Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College Silver Jubilee celebration

“Kalabhooshanam” Chelvatamby Manicavasagar

JUBILEE CELEBRATION: The Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College which was established in 1981 is celebrating its Silver Jubilee on Thursday (20.09.2007) at the New Kathiresan Hall, Colombo 4.

The Minister of Education Susil Premajayanth will be the chief guest while the Dean of the Faculty of Education of the Colombo University Professor S. Sandrasekaram will be the guests of honour. Mrs. Kothai Nagularajah, Principal of this college has made elaborate arrangements for the success of this function.

In fact, the Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College has served the Hindu Community very splendidly offering the wholesome education which Plato defined as “the first and the fairest thing that the best of men and women can ever have”.

Several years ago eminent lawyers, great educationists and philanthropists of Colombo felt the need for a

 powerful Educational Institution which can impart education, integrating the essence of Hinduism and the nobility of the Tamil heritage.

The year 1979 was significant in the life of the Hindu Girls of Colombo, because it was in this year, a concerted effort was taken to establish a suitable and worthy Educational Institution in Colombo for Hindu Girls.

In fact, when the late President J. R. Jayewardene was the chief guest at the ceremonial opening of the “Presidential block” on the 17th of January 1979 at the Colombo Hindu College, a humble request was made by the then Principal of Hindu College T. Sangaralingam emphasising the importance of establishing of a Hindu Ladies Institutions in Colombo.

President J. R. Jayewardene agreed to this request and thereafter an appeal was made to Dr. Palaniappa Chettiar, Chief Trustee of New Kathiresan Temple for the required land and the President helped the authorities to acquire the Temple Land which was officially handed over on 31st January 1979 where the present building is housed now.

Further, Dr. Nissanka Wijeyaratne, the then Minister of Education played a key role in the establishment of the college.

The school which was established on the 19th of January 1981 with two classes, the lower kindergarten and grade VI had only 26 students and two teachers. Mrs. G. Puvanarajan was appointed as the Principal on February 18, 1981 and the late Mrs. M. Arunagirinathan as the first teacher. Even the classes were conducted at Colombo Hindu College, Bambalapitiya.

The formal inauguration ceremony of the school at its own premises was held on January 25, 1982 and the President J. R. Jayewardene, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mr. Anura Bastian were present at the ceremony.

Though, this school was opened in 1982, it was closed down in June 1983 owing to unforeseen circumstances and it was used as a Refugee camp. During this period the classes were conducted at St. Mary’s School, Bambalapitiya.

Furthermore, on account of the changes which took place in the Educational planning at this period, it became imperative that special care ought to be taken to cater to the needs of Hindu girls.

In fact, due to the constant and continued support and realistic approach shown by the Founder members like late C. Ranganathan Q.C., D. M. Swaminathan, Attorney-at-Law and former Governor of the Western Province and Chairman of the National Savings Bank and present Treasurer of the UNP, Dr. R. M. Palaniappa Chettiar, N. Sivapathasundaram, J. Sangaralingam, K. Shanmugalingam, M. Balasubramaniam and K. Sivagananathan, the College’s official inauguration took place on 25.06.1982.

Furthermore several people donated cash, furniture and equipment to the college. Special mention should be made about former State Minister Mrs. R. M. Pulendran who donated Rs. 500,000 from the decentralised budget for the hall and 87 chairs and traditional oil lamp to the school.

Even Mavai Senathirajah donated Rs. 500,000. Though there were two principals who piloted the affairs of this school, the year 1988 marked a turning point in the history of Ramanathan, Hindu Ladies College when Mrs. R. Sivagurunathan was appointed as Principal, she propelled this school towards the destination of incomparable stature with selfless sacrifice, farsightedness and loving care.

She was one of the few principals in Sri Lanka to receive Gold Medal from the Sri Lanka Association for the advancement of Education in 1996.

Indeed Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College is always on the Educational map since the students always demonstrated their skilful displays, exhibited their experience and commitment and established their superiority over others in the spheres of studies, sports and various other extra-curricular activities.

The present principal Mrs. Kothai Nagularajah is a dedicated teacher and an exceptional human being with exemplary character. She is a charming lady who inspires trust and loyalty and is herself a person of unimpeachable integrity and honesty. She has high moral standards and unwavering desire for truth.

She was educated at Sarasalai Sri Ganesha Vidyalayam, Chavakachcheri Hindu College and Point Pedro Methodist Girls High School. In 1981 she entered the University of Jaffna and obtained a Special Degree in Economics in 1987. On completion of her University career, she was appointed as a Teacher in 1989.

Though she got this appointment in 1989, she could not take it up due to unavoidable circumstances. In 1993 only she was employed as a Graduate teacher. She was teaching at Amirthamarikai Vidyalayam at Nunavil East from 1993-1997. In 1997 she joined the Jaffna Hindu Ladies College.

While she was employed as a teacher at the above school, she was a part time teacher at Palaly Teachers’ Training College. In 1997 she obtained her Diploma and in 2000 she was made as a permanent teacher at Palaly Teachers’ Training College and was in charge of the primary section.

Further, she got a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Meepe University in Padukka and Masters Degree in Teachers Education from the Colombo Open University. In the year 2000 she was promoted to SLEAS-3.

Mrs. Kothai Nagularajah’s greatness is unique. There is a ring of authenticity and nobility of courage in whatever she does, she is constantly pragmatic and practical in her appearance to the problems of the students and willing to seek out and accept solutions wherever they could be found.

She always believe in team work and put her heart and soul into the activities of the students. She is a principal and teacher who believes in deeds and her life is on inspiring saga of service and sacrifice.

Indeed, the commemoration of the college’s 25th Anniversary of the Founding of the school fills us with righteous pride and pleasure. Further, this is a timely, well deserved and beautiful gesture on the part of the Principal, teachers, students and members of the School Development Society.

Undoubtedly, the great and glorious celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College, exhort us to remember with gratitude of the scholarly founders as well as the commitment of her past and present principal and teachers who have elevated this college to a prestigious position in Sri Lanka and given her fame, glory and global dimension.