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From the Editor
Tsunami 2004
Relief Operations
Mercy Mission 1 -8th Jan. 2005
Mercy Mission 2 -4th Feb. 2005
Our Alma Mater - A Refugee Camp . Centre for IDP's
Delayed Re-Opening of College
Tsunami takes away six students
College Prize Giving - 2004
The Alumni Associations and the College
Committee Meetings
Special Meetings with U.K. Branch Vice-President
Parent Body - New Office Bearers
Canadian Branch New Office Bearers
News of Past Pupils
Obituaries
Appreciations
Business Column
Job Opportunities
From the Editor
Having completed the year 2004 successfully with six issues of
the Archangel, the highest in a year so far, and with a big
event the Peace Basketball Tournament2004 staged at College
behind us, we were waiting to welcome the New Year in the
usual way. But it was not to be. Tsunami 2004 gives birth to a
Sad New Year.
Tsunami 2004
The sea provider of a variety of sea food and employment
to thousands in the fishing industry, the source of rain
without which nothing will grow and man cannot survive, this
gentle giant and sustainer of mankind turned ferocious and
lashed the northern , eastern and southern shores of Sri Lanka
with a force unknown in living memory, killing thousands
maiming others, destroying property and bridges built over
many years and rendering a countless number homeless and
marooned and destitute. And all this in just 15 minutes.
The devastation, which could turn out to be the tragedy of the
century, kept the world media occupied for several days. That
was Tsunami 2004, giant waves resulting from sea quake from
Indonesia, measuring 9 on the Richter scale now revised to
9.3, which came to Sri Lanka around 9.00am , after 2 1/2 hours
of the quake, on that fateful day, December 26, the day after
Christmas, Sunday and Unduwap Poya Day.
The New Year arrived amidst gloom and misery and silent New
Year.
Relief Operations
The any angels of mercy from here and Tsunami
brought out the best and the worst in mankind. There were many
angels of mercy from here and abroad who worked selflessly to
bring relief to the suffering while there were also a
few vultures of the worst kind who took advantages
of the situation. Those who came to the aid of the needy did
not discriminate in the same way that the giant waves did not
discriminate. The sympathy and support of the ordinary people
was overwhelming.
For our part, individually and collectively we rose to the
occasion magnificiently in providing relief to the displaced
in the east. Even before the Colombo Branch could get its act
together, individual members rushed, as swiftly as the waves
came in vans and trucks carrying relief items to the needy
especially to those who trapped in inaccessible areas like
Damana, Vakarai, Mankerni, Kallar, Thambiluvil, Komari and
Arugam Bay.
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Mercy Mission 1 -8th Jan. 2005
Within three days of the Tsunami President Kumar David sent
out a circular calling for contributions and a few members
met at Vice Patron I.T.Canagaratnam's residence,
which became Mission Headquarters, to plan the Association's
relief work. At a second meeting it was decided to transport
relief items to the most needy Tsunami victims.
Contributions were readily forthcoming from the members and
well wishers as the magnitude of the devastation became
clearer by then. The Australian Branch sent
AU$ 3000 and the Canadian Branch President Inparajah
contributed CANS$200 and a total sum of Rs.421,483/= was
collected.
The items most needed and the places where needed were then
ascertained by I.T.Canagaratnam from concerned persons in
Batticaloa. Vakarai appeared to be the most in need...
Mercy Mission 2 -4th Feb. 2005
The second mission organized by Colombo Branch took off
early on 4th Feb. 2005 Independence Day under the same
leadership, I.T.canagaratnam and Kumar David, but with new
team members. They were Mrs.Rita Canagaratnam, Sumathy and her
niece Yamini lending a feminine touch, M.Sudhaharan,
J.C.Daniel and the two volunteers Denzil & Meshak.
As before prior to departure the leader I.T. had cheked
with Mr.Uthayakumar, Divisional secretary, the most needed
areas-the areas remain the same- Vakarai and environs with a
change in the needed items.
Is this trip following items, valued at Rs.4.5 lakhs, were
purchased and transported in a lorry: hurricane lamps,cooking
utensils, school bags*, stationery items, shoes & socks
for school children*, dry rations, fruits and
vegetables...
On 5th February ii members visited the Dutch Bar,
met Parish Priest Rev.Fr.Joseph Mary, past pupil of the
college and came to know how he struggled to save the
people around him and how in the process he nearly got carried
away by Tsunami.
I.T., Kumar David and Daniel visited College , met
Principal Bro.James Peiris and offered assistance to clean the
College premises after vacation of the displaced persons.
Our Alma Mater - A Refugee Camp . Centre for IDP's
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Soon after Tsunami took its toll on Dec26, refugees also
known as internally displaced
persons started trickling into the College premises.
Iqbal Athas of The Sunday times
visited Batticaloa on Jan4th . An extract from the reports
he filed and picture which appeared in that paper on Jan 9,
2005 is reproduced below.
Last Tuesday I accompanied CNN's Chief International
Correspondent Christianne Amanpour on a tour of the
affected areas in the Batticaloa District. Soon after Squadron
Leader Waruna Senaratne touched down on a chinese built Harbin
Y12 at the SLAF basr, we drove out to be greeted by the swathe
of destruction Hundreds of houses have been razed to the
ground forcing occupants to flee to hurriedly set up IDP
centres.
I visited one of them at St.Michael's College in the town.
Nine days after the catastrophe more than 2,200 men, women and
children were crowded there. More were coming in. Seven to
Eight families were being huddled together in every
classroom. The overflow occupied the corridors. Adults and
children were sleeping only on sheets of news paper spread on
the floor. Children in particular were waiting for food.
Private individuals have cooked food and served only one meal
a day. The quantities, many complained to me were only handful
and was inadequate. They were starving. There were only four
toilets in the complex. Twelve temporary ones had just been put
up.
Delayed Re-Opening of College
As a College housed around 3,500 internally displaced
persons from Dec26, 2005 till end Jan. 2005, College re-opened
for the year only on Feb. 7th.
The Tsunami
takes away six students
K.Surenther [Grade 12M Arts], Quebert Felthman [11 D], Dustar
Barthelot [10C] & S.Sankaran [4] all of Dutch Bar;
N.Sangeeth[8] & P.Akash [2] both of Puliyanthivu, who had
gone to Navalady for a religious ceremony, were all carried
away by the Tsunami on Dec.26, 2004.
Our deep sympathies goes out to the parents and dear ones of
these youngsters.
College Prize Giving - 2004
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.The College Prize Giving was held on Dec. 9th, 2004 in
the College Auditorium with Patron Rt.Rev.Dr.J.Kingsley
Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomallee & Batticaloa, Chief Guest ,
Mr.K.Kathirkamanathan, Divisional Secretary Manmunai-North,
Guest of Honours, Rev.Fr.Paul Satkunanayagam S.J.
President PPA, Rev.Fr.T.Sridharan Sylvester, Secretary SDS and
Special Guest Mr.Thurairajasingham, DEO Manmunai-North.
The Alumni Associations and the College
The Colombo Branch
has donated an executive arm chair to the Principal.
An Electronic keyboard with advanced technology was presented
to our College by the contributions from Colombo alumni
association, Mr.Rathakrishnan a member of Australian alumni
Association
and from College. We thank Mr.M.Narenthiran for the
enthusiasm shown in purchasing this instrument.
The UK Branch supports us
in employing seven volunteer teachers .
Annually they contribute Rs.10,000 for a Basketball
Tournament. Mr.Visakan Subramanian has given Rs.50,000 for the
development of the Cricket at College.
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The Canadian Branch assist
in promotion of games in our College and honours the best
students in each stream of A/L classes at the Annual Prize
Giving with cash awards. Every year they have sent 1,286 US$ for
various activities.
The Australian Branch helps us in the needs of our
College and honours the best student at THE MICHAELITE OF THE
YEAR at the Annual Prize Giving by awarding cash prize and
trophy.
Mr.Fata Tiisaweerasinghe, an old boy, now a citizen of
The United States help in the promotion of Tennis by providing
us with Tennis equipment and material.
We congratulate Fr.Maria Anthony Sebastian S.J, an old
boy of our College who has been appointed as the new
Provincial of Jesuits for Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
We express our deep condolences and sympathy at the demise
of Mr.Ananda Muthukumaroe who was in active member of
Colombo Branch Alumni Association.
Committee Meetings
...need update
Special Meetings with U.K.Branch Vice-President
...need update.
News
of Past Pupils
T.Mahediran,
a former committee member and one who controlled matters
C2H5OH,
after serving a stint at Trincomalee as a Superintendant
of excise, returned to Colombo in The Assistant
Commissioner of Excise Dept., and joined the Commitee of
Management.
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Past President Ranjit David and Louisa David's only
daughter Soundarie has done her parents , her school
Holy Family Convent-Bambalapitya and the country proud
''Grief never grows old''
a good but sad song was composed by Mike Read, former
Radio D.J and presenter in the UK, just b4 Xmas Dec.2004
and the day after came the Tsunami.
Having learnt that Mike Read had plans to raise funds for
Tsunami victims by selling records of this song, Soundarie
contacted Mike in the UK and back home the backing tracks and
instructions for Soundarie to record the Song in Sri Lanka,
using her all girl Lankan Youth Choir''SOUL SOUNDS'' of
which she is the Directress.
She was given two days to teach the song , practise,
record and send back the recording to UNIVERSAL RECORDS, UK
and she her group did it working day and night, all for free
for Tsunami Victims.
-from The Mirror Magazine with Sunday Times[23-01-2005]
Rev.Fr.Angelo Ponniah S.J ,
an old boy of the College and former Director of Fatima
Retreat House-Lawella[Kandy], went to U.K for his further
studies & Lectures in Philosophy & Theology.
Obituaries:
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S.M.Lena,
former teacher of College and Father-in-Law of
M.Inparajah[President Canada Branch], in Canada on October
27th.2004
Mrs.Nagamani,
Mother of Ilango who is attached to the Ministry of the
Eastern Province-Infrastructure passed away at Batticaloa on
the 3rd Nov.2004
A.Shanmuganathan and his wife Glory
were carried away by the Tsunami. Shan , as he was
popularly known, was a student at College in the 1940's. He
was well known figure in Kalkudah, as he was helper of
helpless.
Mrs.Teckla Mylvaganam-
a retired teacher and mother of Inparajah [President Canada
Branch],Arulrajah and Ravindrarajah expired on 26th Dec. 2004
at Batticaloa.
Mrs.Palaniyandy - mother of P.Sivagnanam [ committee
member] expired on 29th Dec. 2004 at Colombo.
Mrs.Berryl Jesuthasan ,
Mother-in-Law of Julian Jeyaratnarajah expired on 23rd
Jan. 2005 at Wattala-Colombo.
Mrs.Thangavelu,
Mother of
Jeyaranjan,Jeyakumar[D.I.G],Suriyakumar,ShanthaKumar,Uthayakumar,Balakumar,
Ramkumar andMother-in-Law of Late Bernard, Ananda Viswanathan
and Thambipillai expired and funeral took place at Borella-Colombo
on 20th Feb. 2005
Mr.D.Sivaram,
The well known and controversial political analyst and a
senior editor for TamilNet.com, an old boy of the
College, demise under the tragic circumstances on 28th
April 2005.
Appreciations,
for Mr.D.SIVARAM-a.k.a.
TARAKI
from leading journalists
and intellectuals all over the world;
*Calling Siva a
terrorist doesn't make these guys journalists
Rajpal Abenayake
column - The Sunday Times
, Sunday May 8, 2005
*Learning Politics from a journalist
Mark Whitaker, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of
South Carolina, Aiken, U.S.A, is completing an intellectual
biography of Dharmaratnam Sivaram's life and work in a book
entitled ''Learning Politics from Sivaram'' . Here
Prof.Whitaker summarizes Sivaram's life and work.
Sivaram's work was not limited to journalism. Sivaram's grasp
of Tamil politics and literature and Sri Lanka's complex
history made him a magnet for scholars. Hence, Sivaram
collaborated and argued with historians, political scientists,
anthropologists, policy experts and from many of Sri Lanka's
Universities think tanks, as well as with foreign and
foreign-based scholars.
As recently as April 2005, Sivaram provided a purely scholarly
introduction to the Mattakkalppu Poorva Sariththiram
[Ancient History of Batticaloa], a recently released
definitive edition of an ancient Batticaloa palm leaf
manuscript.
''He will be an irreplaceable loss to the academic and human
right community around the world,'' said Dr.Jude Fernando, of
Clark University, a sentiment echoed by many.
I should add a personal note here. I am an associate professor
of anthropology at the University of South Carolina, Aiken. I
first got to know Sivaram in 1982 while I was conducting
cultural anthropological research in Batticaloa. We became
friends because we discovered a common interest in philosophy,
and because we shared some horrors during the 1983
riots. My own work in Sri Lanka initially focused on
Batticaloa's local politics and religion, as can be seen in my
1999 book Amiable Incoherence: Manipulating Histories and
Modernities in a Batticaloa Hindu Temple.
more details; The Sunday Times, May 8 , 2005. &
www.tamilnet.com
Business Column
Requirements for a good manager:
Seeking a manager? Then look for personality; ability to
communicate; interpersonal skills and self-belief because
these are some of essential ingredients, according to
Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman, Singer Sri Lanka.
''Even if you have no qualifications or knowledge, these could
be acquired along the way. These are not essentials to reach
great heights," he added, noting that some of the best
entrepreneurs in the world never went to school or they
struggled to the top.
He said believing in oneself was the route to success, citing
the great Sri Lankan kings of the past who as visionaries
built amazing cities with meticulous town planning to the 20th
century success of Singapore's Lee Kuah Yeh who turned a
thirld world economy to a first world one because he believed
in himself.
"We need to be confident in ourselves and create something for
others[and generations to follow],"he added.
Asked whether young professionals find it difficult to move up
the ladder, Amarasuriya said the board
room structures were such that most companies preferred
elderly professionals as non executive directors to provide
that advice and guidance.
"I think we need to change the structure in boards; we need to
appoint younger executive directors otherwise talented people
would leave this country [when they find their
opportunities to rise are limited],"he added.
The Business Club-Trans Asia Colombo
Branding and shareholder value:
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What is branding?
A brand is a name, a sign or a symbol which helps the consumer
to identify his products clearly among a number of competitive
offers.
Branding creates loyalty whereby you end up looking for Damro
furniture, FoodCity shopping or a Sleek salon haircut.
Why is branding necessary today?
Because of increasing competition the only way a firm can
develop a sustainable market share where its customers
clearly segregate it from its competitors, recognize it and
remain loyal to it is through branding.
How do you carry out branding?
*Deciding on qualities and the offer
*Selecting a name
*Ensuring that qualities are
consistently delivered within the name
*Ensuring the offer is consistently
promoted with the name and identity
*Changing the offer periodically as the
needs of the customers change
Deciding on qualities and the offer:
A successful brand is a successful personality. We remember
individuals such as Gandhi or Premadasa because of their
commitment, dedication and consistent qualities.
Qualities can be those such as reliability, consistency and
availability, etc. McDonalds reflects the quality of
consistent dependable burger meal at any time, anywhere in the
world at an affordable price.
Selecting the name:
The name should be catchy if possible, easy to remember
and not an offensive.
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation realized that its
name was too long and became HSBC.
Kentucky Fried Chicken realized that the name was putting off
vegetarian customers and became KFC with Vege burgers.
Logos such as Nike's swoosh so easy to identify that the
company has at times advertised only with the logo and without
the name!
To become great a brand's offer consistent Good systems and
human resources have to be in place to ensure that the brand
is able to deliver consistently what it intends to do
so.
Every time a recorded message says 'Your call cannot be
connected due to congestion's a mobile phone network's brand
value is eroded.
Job Opportunities
Parent Body - New Office Bearers
www.
President:
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Rev.Fr.Paul Satkunanayagam S.J
other
information not yet received to web designer to update...
Canadian Branch New Office Bearers:2005
www.battistmichaels.com
President:
Mr Rupert Francis
Email : alex130720@yahoo.com
Vice President:
Mr Suresh Ganeshamoorthy
Secretary:
Mr Shikan Canagasuriam
Email : chikan@hotmail.com
Asst. Secretary:
Mr Tommy Ganeshamoorthy
Treasurer:
Mr Pushpa
Prithiviraj
Email :
piruthiviraj@yahoo.com
Asst. Treasurer:
Mr
Rohan
Chinniah
Editor:
Mr.Prince
Manickam
Assistant Editor:
Mr
Prasad
Jeevaratnam
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Committee Members:
Mr. Dilip
Thiyagarajah
Mr. Leslie
Ratnarajah
Mr. Putkaran Thiagarajah, CGA, ACMA(U.K)
Mr. Subendra
Punnuthurai
Mr. Suresh Muthulingam
Vice
Patrons :
Mr. Joseph
Gunaratnam
Mr. Mylvaganam Inparajah
Mr. Nathan
Amalanathan
Mr. Stanislaus
Aloysius
Auditor:
Mr.
Charles Nimalaranjan
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