Wesley College launches pavilion restoration project

The Old Boys Union has undertaken the project of restoring its 120-year-old pavilion-one the oldest pavilions amongst schools in Sri Lanka

The Wesley College Old Boys Union (OBU) held the groundbreaking ceremony for its project to restore the college pavilion at Campbell Park on November 1. The Restoration Project was initiated to coincide with the upcoming sesquicentennial celebration scheduled for March 2, 2024.
A media statement in this regard said: 
“In a moving and stirring moment, the hallowed grounds of Campbell Park bore witness to a ground-breaking restoration ceremony, ushering in the dawn of a new era for the cherished Wesley College Pavilion on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The Wesley College Old Boys Union (OBU), led by its effervescent President Captain Navin De Silva, along with President Of the Methodist Church Reverend Ebenezer Joseph, officials and the Principal of Wesley College Avanka Fernando officially commenced the Wesley College Restoration Project, at Campbell Park on November 1.
The initiative is part of the school’s Sesquicentennial Celebration which falls on March 2, 2024. This is another milestone in the progressive journey of the Old Boys Union which has undertaken this project of restoring its 120-year-old pavilion, probably one the oldest pavilions amongst schools in Sri Lanka. 
Heading the project is Project Chairman Ivor Maharoof, supported by a capable team including Treasurer S. Renganathan, Project Secretary Shehan Sheriff, and Restoration Building Team Lead K. Dayaparan. 
Senior old boys Lucky Goonathilake, Lalith Wijesinghe, Gerard Fernando, Air Vice-Marshal Sampath Wickramaratne, Maj Gen Indu Samarakoon, Maithri Vithanage, Shiraz Jaldin (Wesley Sports Administrator), Architect Murad Ismail, Structural Engineer Ajith Vandebona, and Quantity Surveyor Ravi Wijesekera, will work closely with the Methodist Church throughout the restoration process. 
Since its inception in 1900, the Pavilion has cradled the cherished memories of countless Wesley College scholars. Now, it stands on the precipice of decay, a dire situation necessitating immediate intervention. The Pavilion’s significance as a heritage building, beloved by every Wesleyite to have passed through the school’s gates, underscores the urgency to preserve it. In the spirit of Wesley College’s rich architectural heritage, the committee has enlisted the talents of the renowned architect Murad Ismail. With his unparalleled skills, he has willingly accepted the arduous task of designing the restoration.  
The Pavilion dates back to its acquisition by Wesley College from the Tamil Union Cricket Club at Campbell Park in 1940. Constructed in 1900, the Pavilion is poised to celebrate its 124th anniversary in 2024. The Pavilion was inaugurated on the January 19 1940 by old boy  G.C.S. Corea, Minister of Labour, Industries, and Commerce at the time.