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'by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Correspondent

Colours Award is an important event in the annual calendar of a school as the recipients have been recognised as having achieved a high standard in the field of sports. Participation in sports nurtures and inculcates important qualities in the development of a student such as leadership qualities, character, team spirit and healthy competition, said General Cyril Ranatunga.

He noted this when he addressed the students, staff, parents and well wishers of St. Sylverster's College, as the Chief Guest at the Annual Colours Day Award Ceremony of St. Sylvester's College, Kandy held at Rev. Fr. Dom Robert M. Perera Memorial Hall of the school on Saturday.

General Cyril Ranatunga said that it gave him immense happiness to come back to the school which has moulded him in the early years. He is thrilled with the organisation ability of the students and the staff. He would like to make a plea to the Principal to admit him back to the school if there is a possibility he quipped in lighter vein to the thunderous applause of those present.

General Cyril Ranatunga recalled during his days at St. Sylvester's College the Second World War was on and they had to face many obstacles. The playing fields were taken over by the military to build temporary barracks where foreign troops were accommodated during the Second World War. We were compelled to share the available grounds with other schools to participate in sports activities. In spite of these problems we continued our sports which was sometimes limited to boxing, hockey and athletics. When you compare this the present day students are a lucky lot as they could continue their sports activities without any obstacle.

General Cyril Ranatunga said that the best days of anyone is the school life and the students should make good use of the facilities which is provided to them and also the good advice and the lessons given by their teachers. At St. Sylvester's College during his time they had an excellent team of staff headed by the Rector late Rev. Fr. Dom Robert M. Perera and they gave excellent guidance to build ourselves, develop character and leadership. This stood well in my later days and upto his time of retirement from the armed forces.

What you get in school, you will never get anywhere. Respect your teachers and look after them and it is from that fountain that you get all the guidance and encouragement which will make you a man and a useful citizen of the country.

The Principal of the school Ranil S. Meetiyagoda said that the objective of holding Colours Award Ceremonies is not only to recognise the achievements of the sportsmen in the sports fields but also to encourage others to participate in sports which is a discipline itself and promotes team work and motivates them to accept both triumph and defeat in the same spirit. As a team they are taught to obey leadership and work towards one goal.

Not only the sports but the coaches of the different sports were felicitated. E. A. D. A. Edirisinghe, a fine exponent of chess having led the school to victory at both collegiate and national levels and also having represented Sri Lanka at junior national level was crowned the 'Most Outstanding Sportsman for years 2002 and 2003.

Others to win the highest award in school which is the Crown were: Chess: E. A. D. Edirisinghe, P. M. D. I. Bandara, M. F. M. Haneef, R. M. D. I. Bandara, H. B. Henagama, Karate: H. K. P. Visal, Athletics: R. M. A. S. Ratnayake, W. M. S. T. Weliwita, Y. M. A. Rangana, Hockey: W. R. Weetasinghe and D. M. C. Dissanayake.

Awards were also presented by Malcolm Perera (Manager Coaching - Sri Lanka Cricket), Gamini Senaviratne (Division Secretary - Kandy Four Gravets and Gangawata Korale), Gamini Obeysekera (Director - Physical Education) and several others.

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