Old Boys and Old Girls Alumni Associations based in the UK

Old Boys and Old Girls Alumni Associations based in the UK. 

Mahendra "Speedy" Gonsalkorale

I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to find that there are over 60 alumni associations based in the UK. The wish to remain connected with your Alma Mater is obviously very strong.

Many of you must belong to these Associations and probably take an active role. Please feel free to point out any errors. The Alumni Associations must have a very varied history.

I wonder whether colleagues in other countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, will be able to provide any data.

Major Boys Alumni Associations 

• St. Thomas' College: (OTAUK)
• St. Patrick's College (Jaffna): St Patrick's College, Jaffna, Alumni Association UK
• Jaffna Central College: Jaffna Central College Old Boys & Girls Association UK
• St. John's College & Chundikuli Girls' College: CSJPPA-UK
• Ananda College Old Boys’ Association UK
• D. S. Senanayake College OBA UK
• De Mazenod College Past Pupils Association UK
• Dharmaraja College OBA UK
• Dharmasoka College Alumni Organisation UK (Old Sokians UK)
• Holy Cross College Kalutara OBA UK
• Isipathana College OBA UK
• Kingswood College Kandy OBA UK
• Mahanama College OBA UK
• Mahinda College OBA UK
• Maliyadeva College OBA UK
• Maris Stella College OBA UK
• Methodist Central College Batticaloa OBA UK
• Nalanda College OBA UK (Nalandians Hub UK)
• Prince of Wales' College Moratuwa OBA UK
• Rahula College Matara OBA UK
• Richmond College Galle OBA UK
• Royal College Colombo (Old Royalists Association UK)
• Shivananda Vidyalayam Batticaloa OBA UK
• St. Aloysius' College Galle OBA UK
• St. Anthony's College Kandy OBA UK
• St. Benedict's College OBA UK
• St. Joseph's College Colombo OBA UK
• St. Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa OBA UK
• St. Mary's College Negombo OBA UK
• St. Michael's College Batticaloa OBA UK
• St. Patrick's College Jaffna Alumni Association UK
• St. Peter's College Colombo OBA UK
• St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa OBA UK
• St. Thomas' College Matale OBA UK
• Thurstan College OBA UK
• Trinity College Kandy OBA UK
• Vivekananda College Colombo OBA UK
• Zahira College Colombo OBA UK

Major Girl's Alumni Associations

Colombo Region Schools

• Anula Vidyalaya Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Devi Balika Vidyalaya Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Good Shepherd Convent (Kotahena) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Holy Family Convent (Bambalapitiya) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Ladies' College (Colombo) Old Girls' Association UK Branch
• Methodist College Colombo Past Pupils' Charitable Association UK
• Musaeus College Past Pupils’ Association - UK Branch
• Our Lady of Victories Convent (Moratuwa) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya Alumnae UK
• St. Bridget's Convent (Colombo) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Visakha Vidyalaya Past Pupils’ Association in the UK (VVPAUK) 

Kandy & Central Region Schools

• Girl's High School Kandy. Old Girls' Association UK
• Hillwood College (Kandy) Past Pupils' Association UK
• Mahamaya Girls' College (Kandy) OGA UK 

Southern & North-Western Region Schools

• Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya (Kurunegala) PPA UK
• Sacred Heart Convent (Galle) Past Pupils' Association UK
• Southlands College (Galle) Past Pupils' Association UK [1]

Northern & Eastern Region (Joint & Independent Chapters)

• Chundikuli Girls' College (Jaffna) – Associated under the joint Chundikuli-St. John's PPA UK
• Jaffna Hindu Ladies' College Alumni Association UK
• Vembadi Girls' High School (Jaffna) OGA UK

Why does politics have to pollute sporting events? Srianee Dias

Why does politics have to pollute sporting events?

Srianee Dias

Mirra Andreeva won the women’s singles title at the French Open yesterday (6.6.2026).  She is Russian but was competing as a ‘neutral’ athlete.  She reached the finals after defeating Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine in the semifinals.  After losing the match, Kostyuk ignored Andreeva and walked over to shake the umpire’s hand.  She chose to play against Andreeva, but like several other Ukrainian players, chose not to shake the hand of her Russian opponent.  It is difficult these days to entirely eliminate politics from sports, but it is my opinion that when players choose to compete in an event, they should act graciously towards their opponents in a sportsmanlike fashion.  The athletes are not responsible for the political conflict. 

In the finals, Mirra Andreeva defeated Maja Chwelinska of Poland 6-3, 6-2 to claim the title. She was congratulated warmly by Chwelinska.  Andreeva is only 19 years old, and this is her first Grand Slam title, although she won two major championships in 2025.  She is the youngest winner of the French Open since Monica Seles won in 1992, when she was 18.  Andreeva has personality, charm and a sense of humour.  She is a refreshing change from grumpy Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently ranked No 1. 

Sabalenka is from Belarus.  She and Andreeva have. been banned from competing in international events under their national flags.  This decision against the Russian and Belarusian athletes was made by the International Tennis Federation in 2022 when it suspended the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarusian Tennis Association from all 4 major tournaments, as well as team competition (Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup), following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.  To her credit, Sabalenka has not renounced her nationality, unlike some other athletes. I applaud her for that decision, because it probably cost her some lucrative endorsements.  I think it is unfair for hardworking athletes to be penalised for the decisions made by politicians in their respective countries. 

In the past, we’ve seen many similar situations.  South African athletes were prevented from competing in international events for many years because of the South African government’s apartheid policies.  I am told that the Pakistani and Indian cricket players do not shake hands with each other, even though they play against each other. 

The FIFA World Cup is just beginning with matches being held Canada, USA and Mexico.  Iran’s national team, Team Melli, has qualified to play, but the team is being hampered by visa problems being experienced by their players and officials.  I read that Tehran has now arranged for the Iranian team to be based in Tijuana, Mexico rather than in Arizona, USA. 

Sporting events can play a role in bridging the existing hostilities between nations. The athletes are heroes in their home countries.  Any positive experience they have during the competitions will carry over to their fans at home.  

Many athletes have also used their voices and influence outside their sporting careers.  Billy Jean King and Megan Rapinoe have fought for equal pay for female athletes. Wilma Rudolph, Muhammad Ali and Kareem Abdul Jabbar were very active in the Civil Rights Movement.  Lewis Hamilton has been championing diveristy in F1 racing.  They have that privilege and freedom, but it is my opinion that these activities should be separated from the actual sports competitions.  The sporting events should be confined to the sport, and politics should be set aside during the competitions.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026

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