Wimala de Silva
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Wimala de Silva | |
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Born | University of Sri Jayawardenepura | 2 June 1920
Occupation(s) | social activist, educationist |
Known for | first Sri Lankan female University chancellor, founding principal of Devi Balika Vidyalaya |
Spouse | Luxman de Silva |
Awards | Deshabandu (1986) |
Career
She graduated from the
Wimala founded the Devi Balika Vidyalaya at the age of 32 in 1953 and served as the head principal of the school for over ten years. She initiated it as a government collegiate school, which was the first school to be introduced in Sri Lanka as a government collegiate school.[citation needed] During her tenure as the founding principal of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, the school became one of the important leading education institutes in the country.[3] She also notably worked with prominent human rights activist Jezima Ismail who also served as a teacher at the Devi Balika Vidyalaya.
She also served as President of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women on three different time periods. In 1980, she became the first Sri Lankan to be elected to the Council of the
She was honoured with the national prestigious title of Deshabandu by the Government of Sri Lanka in 1986 for her key services and contributions to the development of national education. In 1998, she also received Zonta Award from the Zonta International.[citation needed]
References
- Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ "Wimala de Silva's career". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ "Wimala de Silva's contribution to the rise of Devi Balika Vidyalaya". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ "Wimala de Silva, one of the prominent women in the history of Sri Lanka". The Island. Retrieved 18 October 2019.