Vidyartha College
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Vidyartha College | |
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"විද්යා සර්වස්ය භුෂණම්"
Meaning for "Education is the Best Jewelry" |
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Location | |
Kandy Sri Lanka |
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Information | |
Type | Government school |
Established | 1942 |
Principal | lt Col. Ranjith Rajapaksha |
Grades | 1–13 |
Number of students | Over 5100 |
Color(s) | NavyAquaGold |
Affiliation | Vidyartha Society (1942) |
Website | www.vidyartha.lk |
Vidyartha College (Sinhala:විද්යාර්ථ විද්යලය) is an all male Buddhist institution located in the Hill capital of Sri Lanka. The college was founded in 1942 by the 'Vidyartha Society'. It is currently run by the Government of Sri Lanka. The college has two sections: the primary section, which includes grades 1-5; and the secondary section, which includes students in grades 6-13.
Contents
History
There were many educational opportunities for the Buddhist children living in the area, though adequate English education was lacking.
The lack of adequate English education caused Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke to create the 'Vidyartha Society' in 1939. Various contributors helped create the Vidyartha Society including T. B. Panabokke, M. B. Panabokke, S. L. Ratwatte, A. C. L. Ratwatte, William Gopallawa (President of Sri Lanka), T. B. Ranaraja, A. B. Pinnawala, K. B. Wijekoon, R. Divithotawela, A. Rathnayake, G. D. A. Abeyrathne, Dr. L. B. Senevirathne, L. M. Koswatta, M. B. E.[1] Senevirathne and M.B. Kulugammana. The Society eventually purchased a private school named King's College, which was located on a rise on Katugasthota Road. Later, the name was changed to Vidyartha College. The new college had forty students and six teachers.[1] The first principal of Vidyartha College was Mr. G. D. A. Abeyratne. On 1 August 1961, the government took control of the college and still maintains control today.[1]
Development
A short period after its creation, Vidyartha College became a popular school in Sri Lanka.[2] A hostel and main hall were added to Vidyartha College, so that the college had the ability to accept more students. Children in rural areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala were now able to become 'Vidyarthians'.[2]
In 1954, an Advanced Level of Examination was held at Vidyartha for the first time.[2] The college has since added three programs: A Science program in 1958, a Commerce program in 1972, and an Information Technology program in 1994.
A Colombo branch was formed in 1987 by Mr. C. K. Gajanayake, who was its first President, while the writer was the Honorable Secretary.[2] Major-General H. M. N. Krishnaratne RSP USP (Rtd) is the incumbent President of the Colombo branch and Mr. Ranjith Weeerasinghe functions as the Honorary Secretary. The OBA Colombo Branch holds an annual get-together.[2]
When the college was first established, it only had a few buildings, a principal, and 8 teachers(?). Today, there are nearly 5,000 students receiving their education in the College, with a teaching staff of more than 180.[2]
Principals
Period | Name | |
---|---|---|
1st | 1942 – 1948 | G.AD.Abeyerathne |
2nd | 1948 – 1955 | M.B.W Mediwake |
3rd | 1956 – 1967 | A.Athauda |
4th | 1967 – 1968 | D.B.Dissanayake |
5th | 1968 – 1971 | PB Rasingolla |
6th | 1971 – 1974 | T.B.Karunarathne |
7th | 1974 – 1977 | M.B. Pethiyagoda |
8th | 1983 – 1986 | P.M.L. Banda |
9th | 1987 – 1991 | T.B. Damunupola |
10th | 1991 – 1992 | S.S.C. Wijesinghe |
11th | 1992 – 1995 | W.M. Bandaranayake |
12th | 1995 – 2006 | W.B.Gunnepana |
13th | 2006 – 2013 | P.A.S. Alwis |
14th | 2013 – 2015 | D.M.A. Disanayake |
15th | 2015 – | Ranjith Rajapaksha |
Vidyartha Old Boys Association (OBA)
Vidyartha Old Boys Association (OBA)[2] is the strongest supporting body for the college. All members of the OBA work together to improve the qualities and standards of the college along with its reputation. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held and a committee is appointed to carry out the tasks. There are many sub organizations attached to the Vidyartha College (OBA) including:
- Vidyartha Rugby Development Group (VRDG)
- Tigers Rugby Club (TRC)
- Vidyartha College Old Boys’ Association – Colombo Branch
- Vidyartha Cricket Foundation (VCF)
- Vidyartha Past Media Forum
- Vidyartha Graduate Circle
- Vidyartha College Athletic Association
- Vidyartha Pushpadana union
- Old Vidyarthians Boxing Club
- Old Vidyarthians Cadet Band Club
- Old Vidyarthians Hockey Club
Vidyartha College's old boys association is one of the most powerful OBAs in Sri Lanka.[2]
Notable alumni
- Rear admiral Susith Weerasekara, former deputy chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.
- Rear admiral .Nanayakkara , Sri Lanka Navy
- Maj Gen . Nimal Krishnaratne (Rtd) , Sri Lanka Army
- Maj Gen . Rohana Bandara , Sri Lanka Army
- Brig . Senarath Bandara , Sri Lanka Army
- Brig . Dammika Jayasundara , Sri Lanka Army
- Senior DIG . Ravi Senavirathna , Sri Lanka Police
- Senior DIG . Keerthi Gajanayaka (Rtd), Sri Lanka Police.
- DIG . R.M. Lafir , (Rtd) , Sri Lanka Police.
- DIG . Charles Wijewardhana , Sri Lanka Police.(late)
- C. B. Rathnayake, former cabinet minister and current member of Sri Lanka Parliament.
- Roshan Ranasingha , Member of Sri Lanka Parliament.
- Baratha Dodankotuwa,Senior lecturer at University of Peradeniya,former chairman of milco Sri Lanka.
- Wasantha Dissanayake, Deputy commissioner, Department of Excise.
- Manju Wanniarachchi, a boxer, who won a gold medal at the XIX Commonwealth Games (Bantamweight 56-kilogram category).
- Kosala Kulasekara, a cricketer, who played a test match for Sri Lanka.
- Dr Gamini Weerakoon , Consultant cardiologist.
- Dr Sanjaya Uduwerella, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.
- Dr R.J.K.Senevirathna, Consultant Surgeon.
- Dr R.D.Wijethunga, Consultant Chest Physician.
- Buddika Kulasekara, Executive Director of Swarnawahini.
College houses
The names of the College Houses:
- PARACKRAMA Colour : Blue
- WICKRAMA Colour : Red
- MAHINDA Colour : Yellow
- NARENDRA Colour : light blue
Sports
The following are the wide variety of sports that the college offers and Vidyarthians are interested in:[3]
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- Athletics
- Boxing
- Chess
- Cadet
- Cricket
- Hockey
- Karate
- Rugby
- Table Tennis
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Wushu
References
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing Sinhalese-language text
- Pages using div col with unknown parameters
- Sri Lanka articles missing geocoordinate data
- Use dmy dates from May 2015
- National schools in Sri Lanka
- Schools in Kandy
- Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka
- Educational institutions established in 1942