St. Sylvester's College, Kandy. ~ Kandy Schools Union

Motto:- Fortiter in re(Success through dedication)
Established:- 1st November 1940
Type:- public
Colours:- Maroon, Ivory, and Blue
Website:- www.sylvesterscollegekandy.com

History

St. Sylvester’s began as a separate institution on 1 November 1940 with very Rev. Fr. D. Robert. Perera O.S.B. as the principal. The college owed its inception to the foresight of his lordship Bishop regna and Abbot Weerasinghe, the heads of the sylvestro-benedictine congregation. They felt that a good catholic school in Kandy town was a prime need, once St. Anthony’s had been completely shifted to its home on the banks of the Mahaweli at Katugastota. Rev father Robert was given the tremendous task of rearing the new that had just been born. St. Sylvester’s had made name for itself in the field of education, not only in Kandy but also throughout the length and breadth of the island. Starting with a mere 250 pupils and 12 teachers in 1940.

Father Robert was not expected to do big things at St. Sylvester’s. The buildings were not teeming with scholars, the laboratories were empty, and libraries were without books. Even the wherewithal to run the school was not available. It is said that he had to start with an over draft, but the picture of the institution now is a very different one. It is full to capacity, and its financial stability is assured. The authoritarian of the Sylvestro-Benedictines intended originally to develop St. Sylvester’s only as a junior school and affiliated to St. Anthony’s but such restrictions were not dampen the ardour of Father Robert. He early had visions of his institution as a collegiate school, second to one in the Island.

Principals

Late Rev. Fr. D. Robert M. Perera O.S.B. 1940–1949
Late Mr. D. J. N. Senevirathne (M.A.Hons. (Columbia), B.A.Hons. (London), Cert. Cey. History, Trd.) 1949–1968
Late Mr. K. S. Gunarathne (B.A. (London) – Trained) 1968–1970
Late Mr. W. B. Gopallawa (B.A.Hons. (London) – Trained) 1970–1976
Late Mr. A. Karunarathne – Interim 1979
Late Mr. Bertie Niilegoda (B.Sc. (Cey.)) 1976–1995
Mr. Ashoka B. Herath 1995–1998
Late Mr. G. W. Abeysinghe 1998–2001
Mr. Bandula Gunawardana – Interim 2001
Mr. T. R. S. Meetiyagoda 2001 – Present

School anthem

St. Sylvester’s College has used various school anthems since 1940. First his sons were singing ‘Pasal Mavuni Jaya Wewa’ anthem and in the 1970s it was changed to ‘Dana Mana Ranjitha’ anthem.

Affirmation of Oath of School

I am legitimate of my Alma mater St. Sylvesters college, with a long prestigious history. In order to achieve the maximum benefits of my school days, I do hereby affirm to carry out my tasks under the supervision and guidance of the principal and the staff, and guide my colleagues along the correct path, to follow the rules and regulations of the school to the world, to maintain cordial relationship with the whole student population of the school, to actively participate in the matters pertaining to subject of study, to respect and honor my school, with all my might and to follow the path of distinguished old sylvestrians

St. Sylvester's Old Scout Union

In 1945 St. Sylvester's College Kandy started their first scout troop with the patronage of our founder Rev. Fr. Robert M. Perera. The scout troop had been started by Mr. B.M. Guyes.

In the year 1949 just four years afterwards, Mr. B.M. Guyes had left us leaving our scout in charge of Rev. Fr.Dom George who was a very keen scouter. Next came Mr. K.S. Gunarathne. He joined by another able scouter Mr. N.H. Shalwyn.

Both of these scout masters had contributed in great measure to the success of our scout troop. In the year 1950 our scouts had been able to win the "Island Merit Flag", awarded to the best troop in the Island. The presentation was made by His Excellency Governor General Lord Soulbury. In 1986 and 1988 our group won the "Gulam Hussain" flag for the group with highest number of president's scouts.

Millennium Sylvestrians Union (MSU)

Millennium Sylvestrian Union is for the Sylvestrians who sat for their A/Ls in 2000 and above in St Sylvester's College, Kandy, Sri Lanka and it was establish in 2010 by Mr. Raiz Meyen and Mr. Harsha Rajawansha to get-together and enjoy, while serving to the Alma mater of St Sylvester's college.

St.Sylvester's College Gymnastics Club

In 2002 St.Sylvester's College introduced "Gymnastics" as a primary Sport to the College Students. St.Sylvester's Gymnastics Club founded by The Principal, Mr. T.R.S.Meetiyagoda, Assistant Principal Mr. A.K.B. Dodanwala, former Prefect of Games Mr. D.C. Mahawaththage & Mr.Amal Rasanga Liyanagamage. (Coach & Old Boy)

St.Sylvester's College Gymnastics Team could win number of National and Provincial victories during this short period.

Recent Victories:

Central Province Gymnastics Champions for 2011
Kandy District Gymnastics Champions 2011
Ravindu Shehan won the Sri Lanka Gold Medal & Bronze Medal at the Sri Lanka Junior National Gymnastics Championship 2010.
Central Province Gymnastics Championship 2010 with 25 Medals (Organized By Central Province Gymnastics Association)
Central Province Gymnastics Championship 2009 (Organized By Central Province Gymnastics Association)
Team Captain, K.Aravinth secured the Best Gymnast of the Award at Central Province Gymnastics Championship 2009
Bronze Medal at 35th Sri Lanka National Sports Festival Gymnastics Chapmpionship 2009
Central Province Gymnastics Champions 2008 – (Organized By Central Province Gymnastics Association)
Two National Places at Sri Lanka Juior National Gymnastics Championship 2009
K.Aravinth of St.Sylvester's College was the best Boys School Gymnastics Player of the Year 2009 ( According to the CPGA)