Annual General Meeting - 2025
Message from the Patron

Mrs. C.S.R. Selvagunalan

It brings me immense pride and joy to send this message to the Annual General Meeting Magazine of the Jaffna Central College Old Boys’ Association – Colombo Branch. As the present custodian of this great institution, I am ever grateful for the unwavering commitment and heartfelt contributions made by the Colombo OBA in nurturing and sustaining the legacy of Jaffna Central College. ...

Founded in 1816 by Rev. James Lynch, and later transformed under the visionary guidance of Rev. Dr. Peter Percival, Jaffna Central College has stood as a beacon of knowledge, discipline, and progress. It was Rev. Percival who, with deep foresight and dedication, laid the groundwork to elevate the "English School" into what eventually became Jaffna Central College in 1869 — an institution that has since produced generations of distinguished alumni across the world.

Our Old Boys' Association, first formed under the stewardship of Rev. W.M.P. Wilkes in 1906 and later expanded to Colombo in 1913, has grown into a dynamic and generous body. Over the past 111 years, the Colombo OBA has remained a steadfast pillar of support, upholding the school’s values and helping it navigate through changing times.

The Colombo OBA, in particular, has been instrumental in contributing towards scholarships for university and A/L students since the year 2001, providing career guidance and counselling, managing vital resources, and establishing a skill lab to empower students for the future. Your nutritional programmes, support for cricket coaching, and generous involvement in Teachers' Day celebrations have all made a significant impact on the morale and achievements of our students — both academically and in sports.

On behalf of the entire school community, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continuing efforts and deep sense of duty towards our alma mater. It is your dedication and unity that help JCC to flourish and maintain its proud legacy.

May the spirit of Rev. James Lynch, Rev. Dr. Peter Percival, and Rev. W.M.P. Wilkes continue to inspire us all in our shared mission to uphold the light of knowledge and service.

With blessings and best wishes,

Mrs. C. S. R. Selvagunalan
B.A., Dip-in-Ed., M.Ed., PGDEM, SLPS - I
Principal
Jaffna Central College

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Annual General Meeting - 2024
Speech of the President-elect

Mr. Thushy David

Dear Centralites and family members,

would like to thank you for having confidence in me and electing me for a second term. I would like to thank the outgoing council members for their support and welcome the new members. Colombo OBA works as a team with respect and dignity and paying attention to all the views of the members and take collective decisions. ...

I am looking up to the elected office bearers and committee members to attend the meetings in person or virtually and execute the tasks assigned to them for COBA to function professionally and efficiently to support the development of the college.

I would like to thank the members for their support in adopting the Code of Conduct, Ethics and Governance Structure which spells out the values and guidance for the appropriate conduct of the OBAs and their members as well as administrative guidelines and suggestions. This document will be shared with all the Global OBAs for their feedback if any and adoption. This will be a dynamic document which will be amended with the feedback received from Global OBA’s so that we will have an appropriate document with input from all the OBA’s.

One of the proposals in the Global OBA governance structure is a common Website for JCC which was agreed in the Global OBA forum and the task of creating the website was given to COBA. I am very pleased to inform you that a new website is launched today. The website address (jccoba.com) is available in the AGM booklet 23/24 published in soft form and posted today in the COBA WhatsApp group and the website. I would like to thank Mr. Poongunran for leading this initiative and making this project a reality.

With the support of the Exco, we would focus on Membership drive & Succession planning during this year – A mix of young talent and men with experience and wisdom in our Exco would ensure, we have an effective succession plan to take up leadership positions and carry on the baton passed on by our predecessors. If work is shared among all members, there will be less burden on a few who have to shoulder the work. Allocation of work evenly will encourage more old boys to join the Exco. We are attempting to include undergraduates who are recipients of our scholarship program in our Exco who are following undergraduate programs in IT / Computer science and who can help COBA with maintaining the digital membership register, support in website administration and preparation of membership drive e-flyers.

If our OBA and other global OBAs work together unitedly for the development of the college, we could make a positive change in the college soon.

Good night and have a pleasant evening.

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Annual General Meeting - 2024

Saturday 6th April 2024 at 06.30 p.m.
at Bambalapittiya Community Centre Hall,
Colombo - 04

The President, secretary and Treasurer, cordially invites you and your families to take part in the "Annual General Meeting - 2024" of Jaffna Central College Old Boys' Association - Colombo Branch, followed by a fellowship dinner.
Fellowship Dinner Ticket Priced at Rs. 1,500/= per person.

Available with:
1. Dr. A. Sivasothy 0772001096
2. Mr. R. Bhaskaran 0714898071

Dress: Smart Casual, RSVP (Regrets Only)

Thank you.

M. Sathanandan, Secretary