Institutions are often remembered by the aura their name inspires, the achievements of it's alumni, the evolving traditions associated with it, the perceptions of it by peers and last but not least it‘s longevity.  In short, by the ongoing contribution it makes to the society in which it exists. Royal College Colombo – is surely without equal in all of these.  

The year 2010, is truly a defining moment in the history of the school and the contribution it has made to Sri Lanka . From humble beginnings when it was founded by the Rev. Joseph Marsh in 1835, it continues to flourish into what today is recognised as the premier government boys' school in the country. Having spawned outstanding statesmen, Prime Ministers and Presidents of the country, scholars in every field, sportsmen, leaders of industry and heads of religious organisations, the school has justifiably received recognition as one of the leading institutions of learning in the world. A BBC report referred to the school as the “Eton of Sri Lanka” and to put the icing on the cake, in 2009 it was recognised by Microsoft as one of the most innovative schools in the world.

Thus it was fitting that the Committee of the Old Boys of Royal College in NSW & ACT decided to felicitate this unique milestone with an appropriate celebration at the Crown Plaza Ballroom, Norwest, in the North West of Sydney.

Suren Salgado – President of the RC OBA in NSW & ACT Australia who incidentally was also the Founding President of the Association fifteen years ago, commenced proceedings by lighting the oil lamp, symbolically embracing the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. It was done to the backdrop of a very traditional Sri Lankan rendition of  the Hymn for Ceylon invoking blessings upon the evenings celebrations.  He was supported by Committee members  Janaka Subasinghe (Vice President), Siridev Abeyewardene, Channa Athukorala (Secretary), Prasanna Kariyawasam (Immediate Past President), Mahen Selvarajah, Rajitha Wijesekera and Prasad Chelliah ,  who worked together to deliver an evening of delightful camaraderie, tantalising culinary perfection, music - purpose designed for the vintage of the target audience and capped off with a potpourri of reflections - that took us back in time through the very halls and classrooms of the school that we all love and cherish and the teachers and students who made Royal what it is today.

The President's opening message was succinct and clear, elucidating the distinctiveness of Royal College.  Whilst every other school had a traditional emphasis on studies and sports,  Royal inculcated in it's students the deep and rich values of  – “learning of men”.  This was achieved through the socio economic and ethnic diversity of the students who were welcomed and wholeheartedly embraced by the school community and encouraged to engage with each other in a non-threatening environment that fostered robust, sincere, lifelong interaction.

An integral part of any such event is the importance of reflection on times past. Keynote speaker and former Attorney General of Sri Lanka – Sunil De Silva set the scene with what makes a Royalist unique and why we are the envy of other institutions. Chandra Senaratne (or Sinatra as the Aussies are wont to pronounce his name) took us back a little further in time with a collection of anecdotes about the teachers who made the school. Deva Mylvaganam gave us an insight (albeit bordering on the impish at times) into the dynamics of  adolescent young Royalists navigating their way through teenage years in the 70's. Ravindu Athukorala who flew across the ‘ditch' from Auckland provided some quick insights into his school experiences. Last but not least – an endearing and delightfully witty insight into ‘living with a Royalist'  delivered with grace, charm and aplomb by none other that the President ' s wife – Ayesha  Salgado, who received a standing ovation from the family of Old Royalist gathered there that evening. Her rendition of the Elvis' number ‘The Wonder of You' to finish her discourse was simply awe inspiring.

In a salubrious and elegant setting at the Crown Plaza, interspersed within the anecdotal reminiscences, was a menu that titillated the palate. Live music provided by Tony &  Errol and DJ Neil (Jayasekera) an old Royalist himself,  gave the appreciative audience a collection of songs that we all knew and grew up with. The duration of the dance sessions was just right and the décor - fresh Singapore Orchids arranged in a Martini Vase – elegantly classy. The couples received special mementos; for the men - a solid glass paperweight three dimensionally laser engraved with the Royal College crest and the 175 th Anniversary and for the ladies – a handmade heartshaped candle with gold roses carved on it. An additional touch of nostalgia was added when every old boy and partner were photographed – studio fashion before the commencement of the function, enabling us to take away a wonderful memory of the evening.

The writer summed up the evenings proceedings in his vote of thanks and echoed the sentiments of all the old Royalists gathered there that evening, in conveying appreciation to the committee for an absolutely delightful and well organised evening. The happy and contented band of Loyal Royalists and their spouses then danced the night away to its very successful conclusion.

Raj Karunairatnam

Click here to view an album of photos submitted by the organisers