St Xavier’s College OBA – Nuwara Eliya Completes 75 years

Seated from the left: R.M.Nawaz ( Past President) , V.Balendran M.A , Illanka Anton – Chartered Engineer, Michael De Silva – B.Com Spl. (former secretary), U.Yogachandran MBA , Kalabushana Paul Perera ( former secretary & Senior Advisor), Chandana Fernando B.Sc MBA –(President), Rev.Fr. Cruze Anthony, Parish Priest & Spiritual Director of the OBA – Fr. Sudath Rohana Perera, Rev.Sr.Nilanka De Silva – Principal- GSC, Benjamin Jeganathan Ph.D (Reading)- MA – Secretary, Srinath Wickramasinghe – Senior Advisor, Stephen Samraj MBA– Former Secretary Colombo OBA, Dr. Savitri Varma MBBS, Nipun Anthony BIT, Trini Rayen – Attorney at Law ( Past President) , Nilan De Zoysa ( Secretary), S.P.Galabada MBS

Standing from left: Mahinda Silva MMC, Chaminda Emmanuel, D.M.M.Indrapala, Anthony Francis, Gunaseelan, Ranjith Tunnard, Jude Xavier, Gordon Stephen, Ranjan Joseph, Anandan, Padmanadam, S.B.Xavier, M.M.M.Sameem, Shantha Thilakasiri, Robin Prasad, Bernard Devanesan, Dammika Medagama, Robert Johnson, Milton Ranasingha (former Treasurer), Grecian, Anthony Joseph, Rohan Peiris- Treasurer

Top row standing from the left: Subash Gorden, Asantha, Mohomed Jiffry, Shehan Fernando, Sudaharan, Dilan Dominic, Udaya Thevarapperuma, Dilon Rajendran, Sridharan Lamahewa, John Christopher, Mohomed Irshad, Marvin Nicholas, Lal Indrakumar (Special Guest)

The Vespers service of the patron St. Francis Xavier took place last Saturday at the St Xavier’s Church Nuwara Eliya in the presence of the Chief Celebrant Rev. Fr. Roshan Almeida, and the feast was headed by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Kandy, Rt. Rev. Fr. Alvin Fernando. The Celebration concluded with a street procession that was joined by a large crowd of visitors, Catholics, and Non-Catholics of the area. The highlight of the 75^th-anniversary celebrations of the OBA was the formal gathering and the fellowship dinner at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya. President Chandana Fernando welcomed the dignitaries that included Rev. Fr. Anthony Cruze, Chandanalal Karunaratne – the mayor of the city, OBA Senior Advisors Paul Perera and Suren Swaminathan, Lal Indra Kumara Ex. Senior Registrar of Royal College Colombo, old boys and the members of other Old Boys’ Associations bring old Xavierians domiciled in different parts of the island and overseas together to contemplate reviving the college that had nurtured many for the last 163 years. A minute silence was observed in memory of past Managers, Directors, Teachers, parents and the members of the OBA. Past president R.M. Nawaz presented details of the activities of the OBA from 1947 to 2022 in a nutshell.

He went on to say that the Old Boys’ Association of St Xavier’s College which was founded in 1947 by Rev. Fr. Fareena and a handful of old boys has come a long way and completes its 75^th year of existence this year.  During the last 75 years it has grown from strength to strength, and today one cannot think of the College without thinking of the Old Boys’ Association.

The construction of the up-stair building was a major effort initiated by Rev. Fr.D.M.Xavier with the assistance of the Old boys in 1958; conducting the Annual inter-house sports meet, organised the feast of St Francis Xavier; educational and religious activities and several extra-curricular activities have been spearheaded by the OBA over the years. 

Many have witnessed and the written records reveal that the school takeover in 1962, the most traumatic event that was fiercely discussed and debated for a long time, had discouraged and impeded many old boys in the country, yet the SXCOBA has continued with its services to the College due to the undying loyalty and affection. The OBA 25^th Anniversary celebrations in 1972, the 50^th Anniversary celebration in 1997, the 60^th Anniversary celebrations in 2007, the 150^th Anniversary celebrations of the College in 2009 and the related activities well depict the continuous loyalty of the members of the Old Boys Association towards the College.

The Old boys paid a great tribute to the following office bearers: OBA Secretaries – Thomas Bastian (1947-1949), H. Hameed (1949-1954),  Francis Xavier (1954-1956), T.E. Sama (1956-1970) Percy Jayaratne(1970-1987), Paul Perera (1987-2014),  Benjamin Jeganathan(1997-2022), Michael de Silva(2014-2018) Nilan de Zoysa (2019-2022),  SXCOBA Colombo Branch: Stephen Samraj (2011-2018), Douglas Anthony (2018-2022), Chandana Fernando (2018-2021). OBA Presidents -D. A. D’abrera (1947-1950), D. A. Amos (1950-1958), H. Hameed (1958-1972), Sylvester Anthony (1987-1997),Trini Rayen (1997- 1998), G. W. Sigamony Pillai   (1998-2008), Russel Jacobs (2008-2014), RM Nawaz (2014-2019), MP Senaratne-Colombo  (2017-2022) Upeka Peiris (2019-2021),  Chandana Fernando (2021-2023).

The latest version of the College Anthem recorded with the direction of the Music Director, Ajith Silva was played for the first time at this event.   The Anthem is an adapted version of the Xaverian Anthem introduced in 1921 during the era of Rev. Bro. Alexander Basil FSC -Director -St Xavier’s College-Nuwara Eliya.

Joint Secretary Benjamin Jeganathan unfolded the OBA plans for 2023/24. At the outset, he mentioned that the stakeholders, the education and Ecclesiastical authorities , parents, present students, teachers, and old boys share equal responsibility in maintaining the standards while developing the institutions. He stated that the old boys build up a spell with their alma mater due to affection and loyalty which cannot be imposed or inducted by a third person. Unlike the west or other developed countries in Sri Lanka, the past pupils play the main role in developing the schools in all aspects and in maintaining the quality of education. He mentioned the four pillars of success are education, sports & extra-curricular activities, infrastructure development and professional development of teachers to promote child-centred education. He added that the objectives of the SXCOBA is to: uplift the standard of the St Xavier’s College and maintain the traditions of the College, to promote and advance the economical general welfare of past pupils of the College, to work for the integral development of the Association, to foster comradeship and welfare among the past pupils of the College, to keep the past pupils of St. Xavier’s College in a purposeful relationship with their Alma  Mater and thereby maintain within them and among them a spirit of loyalty to their Alma Mater, to obtain the advice, support and co -operation of past students in all matters affecting the College, to promote the advancement, progress and welfare of the College, to promote educational, cultural, recreational, social and economic welfare of the  students of the College, to enable those senior students of the College to acquaint themselves with members of the Association in order to engender with spirit of friendship which would help those younger members.

The collective proposals of the members comprised initiating the construction of a modern school building on the site where the Hundred-year-old Rev. Fr. Siriwardene block stands today. He further added that this building has been neglected ever since the school take over in 1961. Organizing two mega fundraisers to fund the cause was in cards. It was proposed to introduce many scholarships under the names of different benefactors and memorial scholarships to facilitate promising students in their educational pursuits. Upgrading of the library was instituted in 2012 with the assistance of the Candle-Aid foundation. The online non-fee levying English course had trained over 50 adults, university students, teachers and employed youth to continue with the  4^th batch in due course. It was mentioned already Old Xavierian former skipper Ratnasiri has commenced cricket coaching at the junior level in Nuwara Eliya with the expectation of engaging students in sports activities.

The Secretary congratulated Old Xaverian Senior Advisor Suren Swaminathan, Chairman Sri Lanka Business Council for being awarded “Special Global Sri Lankan of the year 2022” By WIM at the WIM Top 50 Global Awards Ceremony held in Dubai 2022, and Old Xaverian Travis Boulton for being awarded by the Sri Lanka Football Federation for his outstanding services to Football in Nuwara Eliya.

The secretary reiterated the fact that the generosity of a few old boys enabled them to raise over 1 million Rupees that was donated to parish priests of St. Xavier’s Church Rev. Fr. Christy Fernando and Rev. Fr. Sudath Rohana Perera to renovate the building of the main church that was constructed in 1938.

Dr Savitri Ravi Warma who was the first Xaverian entrant to the medical faculty of the university of Peradeniya in 1981 urged the OBA and the Mayor of the Nuwara Eliya city to take steps to recommence the advanced level class to retain the students until they finish their secondary level education. The house unanimously approved her proposal. She added that when she entered the medical faculty the then principal Mr Noel Nadeson presented her with a stethoscope and requested her to serve the people of the area; she had kept this promise and she is on the verge of her retirement.

Members mentioned that they are certain that St Xavier’s Parish comprises 800 families along with the residents of Nuwara Eliya of all ethnic groups and creeds will be ever grateful to the authorities if this noble institution could be put on its feet again as the humble and sincere desire of the parents is to see their children blossom forth as men of good moral standards with a good education. That is what Mother Lanka needs today. This augurs well for all parents, and the revival of the College will be a forerunner for peace and goodwill among all communities as a well-knit Sri Lankan community.

Further the secretary stated that the OBA comprises Postgraduates, Educationists, entrepreneurs, sportsmen and musicians who still play an important role in the communities in and around Nuwara Eliya and many of them are also Citizens of other parts of the world, but are keen to be associated in the wellbeing of their Alma-Mater.

He mentioned that the Sports committee will be organizing the Old Xaverians Hardball Cricket Tournament in February 2023, the 4^th Baker’s Cup Annual fixture in March and the 11^th Battle of the Oldies for the Mayor’s Cup during the April season of 2023.

It was also mentioned that the SXCOBA looks forward to building a relationship with the Old boys of  De La Salle Brothers in Sri Lanka and Overseas, and a stronger bond with the Past Pupils Association of the schools vested in 1960.

Finally, the Secretary stressed the fact that Experience matters in all endeavours and urged the young ones to honour the elders and mentioned that the Old Xaverians are ever ready to tie the shoelace of the youngsters to run the extra mile.

Mohan Samarakoon, the well-known rugby player of Up-Country, one of the trustees of CPRFU who represented Kandy Sports Club in the 1970s and administrator of Trinity College-Kandy- and the main benefactor of the Kandy Cancer Society delivered the keynote address. He mentioned that reunion of Old boys is important in focusing on productive projects and went on to mention that the Roman Catholic church and other denominations have done yeomen service towards education in Sri Lanka. He spoke about the importance of quality education and appreciated the promotion of unity in diversity through bilingual colleges in the country. He urged that the neglected institutions should be revived for the benefit of the next generation. The capacity crowd and the enthusiasm of the participants were praised by him, and Mohan Samarakoon congratulated the St Xavier’s OBA for its longstanding service to the College and the area.

The 75^th Anniversary toast was proposed by Suren Swaminathan who added his nostalgic memories and urged all the old boys to join the OBA to revive this noble institution that has nurtured inclusiveness irrespective of differences.

The St Xavier’s Old Boys’ Association Official website was launched by the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya along with Senior Advisor Paul Perera.

Many Old Xaverians including the National Golf Champion K. Prabaharan, Entrepreneurs Suren Swaminathan, V. Vadivel, Rohan Peiris, Charted Engineer Ilanka Anton, DMO of  Kotagala Dr Savithri Warma, Dr, Ravi Warma, Senior Lecturer Benjamin Jeganathan, Soccerites DMM Indrapala, RM Nawaz, Shantha Thilakariri, Sridharan Lama Hewa, MM Zameem. Chaminda Emmanuel, Chamina Namal, Travis Boulton, Cricketers, Irshad Mohomed, Nilan de Zoysa, Sunanda Ratnasiri, Tony Peter Paul, Muralidharan Ragupathy, John Christopher, Musicians, Kalabushana Paul Perera, Dilan Dominic, Mahinda Silva and Ranjith Tunnard and many Old Xaverians were felicitated at this event.

Jt. Secretary Nilan De Zoysa proposed the vote of thanks. The compere Vadivel Balendran did his best to keep the crowd on tiptoe.

The Dinner dance was led by the band Temptations. Paul Perera of the celebrated band Rubicons, Ajithn Silva, Peter Arsakularatne of Peter Combo and Dilan Dominic entertained the event. Many past pupils from many other colleges too attended this event.