Secretary, St. Peter's College OBU Algi Wijewickrema has informed us that a Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of our dear friend and Past President of the OBU, Dr. Nielhaan Samaranayake, on Friday 20th March, at St Mary's Church Bambalapitiya, commencing 7.30 p.m. The OBU request all Old Boys and friends to please attend.
Dr.Nielhaan Samaranayake was a proud alumnus of St. Peter's College and emerged as a brilliant academic and excelled in sports. He was also the Head Prefect. Despite his busy schedule as Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Surgeon Commodore, Sri Lanka Navy, Dr. Nielhaan found time to head the St.Peter's College OBU from 2011-2013.
One of his leadership initiatives was The Peterite Walk in 2012. Here below is an abstract from a news item on the event.
The day began with Holy Mass concelebrated by the Rector, Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel, old Peterite priests and other priests from the College and the Walk proper was officially started off with a special prayer and hoisting of the College flag. The organising committee planned for this Walk with their previous experience but all predictions were proven wrong when with an unprecedented response, Peterites rallied round their alma mater and walked in their thousands. There were boys from year 1 to year 13, old boys from those who had just left school to great grandfathers and there were mothers and sisters of the Peterites too. Teachers, minor staff, the P.T.A. and the Welfare Society all were behind the organisers supporting the event and joining in the Walk. There were even Elephants and horses that were included, not to mention a cycle parade and cartoon characters, Papare bands, stilt walkers, boats on the canal displaying the College flag to add colour, and to cap it all a helicopter was seen flying the college flag to the amusement of all taking part in the walk .
The Walk also saw Old Boys from the quadrangular schools, namely St. Anthony’s, St. Benedict’s & St. Joseph’s and their sister school, Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya joining the Peterites .
While there were bound to be some irritated motorists on Galle Road that day, others enjoyed the scene, seeing so many frolicking while supporting their school.
The fun did not end with the procession returning to the school. The College ground had been turned into a carnival ground. There was music by “Black” and games of skill, bouncers for children, eats and drinks and ice cream aplenty in addition to other entertainment that had been lined up.
Being citizens who take their civic responsibility seriously, even though this was a fun event, they ensured that garbage was collected and disposed so that the road users are not inconvenienced.
A very happy and beaming Rohan Victoria, Chairman of the Walk committee and an equally elated President of the Old Boys Union, Dr. Nielhaan Samaranayake were seen at the end of the Walk, mingling with those enjoying the fun and thanking those who participated. Peterites must be a proud lot for having conducted such a successful Walk for such a noble cause and one can’t help congratulating them.
OBITUARY: SAMARANAYAKE – DR. NIELHAAN – (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Surgeon Commodore, Sri Lanka Navy). Dearly beloved husband of Dilko, loving father of Oshadhi and Kaveesha, son of late Dr. G.G. Samaranayake and Prema, brother of the Shasthri (Australia), Premani, Ranee (Austria) and Mathisha, brother-in-law of Eloma, late Shiraz, Gehard and Dilrukshi. Cortege leaves residence No. 526/1, Lake Road, Thalangama South, Battaramulla at 4.30 p.m. for Cremation at General Cemetery, Kanatte on Sunday 15th March 2015 at 6.30 p.m. 042265
