Vidyartha College

Vidyartha College

"විද්‍යා සර්වස්‍ය භුෂණම්"
Education is the Best Jewelry
Location
Kandy
Sri Lanka
Information
Type Government school
Established 1942
Principal 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 Central Province of Sri Lanka. The college was founded in 1942 by the Vidyartha Society, and 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

Although there were many educational opportunities for Buddhist children in the Central Province during the early 1900s, there was a lack of education in English . This deficiency led Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke to create the Vidyartha Society in 1939. Other contributors to this project were 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, and the first principal was G. D. A. Abeyratne.[1] On 1 August 1961, the government took control of the college and still maintains control today.[1]

Development

Vidyartha College quickly became a popular school in Sri Lanka.[2] A hostel and main hall were added, so that the college cold accept more students; children in rural areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala were now able to attend Vidyartha.[2]

In 1954, an Advanced Level of Examination was held at Vidyartha for the first time.[2] The college has since added three programs: Science in 1958, Commerce in 1972, and Information Technology in 1994.

A Colombo branch was formed in 1987 by C. K. Gajanayake, who was its first President. Major-General H. M. N. Krishnaratne RSP USP (Rtd) is the incumbent President of the Colombo branch and Ranjith Weeerasinghe functions as the Honorary Secretary.[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; its members work to improve the college's qualities and standards, as well as its reputation. The association holds an Annual General Meeting where projects are decided on and committees appointed. There are many sub-organizations attached to the Vidyartha College OBA including:

Vidyartha College's old boys association is one of the most powerful OBAs in Sri Lanka.[2]

Notable alumni

[3]

College houses

The names of the College Houses:

Sports

The college participates in boxing, chess, cadet, cricket, hockey, karate, rugby, table tennis, soccer, swimming, volleyball, basketball, and wushu.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Vidyartha College OBA | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  3. 1 2 "Vidyartha College Sports | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 2015-07-01.

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