ALUMNI MEMBERS OF ANANDA COLLEGE FELICITATE THE ALUMNUS, NEW COMMANDER OF THE AIR FORCE
3:54pm on Thursday 6th July 2023
Old Anandians' Professional Forum (OAPF) and Old Anandians' Sports Club (OASC), in adherence to its tradition of acknowledging individuals who have attained the highest levels of recognition and accomplishment in society, paid the utmost honour to an alumnus and the newly appointed 19th Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. The distinguished gathering took place at Hilton Colombo yesterday (05 July 2023) under the guidance of Ananda College alumnus, the President of the OAPF and OASC, as well as the incumbent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd).
The felicitation ceremony featured an impressive assembly, including the present Principal of Ananda College, Mr. Lal Dissanayake, members from the Ananda College Old Boys Association, Old Anandians' Professional Forum and Old Anandians' Sports Club.
A senior member of the Old Anandians' Professional Forum, Mr. Mahinda De Lanerolle, commenced the event with a welcome note. Subsequently, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd), delivered a speech signifying the Ananda College's history of producing exemplary individuals who serve the country in esteemed positions. General Guneratne expressed immense pride and inspiration in the achievements of Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, highlighting his excellence in sports, academics and extracurricular activities during his time at the school.
Following the speech, Air Marshal Rajapaksa, the Chief Guest, addressed the distinguished gathering. Prior to his address, an Introductory Note about the Chief Guest was delivered by a classmate of the Commander, Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana and a batch mate from the 6th Intake of Kotelawala Defence Academy, Major Mahinda Adikari (Retd).
Air Marshal Rajapaksa humbly acknowledged that his achievements were a result of the solid foundation he received during his secondary education at his beloved Ananda College. With pride, he expressed profound gratitude to his alma mater, addressing the Alumni members and emphasizing that the strong educational foundation he received paved the way for his appointment as the Commander of the Air Force. The Commander also warmheartedly remembered and appreciated all the teachers who served during his time for secondary education at Ananda College.
The felicitation ceremony featured an impressive assembly, including the present Principal of Ananda College, Mr. Lal Dissanayake, members from the Ananda College Old Boys Association, Old Anandians' Professional Forum and Old Anandians' Sports Club.
A senior member of the Old Anandians' Professional Forum, Mr. Mahinda De Lanerolle, commenced the event with a welcome note. Subsequently, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd), delivered a speech signifying the Ananda College's history of producing exemplary individuals who serve the country in esteemed positions. General Guneratne expressed immense pride and inspiration in the achievements of Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, highlighting his excellence in sports, academics and extracurricular activities during his time at the school.
Following the speech, Air Marshal Rajapaksa, the Chief Guest, addressed the distinguished gathering. Prior to his address, an Introductory Note about the Chief Guest was delivered by a classmate of the Commander, Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana and a batch mate from the 6th Intake of Kotelawala Defence Academy, Major Mahinda Adikari (Retd).
Air Marshal Rajapaksa humbly acknowledged that his achievements were a result of the solid foundation he received during his secondary education at his beloved Ananda College. With pride, he expressed profound gratitude to his alma mater, addressing the Alumni members and emphasizing that the strong educational foundation he received paved the way for his appointment as the Commander of the Air Force. The Commander also warmheartedly remembered and appreciated all the teachers who served during his time for secondary education at Ananda College.
As a gesture of recognition, a special memento was presented to Air Marshal Rajapaksa by Ananda College alumnus, the President of the OAPF and OASC, as well as the incumbent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd). The ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks, delivered by Mr. Sitendra Seneviratne, the Former President of the Old Anandians' Sports Club.
