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The Royal College Union Skills Centre Auditorium was the venue for the 15^th Loyalty Pledge Scholarship Awards ceremony, on 30^th June 2017, to award 200 scholarships.

Donors, who were past Royalists and non-Royalists as well, were pinned Purple Orchids on their shirt lapels. Parents who had travelled from afar sat in the hall anticipating the event, and the students and undergraduates, proud recipients of the awards, crowded the ceremony, symbolic of transformation, progress and a journey of incessant love.

The 15^th Anniversary of the Loyalty Pledge Ceremony also epitomised the vision of its founders, to empower young Royalists to become high achievers at Royal College, with a plan to succeed in the future, in a chosen career.

The event was presided over by the patron of Royal College Union (RCU), the Principal of Royal College, Mr. B.A. Abeyrathne. The selected recipients received their accolades from the Principal of Royal College, Vice-Principals, Past Royalists and Committee Members of Loyalty Pledge, at the ceremony.

Donors who had generously given, took time off to attend the ceremony. Non-Royalist well-wishers sent messages while foreign donors expressed positive sentiments about the programme. ‘Re-paying the debt’ to one’s beloved alma mater had influenced others to give as well, permeating to the society at large.

This year, 185 school students and 12 undergraduates who were short-listed for the awards ceremony were privileged to be part of the ceremony. The Loyalty Pledge Committee had spent weeks on assessing the details of the students to ensure that the benchmarks of 60 marks and participation in a sport and society were met. The 12 undergraduates that were present were also selected on merit and economic need.

The recipients were exposed to the experience, insights and wisdom of their senior Royalists on this special day.

On the 25^th of February, marked the annual health camp successfully organised for the 19^th consecutive year, by the Royal College Doctors’ Association for the present and past teachers of the College and their spouses.

Principal of Royal College Mr.B.A. Abeyrathna graced the occasion as the chief guest, while, former principals of Royal College Mr.B. Sooriarachchi & Mr. S.H. Kumarasinghe were present as guests of honour.

Rev sister Siyaguna, Secretary of Royal College past teachers’ association Mrs. Ramya Dharmavardene  , Vice Principal of the senior school Mr. P.Wickramasinghe,  Senior Games Master Mr. M.A.M Riyas,  assistant secretary of the RCU Mr.Mithila Mendis,  president of the RCDA Dr.Ajith Thennakoon and the secretary of the RCDA Dr.Dineth Jayawardhana were among the distinguished guests, present at the occation.

Over 450 teachers, both past and present, attended the screening programme.  Nearly 200 doctors, all being old Royalist, from diverse areas of specialisation gathered to offer their services as a mark of gratitude to the teachers of their almamater, as a means of repaying their debt.

The RCDA applauds, the chief organizer of the teachers clinic 2018 Dr. Manola Nanayakkara, and  his assistant organizers Dr Krishantha Peiris and Dr Dinesh Ranasinghe, for a  job well done; while acknowledging the effort of the sedulous and efficient  team of doctors who worked tirelessly with them for the past three months up to the run up of the event, in order to make this event, a roaring success.

The glittering Alles-Gunasekera Cup made its inaugural journey to Reid Avenue to take shelter at Royal College when their Under-19 cagers scored a calculated win over Gateway College at the Henry Pedris Basketball Complex on Saturday, 17^th Feb 2018.

The game got off at a terrific pace as both sides made speedy invasions into each other’s territory, with brave attempts to score.

Royal went ahead in the first quarter 18-11. Gateway tried to come back to the game in the second quarter adding 15 shoots, but Royal playing a more organised game closed with a 30-26 lead at half-time.

Both sides tried to dominate during the third quarter and the spectators witnessed a superb game of basketball, with some electrifying movements, with each school trying to improve their respective tallies.

Both sides missed some opportunities, but Royal never stopped from where they started and ended the third quarter with a lead of 40-34.

It was a ding dong battle in the final quarter, but Royal lived up to their reputation of National Schools Basketball champion and ended the game with a close 46-43 score, the proud winners of the inaugural encounter.

Chavaan De Costa of Gateway College was adjudged the Best Offensive Player while the Best Defensive Player award was won by Royal skipper Tharindu Balasuriya.

Rukshan Athapaththu of Royal College walked away with the Most Valuable Player of the Match award.

Inaugural Dinner

Royal College Basketball Advisory and Management Committee hosted a dinner at Royal College MAS Arena on 15^th February 2018, to mark the inaugural Royal – Gateway Annual Basketball Encounter played for the Alles – Gunasekera Cup.

Players and support staff of both teams, Principal of Royal College and Chairman of Gateway College with their key school officials, members of the Joint Organising Committee, dignitaries of the RCU together with the members of the Royal College Basketball Advisory and Management Committee were present at this momentous occasion.

This dinner was aimed at building and developing camaraderie between both the teams and institutions to pave the way for a rich set of lasting traditions revolving around this prestigious encounter.

Senior Games Master’s Room and Counselling Room re-furbished.

The Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of Royal College Union has been instrumental in preserving, re-furbishing and beautifying selected buildings and rooms of their majestic alma mater, so that present day Royalists, enjoy facilities on par with the best standards of a premier public school.

Adding another feather to their cap, the IDC collaborated with RC Group of ‘70 and spearheaded the re-furbishment of the Senior Games’ Master’s Room and Counselling Room. This is the 19^th project undertaken by the IDC.

The two rooms were ceremoniously opened by the Principal of Royal College on February 14^th, 2018.

The Principal of Royal College, Mr. B.A. Abeyrathna commended the efforts taken by the IDC, in supporting two critical facets of a student’s life; the necessity for counselling and participation in sports.

The Secretary, Royal College Union, Mr. Athula Munasinghe stated that he was pleased to wear two ‘hats’ on the occasion.

He cited Major H.L. Reed’s ethos of being an exemplary Old Boy Union, and sharing time, talent and resources for the benefit of Royal College and its students, as being paramount.

Orchestrating the projects and seeing to every minute detail, together with the expertise of the IDC, Mr. Mahinda Galagedera, Chairman, said he was pleased that his Committee was instrumental in giving back to their beloved alma mater, and preserving the aesthetic beauty of College.

Members of the IDC, RC group of ’70, Principal, the Senior Games Master, Mr. M.M. Riyaz, Royal College Counsellor, Mr. Ajith Herath, Chief Architect, Mr. Nalin Jayasinghe, senior masters and representatives from the Royal College Union, were present on the occasion.

Chairman – Volleyball Advisory and management Committee

In a Right Royal competition, Sri Lanka produced its first World Youth Scrabble Champion! Sixteen year-old Royalist Aabid Ismail won the WESPA Youth Cup 2017, edging out 15-year-old fellow Royalist Janul de Silva by ½ a point. Vignesh Pirapaharan (15 years) of LIS, Panadura was 8^th. The victories secured by Aabid (20.5), Janul (20) and Vignesh (16) also enabled Sri Lanka to annex its third consecutive World Team Title at this event, which was conducted for players in the Under 18 age group by the World English Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA). This year’s WESPA Youth Cup (formerly known as World Youth Scrabble Championship) was held in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, from 27 – 29 November and was the largest ever, attracting 178 players from 15 countries.

Janul also emerged as the Under 16 Champion, whilst Adheesha Dissanayake (Willesden International College) emerged as the Under 10 Champion.

Royal had the distinction of having 4 members in the National Team this year, with Qays Sangani (15 years) and Pasindu Mallawarachchi (16 years) being placed 20^th and 45^th respectively.

Royal is the only school that has produced at least one representative throughout the 12 years of this Championship. Royalists have been consistent performers at successive World Youth Scrabble Championships, with Aabid being the 2^nd runner-up, Under 16 Champion and winner of the high word score in 2016, Janul emerged 4^th, as well as Under 14 Champion in 2015 and Qays was placed 8^th in 2016.

Janul also represented Sri Lanka at WESPAC 2017 (formerly known as World Scrabble Championship). He was the youngest player at the Championship and secured 16 wins out of 32 games.

Aabid’s and Janul’s performances capped an excellent year for Royal Scrabblers where the following individual titles were secured, in addition to all major team titles.

National Scrabble Championship – Aabid Ismail

Scrabbler of the Year – Janul de Silva

Premier Players’ Tournament – Janul de Silva

Astar Scrabble Challenge International (Under 15) – Janul de Silva

Highest Rated Junior Scrabbler – Janul de Silva

Most Improved Scrabbler – Qays Sangani

School Scrabbler of the Year – Aabid Ismail

Sri Lanka Schools Scrabble Association (Under 18) – Aabid Ismail

It was simply a Royal performance by our boxers at the 100th Stubbs Shield meet held at the Royal MAS Arena, from 7th to 10th October 2017. Having trained under Head Coach, Ibunu Abdulla, six of the eight member team were able to qualify for the finals. At the finals, four boxers won their weight classes and ended up winning Gold Medals, while the other two ended up with Silver Medals. The 2016 Royal College Captain, U. M. B. Niranjana was adjudged Best Boxer of the meet. Principal of Royal College, Mr. B A. Abeyrathna, handed over the Shield. The Teachers in charge of Boxing, Mr. Janaka Atulugama and Mrs. A. D. S. de Silva and the Senior Games Master, Mr. Riyaz Aluher were also present, along with members of the Royal College Union – Boxing Advisory & Management Committee Members.

Medal Winners

52 Kg Weight Class – M. M. A. Ahamed won a Gold Medal

56 Kg Weight Class – U. M. B. Niranjana won a Gold Medal

56 Kg Weight Class – H. V. D. Hettiarachchi won a Gold Medal (Youth)

75 Kg Weight Class – P. Samarasinghe won a Gold Medal (Youth)

60 Kg Weight Class – M. A. M. Aseen won a Silver Medal (Youth)

64 Kg weight Class – V. Attygalle won a Silver Medal (Youth)

49 Kg Weight Class – R. A. Altaf won a Bronze Medal (Youth)

52Kg Weight Class – M. I. M. Ishaq won a Bronze Medal (Youth)

The team Captain, M. A. Ahamed thanked the Event Organizers, Referees & Judges, The Principal of Royal College, Senior Games Master and the Teachers in charge, President of the ABA Mr. Dian Gomes and all ABA Ex-co Members, Secretary and members of the Royal College Union and the RCU – Boxing Advisory and Management Committee, the members of the Royal Boxing Club, Past and Present Boys of Royal College, who supported the team and to all the academic staff at the College, saying “If not for all of you this achievement wouldn’t have been possible – after a hiatus of 30 years.”

A brief History of Royal College Boxing – Courtesy of Mr. Priantha Malavi (Immediate Past Chairman RCU – Boxing Advisory and Management Committee)

The first Ceylonese and the first Royalist to make headway in boxing overseas was Donald Obeyesekere. He fought his way to victory at Cambridge at the turn of the 19th century, way back in 1898. On his return to Ceylon, his set resolve was to further the cause of boxing, which is an art of self-defence in schools, and Royal became one of the chief beneficiaries. To remedy the dearth of organised sports, boxing was introduced to Royal in 1913.

The Principal then, was Mr. Charles Hartley. A challenge shield was presented for the inter-house boxing champions in 1919 by Mr. Donald Obeyesekere and this gave Royal a head-start over most other schools. Mr. L. Mac D Robison, a Director of Education also assisted in training the boys. The son of the Bishop of Oxford, Sir R. E. Stubbs, when serving as the Colonial Secretary of Ceylon, bestowed a thrust to boxing, that is still very much alive, by presenting the Stubbs Shield, for competition among schools in 1914, making them veritable nurseries of the noble art. It could be said of Donald Obeyesekere, that he lit the torch of boxing at Royal, which was ably carried on by his son, Danton, for 55 years!

This is best illustrated by the fact that Royal has participated in every Stubbs Shield meet since its inception in 1914, except in the years 1999 and 2010.

Danton Obeyesekere was the first Royalist to win the Best Boxer’s Cup at the Stubbs Shield in 1925 and later became the first Asian to captain Cambridge University in any sport, in 1928.

The other Cambridge ‘Blues’ were Steve Dassanayake, Frederick Obeyesekere, Cedric de Soysa and Ponnambalam Rajendram, whilst Chris de Saram captained Oxford University.

A. W. Henricus won a gold medal for the country at the Empire Games in Sydney, Australia in 1938, whilst A. I. Obeyesekere won a bronze medal at the Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand in 1948.

E. I. Gray and A. I. Obeyesekere represented the country at the Olympic Games in London, England in 1948, while B. C. Henricus did so at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, in 1952.

M. A. Jayalath represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in New Delhi, India in 1982.

Danton Obeyesekere, Eddie Gray and Maj.Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya have had the distinction of qualifying as AIBA Referee/Judges.

Royal emerged champions at the Stubbs Shield meet for the first time in 1935 during the centenary year of the College, two years after Danton Obeyesekere had begun coaching the Royal team. Royal’s boxing struck a purple patch during the 1940’s (1944-47) and the 1980’s (1984-87), to set up a series record of four consecutive wins. This record was subsequently broken by Vidyartha College- Kandy, who won for seven consecutive years. (1991-97).

Royal still holds the record for the most number of wins in the Stubbs Shield series with 18 (now 19) wins. The most number of individual wins recorded in the Stubbs Shield series were by A. B. Henricus(7), F. I. T. Labrooy(6), H. Bandara (6), S. B. Samaratunge (5), H. Ousman (5) and M. M. A. Nisthar (5).

Royal has also won the Phelps Memorial Trophy at the A. B. A. Junior Championships on four occasions, the T. B. Jayah Memorial Challenge Cup for Novices on six occasions and the L. V. Jayaweera Challenge Cup for the Freshers, once.

D. V. Boderagama has been the only Royalist to win a National title as a schoolboy, when he won the Fly weight in 1946, at the age of 17.

Royal College, led by SachindraMendis, defeated S. Thomas’ College by 5.5-0.5 pointsin the second annual chess encounter between the schools and thereby became the first winners of the Aturupane-Parakrama Challenge Trophy.  The match was held at the Royal College Union Skill Centre on Thursday, October 12, 2017.

The annual encounter between these traditional rivals was inaugurated in 2016 with Royal scoring a resounding 6-0 victory.  The series tally, as such, stands at 2-0 in favor of Royal.  The Aturupane-Parakrama Challenge Trophy was on offer for the first time this year.

The trophy is named after two prominent chess-playing families.  Harsha Aturupane was one of the strongest players produced by Sri Lanka.  He won the national title on three occasions, the first time whilst still in school.  His brother Harinlal also won the national title on multiple occasions.  Both captained S. Thomas’ and Sri Lanka.  Incidentally, Harinlal’s son represented his school in the Under 15 match.

Chris Parakrama became National Chess Champion in 1973, while still a schoolboy.  His brother, Arjuna, was at one point the Number 1 chess player in the country.  Both captained Royal while Arjuna went on to captain Sri Lanka.  Their father, SaliParakrama, captained Royal in the 1930s and won the unofficial national championship on several occasions in the 1950s and 1960s.

Apart from the Under 20 encounter which was for the trophy, teams of the two schools crossed swords in other age groups as well.

Royal won the Under 17 match 4-2, the Under 15 match 4.5-1.5, the Under 13 match 6-0 and the Under 11 match 5-1.  In the inaugural year, the event was held across three categories, Under 20, Under 15 and Under 13.  Last year too Royal swept S. Thomas’ in all the matches.