
Campbell Park / Swimming Pool
At all monthly meetings a major part of the time was allocated to discuss the issue of the lease agreement of the Campbell Park and the construction of the swimming pool. The progress of the pool was stalled due to the delay in getting the lease agreement signed by the relevant authority. The delay was not on our side but mainly due to the red tape of the relevant authorities. Thanks to M/s Shahul Mohomed, Maithri Vithanage, and Chandima de Silva with the help of the special commissioner of the Colombo Municipality Mr. Omar Kamil saw to it that the lease agreement was finalized and approved.
Immediately afterwards the OBU embarked on the mega project of building the pool. The principal asked Mr.Lasantha Fernando to head the project. Originally the sight was identified as the Campbell Park, but taking into consideration that Campbell Park is a leased land and the risk and the vulnerability involved in it, it was decided to have the pool built inside the college premises. And the official launch of the swimming pool took place on the founder’s day on 3rd March 2011.
The reality of the swimming pool is not in the hands of the chairman or the committee but in every single wesleyite past and present. We need to come together as a single force and work towards the realization of the dream, its only then that Wesley College will have a swimming pool of its own.
E.T.Fernando Memorial Trophy
The E.T.Fernando memorial trophy with a cash donation of Rs.Fifteen Thousand donated by Mr.Lasantha Fernando and his two brothers Mr.Anil Fernando, a loyal old boy now domiciled in Canada and Mr.Rohan Fernando (a non Wesleyite) awarded for the “Most Outstanding Student” will be awarded for the third consecutive year this year too. Last years recipients were joint winners Mr.Sasith Gamage and Mr.S.N.Pushparaja.
Obituaries
The committee records with deep regrets the passing away of the following distinguished old boys Brian Claessen, Hilary de Alwis, M.R.Ismail, Lalith Peiris. Our sincere sympathies to all those who have suffered bereavements in their families during the year.
Life Members
A total of 40 old Wesleyites’ were enrolled as life members during the period March 2010 to March 2011.The members names are as follows:
M.I.A.Siddeek, R.Shanmuganathan, M.P.Muralitharan, M.P.Pragash, W.D.Helsham, P.Karunaratne, S.P.S.Wansanath, W.M.Ahsik, R.M.Mansoor, W.N.M.K.Perera, R.A.R.Indika,M.R.Fairoze,Rasheed Hassim, ,R.Prabagar,M.S.Ahamat, A.S.Bulathsinghala, H.M.Zuhair,(Dr).A.C.A.Shuaib, M.I.Ansar, T.F.Amith, (Dr)M.G.M.S.Zurfick,Dulanjana Wijewardena, A.F.Zacky, K.D.Gohunuwatta, R.A.Wijeyekoon, M.P.Punitharaj, Dilshan Boange, D.G.Roshan, R.R.Manamperi, G.R.N.K.Gamlath, Z.R.Borham, M.N.M.Aadil, B.U.Wijesinghe, Shehan Wijayanayake, L.D.T.De Silva, D.C.Wijeratna, T.R.Buwaneka, Rev.G.Shanthakumar, R.D.Wijeratna.
Exco Attendance
The attendance of the Exco members at the meetings was excellent but the contribution of the members needs to be improved. We need the Exco members to be more vibrant and be proactive and to get actively involved in doing projects. And I expect the aspiring new committee members to be synergy to the old boys’ union.
Fellowship Lunch and AGM.
As customary the fellowship lunch was held on 7th March 2010 at the college hall and was followed by the Annual General Meeting. A total of 275 members participated at both events.