Better known as the ‘Prize Giving’, the Prize Awarding Ceremony is among the most illustrious events of the Royal College. The oldest event of the College, first held in 1836 under the guidance of Headmaster Rev. Joseph Marsh, was initiated in order to recognise and award the best academic performers of numerous categories.

Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, then governor of Ceylon and the founder of the Colombo Academy, showed significant interest towards providing quality education for the younger generations of the country. Owing to this, he participated in the first Prize Awarding Ceremony of the Colombo Academy in 1836. This turned into a tradition and the Chief Guest of the Prize Awarding ceremony would always be the Head of State, making this the only annual event of the Royal College to bear this privilege.

First awarded in 1930 in memory of Ceylonese barrister and the King’s advocate, late Mr. Fredrick Dornhorst, the ‘Dornhorst Memorial Prize’ is the most coveted prize of the ceremony awarded to the Most Outstanding Royalist of the given year. Furthermore, the prestigious panel prizes are awarded to exceptional academic achievers of numerous categories. The infamous walls of the College Main Hall carry the names of these panel prize winners. The Turnour Prize, first awarded in 1846 to the 1st place of the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination of the College is the oldest of these panel prizes, making it one of the most esteemed prizes awarded for the evening.

Apart from the above, each Prize Giving ceremony awards 165 prizes. Subject and class prizes are awarded to all Grades from 6 – 13 based on the aggregate of the marks obtained at the 2nd and 3rd term examinations. Moreover, before each year’s Prize Giving an open test is held, awarding students on general aspects such as school history and general knowledge etc.

The brief order of proceedings of the ceremony starts off with the arrival of distinguished guests including the Minister of Education followed by the reading of religious scriptures. The arrival of His Excellency the President takes place after the Head Prefect’s speech and the arrival of the Prime Minister respectively. Next, the distribution of prizes and awards takes place. Proceedings are concluded by the address of His Excellency the President and the official report by the Principal.