It is with great pleasure I welcome all of you to the Thirteenth Annual Dinner
Dance. This final programme for the year offers yet another opportunity for
the old boys, their families and friends to meet and have an enjoyable evening.
The Annual Fundraising Walk-a-thon event was once again successfully conducted on July 1st 2005. This year it was a special one, our sister association, The Vembadi Old Girls’ Association officially joined hands with us in Co-sponsoring the event. Their gesture further strengthens the cordial relationship that exists between the two Associations.
I visited my school in May this year and had the pleasure of meeting the Principal, Mr.Rasathurai and some of the staff and students. I was greatly impressed by the Principal’s effort in developing the school. Its pace is well ahead of other development and restructuring that is taking place elsewhere in Jaffna. The computer center with all the modern facilities, the beautiful garden with professional landscaping, the rebuilt Romaine Cooke Hall retaining the century old English architecture in its original form, the redesigned play ground and the newly constructed buildings gives an impression of that of a modern school in Toronto.
I am happy to state that centralites in Canada have been always forthcoming to offer their share in the development and welfare of our Alma-mater. However we should keep focused on our commitment to help the school in raising the educational standard to its past glorious level.
Our Association has planned to celebrate
in 2006, the 100th year anniversary of the Jaffna Central College Old boys’
Association. Perhaps Jaffna Central is the first to start an OBA association
in the north and east of Sri Lanka.The inaugural meeting of the OBA was held
on December 25,1906 at the College Hall presided by Rev.W.M.P.Wilkes, B.A,L.C.P
(Principal)
Please see the First OBA Committee printed in this souvenir. What an array of
distinguished personalities in this historic committee. Let us all celebrate
this land mark in the glorious history of Central, in style. I seek the support
of our past OBA Presidents, their committees and other old boys to release a
Centenary Souvenir in 2006 and to revive “Mathiya Deepam”- The variety
entertainment show to mark this historic event.
Finally I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you for being here today and let us all have an enjoyable evening .
Dr.K.Theivendirarajah
President, JCCOBA Canada.
29.10.2005