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Opening ceremony of   newly completed first floor of the ASLGSC Head Quarters was held on Saturday the 30th January 2010 with the participation of around 150 members and well-wishers. The chief guest was Dr. Saman Weerasinghe and Mr. Ayrat Ahmathov, Director of Russian Centre also participated as a special guest. Dr Saman Weerasinghe declared open the new extension by cutting the ribbon at entrance to the first floor at 7:30 PM.

Entering the beautifully done main hall on the upper floor, the traditional oil lamp was lit by Dr. Saman Weerasinghe-the chief Guest, Mr. Ayrat Akhmetov-Director of Russian Centre in Colombo, Mr. Jaliya Dharmasena-President ASLGSC, Dr Hector Weerasinghe- Immediate Past President, Mr. Tilak Alahakoon- Secretary, Mr. V. U. Ratnayake-Vice President, Mr. J A J Perera-Vice President, Mr. Winston Rupasinghe-former President,  Mr. W A Karunaratne-Former President, Mr. S Netthasinghe- Executive Committee Member and Mr. B. Rupasiri-Administrative Secretary.

Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, the national anthem was sung by all who were present. After that Mr. Jaliya Dharmasena welcomed the distinguished guests, members and the well-wishers who were present. In his welcome speech, he stated that the first presentation on this building extension project was done not very long ago. It was done at the Annual General Meeting held at Tangerine Beach Hotel in November 2008. He recalled with appreciation the first donation of Rs. 100,000 pledged by Mr. Sarath Wijesoma immediately after the presentation and explained how the momentum gathered little by little, with contributions coming from all over the world. He also talked about marketing efforts done for raising funds and ”Mahagedara” concept introduced by Dr. Gamini Padmaperuma to deliver the message to the members abroad, some of whom even have not visited the Association’s Head Quarters. He also mentioned that all were kept informed of the steady progress made, through the ASLGSC web site, with photographs taken at stages.

He thanked Dr. Saman Weerasinghe on behalf of all members of ASLGSC for his magnanimous gesture of donating Rs. 600,000.00, even though he earlier promised Rs.500,000.00, at a time when the inflow of funds was slowed down due to the economic downturn experienced worldwide in 2009.

Mr. Jaliya Dharmasena also mentioned the names of few members without whose efforts the project would not have been completed  successfully, in such a shot time. One was Mr. Tilak Alahakoon who was instrumental in formulating the marketing strategy and later who undertook the responsibility of construction of the building.  The president  said that Tilak  went to the extent of using even his personal funds, not to delay the work when the funds in hand were not sufficient to continue the work. He said without Tilak even though we could have completed the project, we would not have done so, in this short period.

The next name to mention was of  Mr. Winston Rupasinghe. Mr. Jaliya Dharmasena  said that during past two months, he used to get a telephone call from Winston every morning, even before he went to his office. Winston was calling from ASLGSC HQ, on his visits to make sure that high standards of work was maintained.  Today everybody was commenting on the high quality of the work completed.  Mr.Jaliya  Dharmasena  stated  that every bit of that quality is due to perseverance and devotion of Winston.

Then Jaliya mentioned with appreciation the effort of Dr. Hector Weerasinghe who was always supporting the fund raising efforts as well as a person who stood with him in every important moment.

Among the members residing overseas Dr. Gamini Padmaperuma was named as the person who made continuous efforts to keep the fund raising for the project alive, as the co-host of the graduates-from-peoples-friendship-university-moscow google group.

Then Mr. Jaliya Dharmasena thanked all, who has contributed to the project by way of funds or by any other means.  As per  the decision taken by the Executive Committee, the plaque with names of Members who had contributed more than Rs. 15,000 for the project was on display, on the wall at the stair way leading to the first floor.

Making the chief guest’s speech Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, who is a graduate of the First Medical Institute in Moscow, said that he is very happy that he could make a contribution to this worthy course and also for being able to host a dinner to all present for the occasion of opening of the extended and refurbished Head Quarters of the ASLGSC.

With that the official part of the opening ceremony was concluded and fellowship and dinner continued till late hours of the day. The Calypso Band entertained the crowd in the garden while dancing continued to the recorded music on the newly built upper floor.  The atmosphere, in which the fellowship and dinner was conducted and the mood of the participated crowd is best described with the photographs that captured many joyful moments. To have a look please follow the link …