by

P. S. Arulraj

I served this prestigious Institution for 32 years from Scptember 1962 to February 1996 except for a short break from July 1984 - December, 1985 when I was abroad on a temporary assignment. I worked as Principal's Secretary for 22 years under three eminent Principals - Late Mr. A.W. Rajasekaram, Mr. K. Pooranampillai & late Mr. C. E. Anandarajan.

Late Mr. Rajasekaram:
During Mr. Rajasekaram's regime, St. Johns college . Jaffna, opted to be a non- fee - levying private institution in December 1960. The administration depended mainly on donations to run the School. The Principal, the then Manager, Late Mr. J.C. Handy, and some of the senior teachers went from door to door to parents, old boys and well wishers to collect funds. The College and the old boys organised Exhibitions. Cultural Shows and Collection Campaigns to raise funds to sustain the College.

The World Council of Churches helped the School for some time and we thank them for their generosity. I also wish to record the generous help and support of a distinguished old boy Mr. S. Kanagaratnam (Proctor) when the School was in a fix in 1963. Our Principal Mr. Rajasekaram always quoted that he was a sincere friend of the school. We are grateful to him for his kind deed and may God Bless him.

But the commitments were greater and the financial burden adversely affected the administration. Even in this difficult period, the school maintained very high standards in studies, games and athletics. Out of 40/42 students selected for admissions to the University 34 were admitted to Medical faculty in 1963. In 1963 the Athletic team won the outstation championship trophy in All Island Athletic competition held in Colombo. The 1st eleven Cricket team was unbeaten in the North as well as against schools in the South in 1965. Played with Royal College, Nalanda College and St. Sylvester, Kandy.

It was unfortunate that the Principal fell ill and retired prematurely in 1966. We can never forget this simplicity and piety and remember. him with gratitude.

Late Mr. J. C. Handy:
I am happy to mention about the significant role played by Mr. Handy who was the manager and Treasurer of the Welfare Association of the School from 1965 to 1974. With help of the School and the Old Boys, he organised Exhibitions, Cultural Shows, Fund Raising and Collection Campaigns. A team of five people - M/s. J. C. Handy, R.E. Rajanayagam, W. T. Gunaratnam, C.E. Anandarajan, P. S. Arulraj went to Upcountry on a collection tour in August 1965. He also introduced a new system of. collecting a fixed sum from the new admissions according to the classes. He was instrumental to get the support of the Christian Children's Fund of Kowloon, Hong Kong in 1968 with the guidance of late Dr. D.T. Niles. Even now the Organisation CCFC - continues the support. He performed 'A Herculean Task' and sustained the school in the most difficult period. Rev. Henry Peto Ter Jubilee Memorial Hall bears witness to his great deed. We remember him with gratitude and may his soul rest in peace.

Mr. K. Pooranampillai:
He was appointed as Principal of St. John's College, Jaffna, from March 1967 to Februarv 1976. He was a very good administrator, a strict disciplinarian and an educationist. He had taken the reign in the midst of many set backs and criticism. He introduced new systems into the School and made bold changes wherever necessary. He dedicated his life for the noble task and achieved his goal in putting the College on the Map. He maintained high standards of discipline in the school. The college was doing very well in the field of Education, Games & Athletics, and extra curricular activities of the school societies. He often expressed the Biblical quotation found in the Book of Proverbs: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it".

During his period in 1973 the 150th Anniversary of the school was celebrated in a well-fitted manner. To mark this important event, the Rev. Henry Peto Ter Jubilee Memorial Hall was erected, who was a devoted & beloved Principal of the College from 1920 - 1940. I was fully involved in the activities of the celebrations.

We extend Mr. Pooranampillai our sincere thanks and wish him well-earned retired life.

Late Mr. C. E. Anandarajan:
Mr. Anandarajan a loyal old boy & teacher of St. John's College, Jaffna, was the Principal from March 1976 to June 1985. He was a student, teacher, Vice Principal and then Principal. He was a disciplinarian and a well known Principal among the schools in the North. During his regime in 1980 Government had started giving grant and pensionable status to the teachers. It was a great relief to the Administration and the teachers.

He continued to maintain the discipline and good standard in the Academic field and Games and Athletics. The College Science Quiz Advanced Level team won the championship in the All Island Competition held in Trincomalee in 1983. During his time Rev. J.T. Arulanantham Block. Mr. A.W. Rajasekaram Block and Mr. K. Pooranampillai Block were erected as a grateful recognition and appreciation of their devoted services to the College.

It was unfortunate that we lost him in June 1985; We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

Mr. T. Gunaséelan:
Mr. Gunaseelan, a loyal old boy and teacher of the College was Principal from November 1985 to February 1987. Due to his ill health he retired on medical ground. We wish him a peaceful retired life.

Dr. E. S. Thevasagayam:
Dr. Thevasagayam a distinguished old boy and old teacher and an educationist was appointed as Principal in January 1988. He immediately started the renovation of the buildings which were very badly damaged during the I. P. K. F. operation in 1987. He was the Architect of the New Science Complex. He was intelligent and sorted out very knotty problems of the school peacefully and amicably. During his regime the College was doing well in all the fields. Due to the ethnic crisis of the country he was unable to perform his duties as a resident Principal. Hence he operated from Colombo from June 1990 to April 1993. In 1990 he helped most of the displaced students of the North to gain admissions in various Colombo Schools and specially at Colombo Hindu College, Bambalapitiya. The Principal of Hindu College told him of the acute shortage of furniture due to the sudden increase in number. He immediately donated a sum of rupees fifty thousand from his pocket towards furniture.

During his visit abroad in 1988 & in 1990 he met the old boys, in U. K. States, Canada and Australia and met members of the respective P. P. A.'s. The Associations are very active and play an important role in the welfare of the School. Even now as the Chairman of the Governing Body of CMS Institutions in Sri Lanka. he is a tower of strength to all the Anglican Schools in the Island. We wish him health and happiness and many years of devoted service to the needy and deserving community of the Country.

Mr. S. Thanapalan:
Mr.Thanapalan completed forty years at St. John's as a student (1955), teacher, hostel master, Secretary of Games, Middle School Supervisor,- Vice Principal, Acting Principal (August'90) and now Principal (May 1993). He has gained vast administrative training and experience under his predecessors and abroad. One of his predecessors
remarked that he is a walking encyclopedia of the School. He is moulded and shaped to take up the responsibility of this great institution at the hour of need. From June 1990 to April 1996 was the most difficult and trying period in the entire history of St. Johns. He was able to 'hold the fort and steered the school in keeping her flag flying. We congratulate him and his staff for the excellent work they are doing in the school.

The Rev. Henry Peto Ter Jubilee Memorial Hall was very badly damaged' during the Riverasa Operation in November 1995. He redesigned the existing structure and renovated it into a beautiful hail. It. is the biggest hall (101' x 50') among the schools in the North. He is attending to the renovation of all other damaged buildings in spite of the scarcity of building materials in the North. His family is scattered due to the prevailing situation in the country. He is alone in the residence and has dedicated his life to the noble task. May God Bless him.

St. John's is about to celebrate her 175th year in May 1998. May God bless her to grow from strength to strength in the coming years and wish the celebrations every success.