15th February 1998

St. Anthony's: 70 years at Katugastota

This year St. Anthony's College, Kandy celebrates its 70th anniversary of moving to Katugastota. St Anthony's College was founded in 1854 in Kandy where St. Sylvester's College stands now and was shifted to more spacious environment of a 33 acre Estate of Dunuwille Walauwa at Katugastota during Fr. Lawrence Hyde's tenure.

The site was eminently suitable for a school and the beauty of the surrounding scenery certainly enhanced it. The Mahaveli river all along one side, views of Hunnasgiriya and Hantana Mountains on two sides and wide stretches of smiling open country side on other side. None who visits St. Anthony's can resist the fascination of the surrounding landscape or the enchanting environment she offers her students.

On January 16, 1928, the junior boarders were installed at Katugastota with a solemn planting of trees to commemorate the event. The verandah of the old Walauwa served as a Chapel.

The principal Fr. Hyde, with the support of the Bishop of Kandy Bead Beekmeyer -himself an old Antonian- built a formidable team of pioneers in the calibre of Fr. Barsenbach, Bro. Colombian Macky, Bro. Josep, Bro. Lyson, Bro. Timoty and last but not least P. B. A. Weerakoon later a deputy minister to set about his vision of transformation, that today seems unbelievable.

The land around the old Walauwa was one thick area of cocoa and coconut trees where cobras roamed and boys themselves helped in the mopping out operation. Classes were started for boarders and others who cared to come over.

During the first few years the school had classes from the kindergarten upto Cambridge Junior with an approximate Staff of around 12, gradually increasing the range to the London Matriculation.

In 1929, Fr. Hyde had the first permanent set of open class-rooms erected alongside the river which today houses the primary school. It was here that in 1934, St. Anthony's College obtained the best results in the British Empire with 100% passes in the London Matriculation Examination.

The present principal Rev. Fr. Hilarion Fernando, Staff and old Boys' Association of St. Anthony's College, Katugastota together with parents and well-wishers have decided to have several events to mark the 70th anniversary- a walkathon on February 28 from Kandy to Katugastota and a grand Dinner Dance on March 14 at Queen's Hotel.

Red letter day for Prince of Wales'

It was a memorable day for Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa. They were not only celebrating 50 years of independence of their country but also their College band was playing at the reception at Westminster House given in honour of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.

The College was named after the Prince of Wales (the eldest son of Queen Victoria) by its founder, the well known philanthropist, the late Mr. Charles Henry De Soysa. Also the late Mr. De Soysa himself hosted a banquet at his residence in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh (the second son of Queen Victoria) on 22nd April 1870. Moreover, the present Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip made an informal visit to this College in 1956.

As Prince Charles arrived he was introduced to the Principal of the College, Lakshman Gomes, the Deputy Principal Udaya Jayasekera, the Head Boy Ravindra Manoj, Prefects and a delegation of distinguished old boys of the College. Prince Charles spent a long time talking to them and showed a very keen interest in the activities of the College and mentioned that he would very much like to visit the College

Just before left the reception, on being asked by the College Principal whether he would like to hear the College Anthem he said he would be delighted to have the School Band play it.

As Prince Charles stood facing the School Band it was a touching sight to see the band strike up and play the College Anthem while the delegation of old boys sang their old school anthem. Strangely enough the College anthem ends with the refrain: "God Bless Our Prince of Wales" which indeed was a very apt ending for this memorable occasion.

Prince Charles thanked the Principal of the College and even as he left the reception he stooped down near the drummer of the band and took a look at the drum which bore the inscription, "Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa". It was obvious that the Prince of Wales was pleased that there was a College named Prince of Wales' College in this faraway island in the Indian ocean.

The delegation from the College I am sure will remember this memorable event for years to come and one only hopes that Prince Charles' own wish to visit this College personally will be fulfilled in the not too distant future - the next time His Royal Highness decides to visit Sri Lanka. - Susila Jayasuriya.

Forthcoming Events 

My Way postponed

The Lions Club of Wellawatte West, the organizer of My Way, a Tribute to Dr.Vijaya Corea for his outstanding contribution in launching, fostering and promoting Sri Lanka's entertainers on stage and radio, at an emergency meeting, decided to postpone My Way, for security reasons.

My Way, which was a massive 6-hour non-stop, 6 p.m. to 12 midnight entertainer, designed on the lines of woodstock was scheduled to be staged at Shalika Grounds, Park Road, Colombo 5 on Saturday February 28. It was designed to attract an audience of over 10,000 to witness Sri Lanka's super stars performing live on the open-air stage. The Lions Club of Wellawatte West, following discussions with the project's security consultants have decided to postpone My Way for a later date.

Lion Sri Sangabo Corea, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, on behalf of the Lions Club of Wellawatte West wishes to place on record 'special thanks' to the following artistes who so willingly offered to perform at My Way. Sohan Weerasinghe, Sunil and Piyal Perera, Dalreen Suby, Steve De Silva, Chandimal and the 2nd Connection, Dream Team, Priya Peiris and La Bambas, Mahesh Silva, and Simple, Stanley Peiris and the Fortunes, Fahmy Nazick, Luke Henriques, Annesley Malawana, Indrani Perera, Saman De Silva, Mariazelle Goonetilleke, Christine Gunewardena, Maxwell Mendis, Nimal Jayamanne, Milory Dharmaratne, Meemesso, Tony Hassen, Nirosha Virangani, Ronnie Leitch, Anil Barethi and Angela Abeywardene.

Statistical Profile of Lanka

The Department of Census and Statistics has published a handy reference book called Statistical Profile of Sri Lanka to mark the 50th Independence of the country. The book is a comprehensive collection of of statistics ranging from population to health to housing, energy, education, economy and agriculture. It is priced at Rs 150.

A booklet containing some of the improtant data is also available for Rs. 5

An Appeal

A 7-year-old Portuguese girl Sonia Christina, is extremely ill. It appears that her great desire at this time would be to be registered in the Guinness Book of Records as having received the largest number of business visiting cards ever received by one person. Those who wish her well could send in their cards can send in their cards.

Her address is:Sonia Christina MAGELA-SEMANA, Rua Sante Luciano 763, la, 42000 Porto, Portugal.

Continue to Plus page 15  *  Kala Korner  *  Campus life vividly portrayed

Return to the Plus contents page

Read Letters to the Editor