NEWSLETTER
Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls' Association (VVOGA)
March 2006
LEST YOU FORGET
Hello Friends,
Visakha will be celebrating her 90th birthday next year, on 16th January 2007. Although in her 90th year she shows no signs of age like her patron Visakha Situ-Devi, who, the books say, had her "vayak kalyana" (beauty of youth) even at 100 years of age.
Visakha celebrated her 30th, 50th, 60th, 70th & 75th anniversaries. Those who took part in the 30th anniversary celebrations - the first Visakha Jayanthi in 1947 are still around and remember the nights of fun and fellowship. The Swarna Jayanthi in 1967, the week-long Golden Jubilee Celebrations in the old Race Course grounds, was followed by the Vajra Jayanthi in our own grounds. The 75th year celebrations saw the first ever Visakha Walk, in addition to the Jayanthi carnival held at the Sathutu Uyana and the Science exhibition in the school premises. How should we celebrate our 90th anniversary? Ideas will be welcome.Visakha celebrated her 30th, 50th, 60th, 70th & 75th anniversaries. Those who took part in the 30th anniversary celebrations - the first Visakha Jayanthi in 1947 are still around and remember the nights of fun and fellowship. The Swarna Jayanthi in 1967, the week-long Golden Jubilee Celebrations in the old Race Course grounds, was followed by the Vajra Jayanthi in our own grounds. The 75th year celebrations saw the first ever Visakha Walk, in addition to the Jayanthi carnival held at the Sathutu Uyana and the Science exhibition in the school premises. How should we celebrate our 90th anniversary? Ideas will be welcome.
Visakha is today the most prestigious Girls' School in the Island. The school has grown in strength as it has been in numbers (beyond control). The number on roll today is over 4500.
Past Visakhians have been the pillars of strength upholding the traditions of the school and safeguarding her good name.
We are proud and happy to record here, and you will be surprised to hear that the first student to be enrolled on 16.01.1917, Mrs Subhadra Wickramasinghe (nee de Silva) was present at an OGA function last year, and posed for a photograph with our President-Principal Mrs.R.N.Amarasinghe. We wish her good health and happiness. We also send our good wishes to two very old Visakhians Mrs Cicey Jayasinghe and Mrs Irene Panditharatne, both in their nineties.
Events Calendar - March/June 2006
- Founder's Day - Pirith & Alms Giving
- Avurudu Pola
- Alms Giving in memory of teachers who have passed away
- Dinner Dance
- Visakha Walk
- Western Music Concert
- AGM & Annual Re-Union
Achievements
We congratulate Shirani Weragode (nee Gamalath) on her recent appointment as Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.
Indira Malwatta, is now a Director of the Export Development Board and Head of the Product Management Division. All Sri Lankan Industrial Exports come under her purview.
We congratulate Chandrani Wijerathne (nee Weerakkody) on her appointment as a Professor of Botany and head of the department of Botany at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura.
Many will remember Kishani Jayasinghe, head prefect in 1996 and outstanding singer. She is now an internationally successful opera singer on a two year contract with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden London. She is the first Sri Lankan to be selected to sing at the Royal Opera house. Kishani is the grand daughter of Mrs. Cicey Jayasinghe one of the oldest members of the OGA.
Ishara Samadhi Hapuarachchi is now a Bharata Natya Visharadha, the youngest Sri Lankan to get this diploma conferred by the Bhatkande Institute of music & dance in Laknow India. She was trained by the master-dancer Karunasekera at the Tower Hall Foundation.
Shahika Rupasiri 20 years old and out of school only recently , won the All-Island prize in music at the Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance and Speech in 2005.
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The OGA is looking for volunteers who could render services to the school in the following areas; |
Signal of Honour
Sumana Saparamadu, who completed 50 years in journalism, was awarded a gold medal for long service by the Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka in June 2005. She has been a journalist since July 1955, and was the longest serving editor of 'Tharuni' until her retirement in 1994. She also served as editor of 'Mihira' and 'Athuru Mithuru' children's papers for a short term. Besides being a journalist she has also written several children's books 'Rathu Bisikalaya' being the most popular book.
Sumana has been one of our most admired and loyal members since the late 1940s, and has served the association with much dedication. As a continuation of her services to her Alma mater, she is supervising the up keep of the school hostel at present, giving guidance to the children as well as the Matron.
Ishwari Corea, the Chief Librarian of the Colombo Public Library in the 1960s and 70s has in her retirement compiled a beautiful book "Glimpses of Colombo" with old and new pictures of the City of Colombo, with lots of information on the history and landmarks of the city. This is a collector's item and a book that every school library should have in its collection. This is a publication of the Colombo Municipal Council.
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Thanks to those who have responded to our previous request. To build a network among Visakhians Young and Old, here and abroad, we intend publishing a high quality directory in paper and electronic format. |
On Going Projects ..
Restoration of the Old School Building
The untiring and relentless efforts of the Old Girls' Association along with the generous donations of the Old Girls have made it possible for the restoration work to proceed satisfactorily. Terrazzo and tile finishes to the floor and the toilet fittings are the items awaiting completion. Some of the rooms are currently being used by the Grade Six classes.
Those of you who would like to give your valuable donations towards completing the restoration work of this beautiful building constructed between 1927 - 1929, are most welcome.
Action Plan April - June 2006
AVURUDU POLA 2006
VVOGA has been organising the ‘Avurudu Pola” every year since 1986, which is held in April or in late March.
This time the 'Avurudu pola' will be held on 01.04.2006 at the school
premises from 8.30 A.M. to 6.00 P.M.
The proceeds collected from the pola will be used for the Old Hall restoration
project. The organisers expect a major participation of Visakhains to make this
event a success.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, the OGA was unable to hold the 'Avurudu pola"
in the year 2005.
MEMORIAL ALMS GIVING
VVOGA has been organising an Alms giving in memory of the past teachers who have passed away, once in two years and this time it is scheduled to be held on 29.04.2006 at Vajiraramaya. Colombo 04.
WESTERN MUSIC CONCERT 2006
This concert conducted by Mrs Vajira Nanayakkara which was scheduled to be held in May-June, will be postponed. There will be 750-1000 students participating in this concert including students in the Advanced Level classes. Since the Advanced Level Examination is postponed to May-June, the concert will be re-scheduled accordingly.
VISAKHA WALK 2006
Visakha walk is scheduled to be held on 17th June 2006 in collaboration with the School Development Society.
FOUNDER'S DAY
The founder's day Pirith and Alms giving will be held on March 25th and 26th this year.
SUSAN GEORGE PULIMOOD ORATION
Memories of a beloved Principal and of the Golden years of Visakha were revived when past Visakhians and past teachers gathered for the S.G. Pulimood Memorial Oration in July 2005. Dr (Mrs) Kamini Mendis, an outstanding product of Visakha, during Mrs. Pulimood's tenure as Principal, delivered the Oration. The theme of the Oration was 'The Preventive Aspects of Malaria.' The Social Sub Committee was actively involved in organising the hall arrangements for this event. The two Pulimood Scholarships were awarded to Gayana Malsha Perera Gunathilake and Iresha Sudarshani Ratnayake.
70TH ANIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE OGA
Last year the OGA celebrated its 70th anniversary. A get-together to celebrate '70 Years Together' began with lighting of the 'Pahana' by the daughters of the first office bearers and committee members. It was an occasion where two or three generations of Visakhians met.
CHILDREN'S DAY 2005
Commemorating the Children's Day 2005, a donation of Rs 50,000/- was made to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital by the VVOGA, to be utilized for Orthodontic Functional Appliances for hundred children who were in the waiting list for orthodontic operations. The Religious Sub Committee of our OGA made this donation.
School News
AUDIO VISUAL CENTRE
Educational sub committee refurbished the Audio Visual Centre, and we highly appreciate the donation of a VCD Player to the Audio Visual Unit by a past Visakhian. The New Audio Visual Room was also furnished with 50 chairs with the generous donation from a past Visakhian.
CARROM BOARDS FOR CHILDREN
The young Visakhians who had to wait impatiently outside the carrom room until their turn to learn the game they love were the happy beneficiaries of the two carrom boards donated to the school by the OGA, through the 'sporty" efforts of the Sports Sub Committee.
TALENTS OF YOUNG VISAKHIANS
The Old Girls' Association also organised one show of the Singithi Rangum 2005 Concert. We are indeed grateful to Mrs Chandrika Gunawardena, a past Visakhian herself who graciously accepted our invitation and graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. We are also thankful to the Primary School Head and Staff and also to the young performers who gave the audience an enjoyable evening.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The Educational Sub Committee organised a Seminar on physical health for the Advanced Level students and another seminar on Career Guidance for students awaiting the Ordinary Level Exam results.
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Anula Abeysekera (nee Heendeniya) passed away in May last year. In the last 25 years or so she was known as "Ever Green Anula" after the name of the group of Visakhians she got together "to keep up old ties and chat and sing to put off ageing". Anula, her two sisters and brothers were all at Visakha in the Thirties. We extend our sympathies to her four daughters of Nandani, Kumari, Malini and Savithri. Padma Punchihewa, a student in the thirties and Librarian at Visakha for over 20 years, passed away in early February, 2006. She was also a violinist in one of the well known orchestras in Colombo. Our sympathies to her sister Chandra. |
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Foreign branches in the UK, Melbourne, US had extended much support to our on-going activities. UK branch donated money for the computer lab equipment, and they continue supporting needy Visakhians who are pursuing undergraduate studies. Melbourne branch donated money for the restoration work of the Old Hall. US branch donated money for the restoration work of the Old Hall, and has also offered to assist in equipping the computer laboratories. We are in deed thankful to them for their gesture and we wish them success. |
VISAKHA DINNER DANCE 2006
The Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls 'Association is happy to announce the first ever Visakha Dinner Dance scheduled to be held on Friday, May 26, 2006.
This event is organised as a fund raiser for the renovation of the old hall of our school. The Old Hall complex is the second oldest building of the school and a land mark of Visakha. It is associated with much nostalgia by all past students. Today, it is in need of urgent, major repairs and the Old Girls' Association has stepped into collect funds to meet this, by organising the Visakha Dinner Dance 2006.
As a much awaited inaugural event, the organisers are expecting unprecedented participation and are hence making every effort to ensure its success as a gala event , one that would be remembered by all past pupils and well wishers.
Date - Friday, the 26th of May 2006
Venue - Oak Ballroom of the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo
Bands - Misty & Ultimate, with a guest performance by Priya Gunathileke &
Drucille.
Chairperson, Organising Committee
- Mrs. Sita Siriwardena
Co Chairperson, Organising Committee - Mrs. Jeewanie
Pandithage
Secretary , Organising Committee
- Dr. Priya de Silva
Treasurer , Organising Committee
- Mrs. Priyangani Ratnasekera
Inquiries : Jeevanie Pandithage 2767121
Priya de Silva 2856268
Sharmali Kodagoda 2712817
OGA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – 2005/2006
President : Ms. R. N. Amarasinghe - Principal (Ex-officio) Vice Presidents : Mrs. Sita Siriwardane Mrs. Rukmani Raddalgoda Joint Secretaries : Mrs. Renuka Gamage Mrs. Inoka Hettiarachchi Treasurer : Mrs. Priyangani Ratnasekara Assistant Treasurer : Mrs. Piroshini Trikawalagoda Committee Members : Staff: Mrs. Rukmani Gunaratne - Deputy Principal Over 60: Mrs. Clodagh Fernando Mrs. Premitha Seneviratne 40-60: Mrs. Theja Nanayakkara Mrs. Samiddhi Devapura Mrs. Nita Liyanage Mrs. Anoma Abeysinghe Mrs. Himani Rajasuriya Mrs. Renuka Dharmadasa Mrs. Sunanda Ranawaka Mrs. Punsirini Malavi Under 40: Mrs. Sabitha Gunawardana Dr. Mrs. Yuvani Weerasinghe Mrs. Manori Abeysirigunawardana Mrs. Haruni Devinuwara Mrs. Madhubhashini Jayawardana Mrs. Anusha De Silva Gallage Mrs. Bhashini Weerakoon Mrs. Asanka Samarasinghe Miss. Anjali De Silva Mrs. Kanchana Suduarachchi Dr. Mrs. Kumari Sellahewa Mrs. Shashikala Ratnayake Mrs. Kumudu Shyamali SUB COMMITTEES AND CONVENORS: Fund raising - Mrs. Sita Siriwardena & Mrs. Anusha Gallage Social Activities - Mrs. Madhubashini Jayawardena & Mrs. Bashini Weerakoon Web site Development - Mrs. Clodagh Fernando Publicity - Mrs. Samiddhi Dewapura Cafeteria - Mrs. Nita Liyanage Religious - Mrs. Anoma Abeyasinghe Secretariat - Mrs. Renuka Dharmadasa Hall restoration & Maintenance - Mrs. Punsirini Malavi Education - Mrs. Sabitha Gunatilake Sports - Dr. Mrs. Yuvani Weerasinghe Computer - Mrs. Haruni Devinuwara Constitution - Mrs. Asanka Samarasinghe Sub committee of under 30 years - Miss Anjali De silva Sub Committee of 30-40 Years - Mrs Kanchana Suduarachchi Vigilance - Mrs. Shashikala Ratnayake Correspondence with Foreign Branches - Mrs. Manouri Abeyasirigunawardena |
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