DOUG JONES reporting

Sunil de Silva, a former Attorney-General of Sri Lanka and well-known personality in Sri Lankan drama circles in Sydney, was elected third President of the Ceylon Society of Australia. He succeeds Tony Peries.

Thiru Arumugam was elected to replace Sunil ex-officio on the executive committee.

Others re-elected were Vice-President: Dr Srilal Fernando, Secretary: Douglas Jones, Treasurer: Srikantha Nadarajah, Public Relations: Harry de Sayrah OAM, Publications: Mike Udabage, Editor/Librarian: Sumane Iyer; Social Convenor: Chandra Senaratne, Melbourne Chapter Covenor: Shelagh Goonewardene, Ex-Officio: Dr Robert Sourjah, Hugh Karunanayake, Ron Murrell.

Founding president Hugh Karunanayake and his wife Tulsi were conferred with Life Membership in recognition of their long, outstanding and tireless contribution to the Society.

A celebratory dinner to mark the society's tenth anniversary followed the AGM. Chief Guest, His Excellency K. Balapathabendi PC, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia, proposed the congratulatory toast to a gathering of 126 members and guests including founder members Vama Vamadevan and Brian Parker.

Porceedings terminated with traditional singing of Christmas Carols accompanied by Hyacinth Jones on the keyboard. 

As to be expected, carols flowed into a popular sing-along of perennial favourites and onto renderings of long-remembered bailas thereafter.

Click here to view an album of photos submitted by Mr. Sumane Iyer