The Untold Story Behind Royal College's Photography Monopoly

Millions in Untraceable Cash: The Untold Story Behind Royal College's Photography Monopoly

Royal College, being the largest school in Sri Lanka, has countless events every year — sports meets, concerts, scout camps, prize givings, drama festivals, you name it. And naturally, every parent wants to capture those proud moments of their children through photographs.

But behind those smiling photos lies a disturbing story.

There’s one man — just one — who is allowed to take official photos at all Royal College events. His name? Nimal. He’s been given the unofficial monopoly to cover every single event, take pictures for school ID cards, record books, and even has a dedicated office space right at the entrance of the Skills Centre, which is prime real estate in the heart of Colombo 7.

Let’s pause here for a moment —

📍 How did he get this privilege?

📍 Was there any transparent selection process?

📍 What are the terms of this so-called “agreement”?

Nobody seems to know.

No Bills. No Receipts. Just Cash.

Parents are charged for these photos, usually starting from Rs. 200 and going upwards — sometimes much higher. The payment? Cash only. No receipts. No transparency.

Multiply that by thousands of students and dozens of events throughout the year — and you’re looking at millions of rupees, completely unaccounted for. No taxes, no school benefit, no audits.

The biggest question is:

👉 Where is this money going?

👉 Who is benefitting behind the scenes?

👉 Why is this allowed to happen within a government school?

What About the School’s Own Photography Society?

Here’s the real kicker — Royal College has its own talented Photography Society with bright, passionate students who are more than capable of covering these events.

If they were given the opportunity:

✅ They could charge a small fee.

✅ Parents would still get quality memories.

✅ The funds could be used to develop the society, invest in better equipment, and even go towards the School Development Society.

That’s a win-win for everyone — except, of course, those making money under the table.

A Missed Opportunity – Or a Protected Racket?

Let’s be honest. This is not just a missed opportunity. This looks like a protected income stream for a few, allowed to operate under the radar.

Why hasn’t the school called for open tenders or given opportunities to other photographers? Why is this private business allowed to operate freely inside school grounds, with zero benefit to the school?

If done right, this could easily be turned into:

📌 A revenue stream for the school.

📌 A learning opportunity for students.

📌 A transparent and fair system that benefits everyone.

Instead, it’s become an unchecked, cash-based business thriving in secrecy, right in front of everyone’s eyes.

Time to Ask the Hard Questions

Is this a school for students?

Or a business hub for a selected few?

It’s time parents, old boys, teachers, and even the authorities take a closer look at how Royal College is being run — and who is profiting while hiding behind a camera lens.

Because behind every smiling photo... there’s a story that needs to be developed.