13th Anniversary Celebrations (Annual Convention of BCSL)

Bridge Club Sri Lanka has come through a long way of 13 years from its establishment in April 1998 with the effort and the courage of the all the Bridge Club Sri Lanka members. The tradition was continued in this year with the same purpose and the goal. The event was held on 13th July 2009, at the Auditorium, Ministry of Education with the presence of the distinguish guests. 

Hon. Minister of Education Mr. Bandula Gunawardena as the Chief Guest, Mr. Isfahani Sameen the former World President of Junior Chamber International as the Guest of honour, Mr. N. Madawanaarachchi, Director of School activities and Private Schools, Liason Officer of APCC Sri Lanka and other distinguished invitees including officers in Ministry of Education graced the event. 

We congratulated Mr. Isfahani Sameen who were decorated as "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" by the emperor of Japan in recognition of his invaluable contributions in promoting bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka as well as international relations between Japan and other countries.  

Agenda

01.00 pm – Ushering Delegates

01.10 pm – Lighting the oil lamp and distributing the souvenior

01.20 pm – Welcome address and introduction to BCSL by the president of BCSL Mr.Dilshan Danishtha Jayathilake

01.30 pm – Presentation of Omoiyari Video on BCSL activities

01.40 pm – Address by Mr. N. Madawanaarachchi, Director of School activities and Private Schools, Liason Officer of APCC Sri Lanka

01.50 pm – A song by Miss.RanishkiHerath

02.00 pm – Speech by Master. JayanakaRivimalSenarath, the immediate past president on his experiences on APCC and BCSL

02.10 pm – A Japanese speech by Miss. AnjanaSenadeera, JA 2009

02.20 pm – Dancing Item “ThurangaWannama” by 2011 JAs (will be performed in Japan)

02.30 pm – Presentation of short film which is produced by Mr.LakmalMuthugama present vice president of BCSL

02.50 pm – Dancing Item “PathuruNetuma” by 2011 JAs (will be performed in Japan)

03.00 pm – A song by Miss. ShimaniAttygale and Miss. MihidineeAmasha (JAs 2009)

03.05 pm – ‘My Country’ speech in Japanese by Master. SanujaKalhan and Miss. KalaniPabasara – JAs 2011  (will be performed in Japan)

03.10 pm – ‘My Country’ speech in English by Master. LakithNavodya and Miss. TharaniBalandran – JAs 2011 (will be performed in Japan)

03.15 pm – Address by His Excellency Mr.Kunio Takahashi ambassador of Japan

03.25 pm – ‘Thanking Speech’ in English by Master. SanujaKalhan and Miss. FathimaFazeeha – JAs 2011 (will be performed in Japan)

03.30 pm – ‘Thanking Speech’ in Japanese by Master. Naveen Yasankha and Miss. FathimaFazeeha – JAs 2011 (will be performed in Japan)

03.35 pm – Presentation of Air Tickets

03.45 pm – Address by Chief Guest Hon. Mr.BandulaGunawardena Minister of Education

03.55 pm – A Japanese Song by JAs of 2009

04.00 pm – Vote of Thanks by Mr.LakmalMuthugama Vice President BCSL 2011

04.05 pm – Bridge Club Theme Song

04.10 pm – Sri Lankan and Japanese National Anthems

04.15 pm – End of the programme 

The event was coordinated in 4 languages, Sinhala by Piumi Kandanaarachchi JA 2006, English by Dyani Aponsu JA 2007, Tamil by Niroshan Thangavel JA 2006 and Japanese by Piumi Navarathne JA 2000 and PA 2006 by continuing the tradition BCSL had in the history of all Anniversary Celebrations.

Hon. Minster highlighted the cultural exchange happens with the program and Mr. Isfahani Sameen the prestigious award winner of Japanese government highlighted the fact of the strong connection between Japan and Sri Lanka for a long time. The presentation of air tickets and the presentation of souvenirs was done by the Hon. Minister and the first publication of the Annual souvenir was presented to the guest of honor Mr. Isfahani Sameen.

The Junior ambassadors of 2011 performed their dances, “Pathuru Netuma” and the “Thuraga Wannama” in front and the speeches in English and Japanese was performed in front of the distinguished guests, their parents and relations, BCSL members and officials and other invited guests by showing their ability and the good work of the JA training.

Bridge Club members performed dances, songs, action songs and film shows and made the event a colorful event. The Vice President of BCSL Mr. Lakmal Muthugama delivered the vote of thanks and concluded the session and invited all the participants to have the refreshments after the program and another successful convention of Bridge Club Sri Lanka marked the 13^th Anniversary of BCSL proudly.

prepared by :- Lakmal Muthugama (Vice President BCSL 2011/2012)