Vidyartha College

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Vidyartha College
150px
"විද්‍යා සර්වස්‍ය භුෂණම්"
Meaning for "Education is the Best Jewelry"
Location
Kandy
Sri Lanka
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.

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]

Kandy District

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

[3]

  • 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

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  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

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