×

Online PaymentS

Will be available soon

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College, Kandy Respice Finem

T +94 81 223 4297
Email: info@trinitycollege.lk

Trinity College, Kandy
262, D S Senanayake Veediya, Kandy 20000, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Open in Google Maps
CALL: +94 81 223 4297
  • ONLINE PAYMENTS
  • Home
  • About Trinity
    • Principal
    • Chapel
      • Choir
    • Ryde Gold Medal
    • The College Hymn
    • The College Song
  • Sections
    • Kindergarten
    • Junior School
    • Local Advance Level
    • International Advanced Level
  • Office 365
    • Office 365 Portal
      • Microsoft Teams on Web
      • Office Applications
        • Microsoft Word
        • Microsoft Excel
        • Microsoft PowerPoint
      • Outlook on Web
      • OneNote on Web
      • OneDrive on Web
      • Microsoft SharePoint
      • Microsoft Planner
      • Microsoft Sway
      • Microsoft Yammer
    • Learning at Home
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Support Tutorials
      • College Email Accounts
      • Microsoft Teams
  • News & Events
    • The TrinitianNew
    • News & Articles
      • College News
      • General Articles
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Gallery
  • Trinity 150
    • T150 College Celebrations
      • MemorabiliaNew
    • Trinity History Project
    • Trinity150 Infrastructure Projects
  • Contact Us
London A/Level:
June 2022 Intake
NOW OPEN
Monday, 05 November 2018 / Published in College, General Articles, History

1972 Trinity’s Centenary year – a walk down memory lane

This article was originally published in a TCK Centenary Group’s newsletter

In February this year (2018) when I joined a group from the Colombo Branch of the TCK OBA for the presentation of “Smart Boards” to the College Kindergarten, my mind went back to 1959. That was 59 years ago when I sat on the floor in the old Kindergarten hall; with the cement coloured in red, gold and blue oval lines,  huddled together among a bunch of anxious five year olds.
Sixty six boys were admitted to the lower Kindergarten of Trinity that year. Though the old Kindergarten hall is no more, replaced by the “Centenary Block” and most of the lovable old teachers gone to the great beyond, the feeling of being back in my boy hood home was dream like even for a 64 year old!

It was wistful nostalgia for the entire group that went up to Kandy for this presentation. Walking up to the Main hall car park from the Kindergarten, we found the physical environment of TCK changed and different to what it was half a century ago. We lamented the demolition of the quaint old “Mission House”, TCK’s very first home, for a grotesque concrete monstrosity to stand there instead. We also admired some of the new developments that have retained the overall architectural character of the school campus.  Above all, what was heartening was to learn that the Grand Old School appears to be in safe hands, well and healthy, at the ripe old age of 146.

It was the five year olds of 1959 and the many friends who joined us on the way through Junior, Middle and Upper School that grew to be the 18 year olds to hold aloft the red, gold and blue banner in 1972 when TCK celebrated her centenary.  We were small in number then. In 1959 the entire school may have had a thousand boys on roll. Even by 1972, we numbered 1500 more or less, with some A Level  classes  counting 6-7 boys !
Hence to make the “TCK Centenary Group” as we call ourselves, large enough to be a movement of impact, it was agreed that all who were in the 5th form, lower and upper sixth form classes (grades 10,11 and 12) in 1972, be included in it. What a wonderful agreement that was! The camaraderie that prevailed at TCK cut across a few years difference in age or grade. With almost two hundred in our group we are now a happy and proud arm of the larger TCK family, wrapped together in the red, gold and blue standard.

As for this column, I was somewhat taken aback when our dear friend and evergreen Trinitian Channa Jayawickrama called me from Kandy a few weeks ago asking me to write a piece for the group newsletter.  Momentarily  I asked  myself,  why me did Channa call?  After all, we had amongst us Ajith Samaranayake, the boy who was destined to be one of the finest English journalists in Asia, DMG (Dimma) Dissanayake, Ubayasena  Banda  and many others whose literary contributions while school boys were good enough for national publications. They could have “out written” me by “leaps and bounds”. Then sad stark reality struck me.  Of the names I mention, they have all crossed the great divide and it is left to lesser mortals like me to chip-in in the absence of the better.
I am unable in this article to make reference to all those from our group who have moved on to the great beyond. Perhaps that is done elsewhere in this newsletter. I cannot however, restrain myself from making reference to the likes of the two Rohans (Alawattegama and Paranawitharana) who left us far too early in life, Rugby Lion Y. S. Ping,  that steel  hardened Napierite P. Maheswaran whose death was a surprise to us  all, and the rough and tumble  Shathi Bahar. Shanti having enlisted with the Navy sacrificed his life in battle for the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. The portrait of Commander Bahar now adorns the walls of the OTSC in Asgiriya with some of the finest  Trinitians who left their imprint on the sands of time.

In writing this piece, I thought it best to go down memory lane to 1972 and recall how we celebrated our Centenary. It was an event looked forward to by the entire Trinity family. From Thanksgiving services to exhibitions and carnivals, drama festivals and a city walk to cap it all!  All activities were organized by a group of dedicated old boys, teachers and the boys themselves. “Event Managers” were not around then!  Forgetfulness compelled me to seek assistance from the College archives and fading photographs in my own albums.

The celebrations began in November 1971, to coincide with a visit to then Ceylon by the Rt. Revd  R.W. Stopford, former Principal (1935-41). He was by then the Lord Bishop of London.  There was a traditional Thanksgiving service presided over by the good Bishop at the College Chapel.
What preceded the service was a spectacular procession (city walk) from the Hall to the Chapel, winding its way down D. S. Senanayake Street, Kande Veediya, Kotugodella Veediya, Cross Street, back to D. S. Senanayake Street and to the Chapel. It was led by the Senior Prefect Ravindra  Sangakkara  carrying  the College flag.  Ravindra, later a Professor of Agriculture at Peradeniya met with a fatal accident just over a year ago; we remember him with affection.  The procession represented the entire Trinity family; from former Principals, staff, old boys, minor staff and, the boys walking under their “House” flags.
I vividly recall the lanky athlete G. T. A. Samaranayake now in the USA,   Rugby Lion Jeffery Yu now in Canada, the amiable Ajith Senewiratne now in Australia, that steely rugby inside three-quarter Tissa Dissanayake now  in retirement from the hotel industry, and myself  leading the boys,  carrying the Garett, Lemuel, Alison, Napier and Ryde flags respectively. What a show that procession was; half mile long and Kandy was there in numbers to watch its “Glamour School” on parade at home!

1972 saw the main celebrations. By then our Senior Prefect was Athula Unanthanne. He also led TCK at rugby and cricket that year.  The centenary Prize Giving in February broke new ground in more ways than one. The Chief Guest was Madam Sirimavo Ratwatte Bandaranaike the Prime Minister. Not only was she the first politician to have graced a TCK Prize Giving as Chief Guest but, also the first female to do so.  Then again, with almost all her family; father and brothers, being Trinitians the good Lady was not a stranger to the school. In fact, she was very much a part of it. The highly acclaimed 400+ page TCK Centenary souvenir printed in our very own press on the “Two Page Pedal Machine” was launched that evening. The centenary exhibition opened alongside the centenary Prize Giving.

The exhibition was truly massive in terms of a school boy activity. It showcased the variety that Trinity had to offer in terms of art and craft and the sciences in all its multifarious forms. One exhibit was a “Model of DNA charts on its biochemical functions”.  The credit for this went to three boys:  Ruwan Ekanayake now a leading  Cardiologist, Asoka Balasuriya who went on to complete a PhD in the field of chemistry having played rugby as well for Trinity, and  A. M. S. Bandara a very bright student whose steps after leaving school I have not been able to trace. Taking into consideration that the molecular structure of DNA was first identified only in the 1950s in Cambridge, exhibits of this nature reflected on the extremely high quality of what was on display.

The centenary exhibition was open to the public.  Almost all schools in Kandy and many from the Central Province and a few from Colombo as well were attracted to it. What was to be a 5 day exhibition was extended to nine days with the doors closing only around midnight in the last couple of days.

As for student academic achievements, one might argue that the 1972 A Level class was too preoccupied with our centenary celebrations to concentrate on public examinations.  Regardless, we still have amongst the group many who have made their mark at the highest levels. A few names that readily come to my mind are those of my Ryde House mate Professor Thangamuttu Jeyasingham  Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University, Professor Asoka Nugawela the respected agricultural scientist, and Kandy’s very own Walter Perera who was appointed to the Professorial Chair of English at the Peradeniya University.

Festivities continued in to March. A drama festival, talent shows and musical evenings were on the cards for a full week or more.  A “Mini Fair” in and around the College car park and the old bus garage was the “grand finale”.

The drama festival was also open to the public. Plays were staged by the TCLA, SLU and the TLU. The “West Side Story” by the TCLA in which rugby flanker Babu Dharmaratnam now in the USA, played “Riff” and another ruggerite  Stewart Wright now in Australia  acted as “Bernardo” was a hit.  The Late Ronnie Thangiah the choir master with the golden voice was the man behind the production.

Ediriweera Sarathchandra’s “Pabawathi” was staged by the SLU. Francis Wickramage the talented “Sinhala guru” trained the cast.
D. Beling a burgher boy played the lead role of Pabawathi with great aplomb. Donald Fernando who was Alison House Master in later years was King Kusa, while the “narrator” was this writer. The main actor in the Tamil Play “Eatharakkum Oru Theerppoo” was the much loved Tamil teacher  N. Selladurai himself, supported by the likes of J. R. Jesubatham  now in the USA and M. V. Siddharthan an ardent “Sivaji Ganeshan” fan. I was saddened to learn that Siddha too is no longer among us today.

Many of the boys of 1972 will recall the “Mini Fair”. It was a “Trinity family” affair with games and amusements, music and trade/food stalls. It also gave the boys a rare opportunity of mingling with the girls of Kandy in an atmosphere of levity in days when the mere holding of hands was something often frowned at.  The “fair” brought to an end the celebrations as far as the students were concerned. What was unique about the centenary was that there was no boy or member of the staff who was not involved in what was going on, in one way or the other. It belonged to “US ALL” and we were proud that it did!

Whereas it had all ended for the boys, there was in store for Trinity a greater show in August of 1972. Led by the OBA and a committee chaired by Colonel Stanley Ratwatte, they ran the “Jaya Mawatha Esala Exhibition” for 12 days. It was in reality the Bogambara Perehara Carnival. On each of the 12 days it was opened by a distinguished old boy or other dignitary and, in the true “Trinity family” spirit, the final day honours were carried out by the minor employees of the School. “Sharing and caring” was a value instilled in us at TCK!

No doubt the “carnival” would have brought in a substantial sum to the college coffers. In those days however, organizing public carnivals and matters of high finance were not in the “curriculum” for schoolboys.  Not in the “Extra – Curricular” either!

To Our Teachers:

We entered TCK in a year (1959) the Prime Minister of Ceylon was assassinated. That was a rude shock to a fledgling democracy. Gender barriers were falling apart and lady teachers came into the Upper School by the late 1960s. We were senior students in 1971 when the first youth uprising took place.  In 1972, when it was time for us to step out in to the real world, the “Soulbury Constitution” gave way for our nation to become the “Republic of Sri Lanka” from the “Ceylon” we were accustomed to. While we were carefree and happy in the world that was “Trinity College” our country was in the throes of change; at the beginning of what now seems an unending  struggle to find an identity of our own.

We were then in our most impressionable years. Our teachers did not insulate us from the happenings outside; we were encouraged to discuss and debate the challenges facing the country but, they kept us safe from any adverse impact of the social turbulence around us. We are ever grateful to all of them. Tall among them stood, the awe inspiring Cedric Orloff, the master mathematician G. Y. Sahayama, the effervescent Lionel Fernando and that iconic Liberal, Hilary Abeyaratne. We salute them all with gratitude!

Gotabaya (GKB) Dasanayaka
April 2018.
Post Script:
“No one in this world is rich enough to buy back his childhood and youth. Only friends help to recreate  those moments from time to time at no cost” :  Author Unknown

A big ‘Thank You’ to a few friends in Kandy and Colombo who keep the TCK CG “alive and kicking” to “recreate” those cherished moments of our boyhood. Cheers!

What you can read next

An orientation programme for the Interact committee members and their parents
Fourteen Years at Trinity and Beyond
Lions Backup Wilpattu – a project by the Edexcel AL students of Trinity

LATEST NEWS

  • Trinity Monday 2022 – Feast of the Holy Trinity Church and Service of ConfirmationJune 19, 2022
  • International Advanced Level – Admissions 2022May 25, 2022
  • Leading with diplomacy: SLMUN 2021May 17, 2022
  • Medical Camp conducted by the Interact Club in collaboration with the Trinity Doctors’ AssociationMay 12, 2022
  • Principal’s Report for the Prize Giving 2020/21May 4, 2022
  • The Lakshman Kadirgamar Debating Championship: New Beginnings!April 21, 2022

Trinity on Instagram

trinitycollege.lk

Exploring Vistas of Excellence since 1872

Trinity College Kandy
Watch: Trinity College Rugby 2022 preview - featur Watch: Trinity College Rugby 2022 preview - featuring Trinity College 1st XV and their preparations for the upcoming season.

#trinitycollegekandy #rugby #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka #schoolsrugby 

Credits: Quadrangle Magazine
Trinity will meet once again with S. Thomas' Colle Trinity will meet once again with S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia for the Canon R. S. de Saram Shield Rugby Encounter on 25th June 2022 at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium.

The match will commence at 4.15pm.

This traditional encounter between Trinity College and S. Thomas’ College will hold centre stage as the 2022 Inter-School Under-20 League Rugby Tournament returns after a lapse of two years.

#trinitycollegekandy #rugby #sports
Trinity Monday - Feast of the Holy Trinity Church Trinity Monday - Feast of the Holy Trinity Church and Service of Confirmation took place on 13th June 2022 at the College Chapel

Visit our Flickr site to view the full album.

#trinitycollegekandy #TrinityMonday #service #chapel #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka #event #education
Our Congratulations to Trinity College for winning Our Congratulations to Trinity College for winning the 'Richard Aluwihare Trophy' at the 40th Limited Overs Cricket Encounter held on 11th June 2022 at the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium.

Trinity played against St. Anthony's College, Kandy and emerged victorious by 4 wickets. 

#trinitycollegekandy #cricket #tck #sack #sports #kandy #srilanka
The Student Task Force (STF) is delighted to open The Student Task Force (STF) is delighted to open its membership to Grade 12 Students (2021 O/L Batch).

As we approach the apex of our sesquicentennial year, we intend to build a strong core for the future by equipping the young Trinitians to take up roles in management and organization complementing the education outside the classroom.

We invite all Grade 12 students to register by filling the online form available on our College website!

#trinitycollegekandy #studenttaskforce #stf #enaggement #students #activities #enrolment #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
The Grand view from the rooftop terrace of the Abe The Grand view from the rooftop terrace of the Abeyratne - Jeyaraj Block.

#trinitycollegekandy #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka #landscape #surroundings #campus
The 'Lions vs Giants' Rugby Encounter was held on The 'Lions vs Giants' Rugby Encounter was held on 05th June 2022 at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium.

The match was played between the Trinity 1st XV Squad and former 1XV Players. 

#trinitycollegekandy #rugby #sports #lionsvsgiants #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka

Pictures: Quadrangle Magazine
The 103rd Battle of the Blues of the Hill Capital, The 103rd Battle of the Blues of the Hill Capital, 2-Day Cricket Encounter between Trinity College and St. Anthony's College, Katugastota was held on 3rd and 4th June 2022 at the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium.

View the full album on our Facebook / Flickr Feeds!

#trinitycollegekandy #cricket #bigmatch #battleoftheblues #sports #kandy #srilanka #trinity #college
Discipline has always been Trinity's forte! It is Discipline has always been Trinity's forte!

It is the duty and obligation of present-day Trinitians to fully commit to the vision of our founding fathers as we continue 'looking to the end'

#trinitcollegekandy #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
Load More… Follow us on Instagram

TRINITY COLLEGE ON FLICKR

    Browse Our Gallery

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    2 days agoTrinity College announces a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life, work, and witness of Mr. James Lionel Pe… https://t.co/u67Y8AZv8u
    3 days agoTrinity will meet once again with S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia for the Canon R. S. de Saram Shield Rugby Encount… https://t.co/LpWpOjIMk1
    4 days agoCommunication to Students, Parents, Old Boys and Well-Wishers of Trinity Rugby - Commencement of Rugby Football Sea… https://t.co/6V2TnRB9Rz
    4 days agoThis year's Trinity Monday took place on 13th June 2022 at the College Chapel at 7.30 am. The Bishop of Kurunagala,… https://t.co/GRrXUK9Krn
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Archives

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    2 days agoTrinity College announces a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life, work, and witness of Mr. James Lionel Pe… https://t.co/u67Y8AZv8u
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Quick Links

    • Home
    • Contact
    • News and Media
    • Trinity150
    • Events
    • Online Payments
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • My Account
    • GET SOCIAL
    Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

    Copyright © 2000 - 2022 Trinity College, Kandy. All rights reserved.

    TOP
    X