Highlights of a Hundred Years at St Aloysius College, Galle

 

Highlights of a  Hundred Years 

at St. Aloysius College, Galle

Compiled by K. K. de Silva 

Based on  Articles in the Aloysian Centenary Souvenir, courtesy of  FB pages of  

L. K. Hettiarachhi  &  Shanuka Perera   (who have done a great service by preserving Aloysian records in digital format)  & other sources.

L. K. Hettiarachhi 

Introduction

St. Aloysius College & St. Mary’s Cathedral stand together on Mount Calvary Hill, known in earlier times as ‘Poraka kande’ or Gibbet Hill, in Galle. The Hill was the place where executions were carried out during Dutch rule, & Hemantha Situge, a distinguished old Aloysian, refers to its  significance in his blog of 31 Dec. 2012 titled “The Scaffold City Galle”. Later , during Dutch rule, a church was constructed at the premises where the Cathedral is today & it had also been used as a school hall, according to Sagara Jayasinghe in Dwelling of Faith.pdf p.13. He points out that a 1795 map of Galle shows a small church, the church of Holy Rosary, the first to be built on Mount Calvary.  The image below, titled ” Distant View of the Catholic Church near Point de Galle ” taken by German  Photographer, Frederick Fiebig, in 1852, could be an image of the Holy Rosary Church on Mount Calvary Hill. 

Holy Rosary Church

The following extract from the 1915 Aloysian Magazine confirms the above: 

The Cathedral was built by the Benedictine Fathers in 1874, and St. Aloysius College was started by the Jesuit Fathers, 21 years later.

Cathedral &  Holy Rosary Church

Image from the 20th Century Impressions of Ceylon, Published 1907. Cathedral & Bishop's House.

Part 1 – Background 

by Fr. Thomas C. Kuriakose S J. SAC 1930-1931 Staff 1950-1951

BENEDICTINE ERA : 1845 to 1895:

1854 • English School in Galle started by Rev.Fr. C.J.B. Fernando O.S.B.

Fr. C. J. B. Fernando , (Courtesy KaravasriLanka FB)

https://www.facebook.com/KaravasriLanka/posts/pfbid02yAR2EQz7Y6ZSBFVjsiKEqajRBwnMHvZuPhBXHrejsKBEjNxSL1YjPbmbhNDuzFXhl

1864• School named the Mount Calvary Anglo -Vernacular School. (English, Sinhala and Tamil ).

1868• Galle Cathedral: The foundation was  laid by the 2nd Sylvestrine to come to Ceylon,  Rev. Fr. E. Miliani O.S.B. prior to leaving the island in 1868.
• Rev.Fr. Benito Martin O.S.B. , a Spanish Benedictine, replaced Fr. C.J.B. Fernando in the Galle Diocese on November 16.

1870s • School known as Mount Calvary Boys High School (English).

1874
• Cathedral built in 1874 with funds collected in Manila by Fr. Martin. (Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon p. 276).
• The inscription 1874 appears at the top of the church facade, just below the cross.

1876
• Most. Rev. Dr. Hillarian Sillani O.S.B. Vicar Apostolic of the Southern Vicariate blessed the church built by Fr. Martin at the latter’s request on January 18. Fr. Martin was very sick in  hospital in Colombo at the time. Fr. Martin’s mortal remains buried at Galle on April 1.

1880
• An Italian Priest, Rev. Fr. Johannes Palla O.S.B., a musician, introduced the 1st Brass Band to Mt. Calvary Anglo – Vernacular School; Catholics at church were treated to its performances on Sundays & Feast Days; concerts were organized at the New Oriental Hotel in the Fort of Galle; public performances were held twice a week in the Victoria Park.

1888
• The first two students, R.G.Gunesekera and his brother D.J. Gunasekera admitted on September 5, according to an extract of the cover page of a document titled SAC Admission Register 1888 – 1969, Admission Nos. 0001 to 9960. The 1st page of the Register  shows the names of the students admitted under the numbers 1 to 25 . A copy of the 1st page has been handed over to the School by Mr. Hemachandra Dias, a distinguished old Aloysian. (Facebook post on 11 January, 2021 of Old Aloysians Media Circle).

https://www.facebook.com/OldAloysiansMediaCircle/photos/pb.100063623470975.-2207520000/3855573954463156/?type=3

• The existing  School was then known as the Mount Calvary Anglo-Vernacular School. Therefore it is likely that 25 or more  students originally admitted to this School were absorbed into the School newly established by the Jesuit Fathers in  1895; the original Mt. Calvary School continued to exist even after SAC was formally established in 1910 & existed as a Sinhala School even in the 1950s.

1891 to 1894
• School known as Mount Calvary Boys English High School.

1894 to 1895
• School known as Mount Calvary Mixed English High School suggesting that girls too were admitted.
• Pope Leo  XIII reorganized the Hierarchy of Ceylon & carved out of the large dioceses of Colombo & Jaffna , the new dioceses of Galle & Trincomalee; the flourishing Belgian Province of the Society of Jesus provided Galle with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Van Reeth as its 1st Bishop.

 

Part 2 - The Beginning 

by Fr. Thomas Kuriacose  S.J. SAC 1930-1931 Staff 1950-1951

JESUIT ERA : 1895 to 1910 – Belgian Mission

1895

• March 19 : Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Van Reeth S.J. from the Belgian Province of the Society of Jesus  consecrated Bishop of Galle in Antwerp, his hometown.

• November 9 : Bishop Van Reeth  arrived in Galle with Rev.Fr. Joseph Cooreman S.J.,  Rev. Fr. Theodule Neut S.J. &  Rev. Fr.  Peter Wallyn.  A Lay Brother, Rev. Polydore Verbrugge S.J. arrived a few days earlier.

• Rev. Fr. Peter Wallyn S. J.  was assigned to the Ratnapura Parish .

• Fr. C.J.B. Fernando O.S.B., then Vicar General of the Kandy Diocese assisted them to organize the Diocese, learn Sinhala etc for 3 months.

The Founder

Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Van Reeth.

"It is His Lordship who, from the first day of his arrival at Galle, expressed his intention of raising the status of the school and entrusting its destinies to a fully qualified staff of teachers. To the realisation of this plan he gave most of his thoughts, the b

est of his time ― in a word his whole heart and a noble soul. Whatever church buildings were available at the time he devoted to this work and he never stopped in his efforts till he saw the future of the college placed in safe hands”. (1922-23 Aloysian Magazine)

 .

Dr. Van Reeth was born at Antwerp on August 6, 1843,  entered the Society of Jesus in 1860, &  was Rector in Troncheinnes from 1888 to 1895.  He  was consecrated Bishop at Antwerp on March 19, 1895. His sister was later the Superior General of a large & wide spread Congregation of Nuns, & his brothers were  prosperous business men. They came from a family of well known talent in the busy seaport of Antwerp. He passed away at Galle on 11 September 1923.

Fr. Joseph Cooreman S.J,  Fr. Theodule Neut S.J 
Bro. Polydore Verbrugge S.J , Fr. Augustus Standaert S.J 

Fr. Cooreman 

Born 5 February 1861 at Ghent in Belgium. Entered Jesuit order on ?. Ordained on ?  He was  the Director of the College from 1902 to 1910. It is reported that Bishop Van Reeth  handpicked him as his right hand man & that he was the brother of the President of the Belgian Upper Chamber, who later became the Prime Minister of King Albert, during the war. He passed away at Calcutta on 1 March 1918. A Mortuary Chapel in his memory has been built at  Dadalla Cemetery by parishioners & friends.

Fr. Neut

Born 8 Feb. 1858 at Ghent in Belgium. Entered Jesuit order on 27 September 1875  at Tronchiennes.  Ordained on  September 8 Sept. 1889. He was assigned missionary work in Kegalle , probably because there was an established  Church (1852), & College (1867) - St. Mary's in Kegalle. He was there from 1896 to 1906.  In 1907 he was appointed the Superior of the Jesuit Mission / College in Galle. Many new buildings were put up in the college during his period. In March 1913, he left Ceylon to attend a religious conference,  but passed away in Naples in May 1913.  Two of his older brothers had joined the Jesuit Order, & one of them was  Fr. Edmundus Neut who was attached to the Seminary in Kandy & had passed away in Ceylon in May 1895. 

Bro. Verbrugge 

Born in 1870 at ? in Belgium.  Entered Jesuit Order in 1887. He was  the Architect & Builder responsible for putting up school buildings. It was he put up all original School buildings & also the Convent buildings. These buildings have stood the test of time.  In addition he was also a musician & was known as the Singing Brother.  He passed away in 1947.

Fr.  Standaert 

Born 22 December 1859 at Antwerp, Belgium. Entered Jesuit order on 27 September 1879. Ordained between 1891-1895. He was unique ; he set up a School (later St. Servatius) in Matara & was its 1st Principal from 1897 to 1901; . he was Superior of the Mission & the School (later SAC) in Galle from 1905 to 1907;  he lived under difficult conditions in the outstations for over 25 years  & passed away on 14 May 1930  at  Kegalle, where he was Parish Priest for many years & St. Marys College too was under his care.

1896

• Rev. Fr. Augustus Standaert S.J. arrived in Colombo.
• Rev. Fr. Peter. D’ Herde S.J. joined the Galle Diocese.
• Bishop Van Reeth erected new buildings for the School on available church property  : Fathers’ Residence & Cambridge classes.
• The 1st Fathers and 1st batch of Boarders occupied small houses near the Cathedral, while others occupied the go-downs and store- rooms of Bishop’s House. 1st students occupied 8 class rooms.

Fathers' Residence, Nineteen  Twenties 

• Sacred Heart Convent established by Bishop Van Reeth  with 5 European Sisters.( 20 th Century Impressions of Ceylon p. 276); at the request of Bishop Van Reeth, his sister, Rev. Mother Mary Bernadette, who was the Mother Superior  of a hospital arranged with the Superior General  of the Sisters of Charity in Belgium to send 5 Sisters: Rev. Sr. Amelie Jannsens, the 1st Mother Superior of the Ceylon Chapter, Rev. Sr. Mary William Brennan, the   1st Principal who held the post for 45 yrs till 1941, Rev.Sr. Alexandra Cooreman (sister of Fr. Cooreman, already at Galle ? ), Rev Sr. Marcia Bossaert, Rev. Sr. Alberta Donny; within a week of their arrival on November 23 , they set up a day school with 36 mixed students, in a house on Mt. Calvary next to the Cathedral; the School moved to the present premises in 1901 & became a girls only  Convent.

1897 to 1899

• School known as St. Aloysius’ English High School. Also known as  ‘Collegium Episcopale’ in Jesuit catalogues .
• The School was named after the Jesuit Saint of Youth, St. Aloysius Gonzaga ( 9 March 1568 to 30 June 1591).
• Bishop  Van Reeth arranged to recruit Rev.Fr. Dennis Murphy S.J., Rev. Fr. C. Piler S.J. and Rev.Fr. John Delaney S.J. from Ireland, Rev. Fr. Francis De Herdt from the Belgian Province, and Rev.Fr. John Biezer S.J., a German scholastic from the English Province to augment the teaching resources, on a tour to Rome, UK and Ireland.
• Fr. Standaert was posted to Matara & established St. Servatius College, Matara and served as its 1st Principal from 1897 to 1901.

1899
• Fr. Standaert appointed the 1st Superior Registrar of the Galle Mission (while at St. Servatius College).

1900
• The School then under the supervision of the Bishop was entrusted to the care of Fr. Cooreman.    
• Fr. P. D’ Herde, one of the teachers,  assumed responsibility for academic studies.

(Courtesy "Heritage Centre Sisters of Charity | Belgium”)

1901
• Cricket: Introduced in 1901 or earlier.

• Rev. Fr. Dennis Murphy S.J. (Irish Jesuit / Belgian Mission) arrived in Galle. Fr. Murphy, born on 20 August, 1962 at Rathmore, Ireland,  entered the Jesuit order in 1882. He  was  at Riverview, St. Ignatius College, Sydney for regency in December 1888, taught the public exam classes in Latin, Greek, French & Mathematics, & was an Assistant Prefect of Discipline until 1893. In the years 1893-94 he taught the lower classes at St Patrick's College, Sydney  before returning to Ireland for theology. He occupied  the post of Prefect of Studies at St. Ignatius' College, Galway, for three years, & volunteered for school work in Galle. At the time of his arrival at Galle in 1901 , according to the Irish Jesuit Archives, the school was a collection of mere floorless hut where boys were taught the elements of the three Rs. 
• The School had 85 students  in attendance &  5 teachers : Fr. P. D’Herde &  4 Ceylonese ; 1 or 2 students in the Cambridge class.

1902
• Staff : 4 Europeans & 5 Ceylonese; Students : 182 on roll, 143 in attendance ; Cambridge class had a number of students ; College Boarding – 20 boarders. ; boarders were given residence in a house, later the parish house, & in some rented houses adjoining it.
• Old Hall was pulled down & a larger one with a stage erected; during this period classes were held in verandahs, cadjan sheds & a part of the hall. 

1902 School Hall, Cathedral, Bishop's House

1902 to 1910

•  Director of the School, also known as Collegium Episcopal : Fr. Joseph Cooreman S.J. 

He was also Vicar General of the Diocese & Parish Priest of the Galle Parish.

1903
Examination Results : 3 Cambridge Junior passes.

1904
• Staff : 10; Students : 260 on roll, 200 in attendance.

1905 - 1907

• Superior of the Galle Mission & of the School:   Fr. Augustus Standaert S.J 

Gradual expansion of the School under his care.

1905

• Staff : 5 European Fathers & 8 local teachers, nearly 300 boys on roll. Classes up to Cambridge Senior.  Grant from the Treasury &  subject to government supervision. Extract from page 276 of 20th Century Impressions of Ceylon, Published 1907, below.

• Boarders : 50
• Simon Gregory Perera entered the Society of Jesus, the 1st Sinhalese to do so. Fr. S. G. Perera S.J. spent the major part of his spiritual life at the College.

1907 - 1913

• Superior of the Galle Mission & of the School: Fr. Theodule  Neut.

• Construction of the large school building with class rooms on several floors, chapel, boarding house   etc  carried out during this period with funds from Belgium.

• Football : Introduced in 1907 or earlier. Inter – collegiate matches commenced & the School won the championship for over a decade.The School maintained its supremacy in football in the Southern Province over the years.

• Staff : 4 Europeans, 9 Ceylonese; Students 300 .

1909
Fr. John Delaney S. J. from Ireland arrived as a Scholastic.

Part 3 - The Development Years 

By Fr. Thomas Kuriacose S.J. : SAC 1930-1931 Staff 1950-1951 ;  A. C. Alles  SAC 1921-1931; L. G. Ponnamperuma SAC 1924-1933;  Pat Williams SAC 1924-1937 on Sports ; Fr. Peter Gomez S. J. : SAC 1928-1934 Staff 1961-1964, 1968-1971; Eric Ferreira SAC 1939-1952 on Music & Drama.

JESUIT ERA : 1910 to 1939 – Belgian Mission

1910
• The School formally named St. Aloysius’ College (SAC) in Jesuit catalogues ; however, the name appears to have been used in local correspondence,  a few years earlier.
• Music : SAC Fife & Drum Band started under Rev. Br. Polydore Verbrugge, popularly known as the ‘ Singing Brother’.
• Staff : 6 Europeans, 13 Ceylonese; Students: 372.

1910 to 1921
According to the Archives of the House of the  Superior General of the Society of Jesus, for the periods 1882 to 1914 & 1915 to 1935, the following Fathers have joined the College during this period:
1910 – Rev. Fr. O. Feron S. J. ;  1912 – Rev. Fr. E. Gaspard S. J. ; 1914 – Rev. Fr. E. Lermusieaux S.J. ; 1918 – Rev. Fr. M. Soden S. J.

1910 to 1921

• 1st Prefect of Studies : Fr. Dennis Murphy (Irish Jesuit).

Took over from Fr. P. D’Herde, on being appointed to the post.

Fr. Murphy believed that every individual is gifted with physical, intellectual & moral faculties , and that their  full development is the aim of education; he therefore initiated wide ranging measures for the growth of the School :

– Recruited able and competent staff, procured appliances & equipment for the teaching of Science, Literature & Commerce;
– Introduced compulsory morning & evening studies, & week-end swimming  for boarders ;
–  Took steps to improve the standard of English and produced a booklet on ‘ Idioms & Pronunciation’; insisted on students speaking English during prescribed hours ; introduced debating & formed a Debating Society that later branched out to 6 distinct associations;
– Started Commerce classes with the assistance of Messrs. W.L.Selby & H. Wimalaratne;
– Conscientized parents about their responsibilities vis a vis their children’ education;
– Added new volumes to the library shelves and freshly equipped the Science Laboratory;
– Published the Aloysian Magazine ;
– Encouraged extra – curricular activities : games & sports, cadetting , scouting;
– Introduced Green & Gold as the College Colours
– Planned and put up new buildings;
– Encouraged the spiritual growth of the students;
the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin  attracted a number of boys; the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the College Chapel invited the boys to join their consecration to the Sacred Heart; the Apostleship of Prayer, helped to give meaning and orientation to the daily events of their lives.

1912

▪ Cadetting : College Cadet Corps registered & cadetting introduced on January 1.
• Examination Results : Honours with Distinctions in Latin, English, French & Mathematics in various years; in 1912, 5 Distinctions & 5 Honours with 1st  Junior  Exhibition

1913
• Fr. Theodule Neut passed away on May 19 at Naples.

1913-1914

• Superior of the Galle Mission & of the School :  Rev. Fr. Olivier Feron S.J. ) 

1913

• 1st Staff Photograph taken. 6 Fathers & 12 teachers.

• Fr. P. D’ Herde returned to Belgium.

• Fr. J. Delaney returned to Ireland for his theological studies. Burke (2021) refers to his enthusiasm, energy & organising ability In relation to the scout troop, school teams etc. & a grand farewell at the time of his departure .

• Sodality : In order to provide a proper training in religious principles, a Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary had existed for a few years in a side chapel of the Cathedral, but after the College Chapel was erected,  its activities were revived  under the direction of th Superior , Fr. O. Feron S. J. & carried on thereafter.

1914 & 1915
• Examination Results :  : 8 passed the Cambridge Senior with 2 Honours; 18 passed the Cambridge Junior with 2 Honours; 14 passed Public Examinations for entry to government service.
• Staff : 31; Students : 530; Boarders : 55.
• Students won many laurels in public examinations & athletics, winning the Flag thrice on Empire Day, holding in football first place, gaining two cups, & in the Cambridge locals  many honours & distinctions, together with the much coveted Junior Exhibition.

1913 to 1929
• Football: 1st  Tournament among Galle Schools for the L.C.A. Leefe Trophy ran from 1913 to 1929.  SAC  won the trophy  on 11 occasions;  runner up on 4 occasions.
• 1914 : Van Velzon captained the team.

• 1915 : 4 Abeysundere boys played for the team. Edmund Alles kept goal & was Games Master in the 1920s &  1930s. 

The Abeysunderas studying in the College at this time were : Aelian, Ernie , Hector, Lionel, Titus , Gerard & Christie. Their parents were benefactors of the College in many ways.

 

• 1920s : Rajapakse brothers, Joe, Roy & Anbo, great exponents of the game emerged during this period; another brother, Andrew played at a later date; other players of note were: Wilmot Serpanchy, Pancras Rayen,  Walter Perera,  Emile Arendtsz,  ‘Papa’ Abeysekera, Remy Juriansz,  Daniel de Silva  & Nicetus de Silva.

Edmund Alles, Ambo Rajapakse, Wilmot Serpanchy 

Reception to Dr. Marcelline de Costa
SAC's 1st Student to qualify in Medicine

1915 to 1922

• Rector, Rev. Fr. Olivier Feron S.J. : the 1st Rector . 

Zealous missionary,  linguist, administrator & friend of the poor.

• Aloysian Magazine published for the 1st time on July 11. Fr. Piler was the 1st Editor of the Aloysian.

• The 1st College Crest was introduced in this Magazine. It encapsulated the Aloysian spirit ‘Certa Viriliter ‘ & had at the 4 quarters , 2 lions & 2 elephants placed diagonally across each other. The letters I.H.S. in the middle & at the centre of the cross referred to the holy name of Jesus .Not known who designed it and what the elements in the 4 quarters signify.  It was re-designed in 1933.(Fr. Peter Gomez S.J.).

• Rector’s Day : A Variety Entertainment held for the 1st time; this remained an annual feature.
•  A Shakespearean play, ‘Merchant of Venice’ staged for the 1st time. Stage plays were an annual feature.
• College was best known for the  Distinctions, Honours & Passes obtained in both Humanities & Sciences at the Cambridge School Certificate examinations, & its extra curricular activities ranging from Sports & Cadetting to Music & Drama.

1916
• 4th Galle Aloysius’ Scout Troop established by Fr. Murphy.
• Prize Giving : Entertainment Programme with 2 choruses by the College Choir & 2 one act comedies.
• Cricket : Captain, F. E. Alles.

1917
• Fr. P. D’ Herde passed away in Belgium.
• Cricket: Captain : K. B. V. de Silva;  P. H. Gunatilleke picked up a staggering 66 wkts. for an average of 5.8 runs in 7 inter-school games; his best bag was 6 for 8 runs vs Holy Cross College.
• Commercial Classes commenced.

1918 -1920

P. A. Cooray

• SAC had a great reputation for the discipline inculcated in her students ; parents sent their children to the college boarding for this reason; the Fathers were kind but very strict about studies.
• Life in the Boarding : 50 to 60 boarders including non-catholic students; membership in Cadet Corps & Saturday sea bath compulsory;  special study hours in the morning & evening; strict discipline; fine community spirit.
Student Roles : Students were assigned responsibilities in the Library, Debating Societies, Athletic Committees, as Class Monitors etc.
• Moral Science was taught to all students
(P. A. Cooray from Kalutara , SAC boarder 1918-1921, later Attorney at Law, M.P. (1952-1956) writing about his time in the College, in 1994 at over 90 years of age).
• In later years, instead of a sea bath,  training in Swimming & Life Saving was encouraged for all students & students qualified for certificates & other awards of the Royal Life Saving Society.

•  The Aloysian Tuck Shop Co. Ltd.

1918
• Fr. Cooreman passed away on August 1 at Calcutta in India.
• Cricket : Captain, Collin Wijesuriya

1919
• Cricket : Captain ?

1920s

• Rev. Br. A. di Paola took charge of Singing & SAC won awards at Schools’ Singing Competitions for several years.
• Cricket : Captain  ?
• Athletics : Outstanding Athletes in the 1920s - Noel Perera, Mervyn Gunaratne, Wilmot Serpanchy, & Willie  Rozairo.

1920
• N.U. Jayawardena,  later Governor of the Central Bank of Ceylon, Founder of the Sampath Bank, etc  was admitted to Form 1 on February 2 at the age of 12 years

;  he left in 1925 January 14, after sitting for the Cambridge Senior Examination; he received Honours & 3 Distinctions including Latin, but failed in Mathematics; he recalled  that Fr. S. G. Perera gave him special tuition in Latin, & Fr. Soden in Chemistry, out of an abundance of kindness; he  sat for the London Matriculation Examination later in 1926, as a private student,  offering Mathematics also , & obtained a 1st Divsion Pass, being one of 2 overseas students to gain that distinction; he has referred to the dedication of his teachers & stated that SAC left an indelible impression on his life, it moulded his character, he learned the art of writing, the elements of sound reasoning & logical sequence, & above all ‘precision’ & the importance of detail;  he was the 1st Secretary of the Colombo Old Boys Association in 1935, & its President in the years, 1953-1955, 1956-1957, 1957-1959, 1959-1961.

An extract from an  article by him is reproduced below :

"So my life from rags to riches, from elementary education to self-acquired knowledge, from shattering adversity to rewarding accomplishment, is an epitome of the determination, the tenacity, the purposefulness, and, above all , the cultural values, inculcated in me, as a Buddhist, by the teaching and the example of the Christian Fathers and Teachers who moulded my up-bringing in the impressionable age of my youth. I then learnt never to take no for an answer! "
(N. U.  Jayawardena, The Aloysian 1915-1990 Diamond Souvenir,  p. 256)

   

• Cricket : Captain,  Noel Perera

1921
• Departure of Fr. Murphy for Ireland after a period of 20 years’ illustrious service to the College on February 28 ; at the time he left, Calvary Hill was covered with new classroom buildings.
• Cricket : Captain,  D.W. Wickremaratne

1921 to 1922

•  Prefect of Studies, Rev. Fr. John Delaney S.J (Irish Jesuit). 

Fr. Delaney returned to the college & took over from his compatriot,   Fr. Murphy. It can be assumed that he continued the good work done by Fr. Murphy with the same enthusiasm & energy, which he displayed earlier as a Scholastic. He initiated action to form  the SAC Old Boys Association  & to hold the Sports Meet  at  the Galle Esplanade for the first time. Some records indicate that he was in chargeof Studies till 1925 but he was Prefect of Discipline from 1923 to 1925.

1922 to 1931

• Rector, Rev. Fr. Edmund Lermusieaux S. J. (Belgian Jesuit).

Soft spoken visionary, planner & developer, teacher of Latin in the Upper Forms  & singer – outstanding soloist at X’mas Midnight Mass, Architect,  Designer & Construction Manager of the new College Hall with its Auditorium,  theatre style balcony & stage .

• Fr. Feron appointed Principal of St. Servatius’ College Matara. He was there till 1930,
• Teachers : Michael Croos, W. Dahanayake,  Albert Ranasinghe,  W. E. Goonewardena, W. H. de Silva, M. E. Fernando, Fr. S. G. Perera,  P. S. Vedamuttu,  P. R. Venkatachalam , Fr. M. Soden,  S. E. R. Perimpanayagam.
• Drama : Fr. Lermusieaux was very keen on drama, & trained students to take part in plays. Moliere’s plays were his favourites; A. C. Alles was one of those chosen very often to play a role.
• Boarding life : it was a rewarding experience, with time set apart for studies, recreation & religious observances; recreation  included indoor & outdoor games, sea bathing, walks in the Park or Ramparts, Picnics etc. Corpus Christi was celebrated on a grand scale & one of the repositories was situated in the college quadrangle, gaily decorated with streamers, flags & buntings. (A.C. Alles from Colombo, boarder from 1921 to 1931; later Justice of the Supreme Court).

1922
• Cricket : Captain, M. Gunaratne

1923
• Opening of the new wing of SAC by Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Van Reeth on June 23. Planned by Rev.Fr. Ernest Gaspard S.J.&  Rev. Fr. Michael Soden S.J., with guidance from Rev. Fr. S.G.Perera S.J. & Fr. E. Lermusieaux S. J.

Rev. Fr. M. Soden S. J.   a teacher, scientist, innovator and versatile genius flowing with kindness and concern.

The new wing  comprised of :
– special facilities in a tower in the 4th & 5th levels, with a telescope for astronomical observations;
– a fully equipped Laboratory &  Lecture Theatre with elevated seating on tiers, on the 3rd floor;
– a ‘Teachers’ Room & class rooms for Science teaching on the 2nd floor;
– an enlarged Reading Room cum Library & Indoor Play room on the ground floor; planned by Fr. Soden; international level journals for school goers such as Scout, Boys Own Paper, & other reputed journals such as the ‘Illustrated London News ‘, the National Geographic  Magazine, the more sophisticated G.K ‘s Weekly & even the British satirical ‘Punch’  made available; light Classical Music played on a HMV gramophone at the lunch break  introducing Beethoven, Bach,Strauss, Tchaikowsky etc.; the lending library supported  by a printed classified catalogue with thousands of volumes  on the shelves; besides Ping Pong, Indoor games like Draughts, Chess, Dominos, Word Building, Nine Men’s’ Morris, Game of Bees, provided;
– facilities for amateur photography, including a photographic Dark Room provided;
– an X-ray unit in the laboratory, the 1st in the South & patients from the Galle Hospital were brought to the College laboratory for X-rays,
The above facilities which may appear to resemble those of an university, rather than that of a school in the 1st  quarter of the 19th century enhanced the reputation of the College which continued to attract students from all over Ceylon.

• Fr. S.G. Perera, who was involved in establishing the new wing,  was the 1st Sinhalese Jesuit to join the Belgian Mission.

 Famous as a scholar & historian locally & abroad, teacher of Latin, Language & Philosophy in the Upper Forms , he was responsible for the translation from Portuguese to English of a monumental work: Fr. Queyroz’s  ‘ The Temporal & Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon ‘  – 3 volumes –  on the Portuguese period, at the request of the government . The work was carried out over a period of 10 years, & printed by the Government  Printer in 1930.

• Fr. Soden applied for  Radio Revenue License. This was the year BBC started its service.

• Mr. Paul S. Vedamuttu joined  the College Staff at the age of 20 years on July 15. He served the College for 38 years.

•  St. Aloysius Old Boys Association was formed  and Rev. Fr. Delaney , the Prefect of Discipline then  made an appeal to all old boys to enrol as Life Members of the Association. The response to this appeal is recorded by Fr. Delaney in the College Magazine  as follows: ” …………. As far as I am told, the applications for membership have been very poor. There is only one life member from ‘California Estate’ by the name of Mr. P L Weerasooriya. How I wish that he was  an American millionaire from California itself ; he could then pay for every Old Boy and make all of them life members. However we thank him for the  good example he has set and hope all the tea, rubber and plumbago kings will come out of their seclusion and emulate this young old boy’s example ………”. Mr. P. L. Weerasooriya was at College from 19 Sept. 1903 to 1917, being the 463rd student, and was, a member of the Cadet Corps, the Football  Team & the Secretary of the Literary Association . See link under Web References.  His son, Mervyn, also studied at SAC & played for the College Football Team in 1957, & later retired as the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue,  after serving the Department for 37 years.”

• Bishop Van Reeth passed away on September 11 and his mortal remains interred in St. Mary's Cathedral, Galle. See pages 8, 9 & 10 of the September 2012 Newsletter of the Diocese of Galle for an Appreciation of Bishop Van Reeth published at the time of his death. (Link given under Web References. It is also reproduced at the end of this document.)

Tomb of Bishop Van Reeth

• Cricket : Won all matches; R. Amarasekera & Walter Perera were 2 good bowlers; Amarasekera took 8 for 14 runs vs St. Thomas College, Matara. Captain, K. B. E. De  Silva scored 120 not out vs Govt. Technical School.

• Sports Meet : held in the Galle Esplanade for the 1st time.   It blossomed into the annual Inter-House Athletic Meet & participation in the annual Southern Schools Athletic Meet & Public Schools Athletic  Meet.

Note : At page 121 of the Centenary Souvenir, it is recorded that the Sports Meet was moved to the Galle Esplanade in October, 1924. However, this is probably an oversight. The page from the Aloysian displayed shows that the Sports Meet /Old Boys Celebrations have  been held in June at the Galle Esplanade  in 1923 & that W. Rozairo won the Championship Cup. It coincided with the opening of the New Wing in 1923.

1923 - 1930 

▪ Prefect of Studies -  Rev. Fr. E. Gaspard S. J. 

"His stentorian voice made us buckle at our knees & our spines would turn into jelly when we heard the swish of his cane . When he was caning a boy at one end of the college we would hear the strokes of the cane at the other end of the building & his language when he was scolding a boy knew no compromise....... Such was the man who was the mainstay of SAC for more than 20 years. When I entered SAC he was virtually everything except Rector........ in addition to all this he was Chairman of the Board of Catholic Education & knew the Education Code backwards. In fact Dr. Dahanayake, when he was Minister of Education often consulted Fr. Gaspard on how to interpret )the Code when there was some tricky point involved. Dr. Dahanayake said of Fr. Gaspard  ' Fr. Gaspard has taught me that work no matter how hard can never kill a man.' In addition to all these multifarious duties, he reserved for himself the teaching of experimental science in the Junior Form." (Rev. Fr. Peter Gomez S. J. )

1924

Fr. Soden installed a small 110 volt DC generating plant to light up the college , the cathedral & even the convent; Mr. C.O. Williams assisted Fr. Soden in all technical matters & was an enthusiastic associate.
• Scholastic, Rev. Fr. R. Chiriatti S.J., the 1st  priest of the Neapolitan Jesuit Mission from Italy arrived; the Belgian Jesuit Mission which promoted & sustained SAC could no longer send personnel, as it was ravaged by the 1st World War;  those who had arrived by 1915, stayed on & managed SAC until the Neapolitan Jesuit Mission took over in 1939.
• Cricket : Captain,  Walter Perera

• Lakshman George Ponnamperuma  (1924 -1933), the eldest of the 3 Ponnamperuma brothers, later Ph.D from London University & 1st Chairman, CISIR, now Industrial Technology Institute SL, & Technical Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat, London,  was witness to or a beneficiary of much of the development work carried out from 1915 to 1933; his recollections are part of this record, in particular, about Fr. Soden’ s contribution to the development of the College.

1925

• Stage Play : ‘ Barber of Seville’.
• Cricket: Captain, ?

1926

• St. Mary’s Cathedral illuminated at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
• Limited electricity supply provided to the Galle town by the government.
• Miss C. Overlunde , later Mrs. S.D. Gibson joined the staff . She retired in 1960, after 34 years ‘ service.
• Cricket : Captain, Victor Alles.

1927
• Fr. Soden obtained a receiver & experimentalist license & installed it, one year after Radio Ceylon was inaugurated. King’s Speech, cricket matches etc were broadcast & people came to listen to programmes amplified through large loudspeakers.
• Cricket : vs Mahinda College –  ended in a tie;  captained by K. L. Daniel de Silva, batting first,  SAC  managed 59 runs; Mahinda College were bundled out for 44 runs; in the 2nd innings SAC were bowled out for 45 runs, only  George Dias entering double figures with 10; Mahinda College needed 61 runs to win; they were 46 for 5 down at one stage; Leonard de Zilva who did not bowl in the 1st innings mesmerized the remaining batsman taking 4 wickets for 5 runs in 5 overs and the scores were dead level;  vs Richmond – Henry Alles took 7 wickets for 17 runs.

• Rector's Day Celebrations

Note : Galle Esplanade with Gymkhana Club building in the background &  rickshaws, buggy carts &  cars of that era on Galle Rd.

• Cadetting

1928

• Fr. Chiriatti left for India to follow his theological studies.
• W. Dahanayake,  (later Prime Minister of Ceylon)  joined the Staff of SAC.

 He taught Latin, Mathematics, History, Geography & Moral Science.He was also the Games Master. He acted in the College plays many of which were adaptations from Moliere’s comedies. He left in 1936 in order to pursue a career in politics.

• Senior Cambridge Examination : 3 students, obtained Honours  – Basil Corera, Edmund Wimalaratne (Distinctions in Latin & Sanskrit) & A.C.Alles.
• Peter Gomez, (later Jesuit Priest) was a student from 1928 to 1934 ; his teachers were : Fr. Gaspard,  Fr. Chiriatti, Fr. Soden, Fr. Vercruysse, Fr. Peter de Silva, Mrs. Ernest, P. C. Dias, Ratnayake,  F. E. Alles, W.H. de Silva,  Thomas Mackessack, S. E. R. Perimpanayagam,  P. S. Vedamuttu, & P.R.  Venkatachalam; there were  600 students on roll; he was admitted to Std. 2B & Felix Nelson  Ponnamperuma,  later Ph.D. from Cornell University, the world renowned Principal Soil Chemist, IRRI, Phillipines & developer of the miracle rice, IR 8, was in Std 2A.
• Cyril Andrew Ponnamperuma, later, Ph.D. California University, 

the world  renowned NASA Scientist, (who analyzed the soil samples from the moon,)  & Professor of University of Maryland, was admitted to College & later joined St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. According to Arthur C. Clarke, ” No other scientist of Sri Lankan origin was internationally known & respected as he was.” He was probably admitted to the College in 1928 & left in 1933 along with his brothers, but the dates need verification.
• A group of Scouts engaged in an expedition to the Himalayas.
• The Cadet Battalion  under Lt. Wickremasuriya & Lt. W. H. De Silva provided  a  Guard of Honour    to His Excellency the Governor General.

• Cricket : Henry Alles captained the team & was acclaimed the steadiest & soundest batsman among Galle schools; M. H. Azeez took a hat-trick vs Mahinda.
• Football: Captain, George Dias
• D. M. Rajapakse Scholarship

Extract from the Aloysian regarding the scholarship offered by Mr. D. M. Rajapakse of Deniyaya, an Old Boy of Mount Calvary School & St. Aloysius College.

• Sodality / Boarders

1929

• New College Hall with an auditorium,  theatre style balcony & stage opened in June. It was  unsurpassed in schools at the time. Fr . Lermusieaux was its Construction Manager with the full support & versatile skills of Fr. Soden, & Bros. Polydore Verbrugge (builder) & Van Lierop (supplies & materials manager).

• Teachers Guild : Inauguration on August 20.   Office Bearers : President : Fr. Lermusieaux , Vice Presidents : Fr. Gaspard & Mr. Wimalaratne, Secretary & Treasurer :  P.S. Vedamuttu, Committee : W. Dahanayake,  A.Ranasinghe, Miss Theodora de Silva.
• Stage Play : ‘Julius Caesar’ staged for the Prize Giving held in March. Last concert held in the old Hall.
• Football : Captain : George Dias again; 1st Eleven team won the L.C.A. Leefe Trophy;  Form 1 teacher, W. Dahanayake , took the Form 1 team to Richmond to play against their counterparts in charge of his twin brother, K. Dahanayake & SAC won the match.
• Cricket : Captain,  Samson Kulatunge

1930s

• Moliere’s & other  plays, translated into English by Fr. Lermusieaux,   were regularly staged in the new College Hall  and  prominent actors among the staff were: Messrs. W. H. de Silva, A. Ranasinghe, W. Dahanayake, E. F. de Silva  P. S. Vedamuttu, P. C. Dias, S. D. Gibson, Wickremasuriya & Ponniah.

• Rector’ Day : Playlets by kiddies introduced by Mrs. Theodora Alles were a regular feature thereafter.

• College Anthem in English – Lyrics : Miss Dorothy Anghie – teacher at the Sacred Heart Convent & later at SAC;  Music – Rev.Fr. Stromer Sidicinus S.J.- teacher at SAC from 1938 to 1943.    .

• College Anthem in Sinhala – Lyrics – Rev.Fr. Moses Perera S.J. , an Old Boy & brother of Marcelline Perera, Principal of Mt. Calvary School; Music : Sunil Shantha – teacher at Mt. Calvary School at the time.

• Stage Plays :  ‘Mock Doctor’, ‘Cook & Cook’, ‘Playing at Fashion’, “The Money Box’, “Dandy Dick’, ‘A Thumping Legacy ‘. Fred Serasinghe seen on stage often. His rendition of ‘Alfred Hamu’ was highly appreciated.

1930
• Fr. Standaert passed away in Kegalle on May 14.

• Cricket : 

Samson Kulatunge, Kingsley de Zilwa,  George Dias  & Anthony Walles gave some good performances.  Samson Kulatunge captained the side again ; Kingsley broke the then school batting record hammering the All Saints College attack to the tune of 121 n.o.

• Football: 

George Dias, Captain for 3rd year, centre-half par excellence,  possessed an uncanny sense of anticipation and his ball control was sheer magic; he played for the team from 1925 to 1930; his team had an impregnable defence in Lancy Wootler as goal-keeper,  Anthony Walles & Aloysius de Silva as full backs.

1931

• Governor of Ceylon, Sir Herbert Stanley visited the College & was received by the Rector , Fr. Lermusieaux & the College Captain, A.C.Alles (later Justice of the Supreme Court).

• Stage Play : ‘Vocation of St. Aloysius’ in August. Pat Williams played the role of St. Aloysius.
• Cricket : Captain, George Dias

1931 to 1933

•  Rector, Rev. Fr. Ernest Gaspard S J.

Science teacher, co-planner with Fr. Soden of the magnificent Science Dept., strict disciplinarian, tough, hardworking & dedicated conservative teacher with a sense of humour.

1932
•  The House System introduced. 700 boys were divided into 5 groups and assigned to 5 houses, each house in a particular zone.
• Houses named after the pioneers who established the School – Cooreman (Yellow), Murphy (Red), Neut (Green), Standaert (Purple ), Van Reeth (Blue).
• House Masters & House Captains appointed.
• House Captains: 1st group -: J. Weeraratne (Murphy), A. Rodrigo (Van Reeth), F. Cole (Standaert)  C. P. Wickremasinghe  (Neut) & F. Xavier (Cooreman ); 2nd group –  A. Rodrigo, L. D. Jayasundera, D. de Zylva, W. Furlong  P. Williams; & 3rd group  : S. A. C. Shums, R. Kulatunge,   S. S. Bawa, F. Scheffer, M. Jayasekera.

• Inter-House Competitions commenced.
• Cricket : Kingsley de Zilwa , Captain, created a wonderful batting record with an aggregate of 466 runs,  being not out 4 times  & having an average of 155 per innings; his scores were : 107 n.o vs Dharmasoka, 99 n.o vs St. Servatius,  58 vs St.  John’s,  94 n.o. vs Holy Cross & 78 vs Galle C. C.; Shelton Hoffman’s wily spinners proved the downfall of many a batsman during the season & he took 4 for 5 runs in 5 overs vs Holy Cross .

1933
• Fr. Soden, a teacher, scientist, innovator & versatile genius,  drowned in the sea while trying to save the lives of 2 boys who got into difficulty in the waters of Buona Vista; Fr. Soden, a Britisher by birth, came from a prestigious & aristocratic European ancestry dating back centuries; he was a demonstrator of science & its fascination & a genius with a flair for technological innovation; he was curator of the laboratory;  he was also the 1st environmentalist in  Ceylon in that he campaigned successfully against the establishment of a whaling station at the Buona Vista Watering Point; he edited the College Magazine, the Aloysian, for many years.
• Fr. Chiriatti returned from India , & undertook  a number of assignments : Prefect of Boarders, Prefect of  Games, Prefect of Discipline, Prefect of Cadetting, &  Editor of the Aloysian, on the death of Fr. Soden.
• Cricket : Sol Gunatilleke,  captain of the team was the 1st cricketer to be awarded the College Cricket Colours.

1934

• Re-designed College Crest: 

Fr. Chiriatti introduced a new  Crest, & according to him it was designed by S.A.Wickremasuriya of the academic staff & Fr. Ernest Gaspard on the advice of Rev. Fr. John Herat O.M.I. of the Colombo Archdiocese, who was an  authority on  heraldry; the  4 quarters contained an elephant, standing for Ceylon ; 3 lilies for purity of conscience ( an outstanding characteristic of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of the college) ; the flaming torch for the torch of learning passing on knowledge from one generation to the other & the rooster standing on a pile of rock stones representing the town of Galle , dating back to the Portuguese period . (Fr. Peter Gomez S.J. )
• Consecration of Bishop of Galle Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Maria  Laudadio S.J. of the Neapolitan Jesuit Mission.
• Football: Many good players came on the scene; Tidy Abeygunawardena, Felix Cole,  Arthur Sheen,  Willie Furlong,  T. Drahman & Jansz were prominent; the last named excelling as goalkeeper.
• Cricket : Captain, Sol Gunatilleke,  again.

Rt. Revd. Dr. N. M. Laudadio S. J. 

1934 to 1939

•  Rector, Rev. Fr. Edmund Lermusieaux S J. for a second time.

1934 to 1949

•  Prefect of Studies Rev. Fr. Ernest Gaspard S.J.

1935, March 23

• Colombo  Branch of the Old Boys’ Association launched. Elected at 1st meeting : President – Dr. Marcelline de Costa, Secretary –    Mr. N.U. Jayawardena, Treasurer – Mr. P.D. Henry (All Office – bearers to date listed in the SAC OBA website ).
• Athletics: 
- Pat Williams, Neutonian,  outran all his opponents in the 1st cross country race organized under the House system.
- Oswald de Alwis, Neutonian  was the 1st Under 19 Champion Athlete under the House system.

Oswald de Alwis, Alavi Ismail

• Cricket : Captain,  Walter Perera
• Football: vs St. Joseph’s College, won by one goal to nil. Pat Williams, Douglas Jayawardena and Freddy Furlong combined brilliantly , according to plan, to score the winning goal.

1936

• Athletics : Alavi Ismail of Murphy House won the Champion Athlete Trophy both in 1936 & 1937. 
• Stage Play: ‘Tons of Money’ performed for the 1st time in Ceylon for the O.B.A. celebrations in June; adjudged as one of the best produced in several years; principal actors : E.D.A. Gunasekera, Douglas de Zilwa, Peter Phillips, Pat Williams & Sumitta Dahanayake accredited themselves beyond expectations; Fr. Chiriatti produced the play with contributions from Frs. Lermusieaux & D’ .

• Football: Pat Williams captained the team; 

switching to  centre forward position he displayed his goal scoring skills; he scored 26 out of the 39 goals scored during the season, a Southern Province record; he also scored 32 goals in the 3 seasons he played creating another record.

• Cricket : Walter Perera captained the team again   & was a very able leader, consistent with bat  &  ball.

1937

• Cricket: 

S.A.C. Shums, a fine left arm spinner came on the scene; in  his 1st year he took 34 wkts;  in 1938 he increased it to 59 wkts; in 1939 and 1940 he took 52 & 43 wickets respectively; in all, 178 wickets in 4 seasons, a truly proud achievement; team was captained by Douglas de Zylva.

• Football :

Richard Kulatunge

 Richard Kulatunge captained the team. Dominic Pereira & David Gibson (inside forwards) Clarence Ferreira  a brilliant centre half, N.H.L.  Sirisena & D.G. Nandadasa (forwards) were the pick of the players in the late 1930s & early 1940s. Clarence and Dominic served the team for 5 years from 1936 to 1940. David beat both with a 6 year spell   from 1936 to 1941.

Clarence Ferreira,  Dominic Pereira,  David Gibson 

1938

• Music : Fr. A. De Burra S.J. made a  splendid debut as Choir Master & formed the Chromonica Band. The Band consisted of 20 players & functioned well for some years. It was revived in 1959.

• Cadetting : This activity appears to have been dropped around this time & it was revived in 1980 when the college was under state administration. 

Part 4 - The Golden Years

By Dudley Wijesiri SAC 1946-1956 Staff 1959-1960; Pat Williams SAC 1924-1937 on Sports;  Eric Ferreira SAC 1939-1952 on Music & Drama.

JESUIT ERA : 1939 to 1960 – Neapolitan Mission

1939 to 1949

•  Rector, Rev. Fr. Realinus Chiriatti S J. (Neapolitan Jesuit). 

Simple & aloof; determined & durable; astute & methodical ; administered discipline in a calm & quiet manner; teacher of Latin & Apolegetics in the Upper Forms; steered the College with distinction during the war years.

1939

• Old Boys’ Concert : Items were four part choruses,namely the ‘ Halleluiah Chorus’ from ‘Messiah’ by ‘Handel’ & ‘Queen of Angels’ by ‘Verdi’.
• College Choir – 100 to 150 boys.
• Cricket : Captain : S.A.C. Shums; John Hettiarachchi scored 114 vs St. Sebastians.

1939-1952
The Fathers : Frs. R. Chiriatti,  A. De Mattia, Felix Rajapakse,  E. Gaspard,   A. De Burra,   V. Perniola,  S. G. Perera, J.  Pogany,  J. Chianese, V. Caly,  Marino, Catalano, Vernon Buyzer, Basil Corera, Albert Silva, Joseph Angele, Louis Cramer, Mark Perera, Paul Caspersz & Lay Brothers, Verbrugge,  Van Lierop,  Anacletus Rodrigo & de Nola.
• The Teachers: : Mrs. K. L. J. Dias, Mrs. Theodora Alles,  Mrs. Ernst, Mr. W. B. Ratnayaka,  F. E. Alles,  J. W. S. R. Senaratne, G.G. Gomez, H. S. N. Sarma, N. Venketeswaran,  A . S de Z . Jayatilleke, K. C. Nair, P. S.Vedamuttu,  P. B. J. Hewavasam, Anton Ferreira, P. C. Dias, S. W. Wickremaratne  W. E . Goonewardena.  W. A de Silva, E. F . de Silva,  Benjamin Blaze , D. B. Weerasinghe, E. Wimalaratne,  S. E. R. Perimpanayagam,  S. D. Gibson, Mrs. Gibson, A. Ranasinghe,  G. A. M. Ganepola, S. Selvaratnam, D. B. Siritunge, M. E. Fernando,   P. R. Venkatachalam,  E. S. Menon, C. A. S. Manatunge, V. V. Perumal, S. P. Fernando, G. L. Jinadasa, J. Varnakulasingham,  E. Dabrera, N. C. Siriwardena, Mrs. B. W. Wickremanayake,  Mrs. S. W. Abeytunge, Miss Gogerly. (Eric Ferreira SAC  1939-1952).

Mrs. Gibson, Ms. Ranasinghe, Mrs.  Dias,

Mrs. Ernst, Mrs. Siriwardena, Mrs. Abeytunge

1940
• A group of Scouts climbed the Himalayan mountain up to a height of 14700 ft.
• Cricket : Captain, S.A.C. Shums again.

1941
• Cricket : Alex Dias, Captain,  scored 115   vs All Saints College.
• Athletics : 

E. Wijekulasuriya of Murphy House scored the highest number of points ever, to win the  Champion Athlete Cup, viz. 25 points.

1942

• Cricket : Captain, John Hettiarachchi

1943
• Fr. Murphy passed away on 19 February at N. Wales.
• Carnival held in the college grounds.
• Cricket : Captain, John Hettiarachchi .

1944
• Athletics: Public Schools Athletic Meet – L.L. Teneris distinguished himself by winning the Mile event; the 1st Aloysian to win an event at this meet; he ran barefoot.
• Cricket : Captain,  M. B. Gunatilleke
• Golden Showers Carnival held in the college grounds in aid of the Endowment Fund.

1945
• First Aid : Training promoted by Fr. De Mattia, who also took Latin in the Junior Form. Fr. De Mattia was later made a Serving Brother of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, an honour bestowed on him by Queen Elizabeth II  of England. First Aiders received training & qualified for certificates & awards of the Brigade, throughout the years.
• State Educational Policy : The Reform of the Educational System & the Free Education Act 1945 was passed amidst mounting agitation against the inequalities caused by the existence of poor quality free education in vernacular schools attended by many & high quality English education on payment by a few. A movement to do away with the denominational schools(who received a monthly grant from the state in addition to levying fees ) & for the state to take full control of all schools was set in motion. Leading politicians of the day supported this movement and/or advocated withdrawal of assistance to denonimational schools. There was uncertainty in the air. The denominational schools  had to decide by 1948, later extended to 1951, whether to join the free education scheme or not.
• Cricket : Captain,  Joe Abeysundera .

• Athletics : Public Schools Meet : Amarasiri Wickremanayake,  3rd in Mile event & 2nd in Half mile event. Joe Abeysundera 3rd in Putt Shot. Eric abeyratne 3rd in High Jump.

1946

• Golden Jubilee of the College celebrated with much festivity, belatedly.

• 1st Medical Student : Wilfred Samuel Emmanuel Perera (later Consultant Gynecologist & Professor) became the 1st SAC student to be admitted to the Medical Faculty of the University of Ceylon.
(Eldest brother of Rev. Fr. Mark Perera SJ., Daisy Pathirana SAC Teacher for over 35 yrs , Rita Perera – founder of Marcsri Kalutara, Newton Perera – Chartered Accountant, Joseph Perera – High Court Judge & Dr. Christopher Perera – all Aloysians,  Sacred Heartians).

Dr. Wilfred, Fr. Mark, Newton,
Daisy, Rita, Joe, Dr.Christopher 

• State Educational Policy: Sinhala / Tamil became the medium of instruction from Grade 1 to 4. Muslims,  Burghers & Malays were instructed in English. Sinhala became a recognised subject in the  curriculum. Sinhala and Maths/Arithmetic were made compulsory subjects for the Senior School Certificate examination.
• New teachers recruited for Sinhala & Maths.
Sinhala: P.B.G.Hewavasam  (later Ph.D. University of Ceylon) (pix below) , & 

Benedict Sirimanne (later, while following a course at Peradeniya University, played the role of the Prince in the widely acclaimed play ‘Maname ‘ produced by Dr. Ediriweera Sarathchandra, another distinguished old boy);  

 

Dr.Ediriweera Sarathchandra & Ben Sirimanne

Maths : H.S.N Sarma (hard task master, but excellent teacher).

• A  Pack of Cub Scouts  was formed under Mrs. Theodora Alles & Miss Sujatha de Silva.
• Cricket : Captain,  H. C. Durrant

1947
• Stage Play : ‘Kapuwa Kapothi’  by the College  Rovers.
• Female students from the Convent at SAC for higher studies also participated at the annual concer , persuaded by Fr. De Burra to display their talents.
• Athletics: Public Schools Athletic Meet – SAC , 7th in the Championship table, a  creditable performance for an outstation school; Collin Durrant won the Putt Shot and 3rd in Discus Throw; Douglas Senaratne, 2nd in Hop Step & Jump; Southern Schools Athletic Meet – Senior Relay Championship won by the College team comprising of C. Durrant, S. Abeysundera, D. Senaratne, D. Palipane & D. Alles.
• Cricket : Captain, ?

1948
• SAC participated in the celebrations held in the Galle Esplanade on Independence Day , February 4 ; First Aiders were on duty.
• Cricket : Captain, ?

1948-1955
• Teachers who had completed 25 years service : outstanding teacher of science , Fr.  E. Gaspard S.J. , that incomparable teacher of English, P.S. Vedamuttu, W.E. Gunawardena , E. F. de Silva & Mrs. Theodora Alles.
• Fathers guiding the students / boarders: Fr. V. Caly, Fr. J. Angele, Fr. O.  Morelli as Prefects of Discipline, Fr. A. De Mattia, a loveable priest,  who silently kept on grinding & polishing the uncut diamonds, & the Sub Prefects : Frs. Kuriacose,  Peter Gomez,  Buyzer, Cramer, Caprioli & Catalano. (Bertram Dabrera , SAC  1948-1955, later Fr. Dabrera).
• Operettas & operas became very popular. ‘Barber of Seville’ staged again.

1949 to 1952

•  Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. Vito Perniola S. J. (Neapolitan Jesuit). 

Scholar & historian, known locally & abroad. 

Obtained Ph.D in Linguistics from University of Poona  & degree in Oriental Languages after he came to Ceylon. Wrote the history of the Catholic Church in Ceylon from the time of the Portuguese, an outstanding work. Passed away in 2016 January, at the age of 102 years & laid to rest in Kandy.

1949 to 1962

•  Prefect of Studies, Rev. Fr. Paul Nazarine Peiris S.J.

• Fr. Gaspard &  Fr. Peiris shaped the future destinies of the College for almost 40 years with a commitment & dedication unparallelled in the history of any other  educational institution in the country.
• Fr. Peiris knew the name of every student and those of their parents too; he exercised great influence over his charges and helped to mould their value systems; a great disciplinarian, he was responsible for ushering in the Golden Years of SAC.
• SSC & HSC classes were introduced in place of  Cambridge & London  examinations & the  curriculum adjusted accordingly.
• New subjects, Botany & Zoology were introduced, 

• Science laboratories were re-equipped & Botany & Zoology  laboratories were created.
• Brilliant Aloysians like Karl Gunewardena (Ph. D. London University, Professor & Dean, University of Peradeniya etc ), Michael Roberts (Ph. D. Oxford University, Professor, University of Adelaide etc), J.B.X Devotta (Ph. D. London University, Professor, National University of Singapore etc), Granville Dharmawardena (Ph. D. Cambridge University, Professor, University of Colombo etc), Lakshman  Amaratunge (Ph. D. Birmingham University, Professor, University of Toronto etc ) & Bryan Fonseka emerged during those glorious years & the College obtained the best results ever.

Prof. . Gunewardena, Roberts, Dharmawardena, De Votta, Amaratunge

1949

•  Stage Play : ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ was the 1st of the famous operas staged in the College by  Fr. De Burra  with the Ferreira brothers, Anton, Eric & Ben, Susila Abeysundera, Douglas  Senaratne & Ignatius Raymond. Mervyn Ferreira , talented & regular pianist for such occasions, was the accompanist.

• Cricket : vs Holy Cross 

S. H. Chandrasena started the innings on a sensational note dismissing their 3 best batsmen in the 1st 4 balls – all clean bowled. Captain,  ?

• Bro. Polydore Verbrugge passed away.

1950
• Fr. Gaspard became General Manager of Catholic Schools in the Galle Diocese.
• Fr. S.G. Perera passed away on February 19 at Galle. His reputation as scholar & historian had enhanced the image of the College.
• Teaching of Sinhala & Tamil: Not one of the school’s candidates for the SSC Examination failed in Sinhala & Tamil. 3 non Sinhalese candidates secured Distinctions in Sinhala & 1 non Tamil in Tamil.
• Fr. Peiris’s Principal’s Report contained the prophetic words : “children of different communities should be encouraged to study, play & mix freely with one another in amity & concord without unhealthy congregation that must inevitably follow any attempt to erect linguist & religious barriers.” At SAC, there was perfect harmony among students of all communities, who regarded themselves as Aloysians & Ceylonese.

• Reading Room 

Took on a new look, thanks to a donation from A.R.M. Thassim, Mayor of Galle & Philanthropist.

• Stage Play : ‘The Mikado’ staged by Fr. De Burra with Clarence Ferreira  as Mikado, I. D’abrera as Koko, Anton Ferreira as Pooh Bah & Susila Abeysundera as Pish Tush.
• Art Exhibition : Organised by Art Master, W.D. Samarasinghe.
• Cricket : H.H.Vedamuttu took 36 wickets at an average of 7.6; D.G.Nandadasa’s fielding, above average. Captain,  S. H. Chandrasena.

1950s
• Action songs came into the school musical  programmes; delightful, colourful & tremendously popular; ‘Coach & Four” produced by Mervyn Ferreira, outstanding among musical programmes.
• Percussion Bands added to the musical programmes & the youngsters received tremendous applause for their performances.
• College Music Society formed .
• Stage Plays : ‘Cook & Cook, ‘ Tons of Money’ staged again; Fr. Chiriatti played a leading role in producing a number of plays,  his gem being ‘Tons of Money’ with  Sarri Junaid, E. Wickremasekera, G. R. Edema, J. Jamieson, R. Daniels, Ranjan de Silva, Ashton Peiris, J. M. G. Vedamuttu.

Football: 

W. Piyadasa

W. Piyadasa was reported to be one of the best centre-halves in the schools in the early 50s;  Noel Edema, Darrel Walles, & Carlyle Rodrigo were a trio of crack players , all of whom captained the College team in successive years 1953, 1954 & 1955; Carlyle Rodrigo was the longest serving player in both the College Cricket & Football teams – 5 years from 1952 to 1956.

Pat Williams, Noel Edema, Darrel Walles,  Carlyle Rodrigo 

Table Tennis :  The game was extremely popular among senior students in the 1950s & among  the star players were Shiraz Cassim, Ranjan de Silva, Firouse Saheed, Ferrin Careem & Adly Mohamed.  Ranjan de Silva joined the Army & retired as Brigadier. He is a director of Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd sole agent in Sri Lanka for BMW motor cars.  Firouse Saheed took to Snooker & Billiards later & became a star player & the President of the World Billiards & Snooker Federation. Ferrin Careem took to Golf & became a star golfer & the  President of the Royal Colombo Golf Club & recipient of National Honours -Sri Lanka Sikhamani . Adly  Mohamed became a Dental Surgeon.

Shiraz Cassim, Ranjan de Silva (acting in the play "Tons of Money" )  Ferrin Careem, Firouse Saheed,  Adly Mohamed  

1951

• Music : Fr. A. De Burra S.J. made a  splendid debut as Choir Master & formed the Chromonica Band. The Band consisted of 20 players & functioned well for some years. It was revived in 1959.

• Cadetting : This activity appears to have been dropped around this time & it was revived in 1980 when the college was under state administration. 

• Fr. S. G. Perera Oriental Library was declared open by Dr. Andreas Nell; this library now housed at Tulane Research Centre for Encounter & Dialogue, Kelaniya founded by Rev. Fr. Aloysius Peiris S.J. , a brilliant product of SAC, who entered the priesthood in 1953. He later obtained 3 theological degrees, a degree in Pali & Sanskrit, from the University of London, & a Ph.D. in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lanka.

• The Aloysian Magazine had articles in Sinhala, English & Tamil for the 1st time.
• State Educational Policy : The Educational Amendment Act was passed & in April SAC joined the Free Education Scheme, with the assurance of parity of status & parity of treatment for all schools. There was no immediate danger. The agitation for final take over of all schools continued.

• Stage Play : ‘That Rascal Scapin” staged with John R. de Silva, Derrick Jordan, T. E. D. Bulner, R. Oorloff, Felix Silva, Joe Silva, R. Vanderputt,  Sarri Junaid, D. S. Wijesundara, R. Mortier.

• Cricket : 

H. H. Vedamuttu captained the side; he scored 70 run vs Holy Cross College & took 6 wkts for 27 runs & vs St. John’s had a great match with figures of 7 for 25 & 7 for 31.

• Football : M. H. M. Hussain captained the team   which  was unbeaten.

1952 to 1959

•  Rector, Rev. Fr. Oliver Morelli S J.(Neapolitan Jesuit). 

He did much to encourage sports in the school, while being mindful of all other activities in the college & maintaining the highest standards. 

1952

• Photographic Exhibition : Sir Alan Rose, Chief Justice , was the Chief Guest & declared open the Exhibition.
• 6 Scouts were awarded the Queen’s Scout Medal for the 1st time: J. Ondaatje, R. Samaraweera, D. Wickremaratne,  J. Jamieson, N. Edema  & T. Pierez.
• Cricket : Captain,  Ben Ferreira

1953
• Stage Play : 

Nihal Bandaranayake

‘Nothing but the Truth’  with Malcolm Furlong, Derrick Jordan, R. Ludowyke, Nihal Bandaranayake, among others.

• University Admissions : 11 out of 13 science students gained admission.
• Scout Jamboree in Pakistan : Scouts M. Gunadasa & N. Ranawake  participated.
• Cricket: Noel Edema played a classic innings of 94 vs Richmond.Captain,  Terence Jayasuriya.

• Football  :Captain, Noel Edema.
• Stage Play :  ‘The other Mr. Smith’ with  John R. De Silva, Malcolm Furlong, Derrick Jordan among others.

• Rev. Fr. Perceval Abraham S.J. , a medical doctor & chest specialist, who had joined the Society of Jesus,  was posted to SAC for his ‘Regency’ on 10 May 1954 & taught Bio Science in the HSC  classes  till 31 May 1955; at the Annual Sessions of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala, one of Ceylon’s foremost zoologists announced that among a collection of snakes sent by Fr. Abraham to the  Medical Research Institute for identification were 2 new ones belonging to the genera Uropeltis Cuvier & Plectrurus Dumeril respectively; .these were deposited in the zoological laboratory of the National Museum.(Hemantha Situge, SAC 1970-1983)

• Athletics :- Public Schools Athletic Meet held in Colombo & Southern Schools Athletic Meet  held  at the Boossa Racecourse for the 1st time.

– Public Schools Athletic Meet – Ivor Kelaart won the 220 yds and was placed 3rd in the 100 yds proving himself to be one of the top class sprinters in schools.

–     Southern Schools Athletic Meet -  Ivor Kelaart burst on the scene & lowered 2 records in the 100 & 200 yds; his time of 10.2 secs in the 100 yds was only one tenth of a second outside the then Ceylon record: for the 2nd time running awarded the Galle Gymkhana Club Challenge Trophy for his performance in the 100 yds;  1st time the trophy was won in successive years by any athlete.

Champion miler, Shelton De Silva is seated extreme left; and Ivor Kelaart  ‘stands out’ seated as captain

• Cricket : Noel Edema captained the team & knocked up  scores of 109 n.o. vs Matara Sports Club,  91 vs St Servatius & 50s vs St. John’s College & All Saints College; M. Anver also played attractive cricket with 106 n.o. vs All Saints College & 94 vs Mahinda College;   Carlyle Rodrigo displayed sparkling batting form with useful scores while M. Chandrapala,  Gerry Jayasuriya,  P. Somapala & Darell Walles provided good support.

• Football: Darrell Walles captained the team which was unbeaten ; the side was fully booted.

1955
• Cricket : Carlyle Rodrigo captained the side & scored 101 n.o. vs St. Servatius College.  Other players of note were Ivor Kelaart,  Vernon Regis & Michael Roberts.
• Football : held St. Benedicts College, then Ceylon Schools Champions to a draw; the brilliant goal-keeping of K. K. De Silva, the excellent spoiling work of the full backs, Vernon Regis & Joe Fonseka were features of a hard fought game; Carlyle Rodrigo captained the team.

1956
• Stage Play : ‘Soap 13’  with Lakshman Abeysundera, S. Jayasundara, John R. de Silva, Ralph Mortier, R. Knower, Oswin Silva, V. Venkateswaran & A.C. Fernando.
• Stage Play : ‘Merchant of Venice’ in Sinhalese.
• State Policy : Country adopted the Sinhala Only policy. No immediate impact but a trend towards a decline in the importance of English and a period of uncertainty loomed on the horizon.

• Cricket : Games Master – Fr. Tim Gomez; Coach  – M.D. Jayasinghe;historic year for the team  captained by Anwar Jawadth; won all their matches & the whole team awarded colours; Carlyle Rodrigo &  Vernon Regis headed the batting and bowling averages respectively; Vernon crashed through the Richmond College 2nd innings taking 6 for 17; Vernon  selected to play for the Combined Schools team vs N.C.C.; Carlyle Rodrigo captained the Galle Combined Schools XI vs Karachi C.C. in which Vernon & Michael Roberts also played. Michael’s score of 35 not out was the highest for the schools side. Other members of the winning team were: L. Abeysundera, Oswin Silva, M. Dias, N. Peiris,  D. Jayanetti, J.M.G. Vedamuttu,  R. Vanderputt, S. Cassim, C. Auwardt, & J. R. de Silva.

• Football : Captain, M. K. M. Naumann

• Fr. John Delaney, a former Prefect of Studies passed away in Dublin.

1957

• Stage Play :  ‘Barber of Seville’ , for 3rd time with Oswin Silva, Lakshman Abeysundera,  John R. de Silva,  Nigel Kerner, S. Keuneman, F. Keuneman, Rienzie  Perera & Thilakan  Perumal, in June.
• Cricket : Michael Roberts captained the team; centuries continued to flow during the season; vs St. Anthony’s College, Wattala, Michael Roberts scored 101 not out; vs. Richmond College, Vernon Regis * scored 112; vs St. Servatius College,  Matara  , hard hitting J. Vedamuttu produced some spectacular batting with his 97 ; other good batting came from Lakshman Abeysundera, Johnny de Silva,& Cedric Auwardt; vs Dharmasoka College, Vernon Regis distinguished himself with the ball taking a hat – trick (3 for 3 ).
• Football:  K. K. de Silva captained the team.

1958
• Football: 

Ben Ferreira, then out of College, became the only Aloysian to don a Ceylon Jersey when he was selected to represent Ceylon on the Ceylon Football Association ‘s tour of Burma & China.

• Football : Hyndley Perera captained the team; a moderately successful season.
• Cricket : Captain,  Nalin Peiris

• GCE examination : J. B. X. De Votta,  adjudged the best in the island .

J. B. X. De Votta receiving a prize from Justice  M. F. S. Pulle . 

College Form Union 1958

1959

• Stage Plays : ‘Raththaran” a play in Sinhala by Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra enacted by College students with Asoka de Silva, P. Nagahawatte,  G. Pandithasekera, A. Bandara ; ‘Treasure Island’  in English with J. Varnakulasingham, E. Wickrematunge, L. Abeysundara, Ranjit Abeysinghe, N. H. L. Punyadasa ; ‘ Magul Prasthawa’ in Sinhalese.

• Chromonica Band : Revived with 20 Chromonicas & added features :  8 Piano Accordions, 6 Guitars, 40 Mouth Organs,12 Drums, Tubular Bells, Bongos & other instruments. Bells – Nihal de Silva, Royston Watts & Darrel Ginger. Clarinet players – Royston Watts & L. Cramer. The band made a name for itself in the district & performed at various concerts. Success of the choir and bands was attributed to Fr. De Burra & Mervyn Ferreira, a talented pianist.

• 10th World Scout Jamboree, Phillipines (July 17 – 26): 

2 Scouts, Hemachandra Dias & Justin de Silva formed part of the Ceylon contingent.

• Cricket : Hyndley Perera captained ; vs St. Servatius College, Matara, won the match, but a bleak year; Guy de Silva, R. Gunasekera,  M. Hussain, M. Nizam,  H. Perera, & Frank Rodrigo were awarded Colours for individual performance.
• Football : Ranjan Gunasekera captained the team;  won all matches vs Galle Schools, but lost to St. Benedicts College, Colombo 2-3.

School Activities in the 1950s

Part 5:  The Final Years 

 

By S. A. A. Perera SAC 1946-1951 Staff 1956-1957

JESUIT ERA : 1960-1971 : Neapolitan Mission

1960 to 1965

• Rector, Rev. Fr. Julius Pogany  S J.

Gentlest of men, finest of Science teachers, crushed by the school’s “hand over”.

• Fr. Pogany took over at a time when social & political changes were having an adverse effect on the future of denominational schools; despite a small exodus of staff in 1962 the college continued to maintain the highest educational standards under his tutelage and guidance; the period was a trying one because of the ever persistent problem of finding the finances to run the school; nevertheless, though this was not a role that he envisaged for himself, being more at ease as an excellent teacher of Physics , he did make great strides but was up against  insurmountanle obstacles.

• The annual Aloysian Magazine was published only twice, covering the years 60/61 & 62-65.

• Outstanding Achievement of the Decade by an Aloysian :

Michael Roberts, student from 1946 to 1957, later Ph.D. Oxford University, Fullbright Scholar-Chicago University & Humboldt Fellow-Heidelberg University,  & Professor of Anthropology , ” not only obtained a First Class Honours in History at the University of Ceylon but also the Prize for History, the Prize for Ceylon History, the Ceylon University Arts Scholarship & the Dr. Wijetunge Cup for the best All Rounder in the University Campus; to cap it all, he won a Rhodes Scholarship tenable at the Oxford University for 3 years – a distinction so rare  that Michael was only the 2nd Ceylonese to have won it.” ; he also gained University of Ceylon Colours at Cricket & Soccer, Peradeniya Colours in Cricket,  Soccer, Rugby , Tennis & Athletics; he captained the University B Cricket Team; he captained the SAC Cricket team in 1957  & represented the College in both Football & Athletics as well.

• Fr. Gaspard & later Fr. Lermusieaux,  2 of the stalwarts of Aloysian education, passed away after over 40 years of service to the cause of education at SAC.  Veteran teachers, Messrs. W.B.Ratnayake,  Visaga Perumal, B.D.Gunasena & Miss Dorothy Anghie  also passed away around this time.

1960
State Educational Policy : Assisted Schools & Training Colleges(Special Provisions) Act No. 5 of 1960 made the Director of Education the Manager of every assisted school to which the Act applied, except Grade 1 Grade 2 schools. Of 2750 Assisted Schools, 50, including SAC , elected to remain unaided and the rest was taken over by the Dept. of Education by 1st December.
• Stage Play :  ‘The Imaginary Invalid’  directed by Fr. De Burra.
• Cricket : Captain , Ranjith de Saram ; 

Malcolm Auwardt’s brilliant wicket keeping & batting as an opener was a feature of the 1960 & 1961 seasons; he & Ranjit de Saram were one of the best opening pairs among the outstation schools; useful   contributions from Guy de Silva, Sunil Fonseka, Shirley Orr ; among the wickets were Hilary Paul, G. Pathikirikorale & Fred Keuneman;  Hilary & Shirley toured Western Australia with the N.S.C.A. team ;  Ranjit captained the Galle Combined Schools vs  the Victorian Schoolboys;  Shirley  awarded the O’Neill bat for top score ; Malcolm & Freddie chosen to play for Galle Schools in the Colombo Cricket Association tournament.

• Football : 

Unofficial champions among Galle Schools;  Meryl Peiris captained the team .

• Athletics : Public Schools Meet : Nihal de Zoysa , 3rd in Pole Vault &  2nd in Hop Step & Jump events.

• Mrs. S. D. Gibson retired after 34 years of excellent service.

• The Golden Years came to an end. The College was forced by circumstances to become a private school in December.

1961
• College in difficult circumstances : A period of anguish & severe stress commenced for the Jesuit Fathers in charge of the school. Future seemed uncertain  & it was heart-rending for them to realize that the huge edifice built by the Belgian, Neapolitan & Ceylon Jesuits in the previous 6 decades would soon collapse, if funds were not forthcoming.
• Funding had to be organized to pay salaries, for extra curricular activties and maintenance of the buildings. A Welfare Association was formed to collect funds. Old boys and benefactors responded generously.
• Despite heavy constraints the Welfare Association constructed a 4 class room block behind the College Hall , added a Dental Clinic and a Barber Saloon and improved Laboratory facilities.
• Fr. R. Chiriatti  transferred to the Jesuit Residence in Colombo ; he passed away there  at the age of 94, on 20 January 1994.
• “Paul S. Vedamuttu : Senior English Teacher retired after 38 years of yeoman service. 

Erudite, dexterous in argument, hardworking,  he drilled into his students all the beauty of the English language. Not all the students liked him because of his cynicism & the sting of his remarks. but in retrospect they all admired & respected him because his one great passion was to impart his knowledge to the students.”

• Music : Closer collaboration between the College & the Convent at the Old Boys Day celebrations;   the two Choirs combined to provide a high standard of choral singing.

• Football : 

Unofficial champions among Galle Schools. Gamini Pandithasekera captained the team;  Modestus Perera was a tower of strength at full back.

• Cricket : Captain,  Sunil Fonseka.

Morley de Silva, D. S. Wanigaratne, G. Mettananda

Lalantha Samarasinghe,  Seevali de Abrew 

1962
• Transfer of Fr. Peiris, Principal, to St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa: this was yet another blow to the College; about his departure the 1962-1965 Aloysian Magazine commented thus: “His Principalship was illuminated by a yearly succession of the student successes. Among them were the regular quota of Aloysians to the University, Law, Medical & Technical Colleges ……..To the students Fr. Peiris was a strict disciplinarian, who would not brook any laxity or shoddiness. However he was also their veritable friend & guide. His stern exterior was known to envelop a gentle nature within. As a counsellor he directed many an errant boy in the correct path to success.”

Fr. Peiris  made a huge contribution to St. Michael's too. Read about it here: https://m.facebook.com/smcaac/posts/3769969299797444/?locale=sr_RS

• Photo Club: Successful year; produced greeting cards for Christmas & New Year for sale at competitive prices; had a stall at the Carnival for sale of photographs.
• Football: Standard had decined, & All  Saints College  (Galu Maha Vidyalaya) emerged as the strongest school side in the South. Nihal Samarasinghe at right extreme proved to be an outstanding player among school boys of the South.
• Cricket : Captain, H. Iqbal 

1963 to 1968

• Prefect of Studies, Rev. Fr. Paul Caspersz S.J.

Fr. Casperz had his early education at St Benedict’s College and St Joseph’s College, followed religious studies in  Tamil Nadu & was ordained in 1952 at Naples, Italy ; he obtained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from  Oxford University & joined SAC as teacher in 1958 before being appointed Principal in 1963.. After the College was handed over to the State  he launched  Satyodaya – the dawn of truth – a centre for social research and encounter. Its focus was to bring Tamil plantation workers and Sinhala villagers together, in order to help them develop their communities and lives.

• Number of students which was 1407 steadily decreased, as the College could no longer admit non – Catholic students; as  the decade closed the writing was on the wall; fund raising campaigns petered out ; college was in dire straits financially.

1963
• Music : Choir teamed up with the Convent & sang ‘Speed your Journey’, one of ‘Verdi’s masterpieces from his opera ‘Nabucco”. Miss Bunchie Rodrigo, Music Teacher of the Convent was the  accompanist.
• Chapel Choir :  Roman Catholic students sang at services in the College Chapel & the Cathedral. Choristers mastered the best of Latin masses and hymns introduced by Fr. De Burra & Mervyn Ferreira.
• Photo Club : Another successful year; participated in the 29th Annual Photographic Exhibition in Colombo – Schools section; 21 specimens displayed; secured 1st & 2nd places; Kodak Challenge Cup won by Vernon Boralessa; Somasiri Jayasena secured 2nd place; had a stall at the Carnival for sale of photographs.
• Cricket : Captain , Gamini Fernando.

• Athletics : Public Schools Meet : K. D. H. P. de Silva  6th in High Jump event - Seniors. Ananda de Silva 6th in 80 yds Hurdles event - Juniors.

1964
• Football: Team captained by M.D.S  Sunimal, who later became an international referee. Keerthi Fernando & Harold Solomons figured prominently during the season.
• Athletics : Public Schools Athletic Meet – Ananda de Silva set a record timing of 15.6 seconds in the 110m Junior Hurdles.
• Cricket : vs Dharmasoka College Edwin Corera scored 111 runs; vs Richmond, the Solomon brothers, Harold* & Markie did yeoman service both with bat & ball, in particular, by putting up a century partnership for the 5th wicket, Harold making 54 & Markie 75; others who performed well were M. Jawath, Leslie Silva, N. Ismail & P. Bandara;  Keerthie Fernando  captained the team which was unbeaten.

 

• Athletics : Public Schools Meet : Ananda de Silva returned a rd timing of 15.6 secs in the 110 yds Hurdles event - Juniors.

*Harold Solomons is now a well known figure in Sydney , Australia as the Managing Director of Kingsgrove Sports Centre.

He has employed/sponsored many Australian cricketers & he has generously contributed to the improvement of cricket at his alma mater,  schools down south in SL, in Australia & other countries.

He organised a Charity Walk in Sydney after the 2004 tsunami, to help SL. See link under Web References.

College Form Union 1964

0

• Rector, Rev. Fr. Joseph Chianese S J. (Neapolitan Jesuit) 1965

• Football :  Standard had declined by this time. SAC had lost its former glory.

• Fr. D’Amelia, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church  passed away at a Nursing Home in Colombo on May  27; he was a loveable priest, who had soft corner for little children ;  in earlier years he was Prefect of Discipline.
• Cricket: Captain,  Mubarak Jawath

1966p

• Rector, Rev. Fr. Percy Abraham S J. 

1st Ceylonese to be appointed  Rector  & a   Doctor of  Medicine earlier. A time of great challenges, but the College carried on.

• Fr. De Burra left for Italy where he passed away in 1980. He was at SAC from 1938 to 1943 & from 1947 to 1966; he was an Artist, Poet, Musician, Photographer & Teacher; he was Prefect of Discipline for long periods. He is best remembered for the great operas & musical shows he staged in the College Hall on occasions like the Prize Givings, Rector’s Day etc. he also taught Latin in the Junior Form.

• Cricket : Captain,  Patrick Bandara

• Athletics : Public Schools Meet : K. Lawrence de Silva,  1st in 200 m & 400 m events - Juniors

1967

• Cricket : Captain,  Niranjan Vithanage

• Athletics : Public Schools Meet : K. Lawrence de Silva,  5th in 100m & 6th in 200m events - Seniors.

1968

• Prefect of Studies, Rev. Fr. Stephen Fernando S.J (Acting).

• Athletics : Public Schools Athletic Meet – SAC  created history  by wining the V.B.M. de Silva Memorial Challenge Trophy awarded  for field events among outstation schools in all age groups; D.S Adihetty, Godfrey Arsekularatne, Lawrence de Silva and Laksree de Mel won the points for SAC; trophy was however shared with St. Xaviers College.
• V.B.M. de Silva was a one time Secretary of the Public Schools Athletic Association. His 2 sons, Joe & Felix were boarders at SAC. Felix, unfortunately succumbed to a head injury sustained with a leather ball whle playing cricket within the college premises.
• Cricket : Captain,  Nimal  Mahagamage

1969
• Rector, Rev. Fr. Oliver Morelli S J. for a second time (1+ yrs).
• Cricket : Captain,  Keith Perera
• Athletics : Public Schools Meet  : Donald Weerasuriya  4th in 400m event - Seniors, L. Jayaweera 3rd in High Jump event, Laksree de Mel 4th in Putt Shot event.

1970 to 1971

• Prefect of Studies, Rev. Fr. Paul Caspersz S.J

1970 Football Team

  with Fr. Vernon Regis, Fr. Paul Caspersz & Ben Ferreira

1970

• Cricket: Captain,  S. Paranavithana
• Football:  Captain, S. Paranavithana

1971
• Cricket,  Captain,  Trevor Perera/Rex Manatunge

1971, 1 July
• School was handed over to the government.
• 23 members of the staff were transferred out. Among them were those who had served SAC during its halcyon days & had imbibed the spirit of SAC & its glorious traditions & whose names  were revered by generations of Aloysians ; M/s. Anton, Mervyn & Ben Ferreira, Mr. & Mrs. Ariyadasa Pathirana, M/s. S.P. Fernando, W.D. Julian, Mrs. Rita Dias, Miss Eileen Abeysundera & Mr. J.B.Varnakulasigham.

Some well known Jesuit Era Aloysians not  mentioned above 

(there will  be more)

An Early Aloysian Entrepreneur

A. G. Hinniappuhamy, Maliban

Aloysian Lawyers

Douglas Premaratne P. C. , fmr. Solicitor General

Sarath Lewke Bandara P. C.

H. J. (Joe) F. Silva , fmr Principal, Law College

Godwin Perera, Snr. Attorney  

Aloysian Doctors 
.

Dr. D.B.K.de Silva, Dr.J.M.G.Vedamuttu, Dr. M.S.A. Hamid

  

Dr. D. P. Atukorale, Dr. D. V. J. Harischandra  

Aloysians heading Ministries, Government Departments

Dr. W. A. Karunaratne , MD (Lond.) FRCP (Edin.) DPH(Lond.) FRSH. fmr. Director of Health Services
Mr. Mervyn Wijesinghe, fmr. Secretary, Ministry of Justice

R. I. T. Alles, State Secretary, Ministry of Education,
Founder Principal D. S. Senanayake College & Gateway Colleges

O. M. Weerasooriya, Commr. Gen. of Inland Revenue
H. G. Dharmadasa, Commr. Gen. of Prisons

Aloysians in Engineering

 

A. Maheswaran, M. M. A. Cader, Major Douglas Wijesinghe ,

P. Ariyagama, Daya Lelwala,  D. S. Senanayake, Seevali de Abrew, T. M. Jayasekera, Frank Perera

Aloysians in the Army

fmr. Brigadier Ranjan de Silva

Shantha Kottegoda, fmr. Army Commander

Aloysians in the Police

Clement Alles, fmr.CI, AG's Liaison Officer

Elster Perera, fmr. SP

R. Senanayake, fmr. SSP

H. Dias, fmr. SSP
K. D. H. P. de Silva, fmr. DIG

G. Pathikirikorale,  fmr. DIG

Aloysians in Computing

Prof. Gihan Wickremanayake
Dr. Bandu Ranasinghe, Pioneer in Computer Education in SL, Founder Chairman of IDM, Founder Chairman of British Computer Society , Sri Lanka Branch.
Nalin Wijetilleke –  Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) HALL OF FAME AWARD 2022.

Aloysian Writers & Photographers

Nigel Kerner, Science Fiction Writer, Screen Writer
Daya Dissanayake, Winner of State Literary Award for Best English Novel twice, received SAARC Literary Award
Dunstan Wickremaratne , Winner of several photography awards; covered the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles & Princess Diana & received Letter of Appreciation from Buckingham Palace.

Aloysians at Universities

Prof. B. A. Abeywickrema, fmr. Vice Chancellor , University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Ivan Amerasinghe, fmr. Director General and Chairman of NIFNE/Ocean University (2000 -2008),  Ambassador
Prof. Neil Karunaratne, University of Queensland
Dr. A. de S. Liyanage, University of West Samoa
Dr. G. Morrel Fonseka - fmr. Professor and Senior Lecturer in Geophysics, Open University of Sri Lanka and former President of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka .
Morley de Silva - fmr. Professor of Botany, University of Ruhuna
Dr. Kapila Dahanayake - fmr. Professor of Geology, University of Peradeniya
Dr. M R Mohideen - fmr. Professor of Medicine,Faculty of Medicine,University of Ruhuna

Aloysian Doctors Abroad

Dr. R.P. Fernando, Dr. V. Venkateswaran,  Dr. S. Junaid 

Dr. Eardley Wickremasinghe, Community Physician, New York
Dr. Lalantha Samarasinghe , Cardiologist New Jersey
Dr. Asoka Dias, wearing the Queen's Service Medal -2022, with the Governor of NZ 

Aloysians  in the Business Arena

Sumithra Goonesekera,  Ariyaseela Wickremanayake , 

Dilith Jayaweera, 

Eliyas Kareem 

Aloysians in Banking

J. F. Guy de Silva 

Three or more Brothers at SAC -  Later Years of the Jesuit Era

(there could be more)

Winnie in "Tons of Money"

Vedamuttu Bros & Sis. - Arul, , Huxley, Freddie, Winnie, 

Dollina, Pauline, Rita,  Amy (SHC)

DSI Group - Rajapakse Bros.

Melvin 

Boralessa Bros.
Mervyn, Titus, Melvin, Vernon, ?

De Zoysa Bros.  

Susantha, Sarath, Nihal

Hammeem, Ismeth

Magdon Ismail Bros 
 Nilam, Hammeem , Ismeth, Yusuf,  Kamal.

Carlyle

Rodrigo Bros.
Carlyle, Derek, Patrick, 

Waas Bros

Wilfred, Godfrey, Jerome

Jerome 

Shelton, Dulip

Karunaratne Bros.
Shelton, Neil, Dulip, Keerthi 

Naufel

Rahuman Bros. Sis - Naufel, Sheriff, Bunchy, Yasmin (SHC)

Solomons Brothers
Harold, Mark & Gerald 

De Saram Bros.

Ranjith, Damian, Cosmas

Mapalagama Bros.

Part 6 - The State Era (1971 - 1995) 

In 1961, the number of students on roll was about 1400. 10 years later, at the time of the hand-over in 1971, the number had  dwindled to  around 1000, mainly due to a stipulation by the state that denominational schools should admit children of the same denomination only. 
24 years later, in 1995  at the time of the 100th Anniversary of the School, the number had increased three-fold to  around 3500;
new buildings had come up to accommodate them; &  the volume & variety of sporting & other activities far exceeded those of the earlier era.
The number of students as at January 2021 is reported to be around 5000.
The progress of the College in the first 25 years under state control outlined below is based on the articles in the Centenary Souvenir issued in 1995:

1971 - 1985  :  THE CHALLENGING YEARS   

- SAC as a State School by S. A. Ariyananda Perera
-  Reminiscences, 1976-1987 by D. Y. Wijewickrama

1971
April
Insurrection took place on 5 April. The Superior of the Jesuits, Rev. Fr. Moran S. J. sent a letter to the Dept of Education, requesting them to take over the School. 

1971, 

• Principal, Mr. B. K. Silva, 1971 June 13 – 1971 December

The former Principal of Wanduramba Central College assumed duties as  the 1st Principal of SAC, under state control.   1st lay person & the 1st Buddhist to hold that position. A period of challenge for the country soon after the insurrection  &  for the School soon after the hand-over. The challenge  - to acquaint himself with the manner in which the School was hitherto managed and to transform it to fall in line with other state schools during a tumultous period . However, after 9 months there was a change in April, 1972.

Standing from L. Manil Kariyawasam, Ignatius Warnakulasingham, Sumithra Goonesekera, Rex Manatunge,  Anura Mapalagama
Seated from L. Neil Daluwatte, Fr. Stephen Fernando S.J,  

Mr. B. K. Silva, Principal, Mr. Subasinghe, Sisil Jayakoddy

 

1972 April

• Principal , Mr. Dunstan Fernando , 1972 January  – 1973 February

Eminent educationist, with long experience in missionary schools, & a deep appreciation of traditional values. He was able to fill the vacuum left by the Jesuit Fathers.

The major events during his stewardship were:

• holding of the 75th Anniversary Celebrations
• laying of a foundation stone for a new wing
• amalgamating the Mount Calvary Kumara Pasala with the main School.
However, a power struggle between 2 sections of the staff was a huge obstacle to the progress of the School, &  Mr. Fernando left SAC, retired from service & joined Wesley College, Colombo, as its Vice Principal.

1973

Principal - J. B. Varnakulasingham (Acting), 1973 February 28 – 1973 August 3. 

He had served SAC for over 20 years as a teacher. Helped to pilot the school in the stormy days; taught the boys to love music & literature.

The power struggle continued, & culminated in  :

• the transfer of 23 members of the staff, who had served SAC with distinction in the past;
• the transfer of Mr. Varnakulasingham himself to the Department of Education;
• the exodus of the brightest students to Richmond & Mahinda Colleges;
• the School was in turmoil.

1973 

• Principal - L. D. P. Jayasinghe, 1973 August  – 1976 April 

Simple & mild-mannered, he endeavoured  to revive old traditions of SAC which were overlooked after it was vested in the State. e faced the uphill task of restoring order, building confidence in the School, & managing it as a state school, which he did successfully during his short tenure. 

• the medium of instruction was Sinhala

• the buildings started earlier were completed and plans drawn up for further extensions;
• the House System & the OBA celebrations were revived.

1974
• Educational Reforms :  "Following the insurrection, there was much soul-searching, which culminated in the Educational Reforms of 1972-1974. The main thrust was to link education with employable skills & to equalize educational opportunities by  a common curriculum up to the 1st public examination, the NCGE which replaced the GCE. The 1st objective could not  be met because of the stagnant economy between 1970-1977. Though the revision of the curriculum & later the provision of free text books & free uniforms were steps in the right direction towards meeting the 2nd objective, they failed to eliminate the fundamental imbalance & the injustice of poor educational opportunities for the masses as opposed to superior urban schools to whom the middle & upper classes had access. The new curriculum called for more preparation, understanding & commitment from the Principals & the Staff, & many found it difficult to adjust themselves to this requirement. Science & Mathematics were introduced at Grade 6, & parents became over-anxious, & this led to the pernicious practice of sending children for private tuition. It has now emerged as a business enterprise & mass tuition classes have become institutionalized."(S. A. A. Perera).

1975

•The College Magazine, which was last printed in 1965, was revived, but the issue for 1974-75 was different both in format & content from previous issues;
• The Principal's Report & the major contents of the Magazine were in Sinhala;

1975

• Principal - B. J. L. Fernando (Acting), 1975 December 22 – 1976 May 25 

• Another  change in the post of Principal. Mr. Fernando functioned in an acting capacity for a brief period. 
• Scouting : After a dormant period of over 10 years scouting was revived & K. Oranawardena was appointed Troop Leader, 

1976

• Principal - D. Y. Wijewickrama, 1976 May 25  – 1987 January 7

Quietly & unobtrusively he uplifted the standards of discipline, studies & extra-curricular activities  in the School. Mr. Wijewickrema had a long & illustrious service in the Education Dept., was a strict disciplinarian  & earlier the Principal of Buona Vista College. He lived up to expectations and restored the School almost to its former glory, although initially he did experience some resistance from the Old Boys. He passed away in January, 2003, & as a mark of respect the remains were lying in the College Hall  on 20th January, 2003 to enable the school community to pay their respects.

1978
• Football: 1st Eleven Team won the Dahanayake Challenge Shield.

1979

• All-Island Do You Know Contest organised by SLBC : Team won 3rd place.
• Scouting : Sanath Wickremaratne took part in the Jamboree in India;  B. Ruben was the Group Leader; H. Liyanage was the Troop Leader.

1980
• Football: 1st Eleven Team won the Dahanayake Challenge Shield again.
• Stage Play on English Day : 'Captain of the Pinafore'.
• All-Island Do You Know Contest organised by the Milk Board : Team won 2nd place.
• Cadetting : Revived after  nearly 45 years.  The Cadet Platoon participated in the camps held at Mahiyangana & Diyatalawa under the direction of Sgt. Buddhipriya Alakawela &  Sgt. Nalin Dissanayake. S. Thotagamuwage & Lt. D. Amarasinghe functioned as the Cadet Masters in Charge of the Platoon.

1981
• Football: 1st Eleven Team won all the matches in Galle & beat De Mazenod College.
• Stage Play on English Day : 'Trial by Jury' .

1982
• Football : The 1st Eleven Team won all the matches in Galle, & beat De Mazenod College. The under 16, 17 & 18 teams participated in all the All-Island Competitions.
• Percussion Band : A Junior Band formed with 38 members.
• Annual General Meeting of the OBA : The Principal was ousted from the post of ex-officio President & Rev. Fr. O. Morelli S. J.  appointed instead, in an unprecedented move. This was based on the mistaken belief by the Old Boys on the Staff & the OBA that only an Old Aloysian or a Jesuit Priest could turn the school around.

1983, December 
• Old Aloysians Sports Club of Australia  established in Melbourne  on the initiative of Pat Williams.

1984
• All-Island Music Competition : Kolitha Lelwala, adjudged the best Flutist.
• All-Island Solo Singing Competition : Suresh Gunaratne,  2nd in the Island. 
• Percussion Band : A Senior Band with 26 members formed.
• Cricket : M. Dharmasiri scored 123 not out vs. Royal. J. Priyadharshana scored 118 not out vs. Devananda. S. Rubasinghe was the best of the bowlers, with a total of 46 wkts. for 244 runs, averaging a little over 5 runs per wkt. His 8 for 11 vs Tissa MV & 6 for 13 vs Rahula were excellent performances. He also did well with the bat scoring over 200 runs.
• Cadetting : College Platoon  registered as a senior cadet platoon of the 1st Battalion of the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps this year. At the Assessment  Camp held on 9 Oct. , the platoon won the 6th place among platoons of the 1st  Battalion. At the Training Camp held at the Boossa Army Camp the platoon won the following Awards:
- Platoon with the Best All Round Performance
- Platoon with the Best Physical Fitness .
• Scouting : Scouts from the Troop participated in the 27th Air Scout Jamboree on 20th & 21st October; Scouts also participated in the 7th Galle  Jamboree held in Koggala

1985
• A Film Society started. The film " Salute to Sobers" was screened to encourage cricketers & students.
• Chess re-introduced.
• Cadetting : In June, the platoon participated at the Camp held in Ambalangoda under the direction of Sgt. S. K. Rajapakse & Sgt. D. G. Hewage ; Master i/c was K. L. Somaratne; platoon was successful in winning 1st place among all platoons of the 1st Battalion;  accordingly, the platoon qualified to participate in the Camp for the Herman Loos Challenge Trophy for the 1st time in the recent past & did so under the direction of Sgt. D. G. Hewage & Sgt. W. D. Udayakantha.
• Scouting : Manjula Liyanage participated in the 10th Jamboree held in India for Boy Scouts & Girl Guides.

1986
• Athletics : Placed 7th at the Galle District Schools Athletic Meet.
• Cadetting : D. G. Hewage promoted as Regimental Sgt. Major, the 1st time a College student received such a promotion & the highest rank a cadet could achieve; platoon participated at the Ambalangoda Camp & won 2nd place among platoons of the 1st Battalion under the direction of Sgt. U. W. D. Priyantha &  Sgt. M. S. Liyanage; the platoon participated at the Kegalle Camp for the  Herman Loos Challenge Trophy.
Scouting : 10 Scouts - P. G. Palinapitiya, W. S. Rathsinghe, G. S. Priyankara, Shirantha Herath, A. D. Palinapitiya,  G. Senanayake,  Lalith Amarasinghe,  Sumith Dissanayake,  N. D. Ratnayaka,  R. T. Soyza - took part in the Training Camps at Thalama & Buona Vista College , took part in a friendly meeting at Richmond College for Boy Scouts & Girl Guides,  & provided community services at the Van Reeth Elder's Home.

Some of the major achievements during Mr. Wijewickrema 's stewardship were:
• Examination Results : Showed steady improvement. 
- O.L. : 4 students were among the best 10 students selected  based on the O.L. results under the sponsorship of 'Lankadipa'. This was the highest from one school.
- A.L. : SAC produced the best results in Galle in the Maths Stream in successive years. These students eventually became university lecturers & engineers. In Bio-Science, some of the best students left the School, for no apparent  reason. 
• Infrastructure Development : Progress made was as follows:
- 3 two-storeyed buildings with 8 class rooms each, & 1 two-storeyed building with 12 class rooms were constructed to replace the temporary classrooms housed in sheds.
- the Main Hall was fully repaired; fans and lights were fixed.
• Prize Givings were held & the Chief Guests were mainly Old Boys : Dr. D. P. Atukorale,  Dr. Granville Dharmawardene,  Dr. Cyril Ponnamperuma,  Mr. Rupa Karunatilleke,  Mr. M. S. Amarasiri & former teacher, Dr. W. Dahanayake. A Prize Fund was established. 
• Inter-house Sports Meets &  Swimming Meets, Cricket, Football, Badminton matches etc were regularly held.
• Extra-curricular Activities : All activities started earlier were continued & new ones were introduced.

1986 - 1995   :  KEEPING THE FLAME ALIVE

- Living On by Carl Fernando (SAC  1952-1958); 
- Scaling the Heights by Ranjith Witharana (SAC 1950-1954, Staff 1988 - ?);
- Sports by Pat Williams (SAC 1924-1937)
- Cadetting by Asoka Rajapakshe  (Master in charge)
- Scouting by K. C. Ranasinghe (Troop Leader 1994)

• Principal - A. V. Illeperuma, 1987 January 7 – 1996 

An Old Aloysian appointed Principal of the College for the 1st time since the hand-over of the school in 1971. It was a long cherished dream of the Old Boys & the OBA to have an Aloysian as Principal & it was realized after 16 years. Mr. Illeperuma was the former Principal of Dharmasoka College,  Ambalangoda & he brought with him a wealth of experience in the state educational field.

1987
• Athletics : Placed 4th at the Galle District Schools Athletics Meet.
• Badminton : Introduced & very enthusiastically received.

 Players participated in school tournaments. Chanaka Samarasinghe, a star player , found a place in the All Island Team to the UK.

• Cricket : Mahes Perera scored 122 vs. St. Thomas, Gurutalawa & 102 vs SLSPC. Udesh Samarawickrema scored 109 vs SLSPC. Janaka Priyadharshana scored 100 vs Devananda.

• Football : Clinched the Dahanayake  Challenge Trophy 

• Cadetting : Platoon was directed by Sgt. U. A. Wickrematilleke &  Sgt. M. K. Gunatilleke; Corporal G. B. Wickremanayake was promoted as Staff Sgt.

1988

• Athletics : Placed 3rd at the Galle District Schools Athletics Meet.

5

Chandimal Ubeysiriwardena was the Champion Athlete & created a record in the Long Jump. He improved on his own record by clearing 22ft 5 ins. at the All Island Schools Tournament.

• Cricket : Mahes Perera scored 108 & Nirosha Ramanayake 100 vs Devananda. Udesh Samarawickrema scored 123 vs Royal. Nirosha Ramanayake (brother of Champaka Ramanayake, the Sri Lankan cricketer) captained the team with Mahes Perera as Vice Captain.
• Cadetting : Platoon under Sgt. S. W. Samarawickrema &  Sgt. G. G. N. D. Vasantha.

1989

• Athletics : Placed 2nd at the Galle District Schools  Athletics Meet.

1990
• Hockey : introduced for the 1st time.
• Cadetting : Platoon under Sgt. N. S. A. M. Senanayake.
• Scouting : P. L. Thusharawadu & Ruwan Mudiyanse participated in the 1st SAARC Jamboree held in SL. V. Premachandra was appointed Troop Leader. 25 Scouts participated at the Platinum Jubilee Camp, Richmond College with Lalith Amarasinghe as Group Leader & P. S. Herath as Asst.

1991
• Softball Cricket : Introduced & the team became local Champions.
• Cadetting : At the Camp held in Rantambe,  platoon placed 6th among platoons of the 1st Battalion;  won the trophy for Community Services & was directed by Sgt. W. B. G. J. Soyza & Cpl. S. M. Karunaratne; 1st. Lt. Asoka Bandara Rajapakse was in charge.
• Scouting : To commemorate the 75 the Anniversary of the commencement of scouting at the College,  a Platinum Jubilee Camp was held from from October 20, 21 & 22 at the College grounds; after 17 years, the following scouts received the President's Scout Medal : Shirantha Herath, Krishantha Aluthwela,  Lalith Amarasinghe & Vinesh Jayawardena;  the following Junior Scouts received the Scout Cord , the District  Commissioner's Award: H. M. C. K. Fonseka, N. S. Harischandra, Mahesh Prasanna, K. C. Ranasinghe, Chamath Sanjeewa, A. C. Kuruwita, Lahiru Udana, K. C. Kariyawasam,  W. G. Devapriya;

1992
• National School : The College earned the status of a National School & it was a turning point in its  history .  
• Examination Results : College students obtained the All Island 1st and 3rd ranks at the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in the Mathematics Stream.
• Wrestling : All Island Wrestling Meet - M. S. M. Nafly & M. Jayawardena won the Championship in the weight class 51/55 Kg. & 60/63 Kg. respectively.
• Cricket : Nuwan Shiroman,  the winner of the Bata Outstation School-boy Cricketer of the Year Award. The team emerged as Runners-up in the Southern Province Schools Cricket Competition. 

• Rugger : Introduced  for the 1st time.
Softball Cricket : Team became Champions again.
• Cadetting : At the Camp held in Rantambe,  Sgt. W. A. S. Lakmal de Silva & a Corporal took part in the Guard of Honour provided for the distinguished guests including President, Hon. Ranasinghe Premadasa, Prime Minister, Hon. D. B. Wijetunge & the Director of the SL Cadet Corps, Hon. M. S. Amarasiri; Cpl. C. C. B. Dissanayake was promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. ; Lt. S. S. G. De Silva was in charge of the platoon.
• Scouting : Krishantha Aluthwela appointed Troop Leader with S. M. M. Prasanna as Asst. The following Scouts participated at the 4th National Jamboree held in Kurunegala : P. S. Herath, Krishantha Aluthwela,  K. C. Ranasinghe,  Lahiru Udana,  & A. M. T. Gallage; P. S. Herath & Krishantha Aluthwela received Presidential Certificates;  the 76th Annual Camp & Meeting with Parents took place in December at the College Playground.

1993

• Athletics : Champion Athlete U 17 in Circuit & District Athletic Meets - J. C. Manawadu
• Cricket : Best Outstation Cricketer - Nuwan Shiroman ; Best Outstation Bowler - Malaka de Silva
• Rugger : Ruhunu Rugby Union Champions.
• Wrestling : Fresher's Wrestling Meet - M. Faslaan adjudged Champion in the weight class 61/65 Kg.; All Island Wrestling Meet in Colombo organized by the S. L. Wrestling Association - SAC won the Kumara Keerwinna Challenge Shield.
• Cadetting : Participated at the Camp in Rantambe & placed 5th among platoons of the 1st Battalion under the direction of Sgt. W. K. K. Sanjeewa  Sampath & Cpl. K. L. Dimuthu.
• Scouting : 2 Training Camps  held; teams took part in expeditions to Knuckles , Kirigalpottha, Kopela, Gongala, & Namunukola mountain ranges; M. K. H. M. C. K. Fonseka was the  Troop Leader & K. C. Ranasinghe,  his Asst.

1994
• Fr. Pogany Electronic Lab : Donated by the Colombo Branch of the OBA, in memory of Fr.  Pogany. 
• Shrine Room for Buddhist students : Built from funds donated by the students.
• Exhibition & Carnival : A resounding success.
• Athletics : S. P. Inter-Schools Athletic Meet - J. C. Manawadu  established new records in the U 17 Long Jump & Triple Jump; All Island National Schools Athletic Meet, Sugathadasa Stadium - P. H. M. Chrishantha de Silva established a new record in the U 13 Long Jump.
• Cricket : Nuwan Shiroman scored 102 & 111 vs Presidents College, 126 vs Mahanama & 100 vs Devananda.  He was the 1st School-boy cricketer to score 1000 runs in a season; he had the distinction of winning the following awards: 
Most Popular School-boy Cricketer of the Year
- Best Batsman of the Year in the Outstations
- Runner-up Outstation School-boy Cricketer of the Year.
• Wrestling : All Island Novices Championship at the National School Games in Colombo - Gayan Sasanka Weeraratne & Charith Geeganage won 2 Gold Medals.
• Rugger : Best Outstation Ruggerite - Rushan Wimalasena
• Body Building : All Island National Schools Body Building Contest in Colombo - M. S. M. Nifaal won the U 19 Championship. Awarded the prestigious Lalith Athulathmudali Award for Discipline, for his exemplary behaviour.
• Scouting : K. C. Ranasinghe , the Troop Leader & Lahiru Udana his Asst.; 5 Scouts, Prasad Shirantha Herath, Krishantha Aluthwela, K. C. Ranasinghe, S. M. Mahesh Prasanga & P. J. Nambadawa Withana took part in the Himalayan Expedition in February &  succeeded in climbing ' Gosin Kanda' situated at an elevation of 17990 ft. Group Scout Leader V.Premachandra co-ordinated all arrangements & Ajith S. Jayasekera, teacher at Ananda College , provided tour guidance; M. K. H. M. C. K. Fonseka & Lahiru Udana participated in the Jamboree held at Dharmaraja College, Kandy; Scouts also participated in an expedition to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in March & held a 4 day Training Camp in July.
Cadetting : The Western Cadet Band provided the Guard of Honour at the 11th Passing Out Ceremony of Cadet Officers held at the NCC Training Camp, Randenigala. This is the 1st time the Cadet Band was selected to participate on a military occasion; the Cadet Band also participated at the NCC Training Centre , Rantambe representing the 1st Battalion Band Camp; Sgt W. K. K. Sanjeewa Sampath was promoted to the rank of Sgt. Major; the platoon was under Sgt. D. G. Harindra Prabath & Sgt. M. K. C. Asoka Dharshana with Lt. Asoka Rajapakse & 2nd Lt. M. U.  S. Godage as Officers in charge.
• Judo : Introduced for the 1st time.

1995 : Centenary Year
• Cricket : Captain - Chirath de Silva; Vice Captain - Nayantha Weeraman. Team included,  Deshan Mendis, Chaminda Ranasinghe, Nishantha Weerakoon , Sajeewa Weerakoon & Samitha Tillekaratne.
• Educational Exhibition : Held from 25 March to 1 April to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the College.

Centenary Educational Exhibition (25 March to 1 April, 1995) by Rev. Fr. Anton Pieris S.J., Superior, Jesuit Residence.
" The wealth of information that one could gather from it was enormous. There were important sections like Sports, Literature,  Nature, Religion, Science, Business, Art & their allied branches of knowledge. All this went on to explain to me the attempts made by the teachers of the College to make the students aware of the vast frontiers of knowledge still to be discovered, explored & assimilated by them in their quest for knowledge to bring out their best to serve humankind."

Plans  -  Beyond 1995

• Library - Expansion of the library making use of the adjoining Music Hall (former cycle shed)
• Main Hall - Modification retaining the old architecture.
• Dancing & Music  - Allocation of separate rooms 
• Computer Room - Allocation of more spacious premises.
• Playground - Taking over of the Sports Complex under construction at Kandewatte on completion.

Outstanding  Students  - State Era (1971-1995)

The names of a few outstanding SAC students of the State Era , as at 1995,  mentioned in the Centenary Souvenir by  Carl Fernando, are listed below :

Engineering : 

Prof. Lalith Gamage

Dr. Lalith Gamage,  Dr. Lalith Arsekularatne,  S. P. Kumarawadu,  Chandana de Silva, Janaka Chandrasekera,  Prasad Gunasekera,      Gaya Gunasekera , Rohita Seneviratne, Vajira Priyankara,  

Sisira Ajith Kumara, Rizvi Ibrahim,  Janaka Wickremaratne,  Sudeendra Pagodaarachchi.

Medicine

Dr. Jayantha Weeraman,  Dr. Rohitha Rodrigo, 

Dr. W. V. J. Pushpakumara,  Dr. A. Sanath de Silva, 

Dr. Sumith Ananda,  Dr. Lal de Silva, Dr. S. Kasthuri,  Dr. Deenagama, Dr. Samarasooriya

Law

Dilith Jayaweera

Sasaka Ramamalala,  Mohan Seneviratne,  Ananda Uluwitiya,  Dilith Jayaweera,  Amitha Ariyaratne,  P. Kariyawasam,  Bindu Wickremasekera,  Hemantha Thampo.

The above may not be a comprehensive list, & compiler apologises for any omissions.

PRIESTS WHOSE PHOTOS APPEAR ABOVE & COMMENTS MADE BY THE EDITORS IN THE CENTENARY SOUVENIR

• Rt. Revd. Dr. Joseph Van Reeth – Bishop of Galle , Founder, Patron & Friend
• Fr. Joseph Cooreman S.J. – Zealous missionary, versatile educationist, genial friend
• Fr. Theodule Neut S.J. – Among the pioneers, lover of God & of men
• Br. Polydore Verbrugge S.J. – First of the Lay Brothers in Galle, artist, architect, builder exemplary , religious
• Fr. Olivier Feron S.J. – Zealous missionary,  linguist, administrator & friend of the poor
• Fr. Augustus Standaert S.J – A pioneer builder, unselfish priest & religious
• Fr. Dennis Murphy S.J – Co-founder, gentleman & saint, everbody’s friend
• Fr. Edmund Lermusieaux S.J. – Among the early stalwarts, builder, musician, holy priest
• Fr. Ernest Gaspard S.J. – Eminent educationist,  big in mind & heart, a complete man
• Fr. S.G.Perera S.J. – Teacher, writer, historian, research scholar
• Fr. Michael Soden S.J.  – Priest of God. Laid down his life to save his student friend. Greater love than this no man hath …….
• Rt. Revd.  Dr. N.M.Laudadio S.J. – Among the 1st batch of Italian missionaries. The only Italian  Bishop of the Galle Diocese
• Fr. Realino Chiriatti S.J. – Astute & methodical to the end
• Fr. Vito Perniola S. J. – Linguist & Historian. In the company of Sir Ivor & Lady Jennings (p. 66)
• Fr. Olivio Morelli S.J.  –  Capturer of many hearts. At ease even with Sir John Kotelawela (p. 66)
• Fr. Paul Nazarene Peiris S.J. – Last of the great Jesuit Principals; much feared at school but dearly loved ever after.
• Fr. Thomas Kuriacose S.J –  friend & guide  our fond Patron
• Fr. Paul Caspersz S.J – To be or not to be – Private? That was Principal  Caspersz’ question. A perfectionist, he urged his boys to climb the heights.
• Fr. Julius Pogany S.J. – Gentlest of men, finest of Science teachers, crushed by the school’s “hand over”.
• Fr. Joseph Chianese S. J. – His delight was to be with the children. Great lover of Sri Lanka, of its people & of its culture.
• Fr. Perceval Abraham S.J. – The only native born Rector of the College. Gave a big ‘face-lift’ to the buildings. Embodied the principle : do what you do; do well !

OTHER PRIESTS  FEATURED IN THE CENTENARY SOUVENIR

 • Fr. Fr. Basil Corera S.J.  – Keen intellect & quick in wit
• Rev. Lambert Van Lierop S.J.  – Philatelist & Manager of the College book-shop; generous to a fault.
• Fr. Peter Gomez S.J.  – A colourful personality of the Jesuit fraternity; endowed with an encyclopaedic knowledge & a prodigious memory. 
•Fr. Luigi de Mattia S.J. – Most loved & sought after priest for help & counselling in times of distress.
Fr. . D’Amelia S.J. – Suffer little children to come unto me’ , he kept saying. He loved the ‘little ones’ & they loved him.
• Fr. Louis Cramer  S.J.- Disciplined & methodical ‘pursuer’ of science; spread his influence especially among the science students; Ph.D in Botany.
• Fr. Mark Perera S.J.- Student counsellor who had brought solace & comfort to many an aching heart.
• Fr. Joseph Angele S.J. –Strict disciplinarian whose stern exterior hid a heart of gold.
• Fr. Vincenza Caly S.J. – Gentle & kind, one to whom there was never any guile
•  Fr. Armand de Burra S. J. – Artist, poet & musician; under him the college earned the highest accolades  for song & drama.

TEACHERS FEATURED IN THE CENTENARY SOUVENIR

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• T. Wimalaratne – Reputed linguist & oriental scholar
  • Albert Ranasinghe – Keen sportsman & a born teacher; unstinted devotion to duty, unswerving loyalty to the school.
  • Paul S. Vedamuttu – Dedicated, inspiring, enigmatic, of acerbic wit
  • S.E.R. Perimpanayagam – His mathematical expositions were gems of clarity.

• Edmund Wimalaratne – Chip off the old block; distinguished scholar in Latin & Sanskrit; model teacher & loyal friend.

• P.C.Dias – Loved by staff, colleagues & students
• Mrs. K. L. J. Dias – Of sedate & quiet disposition, she is remembered with love & gratitude
• W.B.Ratnayake – Ideal teacher & disciplinarian; sympathetic, cordial, good organiser, among the most popular of teachers.

• N. Venketeswaran  –  Steeped in his native culture, he regaled his classes in delightful accent with the science & wisdom of the Ancients.

• Dr. P.B.G.Hewavasam – Scholar of repute  recipient of Sahithya & Presidential Awards for his Doctoral thesis on the Matara period.
• Miss Dorothy Anghie – Strict disciplinarian & much loved teacher; opened to her students the fascinating world of English Literature; loyal & generous to a fault.
• Anton Ferreira – Most devoted & dedicated teacher; lover of SAC & her traditions; friend, philosopher & guide to students.

• Commodore Lionel Mendis VSV  – A loyal old boy & loveable teacher both at SAC & Sri Lanka Navy. His vision of a Defence University as a fine mix of the liberal & martial arts was realised with the establishment of the Sir, John Kotelawela Defence Academy. Logically he was its 1st Commandant.
• C.A.S. Manatunge – Kind, courteous & soft spoken, counsellor & guide to many a student
• T.A.J.Pathirana – Artfully & gracefully he crafted his way into Aloysian hearts.
• Gunasena de Silva – Loyal to the end, died in harness.

• J.B. Varnakulasingham – Helped to pilot the school in its stormy days; taught the boys to love music & literature.

• Mrs. Rita Dias – Showered her students with love & kindness.
• Mrs. Anne de Silva  ‘Tiny’ to all Aloysians, yet so large in service, dedication & love.
• W. Dahanayake – The G.O.M. of Galle, unrivalled in his loyalty to Jesuits of his time.

OLD BOYS FEATURED IN THE CENTENARY SOUVENIR

• N.U.Jayawardena  (SAC : 1920 to 1925)
Banker & Economist of repute. Among the best SAC has produced.
• Prof. Cyril Ponnamperuma (SAC : 1928 to 1933 ) — Advanced the frontiers of science
• Dr. Michael Roberts (SAC : 1946 to 1957) — One of SAC’s finest products, blending sports & studies in harmonious splendour. SAC’s only Rhodes Scholar .

Thoughts expressed by Distinguished Old Aloysians in the Centenary Souvenir

Rt. Rev. Dr. Elmo Perera, Bishop of Galle in 1994 :

Some of the most brilliant Administrators, Scientists, Educators & Historians, both Lay and Religious, have moulded the destinies of many young perspns who came to this institution to receive education during the past  hundred years.

Athula F. Edirisinghe, President OBA Colombo :

Those great people at SAC were not merely teachers, they were builders of men.The College was not only a place of learning. It gave us an identity. It shaped our lives, not only with text books & tutorials, but especially with all those precious ingredients that went to make all of what we are today.

P. A. Cooray (SAC 1918 – 1921)

SAC provided me with all the facilities to develop whatever gifts and talents with which God has blessed me. In this way I was able to  build my character and develop the healthy fighting spirit within me that helped me in later life in the legal profession and in politics. My success in life I owe entirely to the Jesuit Fathers at SAC.

Pat Williams  (SAC 1924-1937)

SAC has turned out men of eminence in every sphere of activity, men who have adorned their respective walks of life; the Jesuits placed great importance in the building of character
in  generations of Aloysians who have passed through their care; any scheme of education to be complete and successful must equip the young charges with strength of character and moral fibre.

Lakshman Abeysundera (SAC 1945-1957)

Cricketing Days: Those were great years indeed, when we tasted the fruits of success and defeat alike. I have now only very precious memories stirring within my mind of those wild cheering hordes and of all those happy carefree years we spent at dear old  SAC which will always remain for us the best school of all.

Riza Salie (SAC 1950 -1962 )

The Jesuit Fathers : they produced men of medicine, science & technology; men of letters, history & law; men of commerce;  men of great debate & eloquent speech, men of sterling character, discipline & fair play who turned out to be law-abiding & respectable citizens; the little chapel in the heart of SAC, a place of prayer,  helped to mould fine men for society & for the Jesuit calling; their boarding house, the bastion of discipline, attracted children of some of the best homes in the country.

John R. de Silva (SAC 1951-1958)

The values & character build-up received at SAC were : ability to accept victory & defeat in a gentlemanly fashion; respect for one’s parents, educators & elders; dedication to any task that is undertaken; respect for one’s self, inculcating a sense of right & justice; mateship that goes beyond colur, caste, creed or gender; grit & determination to live up to the College Motto : ‘Strive Manfully’.

Carl Fernando (SAC 1952-1958)

" The essence of the Jesuit system of education was to impart an all round education without narrow specialization balanced by an equal emphasis on co-curricular & extra -curricular activities. The functions were shared by the Rector & the Prefects of Studies, Discipline, Games etc. with  support from the senior lay teaching staff. The culture of the state system was the feeling on the part of the teaching staff that they had only to teach & all other matters were the responsibility of the Principal & his Deputy. The Principal was overburdened & had hardly any time for supervision & developmental work. The present curricula also emphasise specialization & leave very little time for attainments in the field of sport. Thus the system inhibits the emergence of outstanding all-round personalities like a Michael Roberts, who excelled both in studies & sports."

Nigel Kerner (SAC 1954-1959)

Through the example of her mentors her teaching paradigm included a deep sense of social and ethnic justice, binding the hearts of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher alike with a delight in their differences and a sense of each other’s humanity………A Christian school that cherished every Buddhist, every Hindu, and every Muslim pupil such that every handshake that happens when Aloysians meet is a small step away from an orthopaedic surgeon.

Articles in the public domain by Distinguished Old Aloysians about their experiences at SAC :

• V. Venkateswaran (1945 – 1957)

V. Venketeswaran 

Service to humankind – Venkateswaran,  father & son.
https://thuppahis.com/2013/12/30/service-to-humankind-venkateswaran-father-son/

• Daya Lelwala (SAC 1945 -1957)  Pix n/a
  Stepladders to learning at St. Aloysius College in Galle. 

https://thuppahis.com/2020/09/17/stepladders-in-learning-at-st-aloysius-college-in-galle/

• Michael Roberts (SAC 1946-1957)

Being reflections from a Galle boy in the year 1997.

https://thuppahis.com/2021/02/04/being-aloysian-reflections-from-a-galle-boy-in-the-year-1997/

• Mohamed Anver

Recollections of SAC & cricket in the Year 1956  A Champion Year for St. Aloysius in Cricket

https://cricketique.live/2020/10/12/1956-a-champion-year-for-st-aloysius-in-cricket/

• J. R. de Silva

The Aloysian Invincibles of 1956/1957
https://cricketique.live/2019/04/16/the-aloysian-invincibles-of-1956-57/

Part 7 Old Boys Associations 

Galle Branch /Parent Teacher Association 

It was formed in 1924. It has been active since then & involved in school development work.  Its Working Committee in the Centenary Year is featured below :

Office-bearers of the Parent Association in Galle (1995):

E. A. H. Paulus, R. M. Leelananda, Athula Mudalige, J. Weeratunge, L. G. Dahanayake, Fr. Lorio S. J., Senarath Wimalasena, Nalin Dissanayake, Nayar Wadood,  M. N. Gunawardena, M. Nanayakkara,  Mohan Nanayakkara,  Ranjith Ananda, S. H. M. Nizam,     W. K. Pradeep, K. K. N. Dharmasiri,  P. G. H. de Silva, Ranjith Vitharana,D. S. Vitharana,  W. G. M. Fernando, A. H. Nimal Keerthi, N. Liyanage, D. Amarasinghe, M. A. Ismail, P. D. K. Karunaratne,  E. S. de Silva, I. M. de Silva , A. Jayawardena.

Colombo Branch 

It was formed in 1935. Among those who have rendered yeoman service as office bearers of the Colombo OBA are the following :

Dr. Marcelline de Costa, the 1st President & Fr. Terence de Silva, the 2nd, held office for 10 & 5 years respectively at a time when regular meetings were not the norm.

Oswin Silva & Sam de Silva

A. Oswin Silva - 6 terms as President
P. B. Sam de Silva - 4 terms as President & 7 terms as Treasurer
N. U. Jayawardena - 3 terms as President & 1 term as Secretary
O. M. Weerasooriya - 2 terms as President & 3 terms as Treasurer
J. F. Guy de Silva - 2 terms as President & 2 terms as Secretary

Hemachandra Dias - 9 terms as Secretary
Fowzy Marikkar - 6 terms as Secretary
Rex Perera - 6 terms as Secretary
Nalin Wijetilleke - 4 terms as Secretary
Major W. A. Serpanchy - 8 terms as Treasurer
Riza U. Salie - 6 terms as Treasurer       
The Branch has undertaken many activities, including fund raising for  projects identified by the Committee.
The Working Committee in the Centenary Year is featured below :

Office-bearers of the Branch in Colombo (1995) :
Mervyn Weerasooriya,  Clement Alles, Guy de Silva,
Sam de Silva, Athula F. Edirisinghe,  Hemachandra Dias, S. A. A. Perera,  Carl Fernando , Sumith Silva, Roshan de Silva, Sunil Jayawardena,  Siraj Ismail,  M. R. U. Salie, W. P. R. Senanayake,  Sheriff Rahuman,  Gamini Perera, Marcel Bandaranaike
Louis Perera, Chandana  Amaratunge,  Ranjan Perera, Anver Jawadth,  Elarian Perera, Peter Alles, Linton de Silva, Nihal Nanayakkara,  Niranjan Vithanage,  Nihal C. I. de Silva , Tony Hopman, Eliyas Careem, Emil Liyanage, Vajira Lokuhetty, Nimal Perera, Oswin A. Silva,     Anil Wickremanayake,  L. G. Dahanayake,  Justin de Silva, Fr. Thomas Kuriacose S.J

Overseas Branches

The Old Aloysian Sports Club of Melbourne, Australia was formed in  the 1980s by a group of Aloysians domiciled there with Pat Williams playing a leading role.  The  Old Aloysian News Quarterly was launched in June1984, and Pat Williams was its editor for 25 years. Aloysians residing in Australia and abroad helped him in this project. The quarterly, which comes out three times a year, now reaches readers in Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, Jordan, France, Switzerland, the UK, Canada and the US. John R. De Silva is its present Editor. 

The Working Committee in the Centenary Year is featured below :

Office-bearers of the Branch in Australia (1995) :

John R. de Silva, Noel Edema, Pat Williams, Leon Cramer, Reg Oorloff, Jerome de Zylva, Derrick Jordan,  Darrel Walles,  Bernie Ludekens, Rufus St. John , Walter Perumal.    

Branches have since been established in UK (Praneeth Hettiarachchi), New Zealand & Qatar.

UK Committee

Part 8 Some Benefactors of the School

Guy de Silva, Nigel Kerner, Harry Solomons

Eliyas Kareem, Ariyaseela Wickremanayake,  Dilith Jayaweera

Part 9 Other Galle Schools of the era :

• 1814, The Galle School (Methodist Wesleyan) , renamed  Galle High School in 1876, & later Richmond, in 1882 by Rev. Benjamin Clough  ;
  • 1819, Baddegama Seminary, later Christ Church Boys School (Anglican);
  • 1848, Buona Vista School (Christian), upgraded as a High School in 1869;
  • 1854, Mt. Calvary School (Roman Catholic )
  • 1857, All Saints College (Anglican);
  • 1872, Rippon Girls School (Methodist ) by Rev. Joseph Rippon / John Shipstione;
  • 1885, Girls High School, later Southlands (Methodist);
  • 1892, Mahinda College (Buddhist ) by Col. Henry Steel Olcott ;
  • 1896, Sacred Heart Convent, (Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity, Belgium ) by Bishop Van Reeth & Rev. Mother Mary Bernadette of Belgium;
  • 1919, Sanghamitta Girls School (Buddhist) by Muhandiram Francis Amarasiri Wickremasinghe;
  • 1941, Vidyaloka Vidyalaya (Buddhist) by H.W.Amarasuriya & Ven. Welivitiye Punyasara Thera.
  (School Websites)

4 March, 2021

REFERENCES

ARTICLES
Aloysian Centenary Souvenir (1895 – 1995) by:
Fr. Thomas C. Kuriakose S. J.- Formative Years ; Meteoric Growth : pp. 31-40
P. A. Cooray – SAC, I Salute You. You Made Me : p. 104
A. C. Alles – The Ordered Way of Life : pp. 49-53
Lakshman George Ponnamperuma – Development Decades : pp. 43-48
Fr. Peter Gomez S. J. – The SAC I Knew : Late 20s pp. 54-56
Eric Ferreira – 13 Unforgettable Years : pp. 59-62
Eric Ferreira – Music & Drama : pp. 145-148
Dudley S. Wijesiri – New Horizons : pp. 65-67
Fr. Bertram Dabrera S. J. – Great Differences : pp.71-72
S. A. A. Perera – From Denonminational State Aided School to Non Fee Levying Private Institution : pp. 75-77
Pat Williams – Sports : pp. 115-131

S. A. A. Perera, Rebuilding & Consolidation ; pp. 81-83
D. Y. Wijewickrama ,1976-1987; pp. 84-85
Carl Fernando, Living On ; pp. 89-90
Ranjith Witharana, Scale the Heights; pp. 91-92
Asoka Rajapakse , Cadetting; p 140-141 
K. C. Ranasinghe, Scouting; p. 142-144
OBA; p. 159-163

FACEBOOK PAGES
L. K. Hettiarachchi : Aloysian 1950-1960 Photos  / 4 Mar. 2021
Shanuka Perera : Aloysian 1915 – (30 pages)  / 4 Mar. 2021
Aloysian Cricket Captains / 4 Mar. 2021
Old Aloysians Media Circle / 4 Mar. 2021

WEB REFERENCES

Fr. Laurence Hyde O. S. B. : ‘A Short  Historical Review of the Sylvestrine Monks in Ceylon’ – Hyde pp. 104,105,106. / 4 Mar. 2021
Sagara Jayasinghe : Dwelling of Faith

https://www.academia.edu/27067164/Dwelling_of_Faith_Art_and_Architecture_of_the_Catholic_Churches_in_the_Galle_Diocese
Newsletter of Diocese of Galle , September 2012 - Appreciation of Bishop  Van Reeth : https://www.google.lk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/16056223/download-pdf-version-galledioceseorg&ved=2ahUKEwjo66WTuNP6AhXKCLcAHWRGBvY4HhAWegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw0DnEfzamv3jejZyWZPahoC
Burke, Damien, Irish Jesuit Chaplains: in the First World War,  2021.
https://books.google.lk/books?redir_esc=y&id=zdM6EAAAQBAJ&q=Delsney#v=onepage&q=Delsney&f=false. Accessed  4 March 2021
Solomons spearheads aid campaign for SLC
https://www.sundaytimes.lk/050123/sports/3.html
P. L. Weerasooriya & family
http://dodanduwaweerasooiya.blogspot.com/2010/06/mr-p-l-weerasooriya-and-family.html

WEB PAGES

http://hemanthasituge.blogspot.com/2012/12/adieu-scaffold-city-galle-hemantha.html / 7 Mar. 2021
https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/d/019pho000000249u00060000.html / 7 Mar. 2021.
http://www.osbsrilanka.org/?th_galleries=st-marys-cathedral-galle / 4 Mar. 2021
www.servatiuscollege.lk / 4 Mar. 2021
https://www.archaeology.lk/20th-century-historians-rev-fr-s-g-perera/ 4 Mar. 2021
https://island.lk/dr-wijayananda-dahanayake-galles-most-flamboyant-son/?fbclid=IwAR1r-BrHpR4BqO6rPc8Mac4oocBxEhiCwGxuBIY7CYD-to-BZlL-lY-BQII / 4 Mar. 2021
https://sacobacolombo.com/oba-history.php / 4 Mar. 2021
http://www.businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=12081&issue=324 / wilfred perera  4 Mar. 2021
https://thuppahis.com/2013/12/30/service-to-humankind-venkateswaran-father-son  / 4 Mar. 2021
https://thuppahis.com/2020/09/17/stepladders-in-learning-at-st-aloysius-college-in-galle/ 4 Mar. 2021
https://thuppahis.com/2021/02/04/being-aloysian-reflections-from-a-galle-boy-in-the-year-1997/ 4 Mar. 2021

School Anthem in Sinhala 

Extracted from the September 2012 Newsletter of the Galle Diocese
 

 [An excerpt from the Newspaper on 11th September 1923]

 

[This article was prepared to mark the 88th Death Anniversary of the first Bishop of Galle Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Van Reeth

 The Passing of Dr. Van Reeth

11th September 1923

His Lordship Bishop of Galle, Dr. Joseph Van Reeth, of the Society of Jesus, expired this morning shortly before 10 O' clock. The tolling of the Cathedral bell gave the news of the sad death to the priests and lay staff of the College, who were at work. At 10 O'clock the whole College assembled in the main hall, where the Very Revd. Father Rector L. Lermesieur ad- dressed the boys dwelling briefly on His Lordship's life of sacrifice. He said that St. Aloysius College owes its existence to His Lordship, who on arriving at Galle and taking charge of the diocese, by his importunities, prevailed upon the Provincial in Belgium to establish a College worthy of the diocese. His Lordship was a simple, pious, charitable and self-sacrificing prelate.

The Rector then announced that His Lordship's remains will be laid out n state tomorrow and that there would be vespers in the Cathedral tomorrow. The Catholic boys and teachers next moved on to the College Chapel, where the rosary was recited for the repose of the soul of His Lordship.

 

His Last Illness

The deceased prelate, who had been confined to his bed for the past month, contracted a severe chill. All through his illness he was fully conscious and fully prepared and ready for the end. He had received the solemn rites of the Church a few days previously and continued to receive the Holy Viaticum every day.

The priests of the diocese resident in Galle were constantly by his bedside to the end. His death creates a great void in the diocese of Galle.

 

His work in the Diocese

He was the first Bishop of Galle, and it was he who established, improved and organized the diocese which he ruled so ably and so well for the last 28 years. He has erected four convents at Galle, Matara, Kegalle and Ratnapura. He also founded an order of Ceylonese nuns with a Convent at Ganegama. The Superior General of the nuns is His Lordship's sister. She visited Ceylon two years ago, during the Jubilee of the Galle Convent. St. Aloysius College, Galle, was opened by the Jesuit Fathers at his insistence and owing to his importunities. As the Rector of the College announced to the students, Dr. Van Reeth was born at Antwerp on August 6, 1843, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1860, and after his studies he became professor in Troncheinnes and consecrated Bishop at Ant- werp on March 19, 1895. He arrived in Ceylon in the same year and has been in Galle ever since, save for the periodical visits to Rome ad Limina some time ago. He was recommended by the doctors to seek another climate for the benefit of his health, but the venerable Bishop would not consent to it, preferring to die in Galle among the people he loved.

 

Lying in State

The remains of His Lordship will lie in state in the Cathedral till Thursday morning, when the funeral obsequies will take place. His Lordship will be buried in the Cathedral, in the Chapel, on the Gospel side, indicated by him a few days ago. In the Chapel on the Epistle side lies buried the late Revd. Fa- ther Martin who built the Church. Dr. Van Reeth was 80 years old at the time of his death. Before coming out to Ceylon he held the post of Provincial of the Jesuit order in Belgium and prior to that was Secretary to the Provincial. He was a Jesuit for sixty-three years, a Priest for forty-eight years, and Bishop for twenty-eight years

 

A Character Sketch

Dr. Joseph Van Reeth, S. J. was for some years past the doyen of the Indian Episcopate. Though the oldest on the Bench of Bishops and the senior in point of consecration he retained to the end that energy and vitality which characterized him physically and morally. At fourscore years his handwriting had the neatness and elegance of a copy book; he was able to visit the most outlying parts of his diocese, and his mind was as fresh and vigorous as in the full bloom of manhood. He wrote without tremors, traveled without a companion and sang Midnight Mass at Christmas with- out any perceptible effort. It was only a couple of years before his death that he had the mortification of needing spectacles to read.

 

A Man of Method

All his life he was blest with good health. A man of order and method, of regular and studious habits and simplicity of life, it was never his lot to stand the wear and tear of active Missionary work. Solemnity and dignity sat naturally on him. His tall and stately figure, his deliberate ways and measured words made him a high priest every inch, and he pontificated as if to the manner born. His undeniable ability in administration had been noted from his youth, and posts of responsibility and authority were thrust on him from the very outset of his career.

Though he could unbend with charm and condescension to the weak and the young and the needy he was ever episcopal in his ways. It was perhaps an inherited gift. His sister is the Superior General of a large and wide spread Congregation of Nuns, and his brothers are prosperous business men. They come from a family of well-known talent in the busy seaport of Antwerp.

 

In the Society of Jesus

Joseph was the eldest and was born on the 06th August 1843. At the completion of his College course he sought admittance into the Society of Jesus in 1860. During his scholastic career he had given so many proofs of superior ability that as soon as he had finished his ecclesiastical studies he was made Secretary to the Provincial whom he soon succeeded in office. The Provincial is the person who directs the labours and activities of the Jesuits in a given province. The Province of Belgium was a large and numerous one, and the Belgian Jesuits ran thirteen Colleges and two ex- tensive foreign Missions. The new Provincial made his personality felt all over. He visited the Bengal Mission, and established a House of Studies in India for Belgian Jesuits. Business of the Order took him frequently to Rome. When his term of office was over, Father Van Reeth was entrusted with formation of his religious brethren and was made Rector of the College of Tronchiennes and Novice Master.

 

Bishop of Galle

It was at this time, when he was 52 years of age, that Leo XIII recognized the Dioceses of Ceylon by erecting two outlying districts into Dioceses. The Pope called upon the Belgian Province to man one of them, the Diocese of Galle, consisting of the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. Father Van Reeth was thereupon consecrated Bishop of Galle and sent to Ceylon with the task also of administering the other new Diocese Trincomalee. With characteristic humour the new Bishop chose for his episcopal devise the words of St. Peter when called upon to let down his net for a catch, in verbo tuo laxabo rete : "At thy word I will let down the net." The fact that his name Reeth was akin to the Latin Rete made this text seem to him the more appropriate to the occasion. Dr. Van Reeth was consecrated in his native City of Antwerp and set out for Ceylon in 1895 with a handul of younger men, all of whom he eventually survived. One of them he had picked out himself to be his right-hand man, Joseph Cooreman, one of the most promising of the younger generation, the brother of the President of the Belgian Upper Chamber and afterwards Prime Minister of King Albert during the War.

 

 

Administrative Ability

The task of organizing two new Dioceses in an unknown country was a difficult task to one who lacked any acquaintance with the people and the language. That Dr. Van Reeth was equal to the occasion speaks volumes for his ability, and that of adaptability. He soon resigned the administration of the diocese of Trincomalee and turned all his energies to bring the Bishopric of Galle up to a level with the older Dioceses of the Island. On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Diocese of Galle and its Bishop, the Archbishop of Colombo gave full expression to his admiration at what had been achieved in 25 years. His Grace had once been a Missionary in the Southern Province and was able to appreciate the extent and importance of the change. Dr. Van Reeth's reply to the good wishes of the Metropolitan was characteristic. Other Bishops of Ceylon, he said, have celebrated their Silver Jubi- lees; but all died in the Jubilee year. "And please God, I am ready to break the record;" and he did.

 

In the Cause of Education

Dr. Van Reeth's efforts for the welfare of his people were unabated. He increased mission stations, built churches and Presbyteries, but above all schools. He wanted a first-class College for his Diocese and gave the General of the Jesuits no peace till it was done. Three first rate Convents were erected in three principal towns of the Diocese for the education of girls. A fourth Convent is now being built. He founded a Ceylonese Congregation of Nuns and built them a Convent, the fifth in the Diocese. These are perhaps the most tangible of the developments. In February 1923 the aged Bishop was taken seriously ill and received the last rites of the Church at his own request. There was no tremour in his voice as he gave the responses himself in sonorous Latin. Dr. Robichez, Bishop of Trincomalee hastened to visit his brother of Galle. Arriving a few days after the administration of Extreme Unction he was surprised to find the veteran Bishop at his desk studying the new Educational Code Just out of the Press.

 

Not an Old Man

Dr. Van Reeth however was not an old man clinging to life. It would have been a sore trial to him to live on when incapacitated from work. Even in extreme old age he would never bear an attendant waiting on him even when ill but would do everything himself. His first infirmity was the outcome of the Great War. All his resources came from Belgium and the diocesan works depended on Belgian liberality. And the German occupation of Belgium told heavily on his diocese. The care and worry and anxiety over it almost crushed him. But his indomitable will and energy brought the diocese safe through the ordeal. In private life Dr. Van Reeth was a very simple and very saintly soul, frugal in life, a man of peace and piety. His speech was caustic but very refreshing from his habit of asserting obvious truths with solemnity when provoked. He encouraged with warmth and reprehended with spirit. His appreciations were supremely impersonal. It was never the person, but the work, God's work, be cared for, and no personal consideration ever moved him. He was a man of very consider- able culture and attainments, a man of wide experience and practical wisdom, as tenacious of purpose as he was considerate and affable to others.

 

Accessibility

But he had a very tender heart for the young. there was scarcely a Catholic child in Galle who did not know him personally. Boys in scrapes would boldly go to the Bishop to ask help to get out of them, and seldom sallied from the Bishop's room without a smile. Dr. Van Reeth had long been looking forward to death and made ready for it with great piety and calmness and confidence. He was always a man of prayer and meditation and towards the close of his life his thoughts were incessantly on Heaven with the Master whom he served so faithfully. May God rest his soul.

 

Read also :

https://holyangelsisters.lk/ 2021/12/14/founder-of-sisters- of-the-holy-angels/