The Diyawanna Knights, a group comprising old boys of Thurstan College, Colombo, recently held an event to honour Dinesh Kulatunga, who was the recipient of the “Special Book Award of China 2022.”

The event, held on 30 June, marked a significant milestone for the Thurstan College community, as Kulatunga is the first Sri Lankan publisher to be honoured with this accolade. Kulatunga is the chairman of Neptune Publications, a founding member of Diyawanna Knights, and the former secretary of the Thurstan College Old Boys’ Union.

The ‘Special Book Award of China’ award ceremony was held on 14 June in Beijing, China, and marked a significant milestone not only for Kulatunga but also for the entire South Asian region, the Diyawanna Knights stated.

The event, graced by esteemed guests, witnessed the presence of the chief guest Priya Paranavitane, along with guests of honour Bhathiya Seebert and Suren Abeygunasekera, both senior alumni of Thurstan College. They addressed the gathering and extended their warm greetings to Kulatunga on his outstanding achievement.

At a recent event held to honour ‘Special Book Award of China 2022’ recipient Dinesh Kulatunga

At the event, Kulatunga shed light on the profound impact of the Special Book Award of China on his life. Established in 2002, the award aims to recognise individuals from foreign countries who have played a pivotal role in promoting Chinese culture worldwide and fostering intercultural communication between China and other nations. As a recipient of this award, Kulatunga is not only showcasing his exceptional accomplishments but also highlighting the prowess and excellence nurtured at Thurstan College, the Diyawanna Knights stated.

His recognition on an international platform serves as an inspiration for aspiring individuals and further solidifies the college’s reputation for producing outstanding individuals, they added, sharing that Thurstan College was taking immense pride in Kulatunga’s accomplishment.

Kulatunga stated that he was extremely honoured to be the receiver of the award, and that he was grateful for the recognition he has received for the work in promoting and disseminating books for kids, young adults, and others from all walks of life.

Addressing the gathering, Diyawanna Knights Secretary Abey Perera highlighted the tradition of celebrating the achievements of fellow Thurstanites throughout the years. He expressed the importance of coming together as a family to rejoice in the successes of their brethren, fostering a deep bond that has endured over generations. The felicitation event served as a continuation of this time-honoured tradition, further strengthening the ties that bind the Thurstan College community.

Attendees were also treated to a video greeting from M.D.D. Peiris, who joined Thurstan College in 1950 as part of the first batch enrolled. Peiris served as the Secretary to former Prime Minister Sirimawo Bandaranaike and was the former Secretary of Education. He emphasised the importance of the prestigious award from China.