D. John
D. John is a distinguished old boy of St. Sylvester's College, Kandy, whose sporting journey and lifelong association with his alma mater reflect true commitment, discipline, and sportsmanship. He attended St. Sylvester's College from 1959 to 1968, a period during which he actively excelled in multiple sports, including soccer, athletics, and boxing
From 1962 until the completion of his school career in 1968, D. John was a committed and active member of the St. Sylvester's College Boxing Team He represented his school with pride at the prestigious Stubbs Shield Boxing Championships, participating annually and achieving notable success. His dedication and skill were rewarded in 1964 when he emerged as the Junior Champion, a significant milestone in his boxing career. During his school years, he also took part in two annual boxing encounters against St. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, further highlighting his exposure to high-level competitive school boxing. D. John tied the privilege of training alongside and interacting with some of the most renowned boxers of that era, including the famous Bulner Brothers, A.C.R. Herathge, D.C. Weerasinghe, the Janz Brothers, Bernard Tissera, Mohammed Azwer, and Riyal. All of them were guided under the expert coaching of the respected Mr. Derrick Raymond, whose influence played a vital role in shaping many outstanding boxers of the time, After completing his education, D. John joined Ceylon Tobacco Company Ltd., where his passion for sports continued unabated. He represented the company as a member of its soccer, athletics, boxing, and hockey teams, demonstrating his versatility and enduring love for sport beyond school level.
His bond with St. Sylvester's College remained strong over the decades. D. John has been a loyal member of the St. Sylvester's College Old Boys' Association for an impressive 42 years and served with distinction as a Vice President for five years. In addition, he is a valued member of the St. Sylvester's College Boxing Union, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the school's rich boxing heritage. Even today, D. John remains actively involved in all the associations he is connected with, setting an inspiring example of lifelong dedication to sport, fellowship, and service. His journey stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Sylvestrian boxing and the values nurtured through school sport in Sri Lanka.