Pamunugama joins the 50th Anniversary of the NCYSL

Pamunugama Dancing group in action

National Council of the YMCAs of Sri lanka is proudly celebrating it's 50th Birthday in this year. Main celebration of the 50th Anniversary was held on 11th August, 2012 at the Mount Lavinia Beach Hotel with the participation of around 400 YMCA members and well-wishers from all around the World. 21 member group including our cultural dance group, staff and President and volunteers from YMCA of Pamunugama also attended this. Pamunugama YMCA dancing group performed the opening dance which was eye-catching to all the distinguished guests. There were 5 youth from Pamunugama assisted the organizers to make the event smoothly held. On the same day there was a Fund Raising dinner and there were two volunteers (Mr. Shelton and Mr. Ranjith) from Pamunugama attended.

Event was consisted of speeches, dances and am Award Ceremony where the founder member YMCAs of the NCYSL were awarded with special plaques.  

World Council Sec Gen and the Vice President

Parallel to the main event there was a gathering of India and Sri Lanka YMCAs on 10th August at the Palm Beach Hotel in Mount Laniniya. Ridma Fonseka and Shelton Peiris attended event where they have discussed on potential partnerships with Indian YMCAs in the future.

Another event of the celebration was the International youth Event on Global Citizenship which was organized by the APAY from 7 - 12 August 2012. Pamunugama is proud of being able to send three youth our of 4 spots reserved for Sri Lankan participants.
Pictures - askerspeiderne.no

Raised awareness on Child Abuses and HIV Aids among parents

Child abuses have become one of the major discussion in the media and among the Sri Lankan society during last couple of months as the number of abuses have been increased in the various parts of the country. YMCA of Pamunugama as an organization which works for the betterment of the children, YMCA believes that parents have to play a greater role in guiding and protecting children. YMCA of Pamunugama organized a Morning workshop on Saturday 14th July at the YMCA for the parents of the children's Club members and preschool kids.
Ms. Sriyani Munasinghe of the National Christian Council conducted a session on the subject and emphasized that there is a greater duty is in the hands of the parents to make sure that their kids are protected. She further explained, taking few example from media reports, how the kids have become victims of child abusers due to lack of protection and care from their parents.
During the second part of her session she spoke about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and educated parents on preventing STDs and the value of having a great family. Around 20 parents attended the event where 6 of them were fathers. We extend our gratitude to the National Council of the YMCAs for their generous support and joining the YMCA of Pamunugama to organize this event.

Prevent Dengue and Save Lives

Children's Club Members

Members of the Children's Club Members carried out a cleaning session in the YMCA premises to destroyed possible Dengue breeding spots on 2nd Monday, 2012. They have worked together tirelessly as a group. Children's Club organize these kinds of events in order to train the members to become responsible citizens as well as to develop their team spirit.

Women's Awareness Building

Meanwhile, a women group in the area used the YMCA hall on Saturday 7th July, 2012 to conduct a awareness building programme on Dengue Prevention. Participants were mostly women and there were around 50 attended the programme. Participants were educated on a newly introduced bacteria that can be used to destroy dengue mosquitoes.    

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