The President's historic visit to St. John's, Nugegoda:

Red letter day for Johnians

Jagath C. Savanadasa

It was indeed a historic visit that President Mahinda Rajapaksa made to St.John's, Nugegoda which has rendered a great service to the community in this part of the country. The visit was the first by an Executive President of the Republic of Sri Lanka.

Thus Saturday 27th March 2010 was a red letter day not only for the young Johnians who braved El Nino's (or is it global warmimg's) pitiless heat to give ear to President Rajapaksa's meticulous delivery in a thought provoking address, but also to the thousands present including old boys of all ages, representatives of other school's in Nugegoda and its citizens. From the point of view of the ancient town of Nugegoda too which has a recorded history of 500 years reaching to the era of the last King of Kotte, the visit of the Head of the State was a milestone.

During the British era St John's has had the honour of an official visit by a former Governor of the Colony. Sir Andrew Caldecott. Later another Governor General William Gopallawa visited the School when this country was known as Ceylon.

The President was at the hallowed grounds housing St John's fast approaching the magical hundred years of existence to formally open a Rs.45 million four storeyed building which fulfills a long-felt need for additional classrooms in the school. St. John's has a student population of 3800 today.

A significant feature of the entire event which only took a little over two hours was the fact that it was totally devoid of political overtones and rhetoric. This was highly commendable since the country is on the brink of a national election. Any Government would tend to take advantage of a major community development project of this nature so as to reach out to the electorate' especially an electorate as influential and important as Nugegoda. But it did not.

Inspirational

The core of the President's address was on children. It was inspirational since it focused on the crucial necessity to think in terms of the future of the children.

He stressed that after all it was they who would eventually carry the burden of running this country. Therefore their upbringing in an appropriate manner had to be ensured.

Also the children had to be so moulded as to ensure that they attuned themselves to the needs of a modern nation and society.

He said that despite his busy schedule he made every effort to be present at sports events in which his children participated. As a result he encouraged them to do their best in sports.

The President was in a reminiscent mood. He recalled travelling by bus to and from Nugegoda as a schoolboy, when he was resident in this bustling town. That statement revealed his simplicity and candour.

Champions

He added that as a youngster he was aware that St. John's had a particularly notable record in sports. The President specifically mentioned Boxing in this regard and he was right on target on this point.

An outstanding personality St. John's produced in this field was the late Dixon Kotalawela who was national champion and who became independent Sri Lanka's first Director of Civil Aviation. Yet another was G.R. Jackson who won the Best Boxer's cup at the Stubbs Shield meet in 1954.

The President's address was followed by that address of the Education Minister Susil Premjayantha which too was devoid of political rhetoric.

The Minister did not fail to mention the delightful days of school life at St John's and those teachers who guided him in the formative years.

During this writer's time at school, St. John's produced many brilliant men such as the late Dr. Anura Goonasekara former Secretary, Ministry of Information and his brother Ananda Goonasekara former Ambassador, Prof. Brian Wickramasinghe an internationally reputed economist at Uppsala University Sweden, Daya Karunaratna one-time Acting Postmaster General and the late Nandana Savanadasa Aeronautical Engineer who was Deputy Chief Electronics Engineer at the Oman Aviation System in the early 1970s.

The first Minister though of a non Cabinet rank St John's produced was Ariya Gunatillake who was Minister of Textile Industries during the regime of President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

The Old Boys Association submitted a request to the President through its Secretary Chandana Perera seeking that the school be elevated to a national school.

At the conclusion of the proceedings the President in a gesture of goodwill and friendship walked up to the different tents accommodating in particular the old boys.

He exchanged greetings with Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne, Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, Daya Wickramaratne, Ranjith Cooray, past President OBA and Lawyer Upali Ambalanduwa, also a past President, Ajith Mahendra the affable acting President of the OBA and its former President and one time public schools champion athlete Sunimal Rupasingha.

Ranjith Cooray who was one of best batsmen in the schools in the 1960s also played cricket for the SSC like Daya Wickramaratna and Shamal de Silva yet another President of the OBA.

In another tent the President exchanged greetings with senior old boys, Capt. Douglas de Silva, former public schools athlete, Gary de Silva former St. John's and Colts CC cricketer who is on holiday from Australia and was lucky to be present on this rare occasion, besides former Superintendent of Police, Alfred Seneviratne.

The ceremony a difficult and complex event was well organized by the Principal, the staff and the O.B.A of the school. Mention must be made in this regard of the support extended by the President of the OBA, Lt. Colonel Michael Wanniarachchi a true officer and gentleman, Ajith Mahendra, Executive Vice President, Chandana Perera, Aruna Shantha the joint Secretries and Treasurer Dhanarathna de Alwis together with the other members of the Executive Committee.

The writer is a former President of the Old Boys Association of St. John's College Nugegoda