Extending Tenure of Current Principal of Royal College

 

President of the Republic of Sri Lanka

Honorable President

Re.Extending Tenure of Current Principal of Royal College

The attached photograph was taken at the Royal College Old Boys Union (Union) 125th Anniversary Dinner where you and I were Guest Speakers. I attach it merely to introduce myself.

My name is Lorenz Pereira (RC 1950 – 1959). I am the eldest son of Prof. E. O. E. Pereira, ex. Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Peradeniya which he established and was subsequently the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya. More importantly, my father was a Senior Vice President of the Union and a Royalist par excellence.

My father was utterly dismayed when he heard that hisson,Lorenz, had been made a Prefect of Royal College. He immediately confronted the Principal, Mr. Dudley de Silvatoinquireas to the basis on which his “rascal” son was elevated to a privileged position of Prefect of Royal College.

Being a passionate Royalist, the values, standards and traditions of Royal College meant more to my father than an accolade for his son.

Mr President, it is because of the apparent erosion of these sacred unique values of Royal College that I am seeking your assistance. Royal College, as you are well awarehas served the country with the utmost distinction producing Statesmen, Academics, Professionals and Sportsmen of the highest caliber since its birth in 1835.Regrettably, of late, that unique Royal asset has tended to have been dissipated.

The main reason that has been identified by Royal College Associations world-wide and by concerned ex Royalists in Sri Lanka is the rapid turn-over of Principals, there being five in the last ten years. No Principal has been in tenure long enoughto make any significant contribution to the evolution of Royal College to meet the demands of the rapidlychanging world outside.As an esteemed Statesman you are fully aware of the significance of quality Leadership.

However, a rainbow of optimism and practicality has come Royal’s way with the appointment of the current Principal, Mr.R. M. M. Rathnayake. His contribution to Royal, in his short stay, has been extraordinary and exemplary.

For instance,he has expanded the Bilingual Education (BE) program at Royalto allow some 150 aspirants to enter each yearand has also initiated a program with an expert of BE at the Australian National University in Canberra aimed at making Royal College BE Teachers the best in the Nation.

Another major contribution of Mr. Rathnayake is his commitment to improving the amenity and facilities for the rural scholars at the Hostel. These rural students have been a neglected entity for a considerable period of time. In this respect, Mr. Rathnayake has initiated a proposal to build a new Hostel for some 250 new rural students who are unable to enter Royal,inspite of winning Scholarships, due to lack of accommodation.Funding for this development is being organized via Old Royalists world-wide.

Hence, my Plea to you Mr.Presidentis to ensure, that for the sake of a great National Institution, that Mr. Rathnayake is allowed to continue the outstanding initiatives he has put in place and to Extend his Tenure by at least an Year.

Thanking you

Yours Sincerely

Lorenz Pereira

27 June 2023