38th AGM of UoC’s Alumni Association sees Constitutional Amendment to increase association membership
View(s):The 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the University of Colombo (UoC) Alumni Association was held at the University’s Senate Hall. Colombo University Vice Chancellor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, who is also the Association’s Ex-officio Vice President, other office bearers and association members took part in the meeting.
Several Constitutional Amendments were adopted and passed at this AGM, including an Amendment to increase the association’s membership to include all those eligible to be members by virtue of having studied at the University. This includes those who have not joined through subscription.
(L to R) Head of Administration Sumanarathne Marasinghe, Treasure Janek Jayasekara, Vice President Ms. Suranjani Wickremeratne, President Rajeev Amarasuriya, Vice Chancellor Sr. Prof. Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, Secretary Ms. Ruwandhi Thanthrige and Assistant Treasurer Milad Mubarak.
This new category of members will be associate members and with this amendment, all of the university’s graduates and postgraduates, would become associate members. With this new Amendment, the Alumni Association would represent all University of Colombo Alumni, 38 years after the association was formed.
UoC Alumni Association President Rajeev Amarasuriya said even though the year under review was affected by the Easter Attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic the association was resilient and had realigned its activities to suit the circumstances.
He said the association became financially stronger, and its activities went on without interruption. One such activity which took place was Creativity Uncontained, a concept introduced by Senior Executive Committee member J. M. Senanayake Bandara, during the initial stages of the Lockdown, which brought many hidden talents to light. He also said many other organisations had begun similar competitions after Creativity Untouched took place.
Mr Amarasuriya also reported on the status of UoC’s swimming pool project. The design for the swimming pool had to be revised due to the route of the proposed Light Rail Transport System that would cut across the university ground.
Vice Chancellor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne thanked the association for the commitment and support towards the University. She also said the alumni association was important for any university, and she was happy the association had taken up the swimming pool project which was a long standing need for the university.
UoC Alumni Association Secretary Ruwandhi Thanthirige presented the annual report, Association Treasurer Janek Jayasekera presented the Accounts and Association Vice President Suranjani Wickramaratne delivered the Vote of Thanks.
The Association’s Office-bearers for 2020/2021 were also appointed: President Rajeev Amarasuriya, Vice Presidents Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne and Suranjani Wickremeratne, Immediate Past President Lakshman Keerthisinghe, Secretary Ruwandhi Thanthrige, Assistant Secretary Naazima Kamardeen, Treasurer Janek Jayasekara, Assistant Treasurer Milad Mubarak, Editor Mahesha Amarasuriya, Assistant Editor M. K. Gnanasekera.
Tissa Devendra, J. Charitha Ratwatte, Thilak Karunaratne, Ramanee Amarasuriya and P.W. Senaratne were appointed as Past Presidents as Advisors.
The Executive Committee Members appointed were J. M. S. Bandara, Milton Arandara, K. D. R. Siriwardena, Jithendra Gunatilake, G. Wijemanne, Dayani Panagoda, Dinesha de Silva, Pradeep Uluwaduge, Asanka Ranhotty and Chathurika Akurugoda.
The awards ceremony for Creativity Uncontained was also a part of the AGM agenda.
First Place in the 2D artwork category for the four to ten years age group, was awarded to Chamathka Shenali Koralegedara. Second place was awarded to Ancel Don Weerakoon and third place was awarded to Liara Idith Perera.
First Place in the 2D artwork category for the 11-16 years age group, was awarded to Sohani Gunawardene. Second place was awarded to H.M. Buddini Umesha Herath and third place was awarded to Shacheli Fernando.
First Place in the 2D artwork category for the 16-21 years age group was awarded to Nishini Avinshya Koththigoda. Second place was awarded to Nilaaviniy Balasingham and third place was awarded to Nithundree Mendis.
First place in the 2D artwork category for the above 21 age group was awarded to Fazil Nisthar. Second place was awarded to Harindra Attanayaka and third place was awarded to Sachindri Piyahasie Dias.
In the motion picture category, first place was awarded to the team comprising Shangarajan Jeyavaratharajan, Nilaaviniy Balasingham, Kunasekaran Dayanujan, Deshany Mahendran, Nalliah Sathieskaran and Amirtharupan Sarmisan. Second place was awarded to Pasindu Maduranga and Sacheera Wijesekara and third place was awarded to Mino Gallawatta.
The panel of judges for the competition comprised Chairperson Dayani Panagoda, Dr. Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Dr. M. T. M. Mahees, Sunil Ratnayake, Yasodhara Pathanjali and Firi Rahman.