The Lion of Ruhuna will lead us 'From Darkness to Light'

TRIBUTE: It's a pleasure and privilege to write about our new President, Mahinda Rajapakse. Without any doubt Mahinda Rajapakse is the most illustrious son of Thurstan College.

Born in 1945 and entering Thurstan College in 1957 (Form 6), Mahinda completed 8 years of secondary schooling at Thurstan upto 1964 finishing his OLs and ALs. Apart from active participation in sports, Mahinda had a flair for public speaking and was a powerful debater. Politics was his destined vocation and at the age of 25 entered Parliament in 1970 as its youngest member.

When he visited his Alma-Mater after his appointment as Prime Minister in 2004 he stated that 'next to my loving Parents, it is my school that led me to where I am today, to serve the public of Sri Lanka'.

Loyalty is paramount to Mahinda and this aspect of his mettle is seen throughout his career whether at Thurstan College, as a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party or as a member of Parliament and Cabinet.

His two 'Mentors' at Thurstan College were the late Principal Mr. M. D. Gunewardene and the late Col. Kingsley Fernando, who Mahinda says 'took great pains in leading us through to the thresholds of our lives'.

He also stated that it was good to see the school we knew, the land of youth and dream' and that nostalgic memories still seem to ring a bell whenever he passed by Thurstan College.

Shakespeare said 'There comes a tide in men's affairs, which when taken in the flood, leads to fortune'. It did not take too long for him to clinch the top job, and was declared the winner of the Presidential election on the 18th November 2005 an awesome present on one's 60th Birthday, Mahinda has made all Thurstanites proud, and he is our Champion who wears a 22 carat gold College Crest of 1.6 sovereigns presented to him by our longest serving and current Principal Mr. R. D. M. P. Weeratunge.

Mahinda is a testimony to the adage that if one is truly dedicated and loyal to one's cause there is victory at the end. Thurstan has taught him to take victory and defeat in its stride.

Mahinda can walk through the portals of power with the humility imbibed by him from the pol-atu and takaran classrooms of Thurstan. He has stated in his inaugural address as President that he is the 'Trustee' of the People and not the Master.

Thurstan College Old Boys Union held a felicitation dinner in May 2004 to honour their first Prime Minister at the Colombo Plaza and on that occasion Mahinda recalled with pride his early days at Thurstan where we all mixed with Tamils, Muslims and Burghers alike, and with boys of all religions and said that this is what we need today for Sri Lanka.

Tolerance is another strong point of Mahinda which has been nurtured in him from his school days which will stand in good stead for the future.

As a leader he brings a new dimension to bear on the nation, a new brand of leadership never seen in the past, a strong but 'humble servant' model of leadership, that will capture the imagination of the people.

A leadership not confined to the self-interests of a few but serving the common good in entirety. The famous poet Wordsworth said 'Some people see the world as it is and ask Why? I see the world as it could be and ask "Why Not".

Mahinda has come at a time when Sri Lanka is at a critical point of its Human Affairs such as political, social, economic and business which needs clarity, purpose and direction.

A new beginning is required after 58 years of post-independent indecision, inaction and wasted opportunity. Mahinda has the will and vision for his people and he will return "Lanka" once more to its ancient glory and fame as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'.

Colonial chaplaine Rev. Joseph Thurstan after whom the Thurstan Road as well as our school was named, established an Industrial School in 1859 on the site Thurstan College now stands and the Government Senior School was founded in 1950 when the last occupants of these premises the Teacher Training College moved to Maharagama.

On the occasion of its first Prize Giving in March 1953 The Government Senior School was renamed Thurstan College.

The spirit of Joseph Thurstan is still a luminary to all Thurstanites including its now famous son President Mahinda Rajapakse who will accomplish our school 'Motto' by leading all Sri Lankans living at home and abroad from 'Darkness to Light'.

Trevor Jayetileke, Past President, Thurstan College, OBU, Victoria Branch, Australia.