S.S. (Chandra) Perera an icon of Royal College

By Bernie Wijesekera

On a somewhat chilly evening last week, I made a slow trek despite intermittent showers to meet S.S. Perera yet another icon of Royal College.

S.S. Perera

Better known as Chandra, to his friends, he now leads a quiet life with his wife at Clifford Avenue, in a fast changing environment. Unheard and unsung, the octogenarian spends much of his leisure time playing with his grand-daughter, Maydini. She keeps her Appachi alive. Watching Tv childrens programmes (cartoons) is a source of mental relaxation for Chandra. Perera has had a cherished history at Royal College.

His father, G.G. Perera, played cricket for Royal From 1908-12 excelling on and off the field. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage his maternal aunt (Loku amma) married Simon Hewavitarne, brother of legendary Anagarika Dharmapala.When I stepped into his abode he was in the company of another diehard old Royalist.

Chandra still regularly attends Royal College Old Boys Union, meetings. One of its oldest members, he is also one of its most vociferous. His latest project is the Royal College Archives and its future. A proprietory-planter by profession, Chandra had an abiding interest in printed material, published records and statistics. His collections pertaining to the history of Royal College is probably unique, something that can only be treasured, not measured. No wonder the Stately school picked him to write and record the history of Royal College to coincide with the 150 years of Royal College.

Chandra joined Royal in 1932. He played a match or two for Royal in 1941, in a team studded with stars under O.W. Wambeck's captaincy. He jocularly recalls that year saying he was more often carrying the drinks than playing. In 1942, under Gamini Salgado, he was virtually a scorer. An early start to his life-long interest in keeping records.

His first love was cricket. Be it at Royal or for Sri Lanka, Chandra has earned world acclaim for his rare collection. A local Wisden, Chandra's services have been retained by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL),Universities and Clubs. He played cricket for Panadura SC and did much to uplift its image in its formative years. Later, as he began his planting career at Weligama, Chandra became Matara SC's representative for the BCCSL. He believes in that old adage "Humility at all levels". This, he says, is what was taught to him by his parents, and the then masters at Royal. "Discipline. No nonsense. No excuses", that's his credo, something on the wane today even at school level.