By S.S. Sivakumar 

Jaffna Central College (JCC) was founded on 1 August 1816 by Rev. James Lynch, the leader of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries who alighted in Galle on 26 June 1814. The founding date of JCC is the date of purchasing the school property by Rev. Lynch from the Government of Ceylon.

This school, which has an illustrious history from the inception, was revamped by Rev. Dr. Peter Percival, Principal who was a great Scholar in Christianity and Tamil.

JCC was originally named as English School, and then named as Wesleyan English School in 1817. Rev. Percival renamed it as the ‘Jaffna Central School’ in 1834. The school is one of the oldest Methodist Mission Institutions in South East Asia.   

Historians regard it as among the five oldest schools in Sri Lanka, if not the second oldest. The school could boast of the first 144 years as belonging to the Wesleyan Missionary Management and English Education under excellent Principals. Its excellence as a centre for education had continued to flourish with a mix of Wesleyan Missionaries and other exemplary educationists.

Their devotion was the upliftment of the Jaffna society at large.

The last 56 years up to now are seen as a State Entity/National School with multiple disciplines, under many-a-decorated educationists as Principals, all of whom are of Sri Lankan pedigree.   

Needless to add that JCC had been a bed-rock for two solid centuries, having  produced countless luminaries in the form of academics, civil servants, judges and magistrates, lawyers, corporate heads, professors, scientists, bankers, medical and engineering professionals, religious leaders, politicians, etc.; an endless list and a colourful array indeed. They are well spread across the World and add value to their chosen domains.   

JCC’s record of introducing cricket, football and scouting to the Northern Province more than 100 years ago, speaks volumes of the school’s prowess in fostering sports; 100 years of scouting is being celebrated in 2016. It was in JCC’s playground that cricket and football were first introduced to Jaffna by JCC’s Principals Rev. Fredrick Webster and Rev. Gabriel Leese in 1881 and 1894 respectively. It has produced many-an-excellent sportsman including the Olympian high jumper Dr. Ethirveerasingam.   

(The writer is the President of the JCC’s Colombo OBA.)

Bicentennial celebrations

The bi-centenary of Jaffna Central College is being celebrated this year. A thanksgiving service will take place at the Methodist Memorial Church, Moor Rd, Wellawatte at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, 1 August. 

A gala fellowship and dinner event will be organised by the OBA, Colombo at the Concord Grand Hotel, Dehiwela on 6 August to commemorate the school’s Bi-Centenary, known as the ‘Celebration of Central’. A large number of old boys and families from around the world are expected to gather for the occasion. 

President Maithripala Sirisena will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest at a function on 9 September in Jaffna at the school premises. An official souvenir, a new stamp and a first day cover are expected to be released on this date.