The annual inter-house athletic meet for the year 2018 was held on a grand scale on January 30th Tuesday with Mr. Anjelo Fernando, Country Head, Public Bank of Sri Lanka, a distinguished old boy of the College as the chief guest. Being a qualified banker with 38 years of banking experience our chief guest was appointed as the Country Head of the Sri Lanka Operations in the year 2008.
The proceedings started off with the handing over of the Sports Flag by Sergeant Major Chethana Lewis of the College cadet platoon to the POG. Thereafter the hoisting of the flags took place with the National flag by Mr. Anjelo Fernando, the chief guest, the College flag by Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, our Rector, the Catholic flag by Rev. Fr. Anthony Lakshman, Vice Rector and the Priest-in-charge of athletics and the Sports flag by Rev. Fr. Priyan Subhashana, Primary Principal and the Prefect of Games. The four House flags were hoisted by the respective house captains, Mas. Trevin Perera (Alban), Mas. Malmadara Nishad (Bonaventure), Mas. Shenon Kurera (Delasalle) and Mas. Romesh Perera (Luke).
After the official declaration of opening the 2018 Annual Inter-house Athletic Championship by Rev. Fr. Rector with the releasing of balloons to the air by middle school students which added colour and glamour to the occasion, our Vice Rector conducted the opening prayer invoking the blessings of Lord Almighty for this annual event.
Thereafter the College cadet platoon exhibited their talents by performing a marvelous cadet display where they fearlessly cleared obstacles and jumped through rings of fire amidst the applause and appreciation of all those present.
The athletic meet started off with the lighting of the Olympic Torch by the Athletic Captain of the year Mas. Praveen Fernando along with the four Athletic Captains Mas. Ravindu Nayanajith (Alban), Mas. Chamalka Wijethilaka (Bonaventure), Mas. Maleesha Silva (Delasalle) & Mas. Shihan Fernando (Luke).
After the taking of the oath by the 2018 Athletics Captain the events of the day got underway with the finals of the sprint events.
In his speech Rev. Fr. Rector urged the students to participate in sports and extra-curricular activities whilst continuing their educational activities. And he also requested to plant good seeds in them and by believing in themselves and improving their talents to become good citizens in the future.
Mr. Anjelo Fernando the chief guest spoke of the benefits one can gain by engaging in sporting activities and other activities while in school and explained to the students the importance of these qualities very specially discipline, leadership and character, religious values etc. etc. when they step into the society in the future.
Rev. Fr. Priyan Subhashana Tissera the POG thanked all those who helped him to make this event a success.
Mr. Anjelo Fernando with Mrs. Fernando along with the Rev. Fathers gave away the awards to the winners.
Bonaventure House was adjudged as the best decorated House while Luke House marching squad was placed first in the march past.
The following athletes were selected as the best athletes of their respective age groups. Mas. Sithija Peiris (Alban) Under 12, Mas. Hithesh Fernando (Luke) Under 13, Mas. Indusara Vidushan (Delasalle) Under 14, Mas. Heshan Perera (Bonaventure) Under 15, Mas. Naveen Fernando (Delasalle) Under 16, Mas. Navishka Sandesh (Bonaventure) Under 17, Mas. Rusiru Malshan (Luke) Under 18, Mas. Shihan Fernando (Luke) Under 19 and Mas. Dilshan Fonseka (Alban) Under 20.
The junior athlete of the meet was Mas. Heshan Perera of the Bonaventure House while Mas. Dilshan Fonseka of the Alban House was adjudged as the Senior athlete of the meet.
After a tough and closely contested battle Luke House was able to secure the championship for the third consecutive year with 386 points while Bonaventure House was the runners up with 318 points. Delasalle House was placed 3rd with 289 points with Alban House being placed 4th with 254 points.
Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Rector of the College ably assisted by Rev. Fr. Anthony Lakshman the Priest-in-charge of athletics, Rev. Fr. Priyan Subhashana the POG with Mr. Jayashantha Fernando the Master-in-charge and Mr. Sudam Fernando his assistant, worked tirelessly day in and day out, together with the priest community, the staff members and the students to make this year’s athletic meet a successful and a memorable one.
The masters in charge of the houses Mr. Damien Silva, Mr. Lakshantha Ferdinando, Mr. Nilan Fernando & Mrs. Dulari Wickramasekara (Alban), Mr. Suranga Atapattu, & Mr. Eranga Pathum (Bonaventure), Mr. Mahesh Kulathilake, Mr. Romesh Fernando & Mrs. Adeesha Pathirana (Delasalle) and Mr. Saman Fernando, Mr. Niranga Kuruppuarachchi, Mr. Sujeewa Silva & Mrs. Nandani Peiris (Luke) also worked tirelessly with the students of their respective houses.
Our thanks also go out to all the teachers of other schools who helped us in judging the events. A very special thank you is due to Mr. Gilson Peiris, National Starter and Deputy Head of Sports of Gateway International School who is always there to help our students in the field of athletics. Thank you dear Sir, thank you once more.
Whilst congratulating the winners for their achievements through sheer hard work and commitment, we would like to urge the others to perform much better next year with a lot of practice and dedication and most of all by believing in themselves.
Written By Shermantha Fernando (Librarian, St. Sebastian’s College)