Moratuwa Arts Forum, (MAF) completed another eventful year and successfully held their 15th Annual General Meeting recently with a colourful pragramme arranged for the day.
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Laksiri Fernando presenting Moratuwa Theme Song CD to Roy de Silva |
Clinton Fernando who was the Senior Vice President for the past three years was appointed as the new President for the year 2009/2010 and he made a vibrant speech and announced his plans for the ensuing year. He pledged to carry forward the excellent work done by the former President Laksiri Fernando and said that he would introduce new projects on consultation with his committee.
He plans to embark on a membership drive to enroll most of the famous artistes of Moratuwa who are yet to join MAF. He also said that he plans to revive the MAF news letter and same would be distributed amongst the community. Further he stressed the point of the dire necessity of a hall for Moratuwa and pledged to work closely with the long term committee formed for the purpose.
The new team of MAF, Patron; Incumbent Hon Minister of Cultural Affairs, Vice Patrons; Pandit Dr. W D Amaradeva, Dr. Prasantha Mendis, Mr. Somasiri Fernando, President; Clinton Fernando, Vice Presidents; Lincoln de Silva and Nihal Nelson, Secretary; Chanaka Perera, Asst’ Secretary; Pimal Fernando, Treasurer; Suranga Fernando, Asst Treasurer; Jagath Devapriya, Immediate Past President Laksiri Fernando, MAF Creator Tilak Perera, Committee; Brian Coorey, Lankika Perera, Nihal Fernando, Nalaka Soysa, Sarath Gunawardena, Ratnashiela Perera and Don Guy.
The awards were presented by the Chief Guest Chamudith Samarawickrema and the Guest of Honour Roy De Silva. The main Asoka Peiris Memorial Award sponsored by the family of late Mr. Asoka Peiris was presented by Mrs. Chitra Peiris to Sunil Perera of Gypsies and collected by Lincoln De Silva of Super Pink N Purple as Sunil could not attend due to a previously arranged engagement. 5 other awards were presented to the bevy of MAF dancers, Janadhari Salgado, Rupika Sutherland, Jayagra Mendis, Varuni Cooray and Kanani Fernando. The Co-Project Chairmen of the conducted projects, Sunil Sri Fernando, Lloyd Fernando, Viranjan Perera, Jagath Devapriya, Luckey Deva and Shiraz Sudar were presented with mementos. Committee Members of the projects were also presented with Appreciation Certificates.
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Clinton Fernando: President Elect |
The chief guest and the guests of honour were welcomed at the entrance by Laksiri Fernando the President and the Committee with the rendition of the Moratuwa Theme song ”Siribara Moratu Game”.
Dance items by the Rupika Sutherlad Dance Academy Students added colour to the ceremony and Merril Fernando performed singing his very popular “Sudu Paata Gawme”, Nalaka Soysa along with Lankika Perera sang, “Bolgoda Gange” and finally Luckey Deva and Amasha Mendis rendered “Mal Wessata” and Jamadari Salgado’s dance academy students joined dancing to the rhythm of the song which added some extra colour.
Moratuwa Arts Forum Commenced the 2009/2010 of the newly appointed President Clinton Fernando’s new term by donating water storage tank for the Internationally Displaced Brethren of the North via ITN’s ‘Sahana Yathra’ arranged by MAF Member Lakma Salgado of ITN. |