Tuesday Nov 03, 2026
Tuesday Nov 03, 2026
Tuesday, 3 November 2026 04:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Volkswagen Beetle Owners’ Club held its 30th Annual General Meeting on 10 October at the Excel World, Colombo.
This year’s meeting was well represented by the club membership, and the President Peter Jasinghe called the meeting to order. A moment of silence was kept in memory of Dr. Vernon Jayaweera who passed away a few months ago and the adoption of the previous year’s AGM Minutes, along with the Annual Report and Audited Statement of Accounts was presented and unanimously approved by the members present.
The President informed the house of a Resolution that has been put forward requesting the amendment of the name of the Club to be changed from the Volkswagen Beetle Owners’ Club to the “Volkswagen Club of Sri Lanka” with effect from the date of adoption that was put forward to the house for approval. The key factor that brought forward the above resolution was that the club had over time, expanded its membership and activities to include owners, enthusiast and supporters of Volkswagen vehicles beyond the Volkswagen Beetle and considered it desirable and as such to necessitate a broader and more inclusive name that appropriately reflected the clubs present membership, objectives and activities.
The President informed the house that the club having received the resolution had obtained legal advice of the amendment and had received a “no objection” in carrying out the same and the Resolution was put forward to the house and was adopted unanimously approved by all present with a show of hands and henceforth, the club would carry out its activities under the name of the “Volkswagen Club of Sri Lanka” and the official logo of the Club was placed on display with an applause by all present.
The outgoing President thanked the members for their support and camaraderie towards the activities of the club and did mention that having gone through a thirty-year journey, the club had evolved which constituted the change of the name to create inclusivity of all Volkswagen vehicles on local soil.
Kapila Jayawardena was appointed Pro-Tem Chairman by the house, who took over the helm pending the election of office bearers for the year 2026/27, and the following were appointed to serve in the committee of the Volkswagen Club of Sri Lanka for the year 2026/27 which was unanimously approved by a show of hands by all present.
Executive Committee - David Jansze, Kumar Samarasinghe (Technical Adviser), Shehan Samarasinha (Social Media and Communications), and Sevinda Perera (Club Events)
The newly appointed President thanked the membership for the commitment shared in ensuring of the well-being of the Club which was followed by points of discussion out forward by the members under the agenda of “Any Other business” whereby many areas of concerns with regard to the sourcing of spares and services were discussed and it was noted in true “Peoples Car” spirit how the members helped one-another by sourcing hard to find spares etc which was the very underpinnings of the club.
Ruwan Punchihewa conveyed the vote of thanks where he extended his sincere thanks to the Excel World for providing the excellent facilities to hold the AGM, and to Hony. Patron for his guidance and support towards the well-being of the Club and for hosting all the meetings of the Club. He Thanked the Sponsors of our events without whom the club would not have functioned and achieved the many accolades of success with a special mention of the LOLC Group of Companies for their outstanding commitment to support the activities of the Club. To the hotels, namely the Hilton Colombo, for their annual sponsorship of the start of Pride of Ownership Drive which has carried on for many decades, the Browns Group of Hotels for their kind sponsorship of events and offering their facilities to the very best and the Mount Lavinia Hotel, who have come forward to host the Annual World Volkswagen Day Celebrations for many years and to all others who have immensely assisted the club in numerous ways that has resulted in the success of the humble little club that was formed by 8 members over thirty years ago.
He thanked the tireless efforts of the committee who take on the responsibilities in keeping the activities online despite the many hurdles and thanked the members for their commitment in upholding the activities of the club despite the many hurdles of fuel restrictions and ensure to participate at all events organised by the club which called the meeting to a close with followed by the usual fellowship and refreshments that followed at the venue.
