The First Board of Prefects
[Extract of 1950 College Magazine]
It was the middle of March 1949 class was just over. Eight boys from the higher forms were summoned to the College parlour, wondering what it was all about. No one seemed to know anything except that a notice from the Rev. Bro. Director had brought them together. So everyone was listening attentively when Bro. Director said “You are the Board of Prefects” and with those words, the Board of Prefects was formed.
Several years previously, a Board of Prefects had existed in the College but it had disappeared about ten years ago. Rev. Bro. Hugh Faringdon, our director, has revived it. He chose two prefects from each of four Houses to form his first Board of Prefects. The new Board of Prefects consisted of Messrs. Dixon Mendis and Merril Dias (De La Salle House); Messrs Oriel Gunewardene and Senerat Gunaratne (Alban House); Messrs Edmund Perera and Terrence Rodrigo (Luke House); Messrs Winston Perera and Terence Pereira (Bonaventure House).
At the First meeting, Mr. Dixon Mendis was elected Head Prefect and Mr. Terence Pereira Secretary to the Board.
Hardly four months had passed when Messrs Edmund Perera and Merril Dias left us for the Technical College. In appreciation of their loyal and efficient service, the Rev. Bro. Director kindly accorded them a farewell. We wish them both a very bright future. The vacancies created were filled in by Messrs. Earl Fernando and Royce De Mel.
At the beginning of the Third Term yet another prefect left us. This time it was our Head Prefect, Mr. Dixon Mendis, who had filled his post so well and yet in such an unassuming manner. The great privilege of being the first Head of the College fell to him and very worthily too. No one else could possibly have fitted the role better than him. The Board of Prefects gave a Tea Party in his honour.
Mr. Senerat Gunaratne was appointed the new Head Prefect, and the vacancy created on the board was filled by Mr. Christopher Fernando of De La Salle House.
During the first year of his renewed existence of the Board, the Prefects have done their best to maintain discipline in the College. With no tradition to guide them they have done their duty to the best of their ability. They thank all the College boys for their co-operation and with their support they hope to carry out their duties efficiently in the future.
