Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai OMI
Fifth Rector (1940-1961)
The story of Fr. Peter A. Pillai following Fr. Le Goc as Rector of the
College, his array of educational qualifications remain unchallenged to
this very day. He was a product of St. Benedict's College, Kotahena. At
the age of 14 he passed the Junior Cambridge with distinctions in 8 out
of the 9 subjects. At 16 years he was successful in the Cambridge Senior
with honours and distinctions in all the subjects. This was considered a
record for all countries in the world in which the examination was held.
He was born in Ulhitiyawa in Wennappuwa in the Diocese of Chilaw on
10th October 1904. In the year 1922 he passed the London Intermediate
in Science and in the following year - 1923 - he was successful in the
B.Sc. London with a double first in Mathematics at the University of
Ceylon. He was awarded the Government Mathematics Scholarship to
study at Cambridge. While being there he passed his B. A. in Natural
Science. A short while later he obtained his M. A. in Kings College
Cambridge and his M. Sc. in Mathematics with distinctions.. While at
Cambridge he attended the Catholic University Pax Romana and was a
prominent debater at Fisher House Conferences. Joining the Oblates in
1928 he pursued his intellectual studies at the Roman International
Scholasticate and having enrolled in the Dominican University
Angelicum obtained his Ph.D. and D. D. He was ordained a priest on 7th
July
1934. His involvement in the Social Justice Movement created
awareness within the Government of its obligations to the working
class which saw many radical changes in the terms of employment of
the masses. His broad vision on problems related to education helped
him to change the educational landscape in the country. He was an
educationist par excellence. He voiced his opposition loud and clear
regarding the unreasonable rapid change in introducing the mother
tongue (Sinhala-Tamil) into the educational system.
He was widely sought by the Government to serve on Commissions
such as the Tobacco and Alcohol Commission, Marriage & Divorce
Commission etc. etc. He bequeathed to St. Joseph's the Swimming Pool
which was declared open on 30 July 1952 and generations of
Josephians have done his memory proud by winning on a number of
occasions the title of National Schools Champions. He retired from the
Rectorship of St. Joseph's College in 1961 only to become the founder
Rector of another great educational institution which he made famous
and has left its imprint on education, the Aquinas University College.
His Prize Day Reports during the years 1947 to 1959 were erudite
where he turned the spotlight on the Government of the day and
brought it under critical review.
He was appointed Rector of St. Joseph's College on the 8th of December
1940. He guided the destinies of the College during the World War II by
setting up branches of the College at Borella, Homagama, Kelaniya and
Gampaha so that the students education would not be interrupted.
On 27th September 1964 he passed away at Aquinas and went into the
arms of His Lord and Master to receive his Eternal Reward.
Rev. Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter
Sixth Rector (1961-1971)
He had his early education at Maris Stella College, Negombo. In 1934 he passed the
Cambridge Senior examination with such good results the he obtained an exemption
from the London Matriculation and joined St. Aloysius Seminary in 1935 and was
ordained a priest in 1941 on the 25 of March. After a few years of parish work,
he was appointed to the staff of St. Joseph's College in 1946. Here he was exposed
to the various administrative functions as well as academic aspects of life at
College. He continued his studies and was successful at the Intermediate Examination
in Arts in 1948. He got through Pali as a subsidiary subject for the B A. honours in
Sinhala. Recognising his success, his superiors sent him to Europe to pursue higher
studies. In Rome he took up a course in Missiology at Propaganda Fide University. He
thereafter joined that Faculty of Oriental and African studies of the University of
London and completed his B. A. Honours Degree. Subsequently he joined the Institute
of Education of the same University and obtained an Academic Diploma in Education.
After two years of intense research he successfully completed his M. A. in education in 1955.
He crowned his efforts by gaining a Ph.D. in education in 1955.
In spite of his other duties he contributed frequently as a versatile writer in both
English and Sinhala ta various magazines of repute which won him a fellowship of the
Royal Historical Society of Great Britain. It was in 1961 that he took over the reigns
of St. Joseph's College. It was a turbulent time in the educational history of the
country due to the takeover of Private Schools by the Government. With unflinching faith
in the denominational school system he guided St. Joseph's College over troubled wat successfully.
He breathed his last on the 24th April, 2008. His mortal remains lay in state
in the College Chapel. At the Mass, the homilist, Rev. Fr. Stanley Abeysekera, an emeritus
Rector explained at length the contribution Rev. Fr. Don Peter made to St. Joseph's College.
Rev. Fr. Mervyn Weerakkody
Seventh Rector (1971–1974)
He had his primary education at St. Benedict's College, Kotahena and his secondary education at
St. Joseph's College. After successfully completing his Matriculation Examination, he entered
St. Bernard's Seminary. He was ordained in Rome in 1943, and, whilst there he obtained his Baccalaureate
in Philosophy and his Doctorate in Theology. Back in Sri Lanka he served as an Assistant Pastor and Chief
Pastor in many parishes. He also spent time at Holy Cross College, Kalutara and at St. Peter's College,
Bambalapitiya. In 1963 he was appointed as Rector of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya. He continued to
update himself on education obtaining a Diploma from the University of London. In 1971 he was appointed as
Rector of St. Joseph's College. He was a disciplinarian who mixed sternness with a smile and could empathize
with both the staff and students. He improved the standard of choral music at College. Due to ill health his
period at the helm was relatively short and he retired in 1974. He passed away on 31st March 1975.
Rev. Fr. Quintus Fernando
Eighth Rector (1974–1979)
He succeeded Fr. Mervyn and was appointed the 8th Rector of the College on 1st May
1974. He had his primary education at Maris Stella College, Negombo and his secondary education at St.
Joseph's College. Ordained a priest of God in September 1960, he was for a short while a lecturer on the staff
of St. Aloysius' Seminary and after that served as the Assistant Parish Priest at Kotahena and Parish Priest
at Pitipana. As an external student of the University of London he obtained his B.A. (Arts) degree and later
at the same University he obtained an M. A. and Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph. D.). He served St. Peter's College
as Bursar and Vice Rector of the College. He assisted the teachers, clerical and minor employees by setting
up a fund for monetary assistance. A prominent addition to the College was the open air stage behind the
Chapel which faced the quadrangle where assemblies and other functions could be held. He had a great interest
in sport and cricket was at the top of the list. It was during his period as Rector that the 'turf wicket'
became a reality.
He invited Hon. Ranasinghe Premadasa, the first Old Boy who held the elevated position of President of Sri Lanka
firstly to felicitate him and on another occasion to be the Chief Guest at the Annual Prize day. He left for
America giving up the Rectorship in 1978.
Rev. Fr. Neville Emmanuel
Nineth Rector (1979–1983)
He was admitted to the kindergarten class of e the pre-school of the College in January 1935. Fr. Neville entered
the University of Ceylon and obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1951. His first teaching
appointment was at Maris Stella College, Negombo and thereafter at St. Marys, Embilipitiya. In 1952 he entered
St. Bernard's Seminary and completed a course in Philosophy and was sent to Rome for his Theological studies.
He returned in 1958 and joined the staff of the College. He was appointed as Principal of the Upper and Middle
schools under the Rectorship of Ft. Peter A. Pillai. It was in the year 1979 that Fr. Neville was appointed the
9th Rector of the College.
The religious atmosphere of the College was rekindled during his Rectorship. The Feast of Corpus Christi and the activities of the Guild of the Immaculate Heart were re-activated. He also infused new life into curricular and extracurricular activities such as the Interact Club, Drama Society, the Sinhala, Tamil and English Literary Unions. Sports also received emphasis. It was he who initiated the formation of the Cricket Advisory Council. He emphasized at the staff meetings that a teacher should be a role model to be emulated and drove home its importance by stating that
"SL Joseph's cannot be taken for granted". "First comply and then complain" and "Work with responsibility."
He achieved the unique distinction of being the first and only Josephian (so far to complete his education from
the Kindergarten to the University Entrance at St. Joseph's and also become the Rector of his Alma Mater.
Later, he was at Aquinas University College. He retired in 1983 and proceeded to America. He subsequently
worked in Twain for a short while. He then returned to Sri Lanka in 2000 He fell ill and death took him away
from our midst. His mortal remains were brought to the Chapel, thereafter to the Sacred Heart Chapel where the
final obsequies were conducted and he was laid to rest at Borella Cemetery.
Rev. Fr. Stanley Abeysekara
Tenth Rector (1983–1996)
In the year 1983, in the month of May - Rev. Fr. B. Stanley Abeysekara was appointed as the 10th Rector of
St.Joseph's College.To provide an opportunity for deserving under-privileged students to study at St.Joseph's, a grade 5
scholarship examination was inaugurated in the College. On the results of this examination these students were give an opportunity
to study at St. Joseph's College. During the college Prize Giving of 1986, Hon.Ranasinghe Premadas was felicitated with a special award
"Jana Pujitha Keethsinghe Vidyala Puthra". In the following year (1987) His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray, a past student of the College
was conferred a very special honour - 'Deva Dharma Keethisiri Uttunga Vidyala Puthra'. During the era of Fr. Stanley Abeysekara, the
following additions and renovations to the college buildings were completed.
(a)A two storied building was completed. The top-story for the class rooms, and the ground floor for the sick room, boarders' refectory and modern kitchen.
(b) A well equipped auditorium was built where the Chemistry labs were housed.
(c)In 1991, a three storied building was constructed for class-rooms and laboratories for the advanced level students.
(d)The Enderamulla Branch school was inaugurated.
(e)A sports complex cum auditorium was declared open by His Grace Nicholas Marcus Fernando on 19th March 1996.
The College centenary year was solemnly inaugurated.
Rev. Fr. Victor Silva
Eleventh Rector (1996–2005)
Rev. Fr. Victor Silva was appointed the 11th Rector of the College on 31th> March 1996. Born
in Diyalagoda, he entered St. Aloysius' Seminary, Borella for his priestly studies and
undertook the latter part of his secondary education at St. Peter's College Colombo. He
joined the National Seminary in 1969 and after seven years of study obtained the
Baccalaureate Degree in Theology. He obtained his Arts Degree (B.A.) from the
University of Peradeniya. In 1984 he was appointed the Principal of the Primary School of
St. Peter's College, Colombo whilst also teaching Life Education and Religious Knowledge.
He then enrolled at the University of London and successfully completed the Diploma in
Education and the Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. On his return, he was
appointed Rector of St. Joseph's College, Colombo and upon taking up that role, his first act
was to decentralize the educational administration giving greater responsibility to the
Principals and Deputy Principals. He also allocated to the Sectional Heads and teachers the
responsibility of managing affairs under their purview.
Rev. Fr. Victor ensured that there was greater consultation on all matters between the
academic, administrative and other staff and parents on all matters. He took great pains to
improve the results achieved at all public examinations also paying attention to Computer
Studies and ICT. The Millennium Centre was his brain child. He paid special attention to the
development of computer studies and the improvement of English at St.
Joseph's.
The Enderamulla Branch School was formally declared open on 10 January 1996. It grew
rapidly under his guidance. The new computer laboratory donated by the Ja Ela/Wattala
Branch of the Old Boys and the unveiling of the plaque in memory of Mr. Wilfred Seneviratne took place during his term.
Also during his tenure, among the many new buildings and projects he promoted, was the
major refurbishment of the Bonjean Hall which gave it a completely new look. The
renovation, modernization and re-tiling of the Swimming
Pool, beautifying the campus with floral plants, the special attention he paid to the
College Choir which reached new heights and the Annual Christmas Carol Service were
some of his contributions to St Joseph's College and something the students, Old Boys,
parents and well wishers appreciated and enjoyed.
Rev. Fr. Victor was an amiable priest who knew the pulse of both students and teachers.
Anyone who sought his assistance or a favour always returned feeling fulfilled. He had a big
heart, he reached out to everyone in the friendliest way and perhaps his strongest and most
endearing quality was that he took a genuine interest in each and every person he came in
contact with and considered them as his own sheep. We, as the Josephian Community are
indebted to Rev. Fr. Victor Silva for the immensity of services that he has rendered to this
College to make it what it actually is today. May he be blessed by God abundantly to further
the Kingdom of God amongst the people entrusted to his care!
His tenure ended in 2005 and he was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe.
Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe
Twelfth Rector (2005-2014)
On 3rd October 2005, Rev.Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe was appointed as 12th Rector of
St. Joseph's College. A systematic staff development programme was introduced at St. Joseph's by the Rector.
During Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe's era, different age groups of past students started undertaking different
projects for the welfare of the College - innovations and refurbishment of the different buildings were
undertaken by the old boys under the direction of the Rector. A three story building is nearing completion to
house the class-rooms of the middle school. An extension of the Advanced Level building has been undertaken
to rebuild the English Medium and Tamil Medium classes of the Advanced Level. The refurbishment of all the
computer laboratories have been inaugurated. The work of computerizing different aspects of school
administration and curriculum have also been completed. On the 31ST July 2009, marked the launch of the "Ten
Year Vision Plan" of the College.
The vision plan is to achieve excellence in education and produce the model
Josehian in terms appropriate to his age and level of maturity" The plan is to produce students with an
integral education, who will be men of faith, and witness to love, truth and justice.Courses in career
guidance and vocational education have been commenced in the present era. Efforts are made to educate the
students on the History of the College.