Appreciation
Mr. Neville de Alwis

It was a cold winter morning in Canberra. 14th June being a Saturday my wife and myself took the morning rather easily after a hectic week at office. Around 10.00 a.m. the phone rang and it was my father from Sri Lanka. The message was specific and a sad one. I was conveyed my warden at S. Thomas College Mt. Lavinia had passed away.

In the whole of my school career there are some personalities who stood out as individual, that not only required, but commanded admiration. Of that galaxy of illustrious educationist, to my mind, Mr. Neville de Alwis my Warden at S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia occupies the number one place in my memory without any need for exaggeration, I must state that among those leading lights who influence me towards my career development, late Mr. Neville de Alwis stood among the foremost.

When I delve into my past as a Thomian opener in the late l980s, the stature of late Mr. Neville de Alwis stands out heads and shoulders above most others in the field of cricket. His knowledge of cricketing facts and lore made him a veritable store house and an encyclopedia of the noble game. His magnanimity is reflected in his attitude of kindness towards his young charges whose welfare both in studies and sports he perpetually looked after.

Mr. de Alwis distinguished himself as a teacher par excellence and a leader of children possessing a great humane attitude to the young ones who sort his guidance.

Dear Sir, I salute you as a great personality who contributed vastly towards the projection of the prestigious and unassailed image of my ever beloved "Alma Mater" S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia.
Esto Perpetua!
May He Rest in Peace!
Bhagya Epasinghe
Canberra, Australia