Bede: the man behind the champions of St. Benedict's
Wednesday, April 3, marks the 50th death anniversary of Bede Puvimannasinghe, the widely admired Prefect of Games (PoG) and Cadet Master of one of Sri Lanka’s premier Catholic schools, St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena.
During more than 10 years as PoG, Bede Puvimannasinghe played a key role in making St. Benedict’s champions in Cricket, Hockey, Football, Basketball and Track & Field.
Not only at school level, he also played a major role in National schools' Athletics, Hockey, Basketball and Football associations.
To mark Mr. Puvimannasinghe’s 50th death anniversary, grateful past pupils and mainly sports personalities will hold a special Thanksgiving Service on April 6 at 5 pm at the College sports pavilion. Another past pupil, F. Noel Dias, will preside at the Thanksgiving Service, to which relatives and friends are invited.
Mr. Puvimannasinghe, after his graduation from the University of Peradeniya, was invited by Rev. Fr. Alex Ranasinghe to teach at St. John’s College, Panadura. Being an Old Ben and residing with his parents at Mayfield Lane, Kotahena, he was invited by the then, Director of St. Benedict’s College, Rev Bro. Oliver FSC, to be a teacher and to organise and launch a Junior Cadet Platoon. As a past Cadet of the College Cadet Contingent, he needed no persuasion. Without much ado and sans any hesitation, he readily accepted and happily served his Alma Mater for 16 years with devotion.
In 1953, he formed the First Junior Cadet Platoon and his First Sergeant was Nalin Suaris. During that era, the annual Junior Cadet Camp was held at the Race Course in Boosa. In September 1953, I was enlisted as a Junior Cadet.
St. Benedict's Cadet Platoon came under the Third Battalion of the Ceylon Cadet Corps. It was Mr. Puvimannasinghe’s earnest desire to bring the College Cadet Platoon to be first in the competitions held at the Camp. To this end, and to make this daunting task a success, he took us, for one week, to St. Mary’s College, Chilaw, and held a private camp in conjunction with the Junior Platoon of St. Mary’s College, Chilaw. There, we were put through a strict and thorough training simulating an actual Cadet Camp.
Subsequently, in 1954, I remember returning in the train from Boosa, after earning a coveted position of 2nd Runner-Up, with the boys happily singing. Mr. Puvimannasinghe joined us in the singing. When invited to sing a solo, he came out with the song “Home Sweet Home”, in a deep baritone voice. On an encore by the Platoon, to our surprise, he gave a wonderful rendition of Caruso’s “Donkey Serenade.”, in a baritone mingled with tenor chords.
Later that year, under the guidance and training of Mr. Puvimannasinghe, the College formed a team of 4 Junior Cadets, for the Inter School Junior Cadet .22 Rifle Firing Competition held at the Rock House Battery. We brought home the Challenge Trophy after defeating 18 school Platoons. The Team of 4 Cadets were Clive Fernando, Amirtharaja Appaiha, Luxman Silva (who had the best score in the entire competition), and yours truly. In 1955, they changed the venue of the Camp from Boosa to Diyatalawa. It was held in April that year. At this Camp, our Platoon Sergeant Amirtharaja Appaiha was awarded the Best Commander’s Cup, while the College Platoon earned the Runners-Up position in all the competitions. In 1956, having reached the age limit to leave the Junior Cadet Platoon, most of us joined the Senior Cadet Platoon (SCP). In 1957, Lt. David, retired from his duties as Officer-in-Charge of the SCP. Rev. Bro. Alban Patrick FSC, the then Director of the College, proposed that Mr. Puvimannasinghe take over the SCP.
Mr. Bede Puvimannasinghe, being aware of the challenges before him, did not hesitate to take charge of the SCP, and wasted no time in planning out a strategy. With immense effort and diligence he began training the Cadets with the single aim of bringing the coveted “Herman Loos” Challenge Trophy to his Alma Mater. In that same year, Mr. Puvimannasinghe earned his First Pip and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. It doubled our joy, when in the same year, we brought home the Challenge Trophy for .22 Rifle Firing Competition, held for the Senior Cadets, defeating 28 other College SCPs. It was Lt. Puvimannasinghe who trained and guided us right through this competition. It is with pride and gratitude that I say that the honour goes to him. This team consisted of Cadets Luxman Silva, Sgt. Amirtharaja Appahia, Edison Fernando, Nimal Fernando and self. At that time, the College Kindergarten quadrangle (adjoining the K.C.Y.M.A.) was our .22 firing range.
Continuing his career as the Cadet Master, Lt. Puvimannasinghe took up the task of steadily putting the Platoon back on the map of the 3rd Battalion. To this end, he sought the assistance of his good friend Sgt.Major. Gunasekera of the CLI. Together they trained us in all aspects of Cadeting, which included physical training, firing, discipline and behavior. It was our Officer’s aspiration to reach the top.
He saw to it that the Sportsmen were punctual at practice and practised hard, keep fit both physically and mentally and were always at their peak, giving out their very best at every encounter. He was a great friend to the players of any team... Acting on the Motto of the Ceylon Cadet Corps – “NONUAM NON PARATUS” , Lt.Bede was “NEVER NOT READY” to offer a helping hand or advice to any student or player who sought it from him. A PoG of his calibre would always be depicted as a shining star on the Green White and Green banner. He was a rare gem and would be hard to come by.
The College PoG, much to his guidance and credit, won trophies that brought fame to the College. He held this position until his demise on April 3, 1969. Had the College a Cadet Platoon in existence at the time of his death, indeed the Bugles would have blown their silvery note of the “Last Post” over his grave. Sir, I, salute you. May your soul rest in peace!