Dharmapala Vidyalaya
Encyclopedia
Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, established in 1942 on land owned by Anagarika Dharmapala
, is a leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka
. It is a national school and provides primary and secondary education.
was donated by the Hewavitharana Family to Mahabodhi Society and was allocated to Dharmapala Vidyalaya in 1940.
It provides education for students from grade 1 to grade 13.
Dharmapala Vidyalaya was managed by the Buddhist Theosophical Society under the direct supervision of the Principal Ananda College Colombo. It was a school for both boys and girls and conducted classes from Kindergarten to the Matriculation Form, in English Medium. Dharmapala Vidyalaya began its work on 8 January 1941. The founder was Mr. P.De.S.Kularathne and the Principal was Dr. J.E.Jayasooriya.
During World War II section from Ananda College along with the teachers shifted to Dharmapala Vidyalaya premises due to fear of war. To accommodate these students more Cadjan sheds were built. Later six permanent classrooms were built for the Primary Section. The then Principal of Ananda College, Mr. P.De.S Kularathna, led this project.
With the exit of Dr.J.E.Jayasooriya , Mr. D.C. Lawris took over as Principal in 1943.
The school registered as an independent institute and a Class 1 school for higher education. Up to H.S.C many more students started entering Dharmapala. With the help of many donors and with the money collected by the students, another five classrooms were built for the Primary Section.
By February 1947 there were 920 students and H.S.C. classes were started. Mr. Lawris left Dharmapala Vidyalaya to take over as the Principal of Ananda College. Colombo.
An athletic tournament among these houses is held once a year at the beginning of the first term.
is an annual cricket tournament conducted among the past cricketers of eight premier Buddhist schools in honour of Col. Olcott, the founder of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka.
Anagarika Dharmapala
Anagarika Dharmapala was a leading figure of Buddhism in the twentieth century. He was one of the founding contributors of Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalism and Protestant Buddhism...
, is a leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. It is a national school and provides primary and secondary education.
Donation of the land
The land owned by Anagarika DharmapalaAnagarika Dharmapala
Anagarika Dharmapala was a leading figure of Buddhism in the twentieth century. He was one of the founding contributors of Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalism and Protestant Buddhism...
was donated by the Hewavitharana Family to Mahabodhi Society and was allocated to Dharmapala Vidyalaya in 1940.
Dharmapala Vidyalaya today
Dharmapala Vidyalaya has 4,500 students and 130 teaching staff on a campus of 18 acres (72,843.5 m²). acres.It provides education for students from grade 1 to grade 13.
History
In 1940 an English secondary school was established at Pannipitiya as a branch of Ananda College Colombo. This new school was named Dharmapala Vidyalaya. On opening day two major events took place: opening of late Sri Devamitta Dharmapala Thero Memorial Building by W.A.De.Silva Hon. Minister Of Health and ceremonial Opening of Dharmapala Vidyalaya By Dr. Walter Wijeynaike, the General Manager of Buddhist SchoolsDharmapala Vidyalaya was managed by the Buddhist Theosophical Society under the direct supervision of the Principal Ananda College Colombo. It was a school for both boys and girls and conducted classes from Kindergarten to the Matriculation Form, in English Medium. Dharmapala Vidyalaya began its work on 8 January 1941. The founder was Mr. P.De.S.Kularathne and the Principal was Dr. J.E.Jayasooriya.
With the exit of Dr.J.E.Jayasooriya , Mr. D.C. Lawris took over as Principal in 1943.
The school registered as an independent institute and a Class 1 school for higher education. Up to H.S.C many more students started entering Dharmapala. With the help of many donors and with the money collected by the students, another five classrooms were built for the Primary Section.
By February 1947 there were 920 students and H.S.C. classes were started. Mr. Lawris left Dharmapala Vidyalaya to take over as the Principal of Ananda College. Colombo.
Houses
- Maurya
- Nanda
- Shakya
- Soorya
An athletic tournament among these houses is held once a year at the beginning of the first term.
Notable alumni
- Hon. Ratnasiri WickremanayakeRatnasiri WickremanayakeRatnasiri Wickremanayake MP is a Sri Lankan politician who was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2005 to 2010. He is currently a National List member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka....
- former Prime Minister of Sri LankaPrime Minister of Sri LankaThe Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is the functional head of the Cabinet of Sri Lanka. However, the President is both head of state and head of government in Sri Lanka...
(2000-2001, 2005–2010) - Dr. Tissa AbeysekaraTissa AbeysekaraDeshabandu Kalasuri Vishvaprasdini Dr. Tissa Abeysekera was a Sri Lankan filmmaker, writer, critic, presenter, interviewer and political activist.-Early life:...
, filmmaker - Rear Admiral SR Samaratunga RSP,VSV,USP
- K.H.J Wijedasa former secretary to the president of Sri Lanka
- Dr. Hemantha Perera senior gynecologist Sri jayawardena pura hospital
- D.S Dayaratne Radio personality
Notable events
The Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Cricket TournamentHenry Steele Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament
The Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament is conducted annually among the past cricketers of eight premier Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka in honour of Col. Olcott, the founder of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka...
is an annual cricket tournament conducted among the past cricketers of eight premier Buddhist schools in honour of Col. Olcott, the founder of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka.