Features

The migration of S. Thomas’ College from Mutwal to Mt. Lavinia

Published

2 years ago

2024/05/26

Thilina Walpola

R.S. de Saram was one of the first boys Hulugalle got to know when he entered St Thomas' College Mutwal in 1908

(Excerpted from Selected Journalism by HAJ Hulugalle)

The Editor has invited me to write something about the migration of St. Thomas’ College 50 years ago from Mutwal to Mount Lavinia. To do so I would have to begin at the beginning of my connection with the College.

I joined the Mutwal school as a boarder in January 1908. Among the boys I came to know then were Arthur Ranasingha, always a keen and diligent scholar, and R. S. de Saram, already showing the promise which made him the best all-rounder, in work, sports and leadership, produced by S. Thomas’.

The numbers of the Upper School and Lower School together in those days could not have been more than 400, and Warden Stone kept track of every boy. There were probably a 150 boarders in the four large dormitories and Winchester which housed the smaller boys. E. Navaratnam, perhaps the greatest of Thomian house-masters, wrote in the Centenary Number of the school magazine that “the boarding house system, then as now, was the focal point around which all College activities revolved.” This was because the boarders came from all parts of the Island, and formed a compact and disciplined community.

The dormitory masters were, besides Mr. Navaratnam, two Englishmen, the Rev. Handel Smith and C. W. B. Arnold, and O. P. Gooneratne. Miss Treason was Matron and was also in charge of Winchester. Many of those who were in the Matron’s dormitory, like Sam Elapata, Roy Jayasundara and Gordon Jan, are dead. A close friend of over 60 years, Leo Goonewardene, kinsman and near neighbour at Kurunegala, had a school career parallel to mine. He still preserves the elegant stance which distinguished his batting when he played for the College. He rarely misses Old Boys’ Day or the Royal-Thomian cricket match.

Mr. Christie-David, my first class-master, was something of an artist. He set a standard in map-making of which the Survey Department would not be ashamed and which some of the boys managed to reach, no doubt with help from their elders. He believed in the tonic effects of an occasional caning and sent up a few boys every Friday afternoon to stand in the line in the Warden’s study and receive their medicine. I had only a single experience of this treatment with a modest dose of four cuts.

Our new science master, C. W. B. Arnold, taught us enough chemistry in the Upper Third (fifth standard) to cope with any paper set for the Junior Cambridge (eighth standard) and laid a good foundation which stood in good stead in later years.

Mr. R. W. Evans was the head master of the Lower School, and he saw to it that no boy was issued a new exercise book unless the used one, which was handed in, had been neatly kept. He was a good musician and played the organ at the Cathedral which was in a part of the College premises. The boarders attended matins there every morning before breakfast.

Both Arnold and Evans afterwards joined business firms and prospered. The Rev. G. B. Ekanayake, the Principal of the Divinity School, was part of the College establishment. Warden Stone, the Sub-Warden (first the Rev. O. J. C. Beven), Mr. Ekanayake and sometimes Bishop E. A. Copleston, preached the sermons at Sunday evensong which were well above the heads of most of the boys.

Before I reached the Upper School I left St. Thomas’ and joined my brother at Trinity. Four generations of my family have now been to Trinity. When I went there the Principal was A.G. Fraser, a dynamic Scot who, like Arnold of Rugby, believed in a muscular Christianity. There were more activities at Trinity than at St. Thomas’ with perhaps less emphasis on scholarship even though Trinity had some superb teachers like W.S. Senior, N.P. Campbell and Lemuel. Life was less cloistered there and one got to know more about what was going on in the country.

In the midst of many distractions my work suffered. So I went back to St. Thomas’, to work harder and try to catch up with boys from whom I had parted company a few years earlier. By their standard of scholarship, I was gawky. My Latin was mediocre and I could not construe Virgil with the ease of those, like L.W. de Silva, who had been taught by C.V. Pereira and the Warden himself. How I wish I had had the benefit of the discipline exercised by C.V. Pereira, Navaratnam and O.P. Gooneratne!

I had no trouble with Mathematics and Science, and did not feel disgraced when I was placed below Ranasinha and R. S. de Saram in the Arndt Memorial English Prize for which I made a determined try. There was a crop of brilliant students in the College Form who had read widely. It was, for example said that E.B. Wikramanayake had read every book in the school library.

Many of the science students got distinctions in Latin in the Senior Cambridge Examination. Latin was a sine qua non in those days. The brighter boys had their eye on the English University Scholarships awarded on the results of the Inter Arts and Inter Science Examinations of the London University. To sit for them one had to pass the London Matriculation or gain an exemption from it, which meant passing in an extra language, ‘dead’ or `living’, and in most schools it was Latin. Every Thomian knew some Latin which was started very early. It was compulsory even in the Five A Form, a special enclave for non-scholars.

The story is told of S.J.K. Crowther, formerly Editor of the Ceylon Daily News”, of his first encounter with D.S. Senanayake, our first Prime Minister. Crowther was a new boy and at a test examination he turned to his burly neighbour, whose name he did not know, and enquired surreptitiously how the Latin noun “res” was declined. Senanayake whispered: “yes, rem, yetis, rete.” When his paper was scrutinised by Mr. Handel Smith, Crowther was in no position to give the source of his error.

Some of the most famous teachers in Thomian history moved with the school from Mutwal to Mt. Lavinia; among them C. V. Pereira and Navaratnam (both old Trinitians), O. P. Gooneratne and H.J. Wijesinghe, (Royalists), Leonard Arndt, H.D. Jansz, E.S.D. Ohlmus and George Amarasinghe. The Sub-Warden, the Rev. P. L. Jansz, who had acquired the gift of tongues was a fascinating teacher. He knew more Sinhalese than the Sinhalese boys and more Tamil than the Tamil boys. In addition, he knew French, German, Italian, Spanish and Hebrew.

He was supposed to teach the Inter class English texts but he wandered into so many exciting fields of knowledge that the less diligent boys were never able to master their texts. George Amarasinghe, still hail and hearty in his eighties, was a great mathematics teacher, fully in the tradition of his predecessors like Warden Miller, J.R. Jayatilaka and T.N. Nathanielsz.

I was a prefect of Copleston House which was separated from the main precincts by a noisome jungle. Mr. H. J. Wijesinghe, our dormitory master was Captain in command of the Cadet Corp. He kept a pony which he used to ride at the head of the column during route marches. In his absence some of the more daring boys initiated themselves into the art of horseback-riding. C. H. Davidson was one of the boys in Copleston House in my time.

It is sometimes said, especially by those of the older generation, that a Sixth Form or College Form boy 50 years ago had a better education than the average undergraduate of today. Those who left after the Inter had no difficulty in getting the London degree by private study. The Colombo University College was started in 1920 and the University twenty years later. Most of us were quite ignorant of Ceylon history and proficiency in Sinhalese and Tamil were rare. But one could say with confidence that the discipline of the subjects taught, and taught with thoroughness, had a greater character-forming influence than the loaded syllabuses of today. A boy sitting for the Junior Cambridge, for example, was more at home with the English Language than many a graduate of today.

Even the most ardent nationalism must now realize that, under modern conditions, every educated person needs to have a command of English or other world language which unlocks the treasure house of knowledge and which neither Sinhalese or Tamil will be able to do for a long time to come. Rich in certain respects, our national languages are inadequate to meet the demands of higher education, especially in science and technology. There is thus no alternative to an effective bilingualism.

It is noteworthy that the bigots who would exclude English are the first to ensure that their own children get it! With English as the medium of instruction, the schools were available to surmount the barriers of language and geography. Communal differences were dissolved and it meant nothing that a boy came from Batticaloa or Galle. The price paid for this unity was the gulf that was created between the elite and the masses.

Yet, St. Thomas’ produced many of the political leaders of the first half of the century. They were adept at mixing with the masses and found no difficulty in haranguing them in the language which the populace understood. Indeed they seemed to have learnt something from Cicero and Demosthenes in the demagogue’s art.

There is of course much greater control of education by the government now, and the schools are no longer autonomous. The official policy seems to be to gear the pace of the caravan to the speed of the slowest camel. The flow of brilliant European teachers has been arrested. Classes are often unwieldy in number. Good books in the national languages are few. The spectre of unemployment leads to early specialization but science teachers are lacking.

In these circumstances, if a boy does not wish to be left behind he must not only be prepared to work hard; he must plan his program of studies with the best advice available to him. Unless this challenge is met successfully, the justification for private schools will disappear.

(This was first published in the S. Thomas’ College Jubilee Number in 1968)

R.S. de Saram was one of the first boys Hulugalle got to know when he entered St Thomas’ College Mutwal in 1908.

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Features

Complexities in global politics deepen as economic pressures intensify

Published

13 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. (BBC)

The present offer by the UK to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the missile technology field in particular comes as ‘a stitch in time’ and the initiative is also likely to be appreciated considerably by democratic opinion world wide for the possible morale-boosting effect it would have on Ukraine. Besides continuous arms support, the conviction that the world’s frontline democracies are behind it would prove a huge plus in Ukraine’s eyes in its grinding fightback against the Russian invasion.

While continued US support for Ukraine could not be considered ‘a given’ any more, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s words during a recent visit to Kyiv that the UK would stand by Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’ is the kind of assurance that Ukraine needs at present. For, the conflict in Ukraine is essentially a war of liberation conducted by the latter against an invader and deeply at issue here is the upholding of International Law and its foundational concepts, such as national sovereignty and a nation’s right to political self-determination. The world of democracy is of the firm view that the latter ideals cannot be compromised, come what may.

The UK has its work cut out in this connection. It would find it difficult to convince the Trump administration that it should staunchly stand by Ukraine but it could campaign vigorously with the rest of the West and the EU fold in particular to unflaggingly support the embattled and over-run country.

Ukraine has shown an impressive adeptness in using drone technology in particular against her enemy and has even manufactured her own hardware in this respect but using the relevant blueprints handed over by the UK for the manufacture of more sophisticated cruise missiles, for instance, may prove financially difficult, going forward. It is left to be seen whether the UK and the rest of the West who are with Ukraine will continue to be with her, considering their own rising financial constraints.

The latter impediments could only multiply in the future. Oil, gas and energy prices are on the rise and the latter costs are glaringly reflected in kitchens and meal tables the world over. As we go along consumer discontent would steadily intensify and governments, East and West, would need to figure out with considerable rigour and foresight how such disaffection could be ably managed. Failing which, in most democratic societies, the chances are that publics would be out on the streets demanding that their grievances be redressed forthwith.

These rising concerns are reflected in a recent move by some EU governments to consider imposing what is described as ‘a windfall tax’ on the profits specified major oil companies operating within their shores have made in the wake of the US-Israel war on Iran. The rationale apparently is to use such tax earnings to cushion the rising cost of living of their publics and bolster the respective countries’ social expenditure.

In a recent letter to the president of the EU Council the EU governments referred to said, among other things, while drawing attention to the ‘discontent that is growing over the rising cost of living’: ‘A common approach’ is needed that ‘ensures those who profit from the crisis contribute their share to reducing the burden on the general population.’ Meanwhile, Oxfam with reference to the above development is on record as calling for a ‘permanent windfall tax of at least 50% on profits exceeding a 10% return on investment.’

Such are the rising economic pressures on the majority of Western governments. The question to be posed is how consistent they would be in their assistance to Ukraine if they decide consensually to stand by her. The soaring cost of living in the West compels the conclusion that there could be no guarantee that Western assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the defense and security fields, would be of a longstanding kind.

Of particular concern would be the fact that the weapons systems on offer from the UK to Ukraine could be increasingly costly to manufacture going forward. Besides they would need to be manufactured and put into action without delay.

However, these considerations should in no way deflect Ukraine’s supporters from the principled policy stance of defending her to the extent possible. Because at issue is the defense of International Law and the democratic system of government from their enemies; fascism and authoritarian rule.

While during World Wars 1 and 2 the US was with the major democracies of the West, this time around with regard to Ukraine, the US has chosen to be at cross-purposes with them. For instance, in relation to tariff matters and defense expenditure, in the NATO context, the US is pursuing a hard line which puts it at polar opposites with the West. Thus it is no longer possible to talk unreservedly of a ‘Western democratic alliance’. Put plainly, the cause of democratic development has been weakened.

A measure of relief for the supporters of Ukraine in the West could come by way of the upcoming mid-term polls in the US. If the Democratic Party fares well in them the pressure would be on the Trump administration to defer to opposition opinion at home, accommodate the best interests of Ukraine in its West European policy and perhaps even work towards a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis in cooperation with Russia. Accordingly, the Democratic Party would need to put the Trump administration on the defensive, so to speak.

Until such time Ukraine’s Western supporters have no choice but to remain committed to it, ensure its steadfast defense against the invasion and work judiciously towards keeping the economic pressures at home in check.

Interestingly, at the present juncture in international politics the US could be said to be more weak than strong. For example, it has to some extent been militarily humbled by Iran; so much so it is resorting to economic means to keep Iran in check.

In keeping with this strategy, the US has launched ‘a new big wave of anti-Iran economic sanctions’ at the time of writing, aimed at cutting Iran away from all its major income sources. Some of these relate to digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. The hoped for result is the complete severance of Iran from the US dollar system.

However, while the UK and EU have no choice but to adhere to their policy of backing Ukraine, going forward they would need to dialogue more closely with the US and ensure that it cooperates with them on outstanding questions, such as Ukraine and the strengthening of democracy. The well being of the world is served when the latter aim is pursued.

Features

“Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery”

Published

13 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya opening the event

OPA 39th Annual Conference calls for Sri Lanka to move Beyond Recovery towards Sustainable Transformation

The Orgnisation of Professional Associations (OPA) successfully concluded its 39th Annual Conference, held recently at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, under the theme “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery”.

Held under the patronage of Jayantha Gallehewa, President of the OPA, with the leadership and guidance of Tisara De Silva, President-Elect and Chairman of the 39th Annual Conference, the Conference brought together leading professionals, academics, business leaders and representatives of the public and private sectors to deliberate on Sri Lanka’s next phase of national development.

The Inaugural Session, on August 2026, was graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as the Chief Guest; Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, as the Guest of Honour; and Murtaza Jafferjee, Chairman of the Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka, as the Keynote Speaker.

In her address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised that overcoming the economic crisis alone should not be Sri Lanka’s ultimate objective, stressing that recovery must serve as the foundation for a broader economic and institutional transformation necessary for sustainable national progress. Reflecting on the difficult period experienced by the country, the Prime Minister noted that Sri Lanka had faced significant economic, social and institutional challenges, which had weakened public confidence and created uncertainty about the country’s future.

She stressed that “recovery only provides the foundation” and that Sri Lanka can move forward sustainably only by using that foundation to bring about meaningful transformation.

The Prime Minister observed that the theme of the OPA’s 39th Annual Conference, “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery,” aptly encapsulated these national aspirations. She emphasised that Sri Lanka’s objective should not merely be to return to the conditions that existed before the crisis, but to forge a stronger national foundation characterised by robust institutions, a resilient economy, high-quality public services and an enabling environment in which every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.

She further underscored that Sri Lanka’s future development cannot be secured through economic growth and physical development alone. She emphasised that the effective mobilisation of the country’s knowledge, skills and professional expertise, is equally essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive national progress

The Technical Sessions held on 12 August 2026 brought together 19 distinguished experts and professionals representing academia, industry, banking and finance, public health, technology, management and business leadership. Their diverse expertise provided a multidisciplinary platform to examine the critical challenges, emerging opportunities and strategic choices that will shape Sri Lanka’s next phase of development, with particular emphasis on economic transformation, institutional strengthening, digitalisation, private-sector growth, human capital and sustainable development.

The deliberations were structured around four principal sub-themes: “Resilient Recovery and Sustainable Economic Development”; “Future Readiness: Innovation & Transformation”; “Policy for Impact: Advancing Equity, Sustainable Living, and National Well-Being”; and “Leadership, Governance and National Responsibility.”

Across these thematic areas, the sessions explored the structural reforms, institutional requirements and policy choices necessary to move Sri Lanka beyond economic stabilisation towards a more productive, competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. The discussions brought together diverse professional perspectives, enabling participants to examine national priorities through economic, technological, industrial, financial, social and governance lenses.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to move beyond the diagnosis of problems towards pragmatic, evidence-based and implementable solutions. The deliberations recognised that sustainable national progress requires not only sound policies, but also effective institutions, professional competence, innovation, responsible leadership and the capacity to translate policy into tangible outcomes.

The sessions further underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors, recognising that Sri Lanka’s complex development challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. Stronger engagement among Government, private sector, professional associations, academia and civil society was identified as essential to fostering a coherent national response and ensuring that professional knowledge and expertise are effectively translated into policy and action.

Collectively, the Technical Sessions provided a substantive platform for knowledge exchange, critical reflection and forward-looking dialogue, reinforcing the OPA’s commitment to bringing the country’s professional expertise to bear on the task of building a resilient, innovative, equitable and prosperous Sri Lanka.

The OPA expressed its sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Chief Guest; Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Guest of Honour; and Murtaza Jafferjee, Chairman of the Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka and Keynote Speaker, for their distinguished contributions to the Conference.

Much of what the 39th Annual Conference achieved would not have been possible without the leadership, commitment and generous contributions of Jayantha Gallehewa, President of the OPA; Tisara De Silva, President-Elect and Chairman of the 39th Annual Conference; Eng. Ravi Rupasinghe, General Secretary; Dharshana Wijemanne, Treasurer; Bhanu Wijayaratne, Convener & the Chairman of the Session Planning Committee of the 39th Annual Conference Committee, Past Presidents and Office Bearers; Presidents and representatives of Member Associations; members of the Executive Councils and General Forum; and the distinguished Session Chairmen, Resource Persons and professionals who shared their time, expertise and insights in pursuit of the Conference’s shared vision. The OPA remains immensely grateful to all those whose collective contributions enriched the 39th Annual Conference and strengthened its role as a meaningful platform for professional exchange, informed dialogue and national reflection.

Features

Nostalgia for Lankans in Toronto …

Published

13 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Avurudu Musical Show 2027,’ a uniquely styled musical Avurudu celebration … Ceymphony Band style.

For Sri Lankans living 14,000 kilometres from home, the sound of home has never felt closer — and that’s thanks to one man and his band.

Since stepping into the spotlight, Gamini Hemalal and the Ceymphony Band have turned into the heartbeat of the Sri Lankan community in Toronto.

Their mission is simple: bring the music, bring the memories, bring the people together. And it’s working.

What turned out to be the talk-of-the-town was their intimate musical evening with Sri Lanka’s legendary crooner Sohan Weerasinghe.

Sohan Weerasinghe: Had
everyone on their feet at the
Angus Glen Golf Club, in
Toronto, Canada

It was a ‘full house’ long before the big date. Tickets vanished within days — demand was that overwhelming.

According to those who were there, it was a truly amazing evening. The hall was packed, the energy electric. Sohan didn’t just sing — he owned the stage.

With his velvet vocals, his charm, and that signature style, he had everyone on their feet. The ladies, especially, couldn’t get enough. No wonder they call him “The Ladies’ Man!”

One attendee summed it up perfectly:

“We had so much fun. It is truly a blessing to have our kids around us, enjoying these beautiful moments together. Thank you, Gamini Hemalal, for such a wonderful evening, with an amazing crowd and an incredible atmosphere. Your hard work and dedication truly made it a special night.

“We also need to say a big thank you to the Ceymphony Band for delivering such an outstanding performance. You all were absolutely amazing! Our entire family had a fantastic time, and we truly enjoyed every moment.

Ceymphony Band: Extremely popular in the scene in Toronto

“Wishing you all continued success. Keep up the amazing work, we can’t wait for the next.”

And the next is already on the cards: ‘Halloween Pissu Baila Party 2026,’ on Friday, 30th October, at the famous Angus Glen Golf Club.

Gamini promises a crazy night of baila, music, dancing and Halloween vibes with the Ceymphony Band. Action runs from 8:00 PM to 12:00 midnight, with plenty of prizes to be won.

Gamini Hemalal: Amazing work for the Sri Lankan community,
in Toronto, Canada

Gamini is also putting together a special event, connected with the 2027 Avurudu celebrations — ‘Avurudu Musical Show 2027,’ a uniquely styled musical Avurudu celebration … Ceymphony Band style.

It’s scheduled to be held on Saturday, 10th April, 2027, also at the Angus Glen Golf Club.

Through music, Gamini Hemalal and Ceymphony are doing what diaspora bands do best — they’re shrinking the distance between two worlds.

One baila beat at a time, one full house at a time, they’re making sure that even in Canada, Sri Lankans feel like home.

Yes, there is plenty of action, indeed, for the Sri Lankan community in Toronto, Canada.