Olcott Oration

December 7, 2019, 4:39 pm

Col. Olcott was instrumental in establishing the Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society and became its founding president. The mission of the Society included the establishment of orphanages and homes for the aged and to grant assistance to people affected by natural disasters, said Maithri Panagoda, an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

Col. Olcott made representations to the British colonial government on behalf of the Sinhala Buddhist community. He played a vital role during the Buddhist Christian riots at Kotahena in 1883 to bring the perpetrators to justice. We are the proud recipients of his lifelong dedication and commitment for the good of all people, he noted.

An old Anandian, Panagoda was delivering the Olcott Oration 2019, one of key events in connection with the Founder’s Day celebrations of Ananda College, which marks its 133rd anniversary. The theme of this year’s Oration was “Achieving Social Justice through the Rule of Law”.

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Col. Henry Steele Olcott

Col. Henry Steele Olcott clamoured and awakened a nation that was fast asleep without any vigour to rise up. He was the pioneer who agitated to give due place to Buddhism and the reformer who compelled the colonial government that existed at that time to declare the Vesak Full Moon Day, a public holiday. He was the architect who designed the six coloured Buddhist Flag that has gained universal recognition. He was one of the pioneers responsible for the establishment of National Schools such as Ananda College.

As part of the 133rd anniversary celebrations of establishment of Ananda College, Colombo, Ananda College remembers founders including Col. Henry Steele Olcott who was able to create history through his immeasurable service towards the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Ananda College Old Boys’ Association organises Olcott Oration on a timely theme every year as a part of celebrations of the founders.

This year, the Olcott Oration is scheduled to be held tomorrow (Nov. 23) at the Kularatne Auditorium, Ananda College. The event is to be started at 4 p.m. This year, the oration will be delivered by Maithri Panagoda. Maithri is a distinguished Old Anandian based in Australia and a successful lawyer who is fighting for the rights of the Australian Aboriginal Community. He has written many articles on legal matters and edited chapters of the Lawyers Practice Manual and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Maithri has been made a member of the Order of Australia (AM). He received the award from the Governor General of Australia on Queen’s birthday in 2016. In the Australian Honours’ System, appointments to the Order of Australia confer recognition for outstanding achievement and service. It is awarded for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement.

Maithri will deliver this year’s Oration on the topic “Achieving Social Justice through the Rule of Law”.Read more →

World history finds its greatness and attraction through the services rendered by philanthropists. A person whoever he is, achieves greatness through ideologies borne in his mind and to the extent of effectiveness and favourable consequences resulting therefrom.

Maithri Panagoda

Col. Henry Steele Olcot

If there was any person who was capable of uplifting the Sinhala Buddhists who were helpless due to colonial rule, although their forefathers enjoyed sublime virtues enriched with the advent of Arahath Mahinda, his achievement in re-establishing a golden era in this country makes him really great and sublime.

Col. Henry Steele Olcott clamoured and awakened a nation that was fast asleep without any vigour to rise up. He was the pioneer who agitated to give due place to Buddhism and the reformer who compelled the colonial government that existed at that time to declare the Vesak Full Moon Day, a public holiday. He was the architect who designed the six coloured Buddhist Flag that has gained universal recognition. He was one of the pioneers responsible for the establishment of National Schools such as Ananda College.

As part of the 133rd anniversary celebrations of establishment of Ananda College, Colombo, it is our duty to remember our founders including Col. Henry Steele Olcott who was able to create history through his immeasurable service towards the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.  Ananda College Old Boys’ Association organizes Olcott Oration on a timely theme every year as a part of celebrations of the founders.

This year, the Olcott Oration is scheduled to be held on 23 November at the Kularatne Auditorium, Ananda College. The event is to be started at 4 p.m. This year, the oration will be delivered by Maithri Panagoda. Maithri is a distinguished Old Anandian based in Australia and a successful lawyer who is fighting for the rights of the Australian Aboriginal Community. He has written many articles on legal matters and edited chapters of the Lawyers Practice Manual and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Maithri has been made a member of the Order of Australia (AM). He received the award from the Governor General of Australia on Queen’s birthday in 2016. In the Australian Honours System, appointments to the Order of Australia confer recognition for outstanding achievement and service. It is awarded for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement.

Maithri will deliver this year’s Oration on the topic “Achieving Social Justice through the Rule of Law”.Read more →

The Olcott Oration in remembrance of Col Henry Steele Olcott, a founder of Ananda College Colombo, was held at the college hall yesterday.

The oration was delivered by Maithri Panagoda, an Old Anandian based in Australia and a lawyer who is fighting for the rights of the Australian Aboriginal Community. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame in Australia.

Mr Panagoda is seen here delivering the oration.