St. Henry’s College

The Roman Catholic Mission of the Diocese of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, established a boys’ school at Ilavalai in 1877. It was named as “Roman Catholic Tamil Boys’ School”.

The medium of instruction was Tamil. English was taught in the Boys’ School from 1904. This was not enough for the thirst of knowledge of the residents of Ilavalai and the adjoining villages. With the ardent request by the locals, Rev. Fr. L. Rodrigo, the Parish Priest of Ilavalai, founded an English school in the year 1907. It was named “St. Henry’s School” after the name of former Bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Revd. Dr. Henry Julian.

In 1926, the school was upgraded by the Department of Education to the status of College. The Houses were named Roses, Shamrocks and Thistles. Inter-House cricket matches were held in 1927. The first College Magazine, “Green and White” with motto “Spes Nostra Deus” was published. Classes were started for the Cambridge Senior Examination and two students passed in 1927.

In 1928, Rev. Bro. Philip moved to Kayts and Rev. Bro Devasagayam became the Principal. He was a highly respected teacher and capable administrator. The students’ number increased to 600. The College excelled in studies and sports. In 1929, four students passed London Matriculation Examination, with one achieving a 1st Division Pass. The prestigious Jaffna Central College Team was defeated in a Cricket encounter.

Rev. Bro. Devasagayam was nominated as Superior of the SSJ order, and Rev. Bro. Philip returned as Principal. After a stint of two years, Rev. Bro. Philip went to Rangoon in 1933 and Rev. Bro. Chrysostom became the Principal. An Arts Graduate of London University, he was a good disciplinarian and greatly encouraged sports. In 1935, he was transferred to Batticaloa and Rev. Bro. Devasagayam returned to the College as Principal.

The College was performing well in studies and sports and attracted students from all over the peninsula as well as the rest of the Island. Then tragedy struck the College. Rev. Bro. Devasagayam suddenly passed away on 23rd June 1938. The SSJ Brothers could not find a suitable person to take over the mantle and Rev. Bro. W. Kannangara, former Principal of Teachers’ Training College Batticaloa, stood in as Principal for few months until the arrival of Rev. Fr. Charles S. Mathews OMI as Rector.