News

St. Mary’s College Negombo 150 years

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/1

Year 2021 is historic for both St. Mary’s College, Negombo, and its affiliate the Old Boys’ Association (OBA). It marks the unique feat of attaining 150 years and 100 years in service, respectively. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the past achievements of these great institutions as well as to introspect on the preparations to meet the challenges that lie ahead. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime moment that all Maryites have been waiting for, which has finally dawned.

St. Mary’s English Boys’ School had its early humble beginning as a grant-in-aid-school when Rev. Monsignor John Vistarini, the Missionary Priest of St. Mary’s Church- Grand Street, started it in the Mission House in 1871 for the benefit of the children of the Grand Street Mission. Later it became St. Mary’s English Boys’ High School in a new building behind the Mission House in 1872. Rev. Fr. Vistarini was a great visionary with a flair for preaching, education and social work. It was his passion for great humanitarian service that drove him to model the school as a provider of quality and affordable education.

Throughout early history, St. Mary’s Church and St. Mary’s College were administered by the Priest in charge of Grand Street Mission and together has been a beacon of light guiding its children in the path of wisdom gained through knowledge, character and spirituality. These great institutions are deeply involved in helping people learn and work toward wholeness and better character.

The motto of St. Mary’s College is “VIAM SAPIENTIAE MONSTRABO TIBI”; a Latin phrase which is taken from the biblical book of Proverbs (4:11) meaning “I WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY OF WISDOM” in English.

The College has made significant strides under the management of the Catholic Church for almost a century since its beginning. Although it came under government control on 1st January 1969, the Church’s influence continued until 1981 when the Golden Era of Rectors ended. It has had a powerful and transformative impact on the students which is evident from its alumni consisting of a large number of Catholic Priests, Intellectuals, Professionals, Politicians, Businessmen, etc., who have excelled in their own chosen fields.

Although education was the primary objective of the college, it went beyond the traditional framework into areas such as leadership, discipline, spirituality, etc., in order to produce well rounded citizens. The college has a reputation of producing a large number of catholic priests, if not the highest. A shining example is Archbishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando who was called to eternal rest on the 11th April 2019. Fr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando became the youngest, at the age of 44, and the first diocesan priest to be appointed Archbishop on March 30, 1977 and since then His Grace had spearheaded and guided the Catholic flock of Sri Lanka with admiration.

Today the college is being administered by Rector, Rev. Fr. Jayantha Wickremasinghe assisted by a faculty of able and qualified staff which has brought renewed hope of re-inventing the former glory.

The Old Boys’ Association

April 1906, was a turning point in the college history when Rev. Fr. Francis Lawrence Breton joined as Director of the school. Fr. Breton took immediate steps to recruit certificated teachers with the aim of preparing the students for Cambridge Senior and Junior Examinations. Boarding facilities were provided in the upper floor of the Main Building starting from October 1906 to encourage residential learning.

In what appears to be the first step in forming the Old Boys’ Association, Rev. Fr. Breton formed a Sports Club in 1907 with the help of many old boys. This initial step gradually developed into forming the Old Boys’ Association in December 1911 with a gathering of over 60 of the Negombo elite, organised by its Vice President Mr. R.F.P. Jayatilleke and Secretary Mr. R S Dalpadado, with a call from Rev.Fr. Breton to those who have not joined to join the association.

The OBA since then has played an important complementary role which has been instrumental in many of the infrastructure development that has taken place. Besides, its role in preserving and nurturing the age old traditions and culture are highly commendable. Such cooperation is critical to the smooth functioning and progress of these institutions. In this context, the OBA’s decision to celebrate this unique moment in their history is most opportune and praiseworthy.

The devastation caused by the pandemic across the world has not deterred the OBA from celebrating this all important milestone in a relatively subdued but no less in a solemn manner.

Accordingly, the OBA has organised “Centenary Dinner” with a view to sharing our joy and accomplishment with the Maryites fraternity on 3rd of December.

Nimal Mello

Immediate Past President and Chairman of Centenary Committee

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Latest News

Sun directly overhead Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila at about 12:13 noon today (06)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/6

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (06th) are Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila at about 12:13 noon.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/6

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 05 April 2026, valid for 06 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

West Asian conflict benefits China-managed H’tota Port

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/6

Thilina Walpola

Extended yard facility, HIP (pic courtesy HIP)

The ongoing West Asia war, triggered by joint Israel-US attack on Iran on 28 Februar, has benefited the China-run Hambantota International Port (HIP).With Iran imposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz shipping, in retaliation for unprovoked attack, thereby choking vital shipping routes, particularly for crude oil and refined oil products, HIP situated, along the East-West shipping corridor, has received the anticipated attention.

Soon after the sinking of an unarmed Iranian frigate, just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, in India’s backyard, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar categorised HIP as a foreign military base, along with Diego Garcia, Bahrain and Djibouti, where both the US and China maintained major bases.

HIP, in a press release issued on Sunday (05), declared that the Port has significantly expanded its operational capacity, in response to a sharp surge in global shipping volumes, resulting from the West Asia conflict.

The company asserted that the developing situation reinforced its position as a key alternative hub along the East–West shipping corridor.

The port has doubled its Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) yard capacity and increased its container yard capacity by 30%, as shipping lines divert operations away from disrupted routes in search of stable and efficient alternatives.

HIP is situated just 10 nautical miles from the main East–West shipping route, allowing vessels to divert with minimal deviation while maintaining schedule integrity.

The Chinese government-owned China Merchant Port Holdings (CMPort) under controversial circumstances acquired controlling interests of the Hambantota port in 2017 during the Yahapalanaya administration. Although the Sri Lankan government repeatedly said that Sri Lanka was paid USD 1.12 bn according to the HIP website CMPort invested $974 mn in the HIP and held 85 percent of the shares.

The 2017 agreement granted CMPort a 99-year lease to develop, manage and operate the Port area. The Supreme Court dismissed a fundamental rights petition filed by lawmaker Vasudeva Nanayakkara pointing out that the original agreements pertaining to the Hambantota port had been signed in 2012 and 2013 during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure as the president when he was a member of the Rajapaksa Cabinet.

The HIP press release quoted CEO of HIP Wilson Qu as having said: “What we are witnessing today is a structural shift in global shipping patterns. At HIP, we have focused on building the capacity and operational agility to respond to such changes. Our ability to scale quickly, combined with our location, allows us to support global shipping lines when reliability becomes critical. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in infrastructure and capabilities to strengthen Hambantota’s role as a key logistics and transshipment hub in the region.”

The rise in both vehicle transshipment and container volumes has driven yard utilization levels to the highest in HIP’s history, highlighting the scale of ongoing supply chain disruptions and the port’s growing strategic importance in global trade.

To accommodate increased throughput, HIP has rapidly expanded yard space across both cargo segments, enabling it to handle higher volumes while maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing congestion. Expanding capacity within a short time frame in a live port environment presents considerable operational and technical challenges and requires significant investment. However, through close coordination across management, engineering and operational teams, HIP was able to deliver these enhancements in step with rising demand.

The HIP statement added: “The expansion reflects Hambantota International Port’s continued development as a resilient logistics platform in the Indian Ocean, as geopolitical developments reshape established maritime routes and increase demand for alternative hubs. As infrastructure scales in tandem with demand, HIP is increasingly positioned to capture a larger share of regional transshipment volumes while supporting the continuity of global supply chains.”

Amidst the continuing uncertainty caused by war and growing threat to international shipping the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) the owning group of HIP recently finalised an agreement to invest USD 108 mn to procure new container handling equipment- six quay cranes, 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and 40 trailers, under the initial phase of the port’s Phase II container terminal development.

By Shamindra Ferdinando