Fun in the sun at VW’s 17th Pride of Ownership Drive

The Volkswagen Beetle Owners Club held its 17th Pride of Ownership Drive on Sunday 10 April. The venue for the start was the Hilton Colombo. The hotel has come forward for over a decade to sponsor the start of the event, which has become somewhat a traditional start to the Pride of Ownership Drives organised by the VW Beetle owners Club. 

Members of all ages in VW Beetles of all ages flocked to the Sports Center car park of the Hilton Colombo to be greeted by their fellow mates at the recorders’ table which was ably assisted by ladybugs who were mostly the wives of the members who did a marvelous job in sorting out the formalities of the event. The Hilton had laid out a complimentary breakfast to all prior to the group photograph that was taken moments before the ‘Choks On’ was called to order by Peter Jasinghe, President of the Club.

The line-up was put into order and the ‘Lady of the Moment’ Gigi De Silva, Manager Corporate Communications of Hilton Colombo, did the honors by flagging off the 17th Annual Pride of Ownership Drive that got off with a flying start. 

Beetles of all ages were followed by the vans and the new Beetles that took the high road with a rare VW Trecker that headed the procession along the Galle Road with a water top and three more pit stops en-route to the venue, Eden Resort & Spa, Beruwala.

The motorcade took a right and headed to the sunny beaches of Beruwala and settled in a line with the great Indian Ocean in the backdrop which brought out much amazement and interest mostly among German tourists who were astounded by the sight of so many VWs in one location.

The Eden had put up an excellent show in keeping to the New Year festivities which a Mahadhana Muttha and his Lady who welcomed the visitors to the garden of Eden with a thirst-quenching concoction to cool off from the mid-day sun.

This was followed by a traditional game of tug o’ war Beetle style which included two VWs and teams who had the mighty task of having to pull a car across the line which was a fun-filled event for all.

This was followed by many traditional New Year festivity games for the adults and kids which was followed by a sumptuous buffet spread including the delicacies from the seas that was enjoyed by all. 

A minute of silence was held in memory of a son of a member who lost his life due to the dengue epidemic a few weeks ago.

This was followed by a few speeches and the awards ceremony with a special club giveaway of a toolset presented to each participant. A special award was given to Prematilake who has been in the business of repairing VW Beetles for over 50 years who also celebrated his birthday on this day.

In his vote of thanks Ruwan Punchihewa, Vice President of the Club, thanked the Main Sponsor, LOLC Group of Companies, and especially Kapila Jayawardena for his unstinted support in assisting the activities of the club. He also thanked the Hilton Colombo for its kind sponsorship of the start of the event and Eksath Wijeratne and his team at Eden Resort and Spa for the fabulous spread and the ambience that would linger in the minds of all who participated.

He also thanked President of the Club Peter Jasinghe, Vice President Ruwan Weerawardana, Treasurer Lasath Pathirannahe and Club Secretary Nalin Perera and a special word of thanks to the committee comprising Mahesh Mallawaratchi, David Janzse, Kumar Samarasinghe and Mahika Chandrasena for all their efforts in ensuring a resounding success of 17 years of pride to the VW Beetle Owners Club.