President Chief Guest
at 175th anniversary:
Royal: Prestigious dispenser of knowledge
M.P. Muttiah
|
School Development Society Secretary Keerthi Elvitigala, RCU
Secretary Rizan Nazeer, Deputy Principal Mrs. Attigala,
Principal Upali Gunasekera, Anniversary Celebrations Committee
Chairman Capt. Ajith Peiris and Deputy Chairman Abhaya Amaradasa
at the press conference. Picture by Ruwan de Silva
|
President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the Chief Guest at a special
General Assembly to be held on February 23 to mark the 175th Anniversary
of Royal College Colombo, said its Principal Upali Gunasekera at a press
briefing at the Royal College Union on February 2. Being a College for
students from various communities it had preserved the unity and
diversity, he pointed out.
Gunasekera added that a Indoor Stadium with international standard
would be established in the College premises. With the 8,300 student
population and nearly 350 academic staff, the College is excelling in 23
sports. For the first time in Sri Lanka's history a stamp designed by
two students would be released with the First Day Cover to mark the
occasion, he said.
Anniversary Celebration Committee Chairman Captain Ajith Peiris said
Royal had produced an alumnus that had engaged in selfless service to
the nation. The activities planned for this year would depict the past,
present and the future of the College and serve to uplift the
infrastructure of the prestigious dispenser of knowledge, he added.
Royal College Union's Hon. Secretary Rizan Nazeer said it was founded
in 1891. It is the oldest such alumni with a membership of more than
20,000 spread across Sri Lanka and around the world.
Anniversary Committee Deputy Chairman Suayid Ismail explaining the
activities planned for the celebration said religious services to invoke
blessings on the College would be held across all secular divisions
beginning with an all night Pirith chanting on February 9 followed by an
alms giving on the 10th.
On February 11, Hindu religious ceremonies would be held in
Bambalapitiya Sri Manikka Vinyagar Kovil and at school premises, while a
Christian Thanksgiving takes place on February 15. The Islamic religious
activities will be held at the Davatagaha Mosque and at the
Navarangahala on February 10, he added.
He further said that the Royal-Thomian Three Day, One Day and an
inaugural T20 encounters have also been organised. A publication of the
history of the College compiled by M.L. Fernando also would be released.
The anniversary activities which would begin on February 9 would end
in the first week of December with a Musical Show and Raffle draw. |
