Swimming pool for DMC

Ranjan ANANDAPPA

SWIMMING POOL: Deshabandu Harry Jayawardena, one of the most successful business magnets in the country today, said that he is keen to see more and more Mazenodians following in his footsteps in the business world.

Jayawardena, one of those mischievous past students in his hey day, while bringing back nostalgic memories and schoolboy escapades back to life, said that he stepped into his old school after a lapse of 50 years, and during his 30 years of married life, his family had been keen to know the school that he attended, and he was pleased to come along with them to his old school to grace this historic occasion. The occasion was the laying of the foundation stone for the swimming pool.

“I have been to many countries with many presidents and the elite at business forums, functions, meetings etc.

Whenever the necessity arose of revealing my credentials, I was proud to say that I was a product of De Mazenod,” said Jayawardena.

“Courageous leadership is the key for success in the economic field, and I am the biggest contributor to the country’s coffers legally. I owe my success to my teachers and the Rev. Brothers who maintained a high level of discipline”

Jayewardena concluded saying that the school which has excelled in many field of sports lacked the facility for water sports and pool will no doubt provide that facility.

Rev. Bro. Bertram Perera, the Director of De Mazenod said that the construction of the swimming pool heralds a new era to an elite education institution.

In the past, De Mazenod was the volleyball champs, excelled in soccer and cricket. Soon we could see swimmers emerging.Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, the President of the De Mazenod OBA said that the pool will be built in stages and he was confident even with the global crisis, the project could be completed with the confidence and the high morale of the OBA members. They have proposed many fund-raising projects like sponsorship, Advertising on the walls and surrounding area of the pool, Carnival, `Mazenodian Walk 2009’, banners, souvenirs, raffle draw, collecting membership fees in advance etc. Dr. Jayakody stressed that building the pool to international standards, will cost around 70 million rupees while a pool of a lesser standard will cost around 45 million and the estimated cost of a 30 metre pool will be 30 million.

Merril Perera, a UPFA Western Provincial Council Member who is an old boy of De Mazenod College, said that construction of a pool was a dream come true and laying the foundation stone was a happy occasion.

The school has produced many promising sportsmen and it has helped many to join the armed forces. Hopefully, the pool should be completed in two years.