After a lapse of 4 years, it came time for the School on the Hill to meet their brethren at the School by the sea. The traditional Trinity-Thomian weekend took place this year on the 25th and 26th of February at S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia. The tradition dates back to the 1950s when Gordon Burrows of Trinity and Rev’d Roy Yin of S. Thomas’s started a joint service for a time of fellowship and a yearly renewal of brotherhood between the two prestigious schools of the Anglican Church of Ceylon.
On Saturday, the Thomians extended a warm welcome to the Trinitians. Following lunch and a session of cheering at the cricket match, the Choir joined the combined practice at the College Chapel. After the fellowship tea, Trinitians and Thomians spent the rest of the evening at the Big club grounds engaged in an enjoyable session of various games.
The Cricket Match – 1st XI
The match was played at the Big Club Grounds of S. Thomas’ College on the 24th and 25th of February. Following the two sessions, the teams scored as follows,
Trinity College, Kandy – 209/10 80.4 overs
- Janith Warnakula – 56*
- Tharana Wimaladharma – 33
S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia – 290/8 102 overs
- Theeraka Ranathunga 6/110
- Dinuka Tennakoon 1/44
- Tharana Wimaladharma 1/52
The Ranil Abeynaike memorial trophy was presented to both teams as the match concluded in a draw.
The Debate
The debate has been a long-lasting tradition between the two schools, which always takes a friendly approach. This year’s debate revolved around a timely and interesting topic where the motion was “This house to take a blue pill over a red pill.” In elaboration, You are offered a red pill that will take you out of the Matrix into the real world and a blue pill that will make you forget the realization together and return to your virtual life as though nothing happened. S. Thomas’ proposed the motion while Trinity opposed it.
The teams were as follows,
S. Thomas’ College
- Ganan Kugan (Captain)
- Nevan Serasundera
- Akhil Skanthakumar
- Dihen Udumalagala
Trinity College
- Abidh Jameel (Captain)
- Janidu Jayasekera
- Lolonyo Rahulan
- Thesath Keppetiyagama
Even though the two teams passed on friendly jokes across the floor, the camaraderie and the fellowship formed were unmatchable.
At the end of the day, the warden Rev’d Marc Billimoria welcomed the Trinitians to the traditional dinner hosted by him. The acting Chaplain, Rev’d Bro Lionel Peiris SSF, and the two Choirmasters were present at the occasion. The well-fraternized Thomians and Trinitians were seen enjoying the dinner while reflecting upon the day’s proceedings.
Holy Communion Service
The traditional joint Holy Communion service was held on Sunday morning at the Chapel of Transfiguration. Consecrated in 1927, along the lines of the High Church Anglo-Catholic tradition, the Chapel adorns an evocative mural of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ painted by the renowned artist David Paynter OBE. It was a sensational experience for the Choristers to witness and take part in the High Church service, contrasting with the CMS Low Church tradition at Trinity but united by the same Anglican choral tradition. The Chaplain of Trinity College, Rev’d Shelton Daniel, delivered the sermon on dealing with temptation during the season of Lent. A special anthem, “Thou Knowest, Lord, the Secrets of Our Hearts” by Henry Purcell was sung with expression and solemnity, which showed aptness on the 1st Sunday of Lent.
The fellowship breakfast followed next, where the Warden and Principal of the two Colleges delivered speeches stressing the importance of continuing this glorious tradition for years to come.
The Trinitians bade farewell to the Thomians after successfully effectuating the founding motive behind the Trinity Thomian weekend and with high hopes to welcome them next year in the hills. The reassurance of shared values, traditions, and cultures and the profound friendship and brotherhood once again rekindled, the Trinity Thomian weekend of 2023 allowed us to offer praises and thanksgiving to God for the gift of our two great institutions, which carries forward their mission of building Christ’s Kingdom for the greater glory of God.
Review by Samiru Herath (Web Content Team)
