Floreat Issue - 2015 April

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Annual Royal Thomian Cricket Match

01st March 2015

Over 40’s Game

The toss was won by the Royal Skipper, Shyam Sideek who had no hesitation in sending the Thomians to
bat on a somewhat wet wicket due to the overnight thunderstorms.

Due to some tight bowling and excellent fielding by the Royalists, Thomians could only score 97 runs for 7
wickets off 20 overs. Dinesh Chelvathurai bowing his spectacular off spin took 3 wickets and only
conceded 5 runs.

Royal raced to the target in 12 overs without losing a wicket. Jayanath Adihetti and Amal Cooray retired
after scoring 30s,

The following represented Royal:

Shyam Sideek (1985 Group), Dinesh Chelvathurai (1976 Group), Mike Labrooy, Peminda Jayasinghe
(1976 Group), Alfie Lawton, Amal Cooray (1999 Group), Samanga Cooray (2000 Group), Dhammika
Perera (1985 Group), Dhammika Adihetti (1976 Group), Jayanath Adihetti, Aslam Assan (1995 Group)

Summary of scores

STC 97/7 in 20 overs (Buddy Reid 15 Rtd Hurt, Saliya Ahangama 14, Eraj Kapukotuwa 14, Dinesh
Chelvathurai 3/5)

Royal 105/0 in 12 overs (Jayanath Adihetty 31 Rtd, Amal Cooray 30 Rtd, Shyam Sideek 16*, Dhammika
Adihetty 15*)

Royal won by 10 wickets

Awards

Best Batsman - Amal Cooray (Royal)

Best Bowler - Dinesh Chelvathurai (Royal)

Man of the Match – Jayanath Adihetti (Royal)

Open Game

Royal won the toss and had no hesitation in sending the Thomians in to bat in this 25 over a side open
game. The Thomians started cautiously then opened up to score heavily helped by some poor bowling from
Royal. The Thomians were scoring runs at rapid pace and Royal were looking down the barrel to chase a
big score.

Royal spinners managed to take some wickets in the middle overs which somewhat slowed the run rate. At
the end of the innings Thomians managed to get a few big hits which helped them reach 176 in their
allotted 25 overs.

Royal were confident of chasing the target. They had a solid opening partnership between Channa
Gunawardena and Varun Wijewardena. After the openers departed the run rate slowed down and the
required rate went up to close to 9 runs an over. In the true Royal spirit the Royalists didn’t give up. Royal
kept fighting and managed to bring the game down to the last over requiring 19 runs to win. Hard hitting

Lochana Premaratne kept the hopes of the Royalists alive. Scoring 14 runs off the last four balls was a
fantastic effort. In the end it came down to 5 runs of the last ball. Gallant Lochana was unfortunate to not
connect the last ball thus only managing 1 run off the last ball resulting in the Thomians winning this
exciting game by 4 runs.

The following represented Royal:

Shanaka Perera (1998 Group), Channa Gunawardene (1994 Group), Anooka Samarakkody (1996 Group),
Navodha Ganegoda (2001 Group), Dimitri Siriwardena (2005 Group), Sanjeewa Udumalagala (1998
Group), Sahan Perera (2002 Group), Varun Wijewardena (2002 Group), Saroj Dissanayake (2000 Group),
Lochana Premaratne (2007 Group), Lakmal Abeysekera (2001 Group)

Summary of scores

STC 177/9 in 25 overs and Royal 173/7 in 25 overs.

Thomians won by 4 runs.

Awards

Best Batsman - Shiran Rajakaruna (STC)

Best Bowler - Dilusha Nanayakkara (STC)

Man of the Match - Lochana Premaratne (Royal)

Eddie Gray Trophy – Lochana Premaratne (Royal)

The awards were presented by Sri Lankan Cricketer Jeevan Mendis. The game was played in the true spirit
of Royal – Thomian matches.

Royal Inaugural Indoor 6 A Side Cricket Match

The inaugural 6 side game was played on the Insportz stadium at the Knox indoor sports stadium on the 1st
of February. Over 60 young and not so young Royalists participated in this inter batch tournament. They
came dressed in various forms of Blue and Gold T shirts from the different parts of Melbourne some even
travelling over two hours to take part in this inaugural cricket tournament. There was tremendous
enthusiasm and comradeship amongst these Melbourne Royalists. The organisers Shanka Gunawardana,
Dinesh Perera, Athula Ratnayake and Adrian Ferdinand were rallying the eight teams that took part. After
the customary talk by the match officials to the team captains the matches kicked off at 10.30am. In the
true spirit of Royal the first game was between the youngest team representing the group of 2011(Sofa
King United) playing the most senior group who were the over 50’s who called themselves Namal’s
Babies. The senior team was led by Ransi Fernando. It was a fantastic game, experience and maturity
against energy and youthfulness. Although it was a tight game the Sofa King United beet Namal’s Babies.

The teams were;

MAHASONA BALAKAYA – Batch of 2001 • Viraj Wijetunge
• Lakmal Abeyasekera
• Malith Fernando RANILS CABINET - Batch of 2002
• Malindra Fernando • Chatura Liyanagama
• Navoda Ganegoda • Madhawa Wijerathne
• Thilanga Gunaratne • Dimi Jinadasa
• Upul Kularathna • Malitha Siriwardane
• Yasantha Kalupahana • Sahan Perera
• Erosh Gunasekara
GOLDEN STARS - Batch of 2007 • Dinesh Perera
• Lochana Premarathna
• Ishara Dilhan Perera MEDAMOOLANA BAIYYA'S - Batch of 1998
• Shehan Wijesinghe • Dulip Jayakody
• Ravinath Gunasekara • Shanaka Perera
• Shamendra Kannangara • Dhammika Perera
• Sujan Jayasiriwardena • Charith Lankachandra
• Thilina Chandrapala • Sarasi Herath
• Anushka Thenuwara • Sanjeewa Udumalagala

SOFA KINGS UNITED - Batch of 2011 AHINDAS - Batch of 1995
• Adrian Ferdinand • Chamith Perera
• Nandun Amarasinghe • Dimitri Siriwardene
• Kalindu Rajamanthri • Murthaz Maulana
• Kaushika Jayalath • Aslam Assen
• Tharindu Domingo • Rajith Wijeratne
• Dulan Dantanarayana • Uchin Alwis
• Ashwanath Negendran • Damitha De Laneroolle

YAHAPALUWOS - Batch of 2000 NAMAL'S BABIES – Over 50’s
• Shanka Gunawardana • Piyal Gunarathne
• Saroj Dissanayake • Sajith Mendis
• Abdullah Mahmud • Ransi Fernando
• Yogi Thevaraj • Thusitha Mendis
• Nandun Thellamurege • Dammika Ardihetti
• Ashendra Fernando • Shyam Sideek
• Sean Tharaka Chandrasekara

The winners of the inaugural 6 A Side were MAHASONA BALAKAYA - Batch of 2001
Royal College school song was sung with passion by all Royalist in the indoor stadium. One of the young
Royalist finished off the school song with the customary chant Give me a R give me a O give me a Y give
me A and give me a L…ROYAL.
The fun filled day ended with the winning team being presented with a slab of beer by the president of
RCOBAA Aynkaran Sivaratnam followed by plenty of socialising amongst the Royalist.

Photo credit - Nicole's Photography

Interview with Shanaka Perera - The first recipient of the
"Royal Crown"

Shanaka Perera was the first recipient of “Royal Crown”. He was awarded
Donhorst Memorial Award for the most outstanding student in 1998. He is
one of only two Royalist in the history of Royal College who captained the
first teams of both Cricket and Rugby in the same year. Mahesh Rodrigo
Captained both teams in 1946 and Shanaka captained the respective teams in
1998

Shanaka followed his illustrious sporting career at Royal College to pursue his
academic career at the management faculty of Colombo University in 2000
before migrating to Australia in the same year. He completed his bachelor’s
degree at The University of Melbourne. Since then he has completed his
professional qualification as a CPA.

Floreat: Where did you grow up and tell us about your family.

Shanaka: I grew up in Colombo 3 which made it easier for me to go school which was only a 15 minute
walk. My mother and father have been the rocks of my life and have given me everything and I am
indebted to them for making me the person who I am today. I have two brothers Sampath who is the older
and Chamith the younger one. All three of us played Rugby for college and also managed to achieve
colours in two sports. My ayya, Sampath received colours in Rugby & Soccer, Chamith received colours in
Rugby & Athletics. My Ayya is the one who showed me the ropes when I was young and I followed
everything he did and ended up playing both Cricket and Rugby for college.

Floreat: You have had the rare distinction of having captained both the cricket and rugby teams at Royal
College. How did this remarkable sporting achievement happen?

Shanaka: I have been a sports fanatic since I was a small kid. I loved
every sport and followed with a passion. Obviously I loved cricket and
played from the time I started to walk according to my parents. My
father was a die-hard cricket fan and encouraged me to play cricket at
a young age. I played almost every sport I could when I was young. I
played cricket, rugby, basketball and soccer until under 15’s. After that
it became very difficult to play 4 sports with studies taking a priority
as well and had to decide which sports to continue. I chose cricket and
rugby, the 2 sports that I loved. I represented and captained almost
every under age team in both cricket and rugby. At that time I did not
even realise that I would end up captaining both senior teams. I think it
just followed the pattern and just happened.

Floreat: What were the cricket highlights for you at school?

Shanaka: Obviously captaining school at the Royal Thomian encounter was the main highlight. I still
remember watching the Roytho from the boy’s tent and dreaming one day to play in that game against our
traditional rivals. To take a step further and captain the college team in the big match was beyond my
wildest dream. I still feel the goose bumps when I led the team in 1998 stepping in to the SSC first day of
the game. Also the first Roytho I played was a major highlight. In addition we came to the semi-finals of
the under 17 all island championship. This was remarkable due to the fact nearly everyone of this team
comprised of my class mates. We never played to our full potential throughout the season which we got
scolded from our coach Porky every week but somehow managed to find ways to win matches.

Floreat: What were the rugby highlights?

Shanaka: Captaining the college team in the Bradby Shield encounter was the main highlight. Again it is
an experience that words cannot describe, as the feeling you get when the college song is played just before
the game is truly out of this world. The tour to England & Wales in 1998 after we won the Bradby with a
record margin was another highlight. In addition, winning the under 17 Seven a side tournament twice
without any proper preparation were major highlights too.

Floreat: Tell us about the Royal-Thomian cricket matches you played and the Bradby Shield games
against Trinity College. Also tell us about other memorable matches played against other schools in both
sports?

Shanaka: I played 3 Roytho’s, which were all remarkable for different reasons. The first one in 1996 was
special not only been my first big match but also to witness the magnificent record partnership between the
skipper Anushka Polonowita (who scored 165) and deputy skipper Yasas Dharmaratne (who scored 124).
My second Roytho was remarkable for all the wrong reasons as we lost the game which was one of the
lowest feelings that I have felt in my life. I was involved in a hat trick in the first innings which was a very
sad feeling and still remember the long walk back to the SSC pavilion after getting out to the first ball I
faced. I was so determined in the second innings to save the game and tried valiantly to rescue the match
with my good friend LC who scored a brilliant 94. We managed to keep the Thomians at bay for most of
the last day. In the end I ran out of partners and stayed last man standing with a half century which I think
is the best innings I have played due to the circumstances. Third Roytho was also special as I led the team
against a formidable Thomian outfit. After much planning before the game we missed a golden opportunity
to take the wicket of Thomian skipper Upekha who was a very destructive batsman. He ended up scoring
80 runs in about 60 odd balls and Thomians ended up scoring 307, which put us behind the eight ball.
Another highlight in this innings included the wicket I took to dismiss Nilanka Peiris for 99, which I felt so
bad and said sorry to Nilanka as soon as I took the wicket. This was first time in the history of Roytho that
a batsman has been dismissed for
99 runs. We managed to score 277
with me scoring 74 and declared 40
runs short hoping for a sporting
declaration to make a match of it
which did not eventuate as they
batted for a long time. The game
ended up in a draw and also
culminated my school cricket
career.

Other remarkable game that I
played was the game against Trinity
in 1998 where we lost the game by
1 wicket after giving a sporting
declaration. This was the first time
in 50 odd years that we had lost to
Trinity. In this match I also called
back one of the Trinity batsmen
after the umpires had given him out
because my teammate said he was
not sure whether the catch was a
clean catch or not. That batsman
ended up scoring a fifty and gave
Trinity the momentum in their run chase. The game went down to wire and Trinity scored the winning runs
off the penultimate ball of the innings. This is a game that is in my memory.

In Rugby, my first Bradby Shield game in 1996 we lost both legs to Trinity team that were far superior.
The second Brabdy shield in 1997 was a remarkable one. We played the first leg in Pallekele where Trinity

built their new Rugby grounds. I still remember the long bus trip to the grounds that took for ever. The
ground was built to the international specifications which meant there were lot of room to move around.
We lost the first leg and came back to Colombo knowing that we had a chance to win the shield. We played
like warriors and were leading until the very last minute where Trinity skipper slotted a penalty goal to win
the Bradby shield by a point which was a devastating blow. In 1998 we had a superior team and played a
very open brand rugby which was refreshing for the spectators. We were unbeaten going in to face Trinity
in the first leg in Colombo. The talk on the street was how many points that we were going to win the game
by. The golden uncertainties in sports continued with us losing the game by 2 points. For some strange
reason which I am still struggling to find the answer for as to how poorly we played on that day. After the
first leg I was second guessing myself as whether I was not destined to beat Trinity since I lost the cricket
match to them by the narrowest of margin after a long time and also the 1997 Bradby by a mere point.
Spurred on by the disappointment of losing the first leg, we trained hard and were determined to win the
second leg in Kandy which at the time no team in the history of the Bradby shield managed to conquer.
True to our determination and also after listening to Eye of The Tiger, we played like warriors and beat
Trinity 42-11 which was the record score by a Royal team at the time. I was so proud of the guys and
managed to break my jinx against Trinity

Other remarkable game is the match against Isipathana in 1998. They were on a record unbeaten streak of
50 odd games over 3 year period and were portrayed as unbeatable. We trained hard and planned all season
for this game. This was due to the disappointment of losing nearly every final we played against them since
junior days. The build-up and expectation for this game was massive and a huge crowd turned up to the
Sugathadasa stadium to witness this game. As expected it was a very close game and went down to the
wire. We were behind in the second half and we kept attacking the Isipathana line. Time after time we were
denied and we had so many penalty opportunities that I declined to kick at goal to get 3 points. I was
determined to score the try and take the game beyond their reach as we all knew how good and desperate
they play the last few minutes of the game. We managed to finally beat them and I am sure if we had
failed that day, the decisions of not taking penalty opportunities would have haunted me for the rest of my
life.

Floreat: Who coached you in these sports and who inspired you into making you the remarkable
sportsmen that you became?

Shanaka: I had so many coaches throughout my sporting career, however the 1st XI cricket teams that I
played in were coached by Nirmal Hettiarachchi.1996 & 1997 and Nihal Koddituwakku 1998. In Rugby I
had Dr Fred Perera 1996 & 1997 and CP Abeygunawardena 1998. The person that inspired the most when
I was young playing both sports was late Mr Mahesh Rodrigo who was the first person to captain both
Cricket & Rugby in the same year. He was an outstanding sportsman from all his records but more than
that he was a great mentor. I had the honour and privilege of meeting him and talking to him about life
which really inspired me.

Floreat: Tell us about your best teachers and some of your classmates.

Shanaka: There were so many teachers that looked after me and directed me to be the person that I am
today. If I name a few Mr Ranjith Senanayaka (Senior Games Master), Mr Sarath Karunanayake MIC
Cricket, Mr Sudath Liyanagunawardena MIC Cricket, Mr Sirisena MIC Rugby were the teachers that really
helped me with sporting activities. In studies, Mrs Malkanthi Perera Class teacher in AL’s who hated me
when I first went to the AL class for a reason that I am still struggling to find the answer for, she eventually
turned around and looked after and guided me, Mr Dabare Economics teacher AL, and Mr Manawadu Stats
teacher AL were few that I would come to my mind straightaway.

My classmates were absolute joy to be with and given a choice I would go back to those days without any
hesitations. I had all kinds of classmates, studious, crazy, sporty etc. If I name a few close buddies Noddy,
Wate, Menda, Sameera, TP, Jaye, Dias, Rehan, LC, Sanjaya, buddhika etc.. We always used to hang
around the Siyambala Gaha (Tamarind tree near the college gorunds) and were called the Siyambala Gaha
Yata Gang. The irony is we hardly had fights with anyone. However we had marked our territory and
hardly anyone entered our territory. Furthermore some of our class mates never came to Siyambala Gaha

Yata just for the fear of getting embarrassed. All these were in good nature and we got along well like
brothers.

Floreat: What was the greatest moment for you at school?

Shanaka: This is a very difficult question to answer because there were so many and would be very
difficult to single one out. Captaining both Cricket and Rugby teams in the same year was very special.
Having been appointed as the Head Prefect was something very dear to my heart. Winning the Donhorst
Memorial Award for the most outstanding student was another great achievement. Furthermore been the
first recipient of “Royal Crown” was also very special too. As you can see there were so many making it
difficult to single out one moment.

Floreat: What advice will you give budding sportsmen at Royal College at this time?

Shanaka: My humble advice is that you would not be able to achieve anything without hard work. You
have to show the determination and dedication to whatever you do whether it may be a sport that you play
or the academic path you take or a combination of the two.

Floreat: What did you do with your sport after leaving school?

Shanaka: I was selected to the Sri Lankan national pool for Rugby in both 15-a side and 7-a-side team’s

straight after

leaving school.

Furthermore, I

represented

CR&FC team for

nearly 2 years.

Since I was playing

rugby continuously

I did not have to

time to play cricket

at club level. Once

I migrated to

Australia, I

represented The

University of

Melbourne in

Rugby Union,

Cricket & Touch

Rugby. I managed

to achieve

University Blues

for Rugby Union in

2003. After

completing my

degree I played

club Cricket in

Melbourne until recently.

Floreat: What advice would you give young Royalists on leaving College?

Key to achieving things in life is to work hard in whatever the career path that they have chosen. Our
college has given us such a good base to achieve great success in our career. We should never forget our
college and I would urge everyone to keep in touch with the school and your classmates.

(Interview with George Fernando)

Government official took a break

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka—The new government Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose main base of support
here is racing to carry out an ambitious 100-day has been in rural areas.
plan to overhaul the constitution and reinvigorate
the economy as it girds for elections likely within On Saturday morning, Mr. Wickremesinghe turned
the next few months. up in his trademark yellow shirt (Royal’s colors are
blue and gold) and stopped in at the Mustang tent,
But on Saturday, Prime Minister Ranil his usual match haunt and one of the most
Wickremesinghe took a break from affairs of exclusive venues for watching the game.
state—to watch a high-school cricket match.
“He always goes,” said a spokesman. “He
It isn’t just any game. Known as the Battle of the considers it his duty as a Royalist.”
Blues, it has been played annually for 136 years
between two of Sri Lanka’s oldest and toniest all- Royal College traces its origins to the 1830s in
boys schools,
Royal College what was then
and S.
Thomas’ British-ruled
College.
Ceylon. S.

Thomas’—which

uses the initial S.

instead of the more

The three-day common

match is abbreviation St. for

among the saint—was

most founded by an

important Anglican bishop

social events more than 160

for members years ago.

of the Modeled on British public schools, they have long
produced an outsize number of Sri Lanka’s
Colombo elite, who gather in grandstands and tents political and business leaders and professionals.
Their athletic rivalry is interwoven with national
festooned with bunting to party, schmooze and history. The teams vie for the D.S. Senanayake
Memorial Shield, named after Sri Lanka’s first
watch cricket. post-independence prime minister, who played in
the Royal-Thomian cricket match as a S. Thomas’
“It’s like an annual pilgrimage. You come to meet student at the start of the 20th century.
your old friends,” said Dilshan Jayasuriya, a
lawyer who graduated from S. Thomas’ in 1994.
Luckily play ends on a Saturday, he said, since “it
takes one full day to recover.”

About 30,000 people turned out to watch, On Wednesday, the day before the match, students
according to organizers. Alumni, known as Old from both schools paraded through Colombo. An
Royalists and Old Thomians, flew in from around elephant strode ahead of a red double-decker bus
the world. carrying members of the Royal team, resplendent
in their school ties and striped blazers on the open
This year the celebrations also had political upper deck.
overtones, because the prime minister and a dozen
other cabinet ministers and deputy ministers are Play started on Thursday. And for many in the
graduates of Royal College. The new government capital, serious business ground almost to a halt.
led by President Maithripala Sirisena took office in Turnover on the Colombo Stock Exchange hit its
January after voters ousted former President lowest level in nearly a year on Friday.

‘Even when the match stopped for rain today, Both schools say they try to transcend the ethnic
the partying went on for six more hours.’ and religious divisions that have bedeviled their
country, accepting students from all communities.
—Prasanna Chandrasekara, director at a Sri And they seek to build character.
Lanka brokerage
“We send men into the world with integrity and
“A lot of Royalists and Thomians are employed at courage. That’s our main objective,” said the Rev.
the bigger brokering firms,” said Prasanna Marc Billimoria, the Anglican priest who is warden
Chandrasekara, a director at Softlogic of S. Thomas.’
Stockbrokers. He put in 90 minutes at the office
Thursday before heading to the match and took all At Royal, boarding students are supposed to rise at
of Friday off. 5 a.m. and start their day with calisthenics before
heading to class at 7. On weekends they can sleep
“When you are at the match, it’s like going back in in—until 6.
time” to your school days, said Mr. Chandrasekara,
who attended S. Thomas’ and hasn’t missed a Sports are a big part of life at both schools, and the
match in 20 years. “Even when the match stopped Royal-Thomian cricket match is the biggest event
for rain today, the partying went on for six more of the year.
hours.”
A batsman faces a bowler’s delivery on Saturday
Indeed, the downpour that halted play shortly after during the match known as the Battle of the Blues,
noon on Saturday did little to dampen spirits. As which drew an audience of about 30,000. Junho
teenagers in white uniforms and straw hats Kim for The Wall Street Journal
decorated with cockades in their school colors
roughhoused on the muddy grounds, Old Boys “There’s a lot of history, a lot of responsibility on
sipped drinks and listened to music. our shoulders,” said Thiran Dhanapala, a Royal
player. “There are so many distractions, it’s hard to
Live bands in some tents, many with equine names focus. But you have to do it for the school.”
such as Thoroughbreds, Broncos and Cavalry,
competed with high-decibel dance music pumping To concentrate on match preparations, the Royal
out of others. In some, dancers provided players lived together in a dormitory and tried to
entertainment. One had disco lights. isolate themselves from the outside world. That
meant no phones and no contact with girlfriends.
Among the Colombo elite, where you studied
matters. “When you meet someone, it’s one of the “There’s a lot of pressure,” said Harith
first questions you ask,” said Harini Amarasuriya, Samarasinghe, the Royal captain.
a sociologist at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
“It’s not just a sentimental attachment. It can After three days of rain-interrupted play, the 2015
determine your job, who you marry, what clubs match ended in a draw Saturday, with Royal
you belong to.” unable to complete its innings because of the
weather.
Eran Wickramaratne, an Old Royalist who is now
deputy minister for investment and highways, said So, as tradition dictates, the D.S. Senanayake
Sri Lankans make too much of where they went to shield will go back to Royal College, which won it
high school. in 2013. (Last year’s match also ended in a draw.)
There it will sit in a trophy case until the next
Still, he said, playing cricket was transformational round of the Battle of the Blues.
for him. He played in Royal-Thomian matches in
1976 and 1977. “Sports taught me discipline,” he —Uditha Jayasinghe contributed to this article.
said. “Leadership isn’t something you learn from
books or in the classroom. You learn it on the
field.”

Old Royalists pledge to empower students' technology proficiency

Old Royalists Engineering Professionals’ Association (OREPA) inaugurated on November 23 is the newest
of professional bodies under the Royal College Union. A large number of engineers, architects and other
professionals in allied fields gathered at the inaugural General Meeting at Grand Ballroom of Hotel
Galadari, Colombo.

Royal College Principal Upali Gunasekara enthusiastically welcomed the move, inviting the newly formed
body to take a leading role in moulding present students to become successful engineering professionals in
the future. He highlighted that the already initiated mentoring program by OREPA at his request, targeting
students sitting for the advanced level examination in the mathematics stream, has been a strong motivator
and a source of guidance.

The principal has clearly recognized the potential in the field of engineering, with its plethora of dynamic
and diverse areas of specializations. However, students are rarely exposed to this vibrant and rapidly
developing technological front until much later in their careers. Hence, Royal College has taken a
pioneering role to discover new directions for students to follow, and facilitate their involvement and
advancement.

Currently, Royal College is spearheading a sustainability campaign, aimed at inculcating values of
sustainable living to the next generation at an early stage in their lives. The college has already taken up
several green initiatives such as rain water harvesting and the butterfly breeding centre to maintain bio
diversity in the area. Backing these sustainability drives is a comprehensive master plan, which specifies 13
focus areas to cultivate sustainability practices. Royal College is taking a leading role to sow the seeds of
sustainability amongst the community of national schools, which if practiced island-wide, would drastically
reduce the burden on the environment and future generations.

OREPA, as a congregation of technical experts in many facets of engineering and related fields, expects to
empower this master plan towards sustainability, sharing their prowess to uplift each focus area including
sustainable air, water, soil and bio-diversity, sustainable energy, sustainable manufacturing and production,
sustainable construction, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, sustainable transportation and tourism.
With the successful implementation of this master plan towards sustainability, Royal College would
become a role model for students not only in Sri Lanka but for the entire Asia Pacific region and then to the
whole world as an advocate for sustainable living in a sustainable society. The college reached an
important milestone in this vision when it was short-listed to be amongst the top four at the prestigious
sustainability award, Zayed Future Energy Prize for 2015.

In addition to these timely involvements, Old Royalists in engineering professions have recognized 5
channels to give back to their alma mater.

1. To promote and provide career guidance to students

2. To promote engineering related professions among students and school leavers

3. To share latest trends/ knowledge/ practices/ issues in engineering related fields

4. To provide scholarships and financial assistance in engineering related education

5. To support initiatives/ activities of membership, Royal College Union and its affiliated associations

More importantly, OREPA will open up a reservoir of knowledge, technical expertise and material support
in the fields of engineering, architecture and related fields that will benefit the College and students. Based
on these broader objectives, OREPA is looking forward to become a key stakeholder of Royal College,
continuously working towards the betterment of students and their alma mater.

Extracted from from Royal College Old Boys' Union December 2014

Remembering Mr. Aubry Collette

Collette, my father’

The 51st in the monthly lecture series of the National Trust- Sri Lanka will be on famed cartoonist Aubrey
Collette by his daughter Cresside Collette.

It will be on Thursday, May 30 at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers , 479 T.B. Jayah
Mawatha, Colombo 10 at 6.30 p.m. The lecture will be simultaneously transmitted to the E.L. Senanayake
Children’s Library Hall at Kotugodella Veediya, Kandy .
The youngest son of a celebrated portrait photographer, Jos Collette, Aubrey spent his childhood drawing.
After attending Royal College , he was appointed art master there. With Ivan Peries he approached Lionel
Wendt with the idea of forming the alternative painting fraternity, the 43 Group, that was to become

Ceylon‘s internationally recognised Modern Art movement.

In 1946 his talent for caricature was recognised by the Times of Ceylon
and he became their political cartoonist. Here he met Joan Gratiaen, a
journalist, and they married in 1947. His first book of cartoons “ Ceylon
since Soulbury“ was published in 1948, and later the couple moved to
Lake House where Tarzie Vittachi was editor. Their witty collaboration
documented the political trajectory of the country from British colony to
independent nation in The Observer and the Daily News.

In 1952 Aubrey travelled around America on a prestigious art scholarship
to meet fellow cartoonists and in 1954 held a large solo exhibition in
Colombo entitled, “1954 Faces“, 73 pastel caricatures of the leading political and socialite figures of the
day. After Mrs Bandaranaike‘s government came into power in 1960 he became “persona non grata“, and
in 1961 he left Ceylon with his second wife, Pauline, spending a year in London before migrating to
Australia in 1962.

He joined the staff of The Australian newspaper in 1965 and began another successful career as a political
cartoonist, winning the coveted Walkley Award for best cartoon in 1970. He moved to The Herald in
Melbourne in 1971, followed by The Straits Times in Singapore in 1984. A regular contributor to the Asia
Magazine, his strip cartoon Sun Tan ran for many years.

Always remembered as a gentle, humble and humorous man by all who knew him, he died in 1992 aged
71. His daughter Cresside is known primarily as a tapestry weaver. She has exhibited in both individual
and group shows consistently since 1971, and in 2003 and 2004 she was awarded residencies at Bundanon
where she pioneered working “en plein air“ in the medium of tapestry.

A visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Lanka Decorative Arts Workshop in 2009 has inspired her to return each
year to pursue her own work and add to her knowledge of her father‘s legacy.
The lecture is open to the public at a nominal fee. Further information could be obtained from the Trust
Office at the Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, 407, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Tel:
2682730.

Membership List as at 30th April 2015

Abdullah Mahmud Dinesh Epitawela Madhava Wijayaratne Sam Lawton
Abhaya Udugama Dinesh Perera Madushe Jayawickrema Saman Fernando
Adrian Ferdinand Dinesh Weerakkody Mahinda Wickramasuriya Saman Nanda Ranasinghe
Ajith Udaya Amarasakera Dinusha Ranabahu Malcolm Lourensz Samath Wijeyasinghe
Akram Yusuf Dr.Channa Wijesinghe** Malindra Fernando Samitha De Silva
Alfred (Alfie) Lawton Dulip Jayakody Maliq Deane Sandy (Ranoir) Jesudhason
Almaaz Alavi Eardley Lieverz Mangala Jayawardene Sanjaya Jayatilake
Amal Cooray Feisul Udumans Manitha Palihapitiya Sanjeewa Udumalagala
Anil Amunugama Fitzroy Crozier Maurice Anghie Sanoj De Alwis
Arun Kumaresan Fred Kreltzheim** Maurice Koelmeyer Sarath Jayasekera
Ash Weerasekera Gamini Jayasinghe Maurice Thomasz Sarath Mendis
Ashrof. A Cader** Ganesh Ganeshalingam Michael Kreltszheim Saru (Sarvendran) Sivarajah
Aslam Assen George Fernando Michael La Brooy Seyed Hassen Murthaz
Athula Ratnayaka Gerald Cooray** Mohan de Run Mawlana
Aubrey VanCuylenburg** Haris Peiris Mohan Perera Shanaka Perera
Aynkaran Sivaratnam Hashitha Perera Mohan Pillai Shanka Gunawardana
Azad Raheem Hemanth Cooray Mohan Tisseverasinge Shehan Wijesinghe
Beverley Anthony Andree- Hildon Bevan** Nadaraja Canagasabai Shiran De Silva
Jansz (Tony Jansz) Hiran Muttiah Nalin Jayaweera Soba Ranasinghe
Bevill Janz** Ikram Mohinadeen Navoda Ganegoda Sonny De Silva
Brian Lieversz Indi Wanigasooriya Nigel De Kretser Spencer Foenander
Bryan Wickremeratne Indika Gunathilaka Nihal Kodituwakku Stuart Roland
Cedric Jansz Indrajith Wijegunaratne Nihal Seneviratne Epa Sugeesha Dinushan
Chaman Ipalawatta Ishan Bahar Nihal. M. D. de Run Sujeevan Panagoda
Chamaka Jayasinghe Ishara Perera P.H.(Piloo) Billimoria Sujith Satkunam
Chamith Perera Isuru Alagiyawanna Pasan Manawadu Sunil De Silva
Channa Gunawardane Jafir Dawood Peminda Jayasinghe Susil Ranasinghe
Charavaran Janaka Seneviratne Piyal Gunaratne Tharaka Chandrasakera
Charith Jayatillake Janek Ratnatunga Prajith Perera Tharin Peiris
Charith Lankachandra Jeremy Perera Priyantha Mendis Thilanga Gunaratne
Chathura Liyanagama Jey Jayakumar Rad Rasaratnam Thilina Gajanayake
Chinthana Wijeweera Jimmy Billimoria** Ranga Perera Thusitha Mendis
Dr D.C. Jayasekera Jivaka Fernando Raj Kumar Tissa Galagedera
Damitha De Lanerolle Joseph Wijendran Rajith Wijeratne Tony Anghie**
Dammica Wickramaratne Judge G.C.Weeramantry Ralph Wickremaratne(Ralph Trevor Jansz
Darin Mallawarachchi Kandiah Sivapragasam Wicks)** Trevor La Brooy
Darrell Lieversz Kapila Epasinghe Ramesh Nadarajah Upula Jayasingha
David Kreltzheim Ken Wijendra Ransi Fernando Uchin Alwis
Deepal Perera Kevin Martin Ravi Wickramasinghe Varna Amerasinghe
Des De Kretser Krishan Rajendra Ravisha Sellahewa Venura Welegedera
Devindra Weerasooriya Kumares Sandrasegaran Riyad Uduman Vibodha Sampath
Dhammika Adihetty Kushan Atukorale Riza Muthaliph Vijayalingam Thiagalingam
Dhammika Perera Lalin De Silva Rohan Wimalasuriya Yasantha Kalupahana
Dhilharan Sivartanam Lilith De Silva Ruchira Withana Yogendran Thevaraj
Dhilshad Sideek Lalith Hewavitharana Ruwan Jayaweera
Dimithra Jinadasa Lindsay Ferdinands Sahan Perera
Dinesh Chelvathurai Lucky Sellamuttu Sajith Mendis

** Life Members
In the unlikely event that you have renewed your membership and your name does not appear, please contact the
membership secretary via [email protected]

RCOBAA upcoming events

Royal College Group of 95 Melbourne - Celebrating 20 years of leaving school
The Group of 95 are having their first family get-to-gather on 6th of June 2015 for Lunch at Walwwa Restaurant 477
Princes Highway Noble Park, Victoria
Please Contact Aslam Assen on 0421484290 for more details

Register of Member Services

The RCOBAA committee has introduced a new initiative whereby members have the opportunity to share
with the wider Royal College community their professional and/or trade services that are being offered by
the member. These services will be published in the Floreat as well as on our website and should be in the
format below:

Nithy Chellappah Nihal de Run
Architectural and design services Specialising in IT'S A BREEZE PROPERTY PTY LTD
extensions, dual occupations, new design and Representing Heritage Grove Retirement Villas
construction services (Sri Lanka)
email: [email protected] or Ph: 0419382142 (Nihal)
Ph. 0413 138 180

Professional seeking employment in IT sector

Amal Cooray
Project Manager, professional with over 15 years experience in the IT sector, is looking for any opportunity
in the IT sector in Melbourne .

Email: [email protected]
Mobile Ph: 0452 381 708

Want to promote your Year Group ?

RCOBAA would like invite all members and Royal College year
groups to use the RCOBAA WEBSITE , FACEBOOK

and Floreat as a medium to promote your services and inform others
about your activities and projects.

For further info contact [email protected]

RCOBAA Committee

Patron: Judge Christy Weeramantry
Vice Patrons: Fred Kreltszheim

Aynkaran Sivaratnam : President General Committee:

Indrajith Wijegunaratne : Vice President Nihal De Run

Dinesh Perera : Secretary Venura Welagedara
Athula Rathnayaka : Immediate Past President Ransi Fernando
Chintana Wijeweera
Dhammika Perera: Treasurer
Charith Jayathilake: Membership Secretary Piyal Gunaratne

George Fernando: Editor Floreat Lilith De Silva
Shanka Gunawardane: Web Master
Adrian Ferdinand

Krishan Rajendra