The last AOMUK Annual General Meeting was held on the 6th of February 2011 at “Passage to India” in Hounslow, Middlesex. The following committee members were elected as the office bearers for the year 2011/12.

President	Mr. Bandulal Gunawardene.
Vice President	Mr. Roy de Silva.
Joint Secretaries	Dr. Nihal Samaraweera.
	Mr. Deepal Pitigala.
Treasurer	Mr. Bandula Pathinayaka.
Assistant Treasurer	Mrs. Nelum Jayakody.
Sport Secretary	Mr. Ajith Alwis.
Public Relation Officers	Dr. C.H.L. Abayasiriwardana.
	Mr. Keerthi Amarasinghe.
Committee Members	Mr. Sarath Amarasinghe.
	Mr. Ranjith Jayasinghe.
	Mr. Punna Amendra.
	Mr. Chandra Mendis.
	Prof. Jagath Mawella.
	Mr. Bandula Gallege.
	Mr. Lali Abayasiriwardane.
	Mr. Dihan Paduruhewage.
	Mrs. Manel Perera

The Association of Old Mahindians in the UK (AOMUK) was established in 1989, with the main aim of assisting Mahinda College and its pupils. This commitment is underpinned by fund raising activities, which includes the “Mahinda Nite”, Festival of Cricket and collection of other donations both financial and material. The AMOUK continued to support our Alma Mater during the last year. In addition, the AMOUK organised a number of a social and cultural events which most of the old Mahindians living in the UK appreciatively participated in.

The annual Founders Day Alms Giving was held this year on the 17th of September at the London Buddhist Vihara in the presence of a large gathering of Old Mahindians and well wishers. Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala, head of Buddhist Vihara, reminded the member’s founding father’s contribution to the propagation of Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka at a time of imperialistic subjugation of our mother country. Merits were offered to late Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, Mr F.L. Woodward and other past principals, and all other tutorial and administrative staff well wishers who have helped the development of Mahinda College.

The committee and the AOMUK members have participated in the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi celebration held on 29th May 2011. The Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala (Head of the Londan Buddhist Vihara) appreciated the AOMUK contribution of £125.00 for publishing an advertisement in the souvenir of the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi celebration

The association’s cricket team participated in the annual Festival of Cricket held on 11th July 2011. The AOMUK committee would like to thank the Mahinda team, who always brought significant credit to the school (the Mahinda team won the FOC Trophy in 2000 and 2002 and the Plate (second place) in 1994 and 2005). The AOMUK also contributed to the annual FOC dinner/dance, and managed to raise around £750.00 (dividends from the profit).

This year the Mahinda team participated in our cricket match with our big match partner Richmond College 04th September 2011. Mahinda was led by Wikum Padmasiri and despite a good effort by Mahinda team, Richmond won the match. Mahinda team also participated at the Olcott cricket tournament 6th June.

The highlight of the year 2011 was the “Mahinda Night” which was held the 29th of October 2011 at Cobham Hilton, Cobham, Surrey. The first prize (return ticket to Sri Lankan) was donated by Mr. Raja Samaraweera. The Committee would like to thank Mr. Raja Samaraweera and other AOMUK members (Ranjith Jayasingha, Malkanthie Perera, Dr Ayomi Kariyawasam, Dr Nalini Ranasingha and Punna Amendra who made donations) for their valuable contribution towards this event. AOMUK also thank Mr Ajith de Alwis for sponsoring the printing of the entry tickets. This year’s dance was a great success and raised the highest amount of funds that was ever recorded since our inception. The AOMUK would also like to thank all participants and supporters at Mahinda Night, whose presence made it to be a successful event.

The funds raised in the UK are channelled to provide support to Mahinda College in both the academic and recreational areas. The AOMUK communicates with the principle on the needs and the priorities of the College. The following is the list of the AOMUK’s major contributions towards our Alma Mater this year.

(1). This summer, laboratory equipment to the value of Rs 250,000 was donated to the College to be used by students of the Advanced Level Science Section.
(2). Monthly Financial Contribution for seven Mahinda College students supporting their educational needs
(3). Annual Financial Contribution for a son of a soldier from Ratgama, who paid the supreme sacrifice to our motherland.

The AMOUK would like to thank Deepal Pitigala for organising the delivery of the laboratory equipment in August 2011. The principal was delighted with the equipment and thanked the AOMUK profoundly.

The AMOUK would like to thank Ruvini de Silva’s continuous contribution to the AMOUK by maintaining the AMOUL website, and producing the flyer advertising special events.

The AMOUK would like to thank Bandula Pathinayake for preparing the excellent account statements.

A very big thank you to Ramyani Gunawardena for all the work done at Mahinda nite, and all the committee members who worked hard for the success of the annual dinner/dance.

Last but not least the Association wishes to thank all the members, spouses and well wishers who have provided support throughout the year and hope that there will be similar support this year to raise future required funds for helping our school.

Nihal Samaraweera & Deepal Pitigala
Joint secretaries

AOMUK which was established 21 years ago gathers maturity every year. Each year we have been continually helping our Alma Mater in financially as well as equipped with material support and this year without exception we have carried through similar arrangement.

Beginning of the year AOMUK lost one of past active member Mr.Parakrama De Silva. He was the treasurer to AOMUK and also AOMUK’S F.O.C representative up to last year. He resigned from this position due to ill health. His funeral was held in March at Reading crematorium. Most of the AOMUK members represented at the funeral. Dr. C.H.L Abayasiriwardana gave an eloquent speech on behalf of AOMUK at the funeral.

Committee initiated and participated the events throughout the year. They are

(1). Annual founder’s day At London Buddhist Vihara on 12th June Sunday.
(2). Festival of cricket on the 11th of July at Winchmorehill Cricket Grounds.
(3). Mahinda – Richmond annual encounter cricket match at Bracknell Forest on 8th of August.
(4). Mahinda Night on the 4th of December.

The annual Founder’s Day alms giving was held on the 12th of June 2010 at London Buddhist Vihara at Cheswick amongst gathering of members and well wishers. Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala head of Buddhist Vihara reminded the member’s founding father’s contribution to the propagation of Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka at a time of imperialistic subjugation of our mother country. Merits were offered to late Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, Mr F.L. Woodward and other past principals, all other tutorial and administrative staff well wishers who have helped the development of Mahinda College.Family members of late Mr.Parakrama De Silva also took part in the alms giving ceremony at the invitation of AOMUK.It was fitting meritorious tribute to him as Deepal mentioned his name in his speech.

July 2010, the association was represented once again in the organization committee and in the field at annual festival of cricket organized by the OBA’S of Sri Lankan Schools. Our cricket team under the captainship of Roy De silva, was successful the first matches but could not go further to the semi finals. Mr.Bandula Pathinayaka represented AOMUK at the F.OC. A team of AOMUK members also provided stewarding at the entrance gates.

This year we have started our cricket match with our big match partner Richmond College. This used to be an annual event. This event was at the dormant state for the last few years due to some misunderstanding but we have rekindled our love hate relationship and participated cricket match at Bracknell forest cricket grounds. This was family affair lots of members participated along with their children. The results of the cricket match were predictable as AOMUK team won with flying colours.

The highlight of the year 2010 was the “Mahinda Night” which was held again at C& L County Club in Ruislip Middlesex amongst gathering of large crowd. We have invited H.E The High commissioner to grace the occasion but he had to cancel at the last minute due to his travel aboard. This year the first prize for the raffle ticket was return ticket to Sri Lanka.Half of the ticket value was donated by the Sri Lankan air lines. AOMUK appreciate Mr.Channa Werasinghe’s contribution in providing the air ticket. AOMUK would also like to thank Mr.Chanaka Olegama for the air ticket.AOMUK would like to extend members Mr. Raja Samaraweera, Mr.Punna Amendra, committee members and their valuable money contribution towards this event.AOMUK also want to thank all participants at Mahinda Night whose presence made it to be a successful event.

AOMUK received acknowledgement from the principal Mr.R.M Werahera contribution made by AOMUK towards our Alma Mater. Moreover, he has made request whether AOMUK could contribute to renovate the sanitary facilities at the existing staff room. Members of AOMUK did not feel this task was easy as supervision was not easy handling from aboard hence, could not pursue further.

All the donations, fund raising events by members made possible to contribute to the welfare of Alma Mater and this year AOMUK made contribution to,

(1) Annual Prize giving sponsoring two prizes. (Rps20,000)
(2) Financial rewards for the two cricketers for the achievement of being best cricket players in U19 Sri Lanka national team, and the first eleven cricket coach Mr Harsha Munasinghe.(Rps 25,000/= each)
(3) Financial reward to best commerce advanced level student in 2009. (Rps 25,000/=)
(4) Financial Contribution for seven Mahinda College students who are of underprivileged background.(Rps 1000/= per month)
(5) Financial contribution for a Medical student (Ex. Mahindian) to pursue his studies.(Rps 1000/= per month)
(6) Annual contribution for a child of a fallen war hero.(Rps 12,000/= per year)

Deepal presented the above second and the third donations at the Mahinda College assembly at the” Olcott Hall” on the 10th December 2010.Taking the opportunity Deepal gave a brief account of AOMUK to the students and praised the achievements of the recipients of awards. He also encouraged students to contact AOMUK via the principal and teachers if they need any support from the UK.

The Association has been very active and supported Mahinda College during the last year spending a considerable amount of funds. The Association wishes to thank all the members and well wishers who have provided support and hope similar support this year. Finally association would like to thank Mr.Lali Abayasiriwardana who has left the post of treasurer of AMOUK this year for his contribution and also would thank the new treasurer who stepped into his position Mr.Bandula Pathinayaka.

Bandulal Gunawardane and Bandula Gallege.

Honorary Joint secretaries.

We received a number of letters from the Principal, Mahinda College, thanking us for the support and help that was rendered by us. In one such letter he mentioned that from the last year’s A/L results, 10 students were selected to follow Medicine at university, 12 for Engineering and many others for Commerce and Arts, including 2nd best in the island for commerce studies. AOMUK is delighted to associate with the college’s success as it appears the projects funded by us over the years are bearing fruit now.

A recent achievement of a Mahinda student becoming the all island champion of the Information & Computer Technology (ICT) event is a fine example of this. At this quiz show on TV, which is similar to the University challenge here, both 1st and the 3rd places were won by Mahindians. As the first college in the Southern province to start a computer lab back in early 90s, donated and funded by AOMUK, we should be very pleased of this achievement.

Using the Tsunami fund, we are sponsoring 1 tsunami affected Mahindian for his educational needs by providing Rps 2000 pm. A further scholarship programme is being set up for 20 students from grade 9 to 11 from the money available of this fund.

Our Alma mater excelled not only at studies but also in the field of sports this year. They became the under 17 all island cricket champions bringing some silverware to the college after 34 years when our under 14 team won the all island championship. We are proud to record that Mahinda also won the “Big Match” defeating Richmond, our “Rival” in Galle, the first time that there was an outright winner for 30 years. To celebrate these victories both teams were felicitated and a cricket tour to Mysore and Bangalore in India was organized. AOMUK contributed Rps 200,000/ for the tour, which had a tour party of 30 and the Gold and Black flag flew high in India as they won 2 out of 3 matches.

At the request of “Friends of Mahinda 85 Group”, we collected children’s books for junior section library. 3 Tea chests of books, nearly 300, were shipped and were handed over to the Principal and the Head Mistress recently. We thank Mr. Wimalakeerthi, a 85 group member in Sri Lanka who describes the books as “Very nice & attractive as well as colourful” and Mr. Sukitha Pitigala who organised it here in the UK, for their contributions for this thoughtful act.

To show our solidarity with the armed forces of Sri Lanka, committee decided to fund a scholarship for a son of a fallen war hero, if possible with a connection to Mahinda. Our facilitator, the Commando regiment at Ganemulla, could not find a suitable candidate from Mahinda but requested our help for a 10 year old boy in Galle district. As a result we are now sponsoring the schooling son (at St Aloysius Galle) of late Sgt Wimalasooriya of Ratgama, who was attached to the 1 Commando regiment, with Rps 1000/ per month.

The annual Founders’ Day alms giving was held on 15th June at London Buddhist Vihara in Chiswick under the auspices of Head of Vihara, Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thero and the resident monks. A large contingent of Old Mahindians, their families and well wishers gathered on this occasion, alms were offered with Ata Pirikara and the merits were offered to the founders including Colonel Olcott and Mr. Woodward, all other tutorial and administrative staff and well wishers who have helped the development of Mahinda College.

We participated in the Festival of Cricket this year and our team was led by Nalin Jayasinghe. The first match was a tie but we had the misfortune of being demoted due to a technicality. In the next round we were stopped progressing further at the penultimate ball of the match after a thrilling encounter with Ananda College. We thank the members of our cricket team for their active and competitive participation at the FOC. We would like to thank Mr. Parakrama De Silva, Mr. Chandrasiri Mendis and other members who represented us at the FoC Committee. Due to ongoing misunderstandings and disagreements with the Richmond OBU our “Big Match” was not organised this year. Hopefully these will be resolved by next summer.

Our successful college projects and sponsorships have been made possible by the members' contributions and fund raising events. The annual dinner Dance, Mahinda Nite was held in October 2008 at C & L Country Club, Ruislip, Middlesex. It was a great success attended by Old Mahindians and well wishers who enjoyed and danced till well past midnight. The AOMUK thank all the well wishers who made the event successful and thus helped the AOMUK to raise a considerable amount of funds, which will be used to improve the education and the facilities of the students of Mahinda College.

Our families are at the heart of our association. Talking of families, we are very happy to announce the new additions to Alwis and Gallage households this year. Well done to Mr. & Mrs. Alwis and Mr. & Mrs. Gallage !!. We also wish Mrs. Ruvini de Silva, our webmaster and wife of committee member Roy, a safe delivery of their first baby and future happiness.

The association wishes to thank all the members and well wishers who have provided support and request similar support next year. Our gratitude also goes to Messrs, Karunasena (Principal Mahinda College) Paranagama (Mahinda college teacher) and Ranjith Gurugamage for representing us in Sri Lanka.
Last but not least, We thank to all our committee members and their spouses for hosting the meetings and always accommodating us.

Mr. Deepal Pitigala
Mr. Bandulal Gunawardane

Joint Secretaries
07 December 2008

Four members of the Committee resigned soon after the last AGM and the committee requested them to reconsider their resignations but later accepted the resignations with regret. The president and committee would like to thank these members for their support throughout the years. But four new members (Messrs. Roy De Silva, Sukitha Pitigala, Hasitha Dissanayaka and Bandula Gallage) joined the committee during the last year and the committee is currently at the full membership of eighteen.

Soon after the last AGM it was time for soul searching and it was discussed that the AOMUK affairs were on decline under the earlier leadership and the new President and the Committee took efforts to re-vigorate the AOMUK affairs.

The annual dinner Dance, Mahinda Nite was held in May after a lapse of several years and it was a great success. The committee would like to thank Mr. Ajith Alwis for leading the organization of the event. Mr. Alwis and other younger members have injected young blood into the event, and the Feltham assembly Hall was full with the participating crowd. This was our main fund raising event and the dedication and the hard work of the committee members and their spouses was rewarded with an approximately £1800 a record profit from this event.

In July 2006, the Association was represented once again in the organizing committee and in the field at the annual Festivel of Cricket organized by the OBA’s of Sri Lankan schools. We would like to thank Mr Parakrama De Silva, Lali Abayasiriwardana and other members who represented us at the FoC Committee. The Cricket team under the captainship of Roy De Silva played well but was not lucky enough this time to win the knock-out competition. As the saying goes “It is not important who won or lost but how the game was played”, however, we look at our earlier winning moments and hope and support the cricket team to win next time.

The annual Founders Day alms giving at London Buddhist Vihara at Chiswick in July 2006 was a great success this time. More than 60 members and well wishers attended the alms giving and merits were offered to the founders, staff and the well wishers of the college.

The main aim of the AOMUK is to provide support to our alma mater.