50 years of legacy of Police Cadeting at Ananda

By Nilakshan Perera

The Former Prime Minister Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranayake wanted to create a cordial relationship with school children and the Police Department, after carefully studying a similar program in Singapore and Malaysia. Initiated with the support of the then-Ministry of Education and the Sri Lanka Police, the Sri Lanka Police Cadet Corps began as an attachment to the Sri Lankan Police Reserve. On the 3rd of July 1972, six schools were selected for its pilot program; namely Kingswood College Kandy, Mahinda College Galle, Hindu College Jaffna, Ananda College Colombo, Zahira College Gampola and Sangabodhi Vidyalaya Nittambuwa. By 1978, this number rose to 32 Boys' schools and 19 Girls' schools.

Each of these individual platoons consisted of thirty-three cadets. The masters, who were in charge of these platoons, were considered part of the Police Reserve. They were assigned with the rank of an Inspector (IP) or a Sub Inspector (SI).

Cadet Corps held a selection for the camps. Here, they would participate in annual competitions for squad drills, physical training, first-aid, drama, billet inspection, general knowledge and public relations, best commander, sports and IGP’s Challenge Shield. From these selection camps, the first three winners would be called for the final camp, from which the Island winner was then selected.

When Ananda College was selected for Police Cadetting on the 3rd of July 1972, two of her teachers were appointed as the Officers In-charge of the College Cadet Platoon. They were Mr Lionel Gunasekera and Mr Ariyapala. Later on, Mr W Weerasekera took over from Mr Ariyapala. Both Mr Gunasekera and Mr Weerasekera extended their invaluable and unwavering services for Cadet Platoon's success story. Both these gentlemen were there to supervise and train cadets when cadets had their practices. One could not forget Mr Weerasekera’s 9 Sri 7321 orange coloured Bajaj scooter parked next to the college main canteen. Another teacher who trained cadets for drama competitions voluntarily was the late Mr Lionel Ranwala. He was the talented master who helped cadets to secure wins in the drama competition year after year at the annual camps.

The evening before attending the camp, a special “Mal Pooja” was organized to bless the  platoon. After this, they would meet the principal at his office for another special blessing and a tea party hosted by the principal himself. The then-Principal of Ananda College, Colonel GW Rajapakse, gave his fullest blessings to the Police Cadets. These recognised cadets earned more responsibilities and assumed various leadership roles at the college. Prefects, Deputy Head Prefect, Head Prefect, Big Match Tent Secretaries, and Presidents of various societies were given to Cadets uncontestedly.

The cadets stayed at the hostel the night before leaving for camp. Our trunks were loaded into the college van and unloaded at Maradana Railway station. The most valuable trunk in the Cadet's eyes was the PLATOON BOX. This was so since the box often contained items such as butter cakes, cordial bottles, sweets such as marshmallows, chocolate rolls, and biscuits. This precious box was kept under lock and key and the watchful eyes of two Cadet Corporals.

All-Island Best Platoon 1981

SSP Prof Nandadasa Kodagoda, SSP P V W de Silva and a few other senior officers from Police HQ often attended as judges for different categories in the annual camp competitions, such as first aid, general knowledge, squad drill and physical training. Both these senior officers would discharge their duties to the rule and spirit.

All first-aid requirements were provided by the college St John’s Ambulance Brigade for all college special events such as big matches and sports meets. This unit was led by 1979 Corporal Devapriya Perera (IT Professional - London) and most of the first-aiders were Police Cadets. They volunteered their services to the General Hospital Accident Ward and the Sri Pada pilgrims. It was pleasing to see cadets controlling traffic duties in front of the college Maradana - Borella main road every morning from 7.00 am to 7.25 am and helping with traffic duties and car park duties during the college sports meet and other functions.

Police cadets CR Senanayake (Automobile Engineer-Brisbane), Ravi Mahendra (IT professional) and the late Dharmapriya Silva established a swimming club that held its training at Otters Swimming Club. The School Bus Travelers Society, organized by the police cadets, issued bus seasons for students with the help of CTB officials.

Back then when a teacher had not reported to a class, senior police cadets would step in and take turns to teach these classes. Deepal Sooriyaarchchi (Former MD of Aviva, Management Consultant) and Sarath Katangoda (Management Consultant - UK) were the most popular student masters in that era with their popular stories and innovative methods of teaching. This increased the popularity of police cadets among the other students. The way cadets conducted themselves had a very high impact on fellow Anandians and the number of students attending practices rose rapidly.

On several occasions, Anula Vidyalaya police cadets called our cadets to assist with their training in preparation for their Annual Camps. Having borrowed season bus tickets from students coming to college via Nugegoda, our senior cadets were looking forward to visiting Anula to train them during school hours. This friendly culture blossoms during camps as well as outside the two schools. We still continue our friendships with Kamal Hathamuney (who joined the Army and retired with the rank of  Major, residing in Sweden), Nirmala Perera, Malraji Meepegama (married to Maj Gen Sunil Wanniarachchi), Rosy Ranasekera (married to former Ananda Cadet Band leader Maj Gen Dhananjith Karunaratne) Dilani Balasuriya, (former IGP late Mahinda Balasuriya’s sister - married to Dr Priyanga de Zoysa). Interestingly our cadet Lanka Herath continued this relationship and found his lifetime partner Ganga Thilakaratne from Anula Vidyalaya Platoon. A famous school from Kelaniya St Paul’s Balika Vidyalaya too started Police Cadeting in 1980. The writer being 1981 Ananda Sgt found his partner from St Paul’s Balika Cadet Sgt of the same year, Rasadari Jayamaha. Former Dean of the faculty of Law, University of Colombo Prof Indira Nanayakkara and Shiromi Perera (Melbourn) were the Corporals of the same platoon.

In 1972, the college platoon led by Sgt Ranjith Wijesundara became the Island’s best platoon. On the 23rd of July 1983, the Sri Lankan Army’s routine patrol was assigned from Madagal to Gurunagar with the call sign of Four Four Bravo, commanded by 2/Lt A.P.N.C de Waas Gunwardane with 15 soldiers attached to Charlie company of SLLI were ambushed at Thirunelveli in Jaffna. 2/Lt Waas Gunawrdane and 12 soldiers made the supreme sacrifice. Adjutant and Intelligence Officer of SLLI Capt Ranjith Wijesundara was assigned the task of identifying fallen heroes. Lt Wass Gunawardane was a Cadet of the 1977 platoon. Ranjith Wijesundra is now retired with the rank of Colonel.

In 1975 the college platoon led by Sgt M A K E Manthriratne also became the Island's best platoon and he was selected by the National Youth Council to represent the Sri Lanka Police Cadet Corps to travel to Canada under the Youth Exchange Programme between Sri Lanka and Canada. Manthreeratne later joined the SL Navy and retired with the rank of  Commander. Presently as the President of Past cadets, together with ever-reliable 1982 Sgt V S Makolage carrying out various welfare projects under the banner of the Past Police Cadet Wing of Ananda.

Ananda held an unbroken record of winning 9 out of 10 Trophies in 1978, under the great leadership of  Sergeant Kithsiri Aponso who undoubtedly took Ananda Police Cadets to greater heights, was a leader with great charisma, integrity and leadership qualities. He became the Deputy Head Prefect and joined STF. He later moved to the Police dept and is presently appointed as the DIG In Charge of the Badulla region.

The highest rank Cadet could achieve is Sgt Major. There were three Sgt Majors who brought honour and recognition to Ananda, namely Piyal Jayatilake in 1977, Jagathpriya Karunaratne in 1978 and 79 and Kithsiri Aponso in 1980. Chinthaka Gunaratne, a cadet of 1981 also became the athletic Captian in 1983 (presently SSP In Charge of Highways) brought great honour and recognition as he became the Director in charge of Sri Lanka Police Cadet Corps.

College Athletic Captain of 1977, Ranasinghe Dharmadasa (Snr Manager BOI), 1978 JPPP Silva (Consultant-USA), 1980 Damitha Vitharana, (joined Sri Lanka Navy and retired as Lt. Commander and was the Director at Lankem Ceylon PLC before migrating to  the UK), 1981 Jagath Palihakkara, (joined Sri Lanka Police as a SI in 1982 and at presently acting Senior DIG Western Region). DIG S M Y Senviratne another past cadet joined the Police dept and is presently DIG in Charge of the Ampara Region. They also brought pride and joy to their alma mater during their time in their respective platoons and in their subsequent endeavours.

Two Sgts who led the Island's best Platoons in 1983 Priyantha Ratnayake (Planter) and Pasindu Hearath of 2016 (Undergraduate of Kyoto University, Japan) became Head Prefects and Pasindu was awarded Fritz Kunz Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding student of 2017.

The 4th of July 2017 was a great day for Ananda, as well as for Police Cadets. 1980 Cadet Sgt who led the Island's best platoon became Commander of the Army. It was a great honour for cadets. Past Cadets organized a felicitation for Gen Mahesh Senanayake to recognise his prestigious appointment.

With profound gratitude, we remember past cadets Rear Admiral Noel Kalubowila (a highly rated naval officer decorated with the highest gallantry medals especially having led the “Suicide Express” in 1990 evacuating troops from Jaffna Fort, Major General Lakshan Fernando, Major General Ajith Pallewela, Brig Mahinda Jayasinghe, Maj Aruna Vithanage, Maj Sampath Karuanthilake, Major SP Rodrigo, Lt Bandual Withanachchi, Director Prisons TI Uduwera, SSP Deepthi Hettiarchchi of STF (Zonal Commander Jaffna Mannar, Killinochchi & Mullaithivu), SSP Amal Edirimanne (In Charge of Colombo North) were cadets joined forces, Police and Prison department respectively.

Chairman of University Grant Commission Senior Prof Sampath Amaratunge, one of the brilliant academics and a past cadet always believed and mentioned that “I am where I am because of my alma mater, and shall forever grateful to my journey”. Other note-worthy past cadets are Harbor Master Capt Nirmal Silva, Prof Rohan Gunaratna (a political analyst specializing in international terrorism) present President of Ananda OBA, Bimal Wijesinghe who excelled in athletics during annual camps.

When this writer contacted one of our Master In Charges, Mr W Weerasekera, he recalled  those golden days. “As a pilot school where Police cadet platoons were formed, Ananda College played its role in achieving the aims of cadetting as envisaged in the curriculum. It gives me great satisfaction to note the leadership and achievements of the cadets, their success in later life with the highest contribution to the society at large”

Thanks for the untiring efforts of Hiranya Hewanayake ( Senior Manager - Singer Sri Lanka) and Wing Commander Pradeep Kannangara Retd (Former Officer Commanding of the Special Air Borne Unit of Sri Lanka Air Force - Director - General Manager Abans Securitas), all past cadets who reside all over the world are now well connected via social media.

Reminiscing of the past 50 years of legacy of Ananda Police Cadetting has achieved remarkable and proud moments we all cherished.