"Rebuilding Sri Lanka" - rejuvenating table tennis in the Kalutara District

TABLE TENNIS: The tenth anniversary of the Kalutara District Table Tennis Association was held recently at Aluthgama Vidyalaya (the birth place of school Table Tennis in the district a decade ago) with Mahanama Wijayagunaratne, the President of the Association in the chair.

Former Test Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga, the chief guest, was welcomed by Ratnasiri Fernando on behalf of the association members.

Somaratne Cooray, while introducing Mrs. Clare Allen Crook of Rebuilding Sri Lanka, revealed to the audience the sublime generosity of Rebuilding Sri Lanka, who provided financial assistance to uplift sports in the Tsunami affected schools in Sri Lanka and the genuine interest shown by her in that direction while visiting post Tsunami Sri Lanka eight times, Mrs. Clare was well received with warm applause by everybody.

Deviating from the orthodox pattern of simply holding an anniversary or an annual general meeting the proposal to evaluate the progress of the past decade and to felicitate those who struggled to enliven the association during the period of ten years as well as the key partners who promoted Table Tennis in a few schools in the district often having undergone immense difficulties had been mooted by the committee.

The President of the Association Mahanama Wijayagunaratne, explained how he became happy when Ranatunga positively responded to the invitation extended to him to grace the occasion as the chief guest at this memorable event of felicitating those who rendered honorary yeoman service to Table Tennis. The august gathering too was extremely happy as they got the rare opportunity to hear and to be in association with the distinguished sportsman who brought historic world fame to Sri Lanka by winning the Cricket World Cup.

In his address, among other things, Ranatunga offered invaluable advice and guidance to schoolchildren in the sphere of becoming successful sportsmen and women with charismatic leadership qualities.

It was a historic and memorable moment for the recipients of souvenirs, plaques, mementos etc. who contributed in some form or other to uplift Table Tennis as they were felicitated by the most appropriate person who excelled in a particular area of sports and brought unprecedented glory to Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Clare of Rebuilding Sri Lanka, who financed the entire project, joined Arjuna in the matter of giving away the valuable souvenirs. The incumbent President Mahanama's devotion was highly appreciated.

The District Table Tennis Association paid a special tribute to the T.T. Association of Sri Lanka, its former Presidents Chandana Perera, Lalith Priyantha, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon particularly Sarath Gunaratne whose untiring efforts have produced national level players from schools in the District. The invaluable services for over 10 years rendered by Jothipala Samaraweera the national coach was highly commended.

Former Government Agent Kalutara, Andrew Silva, being the Patron of the Association from its very inception, emphasized the significance of uplifting sports in schools and he also thanked Rebuilding Sri Lanka for its commitment specially towards under privileged schoolchildren.