M.K.J. Cantlay

Who is M.K.J. Cantlay?

Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel Mac Kusseen James Cantlay, ED, JP was a Sri Lankan educationist. He was the former Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, Ceylon Cadet Corps; he was a teacher of Royal College Colombo where he served as its Cadet Contingent Commander and Group Scout Master.

Cantlay started his teaching career at St Joseph's School, Gampola in 1934 before moving to St Mary's College, Nawalapitiya. He joined the teaching staff of Royal College Colombo in 1943 and would stay on till his retirement in 1969. He taught Sinhala and English language and literature. At Royal College, he was noted for reviewing the scouting movement in 1944 and became its first Group Scout Master in 1945, holding the post till his retirement. He was Asst. District Commissioner, Scouting for six years. On his retirement he was appointed as Kandy District Badge Examiner.

Cantlay was commissioned into the Ceylon Cadet Corps, which was at the time part of the Ceylon Defence Force, on completion of ten years of service he received the Efficiency Decoration and went on to become the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, CCC holding the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. After his retirement, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace.