Sri Lanka, Aug. 19 -- Chinthananda Abeysekara, now domiciled in California, USA, and I joined the school together many years ago in 1967. Though geography has long separated us, technology keeps us in regular touch. On August 14, 2026, drawn back by a wish to visit his alma mater after so many years, he travelled to Sri Lanka; the primary purpose of his trip being to spend quality time with his ageing mother. We seized the opportunity to visit the school together, and the Principal was kind enough to grant us permission.

We spent a good while walking through the various sections of the school, revisiting places that held old memories. As the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination was in progress at the time, we were careful to stay clear of...