Another former Royal College Prncipal favours secularism

To my knowledge Royal College in its past history has been the epitome of secularism in schools. This was a school that promoted a neutral stance with regard to religious matters while ensuring that all students have freedom to practice their religion or belief without discrimination.

But recently I happened to read some newspapers articles and messages in WhatsApp groups published by well-meaning old Royalists. They highlighted this unique characteristic of Royal College and its recent erosion by the preferential promotion of one religion, namely Buddhism by practicing rituals in the daily activities of the college and right through the annual school calendar.

My experience as a Principal of Royal College is that it is a school where a number of ethnic and religious groups of students (not to mention teachers) existed in complete harmony and brotherhood respecting others ethnicity and religion. Even during the communal riots and armed conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils there never was any disharmony or clashes between these communities in the college.

During my time all religions had annual celebrations of their special events and each group participated and helped in the other groups’ religious activities. For instance, the Tamil Students joined in the provision of alms when the Buddhist Students held their annual alms giving ceremony. Likewise, the Buddhist students participated and helped in the Hindus religious occasions.

It was the same pattern regarding Christian and Muslim functions. There were Bakthi Gee recitals during Wesak or Poson at Navarangahala and Christmas Carols were sung during Christmas time. As for the provision of daily alms for the Buddhist monks on the staff; I arranged with the Room Mothers’ canteen to supply the priests daily their meals during their lunch hour. I had also arranged a special room in the corner opposite the Navarangahala for the priests to consume their alms and rest during their off periods.

There was no case of heel danaya (the breakfast meal) as the priests came to college after taking their breakfast at their temples. The priests on the staff were treated in the same way as the other teachers on the staff. There were no special privileges for them, that other teachers didn’t have there were no athirili (white cloth) laid on the teacher’s chairs in the class-rooms or for their seats at the staff rooms or staff meetings.

As for the Buddhist statues in the college if I remember right, there was only one Buddhist statue, the one in the principal’s room. That was there when I assumed duties as Principal. As I came to the office in the morning. I found the office peon has prepared a basket of flowers and offered it at the Buddha statue before I started the duties.

I don’t remember having Buddha statues elsewhere, where flowers were offed daily. Statues in the class-rooms where not encouraged. The students of all denominations observed their religion for a few minutes silence just after the college song was sung to start the school. There were no Sil campaigns during school hours, the day before the Poya holiday. The annual pirith ceremony was a simple dignified ceremony with the pirith mandapa in the main hall. There were no extravagant items like a fabulous perahera.

So, I too believe that the concern of some old Royalists worldwide to bring secularism back to Royal College is a valid one. Respect for all religions and beliefs is a fundamental aspect of secularism, as it aims to protect religious diversity and individual freedom of conscience. It is about creating a fair and inclusive school environment where students, parents, and teachers of all faiths and none, can coexist peacefully. It is a timely necessity as Royal should give leadership to all schools to develop secularism so that young generations will never bring up anti – ethnic and anti – religious campaigns to divide our nation.

“With malice to none” – Abraham Lincoln.

S. H. Kumarasinghe

(Mr. S H Kumarasinghe was the Principal of Royal College, Colombo from 1994 until his retirement in early 1998. He graduated form University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1964, and had served as the principal of 10 other schools prior to his appointment at Royal College.)