10th death anniversary falls on January 15th:
By W. T. A. Leslie Fernando
About seven decades ago, a young Catholic priest was at the centre of controversy for offering some lotus flowers at the sanctuary at the wedding mass of one of his relatives.
Since then much water had flowed under the bridges in Sri Lanka. Now national culture is given its due place in the Catholic Church. And the young priest is considered as an exponent of indigenous culture.
He was none other than Fr. Marcelline Jayakody whose 10th death anniversary falls on January 15, 2008. The well known Catholic priest, musician, poet, lyricist, writer and patriot Fr. Marcelline Jayakody passed away on January 15, 1998.
Fr. Marcelline Jayakody lived long till the ripe old age of 96. A household name in our country, he had an eventful career. He had the Midas touch and everything he handled turned into gold. He lived a life full of achievement.
Fr. Marcelline Jayakody was born at Dankotuwa in the outskirts of Maha Oya, on June 3, 1902. He had his early education at Madampe Sinhala School and secondary education at St. Joseph's College, Colombo. In 1920 he entered St. Bernard's Seminary and was ordained a priest on December 20, 1927, by Dr. Anthony Coudert, the then Archbishop of Colombo.
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