Roots Celebrated and Future Mapped at the Fraser Memorial Oration 2025   

Writeup by Mast. Nimuthu Pathiraja (Web Content Team) 

The Fraser Memorial Oration, celebrated in memory of the Great Rev. Alexander Garden Fraser, has now become a much sought-after event in the college calendar. This year’s event was an incredibly special one for this great institution as it marked a significant milestone: the completion of arguably one of Trinity’s most ambitious projects – the T150 Infrastructure Project to felicitate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the school on the hill. 

This year’s edition was successfully completed on the 17th of January 2025, an unprecedented 153 years since the establishment of Trinity College Kandy. The event saw the attendance of multiple dignitaries, including ambassadors, members of the Oversight Committee, donors of the T150 Initiative, the former principal of Trinity College Kandy, Mr Andrew Fowler-Watt, and many other individuals who have tirelessly contributed to making Trinity even greater. 

The event commenced with a traditional touch as the College Drum and Dance Troupe led the invitees into the main hall. This was followed by our chaplain, Rev. Fr. Shelton Samadanam, leading the event in prayer. An illustrious trailer of the Fraser Memorial Oration was then displayed, elevating the spirit of this remarkable day. 

This was followed by the much-awaited keynote speech, aimed at inspiration and education. In 2025, the Fraser Memorial Oration was enlightened by Mr Gotabaya Dassanayake. He was an alumnus of Trinity College Kandy from 1959 to 1972. Mr Dassanayake had the privilege of being a boarder at the college and, upon leaving school, was a member of Ryde House. As a student, he was fully immersed in school life, participating in various extracurricular activities including drama and debating. He was also a College Prefect and the Secretary of the School Officers’ Guild in 1972, which was notably the centenary year of the college. 

Following his impressive tenure at school, he entered the Sri Lanka Law College, graduating with First Class Honours and becoming an Attorney-at-Law in 1976. As a professional, he worked with the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, where he served as Director General from 2000 to 2006. He later became a Senior Professional Specialist in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) within the United Nations system. Mr Dassanayake continues to be professionally involved in the private sector as a director of numerous companies, Ombudsperson for a large Sri Lankan conglomerate, and a member of the Ethics Committee of a leading professional body. He also continues his consultative practice in the field of labour and employment. As a member of the Board of Governors of Trinity College Kandy, he continues to serve and inspire the college. 

Following an awe-inspiring and motivating speech to the students, in which Mr Dassanayake also highlighted the efforts behind the T150 Infrastructure Initiative, it is fair to state that his speech undoubtedly evoked Trinity pride within all those present on this historic day. 

This was followed by an equally important second segment of the event, which focused on the T150 Infrastructure Initiative. An informative video displayed the significant journey our institution embarked on – a journey challenged by everything from a global pandemic to an economic crisis. Yet, it became an opportunity for the Trinity Family to highlight its resilience as the infrastructure initiative was successfully concluded, preserving the legacy of Trinity for centuries to come. 

After the video, His Lordship the Bishop of Kurunegala was accompanied by Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB to hand over souvenirs to the distinguished donors and invitees who made this initiative possible. 

Awards Distributed To   

T150 Sesquicentennial Anniversary Infrastructure Initiative Advisory & Oversight Committee Members   

Ambassadors of the T150 Sesquicentennial Anniversary Infrastructure Initiative   

Principal Donors   

Individual Donors   

Special Contributors   

Batch Donors   

Following the felicitation of these deserving individuals, our principal concluded the event with a heartfelt testimony and vote of thanks. 

We thank all the dignitaries, the College Executive Council, the School Officers’ Guild, the Student Task Force, PROMWEB, and all the other contributors who made this a successful and meaningful event.