Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Senior Deputy Principal of Royal College, Colombo, L.W.K. Silva, has issued an unconditional apology regarding a religious insult committed by a group of students during the 2025 Royal College Cycle Parade.
In an official statement, Silva expressed deep regret over the incident, acknowledging that it involved a student carrying a wooden cross—a sacred Christian symbol—without due respect. He further noted that the presence of such a symbol at an inappropriate ceremony was highly concerning and that the event coincided with Ash Wednesday, a holy day for Christians.
**”I have come to know of an incident that occurred during the 2025 Royal College Cycle Parade. In a video recording sent to me, I observed a student engaging in behavior that is inappropriate for a student of Royal College. The student is seen carrying a wooden cross, a defining symbol of the Christian faith, and handling it without due respect. Furthermore, the presence of such a symbol at an inappropriate ceremony is a matter of deep concern.
I am also disappointed that this incident occurred on Ash Wednesday, a sacred day for followers of the Christian faith.
First of all, I would like to apologise unreservedly for this incident and state categorically that it was not condoned by Royal College.
This action is completely contrary to the values of Royal College as a multi-faith institution.
Given the seriousness of this matter, Royal College will take remedial action to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. A thorough investigation into the incident is also being conducted.”
The statement underscores Royal College’s commitment to upholding religious harmony and ensuring that such incidents do not recur. The school has also launched an internal investigation to address the matter appropriately.
