Sunday Times 2
S Thomas’, Mt Lavinia celebrates 175th milestone with series of events
View(s):By Manjula D Philips
S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, marked its 175th anniversary on Tuesday, February 3, with a series of celebrations held on the school premises.
Founded in 1851 by Colombo’s first Anglican Bishop, the Rt Rev James Chapman, the college began its milestone celebrations on Tuesday with a service of thanksgiving at the Chapel of the Transfiguration — the college chapel. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Colombo, the Rt Rev Dushantha Rodrigo, together with the college chaplain, Rev Samuel J Ponniah.
Following the service, Bishop Rodrigo formally opened a new museum on the college premises. The Old Boys’ Association then issued a commemorative stamp in honour of the 175th anniversary, with first-day covers presented to distinguished guests including Warden Asanka Perera, Sub-Warden Radeeka Mendis, and Bishop Rodrigo.
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- Some of the participants (Pix by Kithsiri De Mel)
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- The commemorative stamp was presented to the warden Asanka Perera by the Old Boys Association
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- The commemorative stamp
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- The museum plaque was declared open
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- Right Reverend Dushantha Rodrigo the Bishop of Colombo leading the blessing
A highlight of the day was the laying of the foundation stone for a new 3-storey building (Phase IV). Guests later attended the Founders’ Day Assembly in the main hall, where alumni Chandra Schaffter and Nahil Wijesuriya graced the occasion as chief guests.
Welcoming the gathering, Warden Asanka Perera reflected on the college’s enduring legacy:
“We stand today at a major milestone in our history. This is not merely a school anniversary; it is a celebration of a cornerstone of Sri Lankan identity. When our founder established the college, his vision was to nurture boys into well-adjusted, grounded men who would serve society. Today, that vision has not only survived — it has flourished.
“We are taught education for life, not just for exams. My staff are the unsung heroes: they do more than teach subjects,” he said, adding that “they shape habits, instill principles, and guide our students to become good and wise men.”
The warden also said, “There is no greater calling than shaping the future. To the old boys of the college, I say: you are our ambassadors wherever you are in the world. You carry the Thomian spirit wherever you go. As we celebrate this occasion, we must ask ourselves what it means to be a Thomian in the 21st century. We celebrate our history not to become a museum of the past, but to ensure we hold a compass for the future.”