''විද්යා භූෂනං පුරුෂ භූෂනම්''
''Vidya Bhūshanam Purusha Bhūshanam''
, motto_translation = Science is the jewel of man
, location = Negombo Rd, Kurunegala
, city =
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, fr ...
, country = Sri Lanka
, coordinates =
, type =
National
National may refer to:
Common uses
* Nation or country
** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen
Places in the United States
* National, Maryland, c ...
, established =
, founder =
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
Henry Steel Olcott
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (2 August 1832 – 17 February 1907) was an American military officer, journalist, lawyer, Freemason and the co-founder and first president of the Theosophical Society.
Olcott was the first well-known American of Euro ...
, principal = Wasantha Ranjith Jayasundara
, grades = 1–13
, gender = Boys
, age_range = 6 to 19
, enrollment = 5169
, affiliation =
Buddhist
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
, colors = Navy blue, golden yellow and maroon
, alumni =
Old Devans
, website =
![H](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/H.S._Olcott-portrait-300.jpg)
Maliyadeva College (
Sinhala: මලියදේව විද්යාලය) is a national school controlled by the Sri Lankan central government. It is located in
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, fr ...
,
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
, and was established in 1888 by the
Buddhist Theosophical Society, led by
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (2 August 1832 – 17 February 1907) was an American military officer, journalist, lawyer, Freemason and the co-founder and first president of the Theosophical Society.
Olcott was the first well-known American of Euro ...
. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools. Today, the school accommodates 5,000 students. The term "
Devans" is used to refer to the former and present pupils of Maliyadeva College.
College name
The school is referred to as Maliyadeva College or simply as Maliyadeva. Local newspapers also refer to it as the Maliyadeva Boys' College. The school was named Maliyadeva College after
Arhat Maliyadeva, the last
Maha Arhat thero in Buddhist history who had great psychic powers (''Abhijnanalabhi'':
in Sinhala:අභිඥ්ඥාලාභී). Although there are several schools, especially in this part of the island, that have adopted the name Maliyadeva, none have links to Maliyadeva College other than the
Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, which was separated in 1946 from the previously mixed Maliyadeva College as an institution for girls.
History
In June 1888, a new school with one student was opened at a place in Bodhiraja Mawatha near the present Central Bus Stand in Kurunegala, by Semenaries A. Bamunu-Arachchige. He was a young ''Maha-Vidane'' (
Vidane Arachchi Vidane Arachchi was an influential post (ranked above an Vidane but below a Muhandiram) in the native headmen system in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the colonial era. Appointed by the Government Agent, the holder had much control over the people of ...
) who had been put in charge of four villages by Maha-Mudaliyar Bandaranaike and Colonel
Henry Steel Olcott
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (2 August 1832 – 17 February 1907) was an American military officer, journalist, lawyer, Freemason and the co-founder and first president of the Theosophical Society.
Olcott was the first well-known American of Euro ...
. He was assisted by local donors, Hulugalle,Adikaram and
Mudaliyar
Thuluva Vellalar (Thondamandala Tuluva Vellalar), also known as Agamudaya Mudaliars and Arcot Mudaliars, is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka, India. They were originally significant lando ...
Attygala. The school was named ''Kurunegala Buddhist Institution''.
By 1908, the number of students had risen to one hundred, still under the leadership of Maha-Vidane Semenaries. In 1909, the school was moved to a new premises at a
Buddhist
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
Temple, Ethkanda Viharaya, along the
Kandy
Kandy ( si, මහනුවර ''Mahanuwara'', ; ta, கண்டி Kandy, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills ...
–
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, fr ...
main road. This decision was made by the Mudaliyar Bandaranaike and Maha Vidane Semenaries.
In 1922, the school's management was changed from the
Buddhist Theosophical Society to the YMBA (Young Men's Buddhist Association). Dr. H.K.T. De Zylva became the new manager.
The school was still governed by B.A Semenaries who, being a Maha-Vidane, had the power to change anything if given permission by the Mudaliyar of the province. In late 1927, Maha-Vidane Semenaries changed the school's name to Maliyadeva College. B.A. Semenaries retired from governing the school in 1931 and, after forty-three years as Maha-Vidane, he gave the position to Bandaranaike's son, the future prime minister of Ceylon. Before leaving, Maha-Vidane Semeneries appointed U.B. Wanninayaka (who later became a politician and government minister) as the principal in 1930 and abolished the manager system. Sir Henry Olcott died in 1907. Maha-Vidane Semenaries died in June 1945.
In 1934, a batch of students from the Maliyadeva College appeared for the SSC Examination (equivalent to current
GCE) for the first time.
By 1936, the premises at Ethkanda Viharaya were not big enough. Former governor Maha-Vidane Semenaries and Mudaliyar Bandaranaike, who was on his last term, gave the order for the school to be moved to its current location along the Negombo - Kurunegala road. The land was owned by Madawala Disawa and was bought by H.K.T. De Zylva.
P. De S. Kularatne was appointed as the manager in 1941. He changed the status of the school into a mixed school.
Due to the Second World War, the school buildings and land were taken over by the Army in 1942. The school had to be shifted back to its previous location at Ethkanda Viharaya. By then, the number of students had increased to over three hundred and sixty.
The primary section of the school was moved to a new location along the
Colombo
Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo me ...
–
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, fr ...
road in 1944. This later became the
Maliyadeva Girls' College
Maliyadeva Girls' College ( Sinhala: මලියදේව බාලිකා විද්යාලය) is a national Buddhist school in Sri Lanka situated in Kurunegala.
History
Maliyadeva Girls' College was founded on 1 July 1946 by tw ...
.
In 1946, the school was handed back to the YMBA by the army. Only the boys were moved back, and the
Maliyadeva Girls' College
Maliyadeva Girls' College ( Sinhala: මලියදේව බාලිකා විද්යාලය) is a national Buddhist school in Sri Lanka situated in Kurunegala.
History
Maliyadeva Girls' College was founded on 1 July 1946 by tw ...
began functioning as a separate school. In the same year, Maliyadeva College became a Government assisted school. The number of students had increased to 800.
In 1949, the school was upgraded to the status of a Grade 1 school. University Entrance (Arts) and SSC (equivalent to current GCE) Science classes began and D.B. Dissanayaka was appointed as the vice-principal during this year.
In 1951, students appeared for the University Entrance (Arts) and SSC (Science) Examinations for the first time. T. B. H. Abeysinghe was the first student to enter the University from Maliyadeva College. Later, Abeysinghe rose to the position of professor of history.
University Entrance (science) classes were commenced in 1953. Wanigasekara was the first graduate science teacher appointed to the school. In 1955, A. P. K. Thilakarathna was the first student who passed the SSC (Science) Examinations for the first time.
According to the Education Policy of the incumbent government, the status of the school changed from government-assisted school to a government school in 1961 during the take over of all assisted schools. The YMBA handed the school over to the Ministry of Education.
Maliyadeva had won the all-island awards in oriental music and orchestra competitions for many years consecutively. 1979 saw an end of an era as D.B. Dissanayake retired after serving the school for fourteen years as the principal. By 1985, the number of students had risen to 3000. The school was upgraded to the status of a National School by the Ministry of Education under the reorganization of schools.
Religious background
![Shrine inside](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Shrine_inside.jpg)
Maliyadeva College is unique in having a Buddhist temple in the school itself. The discipline and ethics of the students are largely directed by the college temple.
The school Buddhist Association was established in 1961. Before that, an association called Buddhist Kathakodhaya Association was commenced with the leadership of Ven. Ibbagala Rajamaha Viharadhipathi Nakaththe Anandha Thera and U. B. Wanninayake. After that, the school became the headquarters of Buddhists in this area. Therefore, Regional Buddhist Association was commenced with the leadership of Maliyadeva College Buddhist Association. The first shrine was built in 1939.
Today, Buddhist Association is the base of ethics and religious activities in school. All students are members of the association. It organizes religious activities throughout the year, such as annual Katina Pinkama(
කඨින චීවර පූජාව), annual Parithrana Dharmadeshanawa, annual Sangagatha Dakshinawa, Pirith Pinkam and Buddhist Pageants.
Facilities
Facilities include playgrounds, auditorium, swimming pool, basketball court, Indoor stadium, children's parks, computer labs, medical and dental centers, two-storied shrine for Buddhist monks, gymnasium, library, botanical, zoological, physical and chemical labs, hostel, canteens, co-operative shops, milk bar and transport services.
Crest
The college crest is one of the identities of Maliyadeva College. It is designed with meaningful symbols. Every student wears a uniform with the badge stitched on their pocket, while the prefects wear an additional metal badge resembling the school crest on the center of their chest.
![Maliyadeva College flag](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Maliyadeva_College_flag.png)
* The shield shape of the college crest emphasizes the power and the courage of the school.
* On a symmetrically twined ribbon of maroon color, the name of the college is carved.
* The tusker in the middle represents ''Athugalpura'', an old name for
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, fr ...
, the city where the college is located.
* The three lotus flowers symbolize the ''
Triple Gem
In Buddhism, refuge or taking refuge refers to a religious practice, which often includes a prayer or recitation performed at the beginning of the day or of a practice session. Since the period of Early Buddhism until present time, all Theravad ...
.''
* The seven petals in each flower stand for ''Sath Koralaya'', which is what the area was called during the monarchical era.
* On top of the shield, ''Vidya Bhushanam Purusha Bhushanam'' is engraved in ''
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
''. This is the motto of Maliyadeva College, which means ''Knowledge is the Jewel of the Man''.
Houses
The students are divided into four
houses
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...
according to their admission numbers. The house names are derived from the past kings of Sri Lanka.
* – Thissa
In honour of
King Devanampiya Thissa.
* – Gemunu
In honour of
King Dutugemunu
Dutugamunu the Great (, , also spelled as ''Dutthagamani''), also known as Dutthagamani Abhaya ("fearless Gamini"), was the greatest king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC. He is renowned for reuniting the whole island ...
.
* – Parakrama
In honour of
King Parakramabahu.
* – Rajasinha
In honour of
King Rajasinha.
The four houses compete in the annual inter-house sports meeting which is usually held in the first term of the academic year.
Old Boys' Association
On 13 July 1936, Rev. Nakette Ananda gathered a number of old boys of the school to initiate an Old Boys Association. Under the chairmanship of the principal,
U. B. Wanninayake, a decision was made to build a ''Sanghawasaya'' (A place for the monks to live) for the school. Ananda was appointed as the patron, and Wanninayake as the association's president. Other officials elected were H. W. Gunasekara as secretary and E. S. Balasuriya as treasurer. Since that date, a president is elected by members at each
annual general meeting.
About OBA
at official website
Past principals
Notable alumni
Former students of Maliyadeva College are known as Old Devans.
References
External links
Maliyadeva College official Facebook page
Maliyadeva College Advance Level(A/L) Biology and Mathematics Batch of 2015
School tribute song (done by OBA '98 group)
A/L best results in Island 2015
* Maliyadeva College Sinhala Wikipedia Page
Maliyadeva Scout Group Wikipedia Page
{{Education in Sri Lanka
1888 establishments in Ceylon
Boys' schools in Sri Lanka
Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka
Educational institutions established in 1888
National schools in Sri Lanka
Schools in Kurunegala