Vijitha (Viji) Weerasinghe- he remained a rightful Royalist to the end

If Royal College ever had a 'Man of Life’ on its highest pedestal, it was undoubtedly Viji Weerasinghe.

- Lakshmi Attygalle Former Deputy Principal Royal College, Colombo

Vijji Weerasinghe

Viji’s association with Royal College was a record-breaking 74 yearsfirst as a student, Master of English and Latin, Deputy Principal and as Senior Advisor to the Royal College Union (RCU). Viji would have turned 98 this September.

The worldliness, the wisdom and the vivacity of this unique character endeared him to all pupils, teachers and parents alike. The remarkable features that made him so special were numerous but most salient would be his love and loyalty to his alma mater. Being a Royalist since the age of five, he himself ‘learnt of books and men’ among the very trees and classrooms of this hallowed institution. His advice to all teachers was one that he practiced: ‘not to forget that you yourself were once a school boy or school girl’ when dealing with children.

Viji’s wisdom was sought by all. He was the ‘unofficial’ of monarch of Royal, yet he served with the humility of a guardian. As an advocate of "trustful kingship," he believed in conscience over rigid rules. I was privileged to be nurtured by him as a young teacher. When introduced by Mr. Edissuriya, Viji's compassionate eyes saw the potential in me, saying, “I am sure she can.” Those words were a powerful inspiration throughout my career.

A gentleman of the highest calibre, he was the father figure and role model to all the Royalists who had the good fortune of having him in their lives — either as teacher or mentor.