18th January 1998

History will be the best judge of his stewardship

By A Special Correspondent

The 19th of January 1998 is a red letter day in the history of 'St. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and the life of its Warden Mr. W.M.N. de Alwis, for on that day the latter celebrates 15 years of service to S. Thomas' as Warden. Furthermore he takes his place as the 3rd longest serving Warden in the history of the College, the 1st being Revd. Cannon R.S. de Saram who served for 26 years from 1932 to 1958 and the second being Revd. W.A. Stone who was Warden for 24 years from 1901 to 1925.

Wilfred Michael Neville de Alwis took up the reins of office on January 1, 1983, succeeding Warden Ilangakoon, on the invitation of the then Bishop of Colombo the Rt. Revd. Swithin Fernando. He was Instituted and installed as the 15th Warden of the College at a special service on the 19th of January 1983 by the Bishop.

Having had his education at STC from 1946 to 1957 he was invited to join the tutorial staff of the College by Warden de Saram and he served as a Teacher from March to June 1957 after which he proceeded to the University of Ceylon to read Classics and Sinhala for his Bachelor of Arts degree. On completion of his degree he returned to the tutorial staff in the time of Warden C.H.L. Davidson and served from 1961 to 1964. Later he went on to pursue his LLB degree as an external student while serving as a Research Assistant at the Official Languages Department. He was called to the Bar in June 1969 and from 1970 to 1971 served as a Crown Counsel at the Attorney-General's Department. Having joined the Legal Draftsman's Department in 1972 Mr. de Alwis rose to be a Senior Assistant Legal Draftsman. He resigned from the Department to accept the call of his Alma Mater and sacrificed 17 years of public service and with it the right to an enhanced lifelong pension.

Having had a long relationship with College affairs prior to taking on the mantle of Warden, Mr. de Alwis threw himself wholeheartedly into the Herculean task of setting things right and from day one began to lead STC to newer and greater heights.

15 years have gone by since the day he pledged himself to the service of STC. He has beyond any doubt proven himself fit to hold the office with dignity and honour and above all, that, a deep sensitivity to the Thomian spirit and to tradition which have been hallmark of all things that are S. Thomas'. His understanding, appreciation and preservation of Thomian traditions has without a doubt taken this institution to great heights in all spheres on national life.

Assisted by a faithful administrative and tutorial staff he has restored to STC the excellence of the past, while at the same time, he has guided the College through many changes and challenges which have come up on the way, and brought her through untarnished and unimpaired.

The past 15 years have witnessed STC benefiting in many ways due to the vision of Warden de Alwis. His singular aim has been to do all for the greater advancement of STC. Warden McPherson who succeeded Warden Stone in 1925 is known in history for erecting much needed buildings at the new site. Likewise Warden de Alwis will be known as "The Builder". The new Kindergarten Block, the Middle School Block, the Scout Room, the New Winchester Dormitories and the Sickroom, the Indoor Cricket Nets, the Computer Laboratory and the Sports Complex and Gymnasium are among the many structures put up, entirely due to his vision and efforts. The next item on his agenda for building projects is the refurbishing and upgrading of the existing swimming pool, and he has single-handedly raised well over 75% of the total cost for this venture. It is hoped that he will be able to see the completion of this before his retirement this year.

In the field of sports, due to his understanding and belief that sports and extra curricular activities are all part and parcel of education, Thomians have perhaps the best facilities for sports any schoolboy in the island could ask for, for every possible sport. Contrary to popular belief that he has laid more emphasis on sports than on studies, statistics show that the standard of academics has been quite high these past years. A large number of students have passed out exceptionally well and gone on to higher studies in universities and other institutions of higher learning both here and abroad. It is a well known fact that at a time when the standard of English is dropping, at the A /Level Examination of 1995, one Thomian was placed 3rd in the whole island in English proving that the standard has not fallen as low as some people try to maintain.

The environment conducive for proper study and growth of the boys has also been catered to due to his emphasis on keeping the campus green and beautiful. It would not be an exaggeration to say that STC has one of the best maintained and picturesque campuses among the schools in the island.

The large staff too have received many benefits during his tenure of office, and many of them count it a joy and a privilege to serve STC, although, sadly some have no love or dedication at all towards the College and what she stands for. The incentive scheme and insurance scheme are two of the many benefits he has been responsible for obtaining on behalf of his team.

The past three to four years have brought with them bouquets, some brickbats as well. He has faced all this with resilience, courage and determination and has not allowed vile rumour and the scandal monger to intimidate him. History will be the best judge of his stewardship - not self seeking, jealous individuals with axes to grind. The harvest of what he has sown will be seen in future generations of Thomians.

All, including his worst enemies and critics, would not disagree that he has made a lasting and significant impact on the College these past 15 years. As he looks to possible retirement and leisure he can do so with a deep sense of satisfaction. Dr. Vernon Wijeratne, addressing a gathering to honour the Warden in 1996 in London said thus, "when the history of STC Mount Lavinia is written in the future, Warden Neville de Alwis will be remembered as one of the greatest Wardens who guided STC into the next millennium combining all the skills of the modern era."

Congratulations to the Warden as he reaches this significant milestone.

Continue to Plus page 12  *  The steadfast faith of a healing saint

Return to the Plus contents page

Read Letters to the Editor