Mahanama College

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Mahanama College
Motto:	Vidvan Sarvathra Poojyate (Scholar always be reputed )
Established:	1954
Type:	Public
Principal:	W.A. Premalal Kumarasiri
Location:	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colors:	Black, Gold and Silver

Mahanama College, Colombo established in 1954 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.

In its brief history Mahanama College has developed rapidly and holds a unique place in education and extracurricular activities. Today the school accommodates 5000 students on a campus spread over 10 acres. The academic staff of 150+ is led by the present principal, Mr W. A. Premalal Kumarasiri.

Over the years, Mahanama has produced notable alumni and thus contributed to Sri Lanka. In its brief history Mahanama has produced many renowned professionals in fields such as management, science, telecommunication and sports.

[edit] History

In 1954 this institution began through the dedication of Mr. W.A.K. Gunawardana at Sri Wardanarama Colombo 04 with only 5 students in the class. In 1958 the school was registered as a government assisted junior school. The number of students gradually increased to 163 with 4 staff members and on January 1st 1960 Mr J. D. A Jayakodi was appointed as the first principal of the school. In 1969 there were 14 staff members and 373 students on record.

With the rapid increase in the number of students, the school shifted to a place nearby, Valukarama. Primary classes were in a building near Thurstan College. In 1974, during Mr. T.N Silva's period the junior school at Thurstan College moved to its present location - Mahanama College. In 1975, 130 students sat for the N.G.C.E examination, and 107 students passed the exam. The government donated 7 acers of land as the school expanded at its present location.

In 1976, there were several two-story buildings. Through the dedication of Mr. K.N.P de Silva, the principal, and the support of the parents the school developed continuously. In 1981 one student who sat for the G.C.E A/L attained 8th place in the all island results and entered into the engineering faculty. Principal Mr. K.N.P de Silva worked hard to develop the school and retired on the 5th of February 1986 with the blessings of students, staff and parents.

The golden era of Mahanama was the time of the succeeding principal, Mr. D.G Sumanasekera, B.Sc., Dip. Ed., in 1986. During his tenure the school developed rapidly and became competitive in sports activities, extracurricular activities while performing exceptionally well in curriculum work also Mahanama was ranked among the best schools for its performances in G.C.E Ordinary Level examination, while gaining a position in G.C.E Advanced Level examination. By following discipline, punctuality and attire improved performance of students. This motivation resulted in a huge forward leap in standards of every thing from the morning assembly to the school closure in the evening. The college Cricket team played a one-day cricket encounter for the Milo Trophy ^[1]between President's College also the school's Rugby team completed a successful playing season. The Annual Concert for the Primary school students were held and the college Magazine was also published. The school emblem, colours and flag were standardised. Annual Prize giving and Sports Meet were heled successfully, in which President D.B Wijetunga was the chief guest for the 1989 Prize Giving. Mr. Sumanasekera was the 1st SLEAS Class-1 Principal to be appointed to Mahanama. During his 4 years at office he laid the foundation and expanded the school for its current status.

The next principal, Mr. K. K. Rathnadasa, worked hard for nearly 12 years continue to raise the status of the school further. During this period several three story buildings were built, a computer section was established and a children's park was created. The Annual Carnival 'Foot-Loose' was organized during his period.

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. During this time the school laboratories and computer sections were imrpoved and buildings renovated. Mr G. Liyanage laid the foundation for the building of a full theater and auditorium for the school, which are symbols of the school's identity. With his efforts Mahanama has become the greener school of the island bringing in a pleasant environment to the school. The Battle of deluxe, big match between Mahanama College and its friendly rival D. S. Senanayake College,Colombo was inugrated. It is one of the most awaited sporting event in school calendar.

Currently there are 20+ societies involved in extracurricular activities. All these societies are working to bring honor and pride to the school and the nation. 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 (2003- to date)

[edit] School Houses

Mahanama College Flag

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.

A student is placed in one of the above houses by dividing his index number (which is assigned to each student when the student is registered at Mahanama) by four. The remainder after the division describes his respective house as 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. Students from these houses compete with each other on varies sporting events annually. The house with the highest points in the end of the tournament is named the champion for the year.

[edit] Milo Trophy: One Day Cricket Encounter

^{[2] [3] [4]} Mahanama College played a One day cricket encounter with President's College, Rajagiriya for the Milo Trophy. There were 15 matches played between 1988-2006. Presidents college lead the series with 8 - 7 wins. The cricket series was sponsored by prestigious Nestle Lanka Ltd.

[edit] Battle of the Gold

• DSS-Mahanama well balanced- Second Battle of Golds at R. Premadasa Stadium ^[5]

DS vs Mahanama, Battle of the Gold

Two well balanced teams and traditional rivals D. S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College clashed in the second annual Battle of the Golds inter school Big Match at the R. Premadasa Stadium 29th and 3oth March 2008.

Both teams have maintained an unbeaten record throughout the season and are determined to make an impact in this important encounter. The D. S. Senanayake outfit have always maintained a high standard on the field and have had eight first innings victories in addition to their six wicket triumph against Isipatana College.

Even though they have managed to pull off just a solitary win they have had the better of the exchanges against all other opponents including St. Peter's College, Nalanda College, Kalutara MV, Prince of Wales College Moratuwa, Ananda College, St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa and Kingswood College Kandy.

Mahanama College too have just concluded a successful season where they recorded three outright victories against St. Servatius College Matara, Sri Devananda College Ambalangoda and Sri Jayawardenapura MV.

The Mahanama College team will be captained by fourth year coloursman and right hand middle order batsman Anura Prasad who has accumulated over 550 runs including one century and two fifties.

In fact his knock of 138 against St. Servatius College Matara was a crucial one which helped them to pull off an innings and 50 runs outright victory. Prasad who is also their wicket keeper of the side has impressed behind the stumps with 35 victims to his credit in the current season. Last year too he scored over 500 runs and held on to over 40 victims.

He had a memorable game last years where he was named as the best batsman in both Big Match as well as in the limited overs encounter.

Fourth year coloursman and left arm spinner Ishan Abeysekera is the vice captain of the side having picked up over 50 wickets in the current inter school season. Abeysekera is their main strike bowler and took a match bag of ten wickets on one occasion and also returned figures of six wickets for 13 against Sri Devananda College Ambalangoda.

The D. S. Senanayake College team will be captained by fourth year coloursman and right arm off spinner Dimuthu Samarakkody who has captured over 40 wickets in the current season. He has claimed five wickets in an innings once and has also scored over 250 runs as a middle order batsman.

Samarakkody is one of their most experienced players in the side having captained the under 17 team which emerged runners up in 2005 in which year he also represented the Sri Lanka under 17 team.

Fifth year coloursman and left-hander Gayashan Weerasekera is the vice captain of the side having accumulated over 700 runs this season including one century and four half centuries.

Weerasekera had the honour of captaining the D. S. Senanayake College under 13 team and the under 16 team and was a member of the under 17 team which emerged runners up in 2005. He was also a member of the champion under 19 team in 2004.

[edit] Battle of Gold - Inaugural Big Match

^[6]

DS Senanayake College and Mahanama College met in the inaugural big match at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. The cricket encounter named as the 'Golden Battle' and will be played for the 'K.N. de Silva Challenge Trophy'. The annual cricket encounter is one of the most awaited sporting event in school calendar.

Madhawa Perera who represented the Sri Lanka U-19 team will lead the DS Senanayake team with Dilum Harischandra as his deputy.

Mahanama is led by Milinda Perera who has scored over 500 runs this season. Malith Fernando will be the vice captain. Mahanama will also get the service of Hasitha De Silva who represented the U-19 Sri Lanka squad last year as a promising all rounder.

The limited overs cricket match between these two schools took place at the SSC ground on March 04, 2007. The Golden Battle was organised by the Old Boys Associations of the two schools and the Cricket Development Foundation.

DS vs Mahanama, 2008

Teams:
D.S Senanayake MV: Madhawa Perera (Captain), Dilum Harischandra (Vice captain), Dimuth Samarakkodi, Gayashan Weerasekara, Roshan Laksiri, Isuru Udana, Lahiru Weragala, Nadeesha Jayakodi, Hasitha Darshana, Naween Kawikara, Udeni Rathnayake, Kalinga de Silva, Malinga Marasinghe. Sampath Perera (Coach), Mohan Das Samarakkodi (Master in charge).

Mahanama College: Milinda Perera (Captain), Malith Fernando (Vice captain), Prasad Dias, Hasitha De Silva, B.S. Perera, Madushanka Sandaruwan, Ishan Abeysekara, K.D. Buddhika, Ashen Jayasinghe, W.G.T. Madushanka, Prabhath Dhananjaya, Pamunuge Inushka, Shehan Duminda, S.A.Ruberu, I. Gunasekara, Buddhi Charindra.
Scores as follows:

• DSSC: First Innings: 280/6 declared, Second Innings: 100/2 declared
• Mahanama College: First Innings: 199 all out, Second Innings: 83/3 at close of play
• Result: Match drawn (first innings win to DSSC)

Mahanama take Black and Gold Trophy ^[7]

Battle of Black n Gold, DS Senanayake Vidyalaya batsman Lahiru Weragala who top scored with 65 is trapped in front by Mahanama College off-spinner Shehan Daminda (not in picture).

Mahanama College Colombo took the 'Black and Gold' trophy by virtue of a first innings win they gained against D.S.Senanayake Vidyalaya in their inaugural encounter concluded at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, January 14, 2007. They succeeded to defend their low score of 157 by bowling out their opponents for 151.

D.S.Senanayake were the fancied team and they had to blame themselves for the poor batting display by their top order batsmen. When play resumed yesterday morning DSS were well placed on 61 for 2 but the middle order batting failed to deliver the goods.

Despite a knock of 65 by overnight batsman Lahiru Weragala they fell short of the target by six runs and thus failed to get past Mahanama's total. Weragala's knock consisted of eight hits to the ropes while pacie Hasitha de Silva with figures of 3 for 37 along with spinner Shehan Duminda who took two wickets to cause the damage.

The first day's play saw Mahanama sent into bat and being restricted to 157. It was due to the gallant batting by skipper Milinda Perera who hit a half ton which enabled them to reach this respectable score.

DSS pacie Charith Jayampathy made the early break through while spinners Roshane Laksiri and Dimuthu Samarakkody took control of the Mahanama inning in the latter stages.

With DSS being bowled out just before lunch, an outright win was way beyond their reach with two more sessions of play remaining. Mahanama having taken control of the game in the morning session, had only to hold on which they did successfully in their second innings by ending the day on 127 for 8.

• Mahanama 157 (Milinda Perera 56, Anura Prasad 18, Hasitha de Silva 17; Charith Jayampathy 3 for 22, Dimuthu Samarakkody 2 for 31, Roshane Laksiri 2 for 33) and 127 for 8 (Ramidu Jayatissa 28, Anura Prasad 21, Sachith Ruberu 34 n.o; Roshan Laksiri 4 for 29, Madhawa Perera 2 for 26)

• DSSMV (61/2 o'night) 151 (Lahiru Weragala 65, Isuru Udana 15.; Hasitha de Silva 3 for 37, Shehan Duminda 2 for 12)

[edit] School Motto

Mahanama College Emblem

Vidvan Sarvathra Poojyathe, 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.

[edit] The Western Cadet Band

• Phenomenal Dusk 2007: A Blend of Talent with Creation ^[8]

Mahanama College Senior Western Band

Association organised an Inter School Brass Band Show to mark the 34th Anniversary of Mahanama College Western Cadet Band at the BMICH under the theme 'The Blend of Talent with Creation'.

All three bands of the school, the Senior Western Band, the Junior Western Band and the Primary Western Band displayed their talents with the participation of other leading schools while the college's Eastern Dancing troupe also performed.

This event was made brighter with the participation of bands of Ananda College, D. S. Senanayaka College, Isipathana College, St. Joseph's College, Royal College, Anula Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Lindsay Girls' School, Musaeus College, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Visakha Vidyalaya, Vihara Maha Devi Girls School, Kiribathgoda and Bishop's College.

Apart from the performing bands, a group of artistes who are popular Mahanamians performed including singers Dharshana Pramod, Mistry and side-effects. The event was made colourful by dances performed by Chandana Wickramasinghe and his dance troupe.

The show's objective was to provide an opportunity for both Mahanamians and students from other schools to show their hidden talents. The chief guest was Susara Dinal de Silva, Channel Manager of Sirasa TV, an old boy of Mahanama College.

• Message from the Band Leaders

Mahanama College Junior Western Band

Band leaders Chamodh Malshan and Dakshina Ranasinghe in a message said: "It is with great honour and privilege that we send this message when we hold the "Phenomenal Dusk 2007". This is the untiring efforts displayed by all our band members and others who were concerned with the success of task. We would not have seen the dawn of "Phenomenal Dusk 2007" if not the guidance of our principal W. H. Premalal Kumarasiri. We dreamed to be band members of the school cadet band and we never dreamed to be a band sergeant of this band. We are very proud to be the 27th (Chamodh) and 28th (Dakshina) band leaders in celebrating such a great event."

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Mahanama College Official Web site
• Mahanama College OBA UK branch
• Mahanama College Past/Present Students Address Book