President: Ranil Banneyake Vice President: Senaka Jayawickrema Vice President: Geeth Uyanwatte Secretary: Mahinda (Mahen) Gunasekera Treasurer: Lalith Perera Asst. Treasurer: Kavinda Milewa Member Coordinator: Tharanga Gamaethige and Sanjeewa Gamagedara

Rajans drew with Mahinda at Galle. Rahula Ekanayake, a century. In a tall scoring game last weekend at Galle, Dharmaraja ran a huge total of 307for 8 dec.in 115 overs. Rahula Ekanayake scored 106. Hemal Munaweera 60 n.o. and sanjaya Kalubowila 52, K.B. Wijekoon 46. Mhaindians did equally well to score 150 runs for two wickets in 75 overs. match drawn.

President Rajapakse will visit Dharma raja College, Kandy on 17th January to ceremonially open the college new swimming pool complex, an ambitious project completed by the Old Boys’ Union. The project cost over Rs. 35 million, of which Rs. 20, million was contributed by the Old Boys, parents and present boys while Rs.15 million was provided by the government. Mr. E.W. Balasooriya, the 86 year old Old Rajan whose brain child this project was, contributed Rs.12 million, initially donating Rs.6 million to start the work. The new swimming pool which is 25 meters in length consists of 8 lanes. This pool complete with a kiddies’ pool, toilets, changing rooms and restaurant etc. is situated on a most picturesque site, below of the ‘Lake View’ cricket ground, on the slope of the Dharma raja Hill next the Auditorium .The opening ceremony will be held in front of a distinguished gathering of Old Rajans, Principal, the teaching staff, students and well wishers, on site. After this function at 9 a.m., the President will also lay the foundation stones for several other new projects. They will be, the modifications to the college Auditorium, the proposed Rugby Football grounds on other side of the hill and, the Pavilion Complex of the newly laid out turf wicket on the expanded cricket ground – Lake View, which by itself has turned out to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in this country. In undertaking these ambitious projects with great difficulty, the Dharma raja Old Boys have realized value of the statement of Duke of Wellington who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. He said “The battle of Waterloo was won, on the playing fields of Eaton and Harrow” Dharma raja recently honoured over 100 Old Rajan officers who participated in the Eelam War, from the three Services and the Police.

In response to our posting on this website, we are happy to annonce that Old Boy Tilak Godamanne has contributed Rs. 100,000 to the Swimming Pool Fund.His name will be etched in gold on the plaque for the Gold Club which will be displayed on the pool side. Tilak Godamanne is the proprietor of Nine Hearts Photographic equpment Co. in Dematagoda. He has been a hosteller too. It is his son Harshana Goadamanne who is the Sri Lanka tennis champion at present. We invite other contributors to join in at his last moment. Incidentally, the swimming pool complete with the pavilion is to be ceremonially opend by H.E. the President on 17th Jan. So, be there with your contribution before that. Look at the photos. It will be the showpiece of our school. You could become a partner of this proud undertaking by your lavish contribution.

An article by Premasara Epasinghe on Sonny Yatawara, who started his cricket career at Dharmaraja appears on page 12 of 'The Island' news paper of 24th December under the abovr title together with his photograph. The highlight of his career was that he clean cleaned bowled West Indian, Sir Garfield Sobers one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He also clean bowled Wesly Hall, one of the greatest West Indian fast bowlers of all time. Some thing that is not in that article is as follows: Once he was playing for the 2nd XI Dharmaraja against St. Anthony's. He was bowling to Kenny Stevens. One delivery struck Kenny's groin guard. Stevens withdrew to the pavilion. When examined, the guard was found bent inside out! Kenny took no further part in the game. Another feat of Yatawara as a batsman was that he could go down on one knee and play the sweep shot on the low ball, to lift the ball out of the ground to score massive sixers! It was better than the latter day 'Dilscoop'. It is said that it was he as Dharmaraja coach later who produced Kehelgamuawa who is described as the fastest bowler that Sri Lanka ever produced. He was known as the 'Kandyan Express' following a popular song compsed by Nimal Peiris at that time. Yatawara was an equally brilliant soccer player and an athlete. On the cricket field he was a clever tactician, who was good at mathematics.

The demand for Dharmaraja is second only to Royal in the demand list by 5th stanadard scholarship applicants. The list of cut off marks levels required for consideration for admissiom of successful 5th standard scholaship holders for the different schools in Sri Lanka was published in the news papers and electronic media a few days ago. According to this list, Royal College CBO has the biggest demand. The cut off mark is177.The next in line in the whole country is Dharmaraja. The cut off mark is 173. Rajans, that is where we are!

A guided tour for Rajans Cadet Platoon - 2009 in northern part of the country is scheduled to be held from 01st to 04th December 2009. This event is organized by the Old Rajans of Sri Lanka Army as a tribute to Rajans Cadet Platoon for having won Herman Louise Shield for the 5th time in Sri Lanka's cadetting history, which is an outstanding performance. Commencing from the School, cadets along with the Principal - Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Master in Charge, Prefect of Games and the Coach will be accompanied to areas of Kalmadu (61 Divisional Headquarters where the Commander is Brigadier Nissanka Ranawana RWP RSP psc), Mannar, Jaffna and Nagadeepa by the army officers of various capacities. Moreover, a Naval Boat Ride is included in the itinerary during their stay at Mannar which is organised by Commodore Dassanayaka - Sri Lanka Navy. In the light of above, a dinner will be hosted at Officers Mess- Gajaba Regimental Centre, Saliyapura, Anuradhapura and it is expected to present each individual of the team with mementos, as a token of appreciation of this remarkable achievement.

The much awaited event, Darmaraja Kala Ullela this year was held on 30th October at the College Auditorium. Mr. Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister of the central Province was the chief guest. Dancers Channa and Upuli were the guests of honour. This colourful function as usual. The schools performing on this occasion besides Dhamaraja were Jinaraja vid. Gampola, Hemamali Balika Vid., Nugawela Balika vid. and Girls’ High School, Kandy.

Rajans won the first innings lead in a drawn game against Zahira College Colombo played at Lake View which ended in a draw due to rain. Scores Dharma raja – 170 all out. Prathap Silva 55 n.o. Zahira – 133 for 6 wkts. Yapa Bandara - 4 for 31.

Dharmaraja College ruggerite turned weightlifter, W.A.D.S. Wijesinghe gave a superb performance in the Sri Lanka National Schools championships held at Ananda College recently. Wijesinghe won the first place in the 77kg category where he lifted in a superb manner and is reported sure to do well in this sport in the near future like his father Sarath Wijesinghe, city father ,who was one time President of the Sri Lanka weightlifting Federation.

Dharmaraja College became the under 19 Champions in the tournament organized by the Kandy Division Sports Development Foundation in which 8 teams competed at Bogambara Grounds. Dharma raja beat St Sylvester’s in final in a hard fought game scoring 1- nil.

Young Rajan H.A.H.S. Perera comprised the team of Junior Badminton players that left to Malaysia on 23rd October to participate in the World Badminton Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur till 1st Nov. Other members of the team have been drawn from Ananda, St. Thomas’ Visakha, Museus and Sirimavo Vid. Colombo. The latest news from KL is that the Rajan has won his singles event. “ Eka Poon Sandin duruwei lowa gana anduru Neka Tharu resin elesata noma weya duru”!

Dharmamraja senior cadet platoon won the ‘Herman Loose’ Trophy awarded to the best all-round platoon, held at the SL Cadet Corp training camp held at the National Cadet Corps Training Centre, Rantambe which concluded on Sunday the 25th Oct. They beat schools from 18 battalions spread across the country. The Cadet Representatives from SAARC countries who were on a visit to Sri Lanka too were in attendance at the award ceremony where the chief guest was Maj. Gen. Gamini Jayasundera RWP RSP, Director of the NCC, also an Old Rajan. It was after seven years that this award was won by the Rajans under Maj. Ranjith Rajapakse who was then the Commanding Officer. That was in 2002. A reception will be held on 20th Nov. to congratulate the winners, organized by the College Past Cadets’ Association who spared no pains towards achieving this result. Lt. Col. Welagedera is the Hony. Secy. Tel. 081-2226380

Our 2009 Captain D. Etipola and 2007 V captain Nuwan Hettiarachchi is been included in the Sri Lanka rugby Squad. Rajans keep producing world class rugby players all the time.

After a thorough screening on nine nominations received for the 4th Asia Pacific Region (APR) Award for Outstanding Scouts, five names were selected for the final round of interview to be held at the beginning of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference come October this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The names of the finalists selected for the Asia Pacific Most Outstanding Scouts were Ms Jade Elliott, Australia; Mr Dicky Lam Kwok-Hei, Hong Kong; Mr Maeed Mohamed Zahir, Maldives; Mr Harrison Erivera Bautista, Philippines; Mr Chathura Deshpriya Mataraachchi, Sri Lanka. The panel, comprised of three members from the APR Scouting Profile Sub-Committee and APR Program Sub-Committee, met in Maldives during the regional workshop on PR and marketing held first week of August, and reviewed the nine nominations from the nine National Scout Organizations and based on the five basic criteria focusing on the candidates' major accomplishments in Scouting, key positions held in Scouting, academic performance and achievements, community involvement and major awards received. These five finalists are now invited to the regional conference for a final interview with a panel of judges, where three will be declared the "Most Outstanding Scouts of the Region" and the other two as runners-up. The APR Award for Outstanding Scouts started eight years ago during the regional conference in 2001 and since then it has become a significant part of the regional conference which aims to enhance the image and visibility of Scouting and to emphasize its effectiveness in the development of young people and has gained popularity among the countries. (www.scout.org)

DHARMARAJA COLLEGE OLD BOYS’UNION COLOMBO BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD AT SOLIS HOTEL KOTTE ON 19TH DECEMBER 2009 FROM 5.00PM ONWARDS.

D.Wijesinghe, the current Secretary to the Cabinet is named the next Sri Lanka’s ambassador to South Africa. He was the Secy. To the Cabinet for the last over 10 years after he retired from the S L. Administrative Service . He is currently a Patron of the Colombo Branch. Dharmasena Wijesinghe was the leader of the college Sinhala Debating Team in 1955.

Janaka Ratnayake, Old Rajan, was appointed the Chairman of the Ceylinco Housing & Real Estate Company PLC and its fully owned subsidiary, Ceylinco Conduminums Ltd. at the company Board Meeting on 29th September 2009. Janaka is already the Chairman of Merchant Bank of Ceylon. He donated a Rs.100,000 recently to the swimming pool construction fund at college. We wish him success.

Darshana Ethipola the only Rajan in the Sri Lanka School Boys’ team that toured Hong Kong recently is picked for the 35 member pool from which the President’s XV will be picked to play in an exhibition rugby match against Defence Services at the opening of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Biyagama, Homagama on October 15th . You will recall Ethipola whom we described as “ Ekapun sandin duruwei lowa gana anduru” lived up to his reputation to bring fame to his Alma Mater. Against Singapore he scored a ‘Hat trick’ of tries and was since called the “Try Machine”. Incidentally, though the Schools team to Hong Kong had more than half the team Members of Royal College who were the champions, only one was included in the pool of 35 for the Presidents XV ! But we the Rajans, “Eka pun sandin…….!”

Old Rajan K. A. S. Kasturiratne, veteran golfer and cricketer won the Overall Nett title at the Monthly Golf Championship of the Victoria Golf Course at Rajawella, off Kandy. Kasturi playing to a handicap 16, got a Nett which was the best score of the day. Kasturi represented college in cricket in 1956, and ’57. He was a good batsman. After leaving school, he left to England and played club cricket there. He now lives in Kandy.

The College Colors’ Nite was held at the College auditorium before a distinguished gathering of Old Boys, teachers, present boys, parents and past teachers, on 2nd October , organized by the college sports council. War hero, Brig. Nissanka Ranawana RWP RSP psc, GOC of the 61st Division was the chief guest. He made a good speech . Messers. Udaya Yatawara and Chandana Ekanayake the Hony. President and Secy. of the Cbo. Brch. and Aruna Kalinga, also of the Cbo. Brch. were the guests of honour. It was a colourful ceremony. A significant feature this year was that some of the past Prefects of Games and Masters in Charge of games too were honoured.

Three yong Rajans, Yasith Mathangasinghe, Shyaminda Basnayake and Dandula Godagama, all mebers of the college Astronomical Society who had won the top places in the astronomy contest in Sri Lanka, have been summoned to attend the Astronomy & Astrophysics  Olympiad 2009 to be held in Teheran on 17th to 26th October, organized by the Ministry of Education of Iran. They have to find there own passage. The air ticket for each costs Rs.20,000. Assistance of Old Boys world over is sought  to make them go to Teheran to show Rajan colours. If you expect to be proud in the future of Rajan astrophysicians, here is an opportunity to contribute. The school has done her part. It is now for the Old Boys to do their part, to re-pay their debt to the Alma Mater. If your conscience pricks you pl. contact Principal at 081-2204195.

That brilliant center, Anupriya Ethipola, prolific try scorer for College this year, is the only Rajan selected to the final squad for the upcomming Youth Rugby ASIAD in Hon Kong, sceduled to be held in September 5-2. Those selected are mostly Royalists and Thomians, two each from Trinity, Isipathana & Kingswood and one each from Dhamaraja, St. Anthony's and Wesley,POW, St. Peter's. But Ethipola's coaches at Dharmaraja are confident that Ethipola is so brilliant, given the opportuity, he will be " Eka pun sandin duru wei lova gana anduru" !

"Daya Sahabandhu was the third Asian and first Lankan to take over 1000 first class wickets. He represented Sri Lanka from 1968 to 1975. Sahabandhu opened bowling with Tikiri Banda Kehelgamuwa, a small man breathing fire of the dragon. In 1960 medium pacer Sonny Yatawara clean bowled Garfield Sobers and Kehelgamuwa in 1970 dislodged the bail of Geoffrey Boycott." Lakbima News 16.Aug. 2009 page 13. Lanka's 4 pacies "novel" By Elmo Leonard.

' I have felt that Chamara Kapugedera is a highly talented cricketer and he should be persistsed with. With his confidence restored Sri Lanka middle order would be served well." Aravinda de Silva page 20, Sunday Leader August 9th, 2009.

"Preserving the freedom won for the motherland is the greatest tribute for the war heroes" Defence Secretary. The event was organized by Dharmaraja college with the cooperation of the Old Boys Association, to facilitate the serving past pupils of the college in the Armed Forces and Police and to honour those who sacrificed their lives in battlefield. The Secretary Defence was the chief guest to the event. Defence Secretary Rajapaksa highlighted that it was not only the lives that the country had lost due to terrorism. The duty of the next generation of the country is to preserve the freedom won by the valiant war heroes for the motherland, said Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing a group of schoolchildren at Dharmaraja College, Kandy on Friday (Jul 31). Speaking at a ceremony organized by the college to honour the "Rajans" in the Armed Forces and Police, he said that the greatest tribute the country can pay for the war heroes would be this. "We lost much of our resources; educated left the country, foreign investments stopped, development of the country came to a standstill, and above all, we lost our pride as a nation", he said. He pointed out that the victory over terrorism was achieved with immense sacrifices on the part of war heroes. He recalled that over 25000 soldiers had sacrificed their lives, roughly an equal number were disabled and thousands of civilians were killed during the past 30 years of war. "We can truly celebrate the victory over terrorism, only if we can rebuild the country and the economy and regain the development we lost. Thus, what is important is not what you want to become, but what you can offer to the country and to the society ", he said referring to the schoolchildren He further went on to say, that the schoolchildren can learn a valuable lesson on leadership by studying the way that the President has lead the war amidst immense local and international pressures. He pointed out that it was the President's determined leadership that enabled the war heroes to achieve the great feat. Over hundred of serving Old Rajans of Armed Forces and Police, College Staff, members of Old Boys Association and a large number of students participated the event. Also, distinguished Old Rajans, Hon Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister of the Central Province, and Mr. Sunil Sirisena, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion & Welfare were present at the occasion.

Defending champions Isipathana won the Zahira Invitation Rugby Sevens Trophy 2009 defeating St. Peter’s College by 12 points (1 goal and a try) to 7 (1 goal) at the final played at Longden Place yesterday. The winners led 12/7 at the breather and there was no scoring in the second half. Results: *** Semi-finals - Bowl: Dharmaraja beat Carey 41/12. Prince of Wales beat ‘A’. Goal SC 17/0. Plate: C.W.W. Kannangara MV beat St. Joseph’s 17/12. Royal, Panadura beat Vidyartha 17/12. Cup: Isipathana beat Zahira 35/10. St. Peter’s beat St. Anne’s 33/14. *** Finals - Bowl: Dharmaraja beat Prince Of Wales 64/0. Plate: C.W.W. Kannangara MV beat Royal, Panadura 29/12. Cup: Isipathana beat St. Peter’s 12/7

Dharmaraja College all-rounder Sandun Weearkkody hogged the limelight with an entertaining century as Kandy District turned tables on formidable Colombo North – B to record a thrilling eight wicket and win the Prima Champions Trophy in the SLC coaching unit conducted Inter-District Under -15 Tournament Final at Colts grounds on 10th Friday. Weerakkody cracked nine fours and six sixes and consumed just 83 balls in his breathtaking knock. On a pitch that saw the Colombo batsmen struggle against Kandy’s formidable spin attack, the left hander was never in trouble as he hit the bowlers to all corners of the park. On this performance, Sandun won the Man of the Match award and the Best Batsman of the final award.

DRC OBU Mother Union Secretary Mr.Janaka Hettiarachchi’s father has passed away today at Kandy and funeral arrangements will be notified later.

Rajan, Brig. Nirmal Dharmaratne is now the Military Attach at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Britain. He has already given an interview to the BBC

After the victory over  Mahanama last week-end, Rajans are placed at no.6 in the 'A' Division Rugby Table this week. They are one place below St. Peter's and above, Isipathana, St. Joseph's and St. Anthony's. Kingswood leads the Table.

Rajans overpowered Mahanama College, Colombo by 42 points to 10 in their inter-school under-20 rugby tournament fixture at Longdon Place yesterday. At the breather Rajans led 21 points to 10. The winners accumulated their points off six goals as against the two tries by Mahanama. Leading the try scoring for Rajans was their centre, Dharshana Hettipola, who scored three tries while flanker Dhanushka Karunasena, full back Rajindra Kumar and centre Dhanuja Tillekeratne made their contributions with a try apiece. Fly half Indika Wickramanayake was successful in converting four of these tries while Rajindra Kumara slotted one. It was flanker M. C. Shanuka who scored both the tries for Mahanama.

The Parent Memorial Scholarship Foundation (PMSF) calls applications from students who are economically disadvantaged but currently succeeded in entering universities with the results of 2008 (A/L) examination. The students who are qualified to enter the faculties of medicine, engineering, management and law (including science, maths and arts) are eligible to apply for these annual scholarships. Self-prepared applications containing bio-data should be sent on or before May 31 together with the GCE (A/L) - 2008 examination results certified by the Principal, a letter from Grama Sevaka certifying the genuine situation of the family, including the number of family members, monthly income of them and the source of income. Applications should be sent before May 31 to The Director, Parents Memorial Scholarship Foundation, 392/2, Perera Mawatha, Kotuwegoda, Rajagiriya.

Dharmaraja is icluded in the top division of the School Rugby Tournament this year. It is remarkble that out of the10 teams 4 schools are those from Kandy. Also, Dharmaraja is the only Buddhist school in this lot. No Ananda. No Nalanda. Not even Wesley or Thurstan. So it is a big deal ! However, surviving in the Top Division will be very hard. Our Rugby Union needs a lot of financial aid to support the team with all their needs. Wellwishers, please contact Upul Thalagoda, the President. E mail - upul@ciciagri.com

Old Boys Union of Dharmaraja College, Kandy will be organising their annual sports carnival for their families on April 25 at the Pallekelle Open Prison Camp grounds commencing at 8 a.m. Six-a-side cricket, seven-a-side soccer, netball tournaments along with races for various age groups including walking races for men and women will be held at this sports carnival. Chief organiser of this festival, Dr. Vajira Jayasinghe told the Daily News as this is held during the New Year period some avurudhu kreeda will also be held and the main attraction will be selecting the Avurudhu Kumara and Kumari for 2009. The prizes will be distributed by the Principal of Dharmaraja College, S. M. Keerthiratne and the coordinators of this event are: Senarath Jayasundera - phone 081-2240624 and Tissa Jayasinghe - 081-2420055.

Bonding together as the Selectors of the Country's rugby are five stalwarts who in their youth stormed the rugby fields as fearful protagonist. Illustrious old Rajan and former DIG Daya Jayasundera has been elected to the Sri Lanka rugby five-member selectors committee recently, one of the second from Dharmaraja to play rugger for the country when he wore the National jersey in 1971 against the Bosuns. He was the country's number 1 choice for the flanker's berth in 1971, '72, '73, '76 and '77. Dharmaraja in Daya's period of studentship did not have rugger in its extra curriculum and so, Daya was vice-captain of the cricket team and shared the new ball with T.B.Kehelgamuwa. He boxed for Sri Lanka schools in the 110 lb division and in athletics he won the 400 meters and javelin in the Central Province meets. He played hockey for the school and the Police as center-forward. With a five-member team of such eminent Selectors, the country's rugger will be on a firm footing.

Rain which came down in torrents mercifully saved Kingswood College from certain defeat in the 21st limited over clash for Winston Hoole Memorial Trophy against Dharmaraja College which ended in a "No Decision" at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy . Kingswood College, who had to make 152 to win in 20 overs under the Parabola formula were struggling at 62 for 2 in 18.1 overs when the weather gods came to the rescue of the Kingswoodian by making their appearance in torrents to deny a certain Rajan's win. Rajans won the toss and after losing opened Ramesh Yapa Bandara for a duck, recovered through some brilliant batting by Buwaneka Ekanayake who scored a blistering 73 in 72 balls with the aid of 9 fours. He reached his fifty in 51 balls. Sandun Weerakoddy scored a sedate 53 in 81 balls with 4 fours. It was Buwaneka's younger brother Rahula Ekanayake who entertained the crowd with a quick 58 with 2 sixes and 4 fours off 69 balls. Chathura Kumarasiri (3 for 26) and Chalitha Dharmaprema (3 for 76) were the pick of the Kingswood bowlers. Dharmaraja College 262 for 8 wkts in 50 overs (Buwaneka Ekanayake 73, Rahula Ekanayake 58, Sandun Weerakkody 53, Theekshana Wedagedera 35, Chalitha Dharmaprema 3 for 76, Chathura Kumarasiri 3 for 26) Kingswood College 62 for 2 in 18.1 overs (Chathura Kumarasiri 21 not out. Madawa Maduranga 16, Udara Hettige 11).

Rajans will play Nalanda College, Colombo for the Bandula Warnapura Trophy in the annual cricket encounter on February 26 and 27, 2009 at the Pallekelle Open Prison Camp grounds, Kandy. All rajans are invited to be present. This Trophy was presented by the old boys of Nalanda College in recognition of Bandula Warnapura, an old boy of Nalanda, who was the first Test Captain of Sri Lanka. Bandula Warnapura Trophy match was inaugurated in 2000 and this will be their 10th year.

DRC Rugby union AGM will be held at 10.00am on this Saturday (7th) at OBA Head Quarters,Kandy. All the Old Rajans are welcome.

The first meeting of newly elected committee of DRC OBU CB will be held on 11th Feb (Wed) at 7.00pm at No 24, Sankyo Lanka Office, Baddagana,Pitakotte. All the Old Rajans are welcome for the first meeting. Appreciate if you could confirm your participation before the 10th Feb.

The national selectors yesterday named Old Rajan Chamara Kapugedera as the vice captain and Tillekeratne Dilshan as the captain of the Sri Lanka team for the Twenty20 international against India next Tuesday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The selectors also decided to continue with the same squad and stand byes for the 4th and 5th one day internationals against India scheduled for February 5th and 8th at the R. Premadasa Stadium.Squad for the Twenty20 :Tillekeratne Dilshan (captain), Chamara Kapugedera (vice captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Indika de Saram, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Malinga Bandara, Jeewantha Kulatunga, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Mahela Udawatte, Thilina Thushara

The champion Kandy Sports Club which held its annual general meeting on Sunday 25th at their club house in Nitthwela, elected their office bearers for the year 2009. Following Rajans were among those elected. Mahesh Weerasinghe after a layout of a year, comes back as secretary, a product of Dharmaraja College. Like his father William Weerasinghe, he has been giving of his best for the Club as both Secretary and Vice President. ...>

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that we have formed an OBU for old Rajans in North America.A BOD has been elected by vote and we are in the process of registering this as a non profit organizatin in USA. Right now there are 66 members.The name of the organization was decided as Dharmaraja Alumini Association of North America (DAANA). We have elected following memebers as office bearers. President: Thushara Diyabalanage, Vice President: Sarith Mahanama, Secretory: Sanaka Tennkoon, Treasurer: Kamal Dorabawila, Asst Secretary: Geeth Uyanwatta, Asst Treasurer: Sajith Ellepola, Web Editor: Thushara Diyabalanage, E mail correspondance : Geeth Uyanwatta. We look forwad to work with you all in our mission to help DRCK.

66 Old Rajans living in USA and Canada met together recently and formed a Union, They called themselves Dharmaraja Alumni Association in North America. The president is : Thushara Diyabalanage Ph.D. Room 201, BLDG 562 Molecular Targets Development Program National Cancer Institute, NCI Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA . Phone 301-846-7413 He reported : " We had our elections and have a BOD elected. It was decided that the name of the organization was Dharmaraja Alumni Association in North America. Now we have 66 members and that includes Dr Guruge as well. We are on our way to get registered as a non profit organization in USA".....>

Following are the comments on his performance in B'desh, that appeared on the 'LAKBIMA NEWS' weekend newspaper of 11th Jan: " Another fine prodigy unearthed by Sri Lanka who shone like a beacon in this test was the former Rajan, Chamara Kapugederawho reeled off twin fifties (96 & 56 n.o.) to warrent a permenant slot in the starting XI. A batsman blessed with all the strokes featured in the coaching manuals, Kapugedera also displayed fine temperament for a man playing only in his 7th Test.and with the way he allowed his willow to do the talking deserves a lengthy stay in the senior team." Athula Wdigamangawa. Incidentally, Camara is named for the team to tour Pakistan shortly.

The Dharmaraja College Colmbo Branch AGM will be held on 31st January at the Solis Hotel, 536, Kotte Road, Pita Kotte commencing 5 p.m. The meeting will be followed by a fellowship dinner. Rs.1000 per head. All members and non-members are invited. Memebers who will offer to hold office & serve in the Executive Committe are kindly requested to convey their intere to the preident Mr. S.B Herath- 'phone no.2861990 or Hony Secy. Kamal Sugathpala 'phone - 0772- 205166.

Mr. Tissa Amarasekera, perhaps the oldest Old Boy among us, passed away on Saturday 27th Dec at the age of 92 at his Residence on Haloluwa Road, Kandy....

Education Ministry has relased the cut off marks to select students to the most popular schools, under the grade 5 scholarship examination. Dharmaraja is 2nd in demand in whole country, next to Royal. The cut off point for Royal is 156 while for Dharmaraja it is 152. Ananda is 3rd with cut off mark at 149. Maliyadeva is 4th. Nalanda is 6th while Matara Rahula is 8th.Not bad for Buddhist Schools! Girls' schools? Our Kandyan Bash partner Mahamaya is 2nd with 152 next to Visakha. Maliyadeva Balika is 4th. And the further good news is that most of these Scholars become Hostellers. The Hostel Warden tells us that the entire college Hockey team are Hostellers. Half the soccer team are Hostellers ! So we add value. They are no longer book worms after they enter the Great School.Now the question is, how do we continue to maintain this standard? Only by the support of the Old Boys all over the world.

Dharmaraja has played six mtches this season. They have won 3 of them by innings. Lost to St.Thomas' Mtl. by innings. Regretfully that was their first match and also there has been some administrative bungling. The latest win is against Zahira on the first innings at the Peradeniya Campus grounds last Saturday. The highlight of the match was debutant Mayura Ratnayake collecting 7 wickets for 60 runs.His spell was 26 overs six of which were maiden.

Old Rajan, Dr.Krishan Deheragoda has been appointed Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) effective Dec.17th. Earlier, he was Dean of the Faculty of Geography at J'Pura University. prior to that,he had served in the Finance Ministry as Extension Director, also as Chairman Sri lanka Navika Co.,Snr. Consultant to Chairman Ports Authority and was formally the Chairman of the UDA. We wish him success.

Old Sokians (Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda) won the Col. Henry Steele Olcott, Cricket Tournament when they defeated Old Nalandians by 8 wickets in the finals at the Ambalangoda Esplanade. With this win,Sokians have won this trophy six times in the ten years old tournament among main Eight Buddhist Schools.Old Rajans won the Plate Trophy, beating Maliyadeva in the finals. In the schools six-a-side cricket tournament Dharmaraja ended up Runners up when they were beaten in the finals by Ananda College.

An Old girl from Mahamaya, over sixty years young, has made some interesting observations on the proceedings on the Bash last Sunday at the CR grounds.She says, the boys' school that co-operated with them most to make the occasion the grand success that it was, were the Rajans, followed by by Vidyarthiyans. She said, Rajans were always there in the jollification. She particularly mentioned two Rajan brothers, Ekanayake's, who figured prominently in the fun & frolic to light up the occasion. Of course we know who those two rascals were! She further said that the people who were most unco-operative and who made the biggest fuss were the Hillwoodians. She said that Trinitians never sighted the place!

Here are some Rajans who 'lead the way' in the battle front in the current war. Hail Rajans! 01. Brigadier Nirmal Dharmarathna - Brigade Commander - Sri Lanka Army's Special Forces; 02. Brigadier Nissanka Ranawana - Deputy Divisional Commander - Sri Lanka Army's 55 Division ; 03. Colonel Shantha Dissnayake - Brigade Commander - Air Mobile Brigade ; 04. Colonel S S Gunawardena (Known among Rajans as "Lebbe") - Colonel - General Staff - Sri Lanka Army's 52 Division ; 05. Lt. Colonel Eepsitha Dissanayake - Commanding Officer - 8th Regiment Sri Lanka Light Infantry ; 06. Lt. Colonel Randula Hathnagoda (Known among Ranjans as "Rukmani") - Commanding Officer - 14th Regiment Sri Lanka Sinhe Regiment ; 07. Lt. Colonel Vajira Welagedara (Son of Lt. Colonel K B S Welagedara - Former Principal - DRC Primary Section) - Commanding Office - 9th Battalion Sri Lanka Gemunu Watch ; 08. Major Anil Samarasiri - Commanding Office - 3rd Regiment Sri Lanka Army's Commando Regiment (LRRP).

The prestigious & colourful Kala Ullela of Dharmaraja this year, will be held at the College Auditorium commencing 2.30 p.m. on 14th Nov.. This will be a 3 hour show of Kandyan razzle & dazzle. Other than the Rajan Music and dancing troupes, the guest performers will be the troupes from Mahamaya, High School & Swarnamali BMV. The chief guest will be the talented musician Dr. Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayaka, Dan of the Faculty of Music, University of Easthetic Studies - Colombo. The top artistic talent in the school will be honoured at this grand function. Among those to be honured at the national level this year, with the prestigious Dharmaraja Pranama, will be Mrs. Irangani Serasinghe.

Young Rajan, B.M.K. Rajindra Kumara of Dharmaraja is selected to tour China to particpate in the 36th Asian Tournament to be held in China commencing 17th Nov. needless to say, a singular honour. He needs Rs. 75,000 minimum, for his passage.Contributions from Old Rajans are invited. We hope all Old Rajans round the world will respond, without merely waiting only to bask in the Glory !

The Annual Prize Giving of Dharmaraja College 2007 will be held at the College Auditorium on 31st October 2008 commncing 9.30 a. m. The Chief Guest will be Mr. Sunil S. Sirisena, Secretary Ministry of Foriegn Employment Promotion and Welfare, who is an Old Boy of the School.

If we had more Old Boys in the calibre of Indika de Soyza who would contribute from the positions they hold, what a palce our school could be Three cheers to Indika. Please see the bellow news....

Intel EM Limited, in collaboration with the Secondary Education Modernization Project of Ministry of Education today donated Classmate PCs and a Wi-Fi Zone to Dharmaraja College in Kandy. The Classmate PCs were handed over to the school by the Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha who also felicitated over 100 Master Teachers trained under the Intel(R) Teach Programme. The Classmate PCs and the teacher training are both part of Intel's World Ahead Program which aims to enhance lives by accelerating access to uncompromised technology for everyone, anywhere in the world. The event was part of ICT Day, a feature of the Education Week celebrations of the Central Province, which commenced with Teachers' Day on the 6th of October 2008. Education Week focused on different themes, including Environment Day and a Students' Day. On ICT day, students learned the importance of ICT, the job opportunities in the sector, and of the workshops held at district level. Speaking on the occasion Indika de Zoysa, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Limited, Sri Lanka Liaison office said, "Donation of Classmate PCs to Dharmaraja College is a tangible achievement in Intel's efforts to advance progress in the areas of accessibility, connectivity, content and education. Together with the Intel Teach Programme, which offers professional training that assimilates technology and education, we are helping to inspire the next generation of innovators. On behalf of Intel EM Limited, I thank the Ministry of Education and the staff of Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP) for supporting these endeavors.

Captain Nihal Keppetipola is appointed Actg. Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority on 25 th September 2008. He is a product of Dharmaraja & a member of the Colmbo Branch OBU. His parents too taught at Dharmaraja. Nihal Joined the Shipping Corporation in 1990 as a pilot and rose to become the deputy harbour master in 1999.He later held the post of Harbour Master in the same year. In the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the highest achievement of a master mariner was the position of Harbour Master. Nihal is the first harbour master to shatter this tradition to become the Director Port Operations in 2005. The shipping industry is said to be having highest hopes on him to provide logistics solutions required and enable Sri Lanka to retain its position as a maritime hub in the South Asian Region.

The Annual Colors' Nite 2007 of Dharmaraja College will be held at the college Auditorium on 7th October 2008 at 4.p.m. The arrangements are made by the College Sports Council. The Chief Guest will be, (Rtd) Major W.M. Weerasusriya formerly of the Sri Lanka Engineers. Maj. Weerasuriya was the first Rajan to be commisioned to the Sri Lanka Army from the Royal Military Academy - Sanhurst, U.K. in 1957/1959. He also was the soccer captain of Dharmaraja College in the year 1956.

Dharmaraja College won the Plate Championship defeating Royal College by 20 points (4 tries) to 7 (1 goal) at the Schools Segment of the Singer SriLankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens organised by Kandy Sports Club and worked off at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy yesterday. At half time Rajans led 10-0. Try scorers for Rajans were Dharshana Ettipola (1), Malinga Godigamuwa (1), Asoka Weerasekera (1) and Rohan Wickremaratne (1), For Royal Ravithra Chandraratne scored and Shailendra Chandrasekera added the extra points. In the plate semi-finals Dharmaraja beat St. Anthonys 26-12. Isipathana College retained the Cup Championship while Ananda College the Bowl Championship.

Dharmaraja College Ist XI cricket team will be playing their first match of the 2008-2009 season on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th August at Maradana with ZAHIRA COLLEGE Colombo. The Under 17 Cricket Team that has won all the first round matches is scheduled to meet ST JOSEPH'S at Maradana before 3rd September 2008.

In the first of the ODIs with India today (18th Aug.) played at Dambulla, Sri Lanka beat India by 8 wickets. Kapugedera who came in at the fall of the 2nd wicket, at slot no.4, batted with class scoring two successive fours. He sustained a hundred run partnership with his captain, Mahela J and by the end of the innings was unbeaten with 45 runs. And it was the privilege of Chamara to score the wining hit, to top the required 147 runs.

On Sunday 17th President Mahinda Rajapaksa had paid a surprise visit to Dharmaraja. It had come about like this. H.E. Rajapaksa had been relaxing at the President’s House Kandy after the Dalada Perhera ceremonies when Architect Gamini Dissanayake, our Old Boy had walked in with plans & sketches to install a Buddha statue at the Kandy President’s House. During The conversation, having learnt that Gamini D was an Old Rajan H.E. had on a sudden impulse decided to visit the swimming pool site and summoned Pujitha J, the DIG and all 3 of them visited the swimming pool site. He had inspected the progress of the work and had been pleased with the progress made and offered to contribute further to erect the viewing gallery etc. He had asked Gamini to submit the plans.

( Ckick bottom of the poster to see the photos) From our London correspondent - Nimal Ratnayake. The FOC was highly successful and it had a large gathering of Sri Lankans living in the UK. Rajans also had quite a good cricket line-up. But unfortunately we were not good enough to reach the championship.All in all, as always, we all had a great time there and I was so thrilled to meet our brother old Rajans here in the UK for the first time. Here are some photos of the event.

(Photoes appair under Projects->Proposed Cricket Ground & Pavilion) The photos showing the latest position of the development work on our grounds. Once done, it will be one of the most picturesque cricket venues in our country.And the pride of Dharmaraja, like her Auditorium.Its unique feature is that, while all other grounds are on the valleys, ours is situated on a hill top. did it ever strike you? As you know, a Green alone does not make a cricket ground. Listed here are some of the basic requirements apart from the pavilion and the score board: 1. motorized grass cutting machine, 2. motorized roller, 3. labourers, 4. paint laying machine, 5. covers for the turfs, 6. refreshment wagons, 7.side-wickets and 8. indoor facilities, 9.facilities within the pavilion building. Contributions could be sent to the

Pujith Jayasundera assumed duties as DIG Kandy on Monday 28th . He is the 2nd Rajan to become DIG in Kandy. The first was Gamini Gunawardane in 1985. Both came from Jaffna to assume duties here.Pujith did his usual ceremonial visits this week. He addressed the Rajans at College on Thursday 31st at the invitation of the Principal.

Our Table tennis Star Sukitha Wickramanayake last week participate to the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championship - 2008 held in Karachchi, Pakisthan.Sukhitha has been selected for the Asian Games to represent Sri Lanka   for the 3 rd time.

Dharmaraja College Under 15 Hockey side emrged 2nd Runners Up, in the All Island U 15 Hocky Tounment conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools' Hockey Federation held at the Astro Turf, Colombo on 10th to 15th July.

The 'A' & 'B' Teams fielded by Darmaraja College at the Central Province Open Badminton Championships held at Nuwara Eliya on the 12th & 13th July, won the Championship in both 'A' & 'B' Divisions.

TABLE TENNIS: In Sri Lanka it is a rare thing for a person to do sports at an international level as well as studies at a top level. Here is Gihan Madhusika Liyanage - an international table tennis player who has got a 'break' to do higher studies in Business Management at the University of Holmes in Melbourne, Australia.An old boy of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Gihan had his primary education at Vidyartha College. He started table tennis, at the age of six years under the watchful eyes of talented coach Buddhika Dikkumbura. He was also coached by Chaminda Rodrigo.Gihan Liyanage's fancied sport was table tennis. In his young days he won the under 11 Junior National Title in 1999, the under 13 title in 2000 and under 15 title in 2001.

The other day, Arjuna Ranatunga, Chairman Interim Committee, SLC visited Lakeview to take a look at the newly done cricket grounds, at the invitation of Thilina Tennekoon, Chairman, CPCA. He was received by the Principal, Jagath Samarasinghe, Project Chairman and and Ajith Narampanawa, Ranjith Herath and other members of the college Cricket Foundation.The turf wicket is being laid now. A pavilion building is needed. Ground maintenance equipment is needed. All assistance and donations are very welcome

Neil Priyantha Karunaratne, editor of ‘Hasuna’, ceremonially launched his first book ‘Path of the Sri Lankan Tele Drama’, today (18th Jan.) at the National Library & Documentation Centre Auditorium. The occasion was sponsored by the Madhya Sansadaya of the Old Rajans. Dr. D.B. Nihalsinghe, the Sinhala tele-film maker was the Chief Guest. Amarasiri Kalansuriya, Old Rajan and Devika Mihirani, the two first ever tele-film stars of Sri Lanka who starred in Nihalsinghe’s Dimuthu Muthu in 1985, were in attendance. In fact Dr. Nihalsinghe mentioned in his speech that they were the first ever tele-film actors in the entire South Asia, as his film was the first tele-film in this region. So, here is another first by a Rajan! That is not all. The story of the film too was written by an Old Rajan - the late Dharmasri Munasinghe. He was awarded a ‘Dharmaraja Pranama Prasadini’ at an annual Dharmaraja Kala Ullela, before his death.

The Annual General Meeting of the Colombo Branch of Dharamaraja College OBU will be held on Sunday 27th at the 80 Club, Colombo 7, commencing 10 a.m. The new office bearers for 2008 will be elected to office at this meeting. There will be the usual fellowship lunch after the meeting. ->

A mausoleum is erected by the Dharmaraja College Past Cadets Union to commemorate their heroes of war who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country during the last 120 years’ history of the school. It will be ceremonially declared open on the 11th morning this month at 10 a.m, on the mist covered hill of Lake View.The earliest Rajan to give his life, bringing honour to his country was Flt. Lt. A.F. Kularatne, the son of Mr. P. de S Kularatne their former Principal, who in 1942 in World War II went Missing in Action after a running a series of daring successive bombing raids into Germany, flying for the British Royal Air Force. His exploits in the European Theatre were legendary. Flt. Lt. Kularatne was the sergeant of the Dharmaraja cadet platoon that won the coveted De Soyza Cup the first time they attended a Cadet Camp in 1934. His feats on the cricket field were equally legendary, still being spoken of by some of the surviving elder Old Rajans.

Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala hailing from Bogoda, a remote village in the Kurunegala District, is appointed Head Monk of the London Buddhist Vihare. Prior to this, he was a resident monk at the same temple.This appointment is made by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust which is responsible for the management of this Vihare. The position fell vacant on the demise of the most Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana Thera.Before proceeding to London, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera has been a teacher at Dharmaraja College.Graduating from the University of Peradeniya in 1971, he had obtained an M.A. degree, studying under Professor Leslie Gunawardhana, on the subject: influence of Hinduism on Buddhism.Having learnt meditation under the well known meditation master, the late Godwin Samararatne of Nillambe, who was himself an Old Rajan, Ven, Seelawimala began teaching meditation to Britishers.Later he trained under most Ven. Dr. Henepola Gunarathana Nayaka Thera at his Meditation Center in West Virginia, He serves as the Buddhist Chaplain of the West Middlesex University Hospital and at the Eieling Hospital, as well as the secretary of the Sri Lankan Sangha Council in Britain.We wish him success in this important position. We hope that his stint with us at Dharmaraja, as a teacher, would stand him in good stead.

A mausoleum is erected by the Dharmaraja College Past Cadets Union, to commemorate their heroes of war who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country, during the last 120 years’ history of the school. It will be ceremonially declared open on the 11th morning this month at 10 a.m, on the mist covered hill of Lake View.The earliest Rajan to give his life, bringing honour to his country was Flt. Lt. A.F. Kularatne, the son of Mr. P. de S Kularatne their former Principal, who in 1942 in World War II went Missing in Action after a running a series of daring successive bombing raids into Germany, flying for the British Royal Air Force. His exploits in the European Theatre were legendary. Flt. Lt. Kularatne was the sergeant of the Dharmaraja cadet platoon that won the coveted De Soyza Cup the first time they attended a Cadet Camp in 1934. His feats on the cricket field were equally legendary, still being talked of by some of the surviving elder Old Rajans.He was followed by Douggie Fernando, cricketer, who gave his life for the RCy. Force in the 1971 Insurgency. Douggie opened batting for Dharmaraja in 1957,’58 and had a couple of centuries to his credit.

Prof. H.P.M. Gunasena, Former Professor of Agriculture & Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, was honoured with an Honorary degree of Dr. of Science by the Sabaragamuwa University, Belihul Oya on 17th December. This was really the third time he was conferred this Honorary degree. It was done previously by Rajarata and Wayamba Universities.It is not known who the first Rajan to be honoured with a Dr. Litt. Degree. It is doubtless Dr. Ananda Guruge, one time head of the UNESCO in Paris, who still holds the record to have scored the highest aggregate marks at the Final Examination at the Peradeniya University, way down in the late ‘Forties/early ‘Fifties. Perhaps, a reader more knowledgeable may correct us. Prof. Gunasena is a world authority on rice and is consulted regularly by the governments of Philippines and several other countries. He is presently the Advisor to the Agro Forestry Development International Research Centre and travels often to Nairobi for his work there. He has innumerable publication to his credit, both in Sinhala & English on Agriculture and Forestry and allied subjects.Not to be out done, the Colombo Branch of OBU honoured him at their Annual Dinner in 2004, ahead of all these universities....->

Following are the new Office Bearers of the Rajans’ Australia Branch, Melbourne. President: Chandana Ekanayake,Jt. Secretaries: Upendra Navaratne,Tilak Wijewardane, Jt. Treasurers: Rohitha Dissanayake,Gemunu Senaratne. Their activities this year included the following: 1/ Held a BBQ Get-together at the Churchill Park. 2/Had a limited overs cricket match with Kingswood Old Boys, for a second year. Rajans won. 3 / Organized an Alms giving at the Keysborough Buddhist temple, to mark the Founders’ Day on 30th June. 4 /Held a Joint Dinner with Old Kingswoodians. Rajans have also set up a joint beat group, with Kingswoodians called “ The Marroons”

On19th October, after the College Prize Giving, Principal summoned a meeting of the Old Boys comprising Jagath Samarasinghe, President OBU, S.B. Herath,President CBO Brch. MR. A.P. Gunaratne, Former Principal, Mr. D.M. Dharmatillake Treasurer CBO Brch.and Mr. Gamini Gunawardane Vice President CBO Brch. Mr. Sarath Matharaarchchi, POG and several other distinguished Old Boys and Masters In Charge of Rugby,Soccer, Hockey and Athletics and Athletics, to discuss the need to build a an alternative grounds for Rugby, Soccer, Hockey and Athletics for the students of Dharmaraja.

Work as started and concreting the pool floor is in progress, under the suppervision of a commettee headed by Old Boy Dr. Udaya Dissanayake of Engineering Faculty,Peradeniya University.

There are so many old Rajans living and working in MILANO. They have formed into a Old Rajans group under the leadership of Mahinda Godathale, to help thier alma mater. Their address is as follows. 36, Via felice Casati, 20124, Milano, Italy. They can be contacted at Tel. 00 3902-6690227, 335-1640181. Fax. 003902483766638. Email. oldrajansmilano@tiscali.it.