OTSC celebrates 70 years of brotherhood
View(s):The Old Thomians’ Swimming Club (OTSC) began its 70th anniversary celebrations on February 28 with the lighting of the new sign board to commemorate seven decades of brotherhood. The President, veteran Dharshana Herat Gunaratne gave Tusita de Alwis, a life member of OTSC, the privilege to also light the sign board.
At the Royal-Thomian, OTSC tent the Patron and Warden Asanka Perera and Sub Warden, Dr. Radeeka Mendis cut the cake in the presence of President Gunaratne and the committee. The OTSC tent at the Royal-Thomian cricket encounter is the second oldest after the Mustangs tent. For the past 20 years OTSC tent is located at the SLC Grand Stand Upper Floor and it is known to be the most-lively tent with entertainment such as a live band, DJ music and papare band.
The OTSC was founded in 1956 by Dr. R.L. Hayman and C.R. Wise (first of 20 presidents) with the approval of Warden Canon R.S. de Saram. Its humble beginnings was in a small room previously the Scout Room. The main objectives were to allow old boys the use of the swimming pool and encourage aquatic sports. It subsequently moved to De Saram Road and with donations constructed a simple old fashioned club house. Later in 1997 Warden Neville de Alwis laid the foundation stone along with Lakshman Dias Bandaranayake, Justice Tissa Bandaranayake and OTSC President Sarath Colonne, who with his committee completed the structure in the year 2000.
The OTSC now provides the state of the art facilities to its members. A walk around the club goes back in history with all achievements and awards well displayed. A homely atmosphere is promoted and maintained to face the future. The horse shoe bar and first of its kind is unique where one could settle in comfort. The club is affiliated to the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and the Colombo District Cricket Association.
In 2006, the club celebrated its Golden Jubilee under the Presidency of Sunil Peiris and a grand musical event ‘5 Star Explosion’ with the band Gypsies was held at the BMICH.
At the 55th anniversary in 2011 under the Presidency of N.L. Perera, a grand sing-along, was held in the club with the band Pearl led by Jayantha de Silva. The same year the OTSC had a food stall at the Thomian fair.
Again at the 60th anniversary in 2016 under the Presidency of Dulip Soysa a cake was cut at the Royal-Thomian by then Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. The band Gypsies again performed at the dinner and sing-along at the BMICH.
To name some of the pioneer Presidents of OTSC are late Dr. Vernie Abeynaike, Sarath Colonne, Ranjith Jayaneththi and Lalith Amarasekera, Sunil Peiris, N.L. Perera, and Dulip Soysa. The longstanding services of the Manager, late Cyrilton Sellahewa is recorded.
In the past two decades, regular musical events, theme nights, sing-alongs, bring a dish lunches, paan and peduru parties were held. Additionally double decker bus rides accompanying the STC cycle parades and trips to Kandy for rugby matches, kiddies’ and Christmas carol parties and lighting the Christmas tree, continue to be held. Some of the popular musicians who performed at the club were late Sam the Man, Ronnie Lietch, Priyantha Fernando, Anil Bharathi, Paul Fernando and Annesly Malawana, Sohan Weerasinha, Mariezelle Gunathilaka, Priya Peiris, Melroy Dharmaratna, Corrine de Almeida, Susil Fernando, Battison with Wild Flowers and popular band Marians led by Nalin Perera.
The OTSC has not failed in its social responsibilities and promptly responded to emergency situations such as floods, epidemics, covid and functions for the less privileged children. The committee also strongly supports the clean environment projects. The OTSC continues to live up to its motto ‘Otium Cum Dignitate’ — Leisure with Dignity.