STCSAC members connect with their DO from 1993

Eight years later we meet again.

Last we met was October 25, 2013 to celebrate 20 years of diving and eight years later, we meet to celebrate a dream come true of becoming a BSAC branch. A meeting of founder/present members and one of two founding Diving Officers (DO) took place February 15, 2021 at the Old Thomians' Swimming Club in celebration of this achievement and the future progress of the Club.

The meeting/social gathering was called to order at 8:00 pm with the President Ravin Gunawardana in the chair but not of formal conduct as one would at a general meeting. It was a meeting of founder and present members getting together with their once scuba instructor to catchup since we last met, reminisce the good old days and to have a good time.

Present time DO Yohan Abeyesekera, welcomed and thanked all those present at the meeting and introduced Mr Srilal Perera, his DO (1993-2000) to the membership after his time. "This is the instructor who failed my A Test (a group of 6 tests comprising of swimming fitness and water skills) that were completed without a problem and was yet failed due to my mild panting" said he.

He then officially informed the members that the STCSAC had after long last become a British Sub-Aqua Club Branch achieving yet another milestone in the history of the club and a dream come true to its founder members as to become a branch back then was much sort after but a costly affair.

After many a memorable story and few good drinks the get together finally came to a close well past midnight with our hearts and minds set on planning the next big event, our 30 year anniversary celebrations in October of 2023.

Founder and Present Members of the STCSAC

Back (L to R)

Samantha Wickramasinghe (Founder President), Vajira Ramanayake (Member), Wayne De Silva (Past President), Nishan Perera (Past Secretary), Nilka Dabare (Founder Secretary), Manjula Bollegala (Founder Treasurer), Harin Gabrial (Invitee), Revan Wickramasuriya (Founder Member), Ravin Gunawardana (President).

Front (L to R)

Jason Senanayake (Secretary), Hefraz Hezbullah (Founder Member), Yohan Abeyesekera (DO), Mr Srilal Perera (DO 1993-2000), Dilsiri Walikala (Past Secretary), Sajeev De Silva (Past President), Rusiru Doraliyagoda (Member).

Author: STCSAC | Posted Feb 19, 2021