The great debacle
In the recent past a highly respected school with a legacy of more than 100 years has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. It is a question of ‘decency’ and ‘fair play’ as against things that we abhor ! Permit me as an independent observer to air my views.
The sporting activities (among others) in the school is funded partially by the past students both domiciled here and overseas. They volunteer the funds expecting the money will be put to the best use. The school too has had it’s own “checks and balances”, with a Sports Board and individual Sports Committees. These consisted of die-hard past students who in their day had represented the school in sporting activities. Thus, not only did these past student impart of their knowledge and experience, they also ensured the funds collected from their mates were spent with transparency and care. The Sports Board of the school had been either disbanded or forced to resign en masse by the head of the school a few years ago. This had also undermined the individual sports committees.
Thus the environment had been created for the school head to be actively involved in selecting sports teams. In the past, the previous head of the school merely confirmed or “rubber-stamped” the selections made by others who were more competent. Of course, this was after having checked out each name in the list for any misdemeanor however small, that may have been committed by those in the list.
However in this instance, the school head had acted unilaterally. Distinguished past student had done their best to “patch – up”, but with the school head taking a most irrational attitude the efforts had been all futile. The cloak of “sole authority” in all matters as claimed by the school head was considered a mere excuse to get away with anything and everything.
The whole incident reeked of lack of transparency and favoritism.
I also understand that there had been financial irregularities in the school too not very long ago. Even the Education Department had got involved, which is a bitter pill for many to swallow, as this hallowed institution had steered cleared of controversy.
Action, if taken, is not apparent and this is another bone of contention, which nearly spilled onto the playing area in the “one-dayer”. Thank God that saner counsel prevailed among the past students and averted an acute embarrassment.
It is indeed a very sad story for a school which has had very great men at its helm and produced many men of stature who have gone on to serve the nation. I hope the “washing of dirty linen” will stop now. But then the past students have got their ire up, and it is imperative that the linen is kept clean for all to see and enjoy. Only time will tell !
J. Ransiri Perera