Press Release: Oxford University Sri Lanka Society

The Oxford University Sri Lanka Society was instrumental in inaugurating a new cricket series recently. Themed ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Oxbridge Sri Lanka Societies Varsity Match,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ the series features the Sri Lankan Societies of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and was jointly organised by both Societies.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The first edition in this historic series was worked off on Sunday the 13^th of June at the exclusive Sedley Taylor Road Grounds of the University of Cambridge.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The occasion was graced by several distinguished personalities including C. Eng. Mr. Thilak Barnes Abeywardena, a prominent member of the Association of Professional Sri Lankans in the UK.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This was the second cricket series initiated by the Oxford University Sri Lanka Society. In April, the Society, in collaboration with the STC OBA UK, inaugurated the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-S. Thomas College OBA (UK) vs. Combined Sri Lankan Schools XIƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ series featuring alumni of S. ThomasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ College Mount Lavinia and other prominent schools in the island at the University of Oxford.

Image 01: Two Captains with the Challenge Shield. Mr. Dilan Fernando (left: Captain/President Oxford University Sri Lanka Society) and Mr. Naveed Kayaam (Captain, Cambridge University Sri Lanka Society)

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The inaugural edition was played with great enthusiasm by both teams. The Oxford Sri Lanka Society side was led by its President Mr. Dilan Fernando while the Cambridge team was skippered by Mr. Naveed Kayaam. The game was played in a spirit of camaraderie and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ For the Oxonians, Drs. Ajay Mishra, Aman Iqbal and Mr. Imad shone with the ball and Neil Wickremasinghe and Julian Kularatne played scintillating knocks with the bat. The noteworthy performers for Cambridge included Messrs. Hafiz Milhan & Yasath Samarage, who scored 29 and 25 respectively while Mr. Aslam Shiraz bowled well for his 3 for 7. Mr. Hafiz Milhan was adjudged the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Man of the Match.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Oxford University Sri Lanka Society has organised many high-profile events in collaboration with the Oxford Union in the recent past including the very successful visit of H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Oxford Union. Subsequently, H.E. the President accepted our invitation and is now the Patron of the Society. Some of our grander events include a grand ceremony to celebrate the 61^st Independence Day of Sri Lanka (with the participation of seven Ambassadors from London), an International Forum on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka (with Hon. Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Prof. Rajiva Wijesingha etc.), a propose visit of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team to the Oxford Union (postponed due to security concerns). More recently, we hosted some of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s most high-profile businessmen, including Mr. Dhammika Perera (Chairman, BOI),ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mr. Ajit Gunawardene (Dpty Chairman, JKH), Mr. Rienzie Wijetilleke (Chairman, HNB), and Ms. Otara Gunawardene (Chairman, Odel) at an Economics Forum at the Oxford Union.

Image 02 : Members of the Oxford University Sri Lanka Society enjoying the game. (left to right): Mr. Dilan Fernando (President), Mr. Manohara Jayasinghe, Mr. Oliver Humphreys (Treasurer) & Dr. Kremlin Wickramasinghe (Events Officer) (Pic. by Mr. Janaka Alahapperuma, London)

Oxford University Sri Lanka Society:

• Patron: His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
• Senior Member: Prof. Edman Tsang
• President: Dilan Fernando
• Secretary: Arvinda Athukorala
• Treasurer: Oliver Humphrys
• Events Officers: Kremlin Wickremasinghe & Daniel Alphonsus
• IT Officer: Rukshan Batuwita
• Webmaster: Dinuka Kariyawasam

Image 03 : Two Captains with the distinguished guests (left to right): Mr. Dilan Fernando (President/Captain – Oxford), C. Eng. Mr. Thilak Barnes Abeywardena (Birmingham), Mr. Naveed Kayaam (Captain ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Cambridge).

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