CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF GRACES THE PREFECTS INVESTITURE CEREMONY

The most honoured ceremony that showcased the pride and excellence of the S W R D Bandaranaike College, Kurunegala was glamorously held as the ‘College Prefects Day 2023’ with the gracious presence of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil as the chief guest today (04 August 2023) at the auditorium complex of the North Western Provincial Council.

At arrival to the premises, the chief guest was greeted with a guard of honour presented by the school cadet platoon and majestically welcomed to the occasion by the upcountry (Udarata) traditional dancers of the school.

Adding glamour to the event, the chief guest General Shavendra Silva investured Prefect badges to new prefects and congratulated them. Addressing the occasion, the CDS conveyed that these appointments and badges are only the official authority along with responsibility. But, it is the prefects who should correctly apply the accepted practices to make this appointment a justice. Discipline of the students makes a considerable impact on the image of the school and it is the prefects who are initially responsible for the good discipline of the junior students. Further, he stated that being prefects, maintaining exemplary leadership is compulsory. Concluding the speech, the CDS thanked the Principal and staff of the school for the invitation extended to be the chief guest of this memorable and historic occasion.

Turning a new chapter, the college introduced the honourary title “Vidyalabhinandana Bandaranaike Padma Vibhushana” that is presented to a recongised personality in the society once in their lifetime. This first ever honourary title was bestowed to General Shavendra Silva in recognition of his bravery in the battle that endowed peace to the motherland and visionary leadership and the role played in the challenging times of global pandemic that could have claimed thousands of innocent lives.

The S W R D Bandaranaike College is one of the leading schools in the Kurunegala district that provides Sinhala and English medium education in science, math, arts and commerce streams to over 2500 students. The college claims the second best results in the zone for GCE O/L in 2021 whilst opening new avenues through about 60 extra-curricular activities for its students.

This historic event was attended by a large gathering including the officials of the zonal education office, senior military officers, teachers and Non-academic staff of the school, members of the Old Pupils’ Association, parents of the students, and a cross section of the students of the other schools in Kurunegala.