By Doug Jones

The Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Society of Australia and traditional Dinner was held on Sunday November 22 in Thornleigh. The official segment of proceedings was concluded without much ado. The existing committee was re-elected for another term. Upali Dharmakirti, who was Treasurer/Public Officer in an acting capacity, was confirmed in the post for the ensuing year. Sunimal Fernando is the new face on the committee.

The following will hold office for 2010: (President) Sunil de Silva; Vice-President: Dr Srilal Fernando; (Secretary) Thiru Arumugam; (Treasurer/Public Officer) Upali Dharmakirti; (Assistant Treasurer) Ron Murrell; (Public Relations) Harry de Sayrah OAM JP; (Publications) Mike Udabage; (Editor/Librarian) Doug Jones; (Social Convenor) Chandra Senaratne; (EX-OFFICIO) Dr Robert Sourjah; Tony Peries; Dr Tom Silva; Sunimal Fernando and Hugh Karunanayake (LIFE MEMBER).

With official business done and dusted, the evening turned into an informal, friendly evening of camaraderie, very much akin to a family gathering. Among the 125 members and guests was Mithun Perera, Sri Lanka's amateur golf champion who is in Sydney to participate in the Australian Golf Open in La Perouse next month.

The traditional dinner, a delectable fare, was served, buffet-style, at 8.00 PM. For 15 minutes thereafter, Secretary Thiru Arumugam had everybody keen and absorbed in a trivia quiz on Ceylon history and culture.

What came next was a surprise, a promise worth waiting for. A comical portrayal of the cultural age gap between elderly mother and her daughter was the theme presented by Sunil de Silva and Malini Arumugam (both theatre actors of repute in Sydney drama circles) that had the audience in fits of laughter.

Accompanied by Charmaine Vamadevan on the keyboard, the inevitable sing-along ended a pleasant evening and thus saw the culmination of the year's activities of the Ceylon Society of Australia.

What is the Ceylon Society all about? you may well ask. Ours is a nonprofit organisation, incorporated in Australia with a world-wide membership of like-minded people open to receiving and imparting new ideas, with a common objective of fostering, promoting and developing interest in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, especially the post-medieval period. Most importantly, it is non-political and non-partisan and studiously steers clear of controversial issues. We find our quarterly meetings held in Sydney, Melbourne and Colombo, in reasonably modest and friendly surroundings, enjoyable and well-attended . At these meetings a speaker, an expert in his or her field, will provide a brief talk on a subject in keeping with our objectives and a discussion will follow.

The society also publishes its quarterly flagship journal - The Ceylankan - containing articles of varied topics of interest to members and has attracted considerable national and international appreciation. The 32-page publication is mailed free to all members.

New members are always welcome. Those interested can contact (Sydney) Upali Dharmakirti (02) 9986 0337 Email: upalid@optusnet.com.au (Melbourne) Shelagh Goonewardene (03) 9808 4962 Email: shelaghlou@yahoo.com (Colombo) Chulie de Silva 077 777 2220 Email: chuls201@gmail.com

Click here to enjoy an album of photos taken by Doug Jones