The Past Pupil's Association of Hartley College, Point Pedro held a felicitation dinner at Taj Samudra Hotel recently to honour T.E. Anandarajah who has been appointed as Inspector General of Police. V.

Jeyarajah, President of the Hartley College Past Pupils' Association presided. Jeyarajah in his welcome speech said that all Hartleyites are very proud and happy on Anandarajah's elevation as Inspector General of Police and without a shadow of doubt he has brought name and fame to his alma mater. Anandarajah excelled not only in studies but also in sports while he was at Hartley, he added.

Attorney-at-Law A. Rajasingham, who was Anandarajah's classmate and associated with the latter for the last four decades said that Anandarajah was a quiet student but always preferred to be a counsellor and a peacemaker. In fact, he expected that one day Anandarajah will end up as a parishioner, rather than a police officer. Anandarajah always showed tremendous leadership and sound judgement in handling any situation while being the prefect at college and at the hostel. He was always friendly and accommodative.

Anandarajah was a tower of strength when he (Rajasingham) was captaining Thamotheram House. Due to Anandarajah's contribution, the House became champion after a lapse of ten years. Anandarajah was an excellent sportsman and was a studious and hardworking student and, today, he holds the proud records of three degrees ever held by a top cop. M. Nadarajasunderam, Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies of the University of Jaffna and an outstanding cricketer of the yesteryear in his speech said, that Anandarajah has not only excelled in studies and sports but has also brought about the merger of the East and the North long ago, by getting married to a lass from the North.

As such, "I have no doubt that as Inspector General of Police Anandarajah could perform an excellent Job for the betterment of the Tamil Community. Anandarajah while addressing the gathering said that he was able to achieve whatever he wanted in life purely due to the discipline instilled by past principals like late Mr. K. Pooranampillai and some of best teachers who gave him good training. He said that as a student he was not that brilliant as some of the speakers had mentioned. But, only thing which helped him to achieve his objectives was his hardwork and discipline.

When I joined the Police service my parents and relations objected. All my family members were teachers. I am the only man who is in the Police Force. Anandarajah in his address also paid a glowing tribute to Rajasingham, his classmate for his sound advice even while he was as a student.

Finally, he thanked everyone particularly Justice S. Anandacoomaraswamy, A. Gnanathasan, Deputy Solicitor General, K. Ganeshalingam, former Mayor of Colombo, Dr. M. Ramajeyam, MMC and all other distinguished Hartleyites for having felicitated him in a glorious way.