Jaffna Central College

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Jaffna Central College is a national school in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1814. It is among the oldest and most distinguished of the modern secondary schools in Sri Lanka.

                                Jaffna Central College
                      
                           Motto: Central's flag must ne'er be lowered
                           Established: 1814
                           Type: National
                           Principal: Mr.S.Pathmanathan
                           Location: Jaffna,Sri Lanka

Brief History of Jaffna central College.

A group of Methodist missionaries from Britain, first came to Ceylon in the year 1814 arriving on the 29th June which date is observed every year by the Methodist Church in our country as Methodist Day. After they arrived, they learnt that there was also a need to establish English Schools in the country. Rev. James Lynch and Rev. Thomas Squance, two of the original group of six missionaries travelled to Jaffna to start their mission there. They first mixed freely with the local people and started learning the local language and getting acquainted with the local customs.

On 1st August 1816, they purchased a centrally and ideally situated property, opposite the esplanade, that had earlier been used as an Orphanage that had closed down. The buildings and Chapel were quite adequate for their purpose and they established an English School. This School which has a continuous history from that date, was reorganized by Rev. Dr.Peter Percival, a great scholar and Principal who named it Jaffna Central. It was Rev. Dr.Peter Percival, himself a Tamil Scholar, assisted by Arumuka Navalar, the celebrated Tamil scholar who was a student of his at Central that produced a Tamil version of the Scriptures for which elegance and dignity of expression has never been equalled. This School is the oldest Methodist Mission Institution in South East Asia and has a long line of missionary Principals who were also educationalists of their time and they worked untiringly and with indomitable will and sprit to leave the place much better than when they entered it. The Staff too worked with devotion and dedication. The School grew from strength to strength. Academic education was unbeatable for quality and standards. The goal was excellence.

The School progressed, achieved Collegiate status, became affiliated to the Calcutta University preparing students for the FA Examinations of Calcutta and Madras, Junior and Senior Cambridge, London Matriculation and Commerce examinations. The School continued to grow and expand. New buildings were started on the original site and the school expanded. Several students attained academic distinction and went on for higher studies to the University in Colombo or abroad. In the forties of this century, after the University of Ceylon came into being, the first batch of students prepared for the medical entrance examination, all were successful and all of them entered the medical faculty. University entrance to all faculties has been a regular feature with very good results in the entrance examinations.

Side by side Sports and extra curricular activities also flourished and many students excelled in these as well, going further to represent the School in outside competitions. Cricket, Football, Athletics, Scouting, Debating, Oratory, Elocution, Music were all fields in which students excelled themselves. More than a hundred years passed by. In the House system, all houses, namely Percival, Romaine, Wilkes and Bullough are all named after former Principals and there is healthy rivalry between houses, especially on the sports field. In 1945 the School entered the free education scheme and numbers increased. Rev. C.A.Smith, the Principal at that time, added more buildings to the school and hostel. In 1960 when Rev. Dr D.T.Niles was principal, the school was handed over to the state along with several other Methodist Mission Schools. The Methodist Mission retained only one Boys School and one girls School, both in Colombo, to be run privately. Thereafter, Jaffna Central had local Principals many of whom were Old Boys who continued to maintain the standards and traditions that had been established. Now the School has the status of a “National School” with about 3000 children on the Roll. The School still continues to keep the flame burning.

But there are many constraints. Many old boys of all communities -Singhalese, Muslims, Burghers, Tamils have all happily studied together in this school and have also lived together in the Rigg Hall Hostel as one happy family without differences or problems. The Parent Body OBA is in Jaffna and is very closely associated with the school, while there are branches in Colombo as well as overseas in UK, Canada, Australia, France and Germany all showing great and active interest in the welfare of their Alma Mater.

Professors and lecturers in Universities here and abroad, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Civil Servants, Legislators, Politicians, Businessmen have all been products of this school, that have taken their due place in society, served and continue to serve their country with honour, distinction and pride. The motto of the school is “In Gloriam Dei Optimi Maximi” which means “Unto the Glory of God, the Best and the Highest” and this the school has continued to observe down the years. The college song and college Hymn were composed by Rev.Percy T.Cash, a former Principal and set to music by Mrs. Cash. Centralities are proud to sing the college song whenever they get together.

The school buildings, furniture and equipment have been badly damaged and plenty of repair and rehabilitation works needs to be done. Basic requirements of books and writing materials have to be found and provided. Students and teachers who were grouped in combined schools spread here and there are slowly coming back and work is being resumed. A great deal has to be done. That is the present state of affairs. 180 years is a long and glorious period for Jaffna Central. The sprit of Central still grows and glows. We Centralities are justly proud of the past. But now we know and realize that the past should challenge the present and bring hope and fulfilment to the future.

Milestones in the History of Jaffna Central College      

29th June 1814

Landing of the Methodist Missionaries in Galle.

10th August 1814

Arrival of Messrs. Lynch and Squance in Jaffna.

01st August 1816

Purchased the Site for the School from the Government by Rev. James Lynch.

1817

Jaffna Wesleyan English School founded.

1825

The school transferred to Vembadi Site.

1826

Arrival Of Rev. Dr.Peter Percival.

1834

Re-named the School, "The Jaffna Central School"

1839

Visit of His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. J.A. Stewart Mackenzie. 

Receipt of First Government Grant of Stg.150/-

1851

Rev. Dr. Peter Percival retired

1852

Preparatory Department opened at St. Paul’s, Chapel Street

1853

Vannarponnai English School started

1854

Boarding Department housed at "Hope Cottage" (the present site of Wesley House")

1855

Mr. Samuel Grenier appointed as the Head master who later became the First Supreme Court Judge of Ceylon. 

Rev. William Barber appointed Principal

1859

The First Public Examination and Prize-Giving

1860

Rev. William Talbot appointed Principal 

Mr. William Nevins appointed Head-master

1862

Rev. John Mitchell appointed Principal

1867

Mr. John O. Rhodes appointed Principal 

Latin introduced as a Subject

1869

Affiliated to the Madras University

1870

Collegiate Department formed 

Rev. D. P. Niles acted as Principal

1873

Rev. S. R. Wilkin appointed Principal

1874

Rev. William R. Winston appointed Principal

1877

Mr. Edward Strutt appointed Principal

1879

Rev. F. M. Webster, B.A., appointed Principal

1881

Rev. F. M. Webster introduced Cricket for the first time into Jaffna.

1882

Thomas Little Esqr., appointed Principal

1883

Mr. William J. G. Bestall appointed Principal

1884

Joseph West , Esqr., appointed Principal

1885

Rev. A. E. Restarick appointed Principal 

College Y.M.C.A. founded College Literary Association inaugurated

1886

Mr. William Nevins retired 

Rev. D. P. Niles returned

1888

Rev. Sheldon Knapp appointed Principal

1890

Rev. E. M. Weaver appointed Principal

1891

Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., appointed Principal

1894

Rev. Gabriel Leese appointed Principal 

Football (Soccer) introduced Mr. J. K. Chanmukam , B.A., L.T., appointed Head-Master

1896

Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., returned as Principal

1897

Affiliated with the Calcutta University

1898

Won the Gymkhana Cup

1899

Rev. G. B. Robeson acted as Principal 

1900

Rev. E. O. Martin acted as Principal

1901

Rev. A. Lockwood acted as Principal 

Rev. W.T. Garret B.A., returned as Principal. Mr. W.R. Cooke arrived.

1902

Visit of Mr. (Sir) S. M. Burrows, director of Public Instruction

1903

Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., L.C.P., appointed Principal

1904

College Magazine " The Central" published 

The Central Crest and Colours designed Inauguration of a College building fund

1905

T. Saravanamuttu passed the F.A. of the Calcutta University obtaining First  

Class Honours and coming 16th in order of merit Visit of Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Ceylon

1906

Visit of Dr. and Mrs. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy 

Mr. W. Romaine Cooke went on furlough Cambridge Junior Local Class formed

28th December 1906

Inauguration of Old Boys Association - Jaffna Branch.

1907

Mr. W. R. Cooke returned 

First Old Boys’ Day Celebrations Cambridge Senior local Class formed T. Cooke Jayaratnam obtained a First Class in the Cambridge Junior Local, Coming 8th in order of merit in the Island

1908

Won the Prize Football Cup 

Visit of Sir Henry McCallum, Governor of Ceylon Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes transferred to Point Petro Rev. H. A. Meek , B.A., appointed principal

25th September 1908

Foundation laid for the present Assembly Hall

1909

Prize Football Cup won 2nd time

1910

Prize Football Cup won 3rd time 

Rev. H. A. Meek, B.A., retired Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., returned as Principal Opening of the New Building by Mrs. G. J. Trimmer Staging of the First English Play completely at Central

1911

A. R. Rasiah won the Hewavitharne Science Prize

1911

Won the Union Jack at the Sports Meet 

1913

Colombo Branch of the O.B.A formed

1915

Won the Doraiswamy Cricket Cup 

Visit of Sir (Lord) Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon

1916

Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes retired  

Rev. E. T. Selby acted as Principal Scout Movement inaugurated Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., joined

1917

Rev. H. Bullough, M. A., B.Sc., arrived 

W. R. Cooke, Esqr., retired Muttucumaru Football Cup won

1918

Opened a New Dormitory (the present Dining Hall) 

Bracketed Champions in the Inter-Collegiate Gymkhana Meet

1919

Visit of Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon 

Visit of Sir John Randles, M.P. Death of Mr. S. A. Edward, B. A., L.T. Cup Pack organised Muttucumaru Football Cup won (Final)

1920

Percival Hall opened 

Commercial class formed

1921

Inter-Collegiate Athletics Championship won 

Rev. H. Bullough retired Rev. H. R. Cornish acted as Principal

May 1922

Rev. Percy T. Cash, B.A., B.Sc., (London) arrived

1922

Mr. L. P. Spencer, B. A., transferred to Kilner College 

Union College started

1923

London Intermediate Classes formed. 

Botany introduced as a subject. House System organised. New Building scheme inaugurated. Foundation laid for the Two Storied Building. A. Kulanayagam won the Sir Marcus Fernando All-Ceylon Agricultural. Scholarship. The Tamil Kazhagam inaugurated. Y.M.C.A. affiliated to the Student Christian Movement of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Social Service League inaugurated The Master’ Fellowship formed The Temperance League inaugurated Visit of Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon

1924

T. M. Z. Mahamooth , P. C. Selvaratnam and  

W. A. Wijayaretnam chosen to represent Ceylon at the International Scout Jamboree held in Wembley, London.

1925

Sanskrit and Music introduced as subjects  

Teachers’ Guild inaugurated Visit of Rev. W. T. Barber, M.A., D. D. Visit of Sir Cecil Clementi (Acting Governor)

1926

Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of Ceylon opened :- 

The William Paul Botanical Laboratory The William Romaine Cooke Library The Geographical Laboratory The Art Room

1927

Mr. J. K. Chanmukam, B.A., L.T., acted as Principal 

Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough

27th November 1927

Visit of Mahatma Gandhi

1928

Rev. Percy T. Cash returned 

Mr. J. K. Chanmukam retired

1929

Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., and Mr. O. L. Gibbon, M.A., appointed Co-Vice Principals 

Rev. W. J. Noble visited the College

1930

Death of Mr. J. K. Chanmukam 

Vembadi-Central Recreation Club formed. Sir Herbert Stanley, Governor of Ceylon , presided at the College Prize Distribution Hon. Mr. M.T. Akbar, K.C., visited the College

1931

New Hostel Buildings opened

1932

W. R. N. Nathaniel won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship 

Malayan Branch of the Old Boys’ Association formed Hon. Mr. P. J. Macdonnel, Chief Justice of the Island, visited. Death of Mr. G. W. Tamber. Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough.

1933

Mr. R. J. Seal, M.Sc., acted as Principal 

V. S. Ariaretnam won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship S. Kandiah represented the Northern Province Boys’ Scout Association at the International Jamboree held in Budapest

1934

Rev. Percy T. Cash returned as Principal

June 1935

Centenary of the renaming of the school as Jaffna Central School in 1834 was celebrated on a large scale.

1936

"Jaffna Central College": Centenary Memorial Edition was published.

1940 – 1942

Mr. R. S. D. Williams B.A., Dip. Ed., as Principal

1945 October

Free Education scheme of the Government was adopted at the College.

1952 February

Our student N Ethirveerasingham at the age of 20 particiapated in high jump at the Olympic Games geld in Helsinki,Finland, representing the country and the only  

student.

1955 December

Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles became Principal of the College.

1956

The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Old Boys’ Association.

1960 December

All schools in the island other the ones opted to be private were taken by the state.

1962

A.E. Tamber became the Principal.

1962 April

The property of the school was vested in the crown by Gazette notification.

1964

A non-Centralite or Wesleyan Methodist, Mr. E. Sabalingam, was made principal.

1981

The centenary of the introduction of Cricket into Jaffna by Rev. F. Webster, Principal, was celebrated.

1990 November

The college and its building were almost totally damaged or destroyed by aerial bombing. Mr. N. K. Shanmuganathapillai was appointed as Principal.

1993.01.05

The special committee appointed by the Old Boys’ Association to determine the date of founding of the College concluded its finding. First of August 1816 as the date of founding of the college.

1994

The college was made a National School.

1996.09.07

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a postage stamp (with the denomination of Rs. 2) and a First Day Cover to commemorate 180 years  of the founding of Jaffna Central College.

1996 November

Mr. K. Rasathurai was appointed as the Principal.

Listings of Past Principals

1816 Rev. James Lynch

1819 Rev. Thomas Squance

1820 – 24 Rev. Robert Carver

1825 Rev. Joseph Roberts

1834 – 51 Rev. Dr. Peter Percival

1852 – 54 Rev. John Walton

1855 Rev. William Barber

1859 – 61 Rev. William Talbot

1862 – 66 Rev. John Mitchell

1867 – 70 Rev. John O. Rhodes

1870 – 72 Rev. D.P. Niles (Acting)

1873 – 74 Rev. Samuel R. Wilkin

1874 - 76 Rev. William R. Winston

1877 – 78 Mr. Edward Strutt

1879 – 81 Mr. Fredrick M. Webster, B.A

1882 Mr. Thomas Little

1883 Mr. William J.G. Bestall

1884 Mr. Joseph West

1885 - 86 Rev. A.E. Restarick, B.A.

1886 - 87 Rev. D.P. Niles (Acting)

1888 - 89 Rev. Sheldon Knapp

1890 Rev. E. Middleton Weaver

1891 - 93 Rev. W.T. Garret B.A.

1894 - 95 Rev. Gabriel Leese

1896 - 98 Rev. W.T. Garret B.A.

1899 Rev. George B. Robeson (Acting)

1900 Rev. E.O. Martin

1901 Rev. Arthur Lockwood

1901 - 03 Rev. W.T. Garret B.A.

1903 - 08 Rev. W.M.P.Wilkes B.A., L.C.P.

1908 - 10 Rev. H.A. Meek B.A.

1910 - 16 Rev. W.M.P.Wilkes B.A., L.C.P.

1916 Rev. E.T. Selby (Acting)

1917 - 21 Rev. Harold Bullough M.A., B.Sc.

1921 Rev. H.R. Cornish (Acting)

1922 – 26 Rev. Percy T. Cash M.A., B.Sc.

1927 Mr. J.K. Chanmukam B.A., L.T.(Acting)

1928 - 32 Rev. Percy T. Cash M.A. B.Sc.

1933 Mr. R.J. Seal M.Sc. (Acting)

1934 - 39 Rev. Percy T. Cash M.A., B.Sc.

1940 - 42 Mr. R.S.D. Williams B.A., Dip.Ed.

1943 - 44 Mr. J.W. Arudpragasam B.A.

1945 - 55 Rev. C.A. Smith B.A.,(Hons) L.Th.

1949 Mr. J.C. Charles (Acting)

1956 - 62 Rev. Dr. D.T. Niles B.A.(Hons),D.D.,(Chic)

1962 - 64 Mr. A.E. Tamber B.Sc.

1964 - 71 Mr. E. Sabalingam B.Sc.,P.g.Tr.,S.Gr.P.

1971 – 80 Mr. E.K.Shanmuganathan B.A.Dip.Ed.SGrP

1980 – 82 Mr. N.S. Rathinasingham B.A.Eng,Trd,T.C.

1983 - 90 Mr. V Balasuntharam B.Sc.

1990 Mr. N. Rasaratnam B.A. Dip.Ed

1990 – 96 Mr. N.K. Shanmuganathapillai B.Sc,Dip.Ed,T.C.Cer, SLEAS 2

1996 Mr S. Sivanrooban B.Sc,Dip.Ed (Acting)

1996 – 2005 Mr. K. Rasathurai B.Ed.,B.A.,M.A.(Ed)

2005-Todate - Mr.S.Pathmanathan B.A. Dip.Ed