Vidyartha College,
OBA Colombo Branch |
The reputation of a school depends mainly either on its physical resources or its teachers and students or educational standards or extracurricular activities and sports. There are however very few schools which could boast of a mix of all the said qualities. Vidyartha College Kandy is proud to be in this category, while inheriting a rich heritage of excellence in the past 65 years of its existence. The school came into being as a result of the Buddhist hierarchy in Kandy deciding to purchase the buildings of the former Kings College which closed. At this time Dharmarajah College was the only Buddhist school in Kandy in addition to a few Catholic institutions. The primary intention of the Buddhist hierarchy was to establish a second Buddhist school in Kandy . We respectfully remember the untiring efforts of the Buddhist leadership in Kandy of the likes of Sir. T.B.Panabokke Adigar, former President of the Senate, Hon: A. Ratnayake and Mr. M.B. Kulugammana who made this a reality.
The College when first established had only a few buildings with Mr. GDA. Abeyratna as its first Principal assisted by a staff of 08 teachers. Presently there are nearly 3,000 students receiving their education in the College, with a teaching staff of around 150. The College has an enviable reputation not only in the academic fields but also in sports activities as well. The College boasts of several Vidyarthians who have represented Sri Lanka in Rugby , Football, Hockey, Boxing and Table Tennis. The College reached its peak during these 65 years which excelling in all aspects of academic and sports achievements.
Thousands of old boys who have passed out from the school since its inception have continually extended their fullest assistance to the school as brothers of one family. They have proved to be a great strength in maintaining the high standards of the school. When the past history of Vidyartha is examined, it shows that the OBA. has been the main instrument for the bond of fellowship between the old boys.
The President of the mother OBA. in Kandy is the present Mayor of Kandy, His worship L.B. Aluvihare. In addition to the mother association, a Colombo branch was formed 20 years ago in 1987 by D.I.G C.K.Gajanayake who was its first President, while the writer was the Hony. Secretary. The creation of the Colombo branch gave an opportunity to old boys resident in Colombo and its suburbs and many others who were employed or otherwise engaged in activities in Colombo , to meet each other and renew old friendships. Major-General H.M.N. Krishnaratne RSP USP (Rtd) is the incumbent President of the Colombo branch while Mr. Ranjith Weeerasinghe functions as the Honorary Secretary. The OBA Colombo Branch holds an annual Get-together which is extremely popular among the old boys and their families as they eagerly await this occation. This year the-Get together will be held on 29th December from 7.30 p.m. onwards at the Taj Samudra Hotel at Galle Face. A distinguished sportsman of the collage Mr. YGR.M. Lafir Deputy Inspector General of Police & Mrs. Lafir will be the chief guests at this function. The committee of the OBA Colombo branch wishes to remind the old boys to attend the Get-together with their family members as before & make it both a colorful & unforgettable occasion for all.
|
