Mahinda College
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Mahinda College | |
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The Crest of Mahinda College | |
Location | |
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Sri Lanka | |
Coordinates | 6°03′00.5″N 80°12′55.2″E / 6.050139°N 80.215333°E |
Information | |
Type | Public School , Independent school |
Motto | Khippam Vāyama Pandito Bhava (Strive hard and be wise) |
Established | 1 March 1892 |
Founder | Colonel Henry Steel Olcott |
Principal | R. S. N. Maddhumahewage |
Staff | 175 |
Grades | 1 to G.C.E. (A/L) |
Gender | Boys |
Age | 6 to 19 |
Enrollment | 5,150 |
Color(s) | Black and gold |
Publication | Sahasa Magazine |
Affiliation | Buddhist |
Alumni | Old Mahindians |
Website | www |
Mahinda College is a
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Mahinda_College_Olcott_Hall.jpg/220px-Mahinda_College_Olcott_Hall.jpg)
Colonel
Olcott arrived on 17 May 1880 with
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/H.S._Olcott-portrait-300.jpg/180px-H.S._Olcott-portrait-300.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/DalyBowles_1892-4.jpg/180px-DalyBowles_1892-4.jpg)
Daly left after one year, followed by a number of principals serving for short periods. With the arrival of Frank Lee Woodward as principal in 1903, the average attendance of the school rose to 142 from 89.[7] Also in 1903, students took the Cambridge examination, and in July 1904, G. W. Perera won a scholarship to Cambridge. By 1905 there were 246 students attending.
Woodward had plans to relocate the college, and purchased land called “Dawatagahawatta” with a view of the Sripada (Adam's peak).[6] On 15 January 1908 the foundation stone of the Olcott hall was laid. On 1 August 1912 the new building was ceremonially opened and became the main hall of the college. With the new location, the number of students rose to 300.
In 1919, Woodward left for Tasmania to edit and translate Buddhist texts for the Pali Text Society, London.[7]
For the 60th anniversary of Mahinda College in 1952, a new physics laboratory was opened by the Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake on 12 September.
As of May 2022 the college provides education to 3,750 students from grades 1 to 13.[8] Students are divided into five groups: primary, junior, secondary, senior secondary and collegiate. The current acting principal of Mahinda College is R. S. N. Maddhumahewage. The college employs 175 teachers[8] and 30 non academic staff.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/FL_woodward.jpg)
Past principals
- 1892–1893: John Bowles Daly
- 1894: Lovegrove
- 1895–1896: O. A. Jayasekara (Acting)
- 1897–1898: M. Balasubramaniya Mudlier
- 1898: Gordon Douglas
- 1899: O. A. Jayasekara (Acting)
- 1900: M. J. Fernando
- 1901: O. A Jayasekara
- 1902: McDougal
- 1903–1919: F. L. Woodward
- 1919–1920: Kalidas Nag
- 1920: S. de S. Jayarathna (Acting)
- 1921–1923: F. G. Pearce
- 1923–1926: W. A. Troup
- 1926–1932: P. R. Gunasekara
- 1932–1962: E. A. Wijesuriya
- 1962–1974: J.H. Gunasekara
- 1974–1975: C. K. Waidyarathnae (Acting)
- 1975–1978: B.K Silva
- 1978–1983: W. A. D. S. Gunathilake
- 1983–1987: C. K. Waidyarathnae
- 1987–1991: D. D. Jayasundara
- 1992–1994: M. Wickramasinha
- 1994–1996: D. C. N. de Silva
- 1996–2004: D. K. Athukorala
- 2004–2007: K. A. Susil Premanath
- 2007–2008: L. C. Karunasena (Acting)
- 2008–2011: R. M. Werahera
- 2011–2012: M. A. Jinadasa (Acting)
- 2012–2014: W. M. Wasantha Siriwardhane
- 2014–2021: P. M. G. Gamini Jayawardhane (Acting)
- 2021–2023: Athula Wijayawardhana
- 2023–present: R. S. N. Maddhumahewage (Acting)
Houses
Students are divided into four houses.
- Pandukabhaya -
- Gamunu -
- Thissa -
- Parakrama -
The houses are named after four ancient kings of Sri Lanka. Annual sporting events are held among the houses.
Lovers' Quarrel
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Flags_of_Mahinda_College.jpg/220px-Flags_of_Mahinda_College.jpg)
The Lovers' Quarrel or Battle of the Lovers
As of 2019, Mahinda College has won 23 times, while Richmond College has won 24 times.[10] The Lover's Quarrel was last won by Mahinda College in 2008, breaking a 30-year-long deadlock of draws.[11]
Notable alumni
Notable teachers
See also
- Education in Sri Lanka
- List of Mahinda College alumni
- Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya
- Dharmaraja College
References
- A Story of Buddhist Determination: Mahinda College, Galle; Buddhist Annual of Ceylon, Vol I (1920), No. 2, p. 29-3
- ^ "Historical Context". Embassy of Sri Lanka, USA. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Olcott Schools Alumni - UAE". Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ http://archives.dailynews.lk/2005/06/06/spo03.htm , Daily News Online
- ^ Agarwal, Prof. C.V. (18 February 2010). "Revival of Buddhism and theosophists". Daily News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ Oliveira, Pedro. "BIO". CWL World. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010.
- ^ a b "College Profile". Mahinda Club. 2003. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ a b Heyward, Nigel (1990). Woodward, Frank Lee (1871 - 1952). Australian Dictionary of Biography Online. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ a b "School Profile". Mahinda College. Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold
- ^ Mahadura, Gamini (14 March 2010). "Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ Tissera, Charit (24 March 2011). "Southern Sri Lanka awaits action at 106th Lover's Quarrel". ThePapare. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ Saparamadu, Sumana (2006). "Ananda Samarakoon - The composer of our national anthem". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2010.