A triple celebration for St. Benedict’s College today

The Clock Tower Building of St. Benedict’s College

Founder’s Day at St. Benedict’s College opens the restored Clock Tower Building and awarding of the first ever Professor Nihal Amerasinghe Benedictine Teacher of the Year Award

St. Benedict’s College, Colombo celebrates its Founder’s Day today (May 11), a media release by the college said.

The Founder’s Day events will also include the re-opening of the restored historic Clock Tower Building. The day’s celebrations will also be the occasion for the presentation of the first Professor Nihal Amerasinghe Benedictine Teacher of the Year Award.

The day’s proceedings commence with the Concelebrated Holy Mass at St. Lucia’s Cathedral and will be attended by the students, staff, Benedictine Priests, De La Salle Brothers, past pupils and parents.

Let’s Rise to Reignite a Legacy was the clarion call that went out to all Benedictines in December 2021, as work commenced to restore the 120-year-old iconic Clock Tower Building at St. Benedict’s College. This building holds within its pillars a memory for each Benedictine, who has walked through the portals of this Mother of all Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Colombo.

The Project Team led from the front by the distinguished, loyal and dynamic Benedictine Rohan de Silva worked feverishly, looking into every little detail, to have the work completed on time for the Ceremonial Soft Opening of the Restored Building as a part of the Founder’s Day Celebrations.

The Chief Guests for the occasion are Very Rev. Bro. Armin Luistro, the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He was one time the Secretary of Education of the Philippines and the First Asian to assume the position of Head of De La Salle Order Worldwide. He is joined by Mr. Rohan de Silva, Chairman of the McLarens Group of Companies. Rohan’s enormous personal commitment and contribution, singularly made this project a reality, amidst a very difficult period for the Construction Industry in Sri Lanka. The Restored Building is fittingly dedicated to the memory of Rev. Bro. Cassian of Jesus, who served St. Benedict’s College, his Alma Mater for a continuous period of 42 years from 1870 to 1912. He was the Architect and Builder of this heritage structure at the turn of the 19th Century.

The Teachers of St. Benedict’s College are the living legacy of 158 years, which has produced many distinguished Alumni from all walks of life nationally and internationally.

Teaching, though considered the Noblest of Professions often receives little recognition and limited rewards. In inaugurating this Award, distinguished Old Benedictine Professor Nihal Amerasinghe, presently at the Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines has taken a tangible step in encouraging, motivating and recognising the Role of Teachers at St. Benedict’s College.

The building has been restored to its original beauty and elegance with added modern fixtures.
The building will provide spaces for the most up-to-date facilities for the students, keeping in step with the 21st Century Learning Initiative at St. Benedict’s College as spelt out in the Strategic Plan of the College.
The Technical Services for the Restoration Work were provided by Design Professionals and Chartered Architects. Among the many facilities that will become available for students in the coming weeks and months are a spacious well-equipped Staff Room, two Computer Laboratories with 50 Computers in each, a Digital and Physical Library, a Learning Centre with provision for group discussions and brainstorming, a Lounge and Archives for visitors to savour the Benedictine Spirit. There is also a large Gymnasium, which could be multifunctional as required. There are also spaces provided for Oriental Dancing, Medical Centre etc.

Looking into the future and to equip the students of St. Benedict’s College with skills like Problem Solving, Creativity, and Collaboration, space has been reserved to set up, what could probably be the First STEM CENTRE (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in Sri Lanka. The STEM approach will revolutionise the existing Teaching and Learning Model. An Award Winning STEM Practitioner Mr.Sunil Ranjith Dediwalage, an Old Benedictine domiciled in Melbourne, Australia is voluntarily leading the 21st Century Learning Initiative at St. Benedict’s College.