Hantana's spirits flocked together at Ottawa
Tharindu Weerasinghe
Peradeniya alumni formed a chapter of their association in Ottawa
recently. Being a true Sri Lankan, you cannot forget your roots if you
reside many a mile away from the shores of Sri Lanka.
And being a true graduate, you cannot forget your alma-mater even if
you never visit the place once you leave... There are several scholars
in that kind, in the city of Ottawa, Canada.
The premium academic institute that is nationally known as the 'place
of excellence of wisdom' marked another important milestone at Ottawa,
Canada recently by establishing an alumni association of the University
of Peradeniya. A small group of graduates of the University of
Peradeniya gathered at Hilda Jayawardhanaramaya Buddhist temple of
Ottawa in January 2012 under the patronage of Brahmanagama Muditha Thero,
an alumnus of the University of Peradeniya, to inspire the sense of need
to have an alumni group of Hantana and to organize such forum in
Canada's capital region.
Award winning eminent scientist, the head of the Metabolism Section
of Health Canada, Dr. Nimal Ratnayake who was a bright student of the
Faculty of Science of the University of Peradeniya about four decades
ago was elected as the President to lead the association for the current
year. His leadership will be enhanced and assisted by the elected
Vice-President, Dr. Deepananda Herath, Senior Economist of Agri-Food and
Agriculture Canada who is also an Alumnus of the Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Peradeniya. Secretarial responsibility has been assigned
for the on-going year to Dr. Jayananda Weerasinghe who is a
communication professional, a past student of the Faculty of Agriculture
and the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Financial matters will be looked after by association's elected
Treasurer Premartna Tennakoon, an Engineer graduated from the
Engineering Faculty one and half decade ago. Deepani Waidyaratna of Agri-Food
and Agriculture Canada, a past student of the Faculty of Science is the
elected Editor of the association.
In addition to above office bearers, a committee member each to
represent each faculty of the University was elected. Those faculty
representatives will be directing activities which are specific to
respective faculties through tailor-made programs under the Ottawa
Chapter concerned. Directors elected for each faculties are Dr. Ajith
Samarajeewa of Environment Canada (Agriculture Faculty), Saman
Jayathilake of Canada Revenue Agency (Arts Faculty), Dr. Nissanka
Pussegoda of BMT Fleet Technology, (Engineering Faculty), Dr. Samudrika
Amarakoon, family physician (Medical Faculty, Vetnary Science and Dental
Science) and Dr. Susantha Mohottalage of Health Canada (Faculty of
Science). Priyantha Wijeweera of Health Canada was elected as the
Director of Membership Drive.
The President of newly formed alumni association, promised the
members to present the constitution of the association for ratification
as soon as possible prior to commence its work. At the winding up
session addressing the crowd, Dr.Ratnayake, the President of the
Association mentioned,"We are products of the University of Peradeniya,
the University that has done so much for us and sharpen our lives.
We are gathered here today because we share a common bond through our
sense of pride and fond memories of the University of Peradeniya. We are
indebt to our country (Sri Lanka) and its people for free education we
all received at home and the quality of life we now enjoy here in
Canada. Therefore, we should pay tribute to our great academic
institute, the University of Peradeniya by ensuring its well being. Let
us fulfill our social and academic obligations as responsible Alumni of
the University of Peradeniya. It is the ultimate objective of having
this Alumni association."
Inaugural session of the Alumni Association of the University of
Peradeniya, Ottawa Chapter named as Hantana Night was made colorful by
screening beautiful audio-visuals of the university's environment,
singing together University anthem and presenting alumni's past
experience as students of the academy of Hantana valley. Forum was
adjourned before mid-night of the day keeping renewed sweet memories of
the University of Peradeniya among and within the members of the alumni
Association. We wish all the success for the aggregate actions of newly
formed Alumni Association.
(Special thanks to Jaya Weerasinghe who sent this news and Dr.
Nimal Ratnayake the president of the chapter for being the mediator) |