Kumar de Silva delivers inaugural ‘Shelton Wirasinha Oration’

Distinguished old boy of Wesley College Colombo and well-known media personality Kumar de Silva, recently delivered the inaugural ‘Shelton Wirasinha Oration’ to a well-represented gathering in the College Hall. Among those present were President/Bishop of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka Rev. Asiri Perera, Archdeacon of the Anglican Colombo Diocese Ven. Perry Brohier, members of the Wirasinha family including Nihal Jayamanne PC and Mrs. Rohini Jayamanne, Past Principal MAP Fernando, former acting Principal Upali Ratnayake, distinguished old boys Managing Director of Metropolitan Ivor Mahroof and Chief Operating Officer of the Commercial Bank S. Renganathan, teachers past and present, and, students past and present. In his comprehensively well-researched and very eloquently delivered one-hour long oration, de Silva traced Shelton Wirasinha’s life, from his birth at the foot of Richmond Hill in Galle, his years from Grade 01 culminating in being appointed Principal of Richmond College, to Wesley College Colombo over whose destiny he presided for an eventful 21years from 1962-1983. Shelton Wirasinha, in fact, goes on record as being the second longest serving Principal of the College after Revd. Henry Highfield. Fondly referred to as ‘ASW’, Arthur Shelton Wirasinha touched the hearts and lives of tens of thousands of students who passed through the portals of Wesley College. Now spread across all over the globe, even to this day they all fondly remember him with great respect and deep gratitude. Kumar de Silva, the Orator, had his entire school education at Wesley College and came under the direct tutelage of Shelton Wirasinha to whom he gratefully credits a very large part of his success in life today. Photo caption: (Above) Nihal Jayamanne PC-  Principal of Wesley College, Avanka Fernando and Mrs. Rohini Jayamanne