185th Founders' Day 2021

expiry date : 03-03-2021

Charles Henry de Soysa Day Celebration in Colombo organized by the Charles Henry De Soysa Commemoration Committee (CHDSCC) – 3rd March 2021 The 185th birth anniversary of Charles Henry de Soysa was celebrated on March 3rd 2021 at De Soysa Circus, Colombo at 3.30 pm. Floral tributes were placed at the foot of the statue by Hon. Minister of Education Prof. G L Pieris the chief guest, by representatives of the Old Girls and Old Boys of Princes and Princess of Wales Colleges, Moratuwa, which he founded, Mr Ranil de Soysa representing his descendants and several members of the public while the Head Prefect of Prince of Wales and 8 year old Ranya de Soysa a great great great grand daughter garlanded the statue. It is relevant to recall that it was Ranya’s father Kemal De Soysa who as a little boy placed a floral tribute at the foot of the statue at the 150th birth anniversary celebration in 1986 on behalf of the then youngest generation of descendants.

Despite the challenging circumstances prevailing on account of the Covid Pandemic the CHDSCC was able to organize this event with great success. Participation was unprecedented – 97 of whom 54 were connected to the two school and well wishers while 43 were family. The CHDSCC is aware that family attendance this year was the highest since 1986 while many requests for invitations from both the family and well wishers had to be regretfully turned down owing to the restrictions imposed by the public health authorities on account of the prevailing covid pandemic.

CHDSCC regrets it had to disappoint so many but the reasons were not within their control. From the statue the scene shifted to the Baptist Hall across the road where the Commemorative Meeting took place. It was chaired by Mr Suhada Gamlath PC, former Solicitor General and a distinguished old boy of Princes of Wales. In addition to Mr Gamlath short speeches of 5 minutes duration were made by Sunimal Fernando from the descendants and the Head Prefects and Principals of the two schools while eminent singer Lankika Perera of Super Golden Chimes fame, an old girl of Princess of Wales, sang a special song composed by her for the occasion. A special publication with messages from the Prime Minister and the Minster of Education among others to mark the occasion was prepared by the Princess of Wales OGU and distributed at the meeting.

Professor GL Pieris Minister of Education delivered the Commemorative Oration in which he spoke of the magnitude of the work performed for the community by CH de Soysa and stated that his name and the ideas he represented belong in fact not to his family or to his home town but to the country at large. His stated emphatically that CH de Soysa’s life provides an excellent role model for the younger generation to follow. A man well ahead of his times, CH de Soysa was a visionary figure whose vision of social inclusivity is today the need of the hour; a far thinking man who requires to be CHARLES HENRY DE SOYSA COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE 6/1, ST JAMES APARTMENTS, ALFRED HOUSE GARDENS, COLOMBO 3 EMAIL: CHDESCC@GMAIL.COM perceived and appreciated beyond the narrow confines of caste, creed, religion and ethnicity and to be commemorated and celebrated by the whole nation. He also spoke of the need to foster understanding between the different cultures and religions within the national community by organizing exchanges between children speaking Sinhala and Tamil.

Several speakers also referred to the fact that this statue was the first statue of a Sri Lankan to be erected in the capital city of Colombo, way back in 1919 and that from 1924 till as recently as 2003 the annual commemoration of his birth was organized at his statue in Colombo by the Moratuwa Mahajana Sabha, an organization of Moratuwa citizens with representatives of the two schools founded by him and the national community.

That the maintaining of this unbroken tradition, uninterrupted even in years of war and in times of social violence, will from 2021 be the responsibility of the Charles Henry de Soysa Commemoration Committee (CHDSCC) composed of the two schools, admirers and descendants was announced. It was recalled that even the 150th anniversary commemoration at which the President of Sri Lanka was the distinguished chief guest was organized by the Moratuwa Mahajana Sabha whose organizing committee of 15 was composed of 11 representatives from the two schools, admirers and the wider community and 4 from among his descendants. It was stated that the CHDESCC which draws its strength from these same social segments will focus solely and entirely on perpetuating the memory and vision of C H De Soysa and its relevance to the challenges of present day Sri Lankan national society and governance. Inclusivity as opposed to exclusivity will be the cornerstone of its activity.

The meeting which commenced at 3.45 p.m. concluded at 4.45 pm, right on time, with Ms. Indira Kahandaliyanage on behalf of the Princess of Wales OGU delivering the vote of thanks. The meeting was followed by fellowship. Many of the attendees interfaced with each other for long after. Many descendants were getting to know each other for the first time as they are drawn from 14 branches of the first generation, 74 of the second and about 225 of the third generation. They have now moved into the 6th generation of descendants and this annual event serves as a rare occasion when they can meet and learn about each other. As modern urban society becomes more and more atomized, the feeling of belonging to a large family and getting to know one’s numerous relatives gives one a sense of identity and a feeling that ‘one is not alone’ in the atomized urban society of today. Well wishers, school officials and descendants shared their thoughts and good wishes, all in the spirit of a common admiration of the man that was Charles Henry de Soysa. 11 of the 14 primary branches of the family of descendants were present. Another feature of the event was the wide media coverage it received in the Sinhala and English print and electronic media. Refreshments were provided courtesy Mrs Mallika Cooke, a great grand daughter.