adjudged the very first 'All Ceylon School Boy Cricketer' in the year 1956. St. Anthony's College also introduced Rugby Football to its list of sports in 1956, with Bruce Winter captaining the first team.

         The Centenary Hall was blessed by the Rt. Rev. Dom Bernard Regno, OSB, Bishop of Kandy and declared open by the Rt. Hon. Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, C.M.E. Governor General of Ceylon, on the 5^th September 1957. On the 11^th September, Fr. Rosati having visited the College Hall, collapsed on his way back to his room and breathed his last shortly thereafter, sending shock waves throughout the country.

         Fr. Hilarion Rudolph, a Graduate of the University of Oxford, came to St.Anthony's as the Principal in 1957, having to succeed a Principal of the caliber of Fr.Rosati, whose early demise at the height of his career spread a veil of emotionalism in the college. He did good work for the school maintaining the high standards the College had already reached. In 1959, the Primary School and the Rainbow Cottages lost the services of an able leader in Fr. Leo Nanayakkara, who was ordained Bishop of Kandy.

         In 1961, Fr. Rudolph handed over the reins to Fr. D. I. Robinson OSB, who was at the time Warden of the "Mansion" boarding and also Teacher of English. It was during this time that the school's takeover was announced. After much heartburn, the government finally permitted the College to continue, but non-fee levying. This was a period of great hardship, overcome in large measure by the support of the old boys. Many were the instances when Fr. Robinson accompanied by Mr. Victor Perera, President of the O.B.A. and later Judge of the Supreme Court, had to visit Old boys, parents and well-wishers for donations to keep the

College functioning. In spite of these adversities, studies and sports continued to maintain high standards during this time. The Island wide reputation St. Anthony's enjoyed as a provider of top-drawer sportsmen was maintained with Charlie Joseph, a stylish batsman, being selected as 'School Boy Cricketer' for two consecutive years.

        The College Choir, ably trained and led by Mr. Cyril Brown, also brought many trophies to the College mantle. Fr. Robinson also had the support of several other Benedictine Priests in Fr. Valentine, Fr. Thomas and Fr. Lanfranc, in running the Boarding, which by that time had attracted over 500 students from all parts of the Island, including a sizeable number from Colombo.

          In 1967, an Old Antonian, Fr. Aidan de Silva OSB was appointed Principal in succession to Fr. Robinson. Hard-pressed by the restrictions imposed upon the College as a non-fee levying institution, he organized a donation of five years for each new admission to school, thus enabling an input of funds. Besides giving the school buildings a complete repair, he built the swimming pool, a new Math Laboratory and six modern classrooms. He organized the Colours Night on an annual basis commencing 1967 to honour the College sportsmen. Based on a suggestion made

by Fr. Aidan, the President of the OBA, Mr. R. Victor Perera, launched a 'Turf Pitch Fund' with his own generous contribution of a Thousand Rupees, at the first Central Council meeting of the OBA after the Big Match of 1969. The Turf Pitch was completed, blessed by Rt. Rev. Lord Abbot Dom Pio Federici OSB and declared open on the 30^th January 1970 with Fr. Aidan facing the first ball bowled by Mr. Victor Perera. The College Swimming Pool was built during his time and St. Anthony's also excelled in Basketball and Tennis, with College producing the best Tennis doubles pair among the schools. He was also instrumental in launching the Christmas Carols and Easter programmes which were much looked forward to events. During this period, the College Choir was invited to perform in a SLBC programme, which was an honour for any College Choir at that time. Fr. Aidan was also instrumental in recommencing the regular publication of 'The Antonian' magazine.

         The unfortunate incident that took place in 1977 changed the identity / status of St. Anthony's College Kandy, when the school was handed over to the government by the then Bishop of Kandy. In 1977, Fr. Aidan de Silva retired and Fr. Lanfranc Amerasinghe OSB, who was warden of hostels took over as the Principal. He had to struggle hard to keep the school running as a government institution. He emerged unscathed and handed over the reins of the college in 1979 to Fr. Stephen Abraham OSB who had to manage the school with limited resources. The hostel was run independent of the school, by the Benedictine Fathers, who also had the income generating sections - the hall, the swimming pool and the tuck shop - under their jurisdiction. This bifurcation made it difficult for the new Director-managed College to survive, minus all its wonted resources. The facility fees of Rs.5/- per student, was all it got.

         What Fr. Stephen did do under the circumstances was remarkable. His enthusiasm made Hon. R. Premadasa, Prime Minister at the time, donate a two-story block of classrooms, which forms one wing of the school and is called the "Premadasa Block". Most of all, he earned the fullest cooperation of the old boys to support his bid to elevate the college as a most prestigious centre of education, not only in the central province but also in the country.

         1981 was a memorable year for Antonian Cricket, when they beat Trinity in the Big Match for the very first time at the Asgiriya Ground, thus ending what was thought to be a jinx.

         Fr. Abraham, being a firm believer that true character of students could be judged and developed on the playing field and not in the classroom, dedicated much of his time to the numerous sporting activities at college. His encouragement of sports paid rich dividends, particularly in the success the College enjoyed in Cricket, Rugby, Badminton and Table Tennis during the late eighties and early nineties. Many Antonian sportsmen of that era went on to represent National teams, with two in particular, receiving international acclaim. Priyantha Ekanayake who captained the Sri Lanka Rugby Football team for a record ten years, with much success, continues to play a leading role as an administrator and coach at national level. The other of course, is the World's Best Off-Spin Bowler in cricket; Muttiah Muralitharan, who became the highest wicket taker in one day international cricket and in test cricket by breaking Shane Warns world record of 708 wickets.

         The third and final stage of the "Bishop Leo Nanayakkara Sports and Pavilion Complex", was completed in 2000, with the Badminton Courts within the complex being upgraded with Air-cushioned flooring in 1999, to accommodate National Tournaments. The three storeyed block in the upper school was completed in 2001. The "Sesquicentennial Block" of classrooms in the quadrangular was completed with the assistance of parents of the upper school, in 2003. The Primary section too received a new block of four classrooms and a computer laboratory in 2002. Computers and related equipment for the laboratory were obtained through funds collected by parents of the Primary section. A new 'Jubilee Building' was constructed for the Primary in 2003, through the collective efforts of the parents.