The News that Mr K Pooranampillai had passed away on the 22nd of April spread like wild fire across the globe and was received with sadness by all Hartleyites. Tributes and messages of condolences started pouring in its hundreds. Indeed memorial services and remembrance meetings were held within days in Colombo, Point Pedro, Australia, Canada and at Hartley College.
His funeral took place in Falkstone, Kent on Saturday the 28th April and was well attended by many past pupils and former teachers of Hartley College now resident in the UK.
A Thanksgiving service for his life was held on Sunday the 13th May 2001 at the Rivercourt Methodist Church, London. On the 31st day of his death a full day of events and remembrance took placed organised by the Principal, staff, students and the Point Pedro Past Pupils Association.
Generations of students of Hartley College consider his period as Principal as the ‘Golden Era’. He was Hartley and Hartley was him. The foundations he laid and the traditions he natured at Hartley set it off on its magnificent course to be renowned as a leading educational institution in the country and continue even in the present times of turmoil.
The people of Point Pedro and the students of Hartley College were very fortunate to have had him live and work amongst them for many years. Those who have worked with him and known him personally have had a precious gift of a life time. His life and works will be written in the annals of history of our land and times to be studied and marvelled in perpetuity by many of our future generations to come.
He will live in our hearts for ever and ever.
It gives me great Pleasure to give a message to your “Newsletter”
Here, we at Hartley have been going through a period of stress. We are engulfed by problems all around. On going war is the greatest stumbling block to our overall progress. We have to face realities and yet move forward facing very awkward and awesome circumstances.
This is our greatest duty to mother Hartley. We have to build her up to her old past pristine glory. The only way we can rise up to the occasion is by our old Hartleyites who are spread the world over, joining hands with us to help unreservedly. With their strength pushing us from behind we can move forward.
The curricula now is very wide and information oriented. Hartleyites have to gear themselves to broader their education through Radio, Television, Computer and Internet. Here our past Pupil’s association can be of immense assistance.
Mother Hartley wishes you well and remains always grateful to you.
M. SHREEPATHY
Principal, Hartley college
Point-Pedro

Issue 2

July 2001

A Legend is called to rest
1
HARTLEY COLLEGE P.P.A – U.K. BRANCH
OFFICE BEARERS – YEAR 2001.
2
Tribute by the President at the Funeral Service of
Mr. Pooranampillai
2
Reflection and Lessons to be Learnt - New Millennium Annual Dinner 2000—Held in November 2000
3
Request by the Principal for Finantial support for the College
4
Letter from the Principal
5
An Appreciation. Prof C . Eliezer by K. Pooranmapillai
6

The Hartleyite

I stand here as the President of the Hartley College Past Pupils’ Association – UK branch and also as a relative. We, as a family, visited my great-uncle Mr. Pooranampillai and Peace aunty, and had a very pleasant and relaxing time at his daughter’s place in Rugby just three weeks ago. None of us envisaged that we would meet here again so soon, to bid final farewell to Poorana uncle.
Only a month earlier the executive committee and trustees of the Hartley College Past Pupils’ Association travelled from London to Rugby, and we chatted to our former Principal for a few hours. He enjoyed meeting his old pupils and quipped that he felt young again during these encounters. We talked about many old pupils, and as usual he amazed us all by remembering not only their names but also their parents’ names, their siblings’ names and their professions. They are now very precious and memorable moments for all of us.
Mr. Pooranampillai was born in 1909, when his father was Principal of Hartley College in Point Pedro, a small coastal town in the north of Sri Lanka and the college was then called Central Methodist School. His father later took up Law and his family moved to Thunnalai, a village 4 miles to the South. He attended Thunnalai Methodist School and then the Methodist Girls High School, where he was one of three boys in first year special class. It has been recorded by him that the then Principal called them ‘the troublesome trio’! It’s consoling to know that he was also human in this respect, even though it was at a very early age.
He then studied at Hartley from 1918 to 1924 and had to walk four miles every day to school.
At the age of sixteen he lost his father, and from then on his family with three sisters and one brother went through a time of hardship and difficulties. He started to work as a teacher at the Matale Christ Church College at a very early age, and was the main breadwinner for his family sending money back home to his mother from his earnings. He obtained an external degree from the University of London by self-study, while also doing a full time teaching job. Mr. Pooranampillai joined Hartley as a teacher in 1932, and went on to become Principal in 1944. He transformed Hartley and Point Pedro, and was instrumental in providing an all round education and ushering in an era of modernity.
He was sponsored by the Methodist church to do post graduate teacher training at the Selly Oak College in Birmingham, England where he resided from 1950 to 1951. He admired the British Educational system and modelled Hartley College on an English Grammar school. He established Hartley as a leading educational Institution in the Island - one that produced professionals and scientists and citizens of distinction in all walks of life, who went on to become prominent in many parts of the world. He was renowned as a strict disciplinarian with good reason and he was extremely methodical. His staff cooperated with his “one king, one law” approach because they trusted his vision and ability. Many pupils, here and all around the world, would wit
ness to the fact that they owe their positions in the society to him. The words of a leading Hartleyite were, “ I shudder to think what would have happened to me had there been no Hartley within walking distance of my home.” Many of us share this sentiment; it is in effect what we all owe Mr Pooranampillai...
K P, as many people knew him, not only made sure that he knew every student well, but also knew about their parents and their social and financial backgrounds. This enabled him to deal with each student in an individual and appropriate manner. This was his character. A fellow Hartleyite told me of an incident where a teacher threw him out of the class, and would not listen to his protestations. When K P saw this, and because he knew the reasons why the student behaved in such a way, he went to the class and in the presence of my friend gave an explanation on his behalf. K.P always stood up for what he saw was right. But if students were punished by him they dared not go and say that to the parents because they would get punished at home again for the same offence. Students called this ‘ the double dose’.
K P was a devout Christian and a lay preacher who took Sunday services at the local church and for a time served as the vice President of Methodist Conference of Sri Lanka. He was involved in social work and in the post war period campaigned for family planning.
KP became Principal of St John’s College in 1967, another leading school in Jaffna. At the time he became Principal, St John’s College, as a non-fee levying private school was facing financial difficulties. A friend of mine who studied there told me that improvements in discipline, exam results and sports were very quickly noticed. He added that he was very smart, and because of the style of his walk and the hat he wore, became nicknamed John Wayne, after the famous late American actor. But, KP was a very English John Wayne! In fact, when my friend one day greeted him saying ‘Morning sir’ the quick response was ‘We all know it is morning, say ‘Good Morning sir.’ On the face of it, he was a strict man, but if you got closer to him, in time you could experience his kindness, benefit from his advice and indeed counselling. But my friend added “If you misbehaved, he would come down on you like a ton of bricks.”
In his position he sometimes had to deal with opposition and strong criticism, but he dealt with his enemies honourably and charitably. In the words of a former teacher “He was a gentleman to his fingertips”. He did not just impose his discipline on his students and staff, but also on himself and his family. He took up Yoga and practised it until ill health made it impossible to carry on. On a personal level, he was an affable and likeable person, who also knew when not to talk. He was a very loving husband, and a caring and loving father and a grandfather. We all count ourselves fortunate to have known him in whichever capacity, and thank you Poorana mama for everything you gave in abundance to all of us.
You have not died in the hearts of your family, friends and the community you served.
S. E. Manoharan

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The Hartleyite

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

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The Hartleyite

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

HARTLEY COLLEGE

After graduation, I joined Hartley as an assistant teacher in May 1932. Among my assignments was the teaching of English History to the Cambridge Junior Class-A Division. They were the brightest and most restless pupils. Of them, Jeyam Eliezer was the most diminutive and probably the youngest. His father had died earlier and as he told me later, he decided to make his way through life by hard work.
By the end of 1932, he passed the Cambridge Junior Exam with honours and distinctions. As he had also qualified from exemption from the London Matriculation, he could proceed to prepare for the Intermediate Exam in Science, but he could not enter University College as he was under seventeen years. So he joined the St Joseph’s College, Colombo and passed the intermediate Exam in Science.
Then he joined the University College in the BSc (Maths Class). At the examination he won First Class Honours and got a Scholarship to Cambridge. He studied at Christ Church, the college founded and richly endowed by Thomas Wolsey. He did well at Cambridge too among other things learnt to be a public speaker. I remember reading in Jawarharlal Neru’s autobiography that there was a rule at the Cambridge Union that students had to speak at least once in a term or give the reason why.
I remember an occasion late onwhen Jeyam was Professor and also a member of the Synod Methodist Church, Mr. E R de Silva doyen of Principals had spoken on the language problem. Then Jeyam got up and expressed a different point of view. And then to everyone’s surprise the great E.R. de Silva withdrew his submission.
On his return from Cambridge, Jeyam was appointed lecturer in Mathematics at the University College and later he became Professor. He was very young at the time and there were many write-ups in the papers and he became a legend. People often referred to a bright pupil “He is an Eleizer”. Even older pupils often confessed that when they went for interviews, they were asked the name of the school and on hearing the name of Hartley, the interviewing officers’ interjection was “Elizabeth’s school”.
Jeyam was a very humble and unassuming person and always approachable to the students as well as the parents. Jeyam’s marriage to Ranee Handy was a very happy one. She understood the needs of an academic and took charge of the social side of things. She had a great interest in her husband’s old school and made Hartley Boys feel at home and guided them through the intricacies of Colombo social life. When I became Principal and had to go to Colombo to attend the Hartley OBA Meetings, Jeyam and wife often invited me for a meal. Ranee was good cook and an ideal hostess and made everybody welcome.
After the “Sinhala only Act” the atmosphere in academic circles changed and Jeyan accepted a place in an Australian University. While there, he formed a branch of the Harley PPA. In 1999 I completed ninety years and eth Hartleyites, there wanted to send me birthday greetings. S. Prameswaran, President of the Victoria PPA had brought a large birthday card and got the Hartleyites of Victoria to sign. The first signatories were Jeyam and Ranee Eliezer. I was greatly touched.
This is a time to remember Eliezer with affection, sadness and a deep sense of loss. Our sincerest sympathies to Mrs. Eliezer, the children and the other members of the family.

An Appreciation — Professor . C . J . Eliezer
by
K. Pooranmapillai

A Legend called to rest

“Nothing exists, except through
human consciousness”
George Orwell– In his book “1984”

“Pooranampillai Memorial Fund”
HCPPA (UK) has established ‘Poorranampillai Memorial Fund’ in benefit of education and facilities at Hartley College.
For further details, please contact our Treasurer:
Mr. S. Balasingam; E-Mail: balacharter@fsmail.net; Phone: 020 8470 1818

Memorial Service
Harley College Past Pupils Association (UK) and St John’s College / Chundikuli Girls College Past Pupils Association (UK) held a Thanksgiving Service for the life of the Late Mr. K Pooranampillai on Sunday the 13th of May at the Rivercourt Methodic Church at Hammersmith, London. More than 250 people attended this service of worship and remembrance.
The service started with the lighting of candle by Mr. P Jeyakumar, Late Mr. K Pooranampillai’s son and Reverend Alexander Barnabas led the worship. Tributes were paid by Mr. Ariyaratnam, a family friend, Mr. C. Sithamparapillai, Past Pupil of Hartley College, Miss N Navaratnasinham, Former teacher of Hartley College, Mr. A. E. Rajan, Past Pupil of St John’s College and Mr. Ranjan Babu—Past Pupil St John’s College. A shorter version of the Tamil poem dedicated at the remembrance meeting held at Hartley College on 24th April was read out Messages also from Mr. P. Balasingan—Former Principal Hartley College; Mrs. Chandra Ratnavel- Former Teacher Hartley College; Mr. K. Palasubramaniam-secretary HCPPA, Victoria, Australia; Dr. Shan A Shanmugavadivel– President– PPA Canada &USA; Mr. N Chinniah– President– PPA Colombo; Mr. M. Nadarajasudaram-PPA-Point Pedro; Rev Soma Perera– Former President of Methodic Church Sri Lanka were also read out. Mrs. S Arulanandam, daughter of Late Mr. K Pooranampillai gave vote of thanks at the end of the service.

Dear Hartleytas,
In the Newsletter –Issue 1– published in November 2000, under the caption “Message from the President”, it was announced that the format of the Annual Dinner for the year would be changed, as desired by the membership. Our words were matched by deeds. More than 200 members and guests attended the dinner. It was unique in that for the first time, members brought their children. It is memorable as we were able to build a bridge between Hartleytes of recent past and who had left Hartley many decades ago. It was enjoyable as members and guests chose their own table –mates and served food of their choice.
A real change was the way the Chief Guest Mr. S. Gunanayagam delivered his speech. He is truly a sports man. He did not remain in the podium instead, he walked around, got his former teachers an others to talk about their experiences at Hartley. His speech was very much inspiring and took all of us back to the good old days. We cherished every moment. We declared that we must be proud of our alma mater. All of us must dedicate ourselves to help our brothers and sisters back at home who are in need of financial assistance. Towards the fulfillment of this commitment he donated $1.500,00 for the establishment of a scholarship, likewise, his sister Mrs Kanapathipillai (wife of a former Hartleyte, Dr. Kanapathapillai) donated £500,00 in order to establish another scholarship to perpetuate the memory of her brother, the late Dr S Krishnasamy, an outstanding product of Hartley. All in all, the dinner was a great success, yet we need to improve. More and more recent past Hartleytes must attend future Annual Dinners, success of the Association is really in their hands. They must take the centre stage, while members like me, who belong to the old generation, ought to take the back seat but giving advice and guidance.
C. Sithamparapillai
C. SITHAMPARAPILLAH

Reflection and lessons to be learnt
New Millennium Annual Dinner November 2000

Mr. S. Gunanayagam, Chief Guest is addressing the New Millennium Annual Dinner

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The Hartleyite

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

Request by the Principal for financial support for the College
Summary of statement of current requirements

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The Hartleyite

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

Mr. S. E. Manoharan
President HCPPA (UK)
Dear Mr. Manoharan,
Received your courteous letter dated 20-03-2001 on 23-04-2001. Thank you very much.
We sincerely congratulate you and your committee for your unstinted efforts on behalf of our prestigious College.
We sent a detailed list of Hartley’s requirements; these can be provided in three levels. (1) State level, buildings for example which could entail a lot of money. (2) Non Governmental Organisations can also help. (3) Under the third category comes the Past Pupils’ Associations spread all the world over, the School Development Societies and Individuals.
So whatever possible the Past Pupils’ Associations can do is always welcome.
Your committee itself can decide on the priorities and act.
We suggest computers, sports requirements especially for cricket where the players can train themselves within a limited space, facilities to improve indoors games, Audio Visual Aids to spread curriculum development, Photostat Machines and financial assistance for furnitures.
Outright purchase of land for Hartley is another priority.
Though I suggest these, I leave it to your discretion to deliberate on the immediate needs.
Our college badly needs a separate fund to facilitate fulfilling certain immediate and urgent requirements.
This fund will help the Principal to deliberate and act swiftly in collaboration with the Past Pupils’ Associations. It can be termed ‘Group 2001 Hartley’.
We intend to set this up and it will have a constitution of its own , copies of which will be sent to all P.P.A.s the world over.
Associations and individuals can directly find this ‘Group 2001 Hartley’
We are running our institution with dedication and zeal. We need your assistance and co-operation to still uplift famous Alma Mater .
M. SHREEPATHY
Principal
Hartley College, Point-Pedro

Hartley College under 16 and under 18 teams won the Jaffna District Inter Collegiate Soccer Tournament.. Results:
Under 16–Hartley beats Tellipalai union 3 – nil
Under 18– Hartley beats Manipay Hindu 2– nil
The finals were played at Chunnakam Skandavarodaya
EXAMS—GCE A/L –
University Admission
AUG 1999 AUG 2000
Maths 55.2% 54.5%
Bio 71.9% 60.9%
Commerce 78.4% 77.6%
Arts 73.6% 66.7%
TOTAL 73.6% 63.5%

Letter from the Principal

Hartley Excels!

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The Hartleyite

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

Hartley College
Newsletter 2

EXAMS-GCE O/L
1 Science 1 97.5%
2 Science 11 91.4%
3 Mathematics 1 99.1%
4 Mathematics 11 93.0%
5 English Lang. 67.2%
6 Social Science 99.1%
7 Tamil Lang. 96.5%
8 Hinduism 99.1%
10 Electronics 89.5%
11 Art 88.6%
12 Music-Carnatic 92.1%
13 English Lit. 75.0%
14 Christianity RC 100.0%
15 Christianity Non RC 100.0%

Confession
I confess I have too sinned like Brutes
Not once but several times
A thorn in your flesh
Antagonised in each and every of your moves
Thought your grace coached me well to excel in sports
Which I gave up sooner as it lead to hero worship,
I couldn't accept rules and orders,

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)(UK)

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

The Hartleyite

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HARTLEY COLLEGE P.P.A – U.K.
Executive Committee Members– YEAR 2001.

PRESIDENT
Mr. S.E. Manoharan
VICE PRESIDENT
S. Sivakumaram
SECRETARY
Mr. V. Thayanandarajah
TREASURER
Mr. S. Balasingam
SPORTS SECRETARY
Mr. M.. Ellalan
COMMITTEE
Mr. S. Nagarajah
Mr. C.. Sithamparapillai
Dr. S. Sivaloganathan
Mr. S.Suthaharan
TRUSTEES
Mr. A . Easwaramoham (Chairman)
Mr. A N Sivarajah (Secretary)
Dr. M . Vinayagamoorthy (Treasurer)
Mr. V. Thayanandarajah (Member)
Mr. S. Balasingam (Member)

Current Committee members meeting the Vice-Patron Mr. K. Pooranampillai. at his youngest daughter’s residence in Rugby on 19th February 2001

The Sports day scheduled for 23rd June had to be cancelled suddenly due to a variety of unforeseen and unavoidable reasons. The Executive Committee wishes to apologise to our members, well wishers and participants.
Hartley college team participated in the Tamil Schools Sports Association tournament. Our cricket team will participate in the British Tamil Association’s sports festival to be held on the 29th of July.

Sports day
cancellation

Item no
Description
Details
Amount ( Rs)
Possible funder
1
Land for assembly hall, auditorium
and 400 meter athletic track. Old church opposite used as assembly hall.
250 perches of land, Ministry will not fund this
1,250,000
Private donations PPAs
2
18 additional class rooms needed facilities and assembly hall, repairs to roofs Lab and library used as classroom.
For 1100 students, large part of the school occupied
by armed forces
PPAs
3
Playground
a) Debris removed and the ground levelled
b) Basket ball court - repair to damage
c) Games room - TT, badminton, chess etc
4 - 5 lakhs
3 lakhs
Some funds from PPAs
4
Furniture
a) 375 chairs, 375 desks, 25 teachers chairs, 30 teachers desks
b) Library furniture, cupboards (10), bookshelves (25) general reading desks etc (numbers given)
c) Laboratory furniture, lab tables (10)
d) Office furniture steel cabinets (4) & cupboards (16)
Ministry for essential s, PPAs need further information
5
Television and VCR
Essential and urgent need
PPAs
6
Computers
Computer room has capacity for 15 computers
Only one available in use and another should soon arrive.
Various PPAs, reconditioned computers?
Computer room by GTZ and SDS (School development society)
7
Other funding
a) books
b) Cricket, football volleyball expenses
c) Telephone installations - ministry must get the connection
Some funding HCPPA Victoria and other branches
Core needs - ministry, extra activities – HCPPA
PPAs are willing to fund
8
Colour photocopying machine
Essential
9
Computer operator and trainer
Train students - Ministry will not fund, about £ 100 per month
SDS and PPAs, Dr Selvakadunco advised Principal
to search for a possible candidate.
10
School administration funding
Kept as a routine fund within reach of Principal, mainly for repairs and maintenance work emergencies.
50,000
PPAs
11
Allocation of funds for maintaining old building and playground

Message from Principal

A Legend called to rest
1
Message from Principal
1
Tribute by the President at the Funeral Service of Mr Pooranampillai
2
Hartley College P.P.A. UK–Executive Committee Members
4
Editorials and Activities of the Association
for the year
5
Reflections and Lessons to be Learnt– New Millenium Annual Dinner 2000
6
Request form the Principal for financial support
7
Letter from the Principal
8
Hartley Excels
8
An Appreciation Prof. C. Eliezer by K. Pooranmapillai
9
Tamill Poem
10

In this Issue:

Regulations and Restrictions ,
Even the Streamlining theory of KP,
Neither at school not at home,
And of course I was the winner most of the time,
I am telling this with good sportsmanship.
Thus I enjoy life to the best of my tastes
As I believe, neither me nor you-have
No more life after death.
Amen
Late Dr. R Ukraperuvaluthipillai

Editorial and activities of the Association
for the year

The Executive Committee is very privileged to be involved in raising the profile of the HCPPA UK among the past Hartleyites who are resident here through the publication of this Newsletter and other communications to members. This is the second Newsletter from the current editorial team and we hope that as we gain more experience our publications will become more informative and interesting to our readers.
We want this Newsletter to be the voice of HCPPA (UK). We are therefore giving details of the Association’s activities for the year and we look forward to receiving contributions and comments from members so that we can serve you and the Association.
The Executive Committee had three meetings this year focusing on issues ranging from effective liaison with the school Principal locally in Point Pedro making a conscious effort to co-ordinate with other Hartley College Past Pupils’ associations around the world, planning general funding and other assistance to our school and make preparations for our Annual Dinner and Annual General Meeting. We are also looking at ways of helping needy students with financial assistance for further studies.
We are pleased to report that the Trustees have concluded funding matters relating to four computers - individuals funded three of them - and a printer. Decision has also now been taken to fund books and furniture for the school library to the value of £2,500.
Our association was closely involved in the funeral arrangements for Mr. K Pooranampillai. We also held a service of Thanksgiving for his life in collaboration with the Past Pupils’ Association of St Johns and Chundikuli Girls College.
Our committee will continue in its endeavors, but it is Hartleyites’ commitment to membership of our association that will help us make further progress. Although many of us are settled in the U.K, our paid up membership has not reached a respectable number. We can do more and - more importantly - Hartley and the current students deserve better from us.
Please read the letter from the Principal, Mr. M Shreepathy, published in this Newsletter and let us have your views about his messages. The Executive Committee and the Trustees will be considering these and, in co ordination with other Hartley College Past Pupils’ Associations around the world, will take comments of past pupils into account in making any final decisions.
Please help us - we are only as good as the support we derive from you, our members. We need you; your school undoubtedly needs you.
We look forward to your support and co-operation.
S. E Manoharan
V. Thayanadarajah
E mail : smano@cwcom.net

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The Hartleyite

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

“You could call yourself a matured person when what you perceive of yourself as a person coincides with what others perceive of you and with what you really are”.
Sigmund Freud
what you really are”

We share the Sad News

Dr. R. Ukiraperuvaluthi Pillai, an old boy of Hartley College and an active contributor of its affairs who was recently appointed Senior Lecturer in Bacteriology Jaffna University passed away at the age of 52 suddenly in Jaffna..
Mr. T. Segarajasingham of Thuunnalai, Retired Accountant, old boy of Hartley and father of our Committee member Mr. S. Nagarajah passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday June 20, 2001. The funeral was held on Thursday June 21, 2001 at his Residence.
Mr. S. Thanabalasingham (Retired Additional Government Agent) passed away at the age of 72 in Colombo on 14th of June. He is father in law of Mr. Ellanan, our Sports Secretary and Committee member and father of Mr. T. Ravishankar, a member of HCPPA Colombo branch.

Annual General Meeting & Dinner 2001—An evening of relaxation and reminiscence
Date : 3 November 2001
Place: C &L Country Club, Northolt, Middlessex
Tickets – Single £ 15 ; Family £ 35
Keep the date free. Further information will follow

Annual
membership fees

We are enclosing a membership application form for year 2001. If you have paid the fees already please pass it on to a friend. Otherwise we would urge you to pay this without further delay or waiting for a phone call from a committee member chasing for payment.
It is true that we all live in a society that is rocking around at break neck speed but please spare a moment for the school that nourished you with knowledge and equipped you with tools to serve the society you live in. You only have to read the letter from our present Principal to realise that you and all of us could make a difference.

Tribute by the President at the Funeral Service of
Mr. Pooranampillai

Newsletter HCPPA (UK)

The Hartleyite

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A plane was about to crash and the stewardess was asked to ensure that all the passengers fitted their parachutes and jumped. She approached the French passenger and said, jump, it is the fashion, and he did. To the English she said “ jump it is the sport’ and he did, and to the German she said jump it is an order and he also did. To the Italian she said “ you are not allowed to jump” and immediately he jumped.
Moral: Interact with people in an adaptive manner.