Mahanama College
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| [[Image:|125px|Mahanama College Flag]]
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| Motto | Vidyan Sarvatra Poojyate
(Scholar always be reputed ) |
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| Established | 1954 |
| Type | Public |
| Principal | W.A. Premalal Kumarasiri |
| Location | {{{city}}}, Sri Lanka |
| Website | [1] |
Mahanama College, Colombo was founded in 1954. It is considered to be one of the leading Public Schools in Sri Lanka. It is a National School and controlled by the Central government as opposed to the Provincial Council.
Mahanama has had five decades of bright history. In its brief history Mahanama has surpassed many schools that started ahead of it. The school developed in very little time and holds a unique place in education and extracurricular activities
Today Mahanama College ranks as one of the greatest Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka with a student population exceeding 4500 in all 13 grades of secondary education on a campus of over 10 acres. The academic staff led by the present principal, Mr W.A Premalal Kumarasiri, is a little over 150.
Over the years, Mahanama has produced notable alumni and thus contributed immensely to Sri Lanka. In it’s brief history Mahanama has produced many renowned professionals in many fields like Management, Science, Telecommunication, Sports etc..
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[edit] History
In 1954 this institution began very humbly through the dedication of Mr. W.A.K. Gunawardana at Sri Wardanarama Colombo 04 with only 5 students. In 1958 it was registered as a government assisted junior school. On January 1st of 1960 Mr J.D.A Jayakodi was appointed the first principal of the school. In those days there were 4 staff members and 163 pupils. After the government took over the school, it grew rapidly. In 1969 there were 14 staff members and 373 pupils.
With the rapid increase in the number of pupils, the school shifted to a place nearby, Valukarama. Primary classes were conducted in a nearby building Thurstan College. In 1974,. the junior school conducted in Thurstan College was amalgamated with Mahanama College. In 1975, 130 students sat for the N.G.C.E examination, and 107 pupils managed to pass the exam. Little by little the quality of the education increased, and the government donated 7 acres of land.
In 1976, there were two-story buildings. Through the dedication of Mr. K.N.P de Silva, the principal, and the support of the parents the school has developed continuously. In 1981 one student who sat for the G.C.E A/L placed attained 8th place in all the island's results and entered into the engineering faculty . From 1968 to present day a large number of Mahanama Students who sat to year 5 scholarship examination managed to pass the exam with high scores. Principal Mr. K.N.P de Silva has work hard to bring this school to a leading place in the island, has retired in February 5th of 1986 with blessings of students, staff and parents.
The golden era of Mahanama was in the time of the succeeding principal, Mr. D.G Sumanasekara’s. During this time school discipline, education and sports developed. Mahanama is still considered the most disciplined school in the country.
The next principal, Mr. K.K Rathnadasa, worked hard for nearly 12 years to raise the status of the school. In this time several three story buildings were built, computer section was established and children’s park was created. The education standard was increased rapidly in this era.
The dedication and commitment to the growth of the school of the next principal, Mr. G. Liyanage, has to be praised. He has been instrumental in building a three story building with an art gallery. He has also renovated the laboratory and computer sections. He has worked hard to bring a pleasant environment to the school. In his time, Mr G. Liyanage has laid the foundation for the building of a fully facilitated theater and an auditorium for the school, which are symbols of the school's identity. With his efforts Mahanama has become the greener school of the island.
At this time there are 20 societies involved in extracurricular activities. All these societies are working to bring honor and pride to the school. Today Mahanama College has both the physical and human resources to face the knowledge race of the 21st century.
[edit] Principals
- Rev. Vahalle Dhammananda (1954-1960)
- J.D.A Jayakody (1960 – 1968)
- N.E Fernando (1968- 1974)
- T.S Silva (1974-1976)
- K.N.P de Silva (1976-1986)
- D.G Sumanasekara (1986-1990)
- K.K Ratnadasa (1990-1999)
- G. Liyanage (1999-2003)
- W.A Pramalal Kumarasiri (Present Principal)
[edit] School Houses
Mahanama has four school houses named Metha, Karuna, Muditha and Upekha. The house names were derived from Buddhism. According to the Buddha these are four great human qualities which can be found on parent toward their children.
A student get entered to one of above houses by dividing his index number (which he gets when he was entered the school) by four. The remainder after the division describes his respective house. The remainder to each house is listed below
- 0 – Belong to Metha
- 1 – Belong to Karuna
- 2 – Belong to Muditha
- 3 – Belong to Upekha
The house teachers are selected in the same manner.
These houses mainly do a great deal of things to develop school boys sportsmanship in the annual inter-house sports meet. Students from these house compete with each other on varies sporting events in order to get their respective houses on top of the pointing table. The house with the highest points in the end of the sports meet is named as the champions of that year.
Among theses four houses Muditha and Upekha were considered to be the most strongest in the prospect of the sports. Muditha was named 12 times as champions while Upekha was named 9 times. Karuna is yet to win the title.
In Mahanama the housing system came alive when a sports meet droves near and everyone is enthusiastic about their houses victory. But the interest soon fades away when the sports meet came to an end.
[edit] Battle of Deluxe
The annual cricket encounter between Mahanama College and its friendly rival President's College (Sri Jayewardenepura - Kotte). Began back in year 1989 the Battle of deluxe is one of the most awaited sporting event in school calendar.
[edit] School Motto
Vidvan sarvatra pojyathe, as mentioned in the logo is a Buddhist quote Which means "the scholer always be reputed"
Which in deeper means the good education is the path to reputation and fame. It also describe that the intellectual development of a person is more valuable than physical resources they have.
