College Auditorium - The Old and the New

The Old Auditorium

 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).


Courtesy : L. K.Hettiarachchi, who created the undermentioned FB  post at the request of distinguished old Aloysian , Hema Dias




Rev. Fr. E. Lermusieaux S. J. Rector

Rev. Bro. P. Verbrugge,  Rev. Fr. M. Soden

Rev. Bro. Van Lierop 

The New College Hall was opened on Saturday the 22nd of June. Old Boys who have not yet had an opportunity of seeing it will get a good idea of it from the picture on the first page of this number. The photo was taken just at the bend of Templar's Road in front of the iron gate. Where the grass plot now is, stood formerly an Old Moorish House. Some think that the genius loci, without habitation when the old house was pulled down, crept into the facade of the new building. 


The hall runs nearly parallel to the Sinhalese School. The sloping land in between has been filled up, a retaining wall having been built near the end of the hall, thus providing a nice space to park cars in. The hall is 'little shorter but broader than the old one, and along both sides and at the back is a gallery. The body of the hall can accommodate conveniently 400, while the galleries will hold between 3 and 4 hundred. At entertainments our guests are

below and the boys in the gallery.


The building consists of an iron frame work filled in with brickwork. The iron structure was put up by Messrs. Parakrama & Co., Engineers who specialize in this kind of work. And indeed the iron beams were well and truly laid. It was a source of great interest for the boys to see with what facility the great heavy girders were raised aloft, without the help of cranes, and fitted into place. 


Bro. Verbrugge, who has blossomed out into a master-builder and looks nearly as young as the Oldest Boys remember him, then arrived on the scene with his army of coolies, and the walls rose rapidly. The roof was on before he began; so he could work in all weathers. 


The Proscenium; a really fine bit of painting, and the stage scenery were painted by Mr. Aloysius Perera of Colombo. His work adds greatly to the beauty of the hall. 


Of course the one who laboured most for the New Hall is Fr. Rector himself. He interested himself in the smallest details and was continually on the spot supervising. Had it not been for his keen interest, we should still be without a

proper College Hall


Mr. Justice R.W. Lyall-Grant, arrived at 5.30, accompanied by Mrs. Lyall-Grant, and was shown round the College by the Rector. They also visited the College Art Exhibition recently started, and wherein were shown specimens of hand-work done at the institution. The afternoon's gathering included a large sprinkling of local and visiting clergy, including the Right Rev. G. Robichez, Bishop of Trincomalee and Administrator of the Galle Diocese. 


At sunset the gathering repaired in front of the new College hall for the imposing opening ceremony. The Bishop, att- ended by Monsignor V. Fernando and Reverend Fathers J.B. de Geradon and Vincent Jayawardena, taking his position facing the hall entrance, offered consecrational prayers, and the same clergy moved in procession round the building completing the cer- emony. 


Next, Justice Lyall-Grant on the invitation of the Rector, Rev. E. Lermusieaux, opened the door of the hall amid rounds of cheering. The gathering then entered the hall and took their places with Mr. Justice Lyall-Grant and Mrs. Lyall-Grant occupying seats on

the platform, Father Rector between them. Mr. Justice Lyall-Grant addressed the gathering and formally declared the hall open. He said it afforded him much pleasure to have been given the opportunity to associate himself with that evening's formal opening of the new Hall of St. Aloysius* College. He had been told that the College had developed to its present condition from a small

beginning. It was but a little school at the start some thirty years back when the Jesuits started their missionary work at Galle. At the present time, the College had a muster of some 625 pupils, and there was no accommodation for the many more who were awaiting admittance. The speaker said he was sure his hearers would all agree with him when he said that that was a very great achievement on which the authorities of the College should be congratulated.


Tribute to those who built the Old Hall


Courtesy : SAC  Galle OBA Facebook
2025
New Auditorium named the Rev. Fr. Paul Caspersz S. J.Auditorium by its Principal Benefactor, Philanthropist, Eliyas Abdul Kareem .








St. Aloysius’ College, Galle, Unveils Its Grand New Auditorium
A Testament to Generosity, Perseverance, and Educational Excellence
Tribute to those who built the New Auditorium


February 6, 2025 – A historic milestone was achieved at St. Aloysius’ College, Galle, as the institution proudly inaugurated its state-of-the-art auditorium. This grand facility stands as a symbol of unity, dedication, and selfless generosity, ushering in a new era of educational and cultural excellence.
The prestigious event was graced by His Eminence, Most Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, who declared the auditorium open. Joining him were distinguished guests, including His Excellency, Dr. Raymond Wickremasinghe, Bishop of Galle, Rev. Fr. Sujeewa Pathirana SJ, Provincial of the Sri Lanka Jesuits, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, and Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem, the principal benefactor whose magnanimous contribution made this project a reality.

His Eminence, Most Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, & Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem, the Principal Benefactor

Members of the OBA


A Legacy of Jesuit Education
Founded in 1895 by His Excellency Dr. Joseph Van Reeth, the first Bishop of Galle, St. Aloysius’ College is one of the three Jesuit schools in Sri Lanka, renowned for its rich educational heritage. Over the years, it has been home to legendary Jesuit scholars who shaped its legacy:
• Fr. Michael Soden – Established advanced Physics and Chemistry laboratories and sacrificed his life while saving students from drowning.
• Fr. S.G. Perera – The first Sri Lankan Jesuit and an esteemed historian.
• Fr. Vita Perniola – A distinguished linguist, honored for his groundbreaking Pali grammar.
• Fr. Julius Pogany – Revolutionized education by teaching Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Sinhala.

The original College Hall, inaugurated in 1929, was an architectural masterpiece featuring a balcony-style theatre and stage, designed by Rev. Fr. Edmund Lermusieaux SJ. Unfortunately, due to structural deterioration, it had to be demolished, paving the way for a new, modern auditorium.
A Vision Realized – The Journey to Completion

Dilith Jayaweera 
The foundation for the new auditorium was laid in 2012 by the Parent OBA and the School Development Society, completing the ground-floor utility area at a cost of Rs. 20 million. Past President of the Colombo OBA, Mr. Dilith Jayaweera, with the support of then Defense Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Civil Defense Force, provided labor to complete this phase. However, financial constraints halted progress until the intervention of key benefactors.

Athula Edirisinghe, Anil Wickramanayake 

The Colombo OBA later took charge of the project, with Mr. Athulla Edirisinghe and the late Mr. Anil Wickramanayake, with the support of other senior members of the OBA Colombo, leading efforts to secure funding.


Their quest led to Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem, who pledged his unwavering support and signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education in 2018 to finance the entire construction.
Despite facing unprecedented challenges, including adverse weather, the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis, and multiple design modifications, Mr. Kareem remained steadfast in his commitment, ultimately contributing an astonishing Rs. 150 million to bring this architectural marvel to life.
Recognizing Remarkable Contributions
The auditorium's successful completion was made possible by the unrelenting support of generous donors and dedicated individuals:
OBA Colombo:
• Rs. 6 million for visitor restroomsy
• Rs. 1.5 million for teak wood flooring
• Rs. 4 million for curtains and final touches

Tissa Gunawardana,  Dr. Kulatunga Rajapaksa,  Dr. Samson Rajapaksa

Mr. Tissa Gunawardana: Contributed over Rs. 10 million and played a key role in project management after taking over the responsibility from Mr. Anil Wickramanayake due to his health.
Dr. Kulatunga Rajapaksa & Dr. D.S. Rajapaksa: Donated Rs. 10 million for furniture and wall paneling, adding elegance to the facility.
OBA 2003 Batch: Funded the carpets for the Auditorium, contributing Rs. 400,000.
Fully Air-Conditioned Auditorium:
To ensure comfort for all attendees, six 60,000 BTU air conditioners were donated by:
• Mr. Tissa Gunawardana
• Mr. Dilith Jayaweera
• Dr. Kulatunga Rajapaksa
Further Enhancements:
• The Parent OBA constructed the parapet wall and main gate, investing over Rs. 3 million, enhancing the majestic look of this facility.
• OBA Colombo organized fundraisers, securing additional resources for project completion.

Architect Rohana Herath

• Architect Mr. Rohana Herath, an Old Aloysian, designed the auditorium and provided his services free of charge. His expertise and dedication were pivotal in overcoming architectural challenges.
A Monument of Unity and Inspiration
While we emphasize the collective effort that brought this vision to life—reflecting on the Jesuit philosophy of selfless giving—we acknowledge the dedication and generosity of all contributors and call upon the wider Aloysian community to support the final touches of the auditorium. Specifically, we urge contributions towards securing four additional air conditioners for the balcony, one for the stage, and a high-quality sound system, ensuring optimal comfort and functionality of this prestigious facility.
This magnificent auditorium will serve as a cultural, educational, and inspirational hub, fostering excellence in academics, arts, and leadership for future generations of Aloysians.
Handing over the key and Wishes of the Donor, Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem
At the event, Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem formally handed over the keys to the Auditorium to the Principal of St. Aloysius' College, Mr. Pubudu Sampath, in the presence of all the distinguished guests, staff, Old Boys, parents, and students. He also shared a letter with his wishes regarding the auditorium:
• A committee, chaired by the Principal, should be formed to oversee the management and upkeep of the auditorium, including members of the school administration, Parent OBA, Colombo OBA, and School Development Society.
• The auditorium should always be kept clean, with necessary maintenance carried out under the Principal's direction using school resources and outsourced cleaning services as needed.
• Priority should be given to the Colombo OBA for reserving the auditorium for any event/function connected to the school.
• Sacred Heart Convent should be given priority for events, subject to recovery of costs for electricity, security, and other utilities.
• The auditorium is not to be used for routine meetings or gatherings, and no food or beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) are to be consumed or brought into the auditorium.
• Two rooms on either side of the auditorium should be dedicated as the "Green Room" for welcoming VIPs and "Event Organizers Operations Room."
A Grateful Salute to Generosity
The event concluded with heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem, all benefactors, the school administration, the Old Boys’ and the Parents for their tireless efforts. Their selfless contributions will resonate in the triumphs of future Aloysians, ensuring St. Aloysius’ College remains a beacon of excellence.
This is more than an auditorium, it is a lasting legacy of unity, perseverance, and generosity.
May this hall witness countless milestones, artistic performances, and academic achievements in the years to come!


Suhail Junaid
President
Colombo OBA
St. Aloysius’ College Galle


Photos from the Opening Ceremony



Special Thanks to Photographer Mr. Chinthaka Jayawardana



Mr. Eliyas Abdul Kareem is the Chairman of EAM Maliban Textiles (Pvt) Ltd, a leading apparel manufacturing company headquartered in Sri Lanka. Established in 1974, EAM Maliban specializes in woven garments and wet processing, operating across multiple facilities in Sri Lanka and Jordan with a dedicated workforce of over 10,000 skilled employees.
Beyond his success in the apparel industry, Mr. Kareem is also deeply admired for his philanthropic contributions. Among his most significant charitable acts is a donation of Rs. 300 million to build a three-story emergency unit for urology and nephrology surgeries at the National Hospital in Colombo. He has also been recognized for supporting reconstruction efforts after the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka.
A Father’s Kindness and a Grateful Son’s Tribute
Mr. Kareem’s story is deeply rooted in humility and gratitude. His father, a hardworking man, ran a small textile shop in Galle town, enduring a difficult life to provide for his family.

Fr. Paul Casperz S. J.

Due to financial struggles, he could not afford to send his son to a private school. One day, while young Eliyas was helping at the shop, Father Paul Casperz noticed him and asked why he wasn’t attending school. Upon learning that the family couldn’t pay the school fees, the father kindly said: “From tomorrow onward, you don’t have to pay. I will teach him for free.”
Thanks to that compassionate act, Eliyas continued his education, excelled in his studies, obtained a degree, and eventually became a respected and successful businessman.



Years later, to honor that father’s kindness, Mr. Kareem funded the construction of a modern school hall worth nearly Rs. 300M at the very same Catholic school. He named the hall in memory of the father’s who changed his life.
This story serves as a shining example of how a single act of kindness can echo through generations. (‍Copied from Roman Catholics of Sri Lanka)















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