St. John's College, Panadura

St. John's College is a school in Panadura, Sri Lanka, that was founded in 1876. It is a National school with a student population of 3500 and staff of about 150

St. John's College, Panadura
Location
Udahamulla, Panadura

Sri Lanka
Information
TypeNational school
MottoSinhala: උත්සාහවන්ත පුද්ගලයාට කල නොහැක්කක් නොමැත
Latin: Nihil Amanti Difficile
Religious affiliation(s)Christianity
Established1876
FounderArnold Jansz
PrincipalSandhya Weerasinghe
FacultyCommerce, Maths, Science, Arts and Technology
GradesClass 6–13
GenderMixed
Age6 to 19
Colour(s)Green, silver    
Websitehttp://www.sjcpanadura.com

History

St. John's College was initially known as 'Primary State English School' which had existed from about the middle of the 19th century.[1] In 1876 it received endowments from Wasala Mudliyar Susew de Soysa (1809–1881) as well as Sir Charles Henry de Soysa and was named 'St. John's College' by the Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Reginald Stephen Copleston. It was ceremonially opened by the Governor William Henry Gregory on 14 June 1876 (along with the Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa).

In 1882, the headmaster, Cyril Arnold Jansz, was appointed as the first principal by the Bishop of Colombo of the Anglican church, at the request of the people of Panadura and has rendered an immense service for the upliftment of the school. Starting with 75 students the numbers raised gradually and in 1885 classes for girls began at St John's started by Mrs Jansz. The school celebrated the 125th anniversary during the year 2000.[2][3]

Battle of Greens

The annual big match is played between St. John's College and Panadura Royal College. It is known as the Battle of the Greens .[4]

Notable alumni

The alumni of St. John's College are known as Old Johnians.[5] Alumni include:

Name Year/degree Notability Reference
Premasiri Khemadasa musician, composer
Ediriweera Sarachchandra playwright, novelist, poet, literary critic, essayist
Gunapala Piyasena Malalasekera academic, diplomat
Sir Susantha de Fonseka member State Council - Panadura (1931–1947)
Sir Bennet Soysa member State Council, Senate, Mayor of Kandy (1949, 1954–1956, 1961–1962, 1968–1970)
Edmund Peiris Gate Mudaliyar - Panadura, Kalutara
Reginald Perera member parliament - Dehiowita (1947–1952), Senator (1959–1971)
Wilmot A. Perera member parliament - Matugama (1947–1956)
Arthur V. Dias independence activist, philanthropist
Leslie Goonewardene independence activist, philanthropist and member parliament - Panadura (1956–1977)
Colvin R. de Silva member parliament - Wellawatte-Galkissa (1947–1952, 1956–1960), Agalawatte (1970–1977)
Lalith Athulathmudali member parliament - Colombo (1989–1993)
Percy Samaraweera Chief Minister of Uva Province (1988), member parliament - Welimada (1965–1970, 1977–1988)
Ravindra Pushpakumara international cricket player (1994–2001)
Charitha Buddhika international cricket player (2001–2002)
Sangeetha Weeraratne actress

References
  1. "St. John's College Panadura". ShaLanka. September 6, 2017.
  2. A century and quarter of St. John's College... : Its great contribution for the development of education in Sri Lanka, by L. Panditharathna Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 05 December 2014
  3. The De Soysa Charitaya, by C. Don Bastian Jayaweera Bandara and V. S. M. De Mel, pp. 75–6, 106–9 & 142–5. (University of California) ASIN B00H1CYGL4
  4. "All eyes will be on Chamara Silva Battle of Panadura on March 27 and 28". Sunday Times News Paper.
  5. "Old Johnians recognise a renowned old boy". Sunday Times News Paper.

6°43′22″N 79°54′50″E

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