29th June 1814 : Landing of the Methodist Missionaries in Galle.
10th August 1814 : Arrival of Messrs. Lynch and Squance in Jaffna.
01st August 1816 : Purchased the Site for the School from the Government by Rev. James Lynch.
1817 : Jaffna Wesleyan English School founded.
1825 : The school transferred to Vembadi Site.
1826 : Arrival Of Rev. Dr.Peter Percival.
1834 : Re-named the School, "The Jaffna Central School"
1839 : Visit of His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. J.A. Stewart Mackenzie.
Receipt of First Government Grant of Stg.150/-
1851 : Rev. Dr. Peter Percival retired
1852 : Preparatory Department opened at St. Paul’s, Chapel Street
1853 : Vannarponnai English School started
1854 : Boarding Department housed at "Hope Cottage" (the present site of Wesley House")
1855 : Mr. Samuel Grenier appointed as the Head master who later became the First Supreme Court Judge of Ceylon.
Rev. William Barber appointed Principal
1859 : The First Public Examination and Prize-Giving
1860 : Rev. William Talbot appointed Principal
Mr. William Nevins appointed Head-master
1862 : Rev. John Mitchell appointed Principal
1867 : Mr. John O. Rhodes appointed Principal
Latin introduced as a Subject
1869 : Affiliated to the Madras University
1870 : Collegiate Department formed
Rev. D. P. Niles acted as Principal
1873 : Rev. S. R. Wilkin appointed Principal
1874 : Rev. William R. Winston appointed Principal
1877 : Mr. Edward Strutt appointed Principal
1879 : Rev. F. M. Webster, B.A., appointed Principal
1881 : Rev. F. M. Webster introduced Cricket for the first time into Jaffna.
1882 : Thomas Little Esqr., appointed Principal
1883 : Mr. William J. G. Bestall appointed Principal
1884 : Joseph West , Esqr., appointed Principal
1885 : Rev. A. E. Restarick appointed Principal
College Y.M.C.A. founded College Literary Association inaugurated
1886 : Mr. William Nevins retired
Rev. D. P. Niles returned
1888 : Rev. Sheldon Knapp appointed Principal
1890 : Rev. E. M. Weaver appointed Principal
1891 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., appointed Principal
1894 : Rev. Gabriel Leese appointed Principal
Football (Soccer) introduced Mr. J. K. Chanmukam , B.A., L.T., appointed Head-Master
1896 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., returned as Principal
1897 : Affiliated with the Calcutta University
1898 : Won the Gymkhana Cup
1899 : Rev. G. B. Robeson acted as Principal
1900 : Rev. E. O. Martin acted as Principal
1901 : Rev. A. Lockwood acted as Principal
Rev. W.T. Garret B.A., returned as Principal. Mr. W.R. Cooke arrived.
1902 : Visit of Mr. (Sir) S. M. Burrows, director of Public Instruction
1903 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., L.C.P., appointed Principal
1904 : College Magazine " The Central" published
The Central Crest and Colours designed Inauguration of a College building fund
1905 : T. Saravanamuttu passed the F.A. of the Calcutta University obtaining First
Class Honours and coming 16th in order of merit Visit of Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Ceylon
1906 : Visit of Dr. and Mrs. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy
Mr. W. Romaine Cooke went on furlough Cambridge Junior Local Class formed
28th December 1906 : Inauguration of Old Boys Association - Jaffna Branch.
1907 : Mr. W. R. Cooke returned
First Old Boys’ Day Celebrations Cambridge Senior local Class formed T. Cooke Jayaratnam obtained
a First Class in the Cambridge Junior Local, Coming 8th in order of merit in the Island
1908 : Won the Prize Football Cup
Visit of Sir Henry McCallum, Governor of Ceylon Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes transferred to Point Petro Rev. H. A. Meek , B.A., appointed principal
25th September 1908 : Foundation laid for the present Assembly Hall
1909 : Prize Football Cup won 2nd time
1910 : Prize Football Cup won 3rd time
Rev. H. A. Meek, B.A., retired Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., returned as Principal Opening of the New Building by Mrs. G. J. Trimmer Staging of the
First English Play completely at Central
1911 : A. R. Rasiah won the Hewavitharne Science Prize
1911 : Won the Union Jack at the Sports Meet
1913 : Colombo Branch of the O.B.A formed
1915 : Won the Doraiswamy Cricket Cup
Visit of Sir (Lord) Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon
1916 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes retired
Rev. E. T. Selby acted as Principal Scout Movement inaugurated Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., joined
1917 : Rev. H. Bullough, M. A., B.Sc., arrived
W. R. Cooke, Esqr., retired Muttucumaru Football Cup won
1918 : Opened a New Dormitory (the present Dining Hall)
Bracketed Champions in the Inter-Collegiate Gymkhana Meet
1919 : Visit of Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
Visit of Sir John Randles, M.P. Death of Mr. S. A. Edward, B. A., L.T. Cup Pack organised Muttucumaru Football Cup won (Final)
1920 : Percival Hall opened
Commercial class formed
1921 : Inter-Collegiate Athletics Championship won
Rev. H. Bullough retired Rev. H. R. Cornish acted as Principal
May 1922 : Rev. Percy T. Cash, B.A., B.Sc., (London) arrived
1922 : Mr. L. P. Spencer, B. A., transferred to Kilner College
Union College started
1923 : London Intermediate Classes formed.
Botany introduced as a subject. House System organised. New Building scheme inaugurated. Foundation laid for the Two Storied Building.
A. Kulanayagam
won the Sir Marcus Fernando All-Ceylon Agricultural. Scholarship. The Tamil Kazhagam inaugurated. Y.M.C.A. affiliated to the Student
Christian Movement
of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Social Service League inaugurated The Master’ Fellowship formed The Temperance League inaugurated Visit of
Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
1924 : T. M. Z. Mahamooth , P. C. Selvaratnam and
W. A. Wijayaretnam chosen to represent Ceylon at the International Scout Jamboree held in Wembley, London.
1925 : Sanskrit and Music introduced as subjects
Teachers’ Guild inaugurated Visit of Rev. W. T. Barber, M.A., D. D. Visit of Sir Cecil Clementi (Acting Governor)
1926 : Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of Ceylon opened :-
The William Paul Botanical Laboratory The William Romaine Cooke Library The Geographical Laboratory The Art Room
1927 : Mr. J. K. Chanmukam, B.A., L.T., acted as Principal
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough
27th November 1927 : Visit of Mahatma Gandhi
1928 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned
Mr. J. K. Chanmukam retired
1929 : Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., and Mr. O. L. Gibbon, M.A., appointed Co-Vice Principals
Rev. W. J. Noble visited the College
1930 : Death of Mr. J. K. Chanmukam
Vembadi-Central Recreation Club formed. Sir Herbert Stanley, Governor of Ceylon , presided at the College Prize Distribution
Hon. Mr. M.T. Akbar, K.C., visited the College
1931 : New Hostel Buildings opened
1932 : W. R. N. Nathaniel won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship
Malayan Branch of the Old Boys’ Association formed Hon. Mr. P. J. Macdonnel, Chief Justice of the Island, visited. Death of Mr. G. W. Tamber.
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough.
1933 : Mr. R. J. Seal, M.Sc., acted as Principal
V. S. Ariaretnam won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship S. Kandiah represented the Northern Province Boys’ Scout Association at the
International Jamboree held in Budapest
1934 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned as Principal
June 1935 : Centenary of the renaming of the school as Jaffna Central School in 1834 was celebrated on a large scale.
1936 : "Jaffna Central College": Centenary Memorial Edition was published.
1940 – 1942 : Mr. R. S. D. Williams B.A., Dip. Ed., as Principal
1945 October : Free Education scheme of the Government was adopted at the College.
1952 February : Our student N Ethirveerasingham at the age of 20 particiapated in high jump at the Olympic Games geld in Helsinki,Finland, representing
the country and the only student.
1955 December : Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles became Principal of the College.
1956 : The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Old Boys’ Association.
1960 December : All schools in the island other the ones opted to be private were taken by the state.
1962 : A.E. Tamber became the Principal.
1962 April : The property of the school was vested in the crown by Gazette notification.
1964 : A non-Centralite or Wesleyan Methodist, Mr. E. Sabalingam, was made principal.
1981 : The centenary of the introduction of Cricket into Jaffna by Rev. F. Webster, Principal, was celebrated.
1990 November : The college and its building were almost totally damaged or destroyed by aerial bombing. Mr. N. K. Shanmuganathapillai was appointed
as Principal.
1993.01.05 : The special committee appointed by the Old Boys’ Association to determine the date of founding of the College concluded its finding.
First of August 1816 as the date of founding of the college.
1994 : The college was made a National School.
1996.09.07 : The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a postage stamp (with the denomination of Rs. 2) and a First Day Cover to
commemorate 180 years of the founding of Jaffna Central College.
1996 November : Mr. K. Rasathurai was appointed as the Principal
29th June 1814 : Landing of the Methodist Missionaries in Galle.
10th August 1814 : Arrival of Messrs. Lynch and Squance in Jaffna.
01st August 1816 : Purchased the Site for the School from the Government by Rev. James Lynch.
1817 : Jaffna Wesleyan English School founded.
1825 : The school transferred to Vembadi Site.
1826 : Arrival Of Rev. Dr.Peter Percival.
1834 : Re-named the School, "The Jaffna Central School"
1839 : Visit of His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. J.A. Stewart Mackenzie.
Receipt of First Government Grant of Stg.150/-
1851 : Rev. Dr. Peter Percival retired
1852 : Preparatory Department opened at St. Paul’s, Chapel Street
1853 : Vannarponnai English School started
1854 : Boarding Department housed at "Hope Cottage" (the present site of Wesley House")
1855 : Mr. Samuel Grenier appointed as the Head master who later became the First Supreme Court Judge of Ceylon.
Rev. William Barber appointed Principal
1859 : The First Public Examination and Prize-Giving
1860 : Rev. William Talbot appointed Principal
Mr. William Nevins appointed Head-master
1862 : Rev. John Mitchell appointed Principal
1867 : Mr. John O. Rhodes appointed Principal
Latin introduced as a Subject
1869 : Affiliated to the Madras University
1870 : Collegiate Department formed
Rev. D. P. Niles acted as Principal
1873 : Rev. S. R. Wilkin appointed Principal
1874 : Rev. William R. Winston appointed Principal
1877 : Mr. Edward Strutt appointed Principal
1879 : Rev. F. M. Webster, B.A., appointed Principal
1881 : Rev. F. M. Webster introduced Cricket for the first time into Jaffna.
1882 : Thomas Little Esqr., appointed Principal
1883 : Mr. William J. G. Bestall appointed Principal
1884 : Joseph West , Esqr., appointed Principal
1885 : Rev. A. E. Restarick appointed Principal
College Y.M.C.A. founded College Literary Association inaugurated
1886 : Mr. William Nevins retired
Rev. D. P. Niles returned
1888 : Rev. Sheldon Knapp appointed Principal
1890 : Rev. E. M. Weaver appointed Principal
1891 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., appointed Principal
1894 : Rev. Gabriel Leese appointed Principal
Football (Soccer) introduced Mr. J. K. Chanmukam , B.A., L.T., appointed Head-Master
1896 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., returned as Principal
1897 : Affiliated with the Calcutta University
1898 : Won the Gymkhana Cup
1899 : Rev. G. B. Robeson acted as Principal
1900 : Rev. E. O. Martin acted as Principal
1901 : Rev. A. Lockwood acted as Principal
Rev. W.T. Garret B.A., returned as Principal. Mr. W.R. Cooke arrived.
1902 : Visit of Mr. (Sir) S. M. Burrows, director of Public Instruction
1903 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., L.C.P., appointed Principal
1904 : College Magazine " The Central" published
The Central Crest and Colours designed Inauguration of a College building fund
1905 : T. Saravanamuttu passed the F.A. of the Calcutta University obtaining First
Class Honours and coming 16th in order of merit Visit of Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Ceylon
1906 : Visit of Dr. and Mrs. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy
Mr. W. Romaine Cooke went on furlough Cambridge Junior Local Class formed
28th December 1906 : Inauguration of Old Boys Association - Jaffna Branch.
1907 : Mr. W. R. Cooke returned
First Old Boys’ Day Celebrations Cambridge Senior local Class formed T. Cooke Jayaratnam obtained
a First Class in the Cambridge Junior Local, Coming 8th in order of merit in the Island
1908 : Won the Prize Football Cup
Visit of Sir Henry McCallum, Governor of Ceylon Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes transferred to Point Petro Rev. H. A. Meek , B.A., appointed principal
25th September 1908 : Foundation laid for the present Assembly Hall
1909 : Prize Football Cup won 2nd time
1910 : Prize Football Cup won 3rd time
Rev. H. A. Meek, B.A., retired Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., returned as Principal Opening of the New Building by Mrs. G. J. Trimmer Staging of the
First English Play completely at Central
1911 : A. R. Rasiah won the Hewavitharne Science Prize
1911 : Won the Union Jack at the Sports Meet
1913 : Colombo Branch of the O.B.A formed
1915 : Won the Doraiswamy Cricket Cup
Visit of Sir (Lord) Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon
1916 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes retired
Rev. E. T. Selby acted as Principal Scout Movement inaugurated Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., joined
1917 : Rev. H. Bullough, M. A., B.Sc., arrived
W. R. Cooke, Esqr., retired Muttucumaru Football Cup won
1918 : Opened a New Dormitory (the present Dining Hall)
Bracketed Champions in the Inter-Collegiate Gymkhana Meet
1919 : Visit of Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
Visit of Sir John Randles, M.P. Death of Mr. S. A. Edward, B. A., L.T. Cup Pack organised Muttucumaru Football Cup won (Final)
1920 : Percival Hall opened
Commercial class formed
1921 : Inter-Collegiate Athletics Championship won
Rev. H. Bullough retired Rev. H. R. Cornish acted as Principal
May 1922 : Rev. Percy T. Cash, B.A., B.Sc., (London) arrived
1922 : Mr. L. P. Spencer, B. A., transferred to Kilner College
Union College started
1923 : London Intermediate Classes formed.
Botany introduced as a subject. House System organised. New Building scheme inaugurated. Foundation laid for the Two Storied Building.
A. Kulanayagam
won the Sir Marcus Fernando All-Ceylon Agricultural. Scholarship. The Tamil Kazhagam inaugurated. Y.M.C.A. affiliated to the Student
Christian Movement
of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Social Service League inaugurated The Master’ Fellowship formed The Temperance League inaugurated Visit of
Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
1924 : T. M. Z. Mahamooth , P. C. Selvaratnam and
W. A. Wijayaretnam chosen to represent Ceylon at the International Scout Jamboree held in Wembley, London.
1925 : Sanskrit and Music introduced as subjects
Teachers’ Guild inaugurated Visit of Rev. W. T. Barber, M.A., D. D. Visit of Sir Cecil Clementi (Acting Governor)
1926 : Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of Ceylon opened :-
The William Paul Botanical Laboratory The William Romaine Cooke Library The Geographical Laboratory The Art Room
1927 : Mr. J. K. Chanmukam, B.A., L.T., acted as Principal
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough
27th November 1927 : Visit of Mahatma Gandhi
1928 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned
Mr. J. K. Chanmukam retired
1929 : Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., and Mr. O. L. Gibbon, M.A., appointed Co-Vice Principals
Rev. W. J. Noble visited the College
1930 : Death of Mr. J. K. Chanmukam
Vembadi-Central Recreation Club formed. Sir Herbert Stanley, Governor of Ceylon , presided at the College Prize Distribution
Hon. Mr. M.T. Akbar, K.C., visited the College
1931 : New Hostel Buildings opened
1932 : W. R. N. Nathaniel won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship
Malayan Branch of the Old Boys’ Association formed Hon. Mr. P. J. Macdonnel, Chief Justice of the Island, visited. Death of Mr. G. W. Tamber.
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough.
1933 : Mr. R. J. Seal, M.Sc., acted as Principal
V. S. Ariaretnam won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship S. Kandiah represented the Northern Province Boys’ Scout Association at the
International Jamboree held in Budapest
1934 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned as Principal
June 1935 : Centenary of the renaming of the school as Jaffna Central School in 1834 was celebrated on a large scale.
1936 : "Jaffna Central College": Centenary Memorial Edition was published.
1940 – 1942 : Mr. R. S. D. Williams B.A., Dip. Ed., as Principal
1945 October : Free Education scheme of the Government was adopted at the College.
1952 February : Our student N Ethirveerasingham at the age of 20 particiapated in high jump at the Olympic Games geld in Helsinki,Finland, representing
the country and the only student.
1955 December : Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles became Principal of the College.
1956 : The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Old Boys’ Association.
1960 December : All schools in the island other the ones opted to be private were taken by the state.
1962 : A.E. Tamber became the Principal.
1962 April : The property of the school was vested in the crown by Gazette notification.
1964 : A non-Centralite or Wesleyan Methodist, Mr. E. Sabalingam, was made principal.
1981 : The centenary of the introduction of Cricket into Jaffna by Rev. F. Webster, Principal, was celebrated.
1990 November : The college and its building were almost totally damaged or destroyed by aerial bombing. Mr. N. K. Shanmuganathapillai was appointed
as Principal.
1993.01.05 : The special committee appointed by the Old Boys’ Association to determine the date of founding of the College concluded its finding.
First of August 1816 as the date of founding of the college.
1994 : The college was made a National School.
1996.09.07 : The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a postage stamp (with the denomination of Rs. 2) and a First Day Cover to
commemorate 180 years of the founding of Jaffna Central College.
1996 November : Mr. K. Rasathurai was appointed as the Principal
29th June 1814 : Landing of the Methodist Missionaries in Galle.
10th August 1814 : Arrival of Messrs. Lynch and Squance in Jaffna.
01st August 1816 : Purchased the Site for the School from the Government by Rev. James Lynch.
1817 : Jaffna Wesleyan English School founded.
1825 : The school transferred to Vembadi Site.
1826 : Arrival Of Rev. Dr.Peter Percival.
1834 : Re-named the School, "The Jaffna Central School"
1839 : Visit of His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. J.A. Stewart Mackenzie.
Receipt of First Government Grant of Stg.150/-
1851 : Rev. Dr. Peter Percival retired
1852 : Preparatory Department opened at St. Paul’s, Chapel Street
1853 : Vannarponnai English School started
1854 : Boarding Department housed at "Hope Cottage" (the present site of Wesley House")
1855 : Mr. Samuel Grenier appointed as the Head master who later became the First Supreme Court Judge of Ceylon.
Rev. William Barber appointed Principal
1859 : The First Public Examination and Prize-Giving
1860 : Rev. William Talbot appointed Principal
Mr. William Nevins appointed Head-master
1862 : Rev. John Mitchell appointed Principal
1867 : Mr. John O. Rhodes appointed Principal
Latin introduced as a Subject
1869 : Affiliated to the Madras University
1870 : Collegiate Department formed
Rev. D. P. Niles acted as Principal
1873 : Rev. S. R. Wilkin appointed Principal
1874 : Rev. William R. Winston appointed Principal
1877 : Mr. Edward Strutt appointed Principal
1879 : Rev. F. M. Webster, B.A., appointed Principal
1881 : Rev. F. M. Webster introduced Cricket for the first time into Jaffna.
1882 : Thomas Little Esqr., appointed Principal
1883 : Mr. William J. G. Bestall appointed Principal
1884 : Joseph West , Esqr., appointed Principal
1885 : Rev. A. E. Restarick appointed Principal
College Y.M.C.A. founded College Literary Association inaugurated
1886 : Mr. William Nevins retired
Rev. D. P. Niles returned
1888 : Rev. Sheldon Knapp appointed Principal
1890 : Rev. E. M. Weaver appointed Principal
1891 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., appointed Principal
1894 : Rev. Gabriel Leese appointed Principal
Football (Soccer) introduced Mr. J. K. Chanmukam , B.A., L.T., appointed Head-Master
1896 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., returned as Principal
1897 : Affiliated with the Calcutta University
1898 : Won the Gymkhana Cup
1899 : Rev. G. B. Robeson acted as Principal
1900 : Rev. E. O. Martin acted as Principal
1901 : Rev. A. Lockwood acted as Principal
Rev. W.T. Garret B.A., returned as Principal. Mr. W.R. Cooke arrived.
1902 : Visit of Mr. (Sir) S. M. Burrows, director of Public Instruction
1903 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., L.C.P., appointed Principal
1904 : College Magazine " The Central" published
The Central Crest and Colours designed Inauguration of a College building fund
1905 : T. Saravanamuttu passed the F.A. of the Calcutta University obtaining First
Class Honours and coming 16th in order of merit Visit of Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Ceylon
1906 : Visit of Dr. and Mrs. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy
Mr. W. Romaine Cooke went on furlough Cambridge Junior Local Class formed
28th December 1906 : Inauguration of Old Boys Association - Jaffna Branch.
1907 : Mr. W. R. Cooke returned
First Old Boys’ Day Celebrations Cambridge Senior local Class formed T. Cooke Jayaratnam obtained
a First Class in the Cambridge Junior Local, Coming 8th in order of merit in the Island
1908 : Won the Prize Football Cup
Visit of Sir Henry McCallum, Governor of Ceylon Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes transferred to Point Petro Rev. H. A. Meek , B.A., appointed principal
25th September 1908 : Foundation laid for the present Assembly Hall
1909 : Prize Football Cup won 2nd time
1910 : Prize Football Cup won 3rd time
Rev. H. A. Meek, B.A., retired Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., returned as Principal Opening of the New Building by Mrs. G. J. Trimmer Staging of the
First English Play completely at Central
1911 : A. R. Rasiah won the Hewavitharne Science Prize
1911 : Won the Union Jack at the Sports Meet
1913 : Colombo Branch of the O.B.A formed
1915 : Won the Doraiswamy Cricket Cup
Visit of Sir (Lord) Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon
1916 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes retired
Rev. E. T. Selby acted as Principal Scout Movement inaugurated Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., joined
1917 : Rev. H. Bullough, M. A., B.Sc., arrived
W. R. Cooke, Esqr., retired Muttucumaru Football Cup won
1918 : Opened a New Dormitory (the present Dining Hall)
Bracketed Champions in the Inter-Collegiate Gymkhana Meet
1919 : Visit of Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
Visit of Sir John Randles, M.P. Death of Mr. S. A. Edward, B. A., L.T. Cup Pack organised Muttucumaru Football Cup won (Final)
1920 : Percival Hall opened
Commercial class formed
1921 : Inter-Collegiate Athletics Championship won
Rev. H. Bullough retired Rev. H. R. Cornish acted as Principal
May 1922 : Rev. Percy T. Cash, B.A., B.Sc., (London) arrived
1922 : Mr. L. P. Spencer, B. A., transferred to Kilner College
Union College started
1923 : London Intermediate Classes formed.
Botany introduced as a subject. House System organised. New Building scheme inaugurated. Foundation laid for the Two Storied Building.
A. Kulanayagam
won the Sir Marcus Fernando All-Ceylon Agricultural. Scholarship. The Tamil Kazhagam inaugurated. Y.M.C.A. affiliated to the Student
Christian Movement
of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Social Service League inaugurated The Master’ Fellowship formed The Temperance League inaugurated Visit of
Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
1924 : T. M. Z. Mahamooth , P. C. Selvaratnam and
W. A. Wijayaretnam chosen to represent Ceylon at the International Scout Jamboree held in Wembley, London.
1925 : Sanskrit and Music introduced as subjects
Teachers’ Guild inaugurated Visit of Rev. W. T. Barber, M.A., D. D. Visit of Sir Cecil Clementi (Acting Governor)
1926 : Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of Ceylon opened :-
The William Paul Botanical Laboratory The William Romaine Cooke Library The Geographical Laboratory The Art Room
1927 : Mr. J. K. Chanmukam, B.A., L.T., acted as Principal
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough
27th November 1927 : Visit of Mahatma Gandhi
1928 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned
Mr. J. K. Chanmukam retired
1929 : Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., and Mr. O. L. Gibbon, M.A., appointed Co-Vice Principals
Rev. W. J. Noble visited the College
1930 : Death of Mr. J. K. Chanmukam
Vembadi-Central Recreation Club formed. Sir Herbert Stanley, Governor of Ceylon , presided at the College Prize Distribution
Hon. Mr. M.T. Akbar, K.C., visited the College
1931 : New Hostel Buildings opened
1932 : W. R. N. Nathaniel won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship
Malayan Branch of the Old Boys’ Association formed Hon. Mr. P. J. Macdonnel, Chief Justice of the Island, visited. Death of Mr. G. W. Tamber.
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough.
1933 : Mr. R. J. Seal, M.Sc., acted as Principal
V. S. Ariaretnam won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship S. Kandiah represented the Northern Province Boys’ Scout Association at the
International Jamboree held in Budapest
1934 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned as Principal
June 1935 : Centenary of the renaming of the school as Jaffna Central School in 1834 was celebrated on a large scale.
1936 : "Jaffna Central College": Centenary Memorial Edition was published.
1940 – 1942 : Mr. R. S. D. Williams B.A., Dip. Ed., as Principal
1945 October : Free Education scheme of the Government was adopted at the College.
1952 February : Our student N Ethirveerasingham at the age of 20 particiapated in high jump at the Olympic Games geld in Helsinki,Finland, representing
the country and the only student.
1955 December : Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles became Principal of the College.
1956 : The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Old Boys’ Association.
1960 December : All schools in the island other the ones opted to be private were taken by the state.
1962 : A.E. Tamber became the Principal.
1962 April : The property of the school was vested in the crown by Gazette notification.
1964 : A non-Centralite or Wesleyan Methodist, Mr. E. Sabalingam, was made principal.
1981 : The centenary of the introduction of Cricket into Jaffna by Rev. F. Webster, Principal, was celebrated.
1990 November : The college and its building were almost totally damaged or destroyed by aerial bombing. Mr. N. K. Shanmuganathapillai was appointed
as Principal.
1993.01.05 : The special committee appointed by the Old Boys’ Association to determine the date of founding of the College concluded its finding.
First of August 1816 as the date of founding of the college.
1994 : The college was made a National School.
1996.09.07 : The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a postage stamp (with the denomination of Rs. 2) and a First Day Cover to
commemorate 180 years of the founding of Jaffna Central College.
1996 November : Mr. K. Rasathurai was appointed as the Principal
29th June 1814 : Landing of the Methodist Missionaries in Galle.
10th August 1814 : Arrival of Messrs. Lynch and Squance in Jaffna.
01st August 1816 : Purchased the Site for the School from the Government by Rev. James Lynch.
1817 : Jaffna Wesleyan English School founded.
1825 : The school transferred to Vembadi Site.
1826 : Arrival Of Rev. Dr.Peter Percival.
1834 : Re-named the School, "The Jaffna Central School"
1839 : Visit of His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. J.A. Stewart Mackenzie.
Receipt of First Government Grant of Stg.150/-
1851 : Rev. Dr. Peter Percival retired
1852 : Preparatory Department opened at St. Paul’s, Chapel Street
1853 : Vannarponnai English School started
1854 : Boarding Department housed at "Hope Cottage" (the present site of Wesley House")
1855 : Mr. Samuel Grenier appointed as the Head master who later became the First Supreme Court Judge of Ceylon.
Rev. William Barber appointed Principal
1859 : The First Public Examination and Prize-Giving
1860 : Rev. William Talbot appointed Principal
Mr. William Nevins appointed Head-master
1862 : Rev. John Mitchell appointed Principal
1867 : Mr. John O. Rhodes appointed Principal
Latin introduced as a Subject
1869 : Affiliated to the Madras University
1870 : Collegiate Department formed
Rev. D. P. Niles acted as Principal
1873 : Rev. S. R. Wilkin appointed Principal
1874 : Rev. William R. Winston appointed Principal
1877 : Mr. Edward Strutt appointed Principal
1879 : Rev. F. M. Webster, B.A., appointed Principal
1881 : Rev. F. M. Webster introduced Cricket for the first time into Jaffna.
1882 : Thomas Little Esqr., appointed Principal
1883 : Mr. William J. G. Bestall appointed Principal
1884 : Joseph West , Esqr., appointed Principal
1885 : Rev. A. E. Restarick appointed Principal
College Y.M.C.A. founded College Literary Association inaugurated
1886 : Mr. William Nevins retired
Rev. D. P. Niles returned
1888 : Rev. Sheldon Knapp appointed Principal
1890 : Rev. E. M. Weaver appointed Principal
1891 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., appointed Principal
1894 : Rev. Gabriel Leese appointed Principal
Football (Soccer) introduced Mr. J. K. Chanmukam , B.A., L.T., appointed Head-Master
1896 : Rev. W. T. Garret, B.A., returned as Principal
1897 : Affiliated with the Calcutta University
1898 : Won the Gymkhana Cup
1899 : Rev. G. B. Robeson acted as Principal
1900 : Rev. E. O. Martin acted as Principal
1901 : Rev. A. Lockwood acted as Principal
Rev. W.T. Garret B.A., returned as Principal. Mr. W.R. Cooke arrived.
1902 : Visit of Mr. (Sir) S. M. Burrows, director of Public Instruction
1903 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., L.C.P., appointed Principal
1904 : College Magazine " The Central" published
The Central Crest and Colours designed Inauguration of a College building fund
1905 : T. Saravanamuttu passed the F.A. of the Calcutta University obtaining First
Class Honours and coming 16th in order of merit Visit of Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Ceylon
1906 : Visit of Dr. and Mrs. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy
Mr. W. Romaine Cooke went on furlough Cambridge Junior Local Class formed
28th December 1906 : Inauguration of Old Boys Association - Jaffna Branch.
1907 : Mr. W. R. Cooke returned
First Old Boys’ Day Celebrations Cambridge Senior local Class formed T. Cooke Jayaratnam obtained
a First Class in the Cambridge Junior Local, Coming 8th in order of merit in the Island
1908 : Won the Prize Football Cup
Visit of Sir Henry McCallum, Governor of Ceylon Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes transferred to Point Petro Rev. H. A. Meek , B.A., appointed principal
25th September 1908 : Foundation laid for the present Assembly Hall
1909 : Prize Football Cup won 2nd time
1910 : Prize Football Cup won 3rd time
Rev. H. A. Meek, B.A., retired Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, B.A., returned as Principal Opening of the New Building by Mrs. G. J. Trimmer Staging of the
First English Play completely at Central
1911 : A. R. Rasiah won the Hewavitharne Science Prize
1911 : Won the Union Jack at the Sports Meet
1913 : Colombo Branch of the O.B.A formed
1915 : Won the Doraiswamy Cricket Cup
Visit of Sir (Lord) Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon
1916 : Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes retired
Rev. E. T. Selby acted as Principal Scout Movement inaugurated Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., joined
1917 : Rev. H. Bullough, M. A., B.Sc., arrived
W. R. Cooke, Esqr., retired Muttucumaru Football Cup won
1918 : Opened a New Dormitory (the present Dining Hall)
Bracketed Champions in the Inter-Collegiate Gymkhana Meet
1919 : Visit of Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
Visit of Sir John Randles, M.P. Death of Mr. S. A. Edward, B. A., L.T. Cup Pack organised Muttucumaru Football Cup won (Final)
1920 : Percival Hall opened
Commercial class formed
1921 : Inter-Collegiate Athletics Championship won
Rev. H. Bullough retired Rev. H. R. Cornish acted as Principal
May 1922 : Rev. Percy T. Cash, B.A., B.Sc., (London) arrived
1922 : Mr. L. P. Spencer, B. A., transferred to Kilner College
Union College started
1923 : London Intermediate Classes formed.
Botany introduced as a subject. House System organised. New Building scheme inaugurated. Foundation laid for the Two Storied Building.
A. Kulanayagam
won the Sir Marcus Fernando All-Ceylon Agricultural. Scholarship. The Tamil Kazhagam inaugurated. Y.M.C.A. affiliated to the Student
Christian Movement
of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Social Service League inaugurated The Master’ Fellowship formed The Temperance League inaugurated Visit of
Sir William Manning, Governor of Ceylon
1924 : T. M. Z. Mahamooth , P. C. Selvaratnam and
W. A. Wijayaretnam chosen to represent Ceylon at the International Scout Jamboree held in Wembley, London.
1925 : Sanskrit and Music introduced as subjects
Teachers’ Guild inaugurated Visit of Rev. W. T. Barber, M.A., D. D. Visit of Sir Cecil Clementi (Acting Governor)
1926 : Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of Ceylon opened :-
The William Paul Botanical Laboratory The William Romaine Cooke Library The Geographical Laboratory The Art Room
1927 : Mr. J. K. Chanmukam, B.A., L.T., acted as Principal
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough
27th November 1927 : Visit of Mahatma Gandhi
1928 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned
Mr. J. K. Chanmukam retired
1929 : Mr. J. W. Arudpragasam, B.A., and Mr. O. L. Gibbon, M.A., appointed Co-Vice Principals
Rev. W. J. Noble visited the College
1930 : Death of Mr. J. K. Chanmukam
Vembadi-Central Recreation Club formed. Sir Herbert Stanley, Governor of Ceylon , presided at the College Prize Distribution
Hon. Mr. M.T. Akbar, K.C., visited the College
1931 : New Hostel Buildings opened
1932 : W. R. N. Nathaniel won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship
Malayan Branch of the Old Boys’ Association formed Hon. Mr. P. J. Macdonnel, Chief Justice of the Island, visited. Death of Mr. G. W. Tamber.
Rev. Percy T. Cash went on furlough.
1933 : Mr. R. J. Seal, M.Sc., acted as Principal
V. S. Ariaretnam won the Sir Marcus Fernando Scholarship S. Kandiah represented the Northern Province Boys’ Scout Association at the
International Jamboree held in Budapest
1934 : Rev. Percy T. Cash returned as Principal
June 1935 : Centenary of the renaming of the school as Jaffna Central School in 1834 was celebrated on a large scale.
1936 : "Jaffna Central College": Centenary Memorial Edition was published.
1940 – 1942 : Mr. R. S. D. Williams B.A., Dip. Ed., as Principal
1945 October : Free Education scheme of the Government was adopted at the College.
1952 February : Our student N Ethirveerasingham at the age of 20 particiapated in high jump at the Olympic Games geld in Helsinki,Finland, representing
the country and the only student.
1955 December : Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles became Principal of the College.
1956 : The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Old Boys’ Association.
1960 December : All schools in the island other the ones opted to be private were taken by the state.
1962 : A.E. Tamber became the Principal.
1962 April : The property of the school was vested in the crown by Gazette notification.
1964 : A non-Centralite or Wesleyan Methodist, Mr. E. Sabalingam, was made principal.
1981 : The centenary of the introduction of Cricket into Jaffna by Rev. F. Webster, Principal, was celebrated.
1990 November : The college and its building were almost totally damaged or destroyed by aerial bombing. Mr. N. K. Shanmuganathapillai was appointed
as Principal.
1993.01.05 : The special committee appointed by the Old Boys’ Association to determine the date of founding of the College concluded its finding.
First of August 1816 as the date of founding of the college.
1994 : The college was made a National School.
1996.09.07 : The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a postage stamp (with the denomination of Rs. 2) and a First Day Cover to
commemorate 180 years of the founding of Jaffna Central College.
1996 November : Mr. K. Rasathurai was appointed as the Principal
