R. I. T. Alles

Ralph Ignatius Thomas Alles (3 October 1932 – 28 November 2013) was a Sri Lankan educationist and the founding principal of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo. Generations of Senanayakians know him simply as “Alles Sir” — the teacher and administrator who built the school this Association exists to serve.

Early life and education

Born in Galle in what was then British Ceylon, Alles was educated at St. Aloysius’ College, Galle, and St. Anthony’s College, Kandy. He entered teaching early and remained in education for more than five decades.

A life in education

Before founding D. S. Senanayake College, Alles served as an assistant principal at Royal College, Colombo, and spent around twenty-five years as Director of Studies at Zahira College, Colombo. From 1989 to 1993 he was State Secretary in Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education.

Founding D. S. Senanayake College

As founding principal, Alles shaped the College’s ethos, its houses and its motto, Country Before Self. His insistence that the school bring together students of every community — Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher — under one roof remains central to how Senanayakians see themselves, and to the spirit of Black & Gold of Victoria.

Gateway

After his years in the state system, Alles founded the Gateway Group and its Gateway College network, and served as its chairman until his death. Gateway grew into one of Sri Lanka’s largest private education groups.

Legacy

R. I. T. Alles died on 28 November 2013, aged 81, survived by his wife, Rohini, and their three children. Black & Gold of Victoria holds a remembrance alms-giving (pinkama) in his memory.

Summary compiled from public sources, including Wikipedia. Photographs will be added — if you can contribute images or recollections of Alles Sir, please get in touch.