Can you tell us a bit about your career?

Well… After I left university at the age of 22 I started my teaching career in government service at Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya Trincomalee where my husband was also posted. After that I was transferred to Harischandra Maha Vidyalaya and thereafter to St. Johns Nugegoda. After that I retired from government service and went abroad to the republic of Seychelles where I was an English teacher.

I came back to Sri Lanka in 1994 and taught English, Biology and Chemistry as a part time teacher. These were the subjects that I taught up to 1997 when I was offered the post of Vice Principal at Bishops College and after that I spent one and a half years at British School Colombo where I initiated a teacher training programme which was highly successful and after that in 2003 I became the principal of Ladies College.

Do you think being a principal at a girls school is comparatively an easier task?

I don’t think so at all. Actually the first two schools I taught at were boys’ schools and then a mix school and I love teaching boys. I actually miss teaching boys and I’d actually like to try my hand at your warden’s job as well for a while!

What do you find challenging about your students? 

Actually I find my role as principal challenging, but not necessarily the girls. I try to give them the exposure that I have gained through out my career and to me they are very helpful and not in the least a bit challenging. 

Miss, have there been any drastic changes you’ve made at Ladies College? 

I don’t believe in drastic change. This school has flourished for the past 106 years without any drastic change and I believe there is no need for any change as such, but I have made a few slight changes here and there and I have found that the students are favourable and more understanding about change when it is done through consultation. 

 Would you say “LCites” are unique, and if so in what way? 

Yes I can definitely say they are unique. The character found in our girls is what I find unique. Our founder Ms Lillian Nixon a 26 year old, strong hearted church missionary with plenty of character and spirit built this school along with many other great women and all their characteristics have been inherited by our girls and that is why I believe an LCite has the power to stand by what she believes in and to stand out regardless of general opinion. 

Miss, would you credit college for its old boy’s of whom, one is your husband? 

Oh yes I do credit college for my husband, he’s a gentleman, strong in

religious beliefs and a true Thomian as are the other Thomians I know.

 Would you say there is difference in Thomians then and now?

Actually I couldn’t really comment on that properly because at present my relation with present Thomian schoolboys does not extend much, but in general I believe a Thomian is always a Thomian and that will not change with time.

 We have heard of a rumour of a joint production between the two schools. What are your views on that?

Yes I was once approached by Mr. Vinodh Senadheera on this matter and I thought it was a wonderful idea. Both schools have been at the forefront in many dazzling productions and a joint venture would no doubt bring about a top notch show, but of course there will have to be a bit of monitoring as well. After all they are boys and girls! 

 What do you think of the Thomian administration? 

I think S. Thomas’ has a wonderful administration headed by Dr. Ponniah whom I know on a personal note as well and I think College is very lucky to have old boys like him to uphold the traditions and the spirit of S. Thomas. 

 What do you think of the behaviour of present Thomians? 

I think Thomians are most well behaved. Even if you take the trucking incidents I find the Thomians most polite and obedient even at the point of being inside a girl’s school with vast opportunities of

wrong doing, unlike some school boys from other institutions even arriving intoxicated.  

I have never come across a Thomian I have disapproved of. Especially on this trucking business I find even old Thomians heroically reminiscing on great escapes when even they went trucking and I find it quite amusing and one could certainly call it a kind of tradition. I know a few good stories on this matter too. 

 Would you relate to us one of these stories? 

Once I remember when I was a school girl when the boys had invaded, our principal Mrs. Simon who was a stocky lady very prim and proper and very lady like was danced with by a set of boys whom she had tried to escort out. And after that incident she declared these days a school holiday. Luckily for the boys the holiday was cancelled later on other wise you boys would have had to jump into an empty school ! 

We have heard of your hospitality in the boy’s moment of distress while trucking, can you further elaborate on your gesture?

I am not a believer in calling the police to get rid of some school boys ready to have some fun, but I must tell the boys that although I am tolerant it is sometimes very tiring when boys start jumping from the Friday before the big match which leaves me and the staff exhausted through out the week. I just request the boys not to come in that early next time at least.

Well miss, what would you like to say to our readers finally?

S.Thomas’ College and Ladies College share a relationship which goes right back to its Anglican roots and this connection has matured and I believe both schools are bound together in a way that they are almost essential to each other. I am always delighted to see Thomian boys and Ladies College girls coming with their children. I sincerely hope this relationship full of value, trust and friendship will flourish furthermore.