Mahanama College

Last updated

Mahanama College
මහානාම විද්‍යාලය
Mahanama-College-Crest.png
Location
Mahanama College
R. A. D. Mel Mawatha
Colombo 03

Coordinates 6°54′22″N79°51′15″E / 6.90611°N 79.85417°E / 6.90611; 79.85417
Information
Type Government 1AB National School
Mottoවිද්වතා සෑම තැනකදීම පැසසුම් ලබයි
Vidhwan Sarvatra Poojyate
(A scholar is reputed everywhere)
Religious affiliation Buddhist
Established5 January 1954
FounderMaawiththara Rewatha Thero
PrincipalPrabath I. Withanage
Staff350
Grades1 to 13
Gender Male
Enrollment5,000+
Language English, Sinhala
ColoursGold, silver and black
   
Songසිරි ලක වොරදන
"Sri Lanka Wardana"
SportsCricket, rugby, basketball, athletics, football, boxing,
Affiliation Ministry for Education
AlumniMahanamians
Website mahanamacollege.lk

Mahanama College is a National Buddhist Boys' School located in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, established in 1954. As a public national school, the school is controlled by the central government rather than a provincial council. It provides primary education as well as secondary education.

Contents

College

Location

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.[ citation needed ] By 1969, the student population had grown to 373, with 14 staff members.[ citation needed ]

Due to the rapid increase in enrolment, 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.[ citation needed ] 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.[ citation needed ] 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 the college.[ citation needed ]

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]

The Main School Entrance Mahanama College Entrance.jpg
The Main School Entrance

Administration and education

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 appoints 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]

The school's motto Vidvan Sarwathra Poojathe which means the scholar is reputed everywhere.[ citation needed ]

Principals

School houses

Students are divided into four houses, whose names are derived from Sanskrit language. [6]

HouseColour CodeMeaning
Mettha
 
Benevolence, friendliness, amity, friendship, goodwill, kindness.
Karuna
 
The Buddhist concept of compassion.
Muditha
 
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

Mahanama College has a significant, albeit young, cricket history, establishing its first U11 team in 1979, with the help of coach Vernon Perera and principal K. N. P. de Silva.[ citation needed ]

Mahanama College has achieved significant success in school cricket, including being crowned the best team of the Western Province in Division One - Tier "A" for the 2023/24 season,[ citation needed ] winning the SLSCA Under-13 Division II Cricket Tournament,[ citation needed ] and reaching the U19 Division 1 Limited Over tournament.[ citation needed ]

Achievements and milestones

U17 Division I Champions 2019

Mahanama College were crowned as the champions of Singer U17 Schools Cricket Tournament in 2019. [8] [9]


U13 Division II Champions 2024

Mahanama College U13 Cricket Team won the championship in U13 Division II Schools Cricket Tournament in 2024. [10]

U17 Division I Runners-Up 2025

Mahanama College U17 Cricket Team were runners up in Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Tournament 2025. [11] [12]

Battle of the Golds

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 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. [13] Below are listed the results to date:

Battle of the Golds BOGVIC.jpg
Battle of the Golds
Mahanamians Celebrating their Victory against D.S.Senanayake College MAHANAMIAN VICTORY.jpg
Mahanamians Celebrating their Victory against D.S.Senanayake College
YearResultRef.
2007Lost
2008Won
2009Lost
2010Won
2011Lost
2012Won [14]
2013Won [15]
2014
2015Lost [16]
2016Won [16]
2017Won [17]
2018Won [18]
2019Won [19]
2020Postponed due to COVID-19
2021
2022Won [20]
2023Won
2024Won
2025Won [21]

Rugby

Mahanama College began its rugby journey in 1986, with significant recent successes including winning the Premier Trophy and the championship in Division 1 Segment B of the Dialog Schools Rugby League in 2024, earning them a spot in the top-tier league for 2025. In the 2025 season, the team achieved a major milestone by finishing as Bowl runners-up in the Dialog Schools Rugby League.[ citation needed ]

Key Historical Milestones

Runners up of The Division One Tournament 1994/1995

Second Runners up in the ALL-Island Division One Category.

Runners Up of The Premier Trophy 2008/2009

Runners Up in Division 01 – Segment “B” in 2008/2009

Champions of The Premier Trophy 2024

Crowned as the Champions of Premier Trophy by defeating Ananda College.

Secured the championship title in Division 1 Segment B of the Dialog Schools Rugby League.

Runners Up of The Bowl Segment of Division One Group "A" Category 2025

Finished as the Bowl Runners-up in the Dialog Schools Rugby League. [22] [23]

Secured their first victory in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025. [24]

The college has produced national-level players, such as Kapila Knowlton (1994), Mithun Hapugoda and Darshana Dabare (2019), who have represented Sri Lanka national rugby union team. [25] [26]

Basketball

Mahanama College has a strong basketball team. [27]

The Battle of the Golds basketball encounter takes place every year where Mahanama College compete with D. S. Senanayake College [28]


Boxing

Mahanama Boxing is known for its strong and energetic boxers who showed their colours in National and International Tournaments.[ citation needed ] Mahanama is always on top among the most powerful school boxing teams of Sri Lanka. [29] The Boxing Committee was founded on 2014. Mahanamian Boxers had shown their boxing skills throughout the years, and their achievements are as follows. [30]

Achievements

L.V. Jayaweera Interschool Boxing Meet

Champions of the 46th L.V. Jayaweera Interschool meet in 2022. [31] [32] [33]

Champions of the 43rd L.V. Jayaweera Interschool meet in 2016. [34]

Kasun Fernandoe was awarded best boxer at the 2016 L.V. Jayaweera championship. [35]

The college's boxing coach, Y. M. Anura Yapa, was awarded best coach at the LV Jayaweera Memorial Championship 2022. [36]

All Island Junior Boxing Championship

In 2019, the team achieved a 3rd place overall, bringing home a gold, silver, and bronze medal. [37]

Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship

W. T. L. M. Abeysekera, R. I. R. Perera, K. A. V. S. Karavita, and H. S. Nambuwasam were among the college's winning boxers in the Junior and Youth Boys categories.[ when? ] [38] St. Sylvester's College was ultimately the winner, securing their fourth consecutive title. The tournament was a significant inter-school event, with nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools competing.

Athletics

The college's athletics program is rooted in its tradition of holistic education, where physical fitness is given equal importance alongside intellectual development. [39] [40]


Achievements

John Tarbet Athletic Meet

The athletes of Mahanama College have excelled in the John Tarbet Junior Athletic Meet held in October 2016 at Embilipitiya. The athletic competing in four age groups, under 12, 13, 14 and 15 were able to achieve a remarkable win reaching the standard of merit certificate awards. [40]

Cadet

The college has its own cadet platoon and cadet band.

The Cadet Band of Mahanama College were crowned as the Champions of Hermann Loos Trophy in 2010 [41]

Co-curricular activities

Societies

Mahanama College Media Unit (MCMU)

The Media Unit of Mahanama College was started in 1987. [42] As one of Sri Lanka's oldest school media units with over 33 years of history and experience, the Media Unit runs its own YouTube channel with 95 videos and over 7000 subscribers.[ citation needed ] [43] 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. [44]

The Media Unit of Mahanama College has achieved numerous awards in Zonal, Provincial and National Levels. [45] .CHATHURMANA is the Annual Media Day of Mahanama College which is Organized by school's Media Unit. [46] [47]

The Leo Club of Mahanama College

Founded in 1987, the Leo Club of Mahanama College is one of Sri Lanka's most prestigious and time-honored school-based Leo Clubs, operating proudly under Leo District 306 D7. With nearly four decades of continuous service and a legacy shaped by 40 visionary presidents, our club has become a beacon of youth leadership, purpose-driven action, and community impact. [48] [49]

In 2024/2025, the club was recognised as the most outstanding school-based Leo Club in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while also securing the title of most outstanding Leo Club in Leo District 306 C2.[ citation needed ]

Notable events

Arrival of Mahinda Rajapaksha

In 2014, Mahanama College's 60th anniversary and annual prize-giving was held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bandula Gunawardena. The president awarded students and teachers who had excelled in various fields. [50]

Golden Parade

The Golden Parade is the annual vehicle parade organised by the Old Boys' Association of Mahanama College, held in the lead-up to the Battle of the Golds cricket encounter against D. S. Senanayake College. [51] This vibrant event transforms the streets of Colombo into a lively display of school pride, featuring a grand vehicle parade with decorated Double-decker bus,Trucks,Cars, SUV's Motorbikes, and Techno Trucks accompanied by music, dancing, and cheering crowds. [52] [53]

Notable Alumni of Mahanama College

Sports

NameNotabilityRef
Danushka Gunathilaka International cricketer
Dhananjaya de Silva International cricketer
Chathura Randunu International cricketer
Pavan Rathnayake International cricketer
Sonal Dinusha International cricketer
Dilesh Gunaratne International cricketer
Duvindu Ranatunga Cricketer [54] [55]
Chamika Heenatigala Cricketer [56] [57]
Dulnith Sigera Cricketer [58] [59]
Anjala Bandara Cricketer [60] [61]
Mithun Hapugoda International Rugby Player [62]
Malindu Maduranga Cricketer
Heshan Hettiarchchi Cricketer

Politics

NameNotabilityRef
Shasheendra Rajapaksa Politician , 6th Chief Minister of Uva
Eranga Weeraratne Politician, Engineer, Business Executive, National List Member of Parliament

Military

NameNotabilityRef
Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularathna Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy,Rear Admiral, Eastern Naval Area Commander, Chief of staff, Deputy Chief of staff Commander
Major General Channa Weerasuriya Major General, Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Sri Lanka Army
Air Vice Marshall Chandana Welikala Director of Administration Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal

Arts

NameNotabilityRef
Chandana Wickramasinghe Traditional Choreographer [63] [64]
Darshana Pramod Musician, Third Runners-Up in Sirasa Super Star Season 01, Lecturer at University of the Visual and Performing Arts [65] [66]
Mahiru Senarathne Singer,Musician,Music Composer [67]
Prof.Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayake Musician, Professor, Faculty of Music, Department of Musicology, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of the Visual and Performing Arts [68]
Prof.Pradeep Rathnayake Musician, Internationally Acclaimed Sitarist, Dean, Department of Languages,Cultural Studies and Performing Arts at University of Sri Jayawardenepura [69] [70]
Siyum Sandeep Singer [71]
Thisara Imbulana Film Director [72] , [73]
Susara Dinal Film Producer [74]
Thishan Shanulka Singer, Guitarist [75]

Media

NameNotabilityRef
Chamuditha Samarawickrama Journalist, Polical Announcer [76] [77]
Amal Samantha War Correspondent at Sri Lankan Civil War, Journalist [78] [79]
Yasarath Kamalsiri Chief Executive Officer at MTV Channel [80] [81]
Susara Dinal Silva Chief Executive Officer-Media at EAP Broadcasting Company, Film Producer [82] [74]

Academics

NameNotabilityRef
Prof.Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayake Professor, Faculty of Music, Department of Musicology, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of the Visual and Performing Arts [68]
Prof.Darshana Sedera Professor, Author, Associate Dean School of Business and Tourism at Southern Cross University,Australia [83] [84] [85]
Prof.Pradeep Rathnayake Dean, Department of Languages,Cultural Studies and Performing Arts at University of Sri Jayawardenepura [69] [70]

References

  1. "Mahanama College · WV43+FW2, ආර් ඒ ද මෙල් මාවත, Colombo, Sri Lanka". Mahanama College · WV43+FW2, ආර් ඒ ද මෙල් මාවත, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  2. "Vidura College - Colombo "Oneself is one's own protector"". viduracollege.com.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. Mahanama College 66 Years of Excellence | Documentary, 4 January 2020, retrieved 19 May 2022[ unreliable source? ]
  4. "History" . Retrieved 17 October 2014.[ non-primary source needed ]
  5. "Festival Of Cricket | Mahanama" . Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  6. "Mahanama College - Brief Information". Mahanama College Media Unit. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2022.[ unreliable source? ]
  7. "Sports – Mahanama College" . Retrieved 26 May 2022.[ non-primary source needed ]
  8. Silva, Sithija De (11 October 2019). "Photos : Mahanama College Vs St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa | U17 Cricket Tournament 2019 | Final".
  9. https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20191011/282127818232401?srsltid=AfmBOopsAItVkMFTlxXrsYbZOfAl_vKpDgsce-WUtW4BUw_i0RS40Lbf via PressReader.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. Today, Ceylon (20 December 2024). "Mahanama 'B' beat last season champs Royal 'B'".
  11. Today, Ceylon (17 August 2025). "Mahanama, Devapathiraja clash in final today (18)".
  12. Sanjeewa, Kanishka (16 August 2025). "Mahanama & Devapathiraja set for U17 Division 1 Final Showdown".
  13. "Battle of the Golds – Mahanama College" . Retrieved 26 May 2022.[ non-primary source needed ]
  14. Ariyaratne, Gayan. "Battle of the Golds 2012". www.mcoba.com.au. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  15. "DS vs Mahanama | Battle of the Golds 2013". Xtream Youth. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Full Scorecard of Mahanama Col vs DS Senanayake 10th Battle of the Gold 2015/16 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  17. "All Set for the 11th Battle of the Gold as Mahanama lock horns with DS". batsman. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  18. "12th Battle of the Golds - D.S. Senanayake, Mahanama battle for supremacy". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  19. Kumarasinghe, Chathura (13 March 2019). "DS-Mahanama lock horns for the 13th time". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  20. "Battle of the Golds ends in draw".
  21. "Gimantha Dissanayake bowls Mahanama to their eighth straight win". 18 May 2025.
  22. Herath, Kanishka (10 August 2025). "Spirited Mahanama thrash Bowl Champions in Nittawela".
  23. "REPLAY – Mahanama College vs Science College - Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025". 26 July 2025.
  24. Coggins, Nathan (6 June 2025). "Mahanama College Rugby : Rising to the Pinnacle of Schools Rugby In 2025" . Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  25. "Mithun Hapugoda | ThePapare Stats Center Rugby". stats.thepapare.com.
  26. "Sri Lanka Air Force - Guardians of the skies". www.airforce.lk.
  27. Jayathileke, Vibdua (4 April 2019). "Kingswood to finals, Mahanama to 3rd Place".
  28. Alles, Tharindhie (30 November 2015). "D.S conquers the Battle of the Golds yet again".
  29. "Mahanama boxers obtain several Colours".
  30. "Mahanama College surprises a few on Day-2". 2 November 2024.
  31. Silva, Romario De (2 November 2024). "Mahanama College surprises a few on Day-2".
  32. "Mahanama wins L.V. Jayaweera Boxing Meet | Daily FT". www.ft.lk.
  33. "Boxing: Mahanama take 43rd L.V. Jayaweera title". Times Online.
  34. "Boxing: Mahanama take 43rd L.V. Jayaweera title".
  35. "Mahanama College emerge LV Jayaweera boxing champions - Sports | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk.
  36. https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20220720/281638193935498?srsltid=AfmBOoqI5oXNt3Az7QvHFyWgf3-ckKf3B7WeEQAyCRfQ1mNvsjNGRvYZ via PressReader.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. Silva, Romario De (4 November 2024). "Three-horse race leading into the final rounds".
  38. "At Stubbs Shield Boxing C'ship: Marathon Day of stellar performances". 4 November 2024.
  39. "GGU Saman Kumara".
  40. 1 2 "Mahanama grabs 21 merit certificate awards | Daily FT". www.ft.lk.
  41. "History of Trophies – National Cadet Crops (NCC) Sri Lanka".
  42. "Mahanama College Media Unit". schoolandcollegelistings.com. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  43. "TV Mahanama". Youtube Channel. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  44. "Mahanama College Media Unit". Mahanama College Media Unit. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  45. "Mahanama College Media Unit - Media company in Colombo". www.srilanka-places.com.
  46. profile, Visit. "Mahanama College Media Unit".
  47. "Mahanama College Media Unit". Mahanama College Media Unit.
  48. https://x.com/mahanamaleos
  49. "Leo Club of Mahanama College". www.mahanamaleos.org.
  50. "President at 60th anniversary celebrations of Colombo Mahanama College". News.lk. Department of Government Information, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  51. "GOLDEN PARADE 2018 - Colombo Mahanama College - Photo Gallery - Hiru Gossip, Lanka Gossip | Hirugossip | Hiru Gossip | Hiru Fm Gossip | Hiru Gossip Official Web Site |Lanka Gossip - A Rayynor Silva Holdings Company". gossip.hirufm.lk.
  52. https://twitter.com/letmeknowlk/status/714337982036094976
  53. "Mahanama College takes the roads with Golden Parade 2019".
  54. "Ranathunga Arachchillage Duvindu Sendiv Imanjith Ranathunga | Player Rankings". icc.
  55. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/duvindu-ranatunga-1301883/bowling-batting-stats
  56. "Heenatigala Kanaththage Chamika Jayananda | Player Rankings". icc.
  57. "Chamika Heenatigala Profile - Cricket Player Sri Lanka | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo.
  58. "Dulnith Sigera Profile - Cricket Player Sri Lanka | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo.
  59. "Dulnith Sigera | Player Rankings". icc.
  60. "Anjala Bandara Profile - Cricket Player Sri Lanka | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo.
  61. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/anjala-bandara-1291678/bowling-batting-stats
  62. "Hapugoda reaches personal milestone | Daily FT". www.ft.lk.
  63. "[:en]Chandana Wickramasinghe[:]". 27 November 2020.
  64. "CHANDANA DANCERS | Dancing Class". CHANDANA DANCERS.
  65. "Darshana Pramod on Apple Music". Apple Music - Web Player.
  66. "Darshana PRAMOD | University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya | Humanities | Research profile".
  67. "Mahiru Senarathne - Musician | Entrepreneur | Human". 23 February 2019.
  68. 1 2 https://vpa.ac.lk/Members/prof-kolitha-bhanu-dissanayake/
  69. 1 2 "Profile | Pradeep Ratnayake".
  70. 1 2 https://lk.linkedin.com/in/pradeep-ratnayake-4398895b
  71. "Siyum Sandeep". Deezer.
  72. "Thisara Imbulana | Director, Writer, Actor". IMDb.
  73. "Thisara Imbulana Films and Scope Cinemas present budding filmmakers with a unique opportunity". 20 December 2022.
  74. 1 2 "Susara Dinal | Producer, Director". IMDb.
  75. "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify.
  76. https://x.com/ChamuSOnline
  77. News, In (22 February 2025). "Police protection for journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama".{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  78. https://lk.linkedin.com/in/amal-samantha-32890921a
  79. "KWK | EP 12 | Amal Samantha | The War Reporter". Apple Podcasts.
  80. First, News. "Mr Yasarath Kamalsiri Archives - Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst | Breaking News and Latest News provider | Political | Sports | International | Business". english.newsfirst.lk.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  81. https://lk.linkedin.com/in/yasarath-kamalsiri-b7060b36
  82. "Susara Dinal gets big position at Swarnavahini". 18 February 2025.
  83. University, Southern Cross. "Professor Darshana Sedera - Southern Cross University". www.scu.edu.au.
  84. "Darshana SEDERA | Monash University (Australia), Melbourne | Faculty of Information Technology | Research profile".
  85. "Prof.Darshana Sedera – Department of Commerce".