Setting the stage for a new era
With a rich history spanning 132 years, the Colombo Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) is ingrained in the heart and soul of anybody who has had anything to do with arts, literature and sports. With revamped interiors, popular activities have been revived once more at the YMCA. A pioneer in the sporting arena, the YMCA was responsible for popularising games such as volleyball, basketball, boxing and judo.
Clifford Rodrigo
Lal Withanage
It was also the first in the country to introduce all-island meets for wrestling, gymnastics, table tennis, carom and billiards. “For sports the YMCA was a household name,” says Clifford Rodrigo, who heads the YMCA’s Sports activities as Senior Secretary Programmes. “We have always been known for making our activities accessible, and for taking these sports to areas that haven’t known them previously.”
Adding that the activities conducted by the YMCA are non-sectarian and open to anyone, Mr. Rodrigo says it is their aim to restore the YMCA, and its sports activities, to its ‘golden era’. They’ve just ended a grand awards night for the athletes who shined at their recent sporting activities. “We want to identify talent and help them reach the top,” he enthuses. “We’ve done it before and we can certainly do it again!”
Old YMCA building
Some of Sri Lanka’s brightest minds were polished here; S.W.RD. Bandaranaike, Ananda Tissa de Alwis, K. N. Choksy were among the many that cut their teeth in oration and debate at the legendary ‘Forum’, YMCA’s brainchild. It was William Chapman who conceptualised the idea for a YMCA in Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as it was known then.
The first meeting was held at Wesley College in Dam Street, Pettah on June 24, 1882. For a number of years the YMCA did not have a permanent residence until in 1924, when it opened its official building on land leased to it by the government. Ninety years later, this impressive building in Fort towers over those who pause at its doorway, testament to the dedication and tenacity of its founding fathers.
Pix by Mangala Weerasekara
YMCA building as it is seen today
Over the years many distinguished persons served the YMCA as Presidents, including Sir Henry De Mel, S.J.C. Kadirgamar, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, Dr. J.H.F. Jayasuriya, Dr. Paul Pieris, Sir Charles Collins, S.J.C. Schokman and Mallory Wijesinghe. The organisation flourished until the early 1980’s, when the civil war took its toll on its activities due to the YMCA premises being blocked off from many owing to the High Security Zone regulations. With a sharp decline in its patrons, and a lack of adequate funding, activities were crippled and it was only once the war ended that it got back on its feet.
In addition to its sporting activities, the YMCA is home to a gymnasium, library, and a fully staffed administrative team capable of assisting those interested in its activities. A Women’s and Youth Section serves specific groups with many activities and opportunities made available. It also functions as a hostel for travellers, affording comfortable accommodation at a reasonable cost. No alcohol is allowed in its premises as it deals with young people, and a cafeteria serves those of any creed wandering in from the busy streets outside. “The YMCA retains its charm from the good old days,” says President Mr. Lal Withanage.
Mr. Withanage maintains that it is a keen sense of appreciation for individual strengths, coupled with the power of experienced support that many of those associated with the YMCA will benefit from-be it in their studies or extracurricular activities. “Our model Parliament was a breeding ground for great orators,” he remembers. “Everyone is-welcome. We follow Christian principles but our activities are meant for those of any kith and kin.”
