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| Friday, 8 November 2002 |
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by Chilaw special correspondent "De La Salle Christian Brothers have pioneered in the arena of education for several years with great commitment and loyalty in a host of leading schools in the Island. They have served as teachers, directors, principals and spiritual counsellors in character-building and formation of students, who have passed out with flying colours and are now serving in coveted and eminent positions as doctors, engineers and teachers. And so, this unassuming denomination of Christian Brothers who have renounced worldly riches, pomp and glory, have admirably championed the cause of discipline and learning in the country," said Chilaw Urban Council Chairman W. A. C. Sweeney Perera. He was paying a glowing tribute at a meeting held at the Sudasuna hall, Chilaw to felicitate former Chilaw St. Mary's College director and principal, Rev. Brother Edwin Ambrose, who was celebrating his diamond jubilee - spanning sixty years of noble and exemplary religious service as a devoted De La Salle Christian Brother in the Vineyard of the Lord. He said: "I was studying under his tutelage during the tenure of Bro. Edwin Ambrose who was one-time principal, St. Mary's College, Chilaw. His prime motive was to improve the quality of education of children and ensured that the students not only imbibed a full fledged education but that they were also a thoroughly disciplined lot who excelled in the field of sports. His indefatigable efforts in shaping and guiding the destinies of children were a resounding success." He faced the intimidating challenges at hand without fear or favour to improve the prevailing standard of education; he went all out to select qualified teachers from neighbouring schools who opted to join the Staff of St. Mary's. At the present juncture, when there was a dearth of Christian Brothers in the institutions, the splendid and distinguished service Bro. Ambrose rendered was indeed worthy to be emulated by all and sundry. His erudition and learning paved the way for students to shine in all the subjects they offered. He propelled them steadily to live as praiseworthy citizens in the country, he added. The Diamond Jubiliarian Bro. Ambrose said: "I'm coming to your midst after an interval of over twenty years. Today is an auspicious and red-letter day for me. I'm grateful to you because you have always shown your affection and devotion to me when I dischargied my duties as principal of St. Mary's. It affords me immense satisfaction and honour that my erstwhile students are doing well in lay life. On a personal note, I must mention that by virtue of my profession and vocation, I had pledged to serve all, irrespective of caste, creed, race and other affiliations. The speakers before me had eulogized my service as principal, St. Mary's, Chilaw but I should add that I could not have persevered in my capacity as principal and worthily discharged my duties without the collaboration and rapport of all the teachers and parents. Therefore, I sincerely thank them and appreciate their goodwill and co-operation without which I could never have been able to improve the standard of the school," Bro. Edwin emphasised. Rev. Fr. Nicholas Lowe, Manager, Catholic Schools, Chilaw, former De La Salle principals of St. Mary's Rev. Bro. George Silva and Stephen Aloysius were also present. De La Salle Congregation Provincial, Very Rev. Bro. Henry Dissanayake, Attorneys-at-law W. A. Hilary Fernando and W. L. Fernando, St. Mary's College principal H. S. B. Fernando, Old Boys' Association Secretary Camillus Lowe, Ms. Amitha Wickramasinghe, Ms. Melanie de Silva of Peradeniya University and an old girl of the College and Basil Fernando and Hilary Costa also spoke. Assistant Secretary, St. Mary's Old Boys' Association, Noel Samaranayake delivered the vote of thanks. |
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