150th anniversary

Celebration

Message from the President of the Methodist Church Sri Lanka

The Methodist Church Sri Lanka from its inception in 1814 had pioneered education in the country by establishing nearly 180 schools throughout the Country, all of which were handed over to the state in the sixties, except two colleges. Wesley College remains the only boy’s school in the Country under its management and has made a great contribution to our nation by producing great leaders of our nation.

In today’s digital world, a school’s website is expected to reflect its values, achievements, and community spirit. A well-designed website acts as a dynamic gateway, offering insight into the institution and setting the tone for prospective families, students, and staff. We need to always remember that our key investments and resources are the student given to our care and be always focused on the children. It is the principal of the service rendered by the Church. Our hope and prayer are that Wesley will become a reality and we call upon everyone associated with Wesley to rally around in this progressive march of Wesley College.

Our church is very proud of the services that Wesley College continues to render and the Methodist Church Sri Lanka will continue to support and uphold the work of Wesley College, Colombo.

Rev. Kingsley Weerasinghe
President
METHODIST CHUCH SRI LANKA

Message from the Manager

It is my pleasure to extend a warm greeting to all students, parents, staff, alumni, and visitors to our vibrant and esteemed institution. Wesley College Colombo, with its rich history, values, and commitment to academic excellence, continues to be a leader in nurturing well-rounded individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.

Our school is not just about academic achievements; we believe in holistic
development, focusing on building character, leadership, and life skills. Whether you’re here to explore our educational offerings, connect with our community, or stay updated with the latest news, we hope you find everything you’re looking for.

At Wesley College, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that supports both personal and academic growth. We remain committed to empowering our students with the tools they need to succeed, underpinned by the strong values of discipline, respect, diversity and integrity.

Venerable Perry Brohier
Manager of Wesley College

Principal’s Message

Wesley College, Colombo which was established in 1874 has the distinction of producing leading pioneers in Sri Lanka. With the objective of supporting the education system of Sri Lanka – then called Ceylon, the Methodist missionaries established schools throughout the island which of course was an immense contribution of the field of education in our country.

We remain grateful to the missionaries of the Methodist Church for having tirelessly labored in providing an atmosphere of tranquility and understanding for the students of Wesley College so that on leaving the school, the boys are able to face the struggles of the wider world with courage andfortitude. No doubt the labours of Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira, has nurtured a rich crop of which we in this present age are beneficiaries and we are sure this harvest will be reaped by generations yetunborn. We remember with gratitude the commitment of Rev. Henry Highfield who saw the need for a quieter surrounding and further expansion, moved the College from Dam Street, Pettah to its present site. Despite numerous difficulties, he took the initiative to establish this school. We are grateful to God who has been the cornerstone of this School from its inception and has enabled the management to move on with a solid vision.

Having produced brilliant Men of Grit across the wide spectrum of society over its history, such as Mr M. A. M. Sheriff – the First Ceylonese to win the Athletics Blue at Oxford University, Mr Mahadevan Sathasivam – First in the world to captain two countries in Cricket (Malaysia and Ceylon)
The Vision of Wesley College has been to be the premier Christian secondary educational institute and produce men of stature and integrity to be leaders in the technologically advancing environment, while the Mission has always been focusing on inculcating Christian values and providing opportunities to develop latent potential and skills. At present we have more than 3000 students from all ethnic and religious groups and we aim at enabling each child to reach their full potential by fostering self esteem, discipline, integrity and respect.

As we prepare ourselves to celebrate God’s faithfulness which has carried us thus far, we look forward with great anticipation & thanksgiving to celebrate the 150th year in 2024. As the Principal, I feel honoured and privileged to lead this prestigious College which is about to celebrate a milestone. From the time of its inception, Wesley is renowned for its value based education and integral formation. 150 years of providing a stable and supportive environment for the students to learn would not have been an easy task if not for the faithful guidance of God and Him alone.

Throughout these years we have grown to nearly 3000 students with 200 members of staff including two Primary schools running at both Havelock Town & Tampola. Our dedicated staff has always ensured that the students are provided with an appropriate learning atmosphere and that the children are developed holistically. We have always ensured that when our boys go outside the walls of school life, they are relentless and have the audacity and commitment to always strive to reach greater targets. Each year we stepped into, has always begun with consistent foundation for improvement in every sphere within the College and we look forward to completing many more successful years of imparting knowledge, strengthening the character of our students and enabling them to become lifelong learners.

A Sesquicentenary is an achievement and we hope to mark this major milestone of our school by planning a range of activities and projects, some of which have already begun. In order to ensure the smooth progress in planning the events, a Core Committee, has been appointed with representatives from the College Staff, OBU, Welfare Society & Parents. The Core Committee will be the steering wheel for the activities / events / projects planned.

As we commence our celebration of this special milestone in the history of Wesley with an objective of commemorating in a splendid and unique manner, while remembering its traditions, the untiring efforts of our founders and instilling a sense of Respect, Loyalty and Honor in the minds of our students as well as the Alumni, I call upon our Alumni, parents, students and all well wishers to support the College in all possible ways.  

‘Ora et Labora’

Avanka Fernando
PRINCIPAL

OBU President’s Message

Mr. Divakar Ratnadurai is currently the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka. He has a proven track record of leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to the well-being of children worldwide, particularly in Sri Lanka, with his working experience in SOS CV Sri Lanka for over 38 years. Mr. Ratnadurai’s career is marked by a blend of professional expertise, sporting excellence, and a passion for social responsibility.

A proud alumnus of Wesley College, Mr. Ratnadurai demonstrated his leadership abilities early on, excelling in multiple sports, with cricket being his greatest passion. He was honored with the prestigious “Sathasivam Memorial Trophy” as the best bowler in 1984, a testament to his dedication and discipline.

With a background in Accounts, Mr. Ratnadurai further strengthened his expertise by fully qualifying in Taxation. Additionally, he has refined his skills in management, Human Resources, and Project Management, earning international professional credentials, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Mr. Ratnadurai’s professional journey began in 1987 when he joined SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka. Over the course of his tenure, he has held various positions and made significant contributions to the organization’s growth and success. His key role in the planning phase of the organization’s strategies between 2008 and 2016 helped shape the long-term direction and goals of the organisation. He was instrumental in drafting child and youth policy documents that have shaped the operational framework of the organization.

As National Director, he has been a driving force behind implementing the vision of SOS Children’s Villages: providing a loving home for every child. His leadership has extended beyond Sri Lanka, influencing programs and initiatives around the globe to improve the lives of children in need.

Mr. Ratnadurai has held the position of Vice President in OBU, the Welfare Society, Old Wesleyites’ Sports Club (OWSC), and Wesley Benz Cricket Committee. He also served as the Chairman of the 150 Schools Support Project, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to educational and community development.

Due to his commitment, he has been selected as the president of the OBU for the year 2025- 2026.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ratnadurai has been a key player in shaping both the future of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and the broader community, continually working toward his vision of creating opportunities and a better life for every child.
 
Mr. Divakar Ratnadurai
President
Wesley College Old Boys Union

WCWS president’s message

Greetings, Wesley College community,
 
As the President of the Wesley College Welfare Society, I extend a warm welcome to all students, teachers, and support staff as we embark on a significant milestone in our institution’s history – the celebration of our Sesquicentennial anniversary.
 
At Wesley College Welfare Society, our primary focus remains steadfast: the welfare and well-being of every member of our community. As we commemorate 150 years of academic excellence and camaraderie, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the holistic development and ensuring the welfare of our students, faculty, and staff.
 
Throughout this celebratory year, we will continue to implement initiatives and programs aimed at fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Your welfare is our top priority, and we strive to create avenues for open communication, support, and growth.
 
As we reflect on our rich history and look ahead to a promising future, let us unite in our shared dedication to upholding the values of compassion, respect, and integrity that define Wesley College.
 
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to 150 years of excellence, and to many more years of collective achievement and well-being.
 
GOD bless you,
 
‘Ora et Labora’
 
Ranil Thilakaratne
President
Wesley College Welfare Society

PTA Vice president’s message

Message from the Vice President of the Wesley College Parent-Teacher Association

I am both honored and blessed to have been elected as the Vice President of the Wesley College Parent-Teacher Association. This opportunity to serve my Alma Mater means a great deal to me, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the Principal, fellow parents and staff.

During my tenure, my focus will be on strengthening the partnership between parents, teachers, and the school leadership. I believe that open communication, active involvement, and shared goals are key to creating the best possible environment for our students to thrive both academically and personally.

Together with the PTA team, I plan to support initiatives that enhance student learning, promote wellbeing, and encourage greater parental engagement in school life. I am excited to contribute to programs and events that celebrate the spirit of Wesley College and reflect our shared commitment to excellence.

Being a branding and communications professional, one of my biggest desires is to help grow the Wesley College brand name through the activities we carry out and I believe through a sustained collaborative effort, we can succeed!

Thank you once again for this opportunity. I look forward to working with all of you to make a positive and lasting impact.

ORA ET LABORA!
 
Shehan Kumar
Vice President
Wesley College Parent-Teacher Association

Projects & Events

In order to mark this historic era, we hope to plan a range of activities (commencing from now), some of which have already begun – which of course will be of great benefit to our students in the long run. A series of high profile gala events are proposed leading up to the period of celebration and we look forward to your generous support and participation at these events.

A special emphasis in education and infrastructure are a few of the ventures which we will be focusing on throughout the upcoming years.

ANNUAL ORATION

We commenced an Annual Oration titled ‘Shelton Wirasinha Oration’ in 2017 during which Guest speakers are invited to address on relevant topics. This was liaised by Mr Kumar De Silva.

With his 21 year tenure as Principal of Wesley College from 1962-1983, Mr Shelton Wirasinha goes on record as being the second longest serving Principal after Revd. Henry Highfield. A product of Richmond College, Galle, he touched the hearts and lives of tens of thousands of students who passed through the portals of Wesley College. The Shelton Wirasinha Oration is thus a fitting event which pays homage to this great educationist.

CHRONICLES – HIGHLIGHTING THE HISTORY OF WESLEY COLLEGE

An exclusive magazine/coffee table book comprising the history of Wesley College is hoped to be published prior to the 150th year celebration. A committee headed by Mr Jeremy Brohier meets frequently to gather / search for various information and nearly 80% – 90% information has been collected already. The team is working really hard on this and we are expecting to publish the best history book of Wesley.

SOCIAL / COMMUNITY SERVICE

We decided to commence a project which would benefit rural / less privileged schools in Sri Lanka. The initial step was taken in 2018 and many schools have been assisted thus far .

Our objective of this project is to:

  1. support at least 150 schools through this project which would enhance the educational facilities at least to a certain extent & to uplift the standards of Education in this country.
  2. Educate our children on caring / sharing and be a beacon of light and move in line with the mission and vision of the Methodist Church, by blessing others with the blessings which they have received

CAREER GUIDANCE

Beginning in 2017, in order to broaden the knowledge, skills, abilities and improve decision making skills of our own students, different batches of old boys who are in the field of career guidance have volunteered to organize Career Guidance Seminars for students in the advanced level classes who leave school after the Advanced Level Examination. Professionals are invited to address the students on employment opportunities and effective job placements.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE COLLEGE

Wesley College has been continuously striving towards providing quality education to its students, and has taken all possible initiatives to achieve this goal. Being in line with the vision of the College which is ‘To be the premier Christian secondary educational institute and to provide men of stature and integrity to be leaders in the technologically advancing environment.’, and realizing the overwhelming power of the virtual world which is moving towards computer generated sphere, Wesley is focusing on providing an excellent foundation in IT so that its students become more independent and all set to face the competitive world.

As an initial step, smart boards were installed in the Primary schools at Havelock Town and Tampola, the Advanced Level Science stream classrooms, Resource rooms, Conference room and Grade 6 & 7 classrooms. The classes which do not have the Smart boards right now are using the Resource rooms. Our aim is to install Smart boards to all the classrooms by the time we celebrate the 150th Anniversary in 2024.

During the initial lockdown in 2020, a Microsoft e-mail account was created for each student in grade 6 & above so that they could join the online lessons via MS Teams. This was done with the objective of preparing the children to the fast changing environment for their life after school. An online platform (Moodle) was created on the College website into which lessons were uploaded for grades 1-9 providing a pool of resources for the benefit of the children.

RENOVATING / REFURBISHING AND RESTORATION

Renovation of the College buildings and restoration with contemporary infrastructure are hoped to commence gradually. The project includes re-plastering the walls, completing the electricity facilities, repainting etc, which will provide an environment which is vital to learning for the students.

AN EVENT OF MUSIC  – CELEBRATION OF MUSIC & PERFORMANCE ARTS

Wesley College has been a school that always performs and engages in the aesthetic segment in the society. We hope to present a mega Musial show with the first ever ’Double blue Symphony Orchestra’ for which we anticipate the participation of our present boys, Old boys and friends both here and overseas. At the initial stage, we were able to have the auditions in 2020 and we hope to resume once the school begins. Music & Drama has been part and parcel of Wesley and this initiative will be an added advantage for our students to showcase their own talents.

SOUVENIRS :A selection of carefully curated commemorative souvenirs designed to mark the 150th Anniversary.MugsCapsCufflinksTie Pins
  • 150th Anniversary pack (?)
  • A souvenir for every student

ISO CERTIFICATION:

In order to improve our standards and thereby provide a quality education, plans are underway to obtain the ISO certification.