Lt Colonel A.M.W. Dhananjaya (Retired)
View(s):- The Gentleman who brought the ‘Herman Loos’ Cup back to Nalanda
Nalanda first entered its cadet contingent to competitions in 1926. Since entering her platoon to cadeting competitions Nalanda cadets soon became a force to be reckoned with by winning the coveted ‘Herman Loos cup’ offered to the best all round cadet platoon at the annual competitions. Nalanda won it 8 times till 1938 from 1926, out of which 6 were in consecutive years. Since then the cup was out of reach of Nalanda for almost 4 decades.
‘Herman Loos Cup’ is awarded to the best performing cadet platoon of boys’ schools. The District Judge Herman Loos presented a challenge trophy to be awarded to the best performing cadet platoon in 1917. Kingswood college Kandy won the cup that was on offer for the first time in 1917. Since then there had been over 100 annual competitions. Ananda College Colombo top the list of winners of this coveted cup and Nalanda Vidyalaya follows closely as the 2nd. Kingswood College is currently occupying the third place.
Lt A.M.W Dhananjaya in 1977
Cadeting in Sri Lanka is now 142 years old. First school to have a cadet platoon was Royal College, way back in 1881. A cadet battalion was introduced under the Ceylon Light Infantry in 1902 and schools such as Royal, St Thomas, Trinity, Richmond, Wesley and Kingswood joined the battalion. Annual competitions among the school cadet contingents were held from1917, and the ‘Herman Loos’ cup was on offer for the best overall performances at the annual cadet camps. Since then these competitions have been held annually till now. Up until mid-1970’s Sri Lanka cadet corps had 5 battalions. The first battalion was established in- Galle, 2nd Battalion in Kandy 3rd Battalion in Colombo, 4th Battalion in Kurunegala and 5th Battalion in Anuradhapura. Ceylon Cadet Corps became Sri Lanka Cadet Corps and it changed to National Cadet Corps in 1988 and it has 29 battalions for boys and 9 battalions for girls now.
There was a time some interested parties wanted Buddhist schools not to train cadets and not to encourage cadeting in their schools. A movement calling for the ban of cadeting in Buddhist schools was in action around the late 1950’s. But the cadets overcame this and cadeting continued. Nalanda Senior cadets too protested against the proposal in a more creative way.
For a schoolboy or schoolgirl cadeting is the most challenging and enduring sport where most of the time one’s endurance is checked regularly. Discipline, Leadership and Teamwork are the main three learnings the cadets will absorb throughout their careers of cadeting. Also, apart from Weapons training and Firing the Senior cadets had to learn Map reading, First Aid, upkeep of the billets during the time we were cadets. Also, we were tested for Physical Training, Squad Drill, Map Reading, Weapon Drill, Firing, First Aid, Obstacle Course’s, Commandant’s Assessment Test, Billet Inspection, Concert and Sports (athletic skills). Also, we had the privilege of Working alongside some of the incredible individuals.
In the mid 1970’s the then Principal of Nalanda Vidyalaya Mr. Sugunadasa Athukorale -one of the most dynamic and farsighted Principals the school had, was keen in bringing this cup back to the school. He was looking for a dynamic, results oriented platoon officer, and had come to know about the young energetic officer 2nd Lieutenant A.M.W Dhananjaya. who at the time was serving in another school as the platoon officer. This officer was approached by the Principal using his network and he sought his permission to take him to Nalanda, to which the officer’s answer was affirmative. 2nd Lieutenant A.M.W Dhananjaya joined the tutorial staff of Nalanda in 1973. Soon he was assigned the Junior Cadet platoon.
Lt Dhananjaya was a Platoon officer, Teacher, father at times and also a good friend. Cadets were loyal to him., Lt Dananjaya emphasised the value of discipline and he set an example by being self-disciplined also inculcated the trait of integrity in cadets. His commitment was extra ordinary, it was later noticeable to us that he had travelled almost over 20 kilometers one way to school and back, leaving school after practices at around 6.30 p.m. by bus. He was back in school before 7.30 am immaculately dressed in white. He meticulously planned the course of action that should be taken to win the prestigious cup in 1977. I was personally asked to come for practices by Lt. Dhananjaya when he saw me at the grounds as I was a junior cadet under him in 1975 & 76 who knew the basics Drill, Physical training, First Aid and upkeeping of the billet.
Together with Sergeant Sarath Kumara, ably supported by Lance Sergeant Hemal Mendis the squad started training after the school holidays in April 1977, giving much emphasis to the physical fitness aspect. Although training was from 2.00pm – 6. O0 pm three days a week allowing students afternoons on two days during a school week for studies and other activities, it was interesting and enjoyable. Two half days a week during school holidays were also utilised for practices. He invited specialists to train and develop cadets acting and athletic skills. He took great pains to train cadets on Map Reading, Drill, Weapon drill and Physical training. All these commitments and hard work paid off when Nalanda won the Battalion championship in 1977 and was selected for the regimental championship camp at Diyathalawa. Both hard and smart work prevailed as we won the championship becoming the best performed senior cadet platoon in 1977. The ‘Herman Loos cup’ that was out of reach of Nalanda for 39 years came back to mother Nalanda where it deserves to be placed. The cadets were awarded College colours for this significant achievement at a school assembly the very next week. This unique performance was followed even better in 1978 by winning 6 cups plus the coveted ‘Herman Loos’ cup. The winning Platoon was led by Sergeant W.A Gunawardane. Both Nalanda platoons in 1977&78 were seen like an Army platoon when they were marching at the parade grounds as they had the pomp and finesse of a well-trained platoon. Capt. H.H Lawrence de Silva contribution to this great achievement too should be mentioned as he too was involved in training and guiding the cadets. He was the O C Contingent at that time.
Not only Seniors the Junior cadetting at Nalanda too prospered. Nalanda won the Battalion championship in 1976 and won the prestigious ‘De Zoysa Trophy’ awarded to the best performed Junior cadet platoon in 1978. The platoon was led by Sergeant P.P Pathirage. Another feather in Lt Dhananjaya’s cap. For all these achievements he was well supported by Capt. H H. Lawrence de Silva throughout and advised by Capt. Nelson Mendis. After serving Nalanda for about 6 years Lieutenant Dhananjaya bid adieu to Nalanda in early 1979 as he was absorbed to the Regular Army.
Nalanda cannot forget the services rendered by 5 old Dharmasokians for the progress of studies, sports, cadeting, cricket and promoting high standards in student discipline. M/S Nelson Mendis opened the flood gates for other Sokians to follow when he joined Nalanda in 1965 followed by Lieutenant H H Lawrence de Silva, Lieutenant Lionel Mendis, 2nd Lieutenant AMW Dhnanjaya and Mr.R M P de Silva. They were in the staff of’ Nalanda during late 60‘s – to late 70 ‘s. Nalanda cadeting was in the hands of ‘Sokians’ from 1965 to 1978
Cadets’ engagement in various school activities was heavy and was most encouraging. Nalanda Senior cadets played a vital role in training students for the march past and Sergeant of the Senior platoon commanding the parade. I too had the opportunity to command the march past in 1979 as Lance Sergeant in the absence of the Sergeant (Lakshman Rajakaruna) who was away in India representing the country with his Anandian counterpart Ajith Vidanaralage.
Nalanda Sergeants together with Ananda Sergeants represented Sri Lanka cadets at India’s republican day celebrations continually for 3 years from 1977-1979 which was a unique achievement.
We participated in many ceremonial parades as cadets representing the Sri Lanka cadet corps during our days as cadets at Nalanda That included the Republic day celebrations in 1976 in Kandy as Nalanda Junior cadets, representing Sri Lanka cadet corps. We were privileged to participate in the Independence Day parade in 1978. That ceremony included Sri Lanka’s first executive President taking oaths at the famous Galle Face Green. Also, we had the opportunity to participate in many Guards of Honour, specially the one given to the first executive President at Nalanda college when he participated as the Chief Guest at the opening of Sri Lanka schools’ most modern science laboratory building at Nalanda in 1979.
One of the most dynamic platoon officers of the Sri Lanka cadet corps Lt. Dhananjaya was serving in the regular Army till his retirement. He retired as a Lt Colonel serving the Army in many parts of the country. We the cadets trained and nurtured by him, wish him good health, happiness and peace of mind and an enjoyable retired life.
Thank you, Sir, for your Guidance, Training and Advice
Athula Jayasekera
(Lance Sergeant 1979)
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