Ananda College

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Ananda College
Ananda Crest.png
"අප්පමාදෝ අමත පදං"
Appamdho Amathapadhan
(Buddhist quote from the Apramadha Vagga in the Dhammapada.
Meaning: "Heedfulness, punctuality leads to Nirvana.")
Location
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Coordinates 6°55′30″N 79°52′09″E / 6.92500°N 79.86917°E / 6.92500; 79.86917Coordinates: 6°55′30″N 79°52′09″E / 6.92500°N 79.86917°E / 6.92500; 79.86917
Information
Type National
Established 1886
Founder Colonel Henry Steel Olcott
Principal Kithsiri Liyanagamage
Grades Class 1 - 13
Gender Boys
Enrollment 8000

        
Color(s) Maroon and Gold
Affiliation Buddhist
Website www.ananda.sch.lk
Colonel H.S. Olcott, founder of Ananda College
Kularathna Hall
Buddhist vihara in Ananda College

Ananda College (Sinhala: ආනන්ද විද්‍යාලය), Colombo, is a national school for boys, with a student population exceeding 6,000 across 13 grades from primary to secondary classes,[1] on a campus of 20 acres (81,000 m2) in the suburb of Maradana.[1] It was established on November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and became a government school in 1961. As of 2013 an academic staff of more than 250 was led by Mr. Kithsiri Liyanagamage.

Contents

Early history [edit]

Following a meeting of Buddhists at Pettah, under the patronage of Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera, an English-Buddhist school was inaugurated at No. 61 Maliban Street, Colombo, on 1 November 1886 by the Buddhist Theosophical Society. C. W. Leadbeater was appointed the first principal of "Ananda today". The first session was attended by 37 students.

By the time the school was officially registered in March 1889, there were 120 students. In August 1889, it was moved to more spacious premises at No. 19 Prince Street. That same year, J. P. R. Weerasuriya became the first Anandian to pass the Cambridge junior examination.

In March 1890, the school's proximity to a Catholic school led to controversy—and a move to 54 Maliban Street where further growth ensued, and student enrolments rose to 200 in September 1892 and 270 in 1894. That year, Mr Tudor Rajapaksha donated 3.2 acres (13,000 m2) of land[2] and the school was relocated in the suburb of Maradana. On 17 August 1895, the former English Buddhist School was renamed as Ananda College Colombo.

By 1961, the college had officially become a government school.[2]

Houses [edit]

The students are divided among four houses:

  • Parakrama

Colour -      Red

  • Vijaya

Colour -      Dark Green

  • Asoka

Colour -      Dark Purple

  • Gamunu

Colour -      Navy Blue

The houses are named after the four main ancient Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka. An annual track-and-field tournament among these houses is held at the beginning of the first term.

"Battle of the Maroons" [edit]

Main article: Ananda-Nalanda

In a tradition dating back to 1924, an annual cricket contest is held between Ananda College and Nalanda College Colombo. The two schools have contributed many players to the Sri Lanka national cricket team, including the old Anandians Arjuna Ranatunga who captained the team to victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup and was named a Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1999; the former Test captain Marvan Atapattu, and T20 captain Dinesh Chandimal.[3]

Medals and trophies [edit]

Scholarships and prizes [edit]

  • Fritz Kunz Memorial Trophy - This is the school's most prestigious lifetime achievement trophy, given to the "most outstanding Anandian" passing out from the school each year.
  • Dr. Keerthi Rajapakse Memorial Trophy - This is awarded at the annual prize giving to the prefect with most outstanding academic performance.
  • Ananda Pradeepa Trophy - This is awarded at the annual prize giving to the student with highest marks in GCE Advanced Level examination.
  • C. W. Leadbeater Challenge Trophy
  • S. A. Wijethilaka Memorial Challenge Trophy
  • A. E. Bultjens Challenge Trophy
  • J. T. Davis Challenge Trophy

Trophies and sports scholarships [edit]

  • Most Outstanding Sportsman Trophy - This is the most prestigious award a sportsman can achieve at the school, awarded annually at the school Colours Night to a sportsman who has made outstanding achievements in his field of sports.
  • Ananda Padma Award - Presented for outstanding achievement in sports as a student.

Notable alumni [edit]

Main article: List of Ananda College alumni

Old Boys’ Association [edit]

Sir D. B. Jayatilleke, the then principal, conceived the idea of the Ananda College Old Boys’ Association in 1908. Initially its main function was to organise a sports-meet and the annual dinner. In subsequent years the OBA and the school’s administration have co-operated in furthering the development of the College. Prior to 1961 (when the school was nationalised) the incumbent principal of the school presided over the OBA. Since that date, a president is elected by members at each annual general meeting.[4]

College war memorial [edit]

Ananda College war memorial

The Ananda College war memorial is situated in front of the Henry Steel Olcott Hall, and is dedicated to alumni of Ananda college who died while members of the Sri Lankan armed forces. The plaque bears the names of old Anandians who were killed in the line of duty. Ananda College OBA organises an annual "Ananda Viruharasara" event to honour military dead.[5][6][7]

Past principals [edit]

  • C. W. Leadbeater (1886–1890)
  • A. E. Buultjens (1890–1898)
  • Sir D. B. Jayatilaka (1898–1908)
  • J. T. Davis (1908–1909)
  • M. C. Moore (1910–1913)
  • Fritz Kunz (1914–1917)
  • C. V. Ranawake (1917–1918)
  • P. De S. Kularatne (1923–1932)
  • Dr. G. P. Malalasekera (1932–1943)
  • A. B. Perera (1943–1945)
  • L. H. Mettananda (1945–1954)
  • S. A. Wijetillake (1954–1960)
  • M. W. Karunananda (1961–1964)
  • Lt. Col. E. A. Perusinghe (1964–1969)
  • Col. G. W. Rajapaksha (1971–1981)
  • S. K. Nettananda (1981–1982)
  • Col. V. S. Kudaligama (1982–1988)
  • A. P. Guneratne (1988–1995)
  • T. B. Damunupola (1995–2001)
  • B. A. Abeyrathne (2001–2008)
  • Col. L. M. D. Dharmasena (2009-2013)
From left: Henry Olcott, founder of the Ananda College; Annie Besant, later president of the Theosophical Society; Charles Leadbeater, the college's inaugural principal; in Adyar, Madras, December 1905.

Notable teachers [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Foundation of Ananda College on official website
  2. ^ a b Milestones on official website
  3. ^ Battle of the Maroons website
  4. ^ About OBA at official website
  5. ^ [citation needed]http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2009/07/05/imp50.asp
  6. ^ http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090703_10
  7. ^ http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/10/18/news60.asp

External links [edit]

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