Executive Committee Meeting January

Minutes of the OBA Committee Meeting held on the 4^th January 2020 at the Country Cottage, Glendovor Road, Nuwara Eliya.

Mr.Upeka Peiris called the meeting to order and welcomed the members. Mr.Benjamin Jeganathan and Nilan de Zoysa, the Joint Secretaries explained the objective of the meeting.

They went on to mention that the endeavour was to provide an insight to the newly elected members on the formalities and regulations of the functioning of the Old Boys’ Association of St Xavier’s College founded in 1947.

Members commenced to carry out a SWOT Analysis while the meeting was on. The Assistant Secretary Mr.Kasun Anthony took down notes on the Strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats of the present OBA.

Formation of a Xaverian Cricket team for the 2020 fixtures was taken for discussion.

The prospective Principal of the College was introduced to the house. He confirmed that he possess SL Principal’s grade 3 and entitled for Grade 2 in 2020 Jan.

The President stressed the importance of creating a management to treat both Sinhala and Tamil streams equally while promoting the College for the betterment of the children of Nuwara Eliya.

Mr.President pointed out the importance of preserving Xaverian traditions and promoting English language and sports.

The setting up of the museum that was postponed due to the onslaughts of the present Principal was taken for discussion. The members stated that  Mr..Srinath Wickramasinghe is working on a plan to display Four Large Wooden Plaques and 50 Vintage Photographs produced by the OBA in 2017 utilising Nearly Rs.150,000/=   

Mr.Joy Crooze, Milton Ransinghe also added that the OBA must work towards achieving success in the next few months.

Joining the discussion Mr.Benjamin Jeganathan stated that if Bro Augustine’s appointment in 1998 or Mr.Nanayakkara’s appointment in 2008 or Mr.Anthony Francis’ appointment in 2016 had been made possible, St Xavier’s College would have achieved great heights by now. 

Further he added if Ratnasiri’s effort to coach Junior Cricket in 2012 had continued by now St Xavier’s would be having more than 70 Hardball Cricketers who have played 1^st XI school Cricket.

The members were on the opinion that narrow minded politics has been the main root cause for the down fall of the school since 1997 where most of the Tamil boys end up becoming labourers in other gardens, the sinhalese boys on the street and the muslim boys who are drop outs becoming vendors on the street.

Mr.Suren Swaminathan came on a conference call from Kandy and pledged his fullest operation towards the initiation of constructing a new building on which the present Siriwardeene Block is situated. He mentioned that he could introduce a few potential donors who would assist the OBA in this endeavour .He also mentioned that we get a news-paper article published on the present status of the building constructed 100 years ago.

Members unanimously approved the suggestion with a round of applause.

4.1 The Secretary stated that the following Petitions in the court of Appeal of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka were taken up at the Appeal Court and the verdicts were given in favour of the Petitioners, the members of the Past Pupils’ Union of Vested Schools, Sri Lanka where St Xavier’s OBA is also a part of it and the SXCOBA Secretary Mr.Benjamin Jeganathan represents the Nuwara Eliya Old Boys.

Petitioners: 

OBA-S.S.Senanayake College ,Colombo 8.

Royal College Union, Royal College, Colombo 7.

OBA-Ananda College Colombo 10.

OBA-St Xavier’s College, Nuwara Eliya.

SDS-Royal College,Colombo 7.

OGA-Mahamaya College,Kandy,

SDS-Vishaka Vidyalaya,Colombo 5,

OBA-Maliyadeva College,Kurunegala.,

PPA-Dharmapala Vidyalaya,Pannipitiya,

OBU-Thurstan College,Colombo 3. 

OBA-Manahama College,Colombo 3.

OGA-Vishaka Vidyalaya,Colombo 5.

SDS-Nalanda College,Colombo.

SDS-Ananda College,Colombo 10.

Respondent:

Hon.Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education, Sri Lanka.

a-Vs the Ministry of Education on Circular bearing No: 35/2008 and 7/2013 –Appoinmneet of Past pupils to the Committee of the SDS.

b- Vs the Ministry of Education Cicular No: 26/2018 on the criteria for selecting Principals for schools.

Verdicts:

a-To increase the number of the past pupil representatives in the SDS committee 

b-To amend the criteria for selecting Principals for schools giving equal opportunities for senior Principals

4.2 Correpondence Received from the Central Provincial Ministry of Education with regard to the Present situation of St xavier’s College,Nuwara Eliya.

4.3-Old Xaverian Cricket

At the meeting, It was decided to organize a cricket tournament among the Old boys of St Xavier’s College in order to select a pool for the fourth coming Fixtures. Messrs.Dilan Dominic and Mohamed Zaky explained the importance of organizing a tournament.

The names of Messrs. Mohamed Zaky, Chaminda Emmanuel and Vasantha Jayawardene were approved by the house to function as the selectors of the Cricket teams.  Mr.Chaminda Emmanuel was assigned to book the Grounds for the matches.

2020 SXCOBA Vs GCC 10th Cricket Encounter for the Mayor’s Cup (The Longest Continuous Cricket Encounter in Nuwara Eliya)

2020 First ever Virtual Award Ceremony – Xaverian Stay at home Challenge during the Lockdown period. Aawrded Rs.100,000/=

2020/2021 Old Boys’ Donation to the Church for the Renovation Rs.1,070,000/= 

2020 -The Virtual Christmas Carols 2020 with the participation of old Xaverian Priests, Xaverian associates and old boys.

1-Offering 40 Scholarships to Learn English Language skills under two batches:  Jan-June 2021 and Aug-Nov 2021 covering 60 Hrs. under the Wingate English Language programme conducted by University Lecturers via Zoom platform.

2-Conducted a workshop on professional development along with the Lion’s Club.

3-Conducted two workshops on Debating in English for the benefit of students.  

4-Holding the Old Xaverians’ Cricket Tournament, along with five Cricket encounters including the Mayors’Cup SXCOBA Vs GCC and   SXCOBA Vs PMS; SXCOBA won the Mayor’s Cup for the second time defeating Gamini National School PPA.

5-Offering financial assistance to a few needy fellow Xaverians during the difficult period.

6-Providing financial assistance to an Old Xaverian to obtain Electricity facility to his house.

7-A deputation of the OBA Officials met the Educational authorities in Kandy to revive the College for the benefit of the younger generation.

8-Offering services towards a research project on English Language Education conducted by a team of University resource persons.

9-Signing an Agreement with AIESEC of University of Sri Jayawardenepura to introduce an International Volunteer and Internship programme to children in Nuwara Eliya.  

10-Assisting the families during the funerals of their departed ones.  

11-Conducting Physical and Online meetings. 

12-Hosting the Vespers Service of St Francis Xavier, patron saint of the College in December 2021. 

13- AGM of the OBA

14-Completion of the OBA Contribution of Rs.1070,000/= One Million and Seventy Thousand Rupees towards the Church Renovation project.

2022

1-Deputation of OBA Meeting  the Educational Authorities regarding the revival of the College.

2-Old Xaverians Cricket Tournament 2022 at the Race Course Grounds.

3-Bemkmeyer XI VS Regno XI

4-SOS-Vs SXCOBA   Lions’ Vs SXCOBA    CCC (Gampaha) Vs SXCOBA  MCC (Badulla ) Vs SXCOBA  SXCOBA Vs GCC      SXCOBA Vs PMS    

5-Non Fee Levying Online English Class for adults on Zoom

6-Recording the College anthem

7-Assiting members during funerals.

8-Inauguration of five Scholarships for students.

9-Membership drive

10-Assisting the needy in their medical requirements

11-Re-launching the SXCOBA website

12-75^th Anniversary Celebrations at Grand Hotel. 

Future Proposals:

1-Appointment of a dedicated Principal to guide the destinies of the College  

2.Proposal to rebuild the Lower school building (The Siriwardene Block)    

3.To launch a mega Fund raiser in Colombo- A mega Dinner Dance    

4- A Dinner dance with a leading band in Nuwara eliya in April 2023     

5-  Re Introducing  Junior Cricket at SXC    

6-Reintroducing English language learning programme    at SXC    

7- Teachers’ professional development programmes

8-Formation of a combined Old boys’ Association of Sixteen La Sallian Colleges    

9-Strengthening the bond with the 1960 vested schools union  

10-Promoting ethnic harmony and peace in Nuwara Eliya  

11- Environment conservation projects. 

12- Five+  scholarships to help students :Noel Nadeson Memorial scholarship for Mathematics.

Mervin St. Clare Nicholas memorial scholarship for English.

Mervin St. Clare Nicholas for promising female student.

Marlene Nicholas memorial scholarship for an all-rounder.

Melintonia memorial scholarship for Tamil 

13- Continuation of the Mayor’s Cup Cricket Encounter   

14-Continuation of the Baker’s Cup Cricket Encounter.

15-Re-Launching the OBA website  

16-Upgrading the library    

17- Setting up the museum