The OBA
- California Branch was the first Sri Lankan
Alumni Association to be formed in the USA in
1983. Dr. Lareef Idroos and a few other alumni
– to name a few… Elroy Peiris, Rohan
Wangatunge, the later Alfred Hapuarachchi and
Ananda Niyarepola, took the initiative in
bringing together Old Thomians living in
California and spearheaded the formation of
this organization. The organization was dormant
for a year or so and later revived in style
with a dinner meeting at Michael's Restaurant,
Hollywood - in 1989. Since then the
organization changed its name to OTAC (Old
Thomians Association of California) and has
grown from strength to strength. The main
attraction and the fund raiser is the Dinner
Dance – which was an annual event initially,
but changed to a Bi-Annual since the community
was being saturated by Alumni dances. The
Christmas Party for kids and Sports Fund
raisers are other events organized by OTAC.
The Royal Thomian Cricket Encounter had been one of the key factors for the existence of OTAC. The traditional cricket match was first played in 1989 and since then has been played for 19 years consecutively. The Old Thomians won the 19th Royal Thomian played on May 26, 2007 and registered our 13th (3rd consecutive) victory. A joint Royal Thomian fellowship get together will be initiated from the 20th encounter onwards.
At present there are 142 Old Thomians registered in the OTAC data base. They consist of Old Boys from Mount Lavinia, and the branches in Gurutalawa, Bandarawela and Kollupitiya. The Executive Committee of OTAC consists of 17 members including the immediate Past President. All Past Presidents are invited to be members of the Executive Committee. Office Bearers and Sub Committee Members are appointed upon invitation every two years.
The year 2007 is dedicated to regroup the Old Thomians living on the west coast of North America. A website with updated information is now available on www.thomians.com. A separate page for membership issues is posted to emphatically communicate with members regarding the new membership drive. Members consist of Life Members and Regular Members. Regular membership is renewable every two years. OTAC is now offering to members a free of charge email address through this web site in the format of {your name}@thomians.com.
The Old Thomians Association of California has been in existence for the past 24 years due to the dedication, commitment and devotion of all Executive Committee members who have served OTAC in various capacities. The success of OTAC has been the distinctive support and encouragement given by the members.
The Royal Thomian Cricket Encounter had been one of the key factors for the existence of OTAC. The traditional cricket match was first played in 1989 and since then has been played for 19 years consecutively. The Old Thomians won the 19th Royal Thomian played on May 26, 2007 and registered our 13th (3rd consecutive) victory. A joint Royal Thomian fellowship get together will be initiated from the 20th encounter onwards.
At present there are 142 Old Thomians registered in the OTAC data base. They consist of Old Boys from Mount Lavinia, and the branches in Gurutalawa, Bandarawela and Kollupitiya. The Executive Committee of OTAC consists of 17 members including the immediate Past President. All Past Presidents are invited to be members of the Executive Committee. Office Bearers and Sub Committee Members are appointed upon invitation every two years.
The year 2007 is dedicated to regroup the Old Thomians living on the west coast of North America. A website with updated information is now available on www.thomians.com. A separate page for membership issues is posted to emphatically communicate with members regarding the new membership drive. Members consist of Life Members and Regular Members. Regular membership is renewable every two years. OTAC is now offering to members a free of charge email address through this web site in the format of {your name}@thomians.com.
The Old Thomians Association of California has been in existence for the past 24 years due to the dedication, commitment and devotion of all Executive Committee members who have served OTAC in various capacities. The success of OTAC has been the distinctive support and encouragement given by the members.
S. Thomas' College Mount
Lavinia
S. Thomas' College Bandarawela
S. Thomas' College Gurutalawala
S. Thomas' Preparatory College Kollupitiya
S. Thomas' College Bandarawela
S. Thomas' College Gurutalawala
S. Thomas' Preparatory College Kollupitiya