Brief History of Royal College Boarding House (Hostel) – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
(Excerpts from the book “Royal College School of our fathers” compiled by D.L. Seneviratne)
The first boarding house of the Colombo Academy was established in San Sebastian in 1868. It had about 20 to 30 boys and the principals who lived in the premises, joined the boarders often for breakfast and dinner. Mr. Ashley Walker became the first boarding master in 1876, and cricket teams at the beginning were composed mostly of boarders. The boarding was on top floor of the main building, which was previously the Government House overlooking the Beira Lake, with a splendid view of the sea. The boarding was closed on around 1905.
There was stern resistance to establishing the boarding again, as it was deemed to be a day school. However in 1939, due to much effort by RCU, a spacious bungalow “The Maligawa”, opposite the school at Race Course Avenue was obtained on a three year lease. It had about 60 boarders, but in 1941 had to be closed, as the school shifted out during World War 2. The Bandarawela branch of the school commenced in 1942, in a bungalow “Glendale” for forms 1 to 3, had 48 boarders. It was closed when school reverted to Colombo at end of war.
In September 1946 the former Training College buildings were allocated for a hostel for the school, initially for 50 boarders. Over the years the number had increased to around 100. In 1967 the hostel building was taken over for the junior school, and in 1971 it reopened in the building formerly occupied by Official Languages Department along Reid Avenue, adjoining principal’s bungalow. Subsequently with the help of Old Hostellers’ Association, new hostel with modern amenities, to accommodate 240 boarders, was completed by the college.
ORAUK donated funds for the construction of dormitory and for the refurbishment of wash rooms.
