Monday Sep 21, 2026
Monday Sep 21, 2026
Monday, 21 September 2026 03:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Dr. Thomas Benjamin Jeganathan recently assumed the helm of Carey College, Colombo, one of Sri Lanka’s historic educational institutions, with the challenging responsibility of reinvigorating the 112-year-old school in an era of rapid technological advancement and profound social change.
He assumed office as Principal in May 2026 and was formally inducted and installed on 2 August 2026 at the Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church, Colombo.
The solemn ceremony was presided over by Baptist Church of Sri Lanka President Rev. Wilee Ranasinghe, while the sermon was delivered by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka former Assistant Secretary General Rev. Fr. Tony Martyn.
Dr. Jeganathan’s appointment comes at a significant juncture in the history of Carey College, as schools across Sri Lanka navigate changing educational paradigms, emerging pedagogical approaches, digital transformation, and evolving expectations of learners and society. Against this backdrop, his leadership is expected to focus on revitalising the College while preserving its rich heritage and long-standing commitment to academic excellence, character formation, and holistic education.
With his extensive experience in education, academic leadership, teacher development, and educational reform, Dr. Jeganathan is well positioned to guide Carey College towards a progressive and sustainable future, balancing the enduring values with the opportunities and demands of twenty-first-century education
The new Principal holds a Ph.D. in Education and brings extensive experience across Sri Lanka’s secondary and higher education sectors. He has taught at St. Xavier’s College, Nuwara Eliya, and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, held the Vice Principal post at Trinity College, Kandy, and managed academic operations at IDM Campus and Saegis Campus the latter while directing a World Bank-funded research initiative with the Ministry of Education.
An old boy of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, and St. Xavier’s College, Nuwara Eliya, and Doctoral Researcher of the University of Technology, Kingdom of Cambodia, Post Graduate of University of Kelaniya, Graduate from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, and a Specialist Trained teacher from Teacher’s College Maharagama, Dr.Jeganathan has also lectured at the University of Colombo and University of Moratuwa, and has been functioning as the Secretary of St Xavier’s College OBA well over twenty five years working towards the revival of a College that has a history of 167 years.
Dr.Jeganathan’s vision hinges on balancing tradition with innovation. He plans to strengthen academic rigour, character development and leadership training while anchoring the college to its Baptist roots and Christian ethos.
Crucially, his strategy emphasises the teacher’s role beyond knowledge transmission—as mentor, moral exemplar and character-builder. He has outlined seven priority areas: home-school partnerships, teaching quality, student development, governance, educational collaboration, Old Boys’ engagement, and institutional excellence.
“The challenge before him,” the appointment announcement noted, “is to honour that legacy while preparing Carey for a new generation.”
Founded in 1914 by the Baptist Missionary Society, Carey College has been led by prominent educators, including Rev. H.J. Charter, Past Principals of Carey College, Rev. H.J. Charter BA., BD. London (1914-1921), Rev. Henry Spooner BD, London (1921-1938), Rev. H.W. Spillet BA., BD (1938-1944), Rev. Wilmot Mackinlay Perera Jayatunga BD (1945-1954), Rev. Dr. William George Wickramasinghe MA (Oxford), BD., Dip.Edu. (Cey)(1955-1976), Rev. Joseph Vernon Weerasinghe BA., Dip.Edu.(Ceylon)(1976-1981), D. William Walter Jayawardena BA., Dip. Edu (Cey)(1981-1984), Kenneth de Lanerolle M.A., A.I.F., Dip. Edu Cert Birmingham (1985-1986),Dunstan Fernando BA., Dip.Edu. (1987-1989), Daniel Benjamin Welikela BA (Cey), Dip.Edu., Trained Teacher(1990-1993), Early Winston Wijesinghe SLEAS II, Eng. Trained, Dip.Sch. Mgt.(1994-2009), Dr. Heshan Aponso Wickramasuriya, M. Edu. Pennsylvania, PhD. Pennsylvania (2010-2011). Dr.Jeganathan succeeds Hemamali Bibile (2012-2023) and Rev. Heshan De Silva (2024-2026).
His strategy for Carey College adopts a holistic approach to education, focusing on the intellectual, moral, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical development of every student. His vision is to strengthen academic excellence, character formation, student leadership, and personal development while preserving and building upon the rich traditions and Christian heritage of the College.
As part of this vision, he is already exploring the possibility of establishing an affiliation with a recognised foreign university to provide tertiary-level qualifications for Careyites and other Sri Lankan youth, enabling them to pursue internationally recognised higher educational and professional qualifications.
Another proposed initiative is the establishment of an English-medium preschool that will serve as a feeder school to the primary section of Carey College. This initiative is intended to provide children with a strong foundation in English, academic readiness, Christian values, and holistic development from their earliest years, while creating a sustainable pathway for future enrolment in the College.
