A scholarship in memory of Bernard Jesuthasan, the long-serving Master-in-charge of tennis at St. Peter’s College, Colombo, who passed away suddenly on 1 December last year, was established recently. This was done on the initiative of Head Coach of tennis at St Peter’s, Dinith Pathiraja, under the approval, guidance, and supervision of the Rector, Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, the Sports Coordinator Rev. Fr. Chanka Jansze, and the Sports Secretary Sunanda Fernando.
Tennis MIC for 22 years
A sum of Rs. 1.25 million was collected in a very short period of time and the scholarship was established. The money was collected from the Old Peterite tennis players living in Sri Lanka and overseas. Jesuthasan was St. Peter’s tennis Master-in-charge (MIC) for 22 years until his untimely passing and during his tenure, the Peterites reached unprecedented levels of success in the competitive schools’ tennis circuit. And in his role as the Master-in-charge, he was instrumental in the success of all the teams.
Teacher of Mass Communication
Jesuthasan, who was educated at St. Joseph’s College – Colombo, as a well qualified educator apart from being the author of two books on the subject he taught at College, Mass Communication. The scholarship will support a student who enters the university from the arts stream every year. The support for the scholarship will be derived through the interest garnered from the money which has been deposited in a fixed deposit under the control of the college authorities.
The money was handed over to the Rector on Friday, 19 March at the College office. Present on the occasion with the Rector Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo was Fr. Chanaka Jansze, Sports Coordinator, Sunanda Fernando, Sports Secretary, Rajitha Fernando, the present Mater-in-charge of tennis, Gerard Jesuthasan, the brother of Bernard Jesuthasan, Sohan Patrick, and Senel Rohana representing St. Peter’s old boys, along with Peter’s Head Coach Dinith Pathiraja.
From left: Dinith Pathiraja, Gerard Jesuthasan, Sohan Patrick, Senel Rohana, Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo (Rector), Rev. Fr. Chanaka Jansze, Sunanda Fernando, and Rajitha Fernando at the launching of the scholarship in memory of Bernard Jesuthasan, the long-serving MIC of tennis at St. Peter’s College, Colombo.
Rector Rev. Fr. Rodrigo appreciative
Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Rector was very appreciative of the initiative and commended all the old boys who donated generously for the scholarship. Sohan Patrick, who was present representing the old boys, speaking on the occasion said that he was also very appreciative of the initiative and requested that a system be soon established to choose the recipient of the scholarship.
Gerard Jesuthasan, brother of Bernard Jesuthasan, thanked the old boys and also Fr. Rector for the scholarship and appreciated everything that had been done to honor his brother’s memory. After a discussion regarding the payment of the scholarship, it was decided that the first scholarship will be awarded at the 2022 college prize giving as there won’t be a prize giving held this year because of the current circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was commented by all that this was a fitting tribute to the immense contribution Mr. Bernard Jesuthasan had made to St. Peter’s College.
Article Credits:
Revatha Silva | The Sports Editor
The Sunday Morning