This posting is an updated list of captain's who led St. Peter's College in Rugby Football.

Many Peterite rugby players represented leading clubs after leaving school and a few reached the top of the hill by donning the 'Ceylon or Sri Lanka' Cap in Rugby.

Players like Archibald Perera, Ago Paiva, Percy Perera, Terry Williams, Ephraims Brothers, Didacus de Almeida, Jeyer Rodrigues, Hamzee Hameed, Frank Hubert, Patternott Brothers (Aubrey, Rodney & Hemish), Darrel Wimalaratne, Rowen Gunasekara, Dilanka Wijesekara, Poornaka Delpachitra, Jeffrey de Jong, Rohan Paulus, Dilan Abeygoonewardena, Danushka Ranjan and many others emerged as Rugby players of great repute who brought honour to the school and to the sport.

Mission Statement

“To set our own standard of Rugby Excellence at St Peter’s where every player is encouraged to develop and maximize his individual skills & character ( mental and physical )  in an environment where team building is carried out through a structured system ”

Objective

“To be the champions in all age groups in competitive Schools Rugby by having a stable and practical structure in place”.

RUGBY CAPTAIN'S LIST

2014 – Shenal Aponso

2013 – Shan Weerakkody (all island 7s winners)
2012 – Danushka Ranjan (a current Sri Lanka cap)
2011 – Banuka Nanauakkara (all island Western Province 7s winners)
2010 – Keith Gurusinghe – (unbeaten triple Champions – 7s, league and knockout champions)
2009 – Dilshan Paul (Carlton 7s Winners)
2008 – Poornaka Delpachitra (President’s Trophy winners)
2007 – Ranuka Jayasinghe (official unbeaten Champions)
2006 – Harendra Ariyawardena (official Schools’ A Division and knockout champions)
2005 – Sajith Adikari
2004 – Mohamed Rinaz
2003 -Rumaiz Ishaq
2002 – Dilanka Wijesekera (official Schools’ A Division rugby champions)
2001 – Dilan Abeygooneardena (Singer 7s winners)
2000 – Gladwin Georgesz
1999 -Gavin Ludowyke
1998 – Rajeev Perera
1997 – Achala Silva
1996 – Kirk Williams
1995 – Sanjeewa Abeygoonawardena (won the Premadasa trophy for the 1st time)
1994 – Roshara Alles
1993 – Leonard De Zilva
1992 – R D Fredricks
1991 – Manoj Bakshani
1990 – Harendra Wijesena
1989 – Colin Denish Peter
1988 – Shadwell De Silva
1987 – Rohan Ekanayake
1986 – Rowen Gunasekera
1985 – Rajith Abeygoonawardena (beat Trinity after 44 long years)
1984 – Viraj Fernando
1983 – Prasanna Wimalasena
1982 – Rohan Paulus
1981 – Keith Nugegoda
1980 – Ainsley F Baldsing
1979 – Hussain Didi
1978 – Jeremy Gomez
1977 – Angelo Wickremaratne
1976 – Roshan Deen
1975 – Frank Hubert
1974 – Nimal Jayasuriya
1973 – Rohan Wiratunga (unofficial rugby champions)
1972 – Jeffery de Jong (unofficial rugby champions)
1971 – Jizwi Nizar
1970 – Hamish Patternott (also captained cricket)
1969 – Sunil Perera (son of Archibald Perera)
1968 – Ronnie Gunaratne
1967 – Rodney Patternott
1966 – Hamzi Hameed (unofficial rugby champions)
1965 – Darrel Wimalaratne (unofficial rugby champions. Wimalaratne also captained cricket in 1966 and was a Ceylon cap)
1964 – Rohan Abeysundera
1963 – Stephen Alagaratnam
1962 – Jeyer Rodriguesz
1961 – Didacus de Almeida
1960 – Tony Johnson
1959 – Adiel Anghie (Anghie also captained cricket in 1961)
1958 – M Salih
1957 – Jayantha Fernando (Fernando was also the cricket captain in the year)
1956 – Lakshman Serasinghe
1955 – Desmond Ephraims
1854 – G Tharmaratnam
1953 – Terry Williams
1952 – G Garnier
1951 – Ago Paiva
1950 – A W H Perera (Perera was Sri Lanka Navy Commander – 1979-1983)
1949 – Ken Ariyaraja
1948 – Harold de Silva
1942 – 1947 – No rugger due to World War II
1941 – W A Chandrasena
1940 – Kenneth Silva (schools’ rugby champions for the year)
1939 – Vernon Peiris (schools’ rugby champions for the year)
1938 – Percy Perera (invincible rugby champions. Percy Perera also captained the cricket team in 1938)
1937 – Percy Perera (schools’ rugby champions for the year)
1936 – Archibald Perera (invincible rugby champions for the first time and he was one among the few Ceylonese to represent All Ceylon. He was subsequently a legendary coach from 1956 to 1982)
1935 – Fred Kellar (beat Trinity for the 1st time and declared joint champions with Trinity)
1934 – Shirley de S Illesinghe (Peterites record their first ever win. Against Royal – 5-0. Illesinghe was also the cricket captain in 1934 & 1935)
1933 – J E F Pereira
1932 – Lim Bilimoria

St.Joseph's College, Colombo trounced St.Anthony's College by an innings and 35 runs in their Singer Under 19 division 1 cricket encounter played at Darley Road.

These two catholic schools play this traditional match for the 102nd time and this encounter is named after the two great Sri Lankan bowlers ; Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas. Muttiah Muralitharan was a past pupil at St.Anthony's College while Chaminda Vass was a Josephian in his school times.

Anthonians batting 1st were bowled out for a paltry 76 runs in their 1st innings. Mohammed Alfar was the highest runs scorer making 22 runs. Trishan Thanuja took 3 wickets for the hosts while Aravinda Akurugoda and Hashindra Perera took 2 wickets each. St.Joseph's in their batting essay made a match winning 207 runs for 9 wickets declared in 46.3 overs. Kalpa Ravihara scored a stunning 72 runs while Pathum Madusanka and Shammi Seneviratne chipped in with 30's. Right arm off spin bowler Nimesh Gunasinghe took 4 wickets. St.Anthony's in their 2nd innings were bowled out again below hundred as they were restricted to only 96 runs. Malshan Rodrigo and Hashindra Perera took 3 wickets to demolish the Anthonian batting line up.

This was the 2nd consecutive time, Josephians defeated Anthonians in their traditional fixture.

Brief Scores : SACK (1st inn) – 76 all out in 45.3 overs : Mohamed Aflaar 22, Nimesha Gunasinghe 16, Trishan Tanuja 3/7, Aravinda Akurugoda 2/3, Hashindra Perera 2/7. SJC (1st inn) – 207/9 declared in 46.3 overs : Kalpa Ravihara 72, Pethum Madhusanka 32, Shammi Seneviratne 31, Nimesh Gunasinghe 4/78, Kavinda Udapola 2/33. SACK (2nd inn) – 96 all out in 47 overs : Buwaneka Wijetunge 19, Malshan Rodrigo 3/10, Hashindra Perera 3/17, Shammi Seneviratne 2/15, Fabian Fernando 2/20. Match Result : St.Joseph's College won by an innings and 35 runs.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter A Pillai OMI

by Stanley E. Abeynayake

……………………………………………..

Peter Alcantara Pillai was born on 19th October, 1904 at Wennappuwa. His parents Jacob and Anna Pillai, school teachers hailed from Kayts, Jaffna. His schooling began in his mother tongue Tamil in the school where his parents were teachers. Later he joined St. Benedict's College, Kotahena, Colombo at the age of nine years.

In 1918 he passed the Cambridge Junior with eight distinctions. He was then only 14 years. He passed the Cambridge Senior at the age of 16 years in 1920 also with eight distinctions becoming the first in the whole of the British Empire. Subsequently he became an undergraduate of the then University College of Colombo and obtained the BSc degree with a first class in 1923. In the next year, 1924, he also got through the BSc Hons Mathematics in the first division. Peter Pillai was most deservingly fortunate to win the annual government scholarship in science awarded to the best student and proceeded to the University of Cambridge where he obtained his BA and MA (Cantab). Thereafter he passed the MSc (London) quite easily. He would have entered the much lucrative CCS (Ceylon Civil Service) – the plum of government service got an academic part in the University. However, he opted to become a Catholic priest to serve his God and man.

His elder brother Fr. Cadjetan Pillai, a teacher at St. Joseph's died of plague whilst administering to the sick. His two other brothers too had already joined the clergy. Armed with PhD and DD (Doctorate in Divinity) – Rome he was ordained in 1934. On his return to the motherland, he was appointed to the staff of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya and warden of Aquinas Hall, the University Student's Catholic Hall. No other Sri Lankan educationist had such high qualifications. To fight against the twin evils of the day – 1930s – namely, injustice and exploitation, he created two journals, 'Social Justice' (English) and 'Samaja Samaya' (Sinhala). His campaigns and untiring efforts resulted in the enacting of the Shop and Office Workers' Ordinance, Wages Boards Ordinance, Employees Provident Fund Act, Industrial Disputes Act etc. all in the field of Labour or Industrial Law. He also advocated and expounded the theories of worker participation in management, profit-sharing, better housing and living conditions for the working class.

In 1940 Rev. Fr. Dr. Pillai was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Rector of St. Joseph's College, Colombo, the premier, Catholic Collegiate school in the island which post he held with great acceptance and distinction for 21 years till 1961. Highly concerned with moulding the character of youth besides serving in some government commissions, he was the president of the Headmasters' Union, member of the University of Ceylon Senate, founder of the Catholic Students' Federation, the Graduate Federation, the Catechetical Institute, the Xaverian Movement – and the Aquinas College of Higher Studies. Further, as a result of his championing social reforms, it resulted in bringing to statute books such welfare legislation as the National Housing Act, Debt Conciliation Board Ordinance and Land Redemption Act.

An extrovert, a great trait of his character was that he was not at all a racist or communal minded – in that he treated Sinhala, Tamil, Moor, Malay, Burgher students alike. He was not only a tower of strength to Catholic students, especially Josephians but also equally to Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic (Muslim) students aspiring for higher studies. When he passed away untimely on September 27th 1964, he was only 60 years of age, 10 years short of the psalmists span of life – three score and ten, which means 70 years. He lived exactly like three score years – 60 years due to ceaseless, unfatigable exertion of his strength in the service of humanity. His excellent services to the country are immemorial

St. Peter's College V. St. Benedict's College – First innings win for Bens

St.Benedict’s obtained a first innings win over St.Peter’s in their drawn inter school cricket match played at Kotahena yesterday. St.Peter’s in reply to the Bens first innings score of 227 were 61 for 1 overnight and reached 176 with Dineth Thamodya top scoring with 44 and a second second best of 33 by Thanusha Weerakoon .

Left arm leg spinner Yohan Soysa took 5 for 32 for the Bens. The Bens in their second essay were 177 for 8 with a well compiled 80 by Shiran Ratnayake.

Brief scores. St.Benedict’s 227 (Victoria Roberto 56, Shiran Ratnayake 35, Janidu Karunatileka 56, Sahan Nanayakara 4 for 66, ) and 177 for 8 at close ( Shiran Ratnayake 80, Thulina Dilshan 18, Yohan Soysa 15, Thanesha Weerakoon 4 for 39, Sahan Nanayakkara 2 for 69) St.Peter’s 61 for 1 overnight 176 (Dineth Thamodya 44, Thanusha Weerakoon 33, Oshan Karunaratne 22, Yohan Soysa 5 for 32, Geethika Jayatileka 3 for 56)

Joes home for tea

St.Joseph’s College, were home for tea when they beat St.Anthony’s College,Katugastota by an innings and 35 runs in the school cricket encounter played at Darley Road yesterday. The Antonians were shot out for 76 in their first nnings and following fared no better being dismissed for 96.

Brief Scores: St.Anthony’s Katugastota 76 and 96 ( B.Wijetunga 19, Malshan Rodrigo 3 for 10, Hashindra Perera 3 for 17, Fabian Fernando 2 for 20,Shammi Seneviratne 2 for 15) St.Joseph’s 207 for 9 declared ( Dylan Fernandopulle 23, Pathum Madusanka 32, Kalpa Ravihara 72, Shammi Seneviratne 31, Kavinda Udapola 2 for 33, Nimesh Wanasinghe 4 for 38)

MESSAGE GIVEN AT THE FELICITATION BY THE OBU TO REV. FR'S SYLVESTER AND TRAVIS

Rev. Fathers Sylvester and Travis.

We are gathered here in great numbers today to honour you both.

Fr. Sylvester on behalf of the Josephian community, I thank you for everything you have been to us, for what you have done for the College and for your singular commitment to discipline in the school. Might I add that, no other Rector ever has had to face the problems that you have shouldered.

My fellow Josephians, We may be holding the highest positions in the corporate arena, we may be at the very top of our chosen professions, we may be advising the powers that be and indeed I might venture to suggest even advising Holy Mother the Church itself, yet none of us, none of us can ever compare ourselves to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the whole earth could not contain him. Yet he was born in a Stranger’s Stable and laid to rest in a Stranger’s grave. On that night of a thousand stars, the day of the Last Supper, Our Lord and Master washed the feet of his disciples and wiped them with a towel. Then he said those immortal words that have reverberated throughout history “I have set you an example, you are to do as I have done for you”. Let us therefore following the example of Our Lord and Master humble ourselves and in this context, Father, let me say, “We are deeply sorry for what has happened over the last year, we are deeply sorry for the mental trauma you have undergone”.

None of us, my brothers, are perfect. We all have our imperfections and none of us can take ‘a holier than thou attitude and seek to cast the first stone’. Let us remember that imperfections have been divinely ordained that the Law of human life may be effort and the Law of human Judgment mercy.

Father, we give you today, the best gift that can ever be given, that of this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in gratitude for what you have done for College. May the Road rise up to meet you, may the Sun be always on your back, and till we meet again may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand. We will thank our God when we think of you and when we pray to you we will pray with joy.

Fr. Travis, we warmly welcome you today as the 13th Rector of this hallowed institution which we call our second home, St. Joseph’s College. You are no stranger to us as you were our Vice Rector for four years previously.

My fellow Josephians, It is time now for us to close ranks and move forward together in unity, for ‘unity is strength’. Let bitterness and hatred not destroy brotherhood and peace. Let us remember those immortal words of Mother Theresa who said, ‘love is the only language which even the blind can see and the deaf can hear’. We are all Josephians and proud to be Josephians. None of us is any less a Josephian. So let us in that Josephian spirit move forward in unity and love. Let us take an example from Our Lord and Master who gave his life for us. On that day in the cross everyone expected him to cry out in pain and agony, for that is what others had done before. Yet like some fragrant trees which bathe in perfume the very axe which gashes them, the great heart on the tree of love in calvery poured out from its depths something less of a cry than a prayer, a prayer for pardon and forgiveness. Let us have that same spirit of forgiveness towards each other and move forward. As Martin Luther King Jr. very aptly stated “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that, Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”

Tomorrow is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, with her by our side, together with Our Holy Patron, St. Joseph, with you at the helm, Father, we trust the unknown future to a known God.

Stag Night – ' BAMBA ' style.

• 

  Friday, February 28, 2014

  

   

• 

  7:00pm until 11:30pm in UTC+1

   

Harlequins Rugby Club – Ashwood Victoria 3147

A Fun filled night before the much anticipated clash of the saints.

The night includes with two of our very own DJ's – DJ spike & DJ LUVD spinning the music and an exclusive traditional show Open bar with an happy hour between 7.30 pm and 8.30pm containing great deals that favor our $$$ worth.

Tickets at $20 – includes entry and Dinner with dessert to follow

For further info and tickets please feel free to contact

• Chanaka on 0432421832,
• Kevin 0401654048 or
• Dj spike on 0433404114

Courtesy: PeteriteEN (PEN)

The Cricket Foundation is organizing a get together on the 21st of February to raise funds for its activities to support Cricket at College. Tickets are priced at Rs.1500/= inclusive of dinner for gents and Rs. 500 for Ladies. There will be liquor and bites available for sale and an entrance ticket draw for attractive prizes. A live band will perform. You can bring your own liquor. Corkage Rs 750/= per Bottle.

For tickets please contact:

• Chrishantha Peiris-0715344326
• Roshan Antony-0773070552
• Malintha Warnapura-0777332590
• Chaminda Perera-0777308383
• Micheal Elias-0777394884

In the recent past we have been exposed to allegations and counter claims about a Rector of a leading private sector school, which was very unfortunate, given that this particular school has produced some of the most outstanding citizens for Sri Lanka.

In my view, the overall aura created is a loss for Sri Lanka given that the unemployment level in the country is at below 5% and we know that there is a culture fit issue of the graduates that come out of the traditional university system fitting into the private sector, which takes us to the role of the school in developing the talent for tomorrow.

The challenge

With the booming tourism industry launching almost 3,000 hotel rooms this year, the IT/BPO industry wanting to be a one billion dollar industry from the current $ 0.6 b, the tea industry driving to be a value-added product which can be a $ 2 b business for Sri Lanka not forgetting the Ceylon Cinnamon thrust to be another $ 1 b industry, the million dollar question is, where do we source the hands and feet to achieve these objectives of the private sector?

In simple words, we need quality people and this task is in the hands of the school administrators; the logic being that attitude formation and basic skill development takes place at primary education level and lesser at the graduate level.

Basic skills and attitude

What I mean by basic skills are ability to get on with people and work in teams, sharing of an idea using words and pictures (basic communication skills), respecting authority but also having the skill to challenge an idea for effectiveness, being time conscious, being financially responsible for ‘association’ money, being clean in the way you dress, learning how to take defeat and disappointment and fight back to win.

These are some of the most important attributes that I look for when having to hire a youngster as a management trainee to an organisation of today rather than outstanding academic qualifications. In fact, these skills separate the performers in today’s organisations from the non-performers. Which ones again focuses on the need for strong basic training at the school end. As my mentor Rev. Fr. Joe Wickramasinghe advised me on the day he appointed me as Head Prefect at school, ‘great leaders walk the talk’.

To my mind, Fr. Joe walked the talk on strong values and making sure that our education was well-rounded. I guess it’s these same skills that get polished in the corporate world and the most outstanding personalities that emerge tend to be exceptionally strong on these basic skills that stemmed from schools.

Not trophies but play well

One of the most respected school administrators in the system currently is Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel, who is Rector at St. Peter’s. Once he invited me to be the Chief Guest at the Prefects’ Day. I asked him what he wanted me to share as the keynote when I addressed the gathering. His words were very clear: “We do not need trophies; we must learn to play well and respect competition.”

Based on this basic grain, the school has produced one of the best performances in the recent past not only in the sports arena but also in the area of education. I guess everything points to the leader’s ethos of what is right and what is wrong. I wish Rev. Fr. Joe Wickramasinghe was alive to see how his training has produced another great Rector for the institution that he built.

I wish Sri Lanka can pick up some these lessons given the ruthless competition that exists at club level and at national level. The reason why China is becoming a super power nation is because of the training that has happened at the school end. Sri Lanka needs to learn a lesson from China on this front.

Problem solving

The latest research on the role of a school is not only just teaching educational content but moving to unearthing the skill of problem solving and solution seeking. This happens mainly not in the classroom but at being involved in societies, be it the Commerce Society, Sinhala Literary Society or the Drama Association. If a child gets trained in these areas, overtime they can grow to becoming a prefect and thereafter a student leader.

This continues at the work place thereafter and the link to the Sri Lankan economy takes form. Once again this points to the strong leadership that must govern a school in Sri Lanka, which fosters training to be good citizens and not just brilliant academics who excel at the Ordinary Level or Advanced Level examinations.

First job

I have seen how people sail through interviews and get into organisations but have not learned the basic social skills that have stunted their growth. They continue going stag for company functions when the people who get ahead have the ability of making sure a partner comes along to key company events. This is where being involved in organisations like Interact and taking part in prefect days of other schools becomes very important. Doing sports where girls and boys train together becomes important.

It’s strange but in today’s Sri Lankan environment it’s only the employee that gets invited company socials and hence once needs to have the skill of mixing around and making the evening enjoyable. This life-skill I see only in the schools in the city given that schools outside Colombo are mixed schools – an interesting dimension that has gone unnoticed.

Early interaction

Another interesting pick up from the likes of Rev Fr. Travis Gabriel was that he personally drives career interactions between the current students and private sector. From the discussions I have had, his ethos is that early interactions with people who have got traction in the private sector tend to form behaviour due to imitation.

This helps push high order learning on the areas of psycho-social, psycho-emotional and more importantly ethical behaviour, which is an interesting point that sure made a lot of sense. I guess this pickup can be extended to the private sector so that when it comes to succession planning, these similar techniques can be followed especially in the coach and mentor roles that are very popular in today’s business world.

Reward

An interesting dimension is that Rev. Fr. Travis has the habit of recognising performance not only at formal events like assembly or prize-givings but also at informal setting like walking along the corridors he had this tendency to comment on outstanding performance, be it academically or at sports. His logic was that if one can instil self worth in a youngster, then it builds self respect and this entails one to stay away from the social evils of alcohol, smoking and now the new menace of drugs. It’s an interesting perspective; given that we been an island nation, the overall attitude to life is easygoing and laidback which are characteristics of a country that is surrounded by water. This is based on research done by Sri Jayewardenepura University.

Breaking this cycle and moving the country to a somewhat aggressive and performance-based value must take place at the school end, which is where the concept of reward becomes important at early life and this must be extended at graduate level so that the behaviour can become permanent.

Given that I have had the opportunity of working in India, the difference between Sri Lanka and India is the aggressive nature of the Indians and the drive to get ahead. I guess Sri Lanka will have to move to this domain if we are to be a top 30 country globally. We have no option given the challenges in the global market place.

Conclusion

Hence we see the importance of the role of a school for Sri Lanka’s economy. After all around 400,000 make it to the Ordinary Level examination and then 200,000 get ahead for the Advanced Level. Around 40,000 move to post graduate studies in the Government and private sector, which is incidentally just 10% of the Ordinary Level students. Around 6,000 get an MBA, which is below 1% of Sri Lanka. This explains the role of a school in today’s economy.

[The author Rohantha Athukorala was the Head Prefect, Peterite Gold winner and Peterite honours recipient. Twice the Marketing Achiever award winner in Sri Lanka, Business Achiever and Global Leadership awardee in his multinational business career. Currently works for the United Nations (UNOPS) as the Head of National Portfolio Development – Sri Lanka and Maldives and an independent Board Director on many public and private sector organisations in Sri Lanka. Rohantha is an alumnus of Harvard University (Boston).]

St. Peter's welcomed Rev. Fr. Trevor Gerad Martin as the 11th Rector of their hallowed institute today (12th February).

A board straddling the gate posts of the College told all passersby of the event and needless to say the event was a well organised and well orchestrated one. The well manicured lawns and methodically and tastefully laid out flowerbeds with flowers blooming, at the front of the College and the fountain at the centre, made the setting picturesque and the new Rector could be forgiven if he thought he was walking in to a curator managed institute connected to a botanical garden instead of a school premises. He would have been surely happy that it was such a beautiful legacy that he would be expected to give leadership and guidance. The quadrangle was no less well decorated and took on an astral quality with stars in blue, white and gold hanging from trees to welcome the new leader.

The newly appointed Rector Fr. Trevor Martin arrived with the General Manager of the Catholic Schools, Fr. Ranjith Madurawala just after 8.00 a.m. to be welcomed with garlands by prefects and the erstwhile Rector Fr. Travis Gabriel. There was also the priest community representing the priests at St. Peter's and other priests from parishes and institutes of the Archdiocese, including the Episcopal Vicar. The tutorial staff, invited staff from Loyola College where he had served for 14 long years and his family members were also at hand to welcome him to St. Peter's.

A ceremonial salute was accorded to him by the Air Cadet Wing of St. Peter's College while oriental dancers led the way to conduct him to the porch at the front. Here he was greeted by a Prefect and presented a pot of flowers which he laid at the foot of the statue of St. Peter and after a brief prayer he returned to the porch where all the priests robed themselves in preparation for Holy Mass that was to follow at the altar erected specially in the foyer of the quadrangle.

The quadrangle was overflowing not only with students and teachers from College and Old Peterites but also staff members and students from Loyola College who had come to say farewell to their beloved Rector, Fr. Trevor. The chief celebrants at the concelebrated Mass were the incoming and outgoing Rectors Frs. Trevor Martin and Travis Gabriel, respectively (referred to as the two Ts by the new Rector in his address later on in the proceedings) and Fr. Madurawala. In a very meaningful sermon delivered by Fr. Cyril Gamini, he illustrated that the hand of the teacher is one that has to guide, help, nurture, develop and educate the students in his care and said that the need of the hour was to inculcate good values among the present generation. He expressed his confidence that Fr. Trevor was one such teacher who would inspire the students and teachers alike at St. Peter's.

After the conclusion of the liturgical ceremony the welcome "Assembly" commenced with another procession from the porch to the foyer and this was led by the western band with the scouts, cubs, air cadets, sportsmen and prefects lining the aisle to welcome their new Rector. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. Canicius Ranasinghe of the tutorial staff and Fr. Crispin Leo whose association with Fr. Trevor goes back to his student days, then addressed the gathering to give his impressions of Fr. Trevor as an introduction.

A Sinhala song was sung by Mas. Clifford Fernando alluding to the fact that Fr. Trevor will rule at St. Peter's and welcoming him to College.

Thereafter the President of the OBU Surgeon Rear Admiral Dr. Nicholas Jayasekera spoke and pledged the support of the OBU to the new Rector in carrying out his vision for College and in true Naval style wished for fair winds and calm seas in reaching the ultimate goal of excellence. It was then the turn of the western choir of St. Peter's to demonstrate their singing prowess and they did so in harmony, singing the praises of "Jesus, the Rock of salvation".

The official handing over and taking over took place thereafter with Fr. Ranjith Madurawala, General Manager or the Catholic Schools signing the "Log Book" of St. Peter's followed by Fr. Travis Gabriel relinquishing duties and Fr. Trevor Martin assuming duties as Rector, also placing their signatures. The Peterite Air Cadets then presented the College flag to the outgoing Rector who in turn presented in to Fr. Trevor. It was then Fr. Vincent Ashley's turn as the newly appointed Vice Rector of St. Peter's to hand of the Keys of St. Peter's in reality and metaphorically to the new Rector.

After Fr. Ranjith Madurawala's address which followed the handing over of the keys, the newly appointed Rector of St. Peter's, Fr. Trevor Martin addressed the gathering. His opening remarks were to thank God for the blessings he had received and said that all priests are expected to bloom wherever they were planted and that he too would do so as would Fr. Travis when he goes to St. Joseph's. He added that he had a plan for St. Peter's and spoke at length on education, motivation, quality of the out going student and the need for preparation for such a quality student from grade 1 and the need for inculcation of discipline and values, all of which he said he aimed to achieve making St. Peter's the best school in the island in the process, with the help from staff and Old Boys and other associations connected with the College. The proceedings came to a close with the lusty singing of the College Anthem.

JPAA Canada thanks the hard working Hony. Editor of the SPC-OBU Algi Wijewickrema for sending us the above news item. It is eloquently written and contains a full account of what happened on this sacred day. Thanks Algi!

FAREWELL TO FR. TRAVIS GABRIEL – 10TH RECTOR OF SPC. February 11, 2014.

St. Peter’s College bade farewell to their 10th Rector, Rev. Fr. Travis Jude Gabriel in a fitting and well organized ceremony today (11th February 2014).

The College was bedecked with flowers and flags and balloons of blue and white and gold for the occasion and one could feel that not only had there been meticulous planning gone into the organizing of this event, but also that those responsible had done it with love and affection for a Rector who had been a guide, leader and friend.

Having served as Rector for over eight and a half years from 2005 to 2014 and for another fourteen years in other different capacities, a total of twenty two and a half years (more than half his life as he mentioned at a different occasion), the College was bidding him farewell as he goes to lead another great Catholic institute of education.

There were Bishops, . Drs. Emmanuel Fernando and Maxwell Silva of the Archdiocese, MSG. Renato Cuci representing the Papal Nuncio, Fr. Perera, a Past Rector, Mr. Nivard Cabraal, Governor of the Central Bank (a distinguished Old Boy and also a Past President of the OBU), Surgeon Rear Admiral Dr. Nicholas Jayasekera, President of the OBU among the special guests present, along with the community of priests and teachers of the College, Rev. Sisters, past Presidents and other senior office bearers of the OBU, many other distinguished old boys and family members of Fr. Gabriel, who graced the occasion. In addition to the many guests who attended, needless to say, the quadrangle was packed to capacity with students from the Collegiate Section of the school.

At the scheduled time of 8.00 a.m. Fr. Gabriel was garlanded by 2 students as they welcomed him for the ceremony at the entrance to the quadrangle and escorted to the special dais by the College band, the Air Cadet Platoon of the College and the guests of .

As is customary at St. Peter's for functions of this nature, as announced by the master of ceremonies, Mr. Bernard Jesudasn, the hoisting of the National, Catholic and College flags was the first item in the . Fr. Crispin Leo was then invited to lead the gathering in prayer after which the Air Cadet Platoon accorded Fr. Rector a ceremonial salute of .

Mas. Pavan Palletenna, on behalf of the students and Ms. Abeyratne in a tearful speech on behalf of the teachers, thanked the Rector for all he had done for the College during his rectorship. The College Choir, which had received Fr. Rector's benevolent support, then expressed their gratitude in song with the Josh Groban "You Raise Me Up" in a fitting tribute to him.

Bishop Emanuel Fernando in his address paid tribute to Fr. Gabriel for his excellent services to St. Peter's and also thanked him for accepting responsibility to serve another institute of learning in the Archdiocese, St. Joseph's.

Next Ms. Kumari Karunaratne of the non-academic staff bade emotional farewell thanking Fr. Rector after which Mr. Anura Perera, Vice President of the PTA also thanked Fr. Gabriel on behalf of the PTA. After a song, specially composed for the occasion, was sung by the teachers, Mr. Suren Herath, President of the Welfare Society addressed the gathering. It is to be mentioned here that most speakers avoided listing of the Rectors achievements at College simply because they were too numerous to mention.

It was the turn of the President of the OBU, Dr. Nicholas Jayasekera next and after his address a melodious Sinhala song of appreciation was sung by a student from the Oriental Choir.

Fr. Travis then addressed those present and thanked the Lord Almighty for directing his life and giving him the opportunity to serve an institute like St. Peter's. Coincidentally, this day being the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, he said that he had always felt that the Blessed Mother was with him at all times. His vision, he that St. Peter's should be a school of excellence and he believed that this had been achieved to a great extent. Addressing the students gathered for the occasion, he urged them to make use of the opportunity of being Peterites to become worthy citizens and emulate the example of many of the distinguished Old Peterites present. A standing ovation was accorded to Fr. Rector at the end of his speech which was followed by of sheaves of betel by students and presentations of mementos, souvenirs, albums, etc., by Mr. Seneviratne (a past President of the OBU who had also been a student of Fr. Gabriel), Fr. Silva, Fr. Sharm Dassanayake and Fr. Crispin Leo. At the conclusion of the presentations Mas. Yatagama, Head Prefect of College, proposed the vote of thanks.

With the conclusion of the ceremony at the quadrangle, the guests were invited to the College Hall where Fr. Rector unveiled a portrait of himself as one among many other past Rectors who had rendered yeomen service to College to bring it to its present state from humble beginnings way back in 1922. A power point presentation by the students, of Fr. Rector's achievements at College brought the proceedings to a close.

Wijewickrema

. Editor (SPC – OBU)
our  http://stpetersobu.com

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