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Don Bosco Technical Centre is situated a few kilometres away from the Free Trade Zone of Katunayake in Negombo, which is known as a fishing area but more popular now as a tourist resort. The centre which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year can look back with pride of its unlimited services rendered to youth, not only in assisting them with a goal towards employment but in leading them towards the correct path of a disciplined adult life.

Go-Carts made by the students and driven by them

Established in 1963 by a French Priest of the Selesian Society, which was founded in Italy by a pious saint named Don Bosco, the main aim of the project was to lead the young , especially the disadvantaged and the abandoned towards achieving academic advancement.

"Looking back the vision of this Italian saint has been achieved in no small measure", said Rev. Father. Felix Joachim Mellawarachchy, the present Director of the centre. Their aim has always been to be of service to children that are materially poor, who cannot afford entry to private colleges like their rich brothers in society.

Among others that gain attention for entry into the Centre are orphans, street children, children who fail to proceed in higher studies due to lack of funds, school dropouts from very poor families and in recent times a few child soldiers were also accepted for rehabilitation.

Most of these children secure a place for themselves in the Centre through various sources such as certain government approved organisations, Courts (Juveniles involved in minor criminal acts discharged and released for rehabilitation), The Ministry of Defence and parents who have children refusing to continue with higher studies and disoriented owing to financial constraints.

The Don Bosco Technical Centre not only trains youth in various jobs but even volunteers to find suitable employment through various establishments, specially using the Free Trade Zone and the resort hotels to its advantage.

A computerised employment data bank is maintained by the training centre in view of finding suitable employment to youth that have already graduated from the centre. Fr. Mellawarachchy is dedicated to achieving his goal of further transforming the training centre in to a more accessible place for children of all faiths. Even now it has around 15% of non Christian youth undergoing training along with their Christian friends without being forced in to or influenced by the Christian faith.

The Centre’s Italian Soccer coach Juliano Mai addressing some players

The Don Bosco Training Centre provides the service of well trained and qualified instructors at the disposal of these children selected to undergo training at the Centre. Some of these instructors are past pupils who have joined the Centre after long term engagements with private establishments, specially in the manufacturing sector and have returned to work at the Centre, parting with the knowledge they learnt at this same institute several years ago.

"It is very encouraging to see this kind of attitude by past students and their willingness to be of help to their poorer brothers", said the Director. He also stressed that among the courses available there are a few full time certificate courses designed for the benefit of these youth.

A Computer Science and a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning course for 1 year besides 2 year courses covering subjects such as Electronics, Mechanical Trades, Motor Mechanics and Carpentry. Taking into consideration the popular vocation of the Negombo area the Centre has included a 3 month course on Out Board Engine Repair and Maintenance. Situated on a lush 12 acre land within tranquil surroundings Don Bosco Technical Centre is home for over 200 children and youth apart from almost 450 students visiting from outside.

The Computer Training unit visited by The Hon. Speaker of the House Joseph Michael Perera accompanied by Fr. Mellawarachchi

The first category of 100 boarders who always had provisions for hostel facilities consists of children at risk like orphans, street children, abused children and mostly the ones that have less opportunities to continue with their studies and materially poor.

There are another 100 children, recently accepted between the ages of 12 and 16 years admitted to different schools in surrounding areas and given accommodation at the hostel as boarders.

Most of the children in this category includes ones that come from unsettled backgrounds who are emotionally disturbed.

"We are responsible for these children's well being. Not only do we train them in specialised vocations, we also have to handle them with loving kindness as to reinstate that lost warmth in them", stressed Fr. Mellawarachchy.

Rev. Fr. Felix Joachim Mallawarachchy joined the order some what later in life, according to him he always planned to become an Accountant or Join the forces as a Cadet Officer, he even worked for sometime as a trainee accountant at the Negombo Branch of Ceylon Ceramics.

Going around in a vehicle assembled by the students

An old boy of De Mazenod College of Kandana and later Thurstan College Colombo, Fr. Mellawarachchy remarks that up to date he is the only student to have joined priesthood from Thurstan College, which also makes him very special. During his tenure as a student he excelled in sports, his favourites being Soccer and Judo.

Born to a family of 7 boys and 5 girls (out of which 1 is presently a Nun in the Good Shepherd order), Fr. Mellawarachchy had the opportunity of visiting India for 7 years and to Italy for 4 years during his period as a Rev. Brother for higher studies after which he was ordained by Rt. Rev. Doctor Raymond Peris, Archbishop of Kurunegala at that time.

In the same parish where he lived with his family since childhood, at Palliyawatte, Hendala.

It was interesting to know if the Rev. Father was happy in what he chose to be his life long occupation. "Yes" he said somewhat joyfully, "I join these youth every evening to take part in their recreational activities".

During the week of celebrating its 40 years anniversary the Don Bosco Training Centre had the privilege of having various dignitaries visiting it on invitation to inspect the vast technical knowhow the students have excelled in. Here a diplomat from the Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka inspecting a machine produced by them.

A special Recreation Centre is open daily for the use of young people not only of the training centre but also from surrounding areas and immediate neighbourhood. Apart from providing recreational facilities for these youth it has also opened up an opportunity for the school to get closer to its neighbours. As a result the school now conducts tuition classes on various subjects to students who cannot afford this facility free of charge. Over 22 teachers are involved conducting classes for over 500 students throughout the week.

These classes are open for both boys and girls. For even poorer children who still cannot attend these classes teachers are sent to extremely undeveloped neighbourhoods to teach them on Saturdays and Sundays.

It is stated that in the path of Don Bosco, the Don Bosco Technical Centre is committed to serve the poorest. Religion, caste and ethnic differences are treated as having equal dignity.