'Mahinda Thamai Iskole' a book by the Editor of the Lakbima Irida Sangrahaya, Sundara Nihathamani de Mel will be launched on May 10 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute at 3.30 p.m.
The book unfolds the story of Sundara's schooldays at Mahinda College, Galle which has produced many eminent Sri Lankans who have contributed to the social and economic fabric of the country.
Seven guest speakers will address the launch representing different schools and talking of the merits of their particular schools: Dr. Nihal Somarathne, a senior lecturer at Peradeniya will speak for Mahinda, Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayaka, Sumana Saparamadu, Dr. Ariyasena U. Gamage, Saman Athaudahetti and Saman Wickramarachchi will represent Ananda, Dharmaraja, Visakha, Richmond, Royal and Central Schools respectively.
In his own characteristic style spiced with humour which has won him many readers, Sundara takes a walk down memory lane revealing many anecdotes from his days as a young student. Among the main stories he unfolds is how the national anthem was composed by Ananda Samarakoon who was a teacher at Mahinda at the time.
The honour of singing it for the first time went to a group of students of Mahinda College and they did so looking at the words written on a school blackboard. Although Sundara was not one of the group, he is able to trace the events of the time.
In another instance, Sundara recalls how he objected to a proposal by Minister of Education I.M.R.A. Iriyagolla during the Dudley Senanayake government to close mixed schools. Sundara had written an editorial in the school newspaper 'Pabalu' objecting to the move.
This was to stir up a national debate and the newspaper was banned. The students had to collect the newspapers after distribution.
Interestingly Sundara the editor of the school newspaper went on to become the first Mahindian editor of a newspaper after the legendary D.B. Dhanapala.
The book also contains many interesting anecdotes about cricket and the Mahinda Richmond big match, known as the 'Lovers' quarrrel'.
Sundara invites all old Mahindians and his readers to attend the launch.
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