The 40 year history of Subodhi Institute of Integral Education
View(s):It is indeed a pleasure to pen a few words about Subodhi Institute of Integral Education, popularly known as “Subodhi.” “Subodhi” is located on a 13-acre land with rubber and mahogany plantations. Situated on the banks of scenic Bolgoda Lake, it is endowed with natural beauty. The landscape within “Subodhi” premises is really picturesque with many trees, bushes and two ponds. The greenery on either side of the two basement halls is fascinating. The cool breeze blowing from the lake and from among the trees along with the fragrance of flowers brings solace to the mind and soul.
This wonderful plot of land was initially bought by His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray, the Archbishop at that time. It was initially a rubber estate previously known as Brookside Estate and the foundation stone was laid for “Subodhi” buildings by him 1979, under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Mervyn Fernando, who was the Founder Director.
The Subodhi Institute which was ceremoniously opened in the year 1981 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, the then Archbishop of Colombo Diocese. Later, in 1991. The Rev. Fr. Mervyn Fernando Auditorium, with a seating capacity for more than 400 people, was added to it and declared open by Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali – the Minister of Education and Higher Education – at that time. A part of the rubber plantation is seen even today and rubber tapping is done on a small scale at present. There is also a coconut plantation and a banana plantation on the rear side of “Subodhi” premises and a new cinnamon plantation attended to by minor staff.
This Institute has two open air basement halls, two enclosed lecture halls with facilities like multimedia, sound systems, air condition and fans and also a big auditorium, all of which can be utilised for seminars, workshops, conferences and lectures. As an institution managed by the Catholic Church, we have a chapel which can be used for mass, prayers and meditation by various groups from schools and parishes of the Catholic and Christian denominations. The playground adjoining the lake is used for games and other outdoor activities by school children, youth and also adults who come to “Subodhi” from schools, parishes, government and private organisations.
Likewise we provide accommodation for the above mentioned programmes by renting out residential rooms in four different blocks. There are 40 such rooms out of which eight are luxury rooms with A/C and attached bathrooms while others rooms have lights, fans and mosquito nets, all of which could accommodate around 110 persons at a given time. In block ‘D’ there are bunk beds chiefly meant for school children coming for life education and leadership training programmes. There is a dormitory as well. During the time when Fr. Mervyn was living, Lakmina or “The Sri Lankan Library” was functioning for so many years, but after his retirement, most of its books were given away and hence it is not functioning now.
For those coming here for various programmes, be it one day or for several days, we supply food and drinks upon request, for which purpose there is a kitchen with a cook available throughout the day and night, assisted by female members of the staff when the necessity arises. The charges for all these are nominal and reasonable, much cheaper than hotels and restaurants. There is also a reading room with a parlour together for those who are interested in reading books and magazines, which is a music room as well with a piano and other instruents and a sofa set for relaxation. The forgoing is something about “Subodhi infrastructure.”
“Subodhi” is a Catholic educational institute vested in the Archdiocese of Colombo under the Archbishop, which has a proud history of 40 years since its inception in 1981. For the leadership and life education programmes we conduct here for O/L and A/L school children, we have three lecturers whom we hire from outside, to conduct lectures in collaboration with the director.
The integral education envisioned by “Subodhi” rests on the holistic growth of a human person. The educators – Fr. Victor and Fr. Prakash – of this institute take into consideration, the total outlook of human life, helping each person to grow into maturity in life, to be prepared for the realities of life in all spheres around and within, namely physical, social, intellectual and spiritual. Knowledge from outside and wisdom from within pave the way for this possibility. Subodhi offers Self-Awareness and Life Education as a part of its integral education.
Being established in 1981, “Subodhi” has been in existence for the past 40 years and hundreds and thousands of both children and youth have been benefitted by the above mentioned programmes offered by “Subodhi” and this legacy continues even today. Rev. Fr. Mervyn Fernando, who was the Founder Director, passed away in December 2017 and Fr. Victor Silva being the present Director with Rev. Fr. Prakash Fernando, assiting in the operation and management of Subodhi.
There are nine lay members on Subodhi staff, out of which four are resident. The playground, chapel, kitchen and the auditorium cater to the needs of participants who come here for various programmes. We entertain groups of students mainly from Catholic schools, in batches of 25-40 children, for life education and leadership programmes conducted by our experienced and well qualified lecturers for 3 consecutive days with two overnight stays at “Subodhi” with both food and lodging provided.
During the previous year 2019, within the period March 1 to December 31, there had been 13 such schools participated. In addition three Sunday School groups and ten youth groups participated. Eight hundred and forty children in total participated in the entire 26 programmes of the above three categories within the specified period.
Hence, it is obvious that “Subodhi” is engaged in a mission of social service through educating the youth of our country, which is a noble task. To continue this worthy cause for future generations and to keep this institute alive and functioning, we seek generous donors and well-wishers to cover the costs involved in the maintenance and upkeep of this beautiful Institute, in cash or kind, which would be of great help and support to us.
It is with gratitude and revered memory that we appreciate the generous donations granted towards “Subodhi Fund”, for the sake of its development, in the recent past, by the charitable organisations, individuals and well-wishers both local and foreign.
Today, “Subodhi” has become a famous institution for so many in bound and out bound activities of various organisations both government and private as well as NGO’s, throughout the country due to the untiring efforts of both past and present directors of it and is aspiring to continue with the same fame and spirit for many more years to come. It has the potential to grow into a much more ‘sought after’ institute in future. Being a Catholic institute we wish to make that dream come true with the grace of God and also its other goals, objectives and aspirations to become a reality and to achieve success.
Hail! Subodhi Institute. May you continue to exist and keep up rendering your yeoman’s service to the Sri Lankan Nation for many more years ahead.
For further information and clarifications, please contact Rev. Fr. Victor Silva – (011) 2614430, Subodhi Reception (011) 2614317 or Coordinating Secretary Nirosha – 0772664577.
- Asiri Weerasuriya