A landmark gathering of Dhamma School alumni

Chandana Sooriyabandara, CEO of Stein Studios at MTV Channel Pvt. Ltd., Capital Maharaja Group lights the oil lamp to inaugurate the event

Alumni of  the Sri Kalyani Dhamma School and their families at the event

A student receiving the certificate 

The launch of the Past Students’ Association’s website

The Sri Kalyani Past Students’ Summit 2024,organised by the Alumni Association of Sri Kalyani Dhamma School, affiliated to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, was held on November 10th to commemorate the school’s 52nd anniversary. 

The event brought together nearly a thousand alumni, marking a significant milestone in the Dhamma school’s history. 

The summit was held under the chief patronage of Most Venerable Aggama Maha Pandita Mahopadhyaya Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thera, Chief Incumbent of Sri Kalyani Raja Maha Viharaya, Chancellor of Kelaniya University, and Senior Professor. The event was graced by Ven. Dr. Deniyaye Pannaloka Buddharakkhita Thera, Principal of Sri Kalyani Dhamma School and Senior Lecturer in Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Kelaniya. Ven. Buddharakkhita Thera delivered his blessings and expressed his appreciation for the alumni’s continued connection with the school. The summit commenced with the launch of the Past Students’ Association’s website, a significant step towards enhancing communication and engagement with alumni worldwide. This digital platform will help strengthen the association’s global outreach. 

A major highlight of the summit was the introduction of a global initiative aimed at connecting overseas alumni and expanding the reach of the Past Students’ Association. 

In addition, the Sri Kalyani Alumni Professionals Forum was launched, a platform that brings together the professionals from Sri Kalyani Dhamma School to collaborate and support each other in their respective fields. The event also showcased the progress of the certification course programme, an initiative designed to empower the next generation of students—particularly those in ‘Gen Z’—with contemporary skills, freely conducted by alumni to benefit current students.  Chandana Sooriyabandara, CEO of Stein Studios at MTV Channel Pvt. Ltd., Capital Maharaja Group, delivered the keynote address. 

In recognition of his significant contributions, Sooriyabandara was presented with a token of appreciation. 

The evening also featured cultural performances that allowed attendees to reflect on their time at the school and celebrate the cherished memories created over the past five decades. Nearly a thousand alumni and their families attended the event, making it a memorable and significant occasion for the Sri Kalyani community. The summit not only strengthened the bond among past students but also highlighted the association’s ongoing efforts to support the development of future generations. 

This gathering will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in the history of Sri Kalyani Dhamma School, reaffirming its pivotal role in shaping the spiritual and professional lives of its alumni.