Brief History

The OTRFU was formed in 1997 and was the joint idea of the late Nihal (Baila) Samarasinghe (1957-1960 and Capt. 1960), Mr Arjun Dharmadasa (1971-1972) and Mr Shanaka R De Livera (1976-1979, and Vice Capt. 1979) who met at the Orient Club on 23rd March 1997 together with late Mr Lal Kumarasinghe, Mr Niroshan Samarasinghe with a view of forming the OTRFU.

The founder members at the first meeting held at the SSC on 29th June 1997 were

Mr Lal Kumarasinghe	Mr Chrishantha Perera
Mr Renganathan	Mr R Tissa Molligoda
Mr Shanaka R De Livera	Mr Sarath de Zoysa
Mr S B L Perera	Mr Devaka Wickremasuriya
Mr Ravi Mendis	Mr Ananda Welikala
Mr Asanga Seneviratne	Mr Arjun Dharmadasa
Mr Sean Dwight	Mr Michael Jayasekera
Mr Savantha R S De Saram	Mr W Flamer Caldera
Mr Charya R S De Saram	Mr C Jodashe
Mr Prabash S De Saram	Mr Michael Sproule
Mr Nihal Samarasinghe	Mr Niroshan Samarasinghe
Mr Suresh Fernando

Past Presidents :
             - The late Mr Nihal Samarasinghe (1997 to 2001)
             -  Mr Arjun Dharmadasa (2002 to 2003) 

1.      Objectives: 

1.1       To organize a fellowship of Old Boys who have represented S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia in Rugby Football.

1.2      To promote the advancement and progress of Rugby Football at S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia, within the means of the OTRFU in concurrence with the Warden of  S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia.

1.3       To provide assistance, if requested for, to any Rugby Player/s of S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia.

1.4       To raise funds in support of the aforesaid objectives.

3.         Main Activities: 

            The main activities organised annually by the OTRFU: 

3.1       The Junior Inter-House Rugby Carnival – U16, U14, U12 and U10 (1^st term).

3.2       AGM and Members Dinner (3^rd term from 2007).

3.3      The Old Boys’ Vs Present Boys Rugby Match for the Jason Martinstyne Trophy (To be held on the Old Boys weekend from 2007).

3.4       Annual Dinner  (3^rd term). 

4.         Constitution: 

The Constitution was drafted by Shanaka R de Livera and was adopted in 1998. 
The present Constitution including all amendments is given below. 

Download the OTRFU Contitution. 

 CONSTITUTION OF THE OLD THOMIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION

1.              NAME:

The name shall be the “OLD THOMIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION” (hereinafter referred to as the OTRFU). 

2.              OBJECTIVES: 

2.1            To organize a fellowship of Old Boys who have represented S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in Rugby Football. 

2.2           To promote the advancement and progress of Rugby Football at S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, within the means of the OTRFU in concurrence with the Warden of S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. 

2.3            To provide assistance, if requested for, to any Rugby Player/s of S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. 

2.4             To raise funds in support of the aforesaid objectives. 

3.               ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP: 

Any Old Boy of S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, who has represented the School at Rugby Football in any age group, shall be eligible for membership.

                                                                           Amended - 16.10.2003

The General Committee may from time to time at its absolute discretion invite any person who has been a benefactor of College Rugby, whether Old Thomian or not, to be affiliated members of the OTRFU.  Such members will not be entitled to vote or hold office or become a Committee Member of the OTRFU.  The General Committee may in its absolute discretion terminate the membership of any affiliate member and such a decision shall be communicated in writing stating the reason for termination of membership.

Amended – 16.10.2003 

1.                              MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP FEES: 

1.1           There shall be four categories of membership – HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS, ORDINARY MEMBERS, AFFILIATED MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBED LIFE MEMBERS.

Amended – 16.10.2003

 1.2           HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP–will be restricted to those members recommended by the General Committee and approved by the General Membership at a properly constituted Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. 

4.3.1          ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP – will be available on payment of an annual subscription of Rs 250/=, payable on or before 31^st March of each calendar year. 

4.3.2          AFFILIATED MEMBERSHIP – will be available only by invitation of the General Committee.

                                                                                    Amended – 16.10.2003 

4.4            SUBSCRIBED LIFE MEMBERSHIP – will also be available on payment of a lump sum amount of Rs 2,500/=.

Amended – 01.03.2000 

4.5           Any changes in the rates of Ordinary Membership and/or Subscribed Life Membership shall be decided as deemed fit, from time to time, by a resolution duly adopted at a properly constituted meeting of the General Committee which should have the approval of the General Membership at a properly constituted Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. 

4.6           Every application for membership shall be made on the prescribed “Membership Application Form” and shall be accompanied by the fee payable. 

4.7            Any member shall be suspended or expelled from membership after a full and proper inquiry, by a decision of the simple majority only of the General Committee present and voting, if found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interest of the OTRFU by the sub-committee duly appointed by the General Committee for the purpose. 

4.8            The membership fee for Old Thomians who are eligible to become members of the OTRFU and who are under 25 years of age will be Rs 100/=.

Amended 01.03.2000

ADMINISTRATION OF THE OTRFU: 

5.1             PATRON/GENERAL COMMITTEE 

PATRON: 

The Patron of the OTRFU shall be the Warden, S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. 

The immediate Past President of the OTRFU shall hold office as Immediate Past President of the OTRFU.

                                                                              Amended 16.10.2003

GENERAL COMMITTEE:

The administration of the OTRFU will be in the hands of a General Committee comprising of the following Office Bearers:

President
Two Vice Presidents (02)                          Amended 26.02.2002
Immediate Past President                        Amended 16.10.2003
Hony. Secretary
Hony. Assistant Secretary
Hony. Treasurer
Hony. Assistant Treasurer
03 Committee Members within the age group of 19-30 years.
03 Committee Members within the age group of 31-40 years.
03 Committee Members within the age group of 41-50 years.
05 Committee Members 51 years of age and above.

A minimum total of four (04) Committee Members should be elected and the total number in the General Committee shall be ten (10).

                                                                 Amended 26.02.2002

The General Committee shall be appointed at an Annual General Meeting each year.  

5.2            The General Committee shall meet at least once in every two (02) months and shall be summoned by the Hony. Secretary or the Hony. Assistant Secretary giving at least seven (07) days notice. 

5.3             The quorum for a General Committee Meeting shall be five (05).

Amended 20.02.2002 

5.4            Any Committee Member who does not attend three consecutive General Committee Meetings shall be deemed to have vacated his place on the General Committee. 

5.5             Any vacancies, which occur on the General Committee, shall be filled by persons nominated by the General Committee. 

5.6            The General Committee shall appoint Sub-Committees as may be deemed necessary, from time to time, and outline their functions.  Such Sub-Committees shall consist of a maximum of ten (10) members and shall be chaired by a member of the General Committee, duly appointed by the General Committee. 

5.7            The Sub-Committee/s, at their discretion, may co-opt other members of the OTRFU, non-members, Old Boys of S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia and well wishers. 

5.8            Only members who have been awarded 1^st XV Rugby Colours will be eligible to seek election to the post of President and Vice President (02).

Amended 01.03.2000

4               HONY. SECRETARY/HONY. ASSISTANT SECRETARY

The Hony Secretary and Hony. Assistant Secretary shall carry out their functions subject to the direction of the President and the General Committee.

The Hony. Secretary shall maintain proper minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the OTRFU as well as send out notices regarding the convening of all meetings of the OTRFU.

The Hony. Assistant Secretary will assist the Hony. Secretary and will be entitled to carry on duties entrusted to the Hony. Secretary in the event of the Hony. Secretary being unable to carry out his functions due to any reasons whatsoever, if so directed by the President and the General Committee.

7.               HONY. TREASURER/HONY. ASSISTANT TREASURER:

The Hony. Treasurer will maintain a true and proper record of the finances of the OTRFU and the attendant Books of Account for such purpose.

The Hony. Treasurer would also be required to present to the General Membership, at each Annual General Meeting, a Financial Report and Statement of Accounts for the last financial year, duly audited by the Auditors appointed at the last Annual General Meeting.  The accounting year for the OTRFU will be from 01^st January to 31^st December in each year or any other period duly approved by the General Committee.

The Hony. Assistant Treasurer will assist the Hony. Treasurer and will be entitled to carry on duties entrusted to the Hony. Treasurer in the event of the Hony. Treasurer being unable to carry out his functions due to any reasons whatsoever, if so directed by the President and the General Committee. 

8.              BANK ACCOUNTS AND AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES:

8.1             The name and style of the Bank Account/s shall be “OLD THOMIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION”.

 8.2            The authorized signatories of all accounts shall be: 

The Hony. Treasurer

and

The President or either of the Vice Presidents

or

The Hony. Secretary or the Hony. Assistant Secretary. 

9.               ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: 

9.1             The Annual General Meeting of the OTRFU shall be held not later than end November each year either at Colombo or Mount Lavinia.

Amended 31.03.2005

9.2             Not less than fourteen (14) days notice shall be given of an Annual General Meeting, indicating the date, time and venue of such meeting.

9.3             The Hony. Secretary shall send each member of the OTRFU, together with the notice calling the meeting, a copy of the Agenda for the meeting and copies of the Financial Report and Statement of Accounts in respect of the last financial year.

9.4             The Agenda of an Annual General Meeting shall include inter-alia: 

1.   Adoption of minutes of the last Annual General Meeting.

2.   Adoption of the Financial Report and Statement of Accounts in respect of the last financial year. 

3.   Election of Office Bearers for the ensuing year. 

4.   Appointment of Auditors. 

9.5            The President, or in his absence, the Vice President, or in his absence, a member elected by the general membership shall preside at each Annual General Meeting. 

9.6             The Presiding Officer shall have a Casting Vote in the event of a tie in voting. 

9.7            Any member who has not paid his subscription for the preceding year shall not be entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting. 

9.8             The quorum for an Annual General Meeting shall be twenty five percent (25%) of the registered membership or twelve (12) members whichever is lower. 

                                                               Amended 26.02.2002

10.             SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS:

10.1          A Special General Meeting of the OTRFU shall be summoned by the Hony. Secretary, on the direction of the President and General Committee or upon a written request made by twenty five (25) members, specifically stating the purpose for which such meeting is being summoned.

10.2          Not less than fourteen (14) days notice shall be given to members and the Hony. Secretary, shall set out in the said notice, the purpose for which such meeting is being summoned.

10.3          The quorum required for a Special General Meeting shall be as for an Annual General Meeting.

10.4          Only the specified item of business as set out in the Notice calling the meeting shall be transacted at a Special General Meeting.

10.5           Sub-Clauses 9.5 to 9.7 applicable to Annual General Meetings shall be applicable in respect of Special General Meetings.

11.             GENERAL:

11.1           With the exception of amendments to the Constitution of the OTRFU which shall require a two thirds (2/3) majority of the members present and voting at a properly constituted Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, the decision/s of the General Committee shall be by a simple majority of the Office Bearers present at a properly constituted meeting of the General Committee.

11.2           All voting at a meeting of the General Committee, an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting shall be by a show of hands.