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Mahanama College is a Buddhist boys' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka, established in 1954. As a public national school, it is controlled by the central government, not a provincial council. It provides both primary and secondary education.
Mahanama College is located in Kollupitiya, Colombo. The college's main entrance is located on R. A. D. Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3 while the southern premises are adjacent to C.M.S. Ladies' College.[1]
History
Mahanama College was founded in 1954 by Ven. Maawiththara Rewatha Thero at the Walukarama Temple, Kollupitiya, with only five students. By 1956, the school was officially registered as a government-assisted junior school. The student body gradually expanded, reaching 163 students and four staff members by 1960, when J. D. A. Jayakodi was appointed the school's first principal. By 1969, the student population had grown to 373, with 14 staff members.
Due to the rapid increase in enrollment, the school relocated to a nearby site at Valukarama, with primary classes held at Thurstan College. In 1974, under the leadership of principal T. N. Silva, the junior school at Thurstan College moved to its present location. In 1975, 130 students sat for the National General Certificate of Education, with 107 passing the exam. The Sri Lankan government provided approximately 28,000 square metres (7 acres) of land to facilitate the school's expansion. By 1976, the school had several two-storey buildings.
In the early 1970s, N. E. Fernando oversaw several improvements, including the construction of a dental unit, additional classrooms, and the first two-storey building on campus. Following principal K. N. P. de Silva's retirement in February 1986, D.G. Sumanasekera[2] took over as principal. Sumanasekera was the first SLEAS Class-1 principal to head Mahanama College and, during his tenure, he laid the groundwork for the modern institution.
K. K. Rathnadasa became principal in 1990, and during his time at the college, several three-storey buildings were constructed, a computer section was established, a children's park was created, and the annual carnival "Foot-Loose" was organised.[3]
In 1999, G. Liyanage became principal. He added a three-storey building with an art gallery to the existing campus. During his tenure, the school laboratories and computer sections were improved, and buildings were renovated. The Battle of the Golds, known as the "Big Match" between Mahanama College and its friendly rival, D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo, was initiated.[4]
Administration and education
College playground and the auditorium
As a national school, the college receives funds from the Ministry of Education. The ministry appoints a principal, the head of the administration. Vice principals and academic staff assist the principal. Like other Sri Lankan colleges, the school is divided into three sections: primary, middle, and upper. Each section is under its sectional head, who controls the specific sector of the school. The school also appointed prefects to maintain discipline. Prefects are pupils with limited authority over other pupils in the school, similar to the authority given to a hall monitor or safety patrol member.
Mahanama College only consists of Buddhist and Sinhala students. Sinhala is the official language used in the school. However, students can choose Sinhala or English for their higher education.[5]
Principals
Ven. Vahalle Dhammananda Thero (1954–1960)
J. D. A. Jayakody (1960–1968)
N. E. Fernando (1968–1974)
T. S. Silva (1974–1976)
K. N. P. de Silva (1976–1986)
D. G. Sumanasekara (1986–1990)
K. K. Ratnadasa (1990–1999)
G. Liyanage (1999–2003)
W. H. Premalal Kumarasiri (2003–2012)
U. M. Prasanna Upashantha (2013–2016)
L. M. D. Dharmasena (2016–2020)
R. A. R. M. Rathnayake (2020–2021)
A. M. A. A. C. Perera (2021–2023)
Prabath Vithanage (2023- present)
School houses
Students are divided into four houses, whose names are derived from Sanskrit language.[6]
Means joy. It is especially sympathetic or vicarious joy, taking pleasure in other people's well-being.
Upekha
The Buddhist concept of equanimity.
Sports and extracurricular activities
Eighteen sports are played at Mahanama College.[7]
Cricket
The Battle of the Golds is the annual cricket contest between D. S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College. It began in 2007 and is known as the Big Match. The contest revives the age-old cricketing tradition of schools. The Golden Parade of Mahanama College is a parade of vehicles running through the streets of Colombo, organised by the Old Boys Association. Every year, large crowds from both schools gather at the SSC Cricket Ground to witness the encounter. [8] Below are listed the results to date:
Mahanama College became the champions in Division 1 group B in 2024, and in 2025 they promoted to Group A.
Co-curricular activities
Societies
Mahanama College Media Unit (MCMU)
The Media Unit of Mahanama College was started in 1987. It is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest school media units, with over 33 years of history and experience.[citation needed] The Media Unit has achieved:
The first school radio to transmit through short-wave amateur radio technology.[citation needed]
The first school television to transmit a live big match one day encounter on Facebook Live[citation needed]
Sri Lanka’s first school media website to be awarded in Sri Lanka’s only web designing competition BestWeb.lk in the year 2020.[17]
Notable events
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2014)
In 2014, Mahanama College's 60th anniversary and annual prize-giving was held under the patronage of PresidentMahinda Rajapaksa and Bandula Gunawardena. The president awarded students and teachers who had excelled in various fields.[18]
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