Major Projects
ASSISTING THE COLLEGE
It is on record that the O.B.A has helped the college in the beginning to sponsor the inter-house athletic sports meet. When the school was able to finance the sports meet, the O.B.A. revived the annual Prize Giving, which had been laid off for nearly twenty years. After the main block had been completed, the O.B.A. assisted the very Rev. Fr. Lawrence Hyde by providing a greater part of the funds to construct the playing field.
MAJOR PROJECTS :
Bede Memorial Gold Medal: This Medal introduced by the O.B.A. is being awarded annually from 1939 to the Best All Rounder in studies and sports.
The Centenary Hall:
The Pride of the Antonians. The foundation stone was laid on 20th of July 1952 by Hon. M.D. Banda, a distinguished Old Boy who was the then Minister of Education. This was blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr.D.B. Regno O.S.B. and declared open by the Rt. Hon. Sir Oliver Goonatilake, C.M.E. the Governor General of Ceylon on 5th September 1957. This is a lasting monument to the loyalty and devotion of each and every old Antonian.
The Bus Project:
The OBA ambitiously ventured into a laudable task of collecting one Million Rupees to purchase a much-needed bus for the College. In the process of collecting, some unforeseen incident drew the attention of the OBA whereby the target could not be achieved. As the Principal was negotiating the purchase of the bus, the OBA handed over to him whatever they had collected. This amounted to Rs. 400,000/-, a third of the cost of the bus.
Maintenance of two Children's wards at Katugastota hospital:
The OBA undertook maintaining of town wards - in memory of Rev. Fr. D.A. Rosati OSB and Rev. Fr. Aidan De Silva. Two selected wards were colour washed and cleaned and a Nebulizer was gifted with other accessories. They are periodically visited by the OBA and shortcomings rectified. The wards were blessed by Rev. Fr. Stephen Abraham OSB Rev. Fr. Cletus Perera OSB and declared open in March 2002.
Latest project for the Jubilee Year:
The OBA has undertaken an ambitious task of providing a modern swimming pool conforming to International Standards to conduct tournaments etc. at a cost of seven Million Rupees. This is a formidable task, and it is firmly believed that old Antonians will rally round to achieve it.
College Swimming Pool
TheTurf Wicket:
After the Cricket season in 1969, at a Central Council meeting of the OBA, it was decided to make available to the Alma Mater a turf wicket. With massive amount of contribution from the then present students and financial funding from the OBA and other donators, the project was carried out in style. The turf pitch was delivered on 30 January 1970. It was blessed by Rt. Rev. Lord Abbot Dom Pio Federici, Abbot General. The pitch was declared open by the President Mr. Victor Perera, a 'fastish off spinner' bowling the first ball to the Old Boy Principal, Rev. Fr. Aidan de Silva, who made a 'sizzling drive through the covers'!
FELICITATION TO ANTONIANS
Bernard Perera:
In May 1976 the OBA organized a motorcade for Bernard Perera on his arrival in Kandy after winning two coveted awards, namely the 'Observer School Boy Cricketer of the Year' and the 'Times outstation school boy cricketer', a unique double. The motorcade started from the Kandy Cathedral Square. The Katugastota Convent Band in martial style strode through the streets of Katugastota and back to the college hall where a reception was held and the Principal awarded a Gold Medal and chain in appreciation of his splendid performance. It was the fifth time that college had produced a Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year.
Muttiah Muralitharan:
The OBA was very fortunate to team up with the Kandy Cricket Association to felicitate the Antonian Spin Wizard on his return from England. Murali had a successful tour of England where eh captured 16 wickets, against England in the One OFF Test at Lords in 1998. He had a match analysis of 113.5 - 41 - 220 - 16
including a haul of 9 for 65 in the 1st innings. The president and Members of the Committee received Muralitharan who was accompanied by the S.T.F. from Colombo on 4th September 1998 near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. The president garlanded him and he was transferred to an open truck and brought in a motorcade to College. All along the way, friendly school children and members of the public greeted him with loud cheers. The welcome assembly was held at the College hall, which was almost a stampede of crowd.
Information about Mr. Muralitharan can be found from his personal web site
www.muralitharan.com