Old Kingwoodians felicitate their teachers…
It had been ten years since I last attended the ‘Gentlemanly Act’ where old Kingswoodians felicitate their retired teachers. Standing amongst old friends and peers, cherished memories of my past came back to me in droves. The Randles Hill, the dormitories, special dinner on Sundays with the principal, college hall, labs, classrooms, the chapel, the playgrounds, sports, the houses of Eton, Harrow, Winchester & Rugby… the list is endless but last not least the TEACHERS.
The bi- annual event of felicitating the Retired Teachers organized by the Old Kingswoodian Sports Club took place on the 27th January, 2013 at The Hilltop hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Over 200 old boys and teachers participated in the event. On this sunny Sunday, as I gazed from this plush hotel’s spacious restaurant, the delightful serene vicinity re-assembled the life we spent at the college. It was delightful, playful but sometimes mischievous, meaningful, serene but at times rugged period we mingled with the teachers.
The proceedings commenced with a speech by the current principal, Mr. Ranjith Chandrasekera, who highlighted the importance of felicitating the teachers, as they were the ones who laid the initial foundation to build your own identity. Mr. Krishnaratna, a distinguished old boy who is based in the United States of America gave a moving account of how the teachers & the college played a major role in changing his life for the better. He told the audience about his humble beginnings, which brought tears to many who were present. One moment of his speech struck a chord within my heart and I can still recall the circumstances he had described. Although a non- Christian, Krishna used to go to the church every Sunday and escort a certain gentlemen to his doorstep, so that he could converse in English and in turn, improve his grasp on the language. This persistence and determination is what has helped him succeed in all his endeavors. Well known Ven. Dodampahala Sri Rahula thero was the guest speaker and the thero rendered the sermon in an admirable manner saluting the old Kingswoodians for their great act of remembering old teachers. An old teacher, Mr. Werellagama also spoke reviving memories at ‘ Randles Hill’. Finally, Mr. Ramzan Sariffo’deen, Vice President - Operations at Aitken Spence Hotel Management’s (Pvt) Ltd who was mainly responsible for the proceedings rendered the thanking speech. He thanked all who helped him in many ways to get this fabulously organized function off the ground, particularly Mr. Asoka Dharmawardena, Manag i n g D i r e c t o r, D y n a m i c Technologies ( Pvt) Ltd., Mr Sanath Gunathilake, the prominent film artiste & probably the most f amous old Kingswoodian on the planet, Mr Kithsiri Pathirana, a Project Director attached to the Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Mohan Wijewardena, Senior Manager of Tokyo Cement who compeered the function eloquently & the officials of the OKSC. A section of the retired teachers. While enjoying the sumptuous buffet lunch we had the opportunity to blend with the teachers. I met many of my old teachers after 40 years, such as Chemistry master, Mr Alex Perera, the Mathematics master, Mr L.B.Galahitiyawa, the Botany teacher, Mrs Ariyapperuma and Masters in Charge of the hostel, Mr S.B.Ekanayake & Mr Senanayake.
It was a moment for all of us to walk down memory lane with the teachers. Here, we should fondly remember the teachers who could not attend the function due to unavoidable circumstances. Hopefully, all of us will join again in 2015.-Upatissa Tennakoon (1963-1973) KFE. upatissat@gmail.com