Our History
The Carmel Fatima Story
Brief History of the College
Kalmunai, a prestigious city in the district of Ampara in the Eastern Province Sri Lanka, second to none, as it is at present it has been securing its position for many a centuries, it is confirmed by many a historical evidences. The reason could be the strategical location of it. It became an important Business hub due to its coastal location, facilitating maritime trade routes with other countries.
The missionaries both, Methodist and Catholic carmarked Kalmunai as their most appropriate center to provide education and healthcare, for the area demanded such needs. The Carmel Fatima College, The Wesly High school and the age old North Base Hospital are eloquent evidences that speak of the glory of Kalmunai to date. Since our focal point solely falls on Carmel Fatima College, let’s delve deep into the matter of inception and progression of it to the present status.
The Catholic Missionaries engaged in the propagation of Catholic belief commenced their religious activities constructing the Sacred Heart Church here in the year1897 with the blessings of the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Christopher Bonjean OMI. Then the Bishop Mgr. Charles Lavinge S.J. became the diocesanal pastor for Trincomalee in the year 1898 during whose period St. Mary’s English school by name, had been established alongside in the year 1900, in the Church compound itself. Besides, according to the annals available in the church shows that Rev. Fr. H. Bury SJ, had been entrusted with the work of running of this school until his first period of service had been terminated with effect from 1901 and Rev.Fr.Michael Gowther S.J took over the parish and was made as the principal of this school along with parish work.
While ‘St. Mary’s English School’, meant for males was in progress, Apostolic Carmel Sisters who came to Kalmunai on the request of the Bishop Rt Rev. Dr. Gaston Robichez in the year 1928 established an English School in the same year along with a vernacular school called Carmel Girls’ English School and Carmel Girls’ Tamil school respectively. Rev. Sr. Odilia A.C. was placed as the first principal of this school.
Thus, the Catholic Church provided education for both boys & girls here; while the Parish Priests were responsible for imparting education, the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Gaston Robichez realizing the workload of them, requested the SSJ Brothers to take up the management of the Boys’ School and it was entrusted to them in the year 1938 and Rev. Bro. S. Clement SSJ was placed as the first Principal.
The SSJ Brothers who managed the St. Mary’s English Boys’ School named it as ‘Fatima College’ later in the year 1950. With smooth functioning of these schools, in 1960’s, the Government of Sri Lanka took initiative to take over all private schools throughout the island which did not spare even the schools run by Brothers and Sisters here and the schools became Government-owned and ever since such schools were upgraded to higher status. As per the criteria laid by the government for upgrading, both these schools Boys and Girls” did not have required student population. So, amalgamation of these schools became inevitable to effect and it became “Carmel Fatima College” on the 1st of May, 1976 and Rev. Bro S.A. Francis was the first Principal of this school. Then from September 1976 Rev. Sr. M. Mabel AC, became the principal thereafter.
The icon for quality education in Kalmunai Carmel Fatima College had to face dire fate in the year 1978; It was hit by disastrous cyclone and was subjected to rehabilitation for which the politicians belonging to all communities, the department of Education, philanthropists and all well-wishers extended their fullest cooperation to pump new blood to Carmel Fatima College with Rev. Bro. S. A.L Mathew SSJ. He was appointed as principal in 1978 who toiled hard to rebuild and upgrade the school as one of the best schools in the island. Another milestone of this most cherished educational institution is its elation to be a National School was effected in the year 1993 May during his period.
Rev. Bro. M. Stephen Mathew SSJ, took over the school management in the year 1999 November and rendered his services to up lift the college in all fields. After his retirement Rev. Fr. Briner Sellar (Diocesan priest) took over the school management as a Performing Principal with the blessings of Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah, (Bishop of Batticaloa) for a brief period.
Soon after his transfer the school needed a graded principal and which created a deep concern among those who were deeply interested in the field of education and wellbeing of the future generation. Our sincere gratitude goes to our Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Dr. Kingsley Swampillai who helped us in introducing the congregation of De La Salle Brothers whose charism is education. It is not mere exaggeration to transpire that it would have been an irreparable loss to all concerned if not the Brothers of De La Salle had extended their timely hand to manage the colossal educational institution in Kalmunai in the year 2017 August.
The first De La Salle Brother Principal was Rev. Bro. S. Santhiyagu FSC (2017-2023) who worked hard, day and night with undiminishing enthusiasm to restore its glory as the provider of quality education. Subsequently, Rev. Bro. S. E. Reginold ISC took the reins of this institution as Principal and takes forward in a remarkable manner. At present there are 3767 students studying from grade 1-13 having 169 academic and 51 non-academic staff. Our school serves beyond religion and race. It is supported by the School Development Society, Old Students Association of Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and Well-wishers.
While all the praises go to Almighty God for showering His abundant blessings on the endeavor of worthy mankind, we are sincerely bound to heap encomiums and our gratitude to the crudite, far-sighted and committed missionary priests, Religious Brothers, Sisters, Principals, Teachers and dedicated lay people who have devoted their lives and resources round the clock in bringing up the school to a greater position under our school motto “LUCEAT” and for the flourishing of this Alma Mater ever since its inception. So let’s join as one family in celebrating the Quasquicentennial Jubilee year with pride and gratitude.
What Defines Our Legacy of Excellence
We are proud to be a community built on trust, dedication, and vision. With generations of students passing through our classrooms, Carmel Fatima College National School continues to provide a nurturing, disciplined, and academically rich environment where every learner is prepared to succeed and lead with confidence.
A legacy of knowledge and discipline
