History
The school was founded in 1838 by the Diocese of Ceylon as Kottanchina Seminary. St. Benedict's College, the oldest Roman Catholic school in Sri Lanka, was inaugurated in 1865 by Silvestro Benedictine monks. The school consisted of a few classrooms and small staff at first. In 1868, theAdministration
The college is currently led by Rev. Bro. Pubudu Rajapakshe. It enrolls approximately 2,400 students with a staff of over 200 teachers. Students range from Grade 1 to Grade 13 (seeCampus
The premises are adjacent to St. Lucia's Cathedral. The Main Building, the Reverend Brothers Luke, Alexander, and James Memorial Buildings, the Reverrend Brother Granville Perera Aquatic Centre, The Main Hall Building, and Longstanding Clock Tower (built during the English Colonial Era) complete the College. Academic facilities are provided throughout the college in combination with co-curricular and extra-curricular facilities. The college prefects' board consists of 50 students who are selected for their all-around performance and contributions towards the college. The prefects make themselves available for many activities such as special events, occasions, general assemblies, and day-to-day discipline. The college section consists of the main hall, buildings named after Reverend Brother James, Reverend Brother. Alexander and Reverend Brother Luke, a library, three computer laboratories, a lecture hall, physics, biology, and chemistry laboratories, three music and art rooms, and a language centre.Primary
The primary is physically separated from the college section headed by Rev. Bro. Praveen Vaaz. The 60-member staff provides education to around 1000 students in fields of the academy, sports arts, and music. The primary section consists of two main buildings with up to 40 classes, a library, language unit, computer laboratory, music hall, basketball court and arts room. The primary prefects board consists of 20 prefects who attend all school occasions and discipline the younger students. Additionally, the Primary students are given opportunities to participate in scouting, choir and sports.Sports
Since opening in 1865, St, Benedict's has actively participated in island sports; especially football, basketball, hockey and cricket and have been national champions for all four of these sports. The College had the All-Island Champion Cricket team in 1964/65 and was the first school to introduce rugby to the educational sector in the country. It became All-Island Athletic Champion in 2008, All-Island Football Champion in 2006, 2007, and 2008, All-Island Basketball Champion in 2006 & 2009 and All-Island Hockey Champion in 2007. The College owns a Gymnasium and a Sports-Hostel. The grounds on Bloemendhal Road consist of cricket pitches and turf, rugby fields, football fields, hockey facilities, and provides facilities for other various athletics. Within college premises, the college has two basketball courts; one of which is lit for night games. A swimming pool with viewing facilities was added in 2010. St. Benedict's Primary is the first primary section of a school in the country to have its own basketball court. It offers table tennis in addition to the main sports of cricket, tennis, and swimming.Old Boys
The Old Boys of St. Benedict's College, an organisation of former students, have played a role in the affairs and ventures of the college since 1904. The Loyal Old Bens have been instrumental in projects, functions and special events.Notable alumini
See also
* :Alumni of St. Benedict's College, ColomboReferences
External links