Wesley to restore its Pavilion to former glory

A ceremony to raise funds for Wesley College Pavilion Project was held at the Old Wesleyites Sports club premises recently. Here the main sponsor the Nations Trust Bank seen handing over the Sponsorship cheque to Capt. Navin De Silva, President Of Wesley College Old Boy’s Union (second from left) by Mr. Devan Perera, Assistant Vice President Commercial Banking of Nations Trust Bank PLC (second from right). Others from left: Mr. Richie Sappideen, Head of Fund Raising committee, Mr. Ivor Maharoof, Chairman – Pavilion Project of Wesley College Old Boy’s Union and Mr. Afzal Abdullah, Manager, Fraud Control and investigation of Nations Trust Bank PLC. Picture by Herbert Perera

The Wesley College Old Boys Union, under the leadership of its President Capt. Navin De Silva, has embarked upon a project to restore the Wesley College Pavilion to its former glory. This initiative is part of the school’s sesquicentennial commemoration, scheduled for the 2nd of March 2024.

The restoration aims to transform the existing pavilion into a monumental sports facility while preserving its splendid architectural heritage at Campbell Park.

The Pavilion’s significance traces back to its acquisition by Wesley College from the Tamil Union Cricket & Athletic Club at Campbell Park in 1940. Believed to have been built in 1900, one year after the club’s formation, Wesley’s pavilion will soon celebrate its 124th anniversary in 2024. With archeological value the pavilion was inaugurated on the 19th of January 1940 by old boy G.C.S.Corea, Minister of Labour, Industries and Commerce at the time. However, it now stands in an advanced state of decay, necessitating immediate restoration.

Taking charge of this endeavor is the Vice Parton, Mr. Ivor Mahroof, along with a vetted “select committee” constituent by old Wesleyites that includes banker Mr. S. Renganathan as the project Treasurer. The comprehensive refurbishment will offer enhanced facilities to both players and visitors,

enabling them to create lasting memories within the monumental building.

Over the years, Wesley’s Pavilion has hosted some of Sri Lanka’s finest cricketers, including legendary Mahadevan Sathasivam, C.E. Perera, Abu Fuard, L.R. Goonetilleke, M.N.Samsudeen, Brian Classen, S.Jeganathan, Russell Hamer. In the recent years Farveez Maharoof and Jeffery Vandersay.

The Architect for this restoration is Mr. Murad Ismail, a highly respected Architect and a disciple of world famous architect Mr. Geoffrey Bawa. Murad Ismail has volunteered his expertise for this project without charge, a fine gesture admired by all.

Former All Ceylon Cricket Captain’s Michael Tissera, Anura Tennekoon and Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain’s Sanath Jayasuriya, and Mahela Jayawardene too graced the occasion.