St. Mary's College, Chilaw is one of the oldest English educational institutes of past Ceylon. St. Mary's College is a provincial school, which provides secondary education.

History

St. Mary's College, Chilaw was established as St. Mary's English School. It was founded in the premises of G. S. Perera at Jetty Street Chilaw. In 1905 the school was shifted to the Queen Victoria Memorial Hall, which was situated near the cathedral of Chilaw. On 1 May 1933, the college handed over the administration to the De La Salle brothers and shifted to the current location, its first director was Rev. Bro. Caesar Albert. It was a mixed school of girls and boys where the former principals were Rev. Father Joseph David Fernando and J. Robert Fernando who were attached to community of Oblates Mary immaculate. Messrs Len Karunaratne, Peter Lawrence Perera, A. G. Cambal and Roach were former head masters. Sinhala, Tamil, English languages which were converted to multilingual medium college on 1 May 1933, handed over the administration to the De La Salle brothers and its first director was Rev. Bro. Caesar Albert.

The college today

The college provides education to 2,500 students from grade 6 to grade 13. It is governed by the

Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw (Lat: ''Dioecesis Chilavensis'') is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Erected as the Diocese of Galle in 1939, the diocese is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Colombo. In 1 ...

and the provincial Government.

College crest

* Ocean * Shining Star * AM (Ave Maria) * Motto - "Potest Qvi Vult" The shining star, also known as the ocean star, symbolises Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

College houses

* De Costa House * Camillus House * Robert House * De La Salle House

Past principals (rectors)

Diamond jubilee

Celebration of 75 years since its inception was celebrated on September 17, 2008. The college was founded and formed under the mantle of De La Salle Christian Brothers on 17 September 1933. St. Mary’s College began with a group of three Christian Brothers of the Order of De La Salle. Valence Mendis,

Bishop of Chilaw The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw (Lat: ''Dioecesis Chilavensis'') is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Erected as the Diocese of Galle in 1939, the diocese is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Colombo. In 1 ...

and

Frank Marcus Fernando Frank Marcus Fernando ( Sinhala: ෆ්‍රෑන්ක් මාකස් ප්‍රනාන්දු) (October 19, 1931 – August 24, 2009) was the Sri Lankan bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw in Sri Lanka. Fernando served as t ...

, Bishop Emeritus were co-celebrants of Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Chilaw on 17 September, followed by a procession to the venue at St. Mary’s College where a meeting was held with the guests, students, parents and well-wishers.

References

Diamond Jubilee of St. Mary’s College, Chilaw

Fraternal battle in Chilaw
Derivation
''De La Salle Brothers of Ceylon – Part 2 ( 1919-1961 )''
''By Bro. Michael Robert.''
''Old Boys Association of St.Mary's College, Chilaw'' {{Authority control Educational institutions established in 1933 Catholic schools in Sri Lanka Boys' schools in Sri Lanka Schools in Puttalam District 1933 establishments in Ceylon