OTSC marks 70th year celebrations with new signboard

Old Thomians’ Swimming Club began its 70th Anniversary Celebrations on February 28 with the installation of a new signboard at the club(left).  The picture on the right shows OTSC President Dharshana Herat Gunaratne cutting a cake to celebrate the occasion. Also in the picture is S.Thomas’ College Warden Asanka Perera

By Tusita de Alwis

The Old Thomians’ Swimming Club (OTSC) began its 70th Anniversary Celebrations on February 28 with the installation of a new signboard to commemorate 70 years of brotherhood. OTSC President, Veteran Dharshana Herat Gunaratne gave this writer the privilege to ‘light’ the signboard.
At the OTSC tent at the Royal-Thomian cricket big match, the Patron, Warden, Asanka Perera and Sub Warden, Dr. Mrs. Radeeka Mendis cut the cake in the presence of the OTSC President Herat and the committee. The OTSC tent at the Royal-Thomian cricket encounter is the second oldest tent after the Mustangs Tent. For the past 20 years OTSC tent has been located at the SLC Grand Stand Upper Floor. It is perhaps the liveliest tent at this annual encounter with a live band, DJ music and a papare band in attendance.
The OTSC was founded in 1956 by Dr. R.L. Hayman and Mr. C.R. Wise (The first of 20 Presidents) with the approval of Warden, Canon R.S. de Saram. Its humble beginnings was in a small room previously the Scout Room. The main objectives were to allow old boys the use of the pool and encourage aquatic sports. It subsequently moved to De Saram Road and thanks to donations members were able to construct a simple old fashioned club house. Later in 1997 Warden, Neville de Alwis laid the foundation stone along with Lakshman Dias Bandaranayake, Justice Tissa Bandaranayake and Club President Sarath Colonne who with his committee completed the structure in the year 2000.
The OTSC now provides the state of the art facilities to its members. A walk around the club take you back in history to all achievements and awards, which are well displayed. A homely atmosphere has been promoted and maintained throughout the years. The horseshoe bar, a first of its kind is unique. Here one could settle in comfort and enjoy an evening. The club is affiliated to the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka, The National Amateur Aquatic Sports Union of Sri Lanka and the Colombo District Cricket Association.
In the year 2006 the club celebrated its Golden Jubilee Anniversary under the Presidency of Sunil Peiris and a Grand musical event “5 Star Explosion” with the ‘Gypsies’ band was held at the BMICH. An anniversary cake was also cut by Madam Shiranthi Rajapakse at the Thomian tent.
At the 55th Anniversary in 2011 under the Presidency of N.L. Perera a grand Sing-along was held at the club with the band ‘Pearl’ led by Jayantha de Silva being in attendance. The same year the OTSC had a food stall at the Thomian fair.
Again at the 60th anniversary in 2016, under the Presidency of Dulip Soysa, a cake was cut at the Royal-Thomian encounter by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The ‘Gypsies’ again performed at the Dinner and Sing-Along at the BMICH banquet hall.
Some of the pioneer Presidents of the Club are Late Dr. Vernie Abeynaike, Sarath Colonne, Ranjith Jayaneththi, Lalith Amarasekera, Sunil Peiris, N.L. Perera and Dulip Soysa. I had the privilege of serving under them and working in many other committees. The longstanding services of the Manager the Late Cyrilton Sellahewa is recorded. The Club was well patronised on Saturdays and Sundays and ironically all the past presidents would sit around the horse shoe bar.
In the past two decades, regular musical events: Theme Nights, Sing-slongs, bring a dish lunches, paan and peduru parties were held. Additionally double decker bus rides accompanying the STC cycle parades and trips to Kandy for rugby matches, Kiddies’ and Christmas Carol Parties and lighting the Christmas tree, continue to be held. Some of the popular musicians who performed at the club were Late Sam the Man, Ronnie Lietch, Priyantha Fernando, Anil Bharathi, Paul Fernando, Annesly Malawana, Sohan Weerasinha, Mariezelle Gunathilaka, Priya Peiris, Melroy Dharmaratna, Corrine de Almeida, Susil Fernando, Battison with Wild Flowers and the popular band ‘Marians’ led by Nalin Perera.
Currently the club has weekend programmes such as TGIF, Special Saturday and Sunday lunches etc.
The OTSC hasn’t failed in its Social Responsibilities and promptly responded to emergency situations such as floods, epidemics, COVID and functions for the less privileged children. The Committee also strongly supports the clean environment projects.
The OTSC continues to live up to its motto ‘Otium Cum Dignitate’ (Leisure with Dignity) and its members are willing do so and call it ‘Our Family Club’. 
(The writer is a Life and Committee Member of OTSC and held the posts of Social Secretary and Vice President)