Ananda College

Ananda College
ආනන්ද විද්‍යාලය
Ananda College ; ආනන්ද විද්‍යාලය
Location
	Colombo; Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6°55′30″N 79°52′09″E / 6.92500°N 79.86917°E
Information
Type	Public
Motto	; Appamdho Amathapadhan; (Buddhist quote from the Apramadha
Established	1886
Founder	Colonel Henry Steel Olcott
Principal	L.M.D. Dharmasena
Grades	Class 1 - 13
Gender	Boys
Enrollment	8000
Color(s)	Maroon and Gold
Affiliation	Buddhist
Website	http://www.ananda.sch.lk/

Ananda College (Sinhala: ආනන්ද විද්‍යාලය), Colombo, was established on November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. Ananda College is a National School, which provides primary and secondary education. Ananda College is considered as the leading National school in Sri Lanka.

Ananda College today

The school has a student population exceeding 8,000 across 13 grades from primary to secondary classes. The campus resides in a 20 acres (81,000 m²) land in Maradana. The academic staff of more than 250 is led by Principal L.M.D. Dharmasena. Ananda has produced notable alumni, including statesmen such as Former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and United National Party deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, and cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga, Marvan Atapattu and Thilan Samaraweera.Over the years, Ananda College has gained renown as a great college not only in Sri Lanka, but also internationally. The college is noted for the exemplary discipline that is maintained by its students in comparison to other educational institutions. It is considered the best Buddhist school in Sri Lanka, with a reputation for excellence in sports and extra-curricular activities as well as academic success. Ananda College has been awarded the Best school in sports award many times including 2010.

History

1881 January 1: The inheritance of the Sinhalese Buddhist "Sarasavi Sandaresa"

1881 February 8: The arrival of Col. Olcott at Dharmopakari Society Maradana Colombo.

1885 May 29: The arrival of C. W. Leadbeater at "Sarasavi Sandaresa".

1886 October 22: An English-Buddhist hall is established.

1886 October 23: A meeting of the Buddhist public was held at Pettah under the patronage of Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera.

1886 November 1: 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 16: The first prize giving was conducted by Olcott. Submitting school registration applications initiates.

1889 March: The registration of the English-Buddhist school, where there were 120 students. Bath and Oliver Jams graduate from the Madras University and join the teaching staff.

1889 May 27: The first examination is held. The proceeds of the examination amounted to Rs. 359.50.

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 J.P.R. Weerasuriya.

1890: A.E. Buultjens assigned as principal. D.A. Wittachi was the acting principal until Buultjens accepted the position.

1890 March 1: Due to the agitation of a Catholic school's principal saying the transfer was against the educational constitution, the English-Buddhist school shifts its position from No. 19 Prince Street to No. 54 Maliban Street.

1890 October: The second prize giving is conducted by Olcott at No. 54 Maliban Street.

1891 November: C.C. Jayatissa, who was Anandian, was the first Sri Lankan to pass the Cambridge junior examination in the German language.

1892 September: Student enrollment reaches 200.

1893 November: A building fund is inaugurated.

1892-1895: Sri Sumangala Thera held the post of manager.

1894: The student population rose to 270.

1894 January 1: Mudliyar Tudor Rajapaksha donated 3.2 acres (13,000 m²) of land from Paranawadiya to the college.

1895 August 17: The school known as the Pettah English-Buddhist school was renamed Ananda College at Paranawadiya.

Clubs and Societies

Ananda College Broadcasting Unit
Ananda College Buddhist Association
Prefects Guild
Ananda Youth Club
Radio Club
Ananda College Karate Club
Ananda College Scout Troop
Information and Communication Technology Society
Adventure Club
Aeronautical Society
Anandians Astronomical Association
Archaeological Society
Architects' Society
Astronomical Society
Automotive Engineering Association
Aviation Academy
Chemistry Club
Commerce Society
Debaters' Council
Discussion Forum
English Drama circle
English Literary Association
Environment Conservation Society
Film Society
Historical Society
Helasisu Haula
Interact Club
Junior Sinahala Literary Association
Junior Western Band
Leo Club
Mathematics Society
Music circle
National Savings Bank
Oriental Music Society
Photographic Art Society
Political Science Society
Quiz Club
Red Cross Society
Saukyadana Unit
Science Union
Scrabble Club
Senior Brass Band
Sinhala Literary Association
Social Services League
Tennis Club
Traffic Unit
Unesco Society
United Nations Club
Western Music Association
Wildlife Protection Society
Young Biologist's Society
Young Inventor's Society
Young Zoologists Association
Youth Services Association
Drug Prevention Club
Ananda College Army Cadet Contingent
Ananda college Young Inventors Society
Ananda College Drama Circle
Ananda College Air Force Cadet Wing
Ananda College Naval Cadet Squadron
Tamil Union
Arts Circle
Olympiad Society
Rubik's Cube Club
Robotic Technology Society
Forest Conservation Society

Houses

The studentse 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 (Ananda vs Nalanda)

Battle of the Maroons Ananda-Nalanda (Ananda versus Nalanda cricket match) is the annual cricket contest which is commonly referred to as the "Big Match" between Ananda College and Nalanda College Colombo which revives their age old cricketing tradition which first began in 1924.

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Over the years Ananda College has produced many world famous cricketers:

Sidath Wettimuny, Ajit de Silva, Sunil Wettimuny, Mithra Wettimuny, Brendon Kuruppu, Arjuna Ranatunga, Marvan Atapattu, Dulip Samaraweera, Sanjeeva Ranatunga, Dammika Ranatunga, Hemantha Wickramaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, Charith Senanayake, Thilina Kandamby, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Mahela Udawatte, Chandika Hathurusingha, Avishka Gunawardene, Nishantha Ranatunga, Akalanka Ganegama, Dinuka Hettiarachchi, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, Dinesh Chandimal, Sachithra Senanayake

Main article : Ananda-Nalanda

Sport clubs

Athletics
Rowing
Swimming
Cricket
Chess
Football
Basketball

Badminton
Tennis
Hockey
Kabaddi
Scouting
Squash
Baseball
Volleyball

Wushu
Karate
Gymnastics
Table Tennis
Rugby
Army Cadetting
Senior Cadet Band
Air Force Cadetting
Water polo
Handball

Navy Cadet Squadron

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 kela sadalaa
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

School song

Anandai anandai anande ada anandai

Samma sambudu sugatha thatgatha sambudu pilimaya abiyasadee Kelesun Duruwee Athyugalesadee

Anandai anandai anande ada anandai

Silgath thani sudu nelum kusum lesa, pehedi, pibidi pirisindu wee Munidun namadimu ath yuga hisadee

Anandai Anandai Anande ada anandai

Medals and Trophies

Scholarship and Prizes

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 Troophy - This is awarded at the annual prize giving to the Prefect with most Outstanding Academic Performance.

Trophies and sports scholarships

Most Outstanding Sportsman(MOS)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 - Presented for outstanding achievement in Sports as a student.

Groups of Ananda College Old Boys Association

Old Anandians' Buddhist Association
Association of Old Anandians in United Kingdom
Old Anandians' Association in Japan (OAAJ)
Ananda College Old Boy's Association in Italy
Ananda College Old Boy's Association of East Coast - USA
Old Anandians Association of Victoria, Australia (OAAV)
Senior Old Anandians
Ananda College Old Hostellers Guild
Old Anandians 2005 Group
Old Anandians 2008 Group
Old Anandians 70-75 Group
Old Anandians 75-80 Group
Old Anandians 80 Group
Old Anandians 82 Group
Millennia Group of Ananda College (98, 99, 2000, 2001)
Old Anandians Radio Club
Old Anandians 90 Group
Old Anandians 91 Group
Old Anandians 94 Group
Old Anandians 95 Group
Old Anandians 98 Group
Old Anandians 99 Group
Ananda Business Group
Ananda College OBA - Southern Province
Gampaha Branch of the Ananda College OBA
Kegalle Branch of the Ananda College OBA
Kalutara District Branch of the Ananda College OBA
Rathnapura Branch of the Ananda College OBA
Old Anandians Centenary Group
Old Anandians Kelani Valley Association
Old Anandians Media Circle
Old Anandians Scout Association
Old Anandians Sports Club
Old Anandians Broadcasting Unit

Notable alumni

Past Principals

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	(1945–1954)
Mr. S. A. Wijetillake	(1954–1960)
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)
A. P. Guneratne	(1988–1995)
T.B. Damunupola	(1995–2001)
B. A. Abeyrathne	(2001–2008)
Lal Dissanayake	(2008–2009)
L.M.D. Dharmasena	(2009 - .......)

Notable Teachers

Dr. T B Jayah
C. Suntharalingam
Lionel Ranwala
Prof. G P Malalasekara
R. S. S. Gunawardena
Lionel Ranaweera
Rev. Kotagama Vachissara
R.M. Abeyawardene
M.K.N. Panikkar
V. Thanabalasingham
W.H. Botheju

Trivia

First school to introduce Karate [Kyo Kushin Kai Kan the original style + meny other styles] in Sri Lanka

First school to introduce basketball in Sri Lanka ^{[citation needed]}

First to start a Navy Cadet platoon in Sri Lanka^{[citation needed]}

Produced most number of cricketers in Sri Lanka.

Produced highest number of Military officers in Sri lanka

References

Ananda role in Buddhist education

External links