The annual Prize Giving ceremony of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia for the year of 2022 was held on Founder’s Day, the 3rd of February, 2023 at College Main Hall. The Chief Guest for the event was Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando, the Vicar-General of the Diocese of Kurunagala. All prizes, class and special prizes for 2022, excluding that of the lower school were awarded.
The school was filled with the rhythmic sounds of the Hewisi Band and an exhibition by the oriental dancers led the Chief Guest’s procession into the Hall. The proceedings began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the prayer led by Brother Lionel Peiris SSF. The Warden, Rev. Marc Billimoria, then presented the Warden’s Report for the year 2022.
He began by speaking of the economic crisis and turbulent political situation that had affected Sri Lanka throughout 2022 and spoke of the Thomian Community being able to keep moving forward despite all the difficulties that had had to be faced. He introduced the Chief Guest, Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando, as a scholar, and spoke at length about his career in the Church of Ceylon.
After highlighting some of the notable achievements of our boys in academics and extra and co-curricular activities the Warden reflected on the current crisis facing the Sri Lankan education system, lamenting the lack of a cohesive national policy and the apparent lack of will to implement some of the far-reaching reforms that have been proposed in recent years that would, if and when implemented, would revolutionise the system. He spoke of the many questions that were before schools like ours as to what kind of education we should offer in the midst of the challenging times and concluded that unless we aimed at producing all-round, integrated and decent men to serve the church, nation and the world we would be failing as a school. During the report, as in past years, he went on to award the Bishop James Chapman Memorial Medal of Honour to this year’s selected recipient, Janindu Dela, who is our current Head Prefect.
Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando in his address spoke appreciatively of the school having been able to rise and meet the many challenges of the past and whatever was to come in the year ahead. He applauded the school for having contributed to the nation’s life over its long history. At the end of his speech, he presented the Warden with three of his published books to be used in the College Library.
The Bishop’s wife, Mrs. Arlene Mcshane, was then invited to perform the tiring task of giving out the sectional class prizes for the year 2022. The Thomian Chamber Orchestra performed a musical interlude between the awarding of the academic prizes and the awarding of the special prizes, performing ‘Last Minute Latin’. This marked the return of the band as this was their first performance after a lengthy break.
Bishop Keerthisiri was then invited to present the annual special prizes, that included awards for excellence in the spheres of literature, oratory, sciences, and physical sciences, as well as our students’ noteworthy achievements in extra-curricular activities and public examinations. The last few prizes on the list of special prizes are among the most prestigious prizes to be received by a Thomian, culminating in the Victoria Gold Medal for the Best All-Round Student of the School which was awarded to the Head Prefect, J. N. Dela.
The Sub Warden then proposed the vote of thanks which was followed by the seconding of the same by the Head Prefect who did so in the usual customary light-hearted manner. This year the request for the customary prize giving holiday was made in a unique way by the Head Prefect requesting one holiday per term! Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando confirmed that he had been successful in his attempt to convince the Warden to declare Monday, the 6th of February a holiday, but said he could not answer for the other two requests. The singing of the College Song followed by the National Anthem led by the College Chapel Choir and Western Band and the Head Prefect’s call for ‘three hearty cheers for the chief guest’ brought the proceedings to a close.
‘An award is not the end goal; but rather a symbolic confirmation of your potential future success’.
Wayne Chirisa.