Ananda College

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6°55′30″N 79°52′09″E / 6.92500°N 79.86917°E / 6.92500; 79.86917

Ananda College
Location
Map
Colombo

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Information
TypePublic
Motto
Appamdho Amathapadhan
(Buddhist quote from the Apramadha Vagga in the Dhammapada.
Meaning: "Heedfulness, punctuality leads nirvana.")
Established1886
PrincipalB.A Aberathne
Color(s)Maroon and Gold
AffiliationBuddhist
Websitehttp://www.anandacollege.lk/

Ananda College, Colombo is established in November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools and considered to be the leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka. Ananda College is a National School. It provides primary and secondary education.

History

Colonel H.S. Olcott, founder of Ananda College

Ananda College is established by the Buddhist Theosophical Society. Originally it was known as English Buddhist School, describing its stated intention of providing English instruction to Buddhist students who would otherwise have had to go to a missionary school in order to get an English education. The school opened on a modest scale on the 1st of November 1886 with 37 students in a private house at No. 61, Maliban Street, Pettah. Mr. C. W. Leadbeater was the first principal. In August 1889 it was moved to a more spacious place at No. 19 Prince Street. Finally it was relocated to Maradana in 1895, the period of Mr. A. E. Buultjens and was named after Arahant Ananda, the most devoted disciple of the Buddha.

Memorable Events

One of the most memorable events in the annals of the college was the visit of Asia's first Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore on November 10, 1922, as chief guest at the annual prize giving. He declared on that occasion: "I acknowledge that the life of Ananda is its humility and unassuming nature." Mahatma Gandhi visited Ananda in 1927.

Ananda College Today

Today Ananda College stands to be one of the greatest Buddhist schools in Asia, with a student population exceeding 7000 in all 13 grades of secondary education on a campus of over 20 acres. The academic staff of 200 + is led by the Principal, B.A. Abeyaratne. Over the years, Ananda has produced notable alumni and thus contributed immensely to Sri Lanka. These include statesman such as the former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and former United National Party deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, and famous cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga and Marvan Atapattu.


History of Ananda College

1881 January 1st: The inheritance of the sinhalese buddhist "Sarasavi Sandaresa"

1881 February 8th: The arrival of col. olcott at dharmopakari society maradana colombo.

1885 May 29th: The arrival of Mr. C. W. leadbeater at "sarasavi sandaresa".

1886 October 22nd: A buddhist English hall has established.

1886 October 23rd: A meeting of the buddhist public was held at pettah under the patronage of ven. Hikkaduwe sri sumangala thera.

1886 November 1st: An English buddhist school was inaugurated at no. 61, maliban street. •c. w. leadbeater becomes the first principal of "Ananda today". •37 students attended the first session •Mr. C. W. leadbeater inaugurated Sunday schools for the teaching of buddhism to the schoolteachers.

1889 January 16th: The first prize giving was held under the patronage of col. olcott. submitting of applications to the registration of schools.

1889 March: The registration of the English buddhist school there were 120 students. m/s. bath and oliver jams graduates of the madras university join the teaching staff.

1889 May 27th: The first examination was held. the proceeds of the examination amounted to rs.359.50 cts.

1889 August: The shifting of the English buddhist school from no. 61, maliban street to a more spacious premises at no.19 prince street.

1889 December: The first anandian to pass the cambridge junior examination was mr. J. P. R. weerasuriya.

1890 - Mr. A. E. Buultjens assigned as principal. Mr. D. A. wittachi acted as the principal till Mr. buultjens assigned.

1890 March 1st: Due to the agitation of a catholic school principal saying that the transfer was against the educational constitution thereby shifting of the English buddhist school from no.19 prince street to no.54 maliban street.

1890 October: The second prize giving was held under the patronage of col. olcott at no. 54 maliban street.

1891 November: C. C. jayatissa was the first Sri Lankan to pass the cambridge junior examination in the German language who was an anandian.

1892 September: Student enrollment reaches 200.

1893 November: A Building fund was inaugurated.

1892-1895 - Ven. Sri sumangala thera held the post of manager.

1894 - The student population rose up to 270.

1894 January 1st: Mudliyar Tudor rajapaksha donated 3.2/1 acre of land from paranawadiya to the college.

1895 August 17th: The school known as the pettah English buddhist school was renamed ananda college at paranawadiya permanently.

Sports

Houses

All the students of the Ananda College are divided into four houses. These are...

  • Vijaya
  • Parakrama
  • Asoka
  • Gamunu

These houses are named after well-admired ancient Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka. An annual athletic tournament among these houses is held once a year in the beginning of the first term.

Battle of the Maroons

Battle of the Maroons is the annual cricket contest between Ananda College and Nalanda College. "Ananda has a great Cricketing history"[1]

Sport clubs

School Anthem

Dina dina kitu gosa boovii - Vaejambenu ananda pa maataa//
Sudilii - Jayavii - Lovehii
Saadaa diilaa Sipsata haa - Kala da vinee da pahadaa//
Editara Sinhala daru kaela sadaala
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii - Vaejambenu ananda pa maataa//
Lakehii boo anandee paturaa
Anada terun see loo vaeda salasaa//
Peevii seevee nisaa veseevaa
Pamaada novemuu tiloona desusee
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii - Vaejambenu ananda pa maataa//

Distinguished Old Boys

  • Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, MP 14th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (November 21, 2005 - Present)
  • Professor W.S.Karunaratne Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States of America and Mexico, Professor of Buddhist Philosophy and comparative religion, Dean Faculty of Arts and Member of the Board of Regents of the University of Sri Lanka, a mesmerizing public speaker known affectionately as "W. S., the conscience of the nation". Adored by the masses and teacher to the Maha Sangha.
  • D.J. Wimalasurendra pioneer of hydro-electricity in Sri Lanka
  • Col. G. W Rajapakse Former Principal of Ananda College, colombo 10.
  • L. H. Meththananda 1st Principal of Nalanda College, Colombo 10.

Titus Totawatte – Legendary film maker & dubbing guru Chandra Jayaratne – Highly respected business leader. Kumar Jayasuriya – Chairman, James Finlay & Co. Ltd KAW Perera – Veteran film maker Patrick Amarasinghe – Former President,Ceylon Chamber of Exporters Deva Rodrigo – Former President, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Basil Rajapake – Senior Presidential Advisor. Thilak De Silva – Managing Director,Laughf Holdings Nalaka Godahewa – CEO, Sri Lanka Insurance Rajitha Senartne – Minster of Construction Karu Jayasuriya – Minster of Home Affairs & Public Administration Prof. Tissa Vitharana – Minster of Science & Technology & Leader of LSSP. Bernard Soyza – Former Minster of Science & Technology & Prominent leftist leader. Mahinda Balasuriya – Senior DIG Rear Admiral, Sarath Rathnakeerthi – Former Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy. Rear Admiral, Sarath Weerasekara – Commanding officer, Home Guard Services Thilan Samaraweera - Sri Lankan Cricketer Avishka Gunawardena – Sri Lankan Cricketer Robert Gunawardena – Prominent leftist leader. Premakeerthi De Alwis – Outstanding composer & narrator Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara – Prominent lyricist Kularatne Ariyawansa – Leading song composer Brendon Kuruppu – Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Thilak Karunaratne – Former MP & Founder of “Sihala Urumaya” Bathiya Jayakody – Popular pop musician Lucky Dias – TV & film actor Gomin Dayasiri – Senior presidential councilor. Patali Champika Ranawaka – Minister of Environment. Prof. J B Dissanayake – Ambassador to Thailand & language specialist. Sirisena Cooray – Former minister & mayor of Colombo Geethanjana Gunawardena – Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Agga Maha Panditha Rev. Balangoda Ananda Maithree Thero Sugathada Athukorale – Former Principle of Nalanada College Upali Gunasekara – Principle of Royal College Col. G W Rajapakse – Former Principle of Ananda College Warnasena Rasaputhra – Former Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandadeva Wijesekara - Commissioner of Official Languages Meemana Premathilaka – Famous Poet Dr. Tarzi Vittachi – Former Dep. Executive Director UNESCO Prof. D E Hettiarchchi Dharma Gunasinghe – Former Principle of Nalanda College L D H Peiris – Former Principle of Royal College Dr I M R Iriyagolla – Former minister of education D B Rampala – Renowned Engineer & former GM of Ceylon Railways. Dr. S A Wickremasinghe – Former minister & leader of Sri Lanka Communist Party Dr. Asoka Mendis W B Makuloluwa – Former director of education P Dayaratne – Minister of plan implementation D B Nihalsinghe – Veteran film maker GPA Silva – Former Chief Justice Ranapala Bodhinagoda – Former Chairman, Lake House. Rev. Dr. Parawahera Vajiragnana Thero Aggamaha Panditha Polwatte Buddhadatta Thero. Dinesh Ambani – Dep. Chairman, Suntel & Chairman, Metrocorp Group. Mohan Pandithage – Deputy Chairman, Hayleys Group. Ranjitha Pandithage – Chairman / CEO of DIMO Ltd Deepal Suriyarachchi – Managing Director, Eagle Insurance Charith Senanayake – Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Akalanka Ganegama – Sri Lankan Cricketer Dulip Samaraweera – Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Yasasiri Kasthuriarchchi – Chairman,Yashoda Holdings Daya Gamage – Chairman, Daya Group of Companies Yasantha Kodagoda – Assistant Solicitor General Kinglsly Ratnayake – Director, MBC Networks Nimal Lakshapathiarchchi – Former DG of SLRC & MBC Network Jagath Sumathipala – Director, Sumathi Group of Companies Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne – Leader of New leftist movement. Dharmadasa Banda - Hon. Minister of Agriculture Prof. Harendra De Silva – Former chairman of National Child Protection Authority Prof. Ravindra Fernando – Former President of Sri Lanka Medical Council Major General Nanda Mallwarachchi - Sri Lankan ambassador to Indonesia Anusha Pelpita- Government News Director Ossie Abeygunasekara - Former Leader of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne – Leader of New Leftist Movement. Mohan Lal Grero – Chairman, Lyceum Group of Companies Rohitha Abeygunawardena – Hon. Minster of Nation Building. Suranimala Rajapakse – Former Minister of Transport Rathnasiri Rajapakse – Former Mayor of Colombo Siri Andrahennadi - Former deputy chairman of committees Ranjith Madduma Bandara – Member of Parliament Sanjeewa Kaviratne – Former member of Parliament Bharatha Lakhman Premachandra – Former member of Parliament Raja Collure – General secretary of Sri Lanka Communist Party Laxman Wijemanne – Member of Parliament Achala Jagoda – Member of Parliament Bimal Ratnayake - Member of Parliament Gunasena De Zoysa – Former well respected civil servant Henry Amarasuriya – Former member of Parliament T B Subasibghe - Former minister of Education V A Sugathadasa – Former minister of Sports Jayaweera Kuruppu – Former member of Parliament Rienzie Wijeratne D C Ranatunga – Veteran Journalist Elmo Gunaratne – Veteran Journalist S Suabsinghe - Veteran Journalist George Lesley Ranasinghe - Veteran Journalist Premil Ratnayake - Veteran Journalist Sumitta Amarasinghe - Veteran Journalist E A P Edirisinghe - Founder of EAP Group of Companies Bandara Wijetunga Doltan Alwis – Renowned Lyricist Ananda Jayaratne – Film Actor Asoka Ponnamperuma– Film Actor Wijeratne Warakagoda– Film Actor Prof S S Kakulawela Dr. Amaradasa Weerasinghe Dr. S G Samarasinghe Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna Ridgeway Thillakaratne Prof. Sunanda Mahendra Dr. Jagath Balasuriya – Presidential advisor & former minister Dr. Ranjith Cabraal – Former CEO of Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka Sonny Yatawara – Former Cricketer of Ceylon Anuruddha Polonowita – Former Cricketer of Ceylon Dr. Gamini Wijesekara – Prominent Politician Anura Bandar Rajaguru – Veteran Journalist & Actor Osman De Silva - Former IGP Dr. Suren Iyer - Renowned Psychologist Prof. Neil Fonseka - Late Professor of Surgery at Ruhuna Medical Faculty Lakshman Liyanage – Chairman, Tourism and Hospitality Management Org. in UK Milroy Perera – Leading Architect Manohara De Silva – Senior Attorney Prof. Stanley Wijesundera - Former Colombo University Vice Chancellor Jagath Wickremasinghe Kasun Kalhara Jayawrdena Sudarshan Senaratne – Former President of CIMA Sri Lanka Jananatha Warakagoda – Multi Talented Artist Major General Ananda Hamangoda - Former Brigade Commander for Jaffna Major General Lucky Algama – Former Eastern Commander Sam Wijesinghe - former Secretary-General of Parliament, a former Ombudsman, a former. Chairman of the Human Rights Commission and the Chancellor 

                          of the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Morris Dahanayake – Veteran Singer Rohana Siriwardena - Singer Madu Madawa Aravinda - Artist Amith Walpola - Singer Harsha Bulathsinhala – Singer & actor Dananjaya Siriwardena - Actor Fadhil Bakeer Marker - General Secretary , London Schools of Economics UK Channa Palansooriya – CEO,Orit Holdings Kushil Gunasekara – Reoured Cricket Adminstrator Sanjeewa Weerasinghe – Former Test Cricketer Yuganthara Karunaratne – Former Sri Lanka Rugby Player Niranjan Nanayakkara – Chairman, Tec Sri Lanka Group Buddhika Jayaratne – Popular Actor Dananjaya Siriwardena – Popular Actor Athula Senanayake Upali Madanyake – Chirman, ACL Cables Group Sarath Kongahage - Former MP Adel Hashim – Former President,Mercantile Cricket Association Thilak Godamune – Chairman, Nine Hearts Group Oshadie Weerasinghe – Former Test Cricketer Jeewaka Weerasinghe - Former Test Cricketer Daminda Samarkkody – Famous Actor Diresh Hettiarchchi – Chairman, Wonderlight Consumer Products Ltd

Past Principal's of Ananda College

C. W. Leadbeater(1886 - 1890)
A. E. Buultjens(1890 - 1898)
Sir D.B. Jayathilaka(1898 - 1908)
J.T. Davis(1908 - 1909)
M. C. Moore(1910 - 1913)
Fritz Kunz(1914 - 1917)
Mr. C. V. Ranawake(1917 - 1918)
P. de S. Kularatne(1923 - 1932)
Dr. G. P. Malalasekera(1932 - 1943)
Mr. A. B. Perera(1943 - 1945)
L. H. Mettananda(1945 - 1953)
Mr. S. A. Wijetillake(1953 - 1960)
Mr. M. W. Karunananda(1961 - 1964)
Lt. Col. E. A. Perusinghe(1964 - 1969)
Colonel. G.W. Rajapaksha(1971 - 1981)
Mr. S. K. Nettananda(1981 - 1982)
Col. V. S. Kudaligama(1982 - 1988)
Mr. A. P. Guneratne
T.B. Damunupola(1995-2001)

[2]

External links

References

  1. ^ Mr. Sidath Vetthamuni, a former leader of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team on an interview on Channel One MTV
  2. ^ Ananda College World Wide Network
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