Features

Wesley College Colombo – Celebrating 150 years of Excellence

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/10

Thilina Walpola

The Chapel built by Rev William Harvard in Dam Street Pettah called Wesleyan Mission House

by Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

Wesley College Colombo is celebrating its 150^th Anniversary in March 2024 with a programme of events, projects and initiatives taking place at the school and other venues. The school is proud to be recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s leading and progressive institutions. Wesley provides a fine all-round education reflective of its long-held customs and traditions.

As I write this brief history I am ever reminded of the wisdom of Kahlil Gibran: “Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.” This is an attempt to summarise the school’s long and tortuous journey from its lowly beginnings. Collating information belonging to three centuries is no mean task. On December 23, 1816, The chapel of the Wesleyan Mission House was opened for public worship in Dam Street, Pettah. There was a small school associated with the Mission House.

Its popularity grew and the student numbers increased. This early success led to its rapid expansion. With the vision and wisdom of Rev Daniel Henry Pereira, Wesley College was established on this site on March 2, 1874. The school then had around 100 students. Dam street in those days was quiet, dignified and respectable. Rev. Samuel Rowse Wilkin became its first Principal and Rev Pereira his deputy. By all accounts, together, they were impressive.

As Pettah rapidly became industrialised the school got lost in the urban sprawl. With the increasing noise, dust and grime of the area, the environment became less suitable for a school. The student numbers continued to grow and the space became too cramped and restrictive. It was around 1902 when Rev Henry Highfield , the Principal, decided it was time to move the school to better surroundings. In those distant days finding a suitable place for the new school was a monumental task and seemed like an impossible dream. He made a colossal effort to achieve this. The Rev Highfield made representations to the Methodist Mission in London for financial support. He cycled the length and breadth of the city and travelled the country calling for donations from his affluent past students and personal friends.

Wesley College in 1907

There was a substantial grant from London. With the money raised from local donations, Rev Highfield acquired five and a half acres of prime land at Karlsruhe Gardens to build the new Wesley College. The work began in 1905. Rev Highfield sought the help of the British Architect Edward Skinner and a handsome set of buildings were completed in 1907. This included dormitories for 100 boarders and science laboratories. The school with 639 students was opened in January 1907 with much pomp and pageantry. The Coronation Band played on as the Cadet Corp provided the guard of honour for the British Lieutenant Governor. When the school moved it took with it the spirit, culture and the ethos of Wesley College in Pettah.

The new school retained the motto “Ora et labora” (pay and work) introduced by Rev Arthur Shipham and the School Song composed by Mr H.J.V.I Ekanayake in 1889. These remained a rallying and unifying force and an important part of school life. The school crest introduced to the school in Pettah was later enhanced and altered by Rev John Dalby (1929-40). Rev. Albert Hutchinson (1925 – 1928) established the praepostor (prefect) system and the House System. Mr C.J Oorloff (1950-57) gave the primary school their own “Houses”. Rev P.T Cash’s wife Edith trained Wesley’s first choir in 1907, starting another noteworthy tradition of bringing music into the mainstream of Wesley life. It was Rev. P.T Cash who founded the Wesley College Scout Troop in 1917 and registered it as the 14th Colombo S.T.

Rev Henry Highfield is considered the father of the present school in Karlsruhe Gardens. A man of great determination, charisma and passion, he made a pioneering contribution to education in Ceylon, at the turn of the 20th Century. There are few Principals who have left a legacy that has profoundly and irreversibly changed the landscape of education in our Island. Wesley College has emerged from its quiet 19th-century grand traditions to embrace modernity. The fine original buildings still remain a tribute to Rev Highfield. This magnificent architectural masterpiece reflects the vision of a great man. After his dream was realised and Wesley became a successful institution, Rev Henry Highfield left for England for the final time in April 1925.

The seeds of decline and failure are almost always sown after periods of sustained success. The school progressed from strength to strength until the scourge of WW2. In a short period of time, 1940-44, we had the disruption of having three Principals in quick succession. Adding to our problems, in April 1942 the school buildings were taken over by the military. We lost much of our furniture and equipment in the process. The school was then exiled to Carey College and later to cadjan huts at Kitiyakkara in Campbell Place.

During those war years we lost many of our teaching staff. The student numbers reduced to a meagre 100. Our Principals’ steered the school through these difficult times until the buildings were returned to us at the end of 1945. Rev James Cartman then had the massive task of recruiting staff and getting the school into action again. His force of character helped to turn the school’s fortunes around and he did so with such resolve and dedication. During his principalship, Wesley College arose from the doldrum of the war years to become one of the best schools in the country. In grateful memory we have named our school library “The Cartman Library”.

This is a timely moment to express our gratitude to all our British Principals. They left the comfort of working in a rural Parish in Britain to be Missionaries in Ceylon. Life in Ceylon in those days was difficult. Medical facilities were rudimentary. Cyclical epidemics of Typhoid , Dysentery, Small pox and Cholera took their toll. Mrs. Highfield succumbed to typhoid fever.

To live as foreigners in a country struggling for independence could not have been easy. The achievements of our British Principals show their resilience and character. Many stories exist of their immense love for Wesley College and for the many students who were in their care. We are eternally grateful to the Methodist Missionary Society of Great Britain for sending us their best educationists. They have helped us in no small measure to enhance the stature of the school as one of the finest in the country. I must mention also the British Chaplains during my time at Wesley, Revs Wilfred Pile and Hugh Tattersall, both wonderfully kind people who provided the pastoral care immersing themselves fully in the life of the school.

With the birth of a new nation after Independence in 1948, there was the inevitable surge of ultranationalism. The Government policy on education was switched to satisfy a country caught up in this nationalist fervour. During the Principalship of Mr C.J Oorloff in 1951 Wesley was made a Government Assisted School stifling his freedom to manage the school as before. Being a former Civil Servant, with his flair and intelligence he was able to guide Wesley into calmer waters. In 1961 the Government decided to take over all assisted schools.

Mr P.H Nonis (1957-61) had to make the drastic and radical decision for Wesley to become a private but non-fee levying school. This made our financial situation precarious. We had to sell the small park and staff flats to survive. The Welfare Board was established at this time to collect funds to run the school. During this period of perilous uncertainty Mr A.S Wirasinha (1962-83) was the Principal. With robust planning he steered the school through the rapids for a challenging 22 years. We value immensely his huge and impeccable personal effort.

Until the dawn of the new millennium, serious financial pressures sent the school into a spiral of decline. While the times were difficult mistakes have been made, for sure. Then the voices of dissent became loud and clear and the leadership came under close scrutiny. For many the prick of personal pride hurt deep within. This caused great worry and consternation to the past students, well-wishers and also to the Methodist Church. We were fortunate to have a succession of dedicated Principals to forge us forward.

Thankfully we had as Principal, Dr Shanti McLelland (2009-14). He secured success and prosperity to the school by his new management style of collaboration and cooperation with the Department of Education, the Old Boys Unions, the Methodist Church and the Board of Governors. He established economic stability and returned the school to the top of the league table again. We now have a young energetic Principal in Mr Avanka Fernando. The academic standards and sports are in the ascendancy. Wesley College is a much sought after institution of education. The current principal is an old boy of Wesley College and is well aware of the ethos, heritage and traditions of this great school.

As an institution the school remembers its Principals. Their names are prominently displayed on a board in the Great Hall. A school is only as good as its teachers. James Hilton In his literary masterpiece also made into a film, “Goodbye Mr. Chips”, he has a touching account of the dying Chips recalling the names of the pupils he had taught. I daresay that is bound to be a common trait amongst teachers. From its very inception Wesley College was largely influenced by the traditions, values and the spirit of British public schools. We are proud of our legendary and dedicated teachers. Many remained at Wesley all their professional lives and developed a close rapport with generations of students.

Those teachers are remembered with great fondness. Their photographs adorn the walls of the Great Hall. Students of every generation will have their own special teachers who have performed beyond the call of duty. Those from the Highfield era, Mr C.P Dias and Mr. W.E Mack among others are remembered for their loyalty and dedication. During my time at school in the 1950’s I feel immensely indebted to the colourful personality of Mr L.A Fernando and the doyen of cricket Mr Edmund Dissanayake. We remember all our teachers with affection and admiration. “Their names liveth forevermore”.

The success of a school is judged by the achievements of its alumni. Over the 150 years Wesley College have produced many who have achieved eminence and greatness in every walk of life from medicine, politics, security services, academia, education and high finance. The first Governor General of Ceylon is a product of Wesley as are three Air Vice Marshalls who have been entrusted with the security of the nation. The immense loyalty, affection and gratitude shown by the Old Boys Unions worldwide is an indication of their appreciation of the fine education they have received.

Every student who has been through the school gates will remember with affection and respect the many ancillary staff who have cared for the school buildings and the grounds while keeping the gardens neat and immaculate. During my time we had Ranis Appuhamy who rang the bell and the peon, Marshall, who did the errands. Each of them served the school for over 40 years. We recall with gratitude the laboratory staff and those who cared for Campbell Park. Wilbert the groundsman looked after the park and the pavilion with great dedication.

The boarding has been an integral part of the school since the days in Pettah. This provided a home away from home and a safe sanctuary for students. The excellent facilities have helped to make living and learning a great experience for boarders. I was a boarder 1952-58. The close-knit community helped to create lasting friendships. It fostered cultural diversity, independence, and self-reliance. The boarding prepared me for life beyond the school gates. More recently there has been a gradual decline in the popularity of boarding for students. After over a century of its existence, the school boarding closed its doors for the final time in 2019.

The birth of the school tuckshop is lost in the fog of time. There may have been a room or hall for the day boys to have their lunch from the days in Pettah. On personal communications it is my considered opinion that the tuckshop was first started after WW2 during the principalship of Rev Cartman. An entrepreneur and businessman Mr D.S Wijemanne was a former student of Wesley. He established the tuck shop adjacent to the hostel kitchen in a wooden shed with a corrugated metal roof. The “tuck” did brisk business during the school intervals. It was also a lifeline for the hungry boarders in the evenings. Mr Wijemanne fed several generations of Wesleyites until his demise in the early years of the new millennium.

During my years at school in the 1950’s there were 1200 students on the roll. As the population of the country increased the demand for education grew. Presently the numbers at school exceed 3000. These required more buildings and classrooms. The new Highfield Block was completed in 1959. The Labrooy Memorial Building, A.S Wirasinha building and the New Primary Block (Rev D.H Pereira Memorial Building) appeared in quick succession to accommodate the increasing numbers. The New Chapel is a place of refuge from the storms of school life. There is a new swimming pool. We have new feeder Primary Schools in Havelock Town and Tampola. Campbell Park belongs to the Colombo Municipal Council but is now on a long lease to Wesley College. The park remains our venue for all the major sports providing space for the pavilion and the OWSC (Old Weleyite Sports Club).

The school is immensely grateful to the many affiliated organisations for their support. Tradition has it that the Old Boys’ Union of the school was inaugurated on December 1, 1874, the year the school was founded. The Old Boys Unions of the school now active in almost every continent have united old boys worldwide. They have provided financial support to the school to tide over hard times and helped in the refurbishments needed to maintain the infrastructure in good repair. OWSC has been active since 1941. It is a place often dripping with nostalgia reigniting tight-knit friendships in the familiar surroundings of Campbell Park. There are many Wesley websites that ride the ether providing current information. There has been a whole galaxy of old boys who have been immensely loyal to the school. Although I am greatly tempted to mention the names of a few I will refrain from doing so as the list is far too long for this brief discourse.

I was a student at Wesley College 1950-62. I remember with great clarity and with some pain receiving six of the best from the Principal for my indiscretions. The sore bottom in no way has altered my love for the school. Throughout the centuries Wesley has stood for the freedom of the human spirit and the community of all her sons, to whatever race or religion they may belong. The Principal and staff stuck to their task to provide a fine education to all its students irrespective of their backgrounds and abilities.

Presently the school and the Wesley fraternity are a successful, busy and vibrant community. We can now look to the future with confidence. The support and loyalty of its alumni will be crucial to help and guide the school to be an educational institution worthy of its rich heritage. The school’s success will once again depend on the Principals and teachers for their dedication and devotion to prepare pupils for the rest of their lives. As always the onus will be on the students to learn and acquire the skills to be good and useful citizens of this wonderful world.

Writing the history, it becomes evident more than ever, that we live finite lives. As John Donne has said “No man is an island”. During our lives we are part of a family, a society and a community for which we have our affections and loyalty. It is for us to record history accurately and with respect. Everyone who has been associated with the school since its very inception has been an important part of our community. They will always be remembered with affection and warmth. Let the spark of history we leave behind enlighten others and light the flame to pass on into the future.

All News Advertisement

Up Next

In Sri Lanka opposition parties remain as fragmented as ever

Don't Miss

Herbert Cooray’s life lessons – from St. Benedicts to St. Joseph’s College

Click to comment

Features

Digital transformation in the Global South

Published

23 hours ago

2026/02/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

AI Summit, India

Understanding Sri Lanka through the India AI Impact Summit 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly moved from being a specialised technological field into a major social force that shapes economies, cultures, governance, and everyday human life. The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held in New Delhi, symbolised a significant moment for the Global South, especially South Asia, because it demonstrated that artificial intelligence is no longer limited to advanced Western economies but can also become a development tool for emerging societies. The summit gathered governments, researchers, technology companies, and international organisations to discuss how AI can support social welfare, public services, and economic growth. Its central message was that artificial intelligence should be human centred and socially useful. Instead of focusing only on powerful computing systems, the summit emphasised affordable technologies, open collaboration, and ethical responsibility so that ordinary citizens can benefit from digital transformation. For South Asia, where large populations live in rural areas and resources are unevenly distributed, this idea is particularly important.

People friendly AI

One of the most important concepts promoted at the summit was the idea of “people friendly AI.” This means that artificial intelligence should be accessible, understandable, and helpful in daily activities. In South Asia, language diversity and economic inequality often prevent people from using advanced technology. Therefore, systems designed for local languages, and smartphones, play a crucial role. When a farmer can speak to a digital assistant in Sinhala, Tamil, or Hindi and receive advice about weather patterns or crop diseases, technology becomes practical rather than distant. Similarly, voice based interfaces allow elderly people and individuals with limited literacy to use digital services. Affordable mobile based AI tools reduce the digital divide between urban and rural populations. As a result, artificial intelligence stops being an elite instrument and becomes a social assistant that supports ordinary life.

Transformation in education sector

The influence of this transformation is visible in education. AI based learning platforms can analyse student performance and provide personalised lessons. Instead of all students following the same pace, weaker learners receive additional practice while advanced learners explore deeper material. Teachers are able to focus on mentoring and explanation rather than repetitive instruction. In many South Asian societies, including Sri Lanka, education has long depended on memorisation and private tuition classes. AI tutoring systems could reduce educational inequality by giving rural students access to learning resources, similar to those available in cities. A student who struggles with mathematics, for example, can practice step by step exercises automatically generated according to individual mistakes. This reduces pressure, improves confidence, and gradually changes the educational culture from rote learning toward understanding and problem solving.

Healthcare is another area where AI is becoming people friendly. Many rural communities face shortages of doctors and medical facilities. AI-assisted diagnostic tools can analyse symptoms, or medical images, and provide early warnings about diseases. Patients can receive preliminary advice through mobile applications, which helps them decide whether hospital visits are necessary. This reduces overcrowding in hospitals and saves travel costs. Public health authorities can also analyse large datasets to monitor disease outbreaks and allocate resources efficiently. In this way, artificial intelligence supports not only individual patients but also the entire health system.

Agriculture, which remains a primary livelihood for millions in South Asia, is also undergoing transformation. Farmers traditionally rely on seasonal experience, but climate change has made weather patterns unpredictable. AI systems that analyse rainfall data, soil conditions, and satellite images can predict crop performance and recommend irrigation schedules. Early detection of plant diseases prevents large-scale crop losses. For a small farmer, accurate information can mean the difference between profit and debt. Thus, AI directly influences economic stability at the household level.

Employment and communication reshaped

Artificial intelligence is also reshaping employment and communication. Routine clerical and repetitive tasks are increasingly automated, while demand grows for digital skills, such as data management, programming, and online services. Many young people in South Asia are beginning to participate in remote work, freelancing, and digital entrepreneurship. AI translation tools allow communication across languages, enabling businesses to reach international customers. Knowledge becomes more accessible because information can be summarised, translated, and explained instantly. This leads to a broader sociological shift: authority moves from tradition and hierarchy toward information and analytical reasoning. Individuals rely more on data when making decisions about education, finance, and career planning.

Impact on Sri Lanka

The impact on Sri Lanka is especially significant because the country shares many social and economic conditions with India and often adopts regional technological innovations. Sri Lanka has already begun integrating artificial intelligence into education, agriculture, and public administration. In schools and universities, AI learning tools may reduce the heavy dependence on private tuition and help students in rural districts receive equal academic support. In agriculture, predictive analytics can help farmers manage climate variability, improving productivity and food security. In public administration, digital systems can speed up document processing, licensing, and public service delivery. Smart transportation systems may reduce congestion in urban areas, saving time and fuel.

Economic opportunities are also expanding. Sri Lanka’s service based economy and IT outsourcing sector can benefit from increased global demand for digital skills. AI-assisted software development, data annotation, and online service platforms can create new employment pathways, especially for educated youth. Small and medium entrepreneurs can use AI tools to design products, manage finances, and market services internationally at low cost. In tourism, personalised digital assistants and recommendation systems can improve visitor experiences and help small businesses connect with travellers directly.

Digital inequality

However, the integration of artificial intelligence also raises serious concerns. Digital inequality may widen if only educated urban populations gain access to technological skills. Some routine jobs may disappear, requiring workers to retrain. There are also risks of misinformation, surveillance, and misuse of personal data. Ethical regulation and transparency are, therefore, essential. Governments must develop policies that protect privacy, ensure accountability, and encourage responsible innovation. Public awareness and digital literacy programmes are necessary so that citizens understand both the benefits and limitations of AI systems.

Beyond economics and services, AI is gradually influencing social relationships and cultural patterns. South Asian societies have traditionally relied on hierarchy and personal authority, but data-driven decision making changes this structure. Agricultural planning may depend on predictive models rather than ancestral practice, and educational evaluation may rely on learning analytics instead of examination rankings alone. This does not eliminate human judgment, but it alters its basis. Societies increasingly value analytical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. Educational systems must, therefore, move beyond memorisation toward critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning.

AI contribution to national development

In Sri Lanka, these changes may contribute to national development if implemented carefully. AI-supported financial monitoring can improve transparency and reduce corruption. Smart infrastructure systems can help manage transportation and urban planning. Communication technologies can support interaction among Sinhala, Tamil, and English speakers, promoting social inclusion in a multilingual society. Assistive technologies can improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, enabling broader participation in education and employment. These developments show that artificial intelligence is not merely a technological innovation but a social instrument capable of strengthening equality when guided by ethical policy.

Symbolic shift

Ultimately, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 represents a symbolic shift in the global technological landscape. It indicates that developing nations are beginning to shape the future of artificial intelligence according to their own social needs rather than passively importing technology. For South Asia and Sri Lanka, the challenge is not whether AI will arrive but how it will be used. If education systems prepare citizens, if governments establish responsible regulations, and if access remains inclusive, AI can become a partner in development rather than a source of inequality. The future will likely involve close collaboration between humans and intelligent systems, where machines assist decision making while human values guide outcomes. In this sense, artificial intelligence does not replace human society, but transforms it, offering Sri Lanka an opportunity to build a more knowledge based, efficient, and equitable social order in the decades ahead.

by Milinda Mayadunna

Features

Governance cannot be a postscript to economics

Published

23 hours ago

2026/02/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kristalina-Georgieva

The visit by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to Sri Lanka was widely described as a success for the government. She was fulsome in her praise of the country and its developmental potential. The grounds for this success and collaborative spirit go back to the inception of the agreement signed in March 2023 in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s declaration of international bankruptcy. The IMF came in to fulfil its role as lender of last resort. The government of the day bit the bullet. It imposed unpopular policies on the people, most notably significant tax increases. At a moment when the country had run out of foreign exchange, defaulted on its debt, and faced shortages of fuel, medicine and food, the IMF programme restored a measure of confidence both within the country and internationally.

Since 1965 Sri Lanka has entered into agreements with the IMF on 16 occasions none of which were taken to their full term. The present agreement is the 17^th agreement . IMF agreements have traditionally been focused on economic restructuring. Invariably the terms of agreement have been harsh on the people, with priority being given to ensure the debtor country pays its loans back to the IMF. Fiscal consolidation, tax increases, subsidy reductions and structural reforms have been the recurring features. The social and political costs have often been high. Governments have lost popularity and sometimes fallen before programmes were completed. The IMF has learned from experience across the world that macroeconomic reform without social protection can generate backlash, instability and policy reversals.

The experience of countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal in dealing with the IMF during the eurozone crisis demonstrated the political and social costs of austerity, even though those economies later stabilised and returned to growth. The evolution of IMF policies has ensured that there are two special features in the present agreement. The first is that the IMF has included a safety net of social welfare spending to mitigate the impact of the austerity measures on the poorest sections of the population. No country can hope to grow at 7 or 8 percent per annum when a third of its people are struggling to survive. Poverty alleviation measures in the Aswesuma programme, developed with the agreement of the IMF, are key to mitigating the worst impacts of the rising cost of living and limited opportunities for employment.

Governance Included

The second important feature of the IMF agreement is the inclusion of governance criteria to be implemented alongside the economic reforms. It goes to the heart of why Sri Lanka has had to return to the IMF repeatedly. Economic mismanagement did not take place in a vacuum. It was enabled by weak institutions, politicised decision making, non-transparent procurement, and the erosion of checks and balances. In its economic reform process, the IMF has included an assessment of governance related issues to accompany the economic restructuring process. At the top of this list is tackling the problem of corruption by means of publicising contracts, ensuring open solicitation of tenders, and strengthening financial accountability mechanisms.

The IMF also encouraged a civil society diagnostic study and engaged with civil society organisations regularly. The civil society analysis of governance issues which was promoted by Verite Research and facilitated by Transparency International was wider in scope than those identified in the IMF’s own diagnostic. It pointed to systemic weaknesses that go beyond narrow fiscal concerns. The civil society diagnostic study included issues of social justice such as the inequitable impact of targeting EPF and ETF funds of workers for restructuring and the need to repeal abuse prone laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Online Safety Act. When workers see their retirement savings restructured without adequate consultation, confidence in policy making erodes. When laws are perceived to be instruments of arbitrary power, social cohesion weakens.

During a meeting between the IMF Managing Director Georgeiva and civil society members last week, there was discussion on the implementation of those governance measures in which she spoke in a manner that was not alien to the civil society representatives. Significantly, the civil society diagnostic report also referred to the ethnic conflict and the breakdown of interethnic relations that led to three decades of deadly war, causing severe economic losses to the country. This was also discussed at the meeting. Governance is not only about accounting standards and procurement rules. It is about social justice, equality before the law, and political representation. On this issue the government has more to do. Ethnic and religious minorities find themselves inadequately represented in high level government committees. The provincial council system that ensured ethnic and minority representation at the provincial level continues to be in abeyance.

Beyond IMF

The significance of addressing governance issues is not only relevant to the IMF agreement. It is also important in accessing tariff concessions from the European Union. The GSP Plus tariff concession given by the EU enables Sri Lankan exports to be sold at lower prices and win markets in Europe. For an export dependent economy, this is critical. Loss of such concessions would directly affect employment in key sectors such as apparel. The government needs to address longstanding EU concerns about the protection of human rights and labour rights in the country. The EU has, for several years, linked the continuation of GSP Plus to compliance with international conventions. This includes the condition that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) be brought into line with international standards. The government’s alternative in the form of the draft Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PTSA) is less abusive on paper but is wider in scope and retains the core features of the PTA.

Governance and social justice factors cannot be ignored or downplayed in the pursuit of economic development. If Sri Lanka is to break out of its cycle of crisis and bailout, it must internalise the fact that good governance which promotes social justice and more fairly distributes the costs and fruits of development is the foundation on which durable economic growth is built. Without it, stabilisation will remain fragile, poverty will remain high, and the promise of 7 to 8 percent growth will remain elusive. The implementation of governance reforms will also have a positive effect through the creative mechanism of governance linked bonds, an innovation of the present IMF agreement.

The Sri Lankan think tank Verité Research played an important role in the development of governance linked bonds. They reduce the rate of interest payable by the government on outstanding debt on the basis that better governance leads to a reduction in risk for those who have lent their money to Sri Lanka. This is a direct financial reward for governance reform. The present IMF programme offers an opportunity not only to stabilise the economy but to strengthen the institutions that underpin it. That opportunity needs to be taken. Without it, the country cannot attract investment, expand exports and move towards shared prosperity and to a 7-8 percent growth rate that can lift the country out of its debt trap.

by Jehan Perera

Features

MISTER Band … in the spotlight

Published

23 hours ago

2026/02/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

MISTER Band: For the past four consecutive years, they have performed overseas, during New Year’s Eve

It’s a good sign, indeed, for the local scene, to see artistes, who have not been very much in the limelight, now making their presence felt, in a big way, and I’m glad to give them the publicity they deserve.

On 10th February we had Yellow Beatz in the spotlight and this week it’s MISTER Band.

This outfit is certainly not new to our scene; they have been around since 2012, under the leadership of Sithum Waidyarathne.

The seven energetic members who make up MISTER Band are:

Sithum Waidyarathne (leader/founder/saxophonist/guitarist and vocalist), Rangana Seram (bass guitarist), Vihanga Liyanage (vocalist), Ridmi Dissanayake (female vocalist), Nuwan Cristo (keyboardist/vocalist), Kasun Thennakoon (lead guitarist), and Nuwan Madushanka (drummer).

According to Sithum, their vision is to provide high quality entertainmen to those who engage their services.

“Thanks to our engaging performances and growing popularity, MISTER Band continues to be in high demand … at weddings, corporate events and dinner dances,” said Sithum.

They predominantly cover English and Sinhala music, as well as the most popular genres.

And the reviews that come their way, after a performance, are excellent, they say, and this is one of the bouquets they received:

It was a pleasure to have you at our wedding. Being avid music fans we wanted the best music, not just a big named band, and you guys acceded that expectations. Big thanks to Sithum for being very supportive, attentive and generous.

: Sithum Waidyarathne: Band leader and founder

: Ridmi Dissanayake: MISTER Band’s female vocalist

The best thing is the post feedback from all the guests. Normally we get mixed reviews but the whole crowd was impressed by you.

MISTER Band was one of our best choices for our wedding.

What is interesting is that for the past four consecutive years, this outfit has performed overseas, during New Year’s Eve, thereby taking their music to the international stage, as well.

The band has also produced a collection of original songs, with around six original tracks composed by the band leader, Sithum Waidyarathne, including ‘Suraganak Dutuwa,’ ‘Landuni,’ ‘Dili Dili Payana,’ ‘Hada Wedana,’ and ‘Nil Kandu Athare.’

Two more songs are set to be released this month: ‘Hitha Norida’ and ‘Premaye Hanguman.’

In addition to their original music, they have also created a strong online presence by performing and uploading over 50 cover songs and medleys to YouTube.

“We’re now planning to connect with an even wider audience by releasing more cover content very soon,” said Sithum, adding that they are also very active on social media, under the name Mister Band Official – on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.