Good Shepherd Convent - Kotahena

St. Benedicts Kotahena

The book titled Golden St Benedict’s and Shepherdians of Ceylon written and compiled by veteran journalist Elmo Leonard was launched in Colombo last week.

It is a simple yet colourful historical document of the 60s and 70s and before of St Benedicts College, the Director/ Principal of the school, Rev. Bro Dr Pubudu Rajapaksa said at its launch. This book is an attempt to preserve great St Benedict’s, its students, teachers and others in flesh and blood historically, socially, and culturally and to inspire Young Bens, to others, it is a document of the past.

The history of St Benedict and Good Shepherd goes back to a period when the Catholic congregation were asked to contribute cents five a week (Which was a substantial sum at the time) towards the construction of the two schools, Bro Pubudu recounted.

The book is dedicated to the late Bro Alexander FSC, reputed as the most loved Lasalian Brother.

The book says that St Benedict’s had a predecessor, Kottanchina Catholic Seminary set up in 1838 in Wolfendhal Street, Colombo 13. Old Ben Eric Motha who had read the book online writes:

“I extend my congratulations on your compiling the book on St. Benedict’s and Good Shepherd Convent. I am sure it will be warmly welcomed by Bens and Shepherdians in Sri Lanka and beyond. It fills a huge void and we owe our sincere thanks to you for taking on this herculean task. I am in Vancouver, Canada holding the Bens together. In the wrap of Benedictines, I echo Well done Elmo”

The founder editor of the Island and Sunday Times newspapers Vijitha Yapa under whom Lasantha Wickramatunga and Elmo Leonard had worked contributed an article to the book on the assassinated Benedictine Lasantha Wickramatunga. I extend my congratulations to Elmo for the great task he achieved and fulfilled in just a short time.

Shepherdian Michelle, the daughter of St Benedict’s teachers Randy and Maud Ratnayake read out the first chapter: The Mysticism of St Benedict’s.

Shepherdian Melanie Martel (nee Kern) announced chapter IIX on Shepherdian Queens. The first Shepherdian Queen is Naomi Fernando, who was born in the 1930s and was the owner of Goldi brand products, which competed in the marketplace with other prestigious brands such as Keells and Elephant House. The second Shepherdian Queen is Wilma Schuelling who under the stage name of Wilma Squilin turned professional vocalist.

The third Shepherdian Queen is Carman Philomena Solomonsz (86) whose Sri Lankan educational qualifications were not recognised when she migrated Down Under in 1962. So, Carmen Koelmeyer with two kids to look after went back to an Australian school, then to University and became a university lecturer. The other Shepherdian Queens named in the book are too many to be recounted. The writer in turn appealed to the Global Benedictines and Shepherdians to purchase the book from the Director, and the Principal of the Girl’s School priced at Rs. 2800.

The publication is also available at all leading bookshops. The proceeds of the book are towards the restoration of the Brother’s home built in 1867.