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The Colombo Union

St. Anne's College Kurunegala - Colombo Union.

St. Anne's College Kurunegala - Colombo Union, formerly known as the Past Pupils Association, came into being through the initiative of Old Annites Mr. Lakshman Liyanaarachchi and the late Mr. Wijayanayake Tennekoon. Their aim was to create a platform for College alumni residing and working in Colombo to meet regularly. St. Anne’s College Kurunegala PPA Colombo was inaugurated in the year 1982 under the leadership and guidance of a distinguished past teacher late Mr. D. R. L. Samararatne who readily agreed to be the first President of the Association.

First Executive Committee

Presidents –  D. R. L. Samararatne      

Vice Presidents – Collin Amarasinghe and M. B. Dissanayake

Jt. Secretaries – Lakshman Liyanaarachchi and Wijayanayake Tennekoon

Treasurer – S. Dharmarajah

Executive Committee – U. W. Bandara, K. A. D. C. Nanayakkara, R. M. L. C. Seneviratne, Charles Witharana, Eddie Jayamanne, Keerthi Perera, K. B. Gopallava, H. F. Nanayakkara, S. B. Atugoda and Dr. S. F. Jayasinghe

Our Objectives

The primary objectives of the Colombo Union are twofold. Firstly, it strives to foster a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie among the Annite family and to provide support in times of need. Secondly, the Union is dedicated to supporting the College in enhancing its academic and extracurricular activities, with the ultimate goal of raising the Annite flag high across the entire island, bringing pride and glory to the college.

The inaugural gathering of the Association took place at Hotel Galaxy in Union Place, Colombo, and saw the participation of about twenty-five past pupils who enrolled as members. Regular committee meetings were subsequently held at a hotel owned by one of the distinguished members, the late Dr. Abey Gunapala, whose generous support greatly facilitated the continuity of the association.

The beginning

The first Executive Committee was composed of prominent individuals who were passionate about advancing the Union's objectives. Under the capable leadership of Mr. D. R. L. Samararatne, who served as President for over a decade, the Association flourished. It proudly boasts members from diverse fields, including university professors, doctors, engineers, accountants, judges, senior bankers, diplomats, corporate chairpersons, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and sports personalities.

The New Era

Transitioning into a new era, the Union encountered challenges when Mr. Samararatne stepped down from the Presidency in 1993. However, in keeping with their motto 'Possumus,' which means "We can," another member, Mr. Brian Angunawala, courageously took up the role, casting aside any doubt about succession. From that point onward, numerous senior members eagerly assumed the Presidency in rotation, ensuring the Union's continued vitality. In recognition of the teachers and employees who served their Alma Mater and became members of the Colombo Union, the Association underwent a name change in 2003, becoming St. Anne's College, Kurunegala - Colombo Union.

During Mr. Lakshman Hulugalla's presidency in 2007, the Colombo Union celebrated its Silver Jubilee Anniversary in a grand manner, expressing gratitude to past Presidents and Secretaries for their dedicated services.

In 2015, a new Constitution was adopted, and a Members' Mutual Benefit Fund was established to provide assistance in times of need.

The 40th Anniversary of the Union was celebrated in the month of February, 2023. The occasion was graced by His Excellency the Most Reverend Archbishop Brian Udaigwe – Apostolic Nuncio (Ambassador of Vatican City). At this event all the past Presidents were felicitated whilst key officials who have rendered honorary services were recognized and appreciated.

Today, the Union takes pride in its membership of around three hundred individuals, with both young and old members actively participating in various activities. Beyond monthly Executive Committee meetings and Annual General Meetings, the Union organizes Family Get-togethers annually, providing a delightful platform for members and their families to enjoy each other's company.

Past Presidents and Secretaries of the Colombo Union

    Year
President
Secretary

    1982 – 85

D. R. L. Samararatne

L. R. Liyanarachchi

W. Tennekoon

    1985 – 87

D. R. L. Samararatne

J. M. A. M. Jayamanne

R. M. L. C Seneviratne

    1987 – 88

D. R. L. Samararatne

R. M. L. C. Seneviratne

Henry Gunaratne

    1988 – 90

D. R. L. Samararatne

R. M. L. C. Seneviratne

Henry Gunaratne

    1990 – 92

D. R. L. Samararatne

Henry Gunaratne

Sarath Abeysinghe

    1992 – 93

D. R. L. Samararatne

Lakshman Hulugalla

Sarath Abeysinghe

    1993 – 95

Brian Angunawela

Bandula De Silva

    1995 – 96

P. Letchumanan

Bandula De Silva

    1996 – 97

P. Letchumanan

Bandula Weerasekera

    1997 – 99

Henry Gunaratne

Shirley Mallawa

    1999 – 2001

J. M. A. M. Jayamanne

Gihan Samaranayake

    2001 – 02

Bandula De Silva

Gihan Samaranayake

Sextus Navaratne

    2002 – 03

Gabriel Rodrigo

Lakshman Hulugalla

Sextus Navaratne

    2002 – 05

Gihan Samaranayake

Lakshman Hulugalla

    2005 – 06

Christy Navaratne

Lakshman Hulugalla

    2006 – 07

Bandula Weerasekera

Lakshman Hulugalla

    2007 – 08

Lakshman Hulugalla

Chethiya Goonesekera

    2008 – 09

Cyril Victor

Chethiya Goonesekera

    2009 – 10

Jayantha Herath

Chethiya Goonesekera

    2010 – 12

Malik Cader

Chethiya Goonesekera

    2012 – 13

R. A. M. Marasinghe

Chethiya Goonesekera

    2013 – 14

Leslie Rupasinghe

Ajith Weerasundara

    2014 – 16

Ranjan De Silva

Ajith Weerasundara

    2016 – 17

Brian Angunawela

Ajith Weerasundara

    2017 – 18

Cyril Victor

Ajith Weerasundara

    2018 – 19

Canisius Fernando

Ajith Weerasundara

    2019 – 20

Chethiya Goonesekera

Ajith Weerasundara

    2020 – 22

Lakshman Niyangoda

Ajith Weerasundara

    2022 – 23

Lakshman Niyangoda

Ajith Weerasundara

    2023 –

Lakshman Niyangoda

Ajith Weerasundara

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