A remembrance service was held recently at the St. Patrick's College Basketball Courts, Batticaloa, to mark the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of Father Eugene John Hebert and his driver Francis.

Father Paul Satgunanayagam delivered the main service. A large gathering including TNA Batticaloa MP S. Viyalendran and SLMC Batticaloa MP Ali Zahir Moulana took part in the event.

Father Hebert was a famous educationist, sports coach and human rights activist. Born on October 9, 1923, in Louisiana, USA, father Hebert first arrived in Ceylon in 1948. After several years in India, he returned in 1956 and worked in Trincomalee. Thereafter, he worked in Batticaloa and was also appointed as the coach of St. Patrick's College Basketball team. He introduced an attacking style of Basketball to the College team which bewildered most school teams in the country. For several years, St. Patrick's College were the schools' basketball champions of Sri Lanka. 

Father Hebert was abducted by an unidentified group, along with his driver, in mid August in Batticaloa District. Their fate is unknown.