The monumental magnificent edifice which we Antonians proudly claim as our St. Anthony’s College Main Hall is a unique, all-time monument of loyalty From SACK Old Boys. It shows the dedication of ardent Old Antonians towards their Alma matter. The then Principal Rev. Fr. Rosati had played a prominent role in making this unique dream a successful reality just before the Centenary celebrations of St. Anthony’s College Kandy in 1954.
The entire Antonian fraternity was preparing years ahead to celebrate the Centenary year of the College.
Laying the foundation stone for the Centenary memorial, monumental Hall on the 20th July 1952 by Hon. M.D. Banda an
eminent ardent Old Boy of the SACK who was also the then Minister of Education.
This monumental Main Hall designed to accommodate over 1200 was estimated for only rupees three hundred thousand, which was a huge amount in the 1950s.
As usual in the history of St. Anthony’s College, The Old Boys Association extended their support to get this construction completed.
The OBA with the assistance of it’s Colombo Branch jointly took over the task forming a formidable working team with many generous
Old Antonians in finding donations through the Old Boys spread all over the Globe.
Further, the Annual Christmas Raffle which was sold all over the country by the Old Antonians and also young Antonians did much to augment the funds collected.
Yet with this Great monument rising up for generations of Antonians to benefit, there were many Antonians of that era lamenting about a Gigantic Tamarind tree that stood just behind the constructed College Main Hall, which has been the first pavilion of the school. Memories of these centuries-old tree have been so strongly entrenched and embedded in the minds of generations of Antonians during that period.
Many childhood castles of those Antonians have been built under the shade of that huge tree who lamented with indescribable agony
in their heats when the tree was felled down to give way for the upcoming new College Main Hall.
There are still very few old — old boys who had lived in College during that period who would sadly remember how they used to hung
their school bags on small branches of that tree and used to play under the shade of this gigantic tree. How they used to sit
under the tree and talked for hours with their long-lost friends now.
The SACK Centenary celebrations were a memorable year for the young and old Antonians, in 1954. The College excelled both in
studies and extracurricular performances with commendable performances beyond explanation.
It was declared open ceremoniously by Rt. Hon. Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, C.M.E. the Governor-General of Ceylon on 5th September 1957.
Fr. Rosati‘s untimely death.
It was a huge shock for the entire Antonian fraternity to hear the sudden death of Rev. Fr. Rosati. Who suddenly passed away due to a heart attack on the 11th of September 1957 at 6.55 p.m., just one week after the ceremonial opening of the monumental St. Anthony’s College Centenary Hall. To honor this noble person who committed himself to the college, the funeral of Rev.Fr. Rosati was held in the newly opened College hall as the first formal function of the hall.
This Centenary College Hall has been renamed as the “Rev. Fr. Rosati Memorial Hall” later and still reminds us of a great visionary Principal and a very noble person who did a lot to St. Anthony’s College. He is still remembered by those Antonians who were in school during his unforgettable thirteen long years of memorable Principalship. His devotion to mold so many distinguished and valuable citizens to the country is still remembered with great respect and honor.
For those who personally knew him, his memories will always live in their hearts. As a teacher who shaped their lives and paved the way for them to have the glorious future they are living today.
There is no doubt that there are still few Old Antonians living who are indebted to him. For molding them to be gentlemen who they are today.
When this magnificent campus like College was handed over to the Government by the then Catholic priests who managed the College in 1977, only 7 Acres of the property was handed over to the Government. Which did not include this monumental extravagant artifact.
Thus still as a uniquely managed College under a private & Government partnership with the Catholic church, St. Anthonys College Main Hall (Rev. Fr. Rosati Memorial Hall), is owned and managed by the Church solely for the use of St. Anthony’s College Kandy.
It still stands as the only state-of-the-art College Hall, Auditorium in the Central Province which has been built to international theatre standards. As this is the only such category hall in which the sounds do not create an echoing effect.
Any musician, music band, or dramatist who has performed in any theatre on the island, would verify this fact. As one of the largest Halls in the entire Central Province, this has a seating capacity of over 1200. And also as one of the oldest Auditoriums in the province. It still has proven to be the best among all other auditoriums built later on.
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