Message by Yasas Fernando (Grade 4) My dear Principal, Vice Principals, Chaplain, Teachers, Parents, and my dear students, It’s a great joy for me to bring God’s word to you today. We are going to look at a story that Jesus told, the story of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-31. But first, let me tell you the background to this story, found in verse 1 of Chapter 15. The so-called “sinners” at that time were drawing near to Jesus, and Jesus loved them. The religious people didn’t like that and started grumbling, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Jesus loved all people, especially the sinners and the outcasts, which made the religious people very upset. So Jesus tells this story: “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he wasted his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.” Actually, Jesus tells this story for us to understand what God is like. He compares God to the Father in this story. So, today we are going to look at three qualities of God! The younger son wanted to be independent of the father. He wanted to live his own way, which he thought would bring him a lot of pleasure and happiness. He loved money and used it to live the way he wanted to. But finally, he lost everything. He was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. The son realized that he himself was lost! Then he remembered his Father. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father.” The first quality of God that I want to tell you today is the Holiness of God. The son wanted to go back to the father, and he prepared a speech. The speech had three points. The first thing he wanted to tell his father was: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” And that is true! God created us and loves us! But when we choose to live our own way, the Bible calls it sin! For example, God hates lies. When we lie to our parents, or when we lie to our children, we are not just sinning against our children; we are sinning against God! But why is it a sin against God? Because the Bible says that God is Holy! God hates sin, and one reason is that He loves us and sin destroys us. So that’s the first thing he wanted to tell his father. What is the second thing? “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” That is also true. Sinning against a Holy God is very serious, so we are not worthy to be called His children. What is the third thing he wanted to tell his father? “Treat me as one of your hired servants.” Now, a hired servant was someone who lived outside the home. A hired servant would work during the day and then go back to his own home. Why did the son want to be a hired servant? Maybe he thought, if he worked hard, little by little, the father would love and accept him. Don’t we all think like that? YES! Maybe if we keep our room tidy or sweep the house, our mothers might give us a chocolate. As adults, we think that if we work hard and buy a nice vehicle, people will love and accept us! Many religions also teach this: if we live a good life, care for the poor, go to church, pray many times a day, we can reach the top and even receive the love and acceptance of a Holy God! The son wanted to work his way up to the Father! So now he has a three-point speech. He decided to go back home! So the first quality of God is that God is Holy. The second quality is the Love of God. Let’s read the text: “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion.” Now, what did the father do? Let me remind you again, Jesus is telling this story to help us understand what God the Father is like. We are Trinitarians. What does Trinity mean? It means God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We need to know what God the Father is like. What does the father do? The father RUNS!! In ancient Middle Eastern cultures, wealthy old men didn’t run! It was a shameful thing for an old man to run! Even in our own culture, it is rare to see a father running when they see their son coming! But this father runs! In those days, wealthy old men wore long robes; he would have raised his robe and run!! That’s not all. Jesus goes into a lot of detail to help us understand the character of God. The father hugs the son and kisses the son!! This is the great affection of God! There is no God like this! Now the son prepares to tell his speech. Which has how many points? Three points! He tells the
Sri Lanka, a land brimming with stories, boasts a rich cultural heritage and bountiful nature. These stories, etched into monuments, speak to future generations. One such monument in Sri Lanka’s hill capital stands as a guardian of these tales: the Chapel of Trinity College Kandy. A Testament to Sri Lankan and Western Heritage Situated atop Trinity Hill, this house of God was constructed, intertwining Sri Lankan legacies with Western philosophy and Christianity. Since its inception in 1922, the Chapel of Trinity College Kandy has served as a beacon of architecture and spirituality, inspiring generations of the Trinity community as a sanctuary for reflection and growth. This unique edifice embodies Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and architectural prowess. Towering granite columns and intricately carved wooden ‘pekadas’, definitive features of hill country architecture, showcase the island’s ancient skills in stone masonry and wood carving. The craftsmanship in the chapel’s details is extraordinary. The ‘pekadas,’ a blend of corbel and capital, feature elaborate designs carved into wood, demonstrating a fusion of artistic ingenuity and traditional techniques. The granite carvings, robust yet delicate, tell stories etched in stone, reflecting the island’s mastery in using natural materials. The Chapel’s Construction and the Paynter Murals The construction of the chapel was a monumental effort spanning over fifty years. Granite pillars, each weighing three tons, were quarried and transported by elephants, showcasing the dedication and skill of countless craftsmen. This process required immense imagination and determination, reminiscent of the great lithic monuments of ancient Sri Lanka. Adorning the walls are large, colourful murals painted by renowned artist and alumnus David Paynter. These masterpieces, depicting Biblical scenes in a tropical Sri Lankan setting, add to the chapel’s unparalleled beauty. The scenes are set against lush, tropical backdrops, bringing a unique Sri Lankan essence to these timeless stories. This fusion of local culture and universal themes makes the murals a treasured part of our heritage, becoming one of the only places in the world where Jesus is boldly depicted with brown skin and short hair, akin to a local. The Urgent Need for Restoration However, after decades of exposure to humidity, pollutants, and natural wear, this magnificent structure is in dire need of restoration. The murals, once vibrant, now show signs of fading and damage, and the granite pillars need reinforcement. A comprehensive restoration plan has been developed by a committee of experts, including architects and engineers. Their assessment emphasizes the urgent need for professional intervention to preserve the chapel’s structural integrity and historical value. Restoring the chapel will ensure it continues to serve as a place for reflection, assembly, and spiritual growth for future generations. This effort will preserve an irreplaceable part of our heritage, symbolizing Trinity’s core values: integrity, service, excellence, and resilience. How You Can Help We invite you to join us in this noble endeavor. Your contributions will help preserve this sacred space, ensuring it remains a repository of legacy and stories for the future. Support the Trinity College Chapel Restoration Project. Donate today and be a part of preserving our legacy for future generations. You can make your donation to the following bank account: Name: Trinity College KandyBank: Commercial BankAccount: 100 034 3975Branch: KandyBranch Code: 7056004Branch Address: No 120, Kotugodella Street, Kandy.Email: fm@trinitycollege.lkSwift Code: CCEYLKLX Please state CRP – (Your Name) under reference. Or make a QR payment via the QR code below. For Local Transactions: You can use any LANKAQR-enabled mobile application to pay via QR. For a list of applications you can use, please click here. For Overseas Transactions: You can use any payment app compatible with VisaQR, MasterCardQR, and UnionPayQR standards to perform transactions. Read more about the Chapel Restoration Project at https://trinitycollege.lk/chapel-restoration-project/
It is with great joy that we share with the Trinity Family this inaugural newsletter of the Trinity College Chapel Restoration Project [CRP] – Preserving for Eternity. Our journey towards restoring and preserving the historical and spiritual significance of our beloved Chapel has officially begun, and we are excited to embark on this transformative endeavor. The restoration represents not just a physical renovation of a building but a revitalization of our pursuit of the Trinity ideal. It is a testimony to our commitment to preserving our shared history spanning over 150 years of excellence for future generations. This newsletter hopes to inform and engage the community in every step of the restoration process. We will share with you the progress, challenges, and triumphs of this monumental venture undertaken with a profound sense of trust in Divine Providence and a commitment to our beloved alma mater. Together, we can preserve our past, enrich our present, and build a future that honors the legacy of our pioneering founders. Thank you for your unwavering support, and we look forward to sharing this remarkable journey with you. Respice Finem Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSBPrincipal / Chairperson – CRP: Advisory & Oversite Committee For those wishing to know more about the Chapel Restoration Project, its work, efforts, and updates, or who are willing to support and contribute, please visit /chapel-restoration-project/ or email chapelrestoration@trinitycollege.lk
Reviewed by Shahrukh Fairooz and Wosanda Malaviarachchi. The heart-racing change from the Ordinary Level (O/L) classes to the Advanced Level (A/L) classes marks a pivotal moment in any student’s academic journey. The leap in academic demand and the depth of subject matter can be overwhelming for every student. To help students overcome these issues, specialized bridging programs are designed and conducted to ease this transition. These programs aim to reinforce not only the key concepts from the O/L curriculum while introducing foundational elements of the Advanced Level (A/L) syllabus, but also develop leadership skills, provide enjoyment, improve other skills, develop creativity and most importantly, pave the way to create the ideal 21st century Trinitian. The program went on for about 1 and a ½ weeks starting from the 27th of May 2024 to the 18th of June 2024, aiming to guide the new batch for the Advanced Level (A/L) classes. The bridging program was successfully held with an astounding participation of 150 students. Throughout these 10 days, 12 programs were held, making sure to equip students with the necessary skills for their new endeavor. This program would not have been successful without the immense support and dedication of Mr. Shiran Sampath, Mr. Kusal Perera, Mr. Prabath Jayathilake, Mr. Wasana Dissanayake, Mr. Dhanushka Warnakulasooriya, the Advanced Level (A/L) Sectional Heads, Master Dulith Cooray and the School Officers’ Guild. The students who took part in this once in a lifetime event resumed their work with refreshed minds, polished skills, and most certainly had little to no hesitation in diving into the new chapter of their academic adventure at Trinity College.
The students of grades 12 and 13 from Trinity College International Qualifications (TCKIQ) had an unforgettable experience during their educational excursion to the Trinity Eco Learning Arena (TELA) on June 27, 2024. The event was a great success, featuring an array of engaging activities and a scenic hike, all aimed at fostering teamwork, communication, and physical fitness among the students. Activities and Games The day was filled with exciting games that were both fun and educational: Human Knot: This game served as an excellent icebreaker, enhancing team communication and problem-solving skills. Students from both grades collaborated to untangle themselves from a human knot, fostering a sense of unity and teamwork. Balloon Caterpillar Race: In this lively activity, students worked in sync to move a balloon caterpillar from one point to another. The game promoted teamwork, coordination, and social skills, helping students develop better group dynamics. Lava Walk: The Lava Walk activity strengthened cohesion and teamwork. It improved communication skills and encouraged students to show care and responsibility for their teammates. This game also provided an opportunity for students to identify and enhance their leadership potential. Hike Around TELA Premises Post-games, students embarked on a hike around the beautiful TELA premises, reaping multiple benefits: Rugby Match After the hike, boys from both grades enjoyed a collective rugby match. This competitive sport promoted physical fitness, strategic thinking, and teamwork. Lunch and Entertainment Following the morning’s activities, students were treated to lunch. The event concluded with more fun activities, music, and games, ensuring a delightful and memorable day for everyone. The educational excursion to TELA was a professionally organised event that successfully promoted teamwork, communication, and physical fitness. It not only helped students build essential skills but also strengthened the bond between students and teachers. The combination of games, hiking, and sports activities provided a holistic experience for the students of grades 12 and 13 from TCKIQ, making the day both enjoyable and educational. By integrating key concepts such as team building, leadership development, communication skills, problem-solving, conflict resolution, adaptability, trust building, motivation, time management, stress management, creativity, decision-making, and self-awareness, the activities were designed to comprehensively enhance the students’ personal and interpersonal skills.
We are pleased to announce the successful restoration of the “Are Ye Able” mural, located in the Side Chapel of the Chapel of Trinity College Kandy. This extensive restoration was expertly executed by a dedicated team of restorers during the period of 2022 and 2023. The restoration process has yielded significant enhancements to the mural, reviving its colours and intricate details. The vibrancy and clarity of the scene have been meticulously restored, bringing new life to this treasured artwork. Below are before (2018) and after (2023) images that illustrate the remarkable transformation of the mural. Before Restoration (2018): After Restoration (2023): About the Mural Originally painted in 1928 by David Paynter, the mural reflects the lush, vegetative beauty of Sri Lanka that deeply impressed Paynter upon his return from studying art in Europe. The artwork depicts the mother of James and John kneeling before Jesus of Nazareth, who is adorned in a yellow robe. She petitions Jesus to grant her two sons, who stand on either side of him, the highest places in his kingdom. Instead, Jesus offers them the path of humility and the privilege of suffering, encapsulated in the profound question: “Are ye able to…” Below is a historical photograph of David Paynter in 1928, captured as he painted the “Are Ye Able” mural in the Side Chapel. The restoration of the “Are Ye Able” mural marks the initial phase of the comprehensive Chapel Restoration project currently in progress. We are committed to preserving and enhancing the historical and artistic heritage of our Chapel, and we look forward to sharing further updates as the restoration project advances. For those wishing to know more about the Chapel Restoration Project, its work, efforts, and updates, or who are willing to support and contribute, please visit https://trinitycollege.lk/chapel-restoration-project/ or email crp@trinitycollege.lk
We were honoured to welcome His Excellency Mr. David Pine, the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka, and his wife, Madam Arti Pine, to Trinity College Kandy. During their visit, Mr. Pine met with the members of the College Executive Council (CEC), Trinity Rugby Officials, and the Leadership Team of the Trinity College 1st XV Rugby Team. We extend our best wishes to the High Commissioner for a successful mission in Sri Lanka. Our heartfelt thanks go to Mrs. Sumudu Jayasinghe (Embassy Official), Mr. Senaka Silva, and Mr. Gotabaya Dasanayake (Old Trinitians) for their efforts in coordinating this memorable visit. Respice Finem
An article by Nimuthu Pathiraja (Web Content Team) On the 12th of June, the Trinity College International Qualifications (TCKIQ) section hosted its 7th Open Day, inviting parents and students who wanted to consider pursuing Edexcel International ALs at Trinity. The event was attended by Mrs. Roshani Perera (Senior Regional Development Manager for Pearson Sri Lanka) and Miss Erandi Pandithasekara, both representing Pearson Edexcel Sri Lanka. The Open Day commenced with a warm welcome to parents and students, gathered at the TCKIQ premises. The event began with an opening prayer led by the Chaplain, Rev. Shelton Samadanam, which emphasized the importance of education. Following the welcome speech delivered by Mr. Jason Wijeyeweera (Headmaster of TCKIQ) the Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of education and informing students and parents of the TCK IAL Plans. Thereafter, Mrs. Roshani Pereras’ keynote speech brought great awareness and education to all those who attended including parents and students, as she highlighted an Introduction to Pearson Edexcel ALs, Trinity’s’ positive journey in International Qualifications since 2018, the vast array of subjects offered, and the facilities provided by Pearson to exam applicants. She also emphasized the importance of a student receiving quality education in a school until they are 18 years old, stressing that there is no benefit in rushing through the educational process or quitting school early. Highlighting the student perspective, Ms. Salomi Edirisinghe shared her personal journey and experiences as an IQ student at Trinity College, this fostered inspiration and motivation among the students gathered and further highlighted the support provided by the College’s International Qualifications section. The afternoon was also full of vibrant aesthetic events, which were aimed at creating a lively atmosphere and displaying the creative abilities of Trinitians. This included a glamorous Choir performance by the Trinity College Choir and an attractive musical presentation by the TCKIQ students. The informative session continued with an engaging quiz competition designed to enhance participants’ understanding of Pearson Edexcel’s IAL syllabus and its relevance in today’s educational landscape. Afterwards, the floor was opened for parents and students to interact with the TCKIQ staff and the Pearson Edexcel representatives. The IAL Open day 2024 was immensely successful, and parents and students alike were educated on the Pearson Edexcel curriculum in an interesting and engaging environment. We thank all those who made this event a success, including the College Executive Council, the Headmaster of the TCKIQ Section Mr. Jason Wijeyweera, the International Qualifications staff and students for their unwavering support.
ජාතීන්ගේ විවිධත්වය සැමවිට ම ශිෂ්ය ජීවිතයට පන්නරයක් කරගැනීමට තම උරුමය තුළින් ම පරිචයක් කොටගෙන සිටින ත්රිත්ව විද්යාලයේ මධ්යම අංශයේ සිසුන් මෙවර ද නව වසරේ උදාව සැමරීමට වර්ෂ දෙදහස් විසිහතරක් වූ අප්රේල් මස විසිහය වැනි දින විද්යාලීය චතුරස්රයට රැස්වී සිටියේ මහත් ප්රමෝදයෙනි. වසර ගණනාවක් පුරා මෙකී සැමරුම විද්යාලයේ ප්රාථමික අංශයේ ක්රීඩා පිටිය තුළ සිදුකෙරුන ද මෙවර එය විදුහල් චතුරස්රයේ සිදු කිරීම ද විශේෂත්වයකි. ලාංකේය සිංහල හා දෙමළ ජාතීන්ගේ සංස්කෘතිය, සාම්ප්රදායිකත්වය හා චාරිත්ර වාරිත්ර ඔප නංවමින් සිසුහු විසින් ඉදිරිපත් කරන ලද විවිධ නර්තනාංගයෙන් රැස්ව සිටි පිරිස ආනන්දයට පත් වූහ. අවුරුදු උත්සවයේ උත්කර්ෂමත් ම අවස්ථාව වූයේ අවුරුදු කුමරා හා කුමරිය තේරීමයි. විනිශ්චය මණ්ඩලය මහත් අසීරුතාවයකට පත් කරමින් සියලු ම අවුරුදු කුමර කුමරියෝ ඉතාමත් විචිත්ර අයුරින් සැරසී සිටියහ. කණා මුට්ටි බිඳිම, කඹ ඇදීම, අලියාට ඇස තැබීම, වට්ටක්කා ගෙඩියේ ඇට ගණන අනුමාන කිරීම, සැඟවුණු අමුත්තා සෙවීම, තරඟයට පොල් ගෑම වැනි සාම්ප්රදායික ජනක්රීඩාවල සිසුන් නියැළුණේ ඉතා සතුටිනි. එමෙන්ම බෝතලයට වතුර පිරවීම වැනි නවීන ක්රීඩා ද ඊට එකතු විය. ක්රීඩාවල නියැලීමෙන් අමන්දාන්දයට පත් සිසුන් තම ප්රීතිය ප්රකාශ කළේ ඔල්වරසන් දෙමිනි. මෙම ක්රීඩා සාමූහිකත්වය, එකමුතුකම මෙන්ම සාම්ප්රදායික හා සස්කෘතික වටිනාකම් සුරැකීම සම්බන්ධ ආකල්පයන් ශිෂ්ය සිත්සතන් තුළ වර්ධනය කිරීමෙහි ලා ඉමහත් ලෙස ඉවහල් වූ බව පෙනුණි. ඉතාමත් උත්කර්ෂවත් අන්දමින් පැවැත්වීමට යෙදුණු අලුත් අවුරුදු උත්සවය නිමා වූයේ ජයග්රාහකයින් හට ත්යාග ද පිරිනැමීමෙනි. ජාතීන්ගේ එකමුතුකම හා අනන්යතාවය සුරකිමින් ස්වකීය හෙළ උරුමයන් ඉදිරියට ම ගෙන යන ත්රිත්ව විද්යාලීය සිසුන්ගේ අලුත් අවුරුදු සැමරුම එයාකාරයෙන් නිමාව දුටුවේ ශිෂ්ය සිත්සතන් තුළ සදානුස්මරණීය මතකයන් සනිටුහන් කරමිනි. Reviewed by Shahrukh Fairooz, Vihanga Sangakkara & Krishiv Ekhaash
Reviewed by Shaluka Herath The 105th edition of the Hill Country Battle of the Blues took place on the 15th and 16th of March. Despite the match resulting in a draw, the organization of the event emerged victorious. A pivotal factor in this success was the comprehensive PR campaign and live streaming of this encounter by the Trinity College Media Unit, under the guidance of Trinity College’s PROMWEB. This achievement was the culmination of months of tireless effort by dedicated students and staff who worked relentlessly day and night in preparation for the event. While live streaming was active in previous years, the 2024 edition proved to be the most successful production to date. Powered by Dialog, the live coverage of this much-awaited match garnered an impressive total of 92,000 views across all platforms, receiving additional exposure on national television via the Papare Channel. The production crew, composed of both current and past members of the Trinity College Media Unit, persevered through long hours under challenging weather conditions, to ensure a seamless broadcast. The team contributed expertise in various domains such as videography, graphics, photography, and commentary, showcasing promising talent in these fields. The unsung heroes of the school were appreciated for their efforts with a well-deserved night of fellowship on April 5th, during which, they were honored with a felicitation ceremony followed by a complimentary dinner, generously provided by the Principal Rev. Araliya Jayasundara and the college administration. This gesture serves as a token of appreciation, not only for their invaluable contributions to the Big Match but also for their unwavering dedication in recording and promoting school events. Videography Photography Commentary Graphics