Following several months of hard work by the President and the Committee Members, St. Sebastian’s College OBA, celebrated the Easter, Sinhala & Tamil New Year and the 21st Anniversary here in the UK, on Saturday 6th April 2013, at the Rising Sun Hotel Restaurant in Sudbury Hill. As ever, it was an immense success bringing together nearly 150 members, friends and children for this Fund Raising Event. For attendees it afforded a unique opportunity for meeting the good old friends and relaxing in an elegant and informal setting. Members of the OBA were delighted to welcome Mr. Nimal Fernando, the CEO and Executive Director of Bank of Ceylon (UK) Ltd, as the Chief Guest for this event.
The Celebrations began with a Prayer and Blessings from Rev. Fr. Lylie Fernando, followed by lighting of the Traditional Oil Lamp. In his Welcome Speech, Mr. Flavian Aponso, President of the OBA, gave a brief description of the First Patron, Late Capt. Charlie Dias, who was a well-known and respected teacher and the Present Patron, Mr. Noel Fernando, who did a formidable task of organising the Inaugural Meeting on the 15th February 1992. Before he concluded his speech, the President felicitated the Chief Guest, Mr. Nimal Fernando who is also a distinguished Old Boy of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, by awarding an ‘Honorary Life Membership’ in recognition of his services to the Alma Mater and Society.
The evening began with some entertainments and special dancing performances by Miss. Keesha Cunningham with a Traditional Dance, Master Aaron Aloysious – Gangnam star & Miss. Anjale Sam & Master Aaron Aloysious together a Bollywood dance called ‘Kadal Vanthale’ performed beautifully in front of 150 guests, who had a splendid evening with delicious and mouth watering food prepared by the Rising Sun Restaurant for the Celebrations.
The Highlight of the evening was the ‘Eater Raffle Draw’ and the Winners are given below;
| First Prize Return Air Ticket to Sri Lanka |
– Mrs. Charmaine Obeysekera. No: 0831 |
| Second Prize Casio Watch |
– Miss. Shinali Senanayake. No: 3777 |
| Third Prize5 Gift Voucher |
– Mr. Trevor de Silva. No: 1907 |
| First Consolation Prize Gift Voucher |
– Mr. Malcolm Fernando. No: 1619 |
| Second Consolation Prize Gift Voucher |
– Mrs. G. Ormsby. No: 2281 |
| Third Consolation Prize Gift Voucher |
– Mr. Buddhika Marasinghe. No: 2086 |
| Fourth Consolation Prize Dinner Voucher |
– Mr. Chamara Gunawardana. No: 2723 |
Immediately after the Raffle Draw, Mr. Flavian Aponso thanked all the Sponsors, mainly Sri Lankan Airlines for donating the First Prize of the Raffle Draw – Return Air ticket to Sri Lanka, Mr. Maxi Fernando of Casio UK-Ltd for the Watch as the second prize, Dr. Frank Silva from Silva Care Homes for the generous £. 200 worth Gift Vouchers for the Third & Consolation Prizes, Mr. Theepen of Rising Sun Restaurant for a special discount for the food and a gift voucher as a Consolation Prize, Bank of Ceylon for agreeing to display a Banner at the venue, Carlton Leisure, Mr. Nathan Raj from Goldman Estate Agents and Ambula/Lamprais for the Advertisements. Also he had special thanks for the following personals, who contributed for the success of this event.
Mr. Hussain Mohamed from Royal College OBA for a Gift Voucher and arranging the ‘Barrel’ to use for the Raffle draw.
Cash Donations from Mr. Niranjan Perera, Mr. Ranjith Pelpola, Mr. Prashan Mendis, and Gift voucher from Mr. Malcolm Fernando.
Miss. Keesha Cunningham, Master Aaron Aloysious &Miss.Anjale Sam for their performances with their traditional dancing.
Mr. Nalin & Mr. Lalindra Fernando(event manager) for the music and latter for sponsoring the Band.
Mr. Prashan Mendis (official photographer) and Mr. Nalindra Hettiarachchi (media manager)
Mr. Vimukthi Mahindaratne, the compere/host of the event. All of them are volunteered to perform at this function.
From 11.00p.m. onwards the Band played non-stop ‘Moratu-Baila’ and sharp 12.00 midnight everybody joined singing the College and the National Anthems respectively.
Finally, Flavian Aponso praised all his Committee Members. “The year 2013 started with organising the Feast of St. Sebastian’s on the 13th January together with Sri Lanka Catholic Chaplaincy in Hounslow and this is the second successful event organised by the OBA. “I am very happy to have very dedicated, loyal and honest committee members in my team and my sincere thanks to all of them for their commitment during the two consecutive successful events during this year”.