Harmonious cadets
Ishara Jayawardane
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Trade Marketing Manager Coca Cola, Malinda Siriwardana Anderson
handing over sponsorship letter. Pictures by Thushara
Fernando
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What are we doing on this earth? Why do we aspire to succeed? Is it
for vanity? Or is there a deeper meaning? Why have we created society?
Do we procreate for the sake of procreating or is there a deeper
meaning? Again I pose the question: Why have we created a society?
Because society is something noble and worthy, it is beautiful and
meaningful and something worth remembering and we want it to remain on
this earth. And Royal College is one institution that keeps this in
mind. For they struggle. They struggle to leave something behind.
On May 4 Royal College, will host an All island school Western &
Eastern band competition for the Lt Col M A C Perera RSP memorial trophy
named after one of Royal College’s famous sons who represented the
college cadet band in 1986 as Company Sergeant Major and made the
supreme sacrifice on November 8, 1996 in Jaffna for the sovereignty of
the Mother Land.
The band competition is organised by a long line of Royal College’s
past cadet band members known as the ORCBA (Old Royalists’ Cadet Band
Association). ORCBA was formed with the idea of uniting the past band
cadets with the Royal College Cadet Band (RCCB) and uplift the wellbeing
of both past and present members by maintaining the standards of the
Alma Mater.
The Royal College has won the prestigious Maj. Gen T I Weeratunga
challenge. Trophy (Presented for the champions in the all island Cadet
Band competition) in nine occasions and holds the national cadet Corps
record for winning the title for four consecutive years.
Hence, the ORCBA believes by bringing the senior bands of the schools
across this emerald isle will pave the way for the promotion of
camaraderie of a higher degree among the student populous.
The Band competition which is fully endorsed by the Ministry of
Education will be worked off in four major categories.
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T Mathews hands sponsorship check |
1. Western Band - Boys
2. Western Band - Girls
3. Eastern Band -Boys
4. Eastern Band - Girls
The panel of judges would consist of nine members representing the
Ministry of education, the three forces and the Police and the
University of Visual and Performing Art.
The cash prices for each category are as follows.
· Winner - Rs.100,000/-
· First runner- up - Rs.75,000/-
· Second runner-up - Rs.50,000/-
“This is yet another historic moment in the annals of Royal College.
This competition is something special when you think of the effort
taken. This includes a combination Western and Eastern spheres, hence in
way the organisation is something unique,” said Royal College Principal
Upali Gunasekara. RCU Secretary, Manju Ariyaratne at his turn at the
podium said : “The Royal college union has been in existence for the
last 122 years our Forefathers founded this great organisation for one
simple reason : To serve royal and help royal and develop Royalists into
fine complete young men. Gradually this aim evolved into an effort to
develop the youth in this country to empower them to become well rounded
individuals ready to meet the challenges of globalisation. We want to
serve the wider cross section of students in this country- the school
leavers who join the work force. This is the perfect opportunity and
platform for young men and women who want to show off their skills and
display their talent.”
Managing Partner Mathews Harmonium, T Mathews a key figure of the
evening said : “I want to congratulate ORCBA for this brilliant effort.
This is extremely encouraging. In this sense the true winner of this
competition is the universal language that is music. This is the
opportune moment to promote such a thing. |
