Forum CSA holds first AGM

A gathering of Colombo's architects, rather the Alumni of the Colombo School of Architecture will take place on February 7 at 5.30 p.m. at the Albatross, Waters Edge. This is no ordinary gathering, but the first Annual General Meeting of these architects who have banded under the name Forum CSA.

"Professor Lal Balasuriya was the inspiration behind the Forum," says Nela de Zoysa, the first President of the association. "He was the one who first suggested to me the idea of and the need for the alumni of the CSA forming a group to work together." At this first Annual General Meeting, the Forum CSA hopes to bestow upon Architect Professor Lal Balasuriya the highest accolade of Forum CSA, the title 'Honorary Patron of Forum CSA". He will be presented with a scroll of election along with a citation.

The Forum CSA consists of two committees, namely the executive committee and the general committee. The executive committee comprises five members and the general committee has 14. They are headed by four office bearers- Nela de Zoysa (President), Eeshani Mahesan (Secretary), Kithsiri Almeida (Vice President) and Mohan Neligama (Treasurer).

The main aims of the organization, as at its inception, are to act as a forum for its members, widening the interest and association of its members and to assist the CSA in all its endeavours. Apart from this, one of the objectives is to raise funds for charitable organizations and charitable events.

The first year of the Forum CSA was an eventful one. The Forum was instrumental in giving Rs. 75,000 as three student bursaries to Part II final year architecture students, one of whom was a needy student, presenting 16 DVDs on Art and Architecture, Rs. 50,000 for architectural books for the students and presenting "Excellence in Designing" awards to deserving students.

Working towards accomplishing even more in its second year, the Forum invites all non members- fellow CSA alumni to be present at the event which will be followed by fellowship and dinner sponsored by the Access Projects Group at the Jetty, Waters Edge.