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When the best of S.T.C turned rowdy
My days at S.T.C (Episode 5)
By Quentin Israel
As this article would conclude the series of "My days at S.T.C", I would like to briefly narrate two anecdotes. The first involves an episode which the late Lassie Abeywardena, who was the Bursar as well as the trusted lieutenant of all Wardens, told me took place when he was under the Wardenship of Canon R.S.de Saram.

It was in the early fifties and during that period the Royal Thomian cricket match was played over only two days, unlike at present where the game stretches over three. School was in session for the first two periods on the Friday of the match and woe betide those who thought they could play truant.

Being an Oxford Blue in boxing and a cricketer of no mean repute, having donned in his time the blue, black and blue blazer for S. Thomas’ Lassie had had the misfortune of having Jack Anderson of St. Anthony's dropped off his bowling at nought and ultimately see him score 295. Thus he was acutely conscious of the significance of this prestigious encounter. He was however, an educationist and administrator first and in his perspective, as the game started at noon on Friday, there was enough time for at least two periods of work in the morning.

On the Saturday morning of the match, he would go to his office and attend to his correspondence and other matters pertaining to college. As his presence was required, Lassie would be at his table, despite a heavy Friday night's session at the O.T.S.C.

Apart from being the Bursar of the College, Lassie was the under 16-cricket coach at S.T.C. and had made a name for himself as an outstanding coach.He had produced many good cricketers like Michael Tissera, Ian Peiris, Idroos and a host of others, who in later life played cricket at the highest levels.Canon de Saram, knowing Lassie's ability to read and assess game situations, summoned Lassie to his office and was discussing the previous day's play, when the phone on his table rang.

From what Lassie told me of this incident, the conversation would have gone thus after he casually lifted the phone. "Yes, this is the Warden speaking," Canon de Saram said. After a few moments his expression of calm serenity abruptly changed as he stiffened in his seat and aggressively exploded into the mouthpiece "What? Drunk and staggering at Wanathamulla? I am afraid you are mistaken, officer, they could be boys from another school who may have come to witness the game. Definitely not Thomians. Do not waste my time," he said impatiently, showing unconcealed anger.

He was about to put the phone down, when something else said by the officer made him hold back and say - "What did you say? Anyone could wear a blue and black kit and carry blue and black flags. Could be young old boys or may be even outsiders wanting to have a good time," said the Warden firmly over the phone. "What? you kept them overnight at the Borella Police Station and you want me to send someone to take custody of them?"

"Why don't you contact their parents?" he continued. Then listened further, perhaps having growing doubts in his mind, he queried "You said you have their names, please give them to me over the phone." His jaw dropped and he was visibly shaken as he replaced the phone.

"What happened, Sir?" asked Lassie with concern. "Take my car to Borella Police Station and somehow bring those rascals here. I am told that some of the ‘boys’ in custody are Reggie de Saram, Charlie Davidson, F. J. Senaratna and S. J. Anandanayagam." These were the names of the Warden, Sub-Warden, Head Master of the Upper School and senior teachers.

This was perhaps the only time in the history of S.T.C. when persons holding such illustrious office were in the custody of the police. They were given six of the very best on their seats which undoubtedly made sitting for the rest of the day at the cricket match a painful experience.

The second anecdote I narrate was also told to me by Lassie. An Intercollegiate Table Tennis Tournament was on and the Warden had granted permission to the participants to leave school after the 6th period giving them the last two periods off. A few enterprising boys in the junior age group thought they could emulate their senior counterparts and played truant during the 5th and 6th periods after roll call for the second session.

It was the misfortune of one junior, who still had not mastered the 11th commandment of not getting caught, to have been apprehended by a Prefect. He was hauled before the Warden. The poor lad, hardly in his teens, was trembling with fright before his Warden as a doomed man about to face his executioner.

The Warden looked at him sternly and asked him "What is your name?" The boy stammered his name. The Warden asked him calmly why he left early, and he replied haltingly, that he had seen the senior boys leave and had done likewise. The Warden again addressed him calmly, "Who is your captain?" "Captain, Sir," replied the boy. The Warden repeated his question. "Tell me boy, who is your captain?" The boy whose knees were vibrating by now, weakly replied, "Captain, Sir." The Warden was fast losing his patience and his temper. "Look here boy, I am asking you for the last time, who is your captain?"

The boy by now trembling in abject fear and on the verge of passing water, tearfully sobbed, "Captain, Sir." Fortunately for the boy, Lassie heard the Warden's last outburst and hurriedly entering the office got him his reprieve by saying "Sir, the boy is right, Soli Captain is the Captain." The Warden was himself a father and his heart must have melted for he told the boy "You may go, do not cut class again."

This series is now concluded

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