Rev. Fr. A. De Burra S. J.

 Courtesy: L. K. Hettiarachchi / Friends of SAC Galle Photos 1950/1960s


"Born in Italy on 25/9/1913
Admitted to the society of Jesus (Naples) on 10/6/1933
Set foot on shores of Ceylon on 10/12/1938
Together with Fr Morelli, his bosom friend he was sub-prefect of boarders at SAC till 1943.
After his ordination to the priesthood, he came back to SAC to which institution he remained attached not only physically but with heart, mind and emotions till his return to Italy in 1966., where he died in 1980.
(Photos and data - Courtesy: The Aloysian magazine)"

According to Eric Ferreira who wrote the article on Music & Drama in the Centenary Souvenir, Fr De Burra made a significant contribution in this area, after his arrival in the late 1930s:
- he formed the Chromonica Band which consisted of 20 players & it functioned for several years; it was revived in 1959.
- he was the Choir Master of the College Choir which consisted of 100 to 150 boys.
- he was away for several years to attend to his theological studies, & on his return encouraged female students from the Convent who were at SAC for higher studies, to sing at our concerts - Dollina Vedamuttu, Ernestine Pimanda and Carmen Goonetilleke.
- in addition to Western Music, Oriental Music was also introduced & became an instant hit.
- the College Music Society was revived.
- he was responsible for the College Chapel Choir & the St. Mary's Cathedral Choir & introduced the best of Latin masses & hymns.
Mr. Mervyn Ferreira was the organist throughout this period both as a student & a member of the staff.


Fr. De Burra staged the famous opera ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ in 1949.  The actors were the Ferreira brothers, Anton, Eric & Ben, Susila Abeysundera, Douglas Senaratne & Ignatius Raymond. Mervyn Ferreira, talented & regular pianist for such occasions, was the accompanist.


In 1950 he staged the equally famous opera ‘The Mikado’ with Clarence Ferreira as Mikado, I. D’abrera as Koko, Anton Ferreira as Pooh Bah & Susila Abeysundera as Pish Tush.

Thereafter, it was Fr. Chiriatti who produced the annual stage plays, while Fr. De Burra continued to be responsible for all musical items.

Lareef Samad, a distinguished Old Boy & Teacher records as follows in a Facebook Post: SAC 1950/1960s Photos /L. K. Hettiarachchi:
"Year 1960 was a memorable year in the history of SAC, especially due to the Speech & Prize Giving Day held that year. A souvenir was published that outlined the programme for that day. Apart from the usual prize giving an entertainment programme was also organized for that day that included the presentation by the School Harmonica Band led by Father De-Burra and two English. Dramas presented by the Staff and Students of SAC. The teachers who played leading roles in the drama were Mr. J. B. Varnakulasingham, Mr.  W. D. M. Julian and Mr.  M. D. W. Samaratunge. Several students also took part in the dramas and some photographs are published below."



P. S. 
Fr. De Burra taught us Latin in the Junior Form. He used to drill into us a Latin construction known as "Ablative Absolute", which I remember to this day. His normal handwriting was beautiful, artistic & elegant.

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