A Timeline of the College


1849 Dec 21

The foundation stone was laid in Mutuwal by the First Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. James Chapman.

1851 Feb. 3

The Preparatory School was opened with 50 boys and with Bishop Chapman in charge.

1851 May 21

Rev Wood arrived and took charge of the College as the first Warden.

1852

College orphanage opened.

1853

Warden Wood retires.

1854

Warden Baly takes charge of the College.

1854 Sept 20

Christ Church Cathedral dedicated and served as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Colombo and the Chapel of the College.

1860

Warden Baly retires.

1863

Warden Bennet assumes duty.

1866

Retirement of Warden Bennet.

1871

Rev J Bevan is appointed as the First Sub warden.

1875

The College Magazine started by the Sub Warden Rev. T.F. Faulkner.

1877

Warden Bacon retires.

1878

Rev E.F. Miller appointed as Warden.

1879

College Library & Debating Society Started.

1884

College Colours of Blue & Black selected and first used.

1885

The Nine Run match played & won by STC.

1886

The OBA formed. Feb 1st named as Old Boys Day.

1891

Cadet Corps formed.

1891

Beginning of Prefect & Detention system.

1891

Retirement of Warden Miller.

1891

Rev Read assumes duty as the Warden.

1894

Publication of the First History Book by Mr. C.H. David.

1895

Retirement of Warden Read.

1901

Warden Stone takes over the College.

1901 Dec 16

Golden Jubilee of the College.

1914

World War I. 88 Thomians killed in action. Lt. Basil Horsfall was awarded posthumously the Victoria Cross for valour.

1917 Dec

College moved out of Mutuwal after 63 years. The Cathedral remained.

1918 Jan 25

College reassembled in Mt. Lavinia. The Main Block and the Science Laboratory were the only 2 permanent buildings.

1920

War Memorial committee of the OBA purchases & creates Big Club Ground.

1921

Choir revived by R.B.W Jayasekera.

1922

Cub pack formed by Mr. V.P. Cooke.

1923

Dining Hall built.

1924

Big Club Grounds opened and dedicated to the those who died in the Great War.

1925

Warden Stone retires.

1926

Warden McPherson takes charge of the College.

1926

Day House System started.

1927 Feb 13 & 15

Chapel of the Transfiguration dedicated by Rt. Rev. Mark Carpenter Garnier, the Bishop of Colombo.

1929

The 16th Colombo Scout Troop was formed.
Hockey was introduced.

1929

Foundation stone for the new Dormitory was laid by the Governor of Ceylon.

1930

The Board of Governors was formed & was incorporated by an act of the legislature.

1930

Retirement of Warden McPherson.

1931

Fives Courts were gifted by Dr. R.L.Hayman.

1932

Canon de Saram appointed as Warden of the College. He was the 1st Old Boy & Ceylonese Warden.

1934

The Swimming Bath was gifted by Dr. R.L. Hayman.

1937

‘The History of S. Thomas’ College Colombo’ written by Mr. W.T. Keble.

1938

The Hammond Organ was gifted by Sir Stewart Schneider.

1937

Beginning of World War II.

1942

School temporarily closed at Mount. Transferred to Getambe, Milagiriya (St. Paul's) & Mt. Lavinia (Girls High School) while the College Campus was taken as a hospital.

1945

The Getambe group became S. Thomas’ College Gurutalawa, which was the first branch school.

1946

College reassembled at Mount Lavinia.

1946

The modern Coat of Arms made its’ first debut at the Royal Thomian Cricket Match.

1947

The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols introduced by Canon R.H.B. Yin. It was styled in the way that of Kings College Cambridge.

1948

Independence of Ceylon. Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake, a Thomian became the 1st Prime Minister.

1951

The Centenary Year of the College. S. Thomas’ became a Private Fee Levying School.

1951 Feb 3rd

Laying of the foundation stone for the Lower School Building.

1951

Rifle Range declared open.

1955

Introduction of Rugby Football.

1956

Introduction of Basketball.

1957

Military Road named as de Saram Road.

1957

Retirement of Warden de Saram.

1959

Warden Davidson assumed duties as the 1st lay Warden.

1959

Introduction of de Saram house.

1959 Oct 6th

First Observance of the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle, the Patron Saint of India & Ceylon.


1960

The Student Christian Movement was inaugurated for the whole Christian Community of the College by the Rev. Canon R.H.Bower Yin.

1962

The Ceylon Liturgy first used in the Chapel.

1962

Retirement of Warden Davidson.

1965

Rev. Selvaratnam takes charge of the College as the Warden.

1967

The Post of School Manager introduced by Bishop Harold de Soysa.

1968

The Mural of the Transfigured Christ finished by Mr. David Paynter.

1969

Retirement of Warden Selvaratnam.

1969

Warden Anandanaygam assumes duty.

1974

Grade 1 classes opened.

1977

Retirement of Warden Anandanayagam.



1977

Mr. Illangakoon became the Warden of the College.

1979

Centenary Royal Thomian Cricket Match played first time for 3 days.

1979

Hewisi Band formed.

1983

Warden Illangakoon retires.

1983

Mr. Neville de Alwis becomes Warden.

1984

Swimming Pool refurbished and dedicated to the memory of Dr. R.L. Hayman.


1984

The College Office shifted to the Old Zoo- Botany Lab. Thalassa renovated and become the official residence of the Sub Warden (Upstairs) & Chaplain (Downstairs).

1986

The Allen Digital Organ installed in the Chapel.

1987

The C Block declared open in commemoration of the Centenary Anniversary of the OBA.

1988

The Scout Room declared open.

1990

The Winchester Dorms & Sick Room declared open by the Lord Bishop of Colombo.

1992

Phase I of the Indoor Sports Complex declared open by the Lord Bishop of Colombo.


1993

The 75th Jubilee of the transfer from Mutuwal to Mount. A Jubilee walk was organized in which a sapling of the Banyan tree in Mutuwal was planted in the Chapel Gardens.

1997

Sports Complex opened by Prof. G.L. Peiris

1998

The Thomian Chamber Orchestra was formed.

1998

Retirement of Warden de Alwis.

1999

Commemorative Stone unveiled & the Big Club Grounds re dedicated for those who died in the Wars.

2001

The Installation of Dr. Ponniah as Warden.



2002 Feb 3rd

The Sesquicentennial Celebrations of the College. A Service of Thanksgiving was held. A bust of Bishop Chapman unveiled by the oldest Thomian Clergyman (Rev. Denley Peiris). The Heritage Museum declared open by the Oldest Living Thomian (Mr. Artie Lankatileke). College General Assembly held in the hall in which a commemorative stamp was canceled by the Warden.

2002

The Platinum Anniversary of the College Chapel. A service of Holy Communion was held.

2002

A teacher’s felicitation ceremony was held in connection with the 150th Anniversary.

2002

A Cub Room was opened