On the 18th of February the College Grounds played host to one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the school’s calendar: The Annual Inter-House Athletic Meet. The first ever College Athletics meet took place in the year 1892 at the grounds at San Sebastian Hill where the school was then located. It was sponsored by the newly formed Old Boy’s Union. The house system was only introduced in 1918. The students were divided into Colpetty House, Bambalapitiya North, Bambalapitiya South and Cinnamon Gardens based on the geographical location of their residence. This was reorganized by Principal Reed in the year 1921 with the houses renamed after principals Hartley, Harward, Marsh and Boake.

As always, this year the Athletic Meet (commonly known as the “Sports Meet” by the students) showcased a multitude of talent on the field by our young Royalists. The event began with the traditional opening ceremony. The Principal and other dignitaries, led by the College Western Band on their arrival raised the National Flag followed shortly by the National Anthem. After the official opening of the Meet contingent of school cadets marched in the College Flag which was formally received by the Principal and handed over to the Scout Troop. The College flag was then raised by the Athletic Captain along with the house flags by the respective House Captains and the Masters – in Charge. This was followed by the singing of the School Song led by the College Choir.The lighting of the Olympic lamp and the reading of the Oath took place soon after.

Thereafter the sporting events commenced. These included 4 X 100m relays, 300m races, 400m races, 100m races, 4 X 400m relays, medley relays, the Teachers event, Non Academic Staff event, Parents’ event, Old Boys’ event, Prefects’ event and the Invited Schools’ events.

Two drill displays by the students from grades 6 – 9 along with the extremely skillful Gymnastics Squad added colour to the day’s proceedings.

The Chief Guest for this year was Mr. Buddika Aluwihara, the Athletic Captain of 1986. He was welcomed by the Principal and led to the grounds by the Eastern Band.

Each year the Athletics Meet ends with the March Past. The March was led by the Head Prefect Senith Abeyanayake followed by the Cadet Band, Cadet Contingent, the Athletic Captain and Grade 10 students of each house led by the respective House Captains. The march was inspected by the Chief Guest and the Principal.

The awarding ceremony commenced once the students were assembled in front of the J. R. Jayawardena Pavilion. The main awards were as follows:

  • Champion House U – 12: Hartley (67)
  • Best Performance U – 12: Lasen Rodrigo – Hartley (Long Jump – 4.17m)
  • Champion Athlete U – 12: Lasen Rodrigo – Hartley
  • Champion House U – 13: Harward (73)
  • Best Performance U – 13: Shamil Poojana – Marsh (Long Jump – 4.72m)
  • Champion Athlete U – 13: Bhanuka Jayathilake – Harward
  • Champion House U – 14: Marsh (97)
  • Best Performance U – 14: Dulen Kularathne – Boake (Long Jump – 4.74m)
  • Champion Athlete U – 14: Dulen Kularathne–Boake
  • Champion House U – 15: Boake (109)
  • Best Performance U – 15: Nimash Tharusha – Boake (High Jump – 1.6m)
  • Champion Athlete U – 15: Sarith Manamperi – Marsh
  • Champion House U – 16: Marsh (104)
  • Best Performance U – 16: SeniruAmarasinghe – Marsh (High Jump – 1.84m)
  • Champion Athlete U – 16: KassapaAmarasinghe – Harward
  • Champion House U – 17: Reed (123)
  • Best Performance U – 17: Dimal Wijesekara – Reed (100m – 11.4 sec.)
  • Champion Athlete U – 17: Dimal Wijesekara – Reed
  • Champion house U – 19: Reed (140)
  • Best Performance U – 19: Theekshana Tharuminda – Marsh (High Jump – 1.95m)
  • Champion Athlete U – 19: Rukshan Atapattu – Hartley
  • Champion House U – 21: Marsh (144)
  • Best Performance U – 21: ChamikaKarunarathne – Hartley (100m – 11.1 sec.)
  • Champion Athlete U – 21: Chamika Karunarathne – Hartley, Mithum Mihiranga – Marsh, Sahan Peiris – Boake
  • Best Decorated House:
    • 1st Place – Reed (48)
    • 2nd Place – Marsh (47)
    • 3rd Place – Harward (44.5)
  • Relay Championship:
    • 1st Place – Marsh (135)
    • 2nd Place – Reed (115)
    • 3rd Place – Boake (106)
  • Road Race:
    • 1st Place – Reed (25)
    • 2nd Place – Harward (20)
    • 3rd Place – Boake (15)
  • March Past:
    • 1st Place – Marsh (25)
    • 2nd Place – Boake (20)
    • 3rd Place – Reed (15)
  • Champion House (Junior):
    • 1st Place – Marsh (300)
    • 2nd Place – Boake (238)
    • 3rd Place – Reed (191)
  • Champion House (Senior)
    • 1st Place – Marsh (421)
    • 2nd Place – Boake (404)
    • 3rd Place – Reed (382)
  • Overall Best Athlete: Theekshana Tharuminda – Marsh
  • Overall Champion House:
    • 1st Place – Marsh (760)
    • 2nd Place – Boake (674)
    • 3rd Place – Reed (613)
    • 4th Place – Harward (610)
    • 5th Place – Hartley (499)