Christmas dinner outing with families in 2019.
We, the Group of 82 batchmates in Australia, have been supporting the 3rd child of our late batchmate Chrishantha Fernando (well known as Washington) since October 2019. The child receives an amount of Rs.10,000 per month from us towards his welfare and education. Given below is a brief note from Sanjaya Herath and how the project was initiated.
Dear Chulan,
I am proud to be a member of the 82 group which I formed long years ago with an ambition of bring all our batch mates together in order to be connected for life and use our collective strength to help our College as required and our devolved batch mates who may need assistance.
Chrishantha who is popularly known as Washington who lived down inner flower Road- Kollupitiya flats is one person who was poor and underprivileged but had a large heart. He got married very late after returning from the Middle East and had a very young family. Unfortunately, with his untimely death, his family was in shambles. Although he had a heart problem and consulted our batch mate heart specialist Dr Gamini Galappaththi, he didn’t want to go through an operation fearing that his young family will be in hunger.
I’m very proud to say with a couple of SMS’s and WhatsApp messages among our batch mates, we were able to raise some money for his funeral and other expenses. Since the family was very young with Children ranging from 3 to 16 Years and wife the doing a janitorial Job, I embarked on a project to sponsor all the Children until they reach the age of 20 Years through our batch mates.
I’m happy and proud to mention, within a couple of hours, my mission was successful. My Classmate and good buddy Chulan was a great encouragement and helped immensely achieve my ambition without much effort.
I must thank all our batchmates in Australia from the bottom of my heart for coming forward to sponsor the third child, who is a boy of 6 Years now with his education and welfare. He is Ravish Kanishka born on the 27th of June 2015. He just got enrolled at Hevavitharana College. Unfortunately, he couldn’t enter Royal although his elder Brother is there, due to lack of points.
Dearest Chulan, if not for your untiring efforts, the above wouldn’t have been possible. May I take this opportunity in thanking you and all who assisted and May the blessing of the triple gem be with you forever.
Give below the details of the other Children for your info.
Eldest daughter
Christin Woshintina
2005/03 /28- Date of birth
St, Anthony's B.M.V-Name of school.
Second son
Bawantha Manupriya
2009/05/16
Royal college
Youngest Daughter
Anuki Bashitha
2017/01/07
Nursery
Few college mates met up at Insportz Indoor Sports Centre owned by Lal Jayasinghe to have an enjoyable evening.
Please click here to play the video.
Royal Thomian Stag Night 2019.
RC ’82 Australian group sponsored the dinner organised to felicitate the RC rugby team in 2015. The event was held on 26th May 2015 at Playtrix, CR & FC, Colombo 7.
We decided to sponsor the felicitation dinner because our batch mate, Mahendra Gamage’s son Bhanuka captained the team and Ranjith Wasantha Perera’s son Supun made a big difference towards taking the team to win the national championship, Bradby Shield and the Gunaratne Trophy. We thank Suresh Ratnasinghe who coordinated and organised the event with Mahendra and Wasantha. Manahara Wijeratne supported the event by taking photographs and Chandimal serenaded with his music. Sriyan Cooray who captained during our time delivered a speech to motivate the team. Ashan Abeysundera acted as the MC. The team was accompanied by the Senior Games Master , Mr Sudath Liyanagunawardena MIC, Mr Anura Wanigasinghe, Coach, Mr Rohan Martis, Coach, Mr Lewke, Trainers, Mr Sunimal and Mr Akila and Dr. Thushantha Wijesinghe , Dr. Kithsiri Perera and Physiotherapist, Mr Banak represented the medical team.
Our batch mate Dasantha Fonseka gifted 'Polarsun' sun shades to all the players with the compliments of Vision Care which were presented by Laknatha. Dhammika Atygalle gifted Kandos chocolates. Nelundeniya donated yoghurts and milk for special training days and a few other ruggerites and batch mates of RC '82 joined in to add colour to the event.
The following members from the RC ’82 Australia group funded the event.
Athula, Lal, Nilkamal, Harshana, Sanjaya, Sherwin, Sumedha, Ashwin, Senaka, Manoshan, Chinthaka, Sanjeewa, Madhura, Merril, Janaka, Vasu, and Chulan.
A Special ‘Thank you’ to Santhush (Suresh’s son) for organising the venue and special rates at Playtrix, CR&FC.
Group had it's 50th celebrations at the Sandown Regency Hotel, Noble Park, Melbourne.