Ceylon Society - Sydney Chapter

The idea behind the Ceylon Society of Australia emerged at a Foundation Meeting on 30 August 1997 in Sydney.

Foundation Meeting

Present were Hugh and Tulsi Karnunayake, Dr Chris Puttock, Vama and Charmaine Vamadevan, David Goodrich and his partner Helen Harrison, Mike Udabage and Rohan Sourjah. Others unable to attend were Dr M B Kappagoda and Dr Srilal Fernando.

First Meeting and Committee

The first meeting of the Ceylon Society was held on 28 February 1998, attended by 31 people. The Foundation Office Bearers elected were:

Name	Title
Hugh Karunanayake	President
Vama Vamadevan	Treasurer
David Goodrich	Editor
Rohan Sourjah	Secretary
Brian Parker	Public Relations
Mike Udabage	Publications Officer

Chris Puttock had taken an appointment in Hawaii but remains a loyal member.

David Goodrich, who had a Ceylonese grandmother but had never been to Sri Lanka, pioneered the editorship of our journal until his sad and untimely death in December 2001.

He suggested that the journal be called The Ceylankan and he laid its literary pace and developed its image. He fulfilled his great desire to visit Sri Lanka during the last year of his life.

Committee Members

Many eminent persons have contributed to the development of the Ceylon Society since the Foundation Office Bearers were elected and the present Committee. These include:

Name	Title
Tony Peries	President for past 3 years
Sumane Iyer	Editor between 2001 and 2009
Chris Piachaud, Gerard Velayuthen and Douglas Jones	Honorary Secretary
Sumane Iyer, Rienzie Fonseka and Srikantha Nadarajah	Honorary Treasurer
Harry de Sayrah	Public Relations
Mike Udabage	Publications Officer (since the Foundation Meeting)
Chandra Senaratne	Social Convenor

Others who have made invaluable contributions to the Committee include Dr Robert Sourjah, Sunil de Silva and Ron Murrell.

Members who have contributed in many other ways towards our activities by advice and counsel include Victor Melder, Somasiri Devendra, Joe Simpson from Canada, the late Kingsley Siebel and Rodney St John.

Ovation for the ladies

We cannot forget all the ladies that have supported the Ceylon Society since its inception. The food they have brought to each meeting has made each occasion so much more memorable.

We really appreciate their contribution and extend our heartfelt thanks for their efforts.

Guest Speakers and their presentations

The Ceylon Society is indebted to all the guest speakers that have made presentations at our meetings. They have grown the reputation of the Ceylon Society and also contributed to the history and heritage of Ceylon and Sri Lanka.

These guest speakers have expanded the knowledge of members and their guests. More importantly, they have instilled a yearning in others to learn more and even to undertake research of their own.