Dharmapala Vidyalaya

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Dharmapala Vidyalaya
ධර්මපාල විද්‍යාලය
தர்மபால வித்தியாலயம்
Dharmapala Crest.png (2).png
Dvp shrine room.png
College Shrine Room
Address
Dharmapala Vidyalaya
High Level Road

Pannipitiya
,
10230

Sri Lanka
Coordinates 6°50′37″N79°57′11″E / 6.84361°N 79.95306°E / 6.84361; 79.95306
Information
Type Public
MottoThumehi Kichchan Athappan (Buddhist quote from the Dhammapada).
Religious affiliation(s)Buddhist
Established8 December 1940;84 years ago (1940-12-08)
Founder Patrick de Silva Kularatne
School districtColombo
PrincipalR. A. Maheshika Rupasinghe
Teaching staff653
Grades1–13
Gender Co-educational
Age range6–19
Enrollment8,500+
Schedule7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Color(s)Maroon and purple
  
AthleticsYes
SportsYes
Rivals Rahula College
AffiliationBuddhist
AlumniPalians
Website www.dharmapalavidyalaya.org
Flag DVP - D1.svg
Flag of Dharmapala Vidyalaya

Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, established in 1940 and it is the largest co-educational institution and the most populated suburban school in Sri Lanka.[ citation needed ] The school is situated on a land donated by Anagarika Dharmapala, whom the school is named after. The school was upgraded to National school status in 1991. [1]

Contents

College

Location

The school is located in the suburb of Pannipitiya in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. It occupies an area of 7.3 ha (18 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) Mr. P De S Kularathna.jpg
P. De S Kularathna (founder)

In 1940 an English secondary school was established at Pannipitiya, as a branch of Ananda College, Colombo and was 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 ] It's founder was Patrick de Silva Kularatne and it's principal was Dr. J. E. Jayasooriya. B. A. Hons a British gentlemen acted as the first principal of the school and was joined by a number of academic staff, including.

The first registered student was Somabandu Vidyapathi, who completed his education and later became a painter and sculptor.[ citation needed ]

"dhrmpaal vidyaaly aarmbh vuu avdhiyee dii" soombndhu vidyaapti mhtaagee reekhaa citryki Drawing of Somabandu Vidyapathi.png
"ධර්මපාල විද්‍යාලය ආරම්භ වූ අවධියේ දී" සෝමබන්ධු විද්‍යාපති මහතාගේ රේඛා චිත්‍රයකි
Anagarika Dharmapala statue EVENT- 159th ANAGARIKA DHARMAPALA.jpg
Anagarika Dharmapala statue

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]

Important historical milestones

Current facilities

Dharmapala College Main Hall Dharmapala main hall.png
Dharmapala College Main Hall
Dharmapala College Ground Dharmapala ground.png
Dharmapala College Ground

The College, occupies a 18 acres (73,000 m2) site and accommodates approximately 8,500 students and employs 650 teaching staff.[ citation needed ]

It provides education for students from grade 1 to G.C.E advanced level with a range of facilities.[ citation needed ]

Sports Facilities

Houses

1951 - Aerial view of Dharmapala Vidyalaya Dharmapala college aerial view 1951.png
1951 - Aerial view of Dharmapala Vidyalaya
College old buildings Dharmapala college main hall.png
College old buildings
Houses of the College
House NameHouse ColourHouse Emblem
Shakya HouseRed Colour

 

Lotus Flower
Maurya HouseBlue Colour

 

Peafowl
Soorya HouseYellow Colour

 

Sun
Nanda HouseGreen 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 ]

Cadet Union

Sports

Dharmapala - Rahula Big Match Dharmapala big match.jpg
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. Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya.jpg
Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya - founder Principal of Dharmapala.
1946 - The teaching staff and students with the then Principal Mr. D. C. Lawris. Dharmapala students.jpg
1946 - The teaching staff and students with the then Principal Mr. D. C. Lawris.

Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya - founder Principal of Dharmapala College Pannipitiya.

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]

Principals of Dharmapala College
No.NameFromToSpecial Notes
01.J. E. Jayasuriya19401943Founder Principal of Dharmapala College.
02.D. C. Lawris19431947
03.G. C. Edirisinghe19471956
04.R. M. Abeywardhana19591960
05.G. B. Bannehaka19691971
06.B. S. Gunesekara19711976
07.N. B. Perera19761981
08.D. C. Danapala19811983
09.R. T. Direcksze19831985
10.G. R. W. G. Gunawardana19851991
11.S. H. Kumarasinghe19911994
12.R. S. Rajapaksha19952004
13.K. G. Wimalasena20042016
14.Oshara Panditharathna20162020
15.K. G. Wimalasena20202021
16.R. A. Maheshika Rupasinghe2022present

College union

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 3,200.

Notable alumni

This article contains dynamic lists that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
NameNotabilityReference
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake Prime Minister (2000–2001, 2005–2010), member parliament - Horana (1960–1977), Kalutara (1994–2010)
Kamal Gunaratne Major General, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (2019–present)
Oliver Ranasinghe Commander of Sri Lankan Air Force (1994–1998)
Rohan Daluwatte Commander of Sri Lankan Army (1996–1998)
M. P. Perera Vice Chancellor University of Kelaniya (1973–1974, 1983–1985)[ citation needed ]
Soma Edirisinghe Corporate Executive (chairman EAP Holdings), Film Producer, Philanthropist
Tissa Abeysekara Filmwriter, Director, Producer
Eva Wansundera Solicitor General (2011), Attorney General (2011–2012), Supreme Court Judge (2012–present)
Wimal Wickramasinghe Member of Parliament - Ratnapura (1989–1994), Deputy Minister of Finance (1989–1994) [10]
Asoka Wadigamangawa Member of Parliament - Puttalam (1989–2000), Deputy Minister of Lands (1989–1994) [11]
H. D. L. Leelaratne Member of Parliament - Seruvila (1977–1989) [12]
Chinthaka Jayasinghe former Sri Lankan cricketer
Rohana Weerasinghe Musician, Composer, Singer, Teacher
Thumindu Dodantenna Actor, screenwriter, Lecturer[ citation needed ]
Narada Warnasuriya Vice Chancellor University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2005-2008)[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. ↑ "dharmapala vidyalaya".[ non-primary source needed ]
  2. 1 2 "History". www.dharmapalavidyalaya.org. Retrieved 7 February 2022.[ non-primary source needed ]
  3. ↑ "Welcome to Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya". Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2008.[ non-primary source needed ]
  4. ↑ "College history".
  5. ↑ "Dharmapala College Western band".[ non-primary source needed ]
  6. ↑ "Dharmapala College Cadet Union".[ non-primary source needed ]
  7. ↑ Rahula host Dharmapala for 12th Battle of the Golden Lions today
  8. ↑ https://stats.thepapare.com/cricket/match/rahula-college-vs-dharmapala-college-7th-battle-of-the-golden-lions rahula college vs-dharmapala college 7th-battle of the golden lions]
  9. ↑ "Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya: the epitome of Sri Lankan Education Philosophy".
  10. ↑ "Hon. (Dr.) Wickremasinghe, Govinnage Wimal Padmasiri, M.P." Directory of Past Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Hon. Wadigamangawa, A. H. M. Ashoka Premalal, M.P." Directory of Past Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "Hon. Leelaratne, Hettiarachchige Don Lutus, M.P." Directory of Past Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
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