Bicentennial celebrations at Jaffna College

The alumni of Jaffna College are organizing a series of events on a grand scale from the 15th to the 22nd of July 2023 at the College premises at Vaddukoddai to celebrate and reflect upon the 200-year educational contribution made by Jaffna College and its predecessor institution Batticotta Seminary to the wider community since 1823.   

The past pupils of the College also view these celebrations as an opportunity to envision the direction that the College ought to take in the future.   

A large number of Alumni from across the world are expected to assemble at Vaddukoddai to take part in these week-long celebrations.   

As the inaugural event, an alumni walk and vehicle parade will be held on Saturday, the 15th of July 2023. The parade will take off from the Main Entrance to Jaffna College at 7 a.m. and meander through the neighbouring villages of Koddaikkaadu, Araly, Chettiyarmadam, Thunaivi, Navaly, Anaikoddai, Manipay, Sandilipay, Pandateruppu, Sithankerny and Vaddukoddai before returning to Jaffna College by noon. 

On Sunday, the 16th of July 2023 at 9 a.m., a Service of Thanksgiving will be held at the JDCSI Cathedral located at Vaddukoddai.  

The alumni will spend the rest of the Sunday on the famous Casuarina Beach in neighbouring Karainagar.   

Every evening from Monday, the 17th of July 2023 to Friday, the 21st of July 2023, the alumni will participate in a variety of sports events planned at the Brown and Bicknell Fields.  

At 4 p.m. on Monday, the 17th of July 2023, a cultural evening featuring performances by the present students of Jaffna College will be held at the Quadrangle of the College.   

“Kalluri Vasanthaththil,” a movie made at Jaffna College in the 1980s with the participation of its students and teachers, will be screened at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the 18th of July 2023.   

On Wednesday, the 19th of July 2023 a series of speeches followed by a public meeting will be held at Jaffna College. The speeches will focus primarily on the history and social contribution of Batticotta Seminary and Jaffna College, the role that Jaffna College should play at present and in the future, the kind of education that it should offer its students and the vision that it should create among them.   

The Rt. Rev.Dr.V. Pathmathayalan (Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Jaffna College), Mrs. Rushira Kulasingham (Principal, Jaffna College), The Rt. Rev. Dr.S. Jebanesan (Former Principal of Jaffna College), Mr.T. Ethiraj (Alumni Representative to the Board of Directors), Dr. Darshan Ambalavanar (Director, St. John’s Vocational Training Centre, Batticaloa), Ms. Shiranee Mills (Executive Director, Women’s Education and Research Centre and Former Principal of Uduvil Girls’ College), Dr.Kengatharaiyer Sarveswaran (Department of Computer Science, University of Jaffna) will speak at these events.   

As part of the Public Meeting, an open discussion providing the audience with an opportunity to share their views and ideas for envisioning the future of Jaffna College will be held. 

On Thursday, the 20th of July 2023, the alumni of the College will showcase their talents in dance, music and drama at the Ottley Hall.   

With the Annual Prize Day of Jaffna College to be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, the 22nd of July 2023, the Alumni Week will come to an end.   

The organizers of the Alumni Week cordially invite the former and present administrators, teachers, employees and students of Jaffna College, parents, well-wishers and those with an interest in education to participate in these events.   

Contact Information: Nishanthini 0770834132, Sathees 0779599364, Senthuran 0779587712