It is with great pleasure and pride that I address you as the current President of the Alumni Association of BLE/BLM of the Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA) University of Colombo.  I would like to say with great humility and pride that I am a product of this institute. If I have achieved any success in my professional career today, I will certainly give all the credit to this institution with my sincere gratitude. It is not an easy task to express the extent to which this university has contributed to the foundation and milestone of my professional life, and it would be unforgettable.

On behalf of the association, I extend a warm invitation to all BLE/BLM alumni to join our vibrant membership. By becoming a member, you will gain access to a range of benefits, including networking events, professional development opportunities and the chance to contribute to the future of IHRA. We believe that a strong and engaged alumni network is crucial for the continued success of both our members and the institute. Our online presence to facilitate better communication and engagement amongst alumni. We encourage you to visit our website and social media channels to stay updated on our activities and initiatives. We value your participation and look forward to your active involvements in our association. Together, we can continue to strengthen the IHRA community and make a lasting impact.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the current Director Prof. Sagara Chandrasekara and academic and non-academic staff of the IHRA for their unwavering support and commitment to fostering a strong relationship with the alumni association. Their collaborative spirit and dedication to the institute’s growth are truly commendable. We will work closely with the institute to identify areas where alumni can contribute to its development and success.

I also pay tribute to the pioneers of our association including the names of first president Mr. Narada Alwis and first Secretary Mr. Jinaka Jayasinghe and all other brothers and sisters who contributed for their commitment and efforts. Their vision and dedication laid the foundation for the thriving community we enjoy today. We are committed to building upon their legacy and ensuring that the association continues to serve its members and the institute for generations to come.

I wish all of you, the proud members of our association, and our esteemed institution for every success.

Institute of Workers’ Education was established under the ordinance no.11 of 1975. Then it was re-names as the Institute of Human Resources Advancement. There was no Alumni Association established from 1975 to 2017.

But in 2017, the Alumni Association was founded with a few Alumni. Accordingly, there was a get together on 7th October 2017 in Dehiwela Golden Beach Resort Hotel with 21 Alumni.

There, BLE API Associate Foundation was formed with the proposal of Narada Alwis and with fullest support of Jinaka Jayasinghe with the idea of establishing an Alumni Association in future. Also, below officers were named temporarily;

• President        –           Mr. Narada Alwis
• Secretary         –           Mr. Jinaka Jayasinghe
• Treasurer        –           Mrs. B. K. S. Anuruddika

Channa Karunaratne, Sunil Abeythunga, Desika Hemamala, Kalyanapriya, Achintha Kodikara, Chanaka Kumanayaka and other brothers and sisters planned some future plans with lots of obstacles. As a result of it the first constitution of BLE API Associate Foundation was prepared. Though it was difficult to gather Alumni, promoting of Alumni Association has been fruitful by now.

The first Annual General Meeting was held on 28^th January 2018 in Young Mens’ Buddhist Association hall in Borella and only 16 alumni attended to it. Without hesitating we got encouraged and organized. We as an Association attended to amendments of constitution, logo, letterhead, vouchers and receipts books, opening a bank account for money transactions. Then a trip to “Riverston” was arranged on 27^th July 2018 as a promoting of the Association.

Later there were awareness programs for 2018 final year students.

A Special General Meeting was conducted in 2018 year itself in Public Library – Colombo on 16/9/2018. The aim of having same was to inform all Alumni, enrolling the new members and to widen the organization. Alumni in various fields attended and it was discussed to gather the alumni in all years by a program through the attendees. 33 Alumni attended.

In 2019, The Director of Institution of Human Resources Advancement (IHRA) Prof. J. A. S. K. Jayakody blessed the Association and allowed us to use the committee ball for our meetings. Also he encouraged Alumni by ensuring his support for the advancement of the Association.

Later few Karaka Sabha meetings were held and necessary amendments to constitution were made to establish Alumni Association. President of Colombo University main Alumni Association and Director of IHRA have given us lots of courage to promote the Alumni Association.

After being informed of the activities of the Association through notices through newspapers, we arranged a Get together at “Radawana Wasala Resort” on 12^th January 2019. It was a memorable day with lots of fun and activities with 50 members. Director of IHRA too attended to same and encouraged the Alumni. He too announced that University’s Academic Syndicate accepted our establishing the Alumni Association.

Later there was an Annual General Meeting held on 19^th February 2019 in the Auditorium of IHRA. It was successfully conducted with the help of staff and with the main guest the Director of IHRA. By now we have members up to 80 and the Alumni Association of Bachelor of Labour Education was legally started on that day.

Standing Committees

Five members are in the Committee (including one Committee member)

1. Education and Post Education Committee
2. Public relations and Alumni welfare Committee
3. Disciplinary Committee
4. Finance Committee
5. Students Welfare Committee

Responsibilities of Standing Committees

1. The Committee on continuing Education and Post Education Committee shall act as a consultative Committee to the University.
2. The Committee on Public relations and Alumni welfare Committee shall promote better relations between the University, the Association and the Community through publication, meetings, seminars, workshops and discussions through mass media.
3. Disciplinary Committee shall maintain discipline within the Association and to forward the decisions and recommendations which were taken by the Committee to the Executive Committee.
4. The Committee on Finance shall plan the income and expenditure for the year and formulate proposals for raising funds for the activities, projects and programs of the Association.
5. The Committee of Student welfare shall promote relationship between the Alumni and the students of the University. It shall, from time to time, inquire into and report on student welfare services within the University and formulate proposals for their improvement.

Membership

To be a BLE & BLM graduate in University of Colombo.

An alumni who is going to be a member should complete the form which is annexed as ‘A’ and hand it over to the Secretary agreeing to the conditions therein. The date of payment of the membership fee will be the date of membership obtained.

Any member can apply for the lifetime membership.

Application for Membership

 Rights of members

• To receive all communication from the Secretary.
• To vote
• To propose and second the suggestions
• To be eligible to receive the sponsors by the Association
• To complain to the Executive Committee or to the General Committee

Alumni Association of BLE & BLM

Institute of Human Resource Advancement,
University of Colombo,
No: 275, Bauddhaloka Mawatha,
Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.

Email: bleblmalumni@ihra.cmb.ac.lk/alumniassociationofble@gmail.com