Central College (Anuradhapura)

Anuradhapura Central College is a mixed educational establishment in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura Central College is a national school, which provides secondary education.

History

Anuradhapura Central College which is considered as the heart of Anuradhapura is situated in a in Anuradhapura, the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was established on 21 July 1947 under the initiative of Mr. R.L.N. de. Zoyza in Rathmale area where the Rathmale Tissa Vidyalaya is situated today. It was established on 21 July 1947 to provide free education by Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara the Minister of Education at that time. It is among the first 54 Central Colleges. Mr. R L N de Zoysa was the first principal and there were only 7 teachers and 20 students in the school.

The school was later moved to its present location. School has been promoted to a National School in 1993 while under the leadership of the then principal Mr. E R Erathna. In 2014, Mr. H.M. Abeykoon is principal of the college and is supported by a staff of 190 teachers who guide a student population of 4800.

School traditions

The College motto is "Asamu Daramu Haesirmu", meaning "Harken Memorize Act" in Sinhala.

School song

"Namadimu baethi gee kusum puda" is the school song, which sings at the start of the school day and on important occasions.

Prefectorial system

In addition to the teachers, two categories prefects of senior students are entitled to maintain school discipline. Senior prefects are entitled to wear a silver badge on their uniform and dress in an white long-hand uniform.

• Senior Prefect: The most senior prefectorial group, who makes up the Prefects Council. Selected on academics, sports and extra-curricular achievements, they are appointed on a probationary basis after entering to the (GCE Advanced Level) classes. Of these only a handful are appointed as Senior Prefects. Their disciplinary powers extend to all students of the school. From amongst the Senior Prefects are chosen two Head Prefects (including a girl prefect and a boy prefect) to lead all prefects of the college and the Prefects' Top Board, which consists of two Head Prefect (HP), and eight Deputy Head Prefects (DHP).
• Junior Prefect: selected from students in grade 8, 9, 10 and 11 (grade 10 and 11, until 2006), their disciplinary powers are limited to the students of their own grades and below grades.

Sports

Sports mostly played at Central College (Anuradhapura) includes;

• Athletics
• Cricket
• Football
• Volleyball
• Netball
• Rugger
• Karate
• Chess
• Hockey
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Table Tennis

Houses

The students are divided among four houses. The houses were named with the four great arahant thero of Buddhism. An annual track-and-field tournament among these houses is held at the beginning of the first term.

• Ananda

Colour -      Green

• Mahinda

Colour -      Blue

• Seewali

Colour -      Red

• Rahula

Colour -      Yellow

Notable alumni

Anuradhapura Central College has produced graduates in many fields such as engineering, medicine, law, politics, education, administration, mass-media and in many entertainment fields, including:

• Ran Banda Seneviratne - lawyer, author, lyricist, television and radio presenter.
• Duminda Dissanayake - Cabinet Minister of Education Services, former Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development
• Shirani Bandaranayake, 43rd Chief Justice of Sri Lanka^[1]

References

External links and sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Central College (Anuradhapura).

Official Web Site

Anuradhapura Secred City