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The students of the Fine Arts Society of the Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam known for their talents and commitment presented the unique story of “Kaaraikaal Ammaiyaar” as a ballet, at Kathiresan hall in Bambalapitty on July 26th 2008 at dusk.

For Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam, as a girls’ school, it is ideal to perform Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar’s story, and set her as a role model for the growing young generation.

The funds collected through the ballet will go towards in upgrading the education of information technology, multi media skills and English of more displaced children from North and East. Due to the conflict situation in the North and east, the children live with a sense of fear and need to have an education in a peaceful atmosphere.

[Bargavi Baskaran, as little Punithavathy; from childhood Punithavathy grew up in a religious atmosphere and worshiped Lord Siva diligently: “Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar”]

The Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam today, is the only private assisted Hindu school in Sri Lanka and with great difficulty, it presents imparting skills to these children who are already with the school from the conflict areas together with the children from Colombo, plantation areas and greater Colombo areas. More children are seeking admission, and the requirements need to be met.

In this endeavour, Kazhagam has joined hands with the California based Visions Learning Centre, and has formed a Kazhagam Visions Learning Center in the school premises. The students danced dedicated in this ballet to collect funds to give an opportunity to learn by the future students of the school.

See the Ballet in Pictures: Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar, embodiment of prayer and devotion ~ by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

by Meno Thiruchelvam

Ilavalai is a hamlet tucked away 16km from the Northern Capital towards north of the Jaffna Peninsula and 8km from the port town of Kankesanthurai. The local populace, basically a farming community, is rice cultivators, traditional growers of betel vines and grapevines bearing green and purple grapes, besides many species of plantains and a variety of vegetables from the rich red soil of the land. With this rural economic base the village is comfortably sustained. Villagers are predominantly Catholics by faith, there is a sizeable segment of Hindus as well, living in harmony down the ages. Outlaying the St. Henry’s enclave, beyond the expanse of lush green paddy fields half way to the seaside, there lay fishing villages dotted along the beach from Senthankulam to Valithundal, 1.6 km away to the right and to the left curving to Mathagal, 4 km from the St. Henry’s heartland. Inland environ encompasses Pandateruppu, Sillalai, Alaveddy and the adjacent Periyavillan are the town and villages within the ambit of 5 km radius to St. Henry’s. Most of the students are from these areas, daily cycling or bussing to the college from their homes.

In this picturesque village setting, nestled among the backdrop of palmyra and coconut palms, flanked by the majestic St. Anne’s church and the sprawling Holy Family Convent, there stands the colossal edifice: St. Henry’s College. Timelessly this institution remains yet as Ilavalai’s undisputed iconic heritage as the “A” Grade school over there. A hundred years ago, the Catholic clergy saw to the crying need of an English school for the boys of the village and its environs. Thus, the St. Henry’s came to be founded in the year 1907, named after King of Germany turned Saint Henry II (973- 1024) and then the Bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Rev. Henry Joulain (1852-19 19) who took the Saint’s name as his. The man who founded St. Henry’s was Rev. Fr. Ligoury Rodrigo OMI, who hailed from Kurunegala, then in the Jaffna diocese. He had his total education in Jaffna from St. Martin’s little seminary to the big seminary through St. Patrick’s. With only two teachers, Fr. Rodrigo, the assistant parish priest of the adjacent St. Anne’s Church managed the affairs of the school for three years.

In 1910, the Bishop of Jaffna entrusted the Brothers of the Society of St. Joseph (SSJ) with an enormous task of housing, developing and managing St. Henry’s almost from the scratch. Rev. Bro. Felix (1910-1921) became the first principal and in 1917 the school was registered at the Ministry of Education as an approved English medium school. It was during the period of Rev. Bro. S. Philips (1921 — 1928) that the laboratory facilities were provided enabling science and agriculture subjects to be introduced into the curriculum and enabling children to excel in the ESLC examinations. Bros. M. Devasagayam (1928-32 and 1935-38) and E.I.Chrysostom (1933-35) were at the helm preparing students for Senior Cambridge and London Matriculations Examinations. This period saw that the college evinced talents in the sphere of sports, particularly in cricket and soccer, proving that they were second to none in the North.

In 1926 the school was elevated by the Department of Education to the status of college. A distinct shift came about then with the administration of the school changing hands from SSJ Brothers to the Oblate Fathers of the Jaffna Diocese in 1939. The Brothers’ saga thus ended; the priest, who came next was none other than the grand old man Very. Rev. Fr. Charles S. Mathews O.M.I. (1939-43) an Anglo Frenchman whose unbounded love and understanding of the students and teachers alike helped moulding the boys in the highest traditions of excellence and discipline. It was Fr. Mathews who enshrined the hearty motto for St. Henry’s: “Labor Omina Vincit Improbus”, meaning ‘Hard work conquers everything’ which inspires the Henrician students even today. In his footsteps, Rev. Fr. P.J. Jeevaratnam (1943-53) a graduate from the University of London held the same lofty ideals unswervingly for the decade that followed. Discipline, is yet another faculty that became synonymous with Fr. Jeevaratriam. He institutionalized and regimented discipline to the highest possible order at St. Henry’s College and it was widely known (those days that unruly elements from other Schools were sent to St. Henry’s for correction. He was pivotal for acquiring “A” Grade status for St. Henry’s in March 1951. He was a great visionary.

In 1945, when the then-Government of Ceylon introduced free education St. Henry’s was categorized as an assisted school like the majority of the schools in the island, but remained private and was administrated by His Lordship the Bishop of Jaffna. The two Bishops of Jaffna who served their stints as Rectors were Rt. Rev. Drs. J. Emilianuspillai (1949) and B. Deogupillai (1953-56).

After this eminent duo’s reign at St. Henry’s had a long list of educationists as Rectors of the college in the halcyon decades of 50s and 60s, in the chronological order — Rev. Fr. L. A. Singarayar (1956-63), Rev. Fr.J.F. Stanislaus (1963-68), Rev. Fr. Benjamin Alfred (1967-70) Rev. Fr. M.J. Mariampillai (1970-73) Rev.Fr. J.A. Francis (1973-76), Rev.Fr. Anton T. Rajanayagam 1976-89) Rev. Fr. Justin B. Gnanapragasam (1989-2002).

During Fr. L.A. Singarayar’s period many students gained entry into universities in the disciplines of medicine, engineering, arts and science. He also demonstrated his defiance against the takeover of private schools by the State in 1960; thus St. Henry’s chose to remain a private Catholic institution solely managed by the Bishop of Jaffna. Fr. J. A. Francis helped winning the coveted Singer Shield Cup beating St. Benedict’s to 3-1 and became All Island Champions in 1975 and had put St. Henry’s on the map of Sri Lai The saga of St. Henry’s football dominance continued until 1977.Again during Fr. Anton Rajanayagam’s rector-ship in 1977 St. Henry’s had won the ANCL Cup beating St. Patrick’s College 2-1 and became All Island Football Champions. The same year the College had to be handed over to the State due to severe financial constraints and Fr.Anton guarded the students and community against the atrocities of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) who came to the North in 1987 following the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord.

The Rector who followed next Fr. Justin B. Gnanapragasam, had to chart the course of St. Henry’s amidst of war, migration, displacements, evacuations and eventually exile; The rector moved St. Henry’s to Manipay then briefly to Mirusuvil during 1992 to 1996. On 13th May 1996 he brought St. Henry’s back to its traditional home of Ilavalai and re-grouped the students and folks alike, embarked on a massive rebuilding process following the weariness of war and hard times with enormous support from the Henrician OBA Groups of Colombo and overseas. He was the longest serving head of St. Henry’s and the founder of the Henrician Trust, thus leaving a legacy for posterity.

The incumbent energetic young Rector Rev. Fr. K. James Singarayar had taken the reins of St. Henry’s in 2002. At present its total strength is 558 students and 32 members of staff. He has the generous backing of the Old Henricians Community in organizing and uplifting the all important computer education and in guiding today’s students to greater heights, nurturing them into well groomed disciplined, formidable men of tomorrow.

[Picture Courtesy of : henricians.com]

[The Writer is Secretary-Henricians, Colombo (OBA), Sri Lanka]

The Bridgeteen Walk 2007: “Walk A Mile, Build A Smile”

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

St. Bridget’s Convent - Gently and Firmly - is the motto of the school.

It was started on February 1st 1902.The school has celebrated its centenary on February 1 st 2002. It started with 14 students 105 years ago, and now schooling more than 1,000 students.

St. Bridget’s Convent has produced many leaders and torchbearers in government, business, the professions, sports and the arts, serving in several communities in Sri Lanka and around the globe; world’s first Woman Prime Minister Late Mrs. Srimavo Bandaranaike and former President of Sri Lanka Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, to name a few.

The Bridgeteen Walk 2007 was held on June 17th 2007. The walk started after a Holy Mass. Past and present pupils have walked under this year’s theme “Walk A Mile, Build A Smile”. The walk was organized jointly by the School Development Society and the Past Pupils’ Association to raise funds to renovate the school auditorium.

A fun fair was held from morning till night at the NOMADS Grounds. The fun fair comprised of various games, comedy shows, magic shows, food stalls, trade stalls and exciting rides.

Logo of St. Bridget’s Convent.

Elephant, taking part in the walk.

Young Bridgeteens cheer during the walk.

‘Fake feet’ walk.

Foreign constructors enjoy watching the walk.

Two little Bridgeteens enjoy the elephants.

Western band of St. Bridget’s Convent.

The past and present pupils participated in the walk.

Face painting for the walk.

A baby elephant welcomes the participants.

Reverend Sisters of St. Bridget’s Convent at the walk.

The walk began in the morning from the Primary section.

Junior school students at the walk.

Scottish pipe band at the event.

Cane beaters at the walk.

Collegiate school prefects carry the four houses flags - Borgia, Coudert, Griaux and Melizan.

Kandyan dancers during the walk.

The annual Bridgeteen Walk ended at Collegiate school premises after walking through Cinnamon Gardens for two hours.

Collegiate Hewisi band during the walk.

Mask dance at the event.

Source: humanityashore

Contact: Dushi.Pillai@gmail.com

The Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 10th Annual Awards Gala Ceremony at the Hilton Suites Hotel in Toronto Markham on April 21, 2007.

CTCC has fostered entrepreneurship in the Canadian Tamil community for the last 16 years. The Awards Gala is symbolic of how members of the Tamil community are contributing immensely to the very fabric that makes up Canada’s multicultural society.

Several distinguished guests were in attendance. Federal Minister for Human Resources and Social Development, Hon. Monte Solberg, was the Chief Guest. The Guests of Honor included, Ontario Minster for Government Services Hon. Gerry Phillips, Ontario Conservative Opposition leader Hon. John Tory, and Ontario Minster for Children and Youth Services Hon. Mary Anne Chambers.

Mr. Logan Velumailum, President of the CTCC, welcomed everyone to the event:

“This is our sweet sixteen. This night is a celebration of fulfilled dreams and continuing aspirations. Stories of individual success fill this room in its entirety. We are gathered here today to celebrate your achievements. But equally, this night is to celebrate the Chamber, and all of you who make up this organization.”

[Hon. Minister Monte Solberg]

Hon. Minister Solberg brought greetings from the Prime Minister:

“He has asked that I bring greetings on his behalf to recognize not only the Tamil Chamber of Commerce 10th Anniversary Awards Gala Dinner, as important as that is. But he also asked that I bring greetings this evening to acknowledge the tremendous contribution the Tamil Community to this country, not only for the economic contribution you make to this country, but to the contribution you make as citizens, the cultural contribution you make that makes Canada such a great country.”

[Hon. Minister Gerry Phillips]

Hon. Minister Gerry Phillips shared his experiences with the Tamil Community: “One of the schools in my area is called L’Amaroueux Collegiate; probably the best honour you can get is to be valedictorian. 3 of the last 4 valedictorians in that school were from the Tamil community. My own staff I have 20 staff, and 4 of them are from the Tamil community. That’s 20 percent. Why do I hire them, because they are the best and brightest”.

[Hon. John Tory]

Hon. John Tory talked about his trip to Sri Lanka. He described the contribution of the Tamil business community to the greater Canadian economy: “You are through your efforts, through your excellence, creating jobs, creating employment and economic activity. That employment and economic activity creates money for the healthcare, and roads and services that the government provides”.

Since its inauguration, CTCC has awarded 46 winners in various categories. This year the Chamber recognized six entrepreneurs for service and contribution in the business world. The distinguished award-winning recipients for 2007 are:

Best Entrepreneur: Sinnadurai Jeyakumar, Sriram Sivagnanam and Sundaramoorthy Vinayagamoorthy, co-owners of Innovative Detailing Services Inc. sponsored by RBC and presented by Regional Vice President Lisa Gallacher.

Young Entrepreneur Award: Bharathy Matheeswaran, co-owner of Alankar Décor, sponsored by Scotiabank and presented by District Vice President Christine Williams.

Award of Excellence: Santha Panchalingam, owner of Santha’s Electrical and Plumbing Services, sponsored by ICICI Bank and presented by Vice President Retail Banking Rajesh Ramakrishnan.

Most Outstanding Professional Award: I. Francis Xavier, a renowned and celebrated human rights lawyer and activist, sponsored by CTCC and presented by The Scarborough Hospital Foundation Vice President Christine Williams and Hon. Mary Ann Chambers, Ontario Minister for Children and Youth Services.

Best Woman Entrepreneur Award: Logi Mariathasan, a highly regarded Bridal Consultant. Sponsored by TD Canada Trust and presented by Senior Vice President Jim Coccimiglio.

Most Outstanding Community Service Person: Dr. Pushpa and Frank Seevaratnam, co-founders of Home for Hope, which has helped rebuild the lives of many Tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka, sponsored by TD Canada Trust and presented by Senior Vice President Jim Coccimiglio.

[Logan Velumailum, President of the CTCC]

To see the photos from the event, visit: CTCC Photogallery

Photos By: Gnane Gnanendran

[Full Text of CTCC Press Release]

“The extremes of both sides are trapped in a pathology of a fanatical nationalism that will ensure only one thing - a spiral of death and destruction.” said Bob Rae, the former Premier of Ontario who flew down from Canada to give the keynote address at the Kethesh Loganathan memorial meeting held on Saturday, 31 March 2007, at the Conway Hall, London. UK.

The 200 strong memorial meeting was chaired by P. Rajanayagam, Editor, Tamil Times, and active SLDF member. The meeting started with the observance of one minute silence to honour all those who had been slain in the cause of democracy and human rights.

In the chair’s remarks, Rajanayagam said that the internalised violence of the Tamil struggle had produced many martyrs and traitors. He added, “History will make the final judgement as to who are martyrs and who are traitors. It will make a critical and harsh judgement.”

The meeting was an emotional tribute to the memory and legacy of Kethesh Loganathan, featuring solidarity messages from around the world, poetry readings, songs and music.

V. Anandasangaree, President, TULF, Shanthan Thambiah, EPRLF and Ahilan Kadirgamar, SLDF also spoke.

The speakers and those who read messages re-avowed their firm commitment to pursue peace in Sri Lanka through a democratic and just political settlement.

Mr. Rae ended his speech making a strong plea to all those wanting an end to the conflict, to follow in Kethesh’s footsteps.

“The parties in Sri Lanka have become addicted to violence. The outside world has gotten used to lethargy. And indifference has become a habit. All these things must change. Kethesh, you died believing in the possibility, and indeed the need for peace. We, you have left behind must live in the same way.”

[Full Text of SLDF Press Release]

By Bandula Nonis

St.Peter’s College held its 75th annual prize giving on February 15, 2007, with Rev.Filician Perera Editor, Catholic Messenger, as Chief Guest. He was the previous Rector of St.Peter’s College.

Rev.Filician recalled his 13 year Rectorship with nostalgia at St. Peter’s and observed that coming to St.Peter’s was like coming home.

He recalled the contribution made by former Rectors to make St.Peter’s what it is now.

It is important to mention the selfless contribution made by Rev. Joe Wickremasinghe in the chain of Rectors who has made a lasting service that remain alive in the minds of men.

Rev.Fr. Filician commended the education authorities whose directives and circulars since independence have contributed to advance the indigenization of the Church and transformation of prayers and rituals in keeping with the times.

However he emphasized that these directives and circulars should be student centered.

The decision-making authorities should not rush to overnight decisions especially where education is concerned. He expected the Executive to be concerned of this aspect.

He advised the prize winners and the students in general that they should play the game of schooling well. Learn to say ‘yes’ always, he said.

Try to keep the college flag high. He emphasized the need of participating in the religious services, and the regular attendance to Dhaham Pasala and devote time reading books and newspapers.

Rev. Filician in his new role as the Editor Of the Catholic Messenger, assured that the outlook of the Catholic Messenger should change with the times and requested the Catholic writers” community to keep on writing.

He hoped that old Peterites too could contribute to the Catholic Journals.

The ceremony terminated with the singing of T.M.Jayaratne’s Ammawarun pamanada Buduwanne (Do mother’s only attain Buddahood) by the Peterite oriental choir conducted by Maestro Samantha Amarajeeva.

Rev. Rector. Travis Gabriel, Vice Rectors, Rev. Cooray, Rev. Muthukudarachchi and Rev. Rohita Rodrigo and the Tutorial Staff were present at the occasion.