The Junior Prefects’ Induction Ceremony, which is one of the most prominent events of the Middle School Section of Royal College, was held on the 3rd of March, at the College Navarangahala, under the distinguished patronage of the Deputy Minister of State Enterprise Development, Hon. Eran Wickramaratne. The ceremony took place in the presence of cheering students, proud teachers, and the eager parents of 115 newly-appointed Junior Prefects.

Being a Junior Prefect is the first big step in the student leadership ladder at Royal. As students of the highest grade in the Middle and Primary sections, the responsibilities they carry upon themselves are a challenge and authority is duly granted to them to carry out the tasks at hand. Being appointed a Junior Prefect allows the student to get a taste of responsibility and authority, and helps him bond with his fellow batch mates and create a sense of brotherhood among each other.

In his speech, the Principal Mr B.A. Abeyrathne advised the newly-appointed Junior Prefects that discipline and correct leadership are key aspects of an exemplary student leader. “Every Royalist is a leader, but we had to select the few who had excelled not only in their academics but also in their extra-curricular activities,” he said. He also encouraged the students who weren’t appointed , stating that there are many more opportunities to come.

Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, who is currently the Deputy Minister of State Enterprise Development, graced the occasion as chief guest. Not only is he a proud Old Royalist, he is also a former Head Prefect. He played in the Annual Royal – Thomian Battle of the Blues Cricket Encounter and is a former Hockey Captain. In his speech, he narrated many anecdotes, some humorous, about his tenure as head prefect and life as a student at Royal. He also mentioned the lessons he learnt and the advice he got from those accounts and incidents. Finally, he warmly congratulated the newly-appointed student leaders to always be flexible and to never give up. The certificates for the past batch of Junior Prefects were distributed by him.

The badges were pinned to the newly-appointed Junior Prefects by the principal, Mr. B. A. Abeyrathne, and were followed by plenty of applause and many cheers by the students to boost the morale of their friends. Afterwards, the oath was led by the incumbent Head Prefect, Senith Abeyanayake.

The vote of thanks was proposed by the head prefect, Senith Abeyanayake. In addition, he gave some useful advice to the Junior Prefects and reassured the parents that no matter how time-consuming, the experience that their son will receive as a Junior Prefect will be totally worth the sacrifice. He also congratulated the two Prefects – in Charge of Junior Prefects, Adheesha Perera and Thineth Karunaratne, for a job well done in the selection process and the organizing of the ceremony, wishing them and the newly appointed batch the very best in their future endeavours.

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