A reunion to be remembered
From May 15 to 20, sandwiched between the Bradby Shield matches was the reunion of the Royal College 1962 entry Group. This year’s organising committee comprising Thamby Navaratnam, Dushy Perera (and wife Tanya), Dilanjan Soysa and Dushantha Munesinghe were hosting the 2015 reunion in Sri Lanka, following the previous one, held in Toronto two years ago, which was a roaring success, as great as the roar from Niagara Falls.
Members of the 62 Group have served in Sri Lanka and all over the globe in many capacities, in all inhabited continents except South America (one doctor serves in the Bahamas, which is close enough). Fully 20% of the group are medical doctors or have doctorates in various fields. Others are in business, industry, administration, the arts, law, education and religion. As we approach retirement some of us took a short break to relive our schooldays. Sadly 31 of our group have passed on, but are always remembered whenever we meet.
The first three days were in Colombo: a grand banquet at the Ramada Hotel, a dinner at the Global Towers Hotel and a great cricket match in the Royal College junior grounds. The last three days was a trip to Nuwara Eliya culminating with a trip to Moon Plains and Piduruthalagala. That was the high point – highest in fact. We returned to Colombo on the 20th, to ‘recover’ in time for the Bradby.
On the first day about 40 of us gathered at Royal Primary, and then met the Principal of Royal College at the Conference hall. Then we went to the Assembly hall, to classes from Form 1 to Upper Sixth, passed the library and other rooms, ending with lunch at the tuck shop. The tuck shop is now a government tendered enterprise, different from the time when the Saranapala family ran it in the ’60s. Lots of photographs were taken, and we left around 1 p.m. after a very nostalgic morning – which brought back memories. Some met colleagues for the first time since leaving school well over four decades ago.
That evening was the formal dinner at Ramada Hotel – great atmosphere, great band and good food! We met former masters, J. H. de Saram, V. Sivalingam still sprightly at 85, and others, most with their spouses. The Principal was handed a gift for the college from the 62 Group.
The most poignant moment was the showing of a well executed video remembering our dear departed friends, observed in complete silence. A guitar played Mozart’s Requiem as the familiar images were viewed. The lights were dimmed, three daughters of the group walked in with oil lamps and we stood during the video.
The following day was a dinner at Global Towers hosted by four generous classmates. It was a lovely venue, with a good band and a very tasty array of Sri Lankan cuisine.
On the third morning, we met at the old junior grounds, under the spreading Siyambala tree. A few of us came early to wander around the old hostel. Memories flowed back as we stood in the middle of the overgrown play area, where we once played tennis ball cricket and volleyball. We reminisced about the old dormitories, the common room which had a table tennis table, Mr. Belleth’s (later Mr Jinadasa’s) office and accommodation, and the formal dinners at the dining room, the kitchen and the prefects’ room.
Looking around outside of the prefects’ room, from where one got a good view of the Siyambala tree, I was joined by the present head prefect of Royal College. I told him that as prefects we would sneak out of the room via a loose vertical iron bar in the window, which was detachable, a secret passed from prefect to prefect. He did not seem to believe me, but to his amazement and mine, we found a gaping gap between vertical iron bar 6 and 8! Not much has changed over the last 50 years! I was saddened when he told me that the entire old hostel would soon be razed to the ground.
Around 20 of us assembled to play a 10-10 match (we only had about twenty friends who could last 20 overs!). Dhyan Caldera and I led the two teams. I won the toss and elected to bat with Padman and Dushantha opening and scored 53 runs, with Thamby excelling for the bowling side. Caldera’s team was bundled out for 40 runs, with Raju the best fielder. The match was a complete success. We were rewarded with a cold can of Lion Lager. We were ushered to a small room opposite the playing field, with a non functioning air-conditioner. The sky opened up and I am sure our 31 departed friends were looking down upon us saying, “Well done boys, we enjoyed that as well!”
In typical Royal spirit, Kapila spontaneously exclaimed “Machang, come to my house and eat our Dutch Lamprais in comfort!” We took up his gracious offer, and five car loads sped to Borella, with Nanda Kumar, Thamby, Dushy, Della and Kapila driving like Formula 1 drivers.
On Day 4, we assembled at Global Towers for the coach trip to Nuwara Eliya. En route with Malu Pan and Seeni Sambol buns for breakfast, Dushy enlightened us with a running commentary of the tea estates and the surroundings, having worked as a planter for some 30 years! The scenery was breathtaking.
We reached The Hill Club six hours later, to be greeted by Nirmo, the General Manager of this magnificent hotel, which still observes the traditions of its colonial past. Tie and jacket after 7 p.m., no shorts or slippers and immaculately dressed staff with excellent service skills. Lunch and dinner served in the formal dining room were of a high standard.
The next morning we travelled in two coaches to Piduruthalagala, through narrow lanes ascending steeply to reach the peak, which now houses an Army base. It is the highest point in Sri Lanka, 8,281 feet above sea level. Unfortunately there was a mist, which prevented us from seeing afar, and a pretty cold wind. We left for Moon Plains, so called by the British because the plains resemble a half moon, and drove to road’s end. We walked two kilometres and ascended an Observatory stand, enabling a 360 degree spectacular view of the beautiful plains and mountains! At approximately 7000 feet above sea level, one sees about seven mountain ranges.
The final dinner was a barbecue, with abundant beverages at the Cottage, courtesy of the GM, Nirmo. This, our final soirée, was special because of the hospitality afforded by one of our own. The evening wound up with speeches from Dushy and others and all singing the College song.
This reunion in Sri Lanka will be etched in our memories forever.