List of Mahinda College alumni
This is a list of notable Old Mahindians, they being the alumni of Mahinda College, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Senior academics
- Professor Kapila Gunasekara - Vice Chancellor of the University of Vocational Technology - Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya (2000-2006) & Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Professor Harishchandra Abeygunawardena - Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya (2006-2009)
- Professor Deshamanya Nandadasa Kodagoda - Former Vice Chancellor and former Dean of the Medical Faculty, University of Colombo
- Professor G.P. Samarawickrama - First Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
- Professor Emeritus M. B. Ariayapala – Former President, University of Colombo (1972 – 77), Served as Deans of the Faculties of Humanities and Arts, first Professor and Head of the Department of Sinhala, Former President - Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Former President - All Ceylon Buddhist Congress
- Professor S. D. Pathirana - Former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya
- Professor P. L. Ariyananda - Former Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
- Professor D. Arampatta – Former Dean Faculty of Education, University of Colombo
- Professor O. A. Illeperuma - Senior Professor, University of Peradeniya
- Professor Upali Samarajeewa - Senior Professor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Professor J.K.P. Ariyarathne - Senior Professor, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Professor Kapila Dahanayake - Senior Professor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Professor Wijesuriya P. Dayawansa - Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Texas Tech University, Texas,USA
- Professor Daya Ahangama - Head of the Department of Agric Biology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Professor N.T.S.Wijesekara - Professor, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (Also listed in Heads of government departments)
- Professor Athula B. Attygalle - Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey, USA
- Professor Jayadeva Thilakasiri - Professor emeritus of Sanskrit, University of Peradeniya, President of the German Dharmaduta Society (GDS), Sri Lanka
- Professor Emeritus N.A. Jayawickrama - Professor and Head of the Department of Pali of the University of Peradeniya
- Professor Dharma de Silva - Professor, Wichita State University, USA. - Founding Dean, Faculty of Management Studies at University of Sri Lanka & Visiting Professor at the Postgraduate Institute of Management in Sri Lanka,Founder Chair~World Trade Council, Wichita, Kansas, USA http://www.wtc.wichita.edu/Project%20Activities.htm
- Professor Mrs Deemathie (Deema Danthanarayana) De Silva,Assistant Professor & Director Student Support Services, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA
- Professor P.K.S. Mahanama, Dean, Faculty of Architecture, University Of Moratuwa
- Professor David J. Kalupahana - Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii, U.S.A.
- Professor Kulathilaka Kumarasinghe - Senior Professor & Dean, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya
- Professor Siripala Hettige, Senior Professor & Former Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
- Dr. Nihal Somaratne - Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka - Obtained 100 each in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics & Physics in 1974 G.C.E A/L
- Dr. P.A. Jayantha – Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna
- Dr. M. H. Jayantha Ariyaratne - Senior Lecturer & Head of the Department of Surgery, Senior Student Councellor, University of Kelaniya
- Dr. Lakshman Watawana - Senior lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dr. Kithsiri Liyanage - University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka - Former Dean of the Engineering Faculty, University of Ruhuna
- Dr K.K.Liyanage - Former Senior Lecturer,University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dr. J.J. Wijetunge - Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- R. D. A. Gunasekara - University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
- Dr. Kurukulasooriya - UN Consultant, Former Lecturer in Open University of Sri Lanka
- Dr K.A.S Yapa - Lecturer in Central University of Ecuador
- Dr. Ranjith Obeysekera - Former Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dr. V. Edirisinghe, Former Head & Senior Lecturer of the Department of Sociology & Student Counselor of the University of Colombo
- Dr. Daya Rohana Athukorala - Senior Lecturer & Head, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo.
- Dr. Ms Sunethra Karunaratne, Senior Lecturer, University Of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dr. W.A.A. Wijayasiri - Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Ministers and legislators
- Dr. S.A. Wickramasinghe - Father of Sri Lankan Communist Movement
- Hon. Henry Woodward Amarasuriya - Former cabinet minister of Commerce & Trade and former member of parliament - Founder member of United National Party - Philanthropist
- Hon. Thomas Amarasuriya, OBE - Former Chairman of the Senate
- Hon. D.S.Gunasekera - Former Minister of Labour and member of parliament Udugama & Habaraduwa
- Hon. I.A.Cadar - Former Member of Parliament for Beruwala and The Deputy speaker of the House of Parliament
- Hon. Justin Wijayawardhena – Member of Parliament for Matara (1960) - Founder member of the United National Party
- Hon. Sirisena Hettige - Former member of Parliament for Hakmana
- Hon. W.D.S.Abeygunawardane - Former Member of Parliament for Galle ( Who defeated then Prime Minister of Ceylon)
- Hon. S.S. Kulathilake - Former Minister of Cultural Affairs
- Hon. Ananda Kularathne - Former Member of Parliament for Hakmana and Deputy Minister
- Hon. Albert de Silva - Former Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Galle
- Hon. P. Gamini Ariyatilake – Former Member of Parliament for Maskeliya electorate (in 1970)
- Hon. Rupa Karunathilake - Former Minister & Member of Parliament for Benthara-Elpitiya
- Hon. Dayananda Wickramasinghe – Former Minister & Member of Parliament for Akuresssa
- Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena - Current Minister of Mass Media and Information
- Hon. Vajira Abeywardena - Former Cabinet Minister (Public Administration) of Sri Lanka
- Hon. Lionel Premasiri - Former Minister (Social Services) of Sri Lanka and former Mayor of Galle
- Hon. Nishantha Muthuhettigama - Current Member of Parliament
- Hon. Manusha Nanayakkara - Current Member of Parliament
Prelates
Members of the defence services
- Major General Lakshman Wijayaratne (Lucky Wijayaratne) RWP, RSP † - Former Commander of 22 Brigade in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Army
- Admiral Deshamanya D. Basil Gunasekara - Former Navy Commander of Sri Lanka
- SDIG Bodhi Liyanage - First Commandant of the Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Police
- Rear Admiral Ivan Kariyawasam, USP - Former Director General, Naval Engineering, Sri Lanka Navy
- SSP Neville Guruge - Sri Lanka Police
- SSP J.C.K Nanayakkara - Special Task Force
- Brigadier Lasantha Wickremasuriya, Division Commander, SLA, Killinochchiya.
- Brigadier Mahinda Mudalige, Commander - SAL, Batticaloa.
- SP Chandana Galppaththi, Negombo division, Sri Lanka Police.
- Group Captain Ananda Guruge, Defence Attach, Sri Lankan Embassy - Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Lieutenant Colonel Dayamal Jayasooriya - Commander, 661 Brigade in Poonarine, Sri Lanka Army
- Lieutenant D.G.A. Vitharana - Sri Lanka Navy
- Squadron Leader Monath Perera (Late) - Kfir Squadron, Sri Lanka Air Force
- Lieutenant BD Wijesekara, Sri Lanka Navy, SLN dockyard, Trincomalee
Senior civil servants and heads of government departments
- T.H.Ananda Lacille de Silva (Director Administration - Sri Lanka Parliament)
- Palitha Kumarasinghe - President's Counsel and Member of Public Service Commission
- Professor M T M Jiffry - Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Senior Professor of Physiology -University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Member of Learnt and Reconciliation’ Commission
- Ananda Wijesekera – President’s Counsel
- Senerath Wije Goonewardene - Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Social Services, Government Agent, Hambantota (1970). Director of Social Services and Commissioner of Workmen's Compensation (1973)
- S.H.C.de Silva – Former Additional Director of Irrigation Department, Consultant to the Department of Irrigation, Director - Water Resources Board and Director of ICTAD - Ex-President of the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL)
- Lal Kumara Gamage - Head of Chancery, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia
- Lilak Obaysekara - Director General, Department of Technical Education
- Ivan de Silva - Secretary, Ministry of Irrigation & Water Management, Director General, Mahaweli Authority
- Professor N.T.S.Wijesekara - Former Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), Sri Lanka
- P.P. Wijesekara - General Manager, Sri Lanka Railway
- Vincent Panditha - Former Secretary, Ministry of Textile, Ex General Manager, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, 1st Assistant Director of Department of Cultural Affairs (1956)
- Udeni Wickremasinghe, Addl. Secretary- Misinstry of Defence (Technical)
- Dr. W. G. Weeraratne - Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism
- Dr. Chitral Ambewatte, Director General, Dept. of Technical Education & Training
- Kapila Gamage, Chairman, Condominium Management Authority.
- B.N.I.F.A. Wickramasooriya - General Manager , Ceylon Electricity Board
- Lalitha Jayasekara, Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Reaserch & Training Institute.
- P.U. Gunasinghe - Former Deputy General Manager, National Water Supply & Drainage Board
- Aravinda Devasurendra – Asst. General Manager, Ceylon Electricity Board
- Ranjith Devasurendra - Deputy General Manager, National Water Supply & Drainage Board
- Nalin Wickramatunga – Deputy General Manager, National Water Supply & Drainage Board
- Dayananda Kariyawasam - Director General, Department of Wildlife and Conservation
- Mali Piyasena - Deputy Director, Sri Lanka Customs
- Dr. K.T.W. Sumanasuriya – Ex Commissioner of Examinations
- Neville Guruge - Ex-Director, Investigations of Bribery Commission, Ex-Senior Superintendent of Police
- Deshamanya T.G.Jayasinghe – Ex Secretary, Finance Commission of Sri Lanka, Ex Chairman, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission
- Dr. Dudley Gunasekera – Former Chairman of Paranthan Chemical Corporation, Ex Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Ex President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress
- Eric. J. de. Silva - Former Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Former Director of Academy of Administrative Studies (1972 – 1973) & Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA)(1988 - 1990)
Sportsmen and sports administrators
- Douglas Dias-Jayasinha - Formerly of CAS , All Ceylon Cricketer - First cricketer from the Southern Province to don the All-Ceylon cap in 1937 - Selector for the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka from 1961-1973. For the ten years of 1963 to 1973, he was the chairman of the selection committee.
- W. B. Bennett - Guinness world record holder for taking 10 victims in an innings as a wicket keeper (six stumped and four caught)
- Somasiri Ambawatte - Best all round performance in the Mahinda - Richmond Cricket history ( 10-44, 5-63 & 103* in 1953)
- Kosala Sahabandu - Former Athlete - Gold medalist at the 1974 Asian Games
- D. L. S. De Silva - Former Sri Lankan Cricketer
- D. S. de Silva - Chief of Sri Lanka Cricket & the Chairman of the Interim Committee - Former Sri Lankan Test cricketer and Captain
- Athula Samarasekera - Former Test Cricketer
- Jayananda Warnaweera - Former Test Cricketer and current ground manager of the Galle International Stadium
- Dileepa Wickramasinghe - Former Sri Lankan Cricketer and former member of the Cricket selection committee
- Marvan Atapattu - Former Test Cricketer & Captain of Sri Lanka
- Upul Chandana - Former Test Cricketer
- Lasith Malinga - Sri Lankan Cricketer - World Record Holder for 4 wickets in 4 balls in an ODI
Writers, poets, musicians and artists
- Professor Siri Gunasinghe - Premier Sinhalese poet and novelist
- Professor Vinee Vitharana - Writer and literary critic
- Dr. Lionel Edirisinghe - Founder of the University of Visual and Performing Art - First Sri Lankan scholar of Bhathkande University of India
- Jinidasa Vijayatunga (1903-89) - Author of the world famous book named “Grass for My Feet” (1935) – (He was one of the first Ceylonese writers to convey the essence of the island to the world and helped forge the identity of Ceylonese English literature.)
- Dr.Gunadasa Amarasekera - Prominent Sinhala writer, poet, and essayist & one of the founding fathers of the Peradeniya school of literary tradition of modern Sri Lankan literature
- A.G.S. Kariyawasam - Author - Editor in Encyclopedia of Buddhism & Buddhist Publication Society - Broadcaster of Radio Ceylon
- Dhamma Jagoda - Play director and actor
- Justin Wijayawardhena - Writer, Novelist & Translator of Russian novels ( Also listed in Legislators)
- Vimukthi Jayasundara – An Award Winning Film Director ( First Sri Lankan to win Caméra d'Or awrad at the Cannes Film Festival)
- Kithsiri Nimal Shantha - Lyricist ( Also listed in Journalists)
- G.W.Surendra – Actor
- Buddhi Wickrama - Actor
- Gamini G. Punchihewa - Veteran author and journalist
- Upasena Gunawardene - Veteran artist
- Thilak Palliyaguruge - Veteran architect & artist
- Atula Siriwardane - Comic Book Artist
- Deepananda kudahetty -Veteran Musician- Sangeetha visharada ( Lucknow - India )Jazz & Classical concert pianist ABRSM -London.
Senior journalists and media personalities
- Edwin Ariyadasa - Famous Journalist
- D.B. Dhanapala - Pioneer of Newspaper Journalism in Sri Lanka
- Sundara Nihathamani De Mel - Main Editor, Lakmiba Newspaper
- Kithsiri Nimal Shantha - Former Editor, Lakmiba Newspaper
- Manusha Nanayakkara – TV Presenter - News Anchor, Swarnawahini, Rupavahini ( Also listed in Legislators)
- Vinnie Hettigoda - Journalist & Cartoonist
- Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe -Creative Director, Media Consultant, Freelance Journalist
- Anura Madhawa Jayasekara-Media Consultant,TeleDrama Director/Producer
- Ashoka Jayathunga-Journalist, Lankadeepa Newspaper
- Ramesh Warallegama – Journalist, Lakbima
- Prabath Kahaduwaarachchi – Derana, Swarnawahini
- Uvindu Illeperuma – Lakbima (English)
- Buddika Wickramadara - ITN
- Gayan Chinthaka Abeysinghe – Manager – News and Current Affairs - ITN, Lakhanda
- Sajeewa Wijeweera – Executive Producer, Sirasa TV – Managing Director, Mihinro (Pvt) Ltd. - Freelance journalist & Professional Wedding Photographer
- Madhawa Ganegoda – Senior Supervision Producer and Presenter, TVDerana
- Sanjaya Nallaperuma – Journalist, Lakbima
Industrialists and corporate executives
- Jayantha Karunaratne - Managing Director, Imperial Tea Exporters (Pvt) Limited
- I. W. Senanayake – Chairman, Sampath Bank/IWS Holdings
- Jayantha Wimalagooneratne - Chairman, George Stuerts Group of Companies.
- Mahinda Rajapaksha - Director & Chartered Engineer, DSI Group of Companies.
- Chandra Lal de Alwis - Chairman, Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce.
- Nimal Malindu Pathirana - Southern Group of Companies.
- Raja Nanayakkara - Nanayakkara Earth Movers.
- Ranjith Samaranayake - Director, Sampath Bank PLC
- U K Thilak de Silva - Managing Director, Laugfs Group of Companies.
- Deshabandu Albert Edirisinghe (now Ven. Ganegama Siri Devamittha Thero) – Philanthropist, Ex-Consul-General of the Kingdom of Nepal, Past President of World Buddhist Organization,Founder of Albert Edirisinghe Opticians & the Vision House, Colombo
- Deshabandu W.A. Wimaladharma - Proprietor of "Wimaladharma Brothers”, Colombo
- Takura Gunasinghe - Director/General Manager, Sun-up Laugfs Super Markets.
- Chandraratne Liyanage - Director, Ceylon Breweries Ltd.
- Kumar Samarasinghe - Diretor-Sales, Singer Sri Lanka,
- Punya Arambewela - Marketing Director at Lanka Property Sales & Marketing (Pvt) Ltd. - Director, Business Insights & Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.
- Hasitha Dissanayake - Director, IMPEX Consultants
- Chandimal Vithange – Creative Director, ICONN media ,Sera Idea Creation – Director Programme
Medicine
- Dr. Bandula Wijay (Wijayarathna) - Inventor of Angioplasty Balloon Catheters & Cardiac Stents
- Professor Saman Warnakulasuriya, OBE - Professor & Head of Oral Medicine, King's College, University of London, U.K. (Famous researcher in oral cancer)
- Dr. Anil Jasinghe - Director, South Colombo Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila
- Professor Saman Wimalasundara - Eye specialist and Head & Professor of Community Medicine Dept., Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
- Dr. Namal Gamage - Famous Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya
- Dr. W.A. Bernard De Silva - Former Director of Health
- Dr. W.G. Wimaladharma - Eminent Dental Surgeon in Sri Lanka
- Dr. Tharaka Kusaladarama - Eye specialist, Teaching Hospital - Karapitiya
- Dr. M.M.A.J. Kumara – Head, Surgery Dept. Medical Faculty, Ruhuna - Consultant Surgeon
- Dr. Vasantha Devasiri - Senior Lecturer, University of Ruhuna, Consultant Pediatrician
- Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema, Consultant physician, Mulleriyawa Hospital.
- Dr. M.B. de Silva Nanayakkara - Consultant Psychiatrist, National Health Service in Watford in North West London, U.K.
- Dr. Saman Nanayakkara, Consultant VOG, Nagoda Hospital, Kalutara.
- Dr. Laksiri Waidyaratne, Consultant JMO, Matale Hospital.
- Dr. Himashi Kularatne, Consutant Neuro Surgeon, National Hospital.
- Dr. M.M. Janapriya, Visiting Consultant Surgeon, National Hospital, Colombo
- Dr. Prasantha Gange, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist
- Dr. Dilshan Munidasa, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon
- Dr. Rukshan Sooriyarachchi, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle
- Dr. Nithya S Jayawickrama Former Conultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Glan Hefran NHS Trust UK. Presently Senior Consultant at Lanka Hospitals, Colombo 5
Judges
- Hon. Justice Dr. L. M. Jayaratne - Former eminent Supreme Court Judge in Sri Lanka, scholar, researcher and former Supreme Court Judge (Puisne Judge) in Fiji - Former Governor of the Southern Province
Diplomats
- Deshabandu D. P. Wijenarayana - Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Union of Myanmar (1982-1986) - Former Mayor of Galle
- Rupa Karunathilake - Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Netherlands (2002-2004)
Educationalists
- Henry Woodward Amarasuriya - Co-founder of Vidyaloka College, Galle - General Manager Buddhist Schools - Donated Amaragiri Walauwa in Unawatuna for a Teachers Training College, also donated Wilpita Watta at Akuressa to Mahinda College and later this land was acquired by the government and built the "Nilwala National College of Education" & gifted a library building to Visakha Vidyalaya.
- Albert Dias Jayasinha - Former Headmaster of Mahind College (1917 - 1936)
- Edgar Albert Wijesuriya - Former principal of Mahinda College from 1932 - 1962
- Mrs. R. N. Amarasinghe - Former Principal, Visakha Vidyalaya,Colombo
- Mrs. S. Wijetunghe - Former Provincial Director of Education, Former Principal, Sanghamittha College,Galle
- Dharama Gunasinghe - Former Principal, Nalanda College,Colombo (1982-1990)
- A.M. Liyanage - Former Principal, Rahula College, Matara
- J de S Jayasinghe - Former Head Master, St. Thomas' College, Guruthalawa
- Munidasa Wickramasinghe - Former Principal of Mahinda College & Former Director Of Education, Matara
- C.K. Weidyaratne - Former Principal of Mahinda College & Thelijjawila Central College
- D.D. Jayasundara - Former Principal of Mahinda College & Additional Director of Education
- Evan Ediriwira - First Principal of Moratu Vidyalaya, founder Principal of Gamini College, Bentota, Former Principal of the Central School (Sitawake Rajasingha Maha Vidyalaya), Hanwella, Central College, Passara & Central College (Sumangala Vidyalaya), Hikkaduwa.
- L.W.N. Labutale – Former Director of Education, North Central Province, Served as the Principal of the Central College of Anuradhapura, the first Buddhist Principal of Kingswood College, Kandy & finally at the Poramadulla Central College
- Chamath Denuwan Wijehewa- Early Childhood Care Specialist , Former Technical advisor for Ministry of Education -Southern Province
- S. Illeperuma - Deputy Principal, Advanced Level, Royal College, Colombo
Other prominent alumni
- Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne - Founder and president of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka - Peace activist
- Dr. A. P. de Zoysa - Social Reformer and Buddhist Scholar
- Henry Mahendrapala Amarasuriya - Founder of Sinhala Jatiya Newspaper
- Dr. Saman Weerasinghe - Advisor to H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa
- Dr. H. L. K. Caldera - Former mayor of Anuradhapura
- Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe - Veteran Stamp Designer of Sri Lanka Post