Jaffna Central College

Jaffna Central College
  • யாழ்ப்பாணம் மத்திய கல்லூரி
  • යාපනය මධ්‍ය මහා විද්‍යාලය
Address
Map
Rajendra Prasath Road

Jaffna
,
Northern Province

Sri Lanka
Coordinates9°39′41.90″N 80°0′51.20″E / 9.6616389°N 80.0142222°E / 9.6616389; 80.0142222
Information
School typePublic national 1AB
MottoIn gloriam Dei optimi maximi
(Unto the glory of God, the best and the highest)
Religious affiliation(s)Methodist
DenominationMethodist Church in Sri Lanka
Founded1816; 208 years ago (1816)[1]
FounderRev. James Lynch
Rev. Thomas Squance
School districtJaffna Education Zone
AuthorityMinistry of Education
School number1001002
PrincipalC. S. R. Selvagunalan
Teaching staff124
Grades1-13
GenderBoys
Age range5-19
School roll2,130
LanguageTamil
English
SloganCentral's flag must never be lowered
Websitejcc.lk

Jaffna Central College (Tamil: யாழ்ப்பாணம் மத்திய கல்லூரி Yāḻppāṇam Mattiya Kallūri, JCC) is a national school in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.[2][3] Founded in 1816 by British Methodist missionaries, it is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools.[1]

History

In 1813 the Methodist's British Conference approved the establishment of missions in Ceylon, Java and the Cape of Good Hope.[4] On 30 December 1813 Dr Thomas Coke, seven missionaries (William Ault, Benjamin Clough, George Erskine, Martin Harvard, James Lynch, Thomas H. Squance) and two of the missionaries' wives left Portsmouth and sailed to Ceylon. Mrs Ault and Coke died on the journey. When the arrived in Bombay they had little money but they were helped by Governor Evan Nepean and W. T. Money, a merchant. Five of the missionaries (Ault, Clough, Erskine, Lynch and Squance) sailed from Bombay on 20 June 1814 and arrived in Galle on the south coast of Ceylon on 29 June 1814.[4][5] On 11 July 1814 the missionaries gathered together to decide who would be stationed where – Lynch and Squance were to go to Jaffna in the north; Ault was to go to Batticaloa in the east; Erskine was to go to Matara in the south; and Clough was to remain in Galle.[4] Clough was later joined by Harvard and his wife. Lynch and Squance left Galle on 14 July 1814 and arrived in Jaffna on 10 August 1814 where they established the Wesleyan Methodist Mission, North Ceylon.[6]

On 1 August 1816 the mission purchased from the government the former orphanage situated opposite the esplanade in Jaffna.[7] In the period of 1816 - 1817 the Jaffna Wesleyan English School was founded with Rev. Lynch as principal.[1][6][8][9] The school transferred to the Vembadi site in 1825.[6] The school was renamed Jaffna Central School in 1834 by the then principal Rev. Dr. Peter Percival.[6][10] In the same year a separate girls school was established which was renamed Vembadi Girls' High School in 1897. JCC prospered, becoming affiliated to Madras University (1869) and Calcutta University (1897).[6][11]

In 1945 JCC started providing free education.[6] Most private schools in Ceylon, including JCC, were taken over by the government in 1960.[6] In 1994 JCC became a national school.[6]

JCC's principal Kanapathy Rajadurai was shot dead on 12 October 2005 in Jaffna.[12]

Crest

JCC's crest and colours were introduced in 1901 by Romaine Cooke, the then vice-principal.[13] The lower arc of the crest contains JCC's moto: In gloriam Dei optimi maximi (Unto the glory of God, the best and the highest). The key symbolises JCC being an instrument that unlocks those leading to knowledge. The yarl symbolises JCC's host city Jaffna. The rising sun symbolises the light of learning that radiates from JCC.

Big Match

JCC play St. John's College, Jaffna in an annual cricket match known as the Battle of the North or the Battle of the Blues.[14][15][16] The first match took place in 1904.[17][18] No matches were played in 1948, 1961, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1996 and 1997.[19][20] The 1967 match was abandoned due to bad weather.[19][20][21] The schools played two matches in 1904, 1908, 1909, 1918, 1919, 1921 and 1922.[22] Central won the 1904 match but it wasn't until 1908 that St. John's won a match.[19][20]

Academic staff

See also: Category:Faculty of Jaffna Central College

Principals

[23][24][25][26]

  • 1816 Rev. James Lynch
  • 1819 Rev. James Lynch
  • 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 Edward Strutt
  • 1879–81 Fredrick M. Webster
  • 1882 Thomas Little
  • 1883 William J. G. Bestall
  • 1884 Joseph West
  • 1885–86 Rev. A. E. Restarick
  • 1886–87 Rev. D. P. Niles (acting)
  • 1888–89 Rev. Sheldon Knapp
  • 1890 Rev. E. Middleton Weaver
  • 1891–93 Rev. W. T. Garret
  • 1894–95 Rev. Gabriel Leese
  • 1896–98 Rev. W. T. Garret
  • 1899 Rev. George B. Robeson (acting)
  • 1900 Rev. E. O. Martin
  • 1901 Rev. Arthur Lockwood
  • 1901–03 Rev. W. T. Garret
  • 1903–08 Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes
  • 1908–10 Rev. H. A. Meek
  • 1910–16 Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes
  • 1916 Rev. E. T. Selby (acting)
  • 1917–21 Rev. Harold Bullough
  • 1921 Rev. H.R. Cornish (acting)
  • 1922–26 Rev. Percy T. Cash
  • 1927 J. K. Chanmukam (acting)
  • 1928–32 Rev. Percy T. Cash
  • 1933 R. J. Seal (acting)
  • 1934–39 Rev. Percy T. Cash
  • 1940–42 R. S. D. Williams
  • 1943–44 J. W. Arudpragasam
  • 1945–55 Rev. C. A. Smith
  • 1949 J. C. Charles (acting)
  • 1956–62 Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles[27]
  • 1962–64 A. E. Tamber[28]
  • 1964–71 E. Sabalingam[29]
  • 1971–80 E. K. Shanmuganathan
  • 1980–82 N. S. Rathinasingham[30][31]
  • 1983–90 V. Balasuntharam
  • 1990 N. Rasaratnam
  • 1990–96 N. K. Shanmuganathapillai
  • 1996 S. Sivanrooban (acting)
  • 1996–05 K. Rajadurai[12][32]
  • 2006–08 S. Pathmanathan (acting)
  • 2009–11 L. Ongaramoorthy
  • 2011–23 S. K. Elilventhan
  • 2023–2024 S. Indrakumar (acting)
  • 2024–present C. S. R. Selvagunalan

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Alumni of Jaffna Central College
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Name Notability Reference
V. Appapillai physicist, dean – Faculty of Science University of Ceylon (1970–1979) [33]
Sabaratnam Arulkumaran physician, president Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2007–2010), president International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (2012–2015), president British Medical Association (2013–2014) [34][35]
K. S. Arulnandhy teacher, academic, deputy director of Education (1946–1950) [36]
J. N. Arumugam Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Transport and Works [37]
A. Canagaratnam member Legislative Council – Northern Province South (1924–1930) [38]
Douglas Devananda member parliament – Jaffna (1994–present) [39][40]
Waithilingam Duraiswamy member State Council of Ceylon – Kayts (1936–1947), Legislative Council – Northern Province West (1924–1930), Northern Province (1921–1924) [41]
Yogendra Duraiswamy Government Agent – Jaffna (1979–1982) [42][43]
Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam athlete (1952 Olympics, 1956 Olympics, 1958 Commonwealth Games, 1954 Asian Games, 1958 Asian Games (gold medalist – high jump)) [44][45]
K. Kanag-Isvaran lawyer and President's Counsel [46][47]
A. W. Mailvaganam Dean – Faculty of Science University of Ceylon (1948–1954) [48][49]
M. A. Abdul Majeed member parliament – Pottuvil (1960–1977), Sammanthurai (1977–1988), National List (1989–1994) [50]
K. V. Nadarajah member parliament – Bandarawela (1947–1952) [51]
Arumuka Navalar Hindu revivalist [52]
V. N. Navaratnam member parliament – Chavakachcheri (1956–1983) [53][54]
D. T. Niles pastor, evangelist, president Ceylon Methodist Conference (1964–1970) [55]
Jaya Pathirana member parliament – Kurunegala (1961–1965), Supreme Court Judage (1972–1978) [56]
S. C. Paul surgeon [57]
S. A. Raheem member parliament – Mannar (1974–1977) [58][59]
J. M. Rajaratnam Vice President Singer Company [60]
Visvanathan Rudrakumaran Prime Minister Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam [61]
A. Sabapathy member Legislative Council (1917–1921) [62]
Nevins Selvadurai member State Council (1934–1935) [63]
N. Shanmugarajah general manager Ceylon Electricity Board [64]
C. Sittampalam member parliament – Mannar (1947–1956) [65]
Kanagaratnam Sriskandan Chief Highway Engineer Department for Transport (UK) [66][67]
P. Sriskandarajah Supreme Court Judge (1962–1967) [68]
Sivaguru S. Sritharan Former vice chancellor at the Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences [69][70]
Alagu Subramaniam writer, a prominent figure in London's Bloomsbury literary circle, a Barrister-at-Law of The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon. [71]
A. R. Surendran President's Counsel [72][73]
Suthan Suthersan Environmental engineer [74]
Robin Tampoe filmmaker [75]
Herbert Thambiah Chief Justice (1991), Supreme Court Judge (1984–1992) [76]
Henry Thambiah Supreme Court Judge (1960–1972) [77][78][79]
Vincent Thamotheram Supreme Court Judge (1970–1980) [80]
Daniel Thiagarajah Bishop of Jaffna (2006–present) [81]
J. Thiviyanathan member parliament – Ampara (1989–1984) [82]
K. M. Chellappah Founder of Jaffna public library [83]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Jaffna Central celebrates 200 years. Daily FT. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  2. ^ Schools Basic Data as at 01.10.2010. Northern Provincial Council. 2010. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Province – Northern" (PDF). Schools Having Bilingual Education Programme. Ministry of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Martyn 1923, p. 162.
  5. ^ Martyn 1923, p. 11.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Milestones in the history of JCC". Old Boys Association' (Canada).
  7. ^ "Brief History of Jaffna central College". Old Boys' Association (Jaffna).
  8. ^ "From T. D. S. A. Dissanayake's 'War or Peace...' – University entrance: standardisation suicidal". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 29 June 2003. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
  9. ^ "'Govt to make Sri Lanka trilingual'". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012.
  10. ^ Martyn 1923, p. 17.
  11. ^ Martyn 1923, p. 179.
  12. ^ a b "Jaffna Central College Principal shot, succumbs to wounds". TamilNet. 12 October 2005.
  13. ^ "School Crest". Old Boys Association' (Canada).
  14. ^ "Jaffna big match starts Thursday". TamilNet. 9 March 2006.
  15. ^ Ratnayake, Samiddha (21 February 2010). "The tradition lives on". The Nation (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Big Match: St. John's and Jaffna Central draw their 106th encounter". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 10 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  17. ^ "'Battle of North' begins in Jaffna". TamilNet. 26 February 2010.
  18. ^ "The Centenary 'Battle of the North'". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 16 March 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2004.
  19. ^ a b c "The Centenary 'Battle of the North'". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 16 March 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2004.
  20. ^ a b c "Centenary Battle of the North to be celebrated in grand style". Tamil Canadian. February 2004.[permanent dead link‍]
  21. ^ Amit, M. Shamil (9 March 2011). "Jaffna Central looking to record fifth win". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Schools preview". Daily News (Sri Lanka)/ESPNcricinfo. 20 March 1998.
  23. ^ "Past Principals". Jaffna Central College. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012.
  24. ^ Manickavasagar, K. (2 January 2007). "Jaffna Central College Old Boys' Association centenary". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  25. ^ "Past Principals". Jaffna Central College Old Boys' Association, Canada.
  26. ^ "Milestones in the History of Jaffna Central College". Jaffna Central College Old Boys' Association, Sydney, Australia.
  27. ^ Fernando, Ransiri J. (30 June 2004). "Rev. Dr. D T Niles – Memorable personality". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 16 February 2005.
  28. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 217.
  29. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 167.
  30. ^ "Obituaries". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  31. ^ Arumugam 1997, pp. 162–163.
  32. ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (16 October 2005). "Principal for principal as shadow war moves to Jaffna". The Sunday Leader. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  33. ^ Kumaravadivel, R. (10 October 1999). "Honouring this mighty man". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  34. ^ "Prof. Arulkumaran creates history". The Island (Sri Lanka). 25 April 2007.
  35. ^ "Top post for Lankan professor in UK". The Sunday Leader. 8 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  36. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 13.
  37. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 14.
  38. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 28.
  39. ^ "EPDP asked to boycott parliament". TamilNet. 19 October 1997.
  40. ^ "Fifteen-year-old boy drowns". Ceylon Today. 3 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  41. ^ "Mr. Speaker plays a vital role". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 11 June 2006.
  42. ^ Dewaraja, Lorna (17 June 2004). "Yogendra Duraiswamy – he served the cause of ethnic peace". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  43. ^ Pulolyooran, Maylai (1 July 2001). "Crusader against injustice". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  44. ^ Fernando, Reemus (9 July 2012). "Ethirveerasingam recalls his Olympics days Inspired by Olympics colour film in 1940s". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  45. ^ "Natasha sets Chundikuli Girls' College putt shot record". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 24 February 2013.
  46. ^ "Chief Guest emphasises need for discipline and core values". The Sunday Times. 14 July 2013.
  47. ^ Casie Chetty, N. Y. (20 July 2013). "Schools must produce individuals imbued with proper values". The Island.
  48. ^ "Prof. A. W. Mailvaganam remembered". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 18 November 2005. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013.
  49. ^ Sonnadara, D. U. J. "Vidyajothi Professor A.W. Mailvaganam". Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka.
  50. ^ "Ex-minister Abdul Majeed no more". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013.
  51. ^ Arumugam 1997, pp. 109–110.
  52. ^ "Saiva revivalist Arumuga Navalar remembered on 181st birthday". TamilNet. 15 December 2003.
  53. ^ "V.N. Navaratnam Dies in Toronto" (PDF). Tamil Times. X (3): 26. 15 February 1991. ISSN 0266-4488.
  54. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 121.
  55. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 124.
  56. ^ Rahim, M. S. A. (8 February 2001). "Dr. Jaya Pathirana". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  57. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 134.
  58. ^ "Sri Lanka Moor Family Genealogy: CASSIM, Muhammad – Family #206". Rootsweb.
  59. ^ Sameer, Fazli (2009). Muslim Personalities in Sri Lanka,then and now. p. 199.
  60. ^ "Rajaratnam Snr, an icon in Tamil philanthropy, passes away". TamilNet. 22 June 2014.
  61. ^ "Expose LTTE agent in USA". The Bottom Line (Sri Lanka). 25 March 2009. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  62. ^ "Honourable A. Sabapathy's Achievements". Hon. Mr. A. Sabapathy, The Tamil Hero.
  63. ^ Arumugam 1997, pp. 188–189.
  64. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 193.
  65. ^ "C. Sittampalam". Sittampalam Family History.
  66. ^ "Lankan bridge engineer who rose to the top in the British Civil Service". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 11 July 2010.
  67. ^ Arumugam 1997, pp. 210–211.
  68. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 211.
  69. ^ SIVAGURU. S. SRITHARAN. Google Scholar.
  70. ^ "SIVAGURU S. SRITHARAN". ContactOut. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  71. ^ "The extraordinary Alagu Subramaniam". Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 21 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  72. ^ "Arumugam Ratnavadivel Surendhran: Obituary". OM Lanka. 11 April 2016.
  73. ^ "President's Counsel A. R. Surendhran passed away". Ceylon Today. 12 April 2016. p. A4. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016.
  74. ^ "The Journey of an Engineer from Jaffna". SuthanSuthersan.com. 24 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  75. ^ "Robin Tampoe". chitranandaabeysekera.org. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  76. ^ Arumugam 1997, p. 220.
  77. ^ Maniccavasagar, Chelvatamby (11 May 2013). "Himalayan life foretold in Ola Deshamanya Justice Dr H W Tambiah's 16th Death Anniversary". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  78. ^ Arumugam 1997, pp. 217–218.
  79. ^ Maniccavasagar, Chelvatamby (15 May 1997). "Dr. Tambiah – an outstanding lawyer and judge". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
  80. ^ Arumugam 1997, pp. 225–226.
  81. ^ Ilangamuwa, Nilantha (3 July 2008). "Unity in diversity is essential for peace in Sri Lanka – Bishop Daniel Thiagarajah". Sri Lanka Guardian.
  82. ^ de Silva, W. P. P.; Ferdinando, T. C. L. 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka (PDF). Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. p. 271. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 June 2015.
  83. ^ Perera, Sasanka (20 June 2016). Warzone Tourism in Sri Lanka: Tales from Darker Places in Paradise. Delhi: SAGE Publishing India. p. 46. ISBN 978-9-351-50923-3. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jaffna Central College.