St. Sylvester's College

St. Sylvester's College
ශාන්ත සිල්වෙස්තර විද්‍යාලය, මහනුවර
புனித சில்வெஸ்டர் கல்லூரி, கண்டி

Statue of Sylvester Gozzolini at St. Sylvester's College, Kandy
Motto Fortiter in re
(Success through dedication)
Established 1 November 1940
Type Boys public school
Principal Mr. T.Ranil.S. Meetiyagoda
Students 3000+
Location Kandy, Sri Lanka
Colours Maroon, Ivory, and Blue
              
Website www.sylvesterscollegekandy.com

St Sylvester's College, Kandy is a college in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.

History

St. Sylvester’s began as a separate institution on 1 November 1940 with very Rev. Fr. D. Robert. Perera O.S.B. as the principal. The college owed its inception to the foresight of his Lordship Bishop Bernardo Regno O.S.B. and Abbot Weerasinghe, the heads of the Sylvestro-Benedictine congregation. They felt that a good catholic school in Kandy town was a prime need, once St. Anthony’s had been completely shifted to its home on the banks of the Mahaweli at Katugastota. Rev father Robert was given the tremendous task of rearing the new that had just been born. St. Sylvester’s had made name for itself in the field of education, not only in Kandy but also throughout the length and breadth of the island. Starting with a mere 250 pupils and 12 teachers in 1940.

Father Robert was not expected to do big things at St. Sylvester’s. The buildings were not teeming with scholars, the laboratories were empty, and libraries were without books. Even the wherewithal to run the school was not available. It is said that he had to start with an over draft, but the picture of the institution now is a very different one. It is full to capacity, and its financial stability is assured. The authoritarian of the Sylvestro-Benedictines intended originally to develop St. Sylvester’s only as a junior school and affiliated to St. Anthony’s but such restrictions were not dampen the ardour of Father Robert. He early had visions of his institution as a collegiate school, second to none in the Island.

Principals

School anthem

St. Sylvester’s College has used various school anthems since 1940. First his sons were singing ‘Pasal Mavuni Jaya Wewa’ anthem and in the 1970s it was changed to ‘Dana Mana Ranjitha’ anthem.

Affirmation of Oath of School

I am legitimate of my Alma mater St. Sylvesters college, with a long prestigious history. In order to achieve the maximum benefits of my school days, I do hereby affirm to carry out my tasks under the supervision and guidance of the principal and the staff, and guide my colleagues along the correct path, to follow the rules and regulations of the school to the world, to maintain cordial relationship with the whole student population of the school, to actively participate in the matters pertaining to subject of study, to respect and honour my school, with all my might and to follow the path of distinguished old Sylvestrians.

St. Sylvester's Old Scout Union

In 1945 St. Sylvester's College, Kandy started their first scout troop with the patronage of our founder Rev. Fr. Robert M. Perera. The scout troop had been started by Mr. B.M. Guyes.

In the year 1949 just four years afterwards, Mr. B.M. Guyes had left us leaving our scout in charge of Rev. Fr.Dom George who was a very keen scouter. Next came Mr. K.S. Gunarathne. He was joined by another able scouters Mr. N.H. Shalwyn and Mr. W.L.D.V. Jayawardene.

Both of these scout masters had contributed in great measure to the success of our scouts troop. In the year 1950 our scouts had been able to win the "Island Merit Flag", awarded to the best troop in the Island. The presentation was made by His Excellency Governor General Lord Soulbury. In 1986 and 1988 our group won the "Gulam Hussain" flag for the group with highest number of president's scouts.

Millennium Sylvestrians Union (MSU)

Millennium Sylvestrian Union is for the Sylvestrians who sat for their A/Ls in 2000 and above in St Sylvester's College, Kandy, Sri Lanka and it was established in 2010. Even though the MSU was formed by the batch of 2000, it has been a practice that everyone takes part in all the events organized by the MSU.Sylvestrians Motor Rally which is organized annually during the Big Match (Battle of the Babes) between St. Sylvester's College & Vidyartha College is one of the main event organized by MSU.

St.Sylvester's College Gymnastics Club

In 2002 St.Sylvester's College introduced "Gymnastics" as a primary Sport to the College Students. St.Sylvester's Gymnastics Club founded by The Principal, Mr. T.R.S.Meetiyagoda, Assistant Principal Mr. A.K.B. Dodanwala, former Prefect of Games Mr. D.C. Mahawaththage & Mr.Amal Rasanga Liyanagamage. (Coach & Old Boy)

St.Sylvester's College Gymnastics Team could win number of National and Provincial victories during this short period.

Recent Victories:

Patron: The Principal, Mr. T.R.S.Meetiyagoda Master in Charge: Mr.Hemantha A. Ranasinghe Head Coach: Mr.Amal Rasanga Liyanagamage Captain: Ravindu Shehan

Units, forums, associations, clubs and societies

  • Art Unit – Ridee Pahan Weta Add
  • Association Of Occult Investigation
  • Astronomical Society
  • Athletics’
  • Badminton Union
  • Boxing
  • Broadcasting And Media Unit
  • Buddhist Pupil’s Association
  • Cadet Band
  • Cadetting
  • Catholic And Christian Circle
  • Chess
  • Commerce Society
  • Cricket Union
  • Debating Forum
  • Drama Society
  • Drug Prevention Unit
  • Electronics Society
  • English Literary Association
  • Environmental Society
  • Environmental Task Force
  • Football
  • Gymnastic
  • Hindu Students Association
  • Hockey
  • Information Technology Club
  • Interact Club
  • Islamic Union
  • Junior Global Link Club
  • Karate
  • Lifting
  • Mathematics Society
  • Music Circle
  • New Invention Unit
  • Photographic Society – The Dark
  • Psychology Association
  • Quiz Circle
  • Radio Group
  • Road Traffic Warden
  • Rugby Union
  • Rugger Team (Dark Horses)
  • Science And Technology Society
  • Scrabble club
  • Sinhala Literary Association
  • Social Services Society
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Sylvestrians Magazine
  • Table Tennis
  • Tamil Literary Association
  • Teachers’ Guild
  • Unesco Circle
  • United Nations’ Children’s Forum
  • Volleyball Union
  • Wild Life Union
  • Wushu
  • Youth Exploration Society

Notable alumni, list of Old Sylvestrians

Artists and media personalities

Academics

Diplomats

Entrepreneurs and businessmen

Government and politics

Senior civil servants

Judges and Senior Counsel

Military and police

Sri Lankan Army

Sri Lankan Navy

Sri Lanka Air Force

Sri Lankan Police

Professionals

Sportsmen and administrators

Vernon.Nanayakkara -Athlete,Cricketer Athletic coach,Cadet Officer and Sports Administrator.

Religion

Buddhist Sangha

Catholic

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Sylvester's College.