ANANDA COLLEGE

The Anandians in UAE, who gathered in 1994 to form “Old Anandians in UAE” under the patronage of Mr. Saliya Senanayake have gone a long distance and formed Ananda College Old Boy’s Association– UAE in 1st of November 2008. This is having the approval from the Main OBA and obtained the formal affiliation to the OBA. The group is now known as Ananda College Old Boys Association United Arab Emirates Wing (ACOBA – UAE Wing).

Saliya Senanayake - Founder of Old Anandians Group in UAE	Sujeewa Karunasekara - First President of ACOBA UAE Wing

The main objectives of the group is

1. Fostering brotherhood
2. Assist the college in it their need of funds for projects
3. Active participation in inter school activities in UAE
While being in line with its objectives, the organization has managed to set a solid footing to build on, which will be a success in years to come. With the support of the members, following projects were undertaken during this period.

1. Membership Drive
2. Sponsorship for the College Basket Ball team ( during 2008 – 2010 period)
3. “Needy Hostellers Foster Programme “
4. Participation in inter school activities in UAE
5. Participation in activities conduct annually by Sri Lankan Olcott Schools Alumni in UAE such as Colonel Henry Steel Olcott memorial pinkama, Cricket Tournament andVesak Dansala.

The Committee reaches out to all the Anandians living in the UAE, to raise awareness of forming the Group and to get them to obtain the membership of the Group.

This is an ongoing activity and we selected few Ananda College students who were having financial difficulties to continue paying the college hostel fees and educational expenses. Initially three students were selected based on the outstanding results from grade 5 scholarship exam and one grade 9 student who was having financial difficulties. During 2013 another two grade 2 students were added and contribution for those students were borne by prominent Old Anandian Maj. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake (Rtd) Currently five students are benefiting from this programme, two students from Grade 7, two from Grade 9 and another student is preparing for Advanced Level exams