Welcome:

The Double Blue International - Wesley College Colombo. Sri Lanka

This website charts Wesleys' voyage of hope since its beginning in 1874.

It is an International Website for all Wesleyites, past and present. On its many pages we honour our Principals, Teachers and Past Students. They have done us proud.

Schools are places of endemic change. Every year new students join and those who have left go farther on life's journey outside the school gates. We must change with time and we have done so maintaining our links with our glorious past. We have kept the old traditions whilst embracing the innovative and modern. However timeless and imposing, the school is not just a set of buildings but a vibrant community. Education at Wesley College Colombo, since its inception, has been focussed in helping emerging adults discharge their responsibilities well, as individuals in this wonderful world.

The main function of a school is to prepare students for life. I believe, as many Wesleyites do, our school has suceeded in that task. Well, most of the time anyway!!

We often hear the lament " the school is not what it used to be" and perhaps "it never was". With our past we tend to remember the sunshine and forget the rain. Let us savour the present and plan for a better future.

As for the future, the school extends the hand of friendship to welcome back as many old boys as possible. We want the school to benefit from the skills, knowledge and experience the Old Boys can offer. Wesley College ensures friendship and goodwill to all old boys and hope the joy of shared memories will give them a continuing stake in the school's success.

The Present Principal

Dr Shanti McLelland

The appointment of a new Principal is a momentous event in the history of the school. Dr Shanti McLelland is an old boy of Wesley College from the Oorloff-Nonis-Wirasinha era and was a keen natural sportsman excelling in Hockey and Athletics. He was resident in Toronto, Canada before Joining the school as its Principal in May 2009. He has strong links with the past teachers and Old Boys which will be a great asset in dealing with the issues ahead. When he takes on a job, anyone who knows Dr McLelland will be aware that he means business. His fortitude, dogged determination and vigorous enthusiasm is infectious. It is impressive seeing in action so much of the affection generated by old boys, for the benefit of the school, since his appointment. May his task ahead be rewarding. We wish him a long and happy time at Wesley.

A Message for 2010 from the Principal

Although we have common objectives this website is not an official site of Wesley College Colombo or its Old Boys Unions.

Dedication:The site is dedicated to the Principals, Teachers and Students of Wesley College who have now departed this world. It is created in memory of their immeasurable contribution to the life of the school. They have enriched our lives. I hope now they have found eternal peace. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning , we will remember them.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles in this website are entirely those of the authors. Any readers who wish to discuss issues further are encouraged to write to the web editor or contact the authors directly. I have received articles from Wesleyites from all round the world and without exception they all have spoken very highly of the school and the staff. There was never any occasion to edit articles for inflammatory content although it is appreciated that no institution is perfect. I sincerely hope in the fullness of time this website would be a true and accurate record of life at Wesley since its lowly beginnings in 1874. It is also hoped all the staff and students have had the opportunity to express their views freely and fairly on this site.

Credits: I wish to thank all the authors and the editors of the Centenary and 125th Souvenirs . Special mention must be made of Neville Weerasekera, Shelton Peiris, Shanti McLelland, and the OBU (UK) for their encouragement and help. I thank the numerous Old Boys who sent articles and messages of approval of my efforts in making an International Website. I would particularly like to thank the Achilles family now in Australia - Vernon, Dallas and Delmer for their support in sending me articles and photographs for this website. The site is only as good as its contributors. Keith de Kretser has been a tower of strength by his contributions and enthusiasm in keeping this website alive. Lalith Wijesinghe (LCR) has never wavered in his support. Last but not least, Mahendra Dissanayake has been a great help in finding a home for this website in his server. I have always valued his helpful advice.

From the Editor's pen

I am Nihal D Amerasekera. I was called ND at school. My parents called me Nihal.

I have always wanted to create a website to unify all Wesleyites whatever colour, race, religion or ethnic background they may have. At Wesley we were a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community. I consider the many students who passed through the gates of the school as belonging to one large family. It is my desire to bring them all together at this site wherever in the world they may be. There is no better meeting place than the internet to reflect, meet and greet. It is my wish to:

• Provide information about school friends and teachers for a database of email addresses.
  
• Provide photos and interesting anecdotes about school life.
  
• Publish articles and letters sent by old boys and OBU's.
  
• Make the site a meeting place for Wesley College Old boys all over the world.
  
• Record the recent and past history of our school including its gripes and swipes.
• Record Obituaries and appreciations

I started work on this website in the depths of a bitter, rainswept English winter many years ago. Those long days and nights spent on its creation gave me a wonderful insight into the richness of life and achievements of this great school. Time is precious. Content is not cost free. Writing is work. There are no advertising revenues and no sponsorships. But it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be the editor of this journal since 1995. I am humbled by the immense support received from old boys. It is inspiring to note there is a wondeful brotherhood of Wesleyites out there willing to help. I rejoice in the fact I am still able to be of service to such a multitude of old boys all over the world.

Much has changed since our days at school and a recent poem summarised students' life today.

You may have noticed, teacher,
I am not in school today.
But the tape deck on my desk,
Will record each word you say.
Switch on my laptop's Webcam,
When you have something to show,
And if you pass out homework,
Find my fax number below.
I’ve a pager and cell phone,
So I won’t be hard to reach.
Since I don’t need to be in class,
I’ll do lessons at the beach.

Tempus Fugit

Well, doesn't time fly !!!! It was with a mixture of awe and pride that I passed through the gates of Wesley College for the first time in 1950. It seems like only yesterday that I was walking up the school driveway on my first day at school. The place was imposing to say the least. Now, here I am retired after an enormously satisfying 40 year career in Medicine. There are a few advantages to getting old - still people tend to give you some respect. The perks outnumber the downsides. But the main problem is that your body never allows you to forget the passage of years.

I was at Wesley from 1950-62 and was in the boarding from 1952-58. They were very happy times indeed. Those who recognise me from the old days will note the changes due to the ravages of time. I owe so much to so many in the school, Students teachers and Principals. This is my thank you to them all and Wesley. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Nostalgia is my great sin, and I remember with a sense of loss a kinder gentler world which disappeared forever as I left school. The most painful of all is the disappearance from my life the people who meant so much to me, friends, "enemies", teachers, chaplains and Principals in all those years at Wesley. I stepped on the treadmill to carve myself a career and raise a family. Now having reached the end of my working life I still yearn for those days at school even though more than forty years have passed me by. I am eternally grateful to my parents for their wisdom to send me to Wesley College Colombo.

My father Douglas Bertram Amerasekera was a student at Wesley and remembered teachers Eric Gunasekera Percy T Cash C.M. Fonseka and HJVI Ekanayake and students O.E Goonetilleke and PH Nonis. He was at Richmond College Galle during the Principalship of Rev. WJT Small, much loved and great Principal of that school. Rev Small is to Richmond what Rev.Highfield is to Wesley.

Throughout my young days at school there are many things that happened which I have never forgotten. None of these things are that important but each of them made such a tremendous impression on me. They have clung to my mind like glue. Many of these recollections are happy ones but there are also some which are unpleasant, even painful. Those images have such depth and glow. Perhaps that is why I remember them so vividly.

It amazes me still how the school managed to balance the demands of high academic standards with the time demands of extra activities like sports, art, music and drama. The balance was achieved satisfactorily and without undue pressure. For this we have to thank the skill of the teachers and the Principal. Situation has changed since my time as my article shows - Growing up in the 21st Century

When old boys come together they move into recollection mode. There is never a dull moment. Voices will be imitated, mannerism mimicked, idiosyncracies enhanced and long since dormant episodes of school life will suddenly spring to mind bringing hilarity, sadness, affection or even a wry smile. As the wine and conversation flows we get transported back many decades. There will be a glow and a shared warm feeling of times past. The last to leave often provide a lusty rendition of the old school song.

Since our Independence from Britain there have been rapid changes to the policy on education. With the benefit of hindsight some of it has been detrimental to education, schools and the country. Successive Principals had to steer the school through difficult times. The Old Boys Union and the Methodist Church rallied valiantly to keep the school afloat and maintain financial viability. Without the help of those organisations Wesley would not have survived in its present form. The OBU has always been a tower of strength to the school. We must specially remember some of the old boys for their selfless service to the school over many years. Their names are too numerous to mention but special mention has to be made of Sir O.E.Goonetilleke, Hon., M.H. Mohammed and Terence De Zylva for their outstanding contribution over many decades. If anyone feels that other names need to be mentioned, here is your chance. You are free to write about those old boys, teachers or Principals to this website. Many old boys have donated prizes in memory of the staff and students which is a most generous gesture to remember them every year on Prize Giving day.

We owe a great debt to our schoolmasters. One measure of a school is the way teachers and students interact. We remember with much gratitude the interest they took in our develoment and welfare. The teachers at Wesley, what great characters some of them were! I hope they still are. My memory of them extend to their physical features, their anger, smile and even the smell. Some had tempers that would terrify even the boldest. What distinguished them all, large or small in stature was their apparent venerability. They seem to belong to the school like its own furniture and walls. None seemed more than 50 but so much a part of Wesley. These characters seemed indestructible. Even now after 50+ years it gives me a shock and a pang to read of the death of an old master. The teachers at Wesley seem permanent and the majority stayed on until retirement. Many had served for well over 25 years. Although their salaries were probably just adequate, they had a loyalty to the school, and did not use a teaching post as an ambitious transient stepping stone to a bigger and a better paid teaching job elsewhere, as many young teachers do now. I often feel that many of our older teachers, some of them though eccentric, may turn in their graves at the disloyalty and opportunism of our modern teachers. When I now look at some of the old school photos and even see the names of those masters, their faces, mannerisms and voices come easily to mind. Mr. N.E.H.Fonseka who chewed betel always spat from an upstairs window without looking to avoid passers by below. On many occasions I have prayed the spray would fall on the Principal but had no such luck. C.E.De Pinto, Eric Gunasekera, W.E.Mack, C.P.Dias, C.V.Honter before my time and LA Fernando, JLF De Mel, CJT Thamotheram, Iris Blacker, Joyce Leembrugen, Wilfred Wickramasinghe, Lionel Jayasuriya, Charles Yesudian , Raju Hensman and EL Rodrigo during my time were an integral part of the institution that moulded our lives. I fear, I give the impression that these teachers were virtuous and without fault. They were human and in one way or another difficult, egotistical, strong minded and demanding. They loved the school and their profession. They made good friends. I wouldn't want them as enemies. Having said this I have the greatest respect for many of them. I still feel guilty to this day for not going round the school from the primary school upwards to say goodbye to every teacher many of whom I never saw again.

Wesley College attracted pupils from all over Ceylon. During my years there were many from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Amparai, Sammanthurai, Galle, Matara and Hambantota to mention but a few. Being situated between Borella and Dematagoda with Wanathamulla to the East and Maradana to the west the school is not in a wealthy affluent area.

Hence there were many poor students from all classes and backgrounds. This enriched us all. Colombo 7 and the domain of the rich wasn't far away either. Historically Wesley competed with Zahira College to attract many Muslims. They have played a key role both as students and generous old boys. Being a Christian school it catered for all religions and there were more Buddhists than Christians . With a thriving Tamil stream the Hindu religion was well represented too. The Burghers brought a fourth dimension to our lives at school by there excellence in sports and their easy going attitude to life. Those who took their school work seriously went on to represent the foreign service, the medical and legal professions. The Chinese community was well represented too with the likes of C.S.Chen who became a leading Orthopaedic Surgeon in London. There were two blind students in the boarding during my years at school. They showed us how talented and bright they were despite their disability. During my 12 years at school I do not recall any unsavoury incidents of a racial, ethnic or religious kind. Rev.Highfield and the many Principals who followed him by their dynamism and integrity have succeeded in providing an all round education to Wesleyites to disregard all these artificial barriers which have become a hindrance to peace in our country. The dedicated teachers over the years and the OBU's have provided the glue that have bonded all Wesleyites together wherever they may be.

The image I carry with me of my beloved school is still the view of Wesley College I saw on my first day in January 1950. I was mesmerised by the elegant sweep of the majestic buildings. Now as I reflect it is impossible to forget its history and the sacrifice of those who founded the school. I can picture Rev Highfield, looking vigorous and fit, pacing the Great Hall and the endless corridors as his dream of a new school in Karlsruhe Gardens was fulfilled. Time has not diminished its splendour. The family of 1200 students and teachers have made me what I am today. What I learnt on and off the classrooms has helped me in my long and tortuous journey through life. Despite its ups and down Wesley remains, at least in my thoughts, as one of the finest schools in the country.

It is ironic how many of the rising generation of students after having received a fine education at Wesley leave the school never to set foot on those hallowed grounds ever again. It amazes me that even those old boys who live in Sri Lanka and some of them living in Colombo have never been to the school premises as past students. Does that seem fair, to you? Some must have good reasons to treat their alma mater this way. I am sure they can find in some corner of their hearts forgiveness and to realise no institution is perfect. It warms my heart that some of the old boys who live abroad still have the passion to visit the school. If you want to steal a bit of your old life back, OWSC is the place. This is the place to wine and dine and also to meet and greet old Wesleyites.

Saying goodbye to Wesley which was my home for over a decade was one of the hardest things I have had to do. I still think about it, more so after my retirement. The friends I made have remained friends for life even though I never saw many of them again. We lived our lives in the Wesley Village in Karlsruhe Gardens. It is impossible to recreate that life again. The Old Boys Unions are just a poor substitute but an essential one to keep in touch. I hope very much the readers of this website will be transported back to their schooldays. I wish this journey will encourage them to contribute to this website to keep those memories alive.

I shall forever cherish my Wesley days.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your field
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
( A celtic blessing )

Ora et Labora

Dr Nihal D Amerasekera MBBS, FRCP(UK), FRCR(London)

The College Song in Cyberspace - Tributes from the Editor

Mr HJVI Ekanayake

The College Song has been an important part of school life and has remained a unifying force within the School. The Song is one of the most remarkable and enduring aspects of education at Wesley in terms of maintaining the bonds between School and alumni. The lyrics of the song was composed by Mr HJVI Ekanayake, a distinguished old boy. It incorporates the hopes and wishes of the Founding Fathers of the School. The Melody belongs to Robert Burns and Scotland as shown by Keith de Kretser in his writings on the subject. We grew up with it and like the School Flag, the Crest and the Motto it is woven into the fabric of the school. It is a rallying cry, a focus of its pupils' pride and loyalty and proclaims the school's identity far and wide. We sang it in the School Hall on the big occasions. We sang it at the beginning and end of term and also many times in between. Both its lyrics and its melody have a certain charm which every old boy will remember with much nostalgia. The College Song has a timeless quality and has retained its grandeur despite the passage of years.

From gawky teenagers to shuffling Octogenarians, individual memories of Wesley College consist of a myriad different sets of sounds and images. But the singing of the Century-old School Song is the only shared experience that cuts across the generations. It is also a reminder of those carefree days of our youth.

Santhusht de Silva, an old boy of the Oorloff-Nonis-Wirasinha era, has very kindly sent me a youtube clip of the College Song which I wish to share with you. Those who remember him from school will recall he was a gifted musician even as a schoolboy. The music has been created by Santhusht. Do enjoy and sing-along and allow your thoughts to wander and relish those images that flash across your mind.

The School Song on Youtube

125th Anniversary First day Cover

Old Boys Address Book Database

Don't lose contact with your school friends. With the Internet and modern Telecommunications it is easier to keep in touch, than you think. Please send me your details including the email address to be included in the database, completely free of charge. Your friends are just a phone call away (or email away).

If you want your details to be on the database

Please send me your : Name. Address, Phone, Email and the years you were at Wesley Eg. 1950-62

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