With Heartfelt Gratitude to Methodist College from Alice Mendis and Five Generations

In an era where education for girls were frowned upon, in 1866, missionary Ms. Catherine Scott began educating a few girls in three rooms. That was the humble beginning of the Kollupitiya Girls’ High School, which today is known as Methodist College, the oldest girls’ school in Colombo.

This year Methodist College proudly celebrated the milestone of 150 years with many different functions in Sri Lanka and abroad (Australia, UK, UAE to mention a few). The family of Alice Charlotte Mendis and her ensuing 5 generations wish to pay this tribute to their Alma Mater and express their heartfelt gratitude for moulding them into the women they are.

5 generations say “THANK YOU” to our beloved Methodist College

A long, long time ago in the 1800s a young girl named Alice Charlotte Eleanor Mendes had the privilege of attending Methodist College. It was then known as Kollupitiya Girls’ High School. She began the legacy of 5 generations that have been educated by one of the best schools in the world.

Alice got married to J.D Rodrigo and was blessed with six daughters. Irene, Isla, Esme, Pansy, Dulcy and Dorrit. All six daughters had the privilege of attending Methodist College.

Anabelle Isla Doreen Rodrigo not only studied at Methodist College (1907-1919 in the time of Ms. N.M. Park, Ms. E.M. Shire, and Ms. A.S. Choate as principals) but also decided to give back to her beloved school her time and services. She joined the office staff soon after she left school and served the school until 1929 when she left to get married to Walter H Peiris.

Isla was blessed with a son Winton Peiris and a daughter Iona Alicia Peiris. Naturally, she wanted the best for her daughter, even though she was living with her husband on a  tea estate, she made sure that Iona was boarded at the Methodist hostel under the watchful eye of Matron Mrs Kelaart,  in order to get the best education. Mrs Loos was the principal when Iona was in school and Iona held the posts of Choate House Captain and School Prefect and left in 1952 to join the University of Ceylon, Colombo. Iona too followed her mother’s footsteps and served the school as  a Mathematics and Science teacher. Sadly she was compelled to leave in 1963 due to a complicated pregnancy.

Iona married Claude Fonseka and they were blessed with three daughters and a son. The three daughters Suvendirni Ianthi Fonseka (Shire House), Savitri Enoka Fonseka (Rigby House Captain 1976 and School Prefect 1977) and Shyara Premini Fonseka (Scott House) are proud to say that they are past pupils of Methodist College.

Winton too sent his children Priyanthi Peiris (Rigby House) and Priyanath Peiris (who studied until grade 3 when he left to join a boy’s school) to Methodist College. Priyanath’s daughter Ramona Peiris (Park house) also completed her studies at Methodist College.

Suvendrini, Savitri and Shyara left the shores of Sri Lanka and were unable to send their daughters to Methodist College. However, Iona’s son Nalin Senaka Fonseka continued the legacy by sending his two daughters Shyamari Nushara Fonseka (Choate House) and Sanara Dilhari Fonseka (Choate House) to Methodist College. Sanara, the last of the five generations is a present student and a chorister of the famous Methodist College choir.

Irene’s granddaughters Roshini Gomes (Shire House) and Chulani Gomes (Resterick House), Esme’s granddaughter Kumari Fernando (Shire House) and great granddaughter Dilanthini Fernando (Shire House), Pancy’s daughter Princy Fernando and great grandchildren Shamindrie Fernando and Shashiera Fernando (Resterick House) and Dulcy’s granddaughters Ruwanthie Wimalarate (Rigby House) and Dilani Wimalaratne (Rigby House) also studied at Methodist College.

A unique feat indeed that five generations of one family should send their children to Methodist College and this is a true testimony to the virtuous and Christian values inculcated in all those who trod through the hallowed portals of Methodist College.

I would like to conclude with a quote from my mother’s letter dated 1st November 2000 to the Secretary of Methodist College Old Girls’ Association: “We give all Praise and Glory to God and are very thankful to our Alma Mater for making us to be what we are”

I have a granddaughter who is living abroad and would like her to attend Methodist College at least for a day or I hope my nieces’ children would join Methodist College to continue the legacy to the 6th generation and more!