The Time Stamp: Journey of Philately at Royal College

Picture of Pride: The 2025 Philatelic year at Royal College was more than a success, it was a celebration of identity, history, and unity. The group photo taken after the event perfectly captures the spirit of the occasion:

From left to right, Chiran Adithya (Project Chairman of the 56th Postal Day), Dhulanjana Wickramasinghe (Editor), Senul Liyanage (Treasurer), Kavya Perera (Secretary), Mrs. Chamila Basnayake 

(Teacher-in-Charge), Jithen Ekanayake (Chairman), Divoj Thoradeniya (Editor), and Nadev Thilakarathne (Project Secretary).

By Oneli Nonis

Beneath the shade of the old banyan trees on Reid Avenue, the spirit of Royal College Colombo lives in paper, ink, and memory. The annual Philex exhibition, organized by the Royal College Philatelic Club, has for decades transformed the school into a vibrant meeting place for collectors and storytellers.   

For 81 years, the club has turned the simple act of collecting stamps into a celebration of history and creativity. This year, it marked a proud milestone, honoring the school’s 190th anniversary along with the 56th Royal Postal Day.   

What began as a small group of students in 1944 has grown into one of South Asia’s oldest philatelic traditions, linking generations through the stories told by stamps.   

With over 125 members ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 13, the RCPC is not merely a school society; it is a community of storytellers, historians, and dreamers who see the world through stamps.   

Milestones

This year marks an exceptional chapter in the club’s long and proud history.   

2025 is a year of milestones, the 190th anniversary of Royal College Colombo, the 81st anniversary of the Philatelic Club, and the 56th Royal Postal Day. To commemorate this historic convergence, the RCPC, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau, launched a special 190th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp on the 2nd of October, 2025.   

This launch not only celebrates the rich legacy of Royal College but also highlights the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and youthful passion that continues to drive the club forward.   

The Tradition 

Since its inception in 1944, the Philatelic Club has been at the forefront of promoting philately, the art and study of postage stamps, among school students. The club’s annual exhibition, Philex, has been held for over seven decades and is recognized as South Asia’s oldest school-based philatelic exhibition.   

It provides a platform for students to showcase their collections, exchange ideas, and celebrate the heritage of stamps that connect countries and cultures.   

Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the club adapted, organizing its exhibitions and lectures online, ensuring that the flame of philately continued to burn bright. The club’s other initiatives, such as the Philex Trivia Quiz, the Philatelist Magazine, and its dedicated Philatelic Website and Blog, reflect a deep commitment to both tradition and innovation.   

As one of Sri Lanka’s most enduring school societies, the RCPC stands not only as a custodian of postal history but also as a symbol of the intellectual and creative pursuits that define Royal College.   

190 Years of Excellence

The highlight of this year’s celebrations was the release of the 190th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp and First Day Cover, unveiled at the Royal College premises on October 2nd, 2025.   

The event, held with the collaboration of the Philatelic Bureau of Sri Lanka, drew collectors, alumni, students, and dignitaries to witness a piece of history being stamped into existence.   

Speaking about this historic release, Jithen Ekanayake, Chairman of the Philatelic Club said:   

“The 190th Royal College Anniversary Commemorative Stamp, launched today, was created to acknowledge the history and greatness Royal College has achieved over the past 190 years,” Jithen explained.   

“These 19 decades have produced countless great citizens of Sri Lanka and the world. As Chairman of the Philatelic Club this year, I felt it was my duty to honour this momentous milestone. It’s truly a privilege that this anniversary fell during my tenure.”   

He elaborated on the design and symbolism behind the commemorative issue.   

“The stamp, valued at 50 rupees, features a QR code that directs users to the MyStamps.lk platform, offering additional information about the stamp and Royal College’s history. The artwork portrays the five different locations that the school has occupied over its 190-year journey, from the Hill Street Academy at St. Paul’s Church, to the site of the current University of Colombo, and finally to its present home at Reid Avenue. The first day cover also bears one of our college mottoes, Disce Aut Discede, ‘Learn or Depart’, representing the timeless pursuit of knowledge.”   

For Jithen and his fellow club members, this wasn’t just a stamp, it was a tangible embodiment of Royal College’s story, etched forever in philatelic history.   

56th Royal Postal Day 

Following the pandemic hiatus, the Royal Postal Day made its grand return this year, marking its 56th celebration with unprecedented enthusiasm.   

This year’s Postal Day carried added significance, coinciding with the college’s 190th anniversary and the release of the commemorative stamp. The Royal Mass Arena buzzed with energy as students and collectors engaged in stamp and coin exchanges, exhibitions, and interactive sessions.   

Dhulanjana Wickramasinghe, Editor of the Philatelic Club, shared his insights on the event’s success.   

“This year, we’re celebrating the 56th anniversary of the Royal Postal Day,” Dhulanjana explained.   

Behind every successful event lies a story of teamwork, dedication, and mentorship. One of the most memorable aspects of this year’s celebrations was the collaboration between the Royal College Philatelic Club and the Philatelic Bureau of Sri Lanka, which made the 190th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp possible.   

Kavya Perera, Secretary of the Club, reflected on this partnership with pride and gratitude.   

“When we look back at our philatelic journey, one of the moments that truly stands out is our collaboration with the Bureau for the release of the 190th stamp,” she said.   

“It wasn’t just about adding another stamp to the collection, it was about coming together, sharing ideas, and creating something meaningful that carried both our history and our pride.”   

Kavya’s words echoed the spirit of unity that defined this year’s achievements.   

“That 190th stamp became a symbol of teamwork and creativity. It reminded us that philately isn’t only about preserving the past, but also about building connections for the future. We wouldn’t have reached this milestone without the support of our Teacher-in-Charge, Mrs. B.A.C.P. Basnayake, and our Principal, Mr. Athula Wijayawardana. Their constant guidance and belief in our work truly made a difference.”   

Stamp Exchange 

Senul Liyanage, Treasurer of the Philatelic Club, explained how this year’s stalls reflected the living culture of philately.   

“As part of the commemoration of the 190th anniversary, we organized a special first day cover and a stamp exchange event alongside the 56th Royal Postal Day,” Senul shared.   

“Collectors and enthusiasts were invited to trade and showcase their local and foreign stamps, coins, and currency.”   

The Mass Arena was filled with colourful displays, intricate stamp albums, and eager collectors discussing their prized possessions. For many young Royals, it was a glimpse into the vast world of philately beyond the classroom, a place where history meets creativity, and learning becomes a shared adventure.   

History of Philatelic Issues

Philately at Royal College has always been deeply intertwined with its history. Each commemorative issue is a chapter in the school’s story, told through art, symbolism, and careful design. Divoj Thoradeniya, Editor of the Club, elaborated on this enduring legacy.   

“In the past, we’ve had special issues marking the 150th and 175th anniversaries. This year’s first day cover continues that tradition with a beautifully crafted watercolour montage that integrates all the previous homes of Royal College.”   

He described the imagery with admiration.   

“From the original building at St. Sebastian Hill and Hill Street in Pettah, to the site on Thurston Road where the University of Colombo now stands, and finally to Reid Avenue, each of these homes is depicted in the collage on the new first day cover. These philatelic issues are more than collector’s items; they’re national tributes that enrich our college’s name and legacy in Sri Lanka’s philatelic history.”   

Guidance: Principal Athula Wijayawardana

A project of this scale demands vision, guidance, and leadership. Throughout the planning and execution of the commemorative stamp and postal day events, Principal Athula Wijayawardana played an instrumental role in supporting the students and ensuring that every detail met the highest standard.   

As Divoj acknowledged in his remarks:   

“Our Principal, Mr. Wijayawardana, was a massive help throughout the entire process from approving designs to liaising with the Philatelic Bureau. His encouragement gave us the confidence to move forward with creativity and precision.   

The Time Stamp:  Journey of Philately at Royal College

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. W.D.C. Fernando, the Senior Master in charge of Clubs and Societies. His guidance and support were immensely valuable throughout the project.   

Visionary Every great event has a leader who turns ideas into reality. For the 56th Royal Postal Day, that leader was Chiran Adithya, the project chairman, a young but exceptionally capable Grade 10 student whose leadership left a lasting impression on his peers and seniors alike.   

Chiran is a two-time Panchalingam winner at the Philex Exhibition.   

The event’s success stands as a testament to the future of the Philatelic Club, a new generation of leaders carrying forward an 81-year-old tradition with passion and pride.   

Beyond Stamps

The Royal College Philatelic Club’s contribution goes far beyond organizing exhibitions and commemorative issues. Its projects, such as the Philatelist Magazine, Lecture Series, Stamp Exchange Day, and Philex Trivia Quiz, ensure that the love for philately grows across generations. The club also extends its work to social service, planning projects like tree planting and charity drives to give back to the community.   

Every initiative, whether it’s the publication of Philatelist magazine or the PhilaFact social media series, is driven by a single purpose, to inspire curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for the art of communication.   

Through the decades, the RCPC has remained a shining example of how a student club can combine tradition with innovation, and hobbies with heritage.   

As the celebrations drew to a close, one couldn’t help but reflect on what the Royal College Philatelic Club represents, not merely a collection of stamps, but a collection of stories, friendships, and dreams.   

From the meticulous planning of the 190th Commemorative Stamp to the vibrant stalls of the 56th Royal Postal Day, every detail was a testament to teamwork and devotion.   

The presence and guidance of Mrs. Chamila Basnayake, Teacher-in-Charge, was deeply appreciated by every student involved. Her mentorship continues to be a pillar of strength for the club.   

As the pages of Philatelist magazine prepare for their next edition and as collectors carefully store away the 190th Anniversary Stamp, one truth remains, the legacy of Royal College Philatelic Club continues to thrive.   

Through 81 years of unbroken tradition, the Royal College Philatelic Club has shown that while trends may change, the value of curiosity, learning, and dedication never fades.   

For every Royal who has ever held a stamp between their fingers, there lies a piece of history, and with it, a promise that the legacy will live on.