Archive | October, 2013

Tags:

Obituary: Colvin Christoffelsz – Peterite cricketer 1965-1967

Posted on 31 October 2013 by admin

SPC LOGO IV

It is much sadness we learn of the passing of COLVIN CHRISTOFFELSZ in Colombo. Obituary extracted from the Ceylon Daily News is appended below. Funeral services held on November 1, 2013. JPAA Canada and its members extend our heartfelt condolences to family members of Colvin Christoffelsz and offer our deepest sympathy. May his soul Rest in Peace!

Colvin played cricket for St. Peter's College from 1965-1967. His record is shown below.

  • in 1965 under Travis Fernando
  • In 1966, he played under Darrel Wimalaratne
  • In 1967 Colvin played under Tony Opatha and kept wickets. Colvin took 5 catches behind the wickets and had 2 stumps in both innings of the 1967 game.

CHRISTOFFELSZ – COLVIN. Beloved husband of Helene, loving father of Shonelle (Asian International School), loving father-in-law of Denver Rozairo, son of the late Girlie & Dan, brother of the late Cordilea and brother-in-law of Renney De Silva. Cortege leaves residence No. 54, Kawdana Broadway Road, Dehiwela. For burial at General Cemetery, Galkissa at 4.00 p.m. on Friday 01st November 2013.  (Ceylon Daily News)

 

 

Comments Off on Obituary: Colvin Christoffelsz – Peterite cricketer 1965-1967

SOCCER

Tags:

SOCCER: Joes beat Peterites 2-0

Posted on 29 October 2013 by admin

SOCCERThrough the grapevine, we learnt that the Josephian-Peterite Soccer game played  earlier in October 2013 ended with a 2-0 win for the Joes. Before the game there was a lot of hype in the local (Sri Lanka) mainstream media about the game. The Daily News, The Island and Daily Mirror all carried a pre-game write-up with photographs of the team and other comments. Our website posted this on the site. However it is almost a week since the game ended and I have not seen a single news item about the result of the game. This is typical of Sri Lanka media. They create a big hype about an event prior to the event but do not follow-up and give a more detail account of actually what happened to the event. But what can we do from here but wait until someone picks up and informs us the result of the game.

Upali Obeyesekere – President, JPAA Canada

Comments Off on SOCCER: Joes beat Peterites 2-0

Tags:

OLDEST: Ahmed Kuthdoos – 92-year old may be among the oldest living Peterites today

Posted on 27 October 2013 by admin

SPC LOGO SITE 2The 1983-1986 batch of Old Peterites organised a sing-along recently jointly with the SPC-OBU. Forums such as this act as catalysts in keeping the old boys together in harmony, fellowship and builds a strong sense of camaraderie. Algi Wijewickrema of the SPC-OBU claims that the highlight of the evening was the presence of Ahmed Kuthdoos, a 92-year Old Peterite who was not only physically present but very actively joining the sing-along. JPAA Canada undertook to post this on our website as it is always a nice thing to do to recognise our alumni (be it Old Peterite or Old Joe). We wish Mr. Kuthdoos our very best and god bless him!

Our thanks to Algi Wijewickrema for sending this bit of new.

Comments Off on OLDEST: Ahmed Kuthdoos – 92-year old may be among the oldest living Peterites today

Jeyer

Tags:

Jeyer Rodrigues interviewed by media while on holiday in Sri Lanka

Posted on 27 October 2013 by admin

Courtesy: Hafiz Marikar – The Nation 12 August 2012

JeyerJeyer Rodriguez, was a brilliant prop forward during his playing days at St. Peter’s College, Havelock SC, Sri Lanka Air Force SC and Sri Lanka, now a citizen of Canada he is over here in Sri Lanka on holiday, he was very happy to see his former club Havelock’s SC in an amazing turn around both the Clubs infrastructure and the Rugby team currently leading the Dialog Rugby League table for 2012. He recollects his days with Havelock’s as a rugby player, captain, coach, selector, committee member and President in 1989-1990. He was with broad smiles after many years when he saw the development of the club which won the rugby league last in 1981.

Jeyer was very glad and pleased to see a huge change at Nittawela. He was told that all this has come about with the influence of Malik Samarawickrema since 1992 and he was still going strong despite several obstacles in the field of rugby and also not forgetting Dr.Sarath Kapuwatte, the man who has given his fullest backing to Malik.

Roriguez said that, today’s rugby is one of the most popular sports in the country and all clubs are playing good rugby with a change in the format and in particular with the introduction of expatriate players to boost the game. Rodriguez came into rugby in 1957 when he was introduced to the game by former Peterite cricketer and ruggerite Desmond Dharmaraja, According to Jeyer he was the one who taught him the basic of he game alond with the Ratnam brothers Jeff and Dan, Vernon Caldera, Selvam Mather, Maurice Balasingham, Ronnie Abyeyagunawardene, Darrel and Russell Schokman and his brother Raj. This helped all of them to play rugger for St. Peters. Later most of these players donned the Sri Lanka jersey.

Jeyer said that, he was picked to play for St. Peter’s in 1960 as a front row forward and also was the team’s place kicker when the famous Archibald Perera was rugby coach. In 1962, Jeyer was picked to lead the Peterites and in the same year he represented the Colombo Schools in the Gratian Cup game against the Outstation Schools, today this cup is not to be seen. In 1962 he was made a student member of the Havelocks SC and in 1969 he captained Havelock who became league champions but, in the Clifford Cup competition, they were knocked out in the quarters by Kandy SC, led by Denzil Kobbekkduwa.  In 1972 Jeyer joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as a volunteer officer and was chosen to play for the Air Force in 1972 and 1973. Again in 1974 he returned to his former club Havelocks and went on to play till 1978, the year they won the triple under Anton Benedict. That was the best era of Havies rugby in1976, 1977 and 1978; they won all the tournaments of the SLRFU.

It was in 1964 that he first represented the Ceylon Barbarians in the annual all India tournament, played in Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Chris Bean. Again he was selected to play for the country in 1965 in the All India tournament, but the tournament was called off, due to the India–Pakistan war. Again in 1966 and 1967, Jeyer was selected to play for the country; in 1966 the team won the All India championship by beating Calcutta by 56 points to 3. Jeyer was a member of the Sri Lanka team led by Indrajith Coomarasamy in the first-ever Asiad played in Sri Lanka in 1974, the team was placed second to Japan.  Jeyer later took up coaching and started by helping Archibald Perera. He followed a course in coaching organised by SLRFU and conducted by Bryan French. He also followed the coaching course conducted by Chris Padfield in Sri Lanka.  Jeyer, playing for the  97-year-old Park Club, maybe the only ruggerite to have played in nine Cup finals, out of which his club won seven, drew one and lost one.

He coached his school St. Peter the year the great coach Archibald Perera passed away. Later he coached the Sri Lanka Army Signals Unit for nine years. He also coached the Sri Lanka Army team. Jeyer Rodriguez will be remembered as a coach who always taught the players to enjoy themselves and play good, clean and hard rugby. He also instilled the concept that: “If they can say after a match, ‘I had a nice time on the field’ that’s enough.”

Where is Jeyer today? He lives in Toronto, Canada with his family

 

Comments Off on Jeyer Rodrigues interviewed by media while on holiday in Sri Lanka

Tags:

80th “Battle of the Saints” at P. Sara Oval on March 7th & 8th, 2014

Posted on 25 October 2013 by admin

The Josephian-Peterite Cricket Encounter always attracts a cross section of the alumni from Sri Lanka and overseas. More often than not, old boys of the two schools (specially those who have represented the schools in the "Big Match") makes it a point of visiting home (Sri Lanka) to coincide with the "Big Match".

One of the most celebrated Peterite cricketers of all time has sent the following information to JPAA President Upali Obeyesekere who has this message for that brilliant Peterite and All-Ceylon cricketer DAVID HEYN.  "Thank you David for your thoughtfulness in sending this information so that our schoolmates and those of SJC living abroad may plan their trips to Sri Lanka to coincide with the "Big Match".

After some effort David managed to get the dates for the games next year, so that the alumni living throughout the world could make some travel plans.

  • 80th Joe-Pete on 7th/8th March 2014 at the P Sara Oval
  • The 50 over game is on the 15th at the Ketterama Stadium

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

About David Heyn

The name "David Heyn" is synonymous with Cricket amd Hockey in Ceylon in the sixties and seventies. He had his baptism to Cricket at his Alma Mater St. Peter's College in 1961 under Skipper Adiel Anghie (now a medical practitioner living in the U.S.). He was picked for his batting and brilliance as a "specialist" cover point fielder. David represented St. Peter's from 1961-1964, captaining in '64. The Joe-Pete games in the four years all ended in a draw but produced several cricketers who shone for their school and also in club cricket. David was the only one to reach national status. In 1962 he played under his older brother Richard Heyn, in 1963 under Tyrone Le Mercier. In 1964, David captained and batted at No.3 position in a star-studded side comprising Darrel Wimalaratne and Adithiya de Silva (openers), Wicket-keeper batsman Ravi Fernando going in at No.4 followed by Peter de Neise, Desmond Le Mercier, Travis Fernando, F. Bowen, Aubrey Patternott, Rohan Abeysundera and A.S. Manuel.

Let's have a look at the four years under review.

  • David Heyn was unfortunate to get run out in the 1961 game, for 3 runs.
  • The next year (1962) under his brother Richard Heyn, David was unbeaten with 23 of a total of 55 in the 1st innings (Brian Perumal had a match bag of 5 for 14 and Brian Buultjens took 2 for 17). In the second innings David top  scored for SPC with 63 runs and almost helped the Peterites to win but a stubborn last wicket partnership by the Joes averted a certain defeat.
  • In 1963 David scored  7 and was unbeaten with 64 in the 2nd innings. The game ended in a tame draw. He shone with the ball however with his spinners taking 5 for 15 in 15.2 overs in the 1st innings that helped get the Joes out for 106 runs.
  • In 1964, David captained SPC and his opposing skipper was Berchman de Alwis. The latter won the toss and put the Peterites to bat. The Peterites folded for a paltry 83 runs with only Ravindra Fernando (13) and Peter de Neise (20) entering double digits. Joy de Alwis (5 for 22) and Berchman de Awis (3 for 25) accounted for the Peterite debacle. Going into bat the Josephians fared slightly better knocking up 108 runs with Christopher Moreira top scoring with 33 runs. Travis Fernando bowled splendidly taking 6 wickets for 43 runs. Going into bat a second time the Peterites did better scoring 146 runs with opener Adithiya de Silva (72) and skipper David Heyn  scoring a fluent 74 runs. The Joes were left to score 122 runs to win but fell short when they played for a draw ending up with 90 for 6 wickets. Travis Fernando (3 for 32) and David Heyn (2 for 33) were the pick of the Peterite bowlers. Incidentally, the Josephian wicket-keeper this year Sunil Athukorale now lives in Canada (Brampton).

 

 

 

Comments Off on 80th “Battle of the Saints” at P. Sara Oval on March 7th & 8th, 2014

SPC-LOGO SITE

Tags:

Peterites win Seven-A-Side Rugby Tourney in California

Posted on 23 October 2013 by admin

SPC-LOGO SITEThe President of the California Branch writes


"Dear Peterites and friends,

 

Happy to announce and congratulations to Pk and the boys for another thrilling victory by the Peterites 7 A Side Rugby team in the just concluded Royal College sponsored annual rugby tournament in Southern California.


As usual there were the preliminary rounds to see who would qualify for the semis and final rounds.  SPC A completely dominated the early rounds while SPC B had some success in the early rounds while only to loose to the eventual finalists namely Ananda A in the quarter finals.

 

Our boy's were well prepared to withstand a tough first half in the final game but eventually prevailed to pull off another exciting win at the end.

 

Results:

SPC-A team – 1st game beat Royal-A 24/0, 2nd game beat Ananda-A 24/0, 3rd game semi final beat St. Thomas's A by 21/5.

Final SPC-A beat St. Thomas's 17/8

SPC-B team – 1st game lost to St. Thomas's by 7/0, 2nd game beat Ananda-B by 34/0, 3rd game lost to Ananda-A by11/5.

Best Regards,

 

Rohan Wiratunga

President – CPA"

Comments Off on Peterites win Seven-A-Side Rugby Tourney in California

JP SOCCER II

Tags:

24th Josephian-Peterite Soccer encounter at CR&FC Grounds on Oct.23

Posted on 21 October 2013 by admin

JP SOCCER IIJPSOCCERThe traditional Josephian – Peterite soccer encounter will be played Wednesday, October 23rd at CR and FC grounds, Colombo. Kick-off of the 1st XI match at 4.00 pm. This will be the 24th edition of the traditional big match.

St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s known to be ‘brother schools’ are also considered to be bitter rivals in the sporting arena, whether it be cricket, rugby, football or any other sport. This sporting rivalry, also known as the ‘Battle of the Saints’ gets a taste of the beautiful game each year with the soccer big match.

As in the previous years the juniors matches will be played prior to the 1st XI battle. The U-13 match is scheduled to kick-off at 1.00 pm followed by the U-15 match 2.00 pm. Traditionally a match between the Old Joes S.C and Old Peteriates S.C will also be played as an exhibition game at 3.00 pm the much anticipated big match battle between the 1st XI teams of the two schools will kick off at the blow of referees’ whistle at 4.00 pm.

The Josephian outfit is currently under an impressive form with the back up from their amazing performance during the pre-season friendlies and the on-going A-division Milo Championships. Joes are currently on the top of their group with stellar wins over De Mazenod College, Wickramabahu Vidyalaya and Hindu College.

The Peterite side too has put up a superb show in their pre-season warm up games and at the A-division Milo Championships. The two teams will meet each other for the 1st time of the season at the big match and both the teams will come in with superb form and a deep craving for victory. Looking at the history of this fixture, Peterites have won the tally with 12 wins, whereas the Josephians have won only 10 times. Last year’s big match was drawn due to bad light and both the teams were declared joint champions.

The last time the Peterite won in 2008 and since then it was the Josephians.

So Peterites will take the field on Wednesday with hopes of breaking the Jinx while t5he lads in blue and white will have to be at their best to keep t he trophy at home.

This time it will be St. Joseph’s College hosting St. Peters College. The encounter which will be played for the 24th time for the Stanley De Silva challenge trophy will be graced by Ranil Fernando, the Josephians 1st XI skipper for the years 84-85. 

St. Peter’s squad:

Seated from left: Tissa Kodithuwakku(Head Coach), Nuwan Deemantha, Rev. F. Travis Gabriel (Rector), Charles Priyatharshan(Captain), Rev. Fr. Lakmin Silva(Sports Coordinator), Brayan Rajapaksa(Vice Captain), Christopel Perera (MiC).

Standing first row from left: David Prakash, Ishara Gayantha, Andre Hesse, Jerome Raj, Harin Samalka, Paul Michael, Anju Stefan, Thilan Amaraweera, Isuru Sampath.

Standing second row from left: Jerome Canute, Thusitha Lakmal, Farshard Samsudeen, Shahen Fernando, Panduka Ranawana, Imesh Amantha, Afrar Nazmi.

St. Joseph’s squad:

1st row seated L-R: Roshantha Fernando(MiC), Shatutha Jayakody(Vice-Captain), Rev. Fr. Silvester Ranasinghe, Rev., Fr. Samith Rangana), Anton Perera (Captain), Aruna Sampath(Coach),

2nd row standing L-R: Thishantha Silva, Keshigeyan Chandrasegaran, Yesiah Pareena, Asiri Abeysekara, Kesaru Dhakshitha, Hansa Kalhara, Chandika Lakshan, Sanjaya Rehan, Rajitha Parakrama.

3rd row standing L-R: Sanjula, Pradeep Rajesh, Sigman Geid, Lahiru Nishanka, Nipun Chamara, Michael Marshall, Ruban David, Dumindu Gihan, Ravindu De Alwis, 4th row standing L-R: Shehan Prathiba, Asitha Fernando, Wimukshan Wevita, Kavinda Dilshan, Kanishka Dilshan.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments Off on 24th Josephian-Peterite Soccer encounter at CR&FC Grounds on Oct.23

Tags:

Peterite Golden Gleam Dinner Dance in Brisbane – Sat. October 19

Posted on 17 October 2013 by admin

SPC BRISBANEThe Alumni of St. Peter's College domiciled in Brisbane will get together at a Dinner Dance scheduled for Saturday, October 19th. The grand dinner dance is presented by St. Peter's College Old Boys' Social Club Brisbane. Music will be provided by "CRYSTAL FIRE" featuring Laurensz, Ronnie, Joquithe & DJ-Ruvan. Tickets are priced at $50 (Adults) and $20 (Child U-14). Dress Code is strictly formal (Suit & Tie and Ladies After 5). The venue is South Sports Club – Astills Centre Mortimer Road, Acacia Ridge (UBD Map 199K18) from 6:30 pm to Midnight. Dinner will offer two options – BUFFET with a selection of Eastern or Western Cuisine. Drinks – special Club Price (Strictly No BYO).

SPC LOGO SITE 2

 

Comments Off on Peterite Golden Gleam Dinner Dance in Brisbane – Sat. October 19

RIP

Tags:

Obituary: Gerard Puvinayagam (1940-2013)

Posted on 17 October 2013 by admin

RIPThis October , we lost another talented Peterite tenor, Gerard Puvinayagam.

Gerard joined Ford Rhodes after leaving college and retired to continue as a private consultant in the field of auditing and accounting.  After an education at St.Peter’s in the early 50’s, with his strong command of the Queens English he contributed to a number of local newspapers, The Messenger  and Peterite and church anniversary publications by writing articles on the history of music at St.Peter’s, and St. Mary’s Church Bambalapitiya, and past teachers, and musicians of his alma mater.

Gerard honed in on his talent as a tenor by having early lessons in singing from the famed music teacher of the 50’s, Spencer Shepherd. He was a prominent member and soloist of the St.Mary’s church choir which consisted of a number of other famous Peterites, Bede deZylwa, Prof.Earl DeFonseka, Dr.Stephen Alagaratnam, Fr.Claver Perera and other quality voices. The St.Mary’s  Church Choir received a number of accolades for its quality of  musical worship, and was much sort after for weddings and other occasions.  St.Mary’s Choral Group, which was formed by Fr.Claver Perera.  Gerard, Stephen, together with Fr.Claver, held the first tenor part. St.Mary’s Choral Group, had their inaugural appearance fittingly at St.Peter’s College hall, in 1967, in the very successful variety concert “Loveliest Nite of the Year”, and later walked away, almost uncontested, with the first prize in the first “All Island Choral Competition” organised by SLBC at the Ladies College hall and performed to a number of sold out concerts and had regular programmes on SLBC.  Gerard, was also regularly featured as a soloist on the SLBC air waves. He used to be a feature at the Old Peterites Club where he sang Neapolitan favourites and gutsy Italian airs.

His knowledge and talent in music took friendships to a higher experience, as he coached and mentored those who were keen. Those of us who had the privilege of hearing him, marvelled at the beauty of the high tenor notes that emanated from his slight frame. To those who knew him personally, he was simple, well read and always  enjoyable company.  It was always a pleasure to catch up with him when we visited our motherland.

Goodbye bye Gerard! Till we meet and sing again in praise of our creators.

Dr.Stephen Alagaratnam

Winnipeg, Manitoba

__._,_.___

Comments Off on Obituary: Gerard Puvinayagam (1940-2013)

RIP

Tags:

Obituary: Eymard de Silva Wijeyeratne

Posted on 17 October 2013 by admin

RIP

Eymard de Silva Wijeyeratne, a Peterite of the pre 70s era who was one from the first batch of undergraduates to enter the Peradeniya Campus (when it was part of then University of Ceylon), has passed away.

Eymard, was a very long standing parishioner of St. Mary's, Dehiwala, a loyal Catholic and a frequent contributor to newspapers. He and his wife Doreenda did a lot of social service at Dehiwala. He died after a very brief illness.

Press notice is copied below

DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE – EYMARD. Beloved husband of Dorinda, loving father of Devika, Indira and Kisani, father-in-law of Rohan Perera, Shriyantha Perera and Lalit, much loved grand-dad of Dimitri, Amanda, Tivanka, Navisha and Ravishka, expired. Cortege leaves residence on Thursday 17th October at 3.30 p.m. for cremation at General Cemetery, Borella at 4.30 p.m. No. 5, Peiris Place (off Quarry Road), Dehiwala.

(Courtesy: Algi Wijewickrema – SPC OBU)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Following is a tribute paid to Mr. Eymard de Silva Wijeyeratne by Ruwam Silva

A proud son of  Sri Lanka no more

October 16, 2013, 10:18 pm

Eymard de Silva Wijeyeratne (78), who died on Tuesday morning after a brief illness, was a man who watched over the interest of this country following his premature retirement from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He did not tolerate the robber barons whose entry the J.R. Jayewardene regime facilitated with the liberalisation of the country’s economy in 1977.

Being a keen observer of events and especially of subtle moves from various quarters against the better interest of the country, Mr. Wijeratne demolished the arguments of those vested interests with his rapier sharp intellect and fine use of the English language. A product of Peradeniya University during its golden era, his command of the Queen’s language was second to none. Very unassuming and mild mannered as he was, when it came to defending the truth, no one was too big or powerful for him. Not that he belittled or destroyed them with crude arguments, but by putting across clear and simple logical answers backed by facts.

Those who have read many of his articles published periodically in this newspaper from its inception in 1981 will know what a pleasure it was to read those, as they not only enlightened readers but also enriched us all.

It is said that a prophet is without honour in his own country. Likewise the talents of people like Mr. Wijeratne have not been made use of by those that matter. Nor was he given any national recognition! His talents and impeccable honour were recognised abroad; he served one of the oil kingdoms in West Asia soon after leaving CPC, but having three young daughters and a wife back home he had to return before long.

Earlier former Chairman of CPC, late leading lawyer E.R.S.R Coomaraswamy and then Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike had firmly stood by him when there were attempts to tarnish his reputation by those who failed to put through underhand deals.

A devout Catholic, he practised his religion silently. Although he was not rich by any stretch of the imagination, we can vouch for the fact that on numerous occasions he and his family helped those in need. Often when articles about people in difficulties appeared he would personally phone us and get their addresses to send contributions.

Mr. Wijeratne will go on his final journey this evening, when his remains are cremated at the Borella cemetery at 4:30 pm. Our profound condolences go out to his family.

 

Comments Off on Obituary: Eymard de Silva Wijeyeratne

Advertise Here
Advertise Here
%d bloggers like this: