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Tour of St Peters College, Colombo, April 2023 – by Joe Paiva
“A week before I left Sri Lanka in mid April 2023, I met with the St. Peters College, Colombo, President Old Boys Union ( OBU), Ravika de Silva as pre-arranged at the Dutch Burgher Union (DBU) cafe in Colombo.
One thing led to another, and Ravika was gracious enough to offer to take me on a tour of College.
The students were on holidays and there couldn’t have been a better time.
Normally access to the complex is restricted, unless permitted by Rev Fr Rector.
The whole complex from Galle Road (west), to the east including the grounds at the rear is overseen by security personnel at all times for good reasons.
My first attempt to look around College in February failed, as I was not aware of the protocol.
Following is my real life impression of 20th century College.
The College, visually has an appearance of an university now. All buildings painted in white and the verdant landscaped gardens, topiary shrubs and lawns. I got the feeling of being in a lush tropical botanical gardens. Being a horticultureist, it was indeed a pleasure and a learning experience.
The famous quadrangle just behind the front facade, which all Peterites young and not so young, would be very familiar with, is adorned with several magnificent leafy canopy of trees providing much appreciated shade during the noon day sun. An oasis, a refreshing, inviting santuary. A natural asset of great value we overlook in the modern era. The Primary school quadrangle reflects the Senior school’s quadrangle.
The Primary School quadrangle, wrapping around the Rev. Fr. Nicholas Perera Hall. I am aware plans are in progress to rennovate and upgrade the hallowed hall. In hindsight I regret not having a quick view inside the venue.
The Andradi building is in the process of being developed and furbished to house the invaluble historical records and heritage items of College. It is an outstanding iniative given the rich, long history of St Peters.
College has the capacity for 4000 students now, compared to approximately half the number, during my years in the early 60s.
I saw two coaches painted in Blue, White and Gold secured in a large shed. Many ancillary personnel of both gender, were happily going about their work maintaining the complex, which looked tidy and clean. I was introduced to Rector’s pet, Milo. A big solid chocolate brown dog, but friendly and hard not to get attached to. Milo immediately recognised Ravika.
The canal precincts directly behind the grotto has been beautifully landscaped into a linear park. The canal bank ( terraced slope) has been planted with shrubs and trees, providing a habitat for forna. The canal includes a simple but functional small docking station for small vessels. I understand the Navy personnel undertook the work.
At night the wide angle view of College from the centre gate of Galle Road, is picturesque. The silhouette of the wide white expanse of buildings, far left to the far right towards the canal, fronting Galle Road and the many architectural palm trees with soft back drop lighting is very pleasing to the optics at night.
The strategic centre piece being the large oval shaped garden with a fountain, peaceful, tranquil beckoning the viewer from Galle Road to step in.
In the far horizon above the outline of the College buildings, high rise, upmarket residential apartments. This is where the Wellewatte Spinning Weaving Mills ( the two tall chimineys behind the old farm) stood in decades gone by. During my youth in Primary School the lunch time siren synchronised with the College bell, announcing lunch interval at 12.15 pm.
College has a state of the art sports complex ( gym, indoor squash, badminton courts, swimming pool, ice bath facility and of course the big grounds) which is the envy of many educational institutions in Colombo.
The wider community also has access to the sports complex, subject to adhering to protocol and fees. The state of the art, air conditioned gym is resourced with a qualified instructor Mr. Jagath. My memory rewinds way back to a time when my classmate, late Stanley Lumanauw was the previous gym instructor.
Ravika pointed out that the existing swimming pool had been recently renovated, to bring it up the required standard.
During the leisurely stroll with Ravika, a very affable individual, it became clear that the primary role of the OBU is to foster, nurture the commeradrie amongst the old boy community. The OBU also provides a pastoral service via its wide network of alumini to assist young old boys in employment and work experience placement. I became aware that the OBU is not in anyway involved in the governance of SPC. However Rev Fr Rector, as Patron and Head, reserves the right to seek the assistance of the OBU on any matter as he sees fit.
The spirit of grumpy and ever loyal, Nomis still hangs around in the old sports pavilion and grounds. Nomis in my days at College, was the supervising grounds person and the curator of the hallowed turf in the centre. He knew every blade of grass in the good old days. During collegiate cricket games Nomis was the father figure for many a young College cricketer, specially the nervous rookie.
The air conditioned, OBU Lounge on the first floor, overlooking the College grounds is tastefully furnished providing a panaromic view at twlight. The wide French windows draws the landscape into the lounge. The ambiance within the lounge reflects the ethos of the OBU/ SPC. The relaxed ambiance within, is very popular with the old boys.
College today is an oasis, surrounded by high rising buildings. R A de Mel Mawatte which bisects College and the cricket grounds and does a hard right turn ( while travelling south) just past the 2nd bridge turning west, meeting Galle Road opposite the Savoy Cinema. The gallery section abutting the canal ( 50 cent ticket during my days) is no more.
The famous haunt of many Peterites over the 50s, 60s and early 70s, the humble Canal View Restaurant (with cubicles – for a sly fag, Mas Parn or Bunis and a cuppa ) is long gone.
Muslim Ladies College, down Fareed Place ( a narrow lane to the left of College) has been upgraded to modern two story buildings. Just imagine, if Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya was situated where Muslim Ladies College now stands! Both the Rev. Fr. Rector and Rev. Mother Superiors would have had a formidable challenge, specially during the traditional annual Battle of the Saints, in March.
I got the impression College is very conscious of sustaining forna and flora through out the whole complex.
Modern facilities and good infrastructure for education and extra curricular activities, partly due to the generosity of the old boys both in Sri Lanka and overseas must be acknowledged.
Now the present students and those to follow, must perform academically, athletically and in whatever endeavour they pursue during their College days.
No excuses. Challenge yourself, stand tall and deliver. Follow your passion, not money nor fame. The recent SPC honours ceremony 2023 is a haunting reminder of what the past alumni have achieved in academics, military service, arts and sports.
Make your alma mater and parents proud of you.
I trained at the gym a few times under the tutelage of Jagath, the instructor.
On the very first occasion I presented myself at the gym in scandals due to occupational & safety regulations Jagath politely persuaded me to return in proper footwear. I did, as Jagath was a well built guy with muscles.
I cannot resist adding some humour and banter to my concluding commentary.
It was 6.30 pm, a week day.
A few young ladies in fashionable, sassy, sports attire ( Nike, Reebok, Puma) were working out at the gym to the pulsating beat of ‘Let’s get physical’ by Olivia Newton -John. I understand why the gym is well patronised by many young men.
There was this young, pretty lass in bobbing pony tail, doing a particular sexually suggestive, exercise routine not far from me. After much trepidation I plucked up courage to quietly enquire as to what part of the anatomy this particular exercise benifited. I was told in a demure, hushed voice.
“MY BUTT”
My eyes rolled 
, and to be witty…I softly said ” You mean GLUTEUS MAXIMUS ”
, and to be witty…I softly said ” You mean GLUTEUS MAXIMUS ” she called out “WHAT !!! ? in a raised voice.
So I quickly called out to Jagath and did a runner.
That was my last and final day at the gym. I am safely back in Adelaide now.
Joe Paiva
May 2023
