Alumni Association of University going strong

L to R Head of Administration, Mr. Sumanarathne Marasinghe; Treasurer, Mr. Janek Jayasekara; Vice President, Ms. Suranjani Wickremeratne; President, Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya; Vice Chancellor Sr. Prof. Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne; Secretary, Ms. Ruwandhi Thanthrige; and Assistant Treasurer Mr. Milad Mubarak

Members of the EXCO with the Winners of Creativity Uncontained, 2D Artwork and Motion Picture Competition

The 38th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo was held at the Senate Hall of the University of Colombo with the participation of the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Professor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, who is also the Ex-officio Vice President of the Association and other Office Bearers and Members. 

 
Several Constitutional Amendments were adopted and passed at this AGM which included an Amendment to enlarge the membership of the association to include all those who are eligible to be members by virtue of having studied at the University of Colombo but who have not joined through subscription.   

This new category of members will be Associate Members of the Association, and with this amendment, all Graduates and Postgraduates of the University of Colombo, by virtue of having studied at the University of Colombo, become Associate Members of the Association. Thirty eight years after its formation, with this new Amendment, the Alumni Association now represents all Alumni of the University of Colombo.  

The President Rajeev Amarasuriya said that even though the year under review was affected first by the Easter Attacks and then the COVID-19 Pandemic the Association realigned its activities to suit the circumstances.  
He added that not only did the association become financially stronger, but the activities of the association did not stop. A concept introduced by Senior Executive Committee member J.M. Senanayake Bandara during the initial stages of the Lockdown helped hidden talents to surface.   The President also reported on the status of the Swimming Pool Project for the University of Colombo; the design for which had to be revised due to the route of the proposed Light Rail Transport System presently cutting across the University Ground.  

The Vice Chancellor thanked the Alumni for the commitment and support towards the University of Colombo. She said that she was very happy that the association had taken on the Swimming Pool Project.   

Secretary Ruwandhi Thanthrige presented the Annual Report, and the Treasurer Janek Jayasekera presented the Accounts. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Vice President Suranjani Wickramaratne.  

The Office-bearers of the Association for 2020 / 2021 President, Rajeev Amarasuriya, Vice Presidents, Sr. Prof. Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, Vice Chancellor (Ex-Officio) and Suranjani Wickremeratne, Immediate Past President, Lakshman Keerthisinghe, Secretary, Ruwandhi Thanthrige, Assistant Secretary Prof. Naazima Kamardeen, Treasurer Janek Jayasekara, Assistant Treasurer Milad Mubarak, Editor Mahesha Amarasuriya, Assistant Editor M.K. Gnanasekera. The Past Presidents as Advisors are Tissa Devendra, J. Charitha Ratwatte, Thilak Karunaratne, Ramanee Amarasuriya and P.W. Senaratne.  

The Executive Committee Members are J.M.S. Bandara, Milton Arandara, K.D.R Siriwardena, Jithendra Gunatilake, G. Wijemanne, Dr. Dayani Panagoda, Dinesha de Silva, Pradeep Uluwaduge, Asanka Ranhotty and Chathurika Akurugoda.  

The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony for Creativity Uncontained.  
First Place in the 2D Artwork category for age group 4-10 years, was awarded to Chamathka Shenali Koralegedara.   

First Place in the 2D Artwork category for age group 11- 16 years, was awarded to Sohani Gunawardene.  
First Place in the 2D Artwork category for age group 16- 21 years, was awarded to Nishini Avinshya Koththigoda.  
First place in the 2D Artwork category for the above 21 age group was awarded to Mr. Fazil Nisthar.  

In the Motion Picture Category, First place was awarded to the team consisting of Mr. Shangarajan Jeyavaratharajan, Ms. Nilaaviniy Balasingham, Mr. Kunasekaran Dayanujan , Ms. Deshany Mahendran, Mr. Nalliah Sathieskaran and Mr. Amirtharupan Sarmisan.   

The Panel of Judges comprised of Dr. Dayani Panagoda (Chairperson – Panel of Judges), Dr. Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Dr. M.T.M Mahees, Mr. Sunil Ratnayake, Mrs. Yasodhara Pathanjali and Mr. Firi Rahman.