A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving of Late Mrs. L. P. Jayaweerasingham’s will be on Live stream. Link as follows:
A Life of Service: Mrs. L.P. Jayaweerasingham (née Thambyrajah)
The life of Mrs. Lily Padmawathy Jayaweerasingham stands as a powerful testament to the values of dedication, education, and unwavering commitment. Her personal journey is closely intertwined with her Alma Mater, a relationship that began in 1942 when she first marched forward to the classrooms of Chundikuli Girls’ College as a student named Padma Thambirajah and culminated in her distinguished leadership as Principal.
Her academic foundation was built on a diverse pursuit of knowledge. Following her secondary education, she earned a Diploma from the Kundasale Agriculture Training School in Kandy, reflecting an early passion for the sciences. She then expanded her scientific knowledge with a degree in Natural Science from Madras Christian College in India.
In 1956, Padma Thambyrajah returned to her Alma Mater—not as a student, but as a member of the tutorial staff. As a Biology and Science teacher, she inspired countless students with her enthusiasm for the natural world, nurturing a generation of young scientists. While teaching, she continued to broaden her own expertise by earning a Diploma in Education from the University of Peradeniya, cementing her path toward a lifelong career in education.
Mrs. Jayaweerasingham’s dedication and leadership were soon recognised, and in 1975, she was promoted to the role of Vice Principal. She served with distinction for eight years learning the administrative insight, and deep understanding of the school’s culture which prepared her for the College’s highest office. In 1983, Mrs. Jayaweerasingham was appointed as Principal, a role she carried out with both grace and authority for thirteen years. Her tenure was defined by a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, alongside a nurturing yet disciplined school environment. She was more than an administrator; she was a mentor and role model to both staff and students.
During the dark days of the war in Jaffna, when there were no electricity and kerosene was scarce, she opened the college doors each evening to the children for a safe space to learn. Through the ongoing chaos of conflict, she stood as a guardian and protector. Her courage was not loud, but it was steadfast; her resilience was not born of comfort but of necessity. She worked tirelessly to shield her schoolgirls from the many dangers that lurked beyond the classroom walls.
The motto, “Forward Be Our Watchword” has been a beacon of light for the girls of Chundikuli Girls’ College. No one embodied this ideal more fully than Mrs. L.P. Jayaweerasingham. Her life was a beautiful circle of service—beginning as a student in 1942 and concluding in her retirement as Principal. Her story is a powerful reminder of the dedicated individual. Her legacy continues to light our path forward.
“Fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith.” These words from the Bible perfectly capture the essence of her life. Mrs. Padma Jayaweerasingham has now received her well-deserved crown of righteousness. Her faith is now sight, and her race is complete. She will be deeply missed.
Mrs Jayaweerasingham – My Beloved Principal 🌹
Some people pass through our lives but a rare few leave behind a light that never fades. Mrs Jayaweerasingham was one of those precious souls, a sweet, gentle and soft-spoken Principal who led with compassion, kindness and love, making every girl feel seen, valued and cared for.
I have many precious memories of her from my school days. During hostel programmes, I often saw her lovingly holding the labourers’ children on her lap. She had a tender heart for the poor, orphans and for anyone in need of love and care. Even on Sundays, when we hostellers wanted to watch a film, we would choose a motherless little girl to ask her permission, knowing how generous and compassionate she was. With a smile, she would simply say, “Ok, ok… go and watch.” She made sure the hostel girls were well cared for and received good food. She would even visit the hostel kitchen unannounced and question anything that was not satisfactory. That was how deeply she cared for us.
Though gentle and soft-spoken, she was also a strong and decisive leader. She guided our school through some of the darkest years of the civil war, making firm decisions to protect us girls and safeguard the school. I remember the time when a few students tried to persuade her to change an important decision she had already made and announced to the whole school however she did not waver. She stood firm in her conviction and decision. Her gentle but firm response was: “What I have announced will be final.”
Through her example, she taught us to be bold and fearless while remaining respectful and humble, to stand up for what is right, for the truth, for our school and for its values. She was also a caring and God-fearing Principal. She was faithful in her Sunday worship and led the school with heavenly wisdom, grace and courage.
One memory remains especially vivid. When I was Head Girl, a major bomb blast occurred at Old Park Road junction during the morning rush hour. Many people were injured and chaos filled the school gate as distressed parents and guardians gathered. Even in the midst of all that chaos, her first concern was for the girls. Knowing that some Chundikuli girls may have been injured, she sent me and another person to the Jaffna Hospital to inquire as to whether any Chundikuli girl had been admitted or were among the casualties, anyone she may have missed out on. That was the kind of Principal she was. She loved every girl as though she were her own.
She was my principal during my school years, but in my heart, I will always remember her as a mother first and a Principal second. Many years later, I was blessed to meet her and Uncle here in London. My heart is very heavy. I feel as though I have lost my mother again today. Some people simply live but some make an impact and leave an imprint in your heart.
May the Lord comfort her children and the entire family and surround them with His peace.
As we mourn her passing, we give thanks for the beautiful life she lived and the countless lives she shaped through her love, courage and faith. She was far more than a principal; she was a mother, protector, guide and a blessing and one whose legacy will live on in all she touched.
Rest peacefully, dear Mrs Jayaweerasingham. Your love and kindness will remain forever in our hearts. You will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and eternally cherished.
Lucky Maharajah, Class of 1989
A Teacher’s Lasting Legacy
Some teachers leave an indelible mark on your life, and Mrs. Jayaweerasingham was certainly one of them.
When I was young, my mother often spoke about her school days at Chundikuli Girls’ College and a classmate named Padma Thambirajah. She would always say, “Padma oru nalla pillai.” My aunts, too, would reminisce about their own classmates, and Padma’s name frequently came up. It never truly dawned on me who she was until our family moved to Forest Office Lane in Chundikuli, and she came to visit my mother. I was shocked to see a teacher from our college at our house—the very lady we knew at school as Mrs. Jayaweerasingham! At the time, I was in middle school. A year or two later, she became my biology teacher during my Ordinary Level years.
Mrs. Jayaweerasingham always carried a notebook from which she dictated notes, a clear sign that she had meticulously prepared her lessons in advance. She was gentle in her manners but firm with girls who were disruptive in class. Since I was the daughter of her former classmate, I was always careful to behave well, otherwise any naughtiness on my part be reported back to my mother. I also liked the subject. She was a good teacher, well-liked among the students, and she treated everyone with the same respect and fairness. She may have even indirectly inspired my own career path in the sciences, particularly Biology and Chemistry.
Young minds are quick to assess their teachers and can easily perceive any injustice or favouritism. Mrs. Jayaweerasingham was well-liked specifically because she never showed partiality—a truly commendable trait for any teacher. Her judgment was based on what was said, not who said it. I was overjoyed when she became Vice Principal in 1975, and I remember walking up to her to offer my congratulations. As she also lived down Forest Office Lane, she would often walk with us when she saw us heading to or from school. She was also our House Mistress for Hophen Gartner House and was consistently fair during our house meetings.
I wished I could have been in Jaffna, when she became the Principal of Chundikuli Girls’ College. That was the year Sri Lanka’s darkest history unfolded with the outbreak of riots. From that time onward, many Tamils sought safer pastures away from our island, and everyone was busy trying to find their own footing in different countries. Whenever I saw my mother or spoke to her on the phone, she would talk about her classmates, and Padma was always among them. Amma was particularly close to her, as both had started the agriculture course in Kandy, though my mother discontinued hers when she decided to get married.
I was fortunate to meet Mrs. Jayaweerasingham again in Perth when she visited her family friends in the late 1990s. She was retired by then. At that time, we had an active SJC/CGC alumni group and were able to organise a small gathering in her honour. I had the opportunity to chat with her about the difficult times in Jaffna and how she had navigated them. She mentioned that she was highly diabetic and had to deal with the challenging task of maneuvering between the freedom fighters, the Indian Peace Keeping Forces, and the Sri Lankan army. Her priority, always, was to safeguard the girls in her care. This was the era when the SJC principal was shot for standing firm in his convictions.
She recounted one particular incident. During a January enrolment period, the admissions team usually asked new students’ parents to come a day early to pay fees and submit necessary documents. That year, a lady arrived two days early, and the admin clerk informed her she would need to come back later. The lady was distressed and teary. The admin officer went to report the situation to the principal in the next room. Mrs. Jayaweerasingham asked the lady to come into her office, inquired about the child’s name, and reviewed the birth certificate to register her daughter. She quickly realised this was the daughter of the supreme leader, and the details had been sent through a third party. Understanding the delicate situation, she enrolled the student without making things more difficult.
From other old girls who studied under her principalship, I gather she was a good and fair principal.
Mrs. L P Jayaweerasingham was a good teacher and a responsible administrator, carrying the Alma Mater’s torch forward while managing her life with her husband, Mr. Jayaweerasingham, and their five children: Roy, Priyanthy, Dushi, Preman, and Preethi. May the Lord console the family as they grieve the loss of their dear mother.
Ranjana Thambirajah (nee Sabaratnam)
Class of Ordinary level – (1973-74)
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