Association of   Old Anandians   in the UK

AOA(UK) News Archive

• All members please note that you should have received the November 2004 issue of the Newsletter by post. If you have not received a copy by now please get in touch using feedback or by any other means.

• The Annual Dana in commemoration of Col.Olcott and the other founder members of the College was held at the London Buddhist Vihara, Chiswick on the 31st October. Mr.K.G.E.R.W.Dharmawardena, the President of our Association when it began in 1982, was the Guest Speaker. 

• This year's President's Dinner was held on Saturday, 2nd October at the Parish Church of the Saint John Hall, Pinner Middlesex. This event turned out to be a very special occasion as we had the pleasure of the company of two special guests Mr.Abeyrathna and Mr.Molligoda. Everyone present had a very enjoyable evening with good food and music presented by Bhuminda & friends. We wish to express our thanks to Dhane & Mala for organising the event.  More ...

• A special meeting was held at the Parish Church of the Saint John Hall, Pinner Middlesex. on Saturday, 2nd October to welcome Mr.Abeyrathna, the Principal of Ananda and Mr.Molligoda, the President of the Rugby Wing of the OBA(SL). Mr.Abeyrathna and Mr.Molligoda took the opportunity to address the meeting and it was concluded with a session of questions from the audience and answers from the guest speakers. More ...

• The last committee meeting was held at Jerry's residence on Sunday, 19th September.  All those present wish to thank Jerry & Anoma for their hospitality.

• Ananda excel at Rugby:  Ananda College Old Boys became the 2004 Champions of the Touch Rugby Sevens tournament held at Harrow RFC Grounds in Stanmore on  29th August. More...  &  More...

• On the 1st August at an informal gathering at Dhane's residence, the AOA(UK) released funds amounting to over Rs. 3m for the Kularatne Hall Project. AOA(UK) has undertaken to fund the estimated cost of providing lighting and acoustics for the Hall amounting to Rs.3m. We have been informed via the OBA(SL) that the Kularatne Hall Project has reached the interior decoration stage and was progressing into the provisioning of lighting and acoustics soon. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2004. The photo shows the cheques to the value of over Rs. 3m being handed over on behalf of the AoA(UK) to be forwarded via Mr.Abeyrathna (Principal) for the Kularatne Hall Project fund.

• Ananda at the Senior Cricket Tournament held at the Civil Service Sports Grounds, Chiswick on Sunday, 18th July.

• The 2004 Summer Ball was held at the Heathrow Renaissance Hotel on 3rd July and all those present had a very enjoyable time. The music was provided by Mike Cooke & the Islanders.  You may savour a bit of the atmosphere on the occasion by viewing the photos provided at Social>Summer Ball 2004 on the left and by visiting www.uklanka.com. 

• The mid-year committee meeting was held on Sunday, 6th June at Narada's residence.  All those present wish to thank Narada & Charmaine for their hospitality.

• The 2004 Aurudu Uthsavaya was held on 4th April at the Feltham Assembly Halls.  The large gathering present fully enjoyed the variety of songs, dances, playlets and the games for the children.  To keep up with the Aurudu traditions everyone was greeted with Saruwath on entry and Kiribath with Lunumiris and traditional sweets were served during the interval.

• The Daily News on 19th March featured an article 'Ananda College has always been in the forefront of Lanka's national movement' by the Colombo East group correspondent.

• The March 2004 AoA Newletter should be delivered by post to all our members in the UK by the time you read this. If not please get in touch via feedback.

• The committee meeting to discuss 2004 Aurudu Uthsava arrangements was held at Tissa's residence on 14th March.  All those present wish to thank Tissa & Chandra for their hospitality.

• The first committee meeting in 2004 was held at Dhane's residence on 25th January. The appointment of the sub-committeess and discussion of the Kularatne Hall project were the main items on the agenda. All those present wish to thank Dhane & Mala for the lunch and their hospitality.

• The AGM was held on 7th Dec 2003 at the Parish Church of the Saint John Hall, Pinner Middlesex where a Committee for 2004 was selected. Dhane & Janaka were re-elected as Hon.President & Secretary, respectively. Jerry was elected as the Treasure in place of Harsh who held the post for the maximum period of 4 years.

• Ananda's Role in Buddhist Education - by Prof.J.B.Disanayake

• The Dana in memory of Col. Olcott & other Founder Members of Ananda is on Sunday 19th October at the London Buddhist Vihara. Prof.Udaya Meddegama (University of Peradeniya & University of London, SOAS) will be the guest speaker.

• The next committee meeting is on 31st August at Haren & Priyadarshini's residence.

• The Summer Ball was held on 5th July at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel and was very well attended. The music was provided by Mike Cook & the Islanders and all those present had an enjoyable time.  This year there were tables specially catered for the younger generations.   

• The AOA(UK) was well represented both on and off the field at the Festival of Cricket held on the Sunday, 29th June at the Shenley Cricket Centre. The cricket was exciting and the hospitality at the Ananda marquee was excellent.  Many thanks to all those who contributed in many ways and for the cakes, rolls, malu pan, cutlets, kadala, wade, sandwiches, drinks etc. etc. The Iced Coffee went down very well on a hot day more reminiscent of cricket as played in Sri Lanka.

• The AOA(UK) Aurudu Uthsavaya was held on Sunday, 6th April at the Acton Town Hall.  The Programme started with the sound of Magul Bera and the  Lighting of the Oil Lamp in the presence of the Maha Sangha.  The audience was treated to a variety of events including  Raban playing, traditional songs,  dances and much much more. Kavum, Kokis and Kiribath was served enhancing the prevalent Aurudu atmosphere. 

• Two Old Anandians, Hon.Karu Jayasuriya, Minister of Power & Energy and Hon.Imitiaz Bakeer Marker, Minister of IT & Mass Media while on an official visit to UK met the AOA(UK) officials and members at a friendly dinner held at Sekera Restaurant in London. Click here for a photo report.

• Anuruddha Polonnowita and Sarath Wimalaratne, two of the best cricketers to have played at Ananda were in England to follow the Sri Lankan tour.  Anuruddha and Sarath met the AOA(UK) committee at our last committee meeting held on 23rd June 2002. Click here for a slide show (Please allow time for a total of 9 slides).