Aravinda initiates Award on his Guru’s birth anniversary | Sunday Observer

Aravinda initiates Award on his Guru’s birth anniversary

22 October, 2017
Aravinda de Silva addressing the assembly
Aravinda de Silva addressing the assembly

Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka’s elite cricketer and the match winner of the 1996 world cup final, recalling the influence R.I.T.Alles had on his success, said that teachers of the calibre of Mr. Alles should be considered as nation builders.

He said that his late Father, Sam de Silva, who had been a teacher of Mr. Alles and his wife, Anushka de Silva who is also a teacher have contributed in numerous ways to make him what he is today. Aravinda observed that the teachers of this country, unfortunately, are not given their due recognition.

In honour of all dedicated and committed teachers, he said, that he wishes to contribute One Million Rupees to initiate an annual teacher award which will be open to all teachers of Sri Lanka.

Aravinda was the Guest of Honour at the Founder’s Day celebration at Gateway College Colombo. Every year, on the 3rd of October, the birthday of R.I.T.Alles, the Gateway Colleges celebrate the event as an act of gratitude and to reflect on the values that have been inculcated by its founder who undoubtedly has made a tremendous contribution not only to Gateway College, D.S. Senanayake College, Royal College and Zahira College where he served but to the entire country as the State Secretary of Education.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Harsha Alles said that even though Gateway students excel in many aspects, be it academics, sports or co-curricular activities, the identity of a Gateway student will remain to be that of disciplined student who is respectful to his parents and teachers and someone who embraces the values and the traditions of this beautiful country that is enriched with many races and religions. He said, in short, it is all about following Mr. Alles’ footsteps. Dr. Alles, while thanking Aravinda de Silva, his school time friend, said that the Annual Teacher Award will be made a part of the International Forum for Teachers (IFT) that is spearheaded by Gateway Graduate School.

IFT has had the blessings of the Ministry of Education and is supported by many leaders of the Private Education sector.

The announcement of the criteria of the award will be made in January 2018 and the first award is expected to be presented in June 2018. 

 

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