Vidyartha College

Vidyartha College (Sinhala:විද්‍යාර්ථ විද්‍යලය) is an all-male national school 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.[1] The college has two sections: the primary section which includes grades 1–5; and the secondary section which includes students in grades 6–13.

Vidyartha College
විද්‍යාර්ථ විද්‍යාලය
Location
Kandy

Sri Lanka
Coordinates7°18′21″N 80°38′09″E
Information
Former nameKing's College
TypeGovernment school(National school )
Motto"විද්‍යා සර්වස්‍ය භුෂණම්"
Education is the Best Jewelry
Religious affiliation(s)Buddhist
Established18 May 1942
PrincipalM. R. P. Mayadunne
Grades1–13
GenderMale
Number of students5000+
LanguageSinhala
English
Color(s)Navy, aqua and gold
   
AffiliationVidyartha Society (1942)
Websitewww.vidyartha.lk

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.[2] 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.[2] On 1 August 1961, the government took control of the college and still maintains control today.[2]

Development

Vidyartha College quickly became a popular school in Sri Lanka.[3] A hostel and main hall were added, so that the college could accept more students; children in rural areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala were now able to attend Vidyartha.[3]

In 1954, an Advanced Level of Examination was held at Vidyartha for the first time.[3] 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.[3]

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.[3]

Kandy District

Principals
  Period Name
1st 1942–1948 G. D. A. Abayaratna
2nd 1948–1955 M. B. W. Mediwake
3rd 1956–1967 A. Athauda
4th 1967–1968 D. B. Dissanayake
5th 1968–1971 P. B. 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 2015–2018 Ranjith Rajapaksha
16th 2018–present M. R. P. Mayadunne

Vidyartha Old Boys Association

Vidyartha Old Boys Association [3] 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.

Notable alumni

[4]

Name Notability Reference
Susith Weerasekara Rear Admiral, deputy Chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Navy (2009–2012)
C. B. Rathnayake member parliament - Nuwara Eliya (1994–2000, 2001–present)
Manju Wanniarachchi Commonwealth gold medalist (bantamweight boxing)[note 1]
Kosala Kulasekara international cricket player (2011)

Notes
  1. Wanniarachchi was stripped of his gold medal after failing a drug test

College houses

The names of the college houses:

  • Parackrama, colour : Blue  
  • Wickrama colour : Maroon  
  • Mahinda, colour : Yellow  
  • Narendra, colour : Light blue  

Annual Big Match
Main article: Battle of the Babes

Battle of the Babes is played annually between St. Sylvester's College and Vidyartha College since 1958 except for 3 years.[5] As of 2023, 63 Big Matches have been played and, Vidyartha College has won 3 matches while, 45 matches were drawn.[6]

See also

References
  1. Marikar, Hafiz (4 July 2020). "Vidyartha has produced top ruggerites and boxers". Dailynews.lk. p. 1. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  2. "About Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  3. "Vidyartha College OBA | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  4. "Vidyartha College Sports | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  5. "Sri Lanka Sports News | Sundayobserver.lk". 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. "Major honours for Vidyartha at 63rd Battle of the Babes". Print Edition - The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 1 May 2023.

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