In 1924, when Rev. J. Mcleod Campbell was installed as the Principal of Trinity, there was a ceremonial procession around the Kandy town. Such is the importance of the Installation ceremony of a Principal for the Trinity community.
On Friday, 25th of September 2020 Reverend Father Araliya Jayasundara OSB was appointed as the new Principal of Trinity College, Kandy at an Installation Service held at the College Chapel.
Due to the Covid safety regulations, the College had to restrict the congregation to a limited number. However, this gave the opportunity for the College to ‘live stream’ the service on YouTube for everyone to join and participate in this sacred celebration.
The service commenced at 8.30am with members of the Servers’ Guild leading the way. The Metropolitan’s Commissary and Vicar General of the Diocese of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey, Bishop of Kurunegala Rt. Rev. Keerthisiri Fernando, the Chaplain Rev. Sanath Madagamgoda and Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB all joined the procession from the West entrance of the Chapel, while the College choir and the congregation sang the hymn, ‘Praise to the lord, the Almighty the King of creation’.
The Chaplain led the Bidding prayer, and Invitation to confession which was followed by the Kyries sung by the choir. The second Congregational hymn, ‘Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord’ was sung, followed by the Collect read by Brother Lionel.
The Senior Prefect, Master Abhishek Anandakumara had the privilege of reading from a writing by Rev. A. G. Fraser (1908). We have quoted the entire reading below:
We believe that a Christian College should aim not at examination results as the highest thing but at the all-round character of the boys who are to be the citizens of the future. In sports, esprit de corps and good sportsmanship are taught. In our College, by adapting the system of Prefects or Monitors, we seek to train up men who are not afraid of responsibility, who, because they are trusted, learn to hate a lie, and who are loyal. The honour and character of the College are in the hands of its fellows.
The boy is not all body, he has a mind, and not only in school and college do we work for efficiency, but in debating societies, in classroom and lecture hall we discuss social and political problems and duties with our students.
The boy has not only a body and mind, he has a spirit—himself—and through school, college and sports we get to know him, with one object in view, so to present Jesus Christ to him, that he may see in Him the truest type of manhood, the One who came and lived among men, that He might draw all men to Him.We know that our labour is not in vain—many have heard His call, and have obeyed—some to suffer persecution for His sake. Many too are realising that they are to be the messengers of His love to their own people, that the hope of India and Ceylon is Jesus Christ.’
The congregation joined by the Choir sang the hymn, ‘Fight the good fight with all thy might’ followed by the Gospel (St. John, Chapter 15) read by the Co-vice Principal Mr Ananda Marasinghe, after which the Bishop of Kurunegala delivered his message.
The most important part of the service, the Installation was led by Rt. Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey. Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara was presented to the Bishop by a member of the Board of Governors, after which the Bishop proceeded with the Installation.
The choir sang the Invocation of the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator Spiritus while everyone knelt and prayed in silence.
Metropolitan’s Commissary and Vicar General of the Diocese of Colombo, together with the Bishop of Kurunegala then anointed the Principal with blessed oil, took his hands and installed him in office, saying:
I do install you Father Araliya Jayasundara to be Principal of Trinity College, Kandy in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Rt. Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey
Then the Vice Principal, Co-Vice principal, Head Masters, a member of the Academic staff, a member of Administration, a member of the Support Staff, and the Senior Prefect – a group representing the entire College – came in front and welcomed the new Principal.
The Greeting of Peace was done by the Bishop of Kurunegala, followed by the Intercessions led by the Vice Principal and the congregation joined in singing the hymn, ‘Our Father by whose servants’. The Bishop of Kurunegala then did the final Blessing.
The service came to an end with the final hymn, ‘The hand, O God, has guided’ sung during the Recessional.
The congregation then congratulated the new Principal and joined for a fellowship breakfast at the Chapel lawn.
We thank all administration, academic and support staff members and students who assisted in every possible way for this service to be a success and the congregation for participating in the service.
A special mention should be made of the members of the Media Unit who did the very first live stream at the Chapel very successfully.
We greatly appreciate the hard work of Theekshana Uduweriya (Main camera console), Chamath Bandara (Live stream console), Akmal Fareekdeen (Handheld camera), Janidu De Alwis (West entrance camera), Fadil Fazil (Right side nave), Rageeshan Chandrasekaran (Left side nave), Thambara Basnayake and Damith Pathirana.
We also thank Mr Joseph Marrriyasoosei, the sexton, who tirelessly worked to ensure the readiness of the Chapel for the service, and the Chaplain Rev. Sanath Madagamgoda and the Chapel Wardens for making all arrangements for the service.
The recording of the live stream can be viewed below or at https://youtu.be/hwQp7DsETHI
