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ROYAL PRIMARY SCHOOL 1953-58

ROYAL COLLEGE 1959-66

Royal-Thomian

COMCORK

Mr Dudley K. G. de Silva – Our Principal

Photo Album

Class of '49

History

Mr Dudley K G de Silva, BSc.,(Lond), was the Principal of Royal from April 1954 to October 1966. Born in July 1911, he was educated at Royal College and University College, Colombo. After graduation, he served on the staff at Kingswood College, Kandy, and went on to hold the post of Principal in a number of Central schools, before being appointed to Royal.

During Mr Dudley de Silva’s tenure, a number of new school societies were formed:

Photographic Society
Oriental Orchestra
Islamic Society
Buddhist Brotherhood
Hindu Students Union
Orchid Circle
Oriental Music Society
Western Music Society
Catholic Union
Junior Tamil Literary Society
Industrial Arts Club
Students Christian Movement

A number of new sports were introduced as follows:-

Rowing

Hockey

Basket Ball

Rifle Shooting

He trained and conducted the College Choir. He also found time to take regular classes in Mathematics and was greatly respected by the students. Mr de Silva was reputed for his strict discipline and constant clamor for perfection which was upheld by the students with dignity and pride. The boys used to shudder to pass his office during class hours for fear of being reprimanded for not being present in their classrooms.

Mr Dudley de Silva was promoted Director of Technical Education in 1966, and died in Colombo in June 1974. His valuable contribution to the progress and development of Royal and its family will always be remembered by those who knew him in fear, yet with respect.