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Dharmapala Vidyalaya is a co-educational institution located in Pannipitiya, which was established in 1940. The school is situated on land donated by Anagarika Dharmapala, whom the school is named after. The school was upgraded to National school status in 1991.[1]
College
Location
The school is located in the suburb of Pannipitiya in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. It occupies an area of 23ha (58 acres), along the Colombo - Batticaloa Highway, bordered by Dharmapala Mawatha to the east, Arawwala Road to the west and a residential area to the south.[citation needed]
Donation of the land
The land was originally owned by Anagarika Dharmapala and was donated by the Don Hewawitharana Family to the Mahabodhi Society, who allocated it to the school in 1940.[2]
History
P. De S Kularathna (founder)
In 1940, an English secondary school was established at Pannipitiya, as a branch of Ananda College, Colombo, named Dharmapala College.[citation needed] On opening day two major events took place: the opening of Sri Devamitta Dharmapala Thero Memorial building by the Minister of Health, W. A. de Silva, and the ceremonial opening of Dharmapala College by the general manager of Buddhist Schools, Walter Wijeynaike.[2]
Dharmapala Vidyalaya was managed by the Buddhist Theosophical Society under the direct supervision of the principal of Ananda College, Colombo. It was a school for boys and girls and conducted classes from kindergarten to the matriculation form, in English. Dharmapala Vidyalaya commenced on 8 January 1941.[citation needed] Its founder was Patrick de Silva Kularatne and its principal was Dr. J. E. Jayasooriya. B. A. Hons a British gentlemen acted as the first principal of the school and was joined by several academic staff, including.
R. L. N. de Zoysa
E. Flesinger
M. T. Peries
Soma Wijesinghe
D. D. Arangala
H. D. D. Gunasekara
D. A. Jayamanna
The first registered student was Somabandu Vidyapathi, who completed his education and later became a painter and sculptor.[citation needed]
During World War II a section of Ananda College, along with the teachers, shifted to the Dharmapala 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, P. de S Kularathna, led this project. With the exit of Jayasooriya, D. C. Lawris took over as principal in 1943.[citation needed]
The school registered as an independent institute and a Class 1AB school for higher education. With the help of financial donors and with the money collected by the students, another five classrooms were built for the primary section.[citation needed]
By February 1947 there were 1,420 students and H.S.C. classes were started. Lawris left the school to take on the role as principal of Ananda College, Colombo.[3]
1951 - Aerial view of Dharmapala VidyalayaCollege old buildings
Houses of the college
House Name
House Colour
House Emblem
Shakya House
Red Colour
Lotus Flower
Maurya House
Blue Colour
Peafowl
Soorya House
Yellow Colour
Sun
Nanda House
Green Colour
Parrot
Clubs and Societies
There are over 40 active student organisations at the college.[citation needed]
Senior Western Band- Boys
According to the concept of the former principal, K. G. Wimalasena, the junior western band was formed in 2007.[citation needed] Now it has grown as a leading senior western band among the other schools in Sri Lanka.[citation needed]
Won the 1st place in the all Island Western Music Competitions (Mixed instrument category) in 2013.
Won the 1st place in Ranaviru Sena Band competitions in 2014.
Won the 1st place in Rhythm of J’pura indoor competitions in 2014.
Won the 2nd place in all Island Western Music and Dance competitions in 2015. (Mixed instrument group)
Won the 2nd place in all Island Western Music and Dance Competitions in 2017.[5]
Cadet Union
Winning the Herman Los cup at the highest achievement of the cadet crops.[citation needed]
Received the 3rd place in the final camp of the 19th batch of 40 schools in 2013.[citation needed]
The 3rd place was purchased from 2 championships and 12 official promotions.[citation needed]
There are 24 guard (Sammana Mura) for the occasion and for the 1st time in the history of the school.[6]
Sports
Dharmapala - Rahula Big Match
Battle of Golden Lions
The annual big match, the Battle of Golden Lions (රුහුණු -මායා සටන), between Dharmapala Vidyala and Rahula College is the major sport event in the school.[citation needed]
The Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament
The Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament is an annual cricket tournament conducted among the past cricketers of eight premier Buddhist schools in honor of Col. Olcott, the founder of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka.[7][8]
Principals
Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya - founder Principal of Dharmapala.1946 - The teaching staff and students with the then Principal Mr. D. C. Lawris.
Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya service to education starts with being the founder Principal of Dharmapala College Pannipitiya in 1940. At the inauguration function of Dharmapala College, Mr. P.D.S. Kularatna introduced the pioneer principal thus: “A 22 year old energetic gentleman with the highest educational qualification has been appointed as principal of Dharmapala College. That fact itself I see as a good sign to the future development of Dharmapala College.” This prophecy has become true of Dharmapala College’s development as the premier mixed school in the island. Since he became Principal of Dharmapala all his efforts and energy were directed to bring up its education to the highest level and develop infrastructure facilities. With his able administration and dedication of the staff, within a short period Dharmapala College achieved a prestige not second to Ananda College.[9]
The Past Pupils' Association (PPA) formerly operated under the name Dharmapala Old Boys Association, it was founded on 4 February 1947 under the guidance of David Silva, a teacher at the time. The first elected president of this association was G. C. Edirisinghe.
The Past Pupils’ Association (PPA) of Dharmapala College currently has a membership of over 4,500.
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