SECOND WORLD WAR
Swami Nishkamananda was succeeded by Swami Ritajananda in 1942. This was an extremely difficult period in the history of the Country. The 2nd World War was on, and in its wake a whole string of rations, restrictions and controls were in vogue. Running a charitable institution became an uphill task. The Swami with his loving nature was a unifying and soothing factor in the small family of children who had become quite united to withstand all trials.
As a result of the 2nd World War, specially after the declaration of war by Japan in 1941, Ceylon came within the orbit of the war zone and had to pass through untold sufferings. The Colombo Ashrama was temporarily shifted to Lunugala in April 1942 and from there to Batticaloa where the sacred relic of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Deva was enshrined till it was taken back to Colombo. One has to feel that the Lord (Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Deva) preferred to stay in spirit at the Batticaloa Centre so as to bestow His blessings for all time. This adds to the sanctity of the Centre
Swami Kailashananda of New Delhi, Swami Chidbhavananda of Thirupparaithurai and Swami Vaikuntananda visited the Batticaloa Centre in September 1943.
Br. Nirveda Chaitanya (Swami Natarajananda) who was posted to the Batticaloa Centre to assist in the activities of the Mission, was placed in charge of reorganising
the two schools of the Mission in Trincomalee, the normal working of which had been affected due to war conditions.
Swami Pavitrananda, President, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Himalayas, visited Batticaloa on 6th February 1945.
A temple and prayer hall dedicated to the Holy Mother were built in 1945 and were donated to the Sarada Vidyalaya in Karaitivu by Mr. S. Saravanamuthu, Government Contractor, Karaitivu.
Swami Ritajananda who had managed the Schools and Orphanages from mid 1942 went on transfer in September 1945 and was succeeded by Swami Hrishikeshananda in November 1946. He stayed just less than a year but he left an indelible mark in the history of the Batticaloa Centre. He introduced congregational prayers in the campus (Shivanandapuram) which comprised the Students’ Home and the Hostellers of Shivananda Vidyalaya. Attending the congregational prayers was a must to all inmates of the Home and the Hostel irrespective of religious persuasion. Songs of a universal nature were sung for about five minutes and Swami’s talk followed for a few minutes. The congregation then dispersed to their respective places of worship. These congregational prayers were held at 6.15 everyday both in the morning and evening. This practice was in vogue till the take – over of the schools in October 1960.
GOLDEN JUBILEE OF SWAMIJI’S FIRST LANDING IN CEYLON
In 1947 the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Swamiji’s 1st landing in Colombo and the Silver Jubilee of the Mission schools was marked with several events of celebration.
Swami Natarajananda who was intimately connected with educational activities of the Mission as a lay teacher and then as a monastic worker, was appointed Manager of the Schools and Warden of the Boys’ Home in 1946. Under his tutelage the activities of the Mission in Batticaloa saw a phenomenal growth.
Swami Ranganathananda then in charge of the Karachi/Delhi Centres visited Batticaloa on 10th February 1947.
PASSING AWAY OF SWAMI VIPULANANDA
Swami Vipulananda the Founder of the Home, the Founder of the Educational Institutions in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna and Lunugala , founder Vice-President and Founder Secretary, breathed his last in Colombo on 19th July 1947. His remains were brought to Batticaloa by train, and at every railway station people gathered to pay their last respects.His mortal remains were interred in the then premises of Shivananda Vidyalaya. This portion of the property was not taken over by the Government in 1960. A Vipulananda Memorial Committee was formed to find a
fitting memorial to this great savant who had served the Ramakrishna Mission and the cause of education for over two and a half decades.
On 18th September 1948, the then Minister of Education, Government of Madras, Shri T.S. Avinasilingam laid the foundation for a Memorial Hall.
Swami Bhaswarananda visited Batticaloa. on 10th August 1947.
His Excellency the then High Commissioner for India in Ceylon, Shri V.V. Giri, later the President of the Republic of India visited the Batticaloa Centre on 18th January 1949. He was instrumental in sending scholars from the estate sector in the Hill Country to further their studies at Shivananda Vidyalaya. This paved the way for their educational advance.
At the Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu a Memorial Hall for Vipulanandaji Maharaj was built by the untiring efforts of Mr. K. Natarajan, the then Headmaster of the School with assistance from the public. This Hall was declared open by Swami Nishkamananda on 12th May 1949.
Swami Gambhirananda, Swami Saradeshwarananda, Swami Nityaswarupananda, Swami Punyananda and Swami Dayananda visited the Batticaloa Centre on 16th November 1950.