Founders Day Celebrations at Pamunugama

Lighting the Oil Lamps

Members of the YMCA of Pamunugama gathered today (23 June, 2012) at the YMCA premises today to celebrate the 168^th Birthday of the YMCA. Adult women members gathered early in the morning to prepare milk rice for celebrations and the official celebration was started at 10.00 am. Mr. Gamini Fernando Secretary of the Parish Council of the St. Anthony’s Church Kepungoda attended the event as the Chief Guest while around 70 members including children attended the event.

Programme was started with lighting the Oil Lamp and followed by a welcome dance performed by the Dancing Group of the YMCA Pamunugama. Mr. Shelton Peiris addressing the crowd shared the story behind starting the YMCA in London way back in 1844. Mr. Gamini the chief guest addressing the gathering shared the importance of spreading the work of the organizations such as YMCA for the development of the village. Starting the official Flag Day, the first flag was given the Chief Guest. Everyone gathered enjoyed milk-rice and tea as the programme was over. 

Members gathered for the Event

First Flag given to the Chief Guest

YMCA of Pamunugama joins the 1st event of NCYSL 50th Anniversary Celebrations

Pamunugama kids carrying banner

This year the National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka (NCYSL) is celebrating its existence of the country for 50 years. YMCA of Pamunugama joined the Thanksgiving Service which is the first event of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the NCYSL. Service was held on Saturday 9th June, 2012 at the St. Micheal's Church Kollupitiya. During the service YMCA members prayed for the existence of the National Council of the YMCAs and for the opportunities given to the council by god to expand the kingdom of God through its services.

Making special presence, the Dancing Group of the YMCA of Pamunugama led the parade with a dance at the beginning of the service. General Secretary, Ridma also joined the service with a reflection on the bible reading.

All together there were around two hundred people attended the service including 16 from the YMCA of Pamunugama There will be more anniversary celebrations to be held during the month of August, 2012.

Pamunugama Dancing group

Ridma sharing reflections

Around 200 gathered for the Service

Photos: YMCA Sri Lanka facebook page

Annual General Meeting

Newly elected President, Shivankara addressing the gathering

Annual General Meeting of the YMCA of Pamunugama was held 04 June, 2012 at the YMCA of Pamunugama with the participation of 31 members. Annual report for the previous year has been discussed and  confirmed by the members at the meeting.
During the meeting a new Board of Directors were appointed and Mr. Shivankara Ranaweera was nominated as the President for the Year 2012. Addressing the members, past president shared that it has been a busy year for the YMCA of Pamunugama with number of challengers. He further mentioned that the challenge is still on and the most important task will be to work for the society to bring justice and betterment. He explained how the YMCA of Pamugama has extended its work all over the country without just being limited to the YMCA premises.
New plan for the year 2012 was proposed and it was stressed that the volunteerism needs to be promoted through more active committees. All the members were agreed to the proposed plan and agree to work towards achieving the goals of the proposal during the year.


Newly appointed Board members are as follow.


Mr. Shivankara Ranaweera (President)
Mr. Nishantha Peiris (Treasurer)
Ms. Geethani Nonis (Vice President)
Mr. Ajith Hettiarachchi (Vice President)
Mr. Shelton Peiris (Board Member)
Mr. Aruna Shantha Nonis
Mr. Shelton Bambarenda
Mr. Calison Jayakodi
Ms. Sandarashmi Fernando
Mr. Aman Lakshan
Ms. Anne Sudeepika
Mr. Johannes Nico

Fun Festival for Kids and Elders!

Give an eye to the Elephant

To mark the New Year Festival, YMCA youth club organized a fun festival for kids and the elders of the village on 20 May, 2012 at the YMCA premises. Around 100 kids joined the event while several elders also were presented. Number of traditional events were organized for different age groups from 4 years to adults.
Balloon blasting, collecting toffee, drinking from the bottle, eating buns, running in the bag and Kanamutti were among the games. Kids took-part in all the activities with a lot of enthusiasm. Catching eggs, eating yogurt and Musical chairs were among the open games for youth and adults. They added extra fun to the event.

Eating Buns to win!

Blind but Eager to break the pot

Prices for Winners and Joy for All

Reunion of Drama Group

YMCA of Pamunugama has a long history of stage dramas since the YMCA was started as a Youth Club called "Senasuma" way back in 1974. "Senasuma" youth group used stage drama's as a tool to response to social and political issues in the village at that time. Number of dramas were produced by this youth club and the tradition was continued even after the "Senasuma" Youth Club became a YMCA in 1981.


Dramas such as "Kurusiya" and "Heleiya" produced by the YMCA became landmarks of the YMCA Pamunugama history and they were appreciated at National Level Drama competitions. Youth who involved with those drama's have become grownups now. Some of them continued as members of the YMCA and some are not.

YMCA of Pamunugama organized a gathering of these members on 10 May, 2012 at the YMCA. It became a wonderful experience for all who were presented and all had a lot to share about their great memories. Youth Club members of the YMCA also joined this meeting. At the end of the meeting group agreed to reproduce one of the greatest YMCA drama's (Heleiya) with the involvement of both experienced and new youth members of the YMCA. Next YMCA drama experience is not too far away!!

Visit of Asker Scouts!

While Hiking

This Easter has been somewhat special for the YMCA of Pamunugama as there were visitors from YMCA YWCA Scout Group in Asker - Norway. Group was consisted of 11 including one Rover, 7 boy scouts, 3 leaders.
Group landed at Bandaranayake International Airport on 2nd April Morning and left during the midnight on 8th April. Group was welcomed by the YMCA of Pamunugama at the Welcome Dinner held on 2nd April at the YMCA premises. During their stay on 2nd and 3rd April they spent time with Guides, Scouts and Children's Club members and attended a campfire on the Beach.
On 4th April group visited the 29th Asia Pasific Scout Jamboree in Dambulla. Following the visit to Jamboree group went on a Hike at Pitawalapathana area where they got the opportunity to live with a rural Sri Lankan family. Further, group spent two days in Wasgamuwa area looking for Wild Animals on a safari. It was interesting for the group to see wild Elephants and some wild animals in a Sri Lankan Sanctuary.
Before the departure on 8th midnight group gathered with few local YMCA members at Ridma's house for the Farewell Dinner.
YMCA of Pamunugama thank the Asker Scouts for coming down to Sri Lanka for a visit and always appreciate their friendship!


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