Ananda College

Ananda College
Location
Colombo Sri Lanka
Information
Type	Public
Motto	Appamdho Amathapadhan (Buddhist quote from the Apramadha Vagga in the Dhammapada. Meaning: "Heedfulness, punctuality leads nirvana.")
Established	1886
Principal	B.A Aberathne
Color(s)	Maroon and Gold
Affiliation	Buddhist
Website	http://www.anandacollege.lk/

Ananda College, Colombo was established in November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools and considered by many to be the leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka. Ananda College is a National School, which provides primary and secondary education.

History

Colonel H.S. Olcott, founder of Ananda College

Ananda College was established by the Buddhist Theosophical Society. Originally it was known as English Buddhist School, describing its stated intention of providing English instruction to Buddhist students who would otherwise have had to go to a missionary school in order to get an English education.

The school opened on 1 November 1886 with 37 students in a private house at No. 61 Maliban Street, Pettah. Mr. C. W. Leadbeater was the principal. In August, 1889, the school moved to a more spacious place at No. 19 Prince Street. In 1895, it was relocated to Maradana, the period of A.E. Buultjens and was named after Arahant Ananda, the most devoted disciple of the Buddha.

Memorable Events

A memorable event in the school's history was the visit of Asia's first Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, on 10 November 1922, as chief guest at the annual prize giving. He declared on that occasion: "I acknowledge that the life of Ananda is its humility and unassuming nature." Mahatma Gandhi visited Ananda in 1927.

Ananda College today

Today Ananda College stands to be one of the greatest Buddhist schools in Asia, with a student population exceeding 6,000 in all 13 grades of secondary education on a campus of more than 20 acres. The academic staff of more than 200 is led by Principal B.A. Abeyaratne. Ananda has produced notable alumni. These include statesmen such as Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and former United National Party deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, and famous cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga and Marvan Atapattu.

History of Ananda College

1881 January 1: The inheritance of the Sinhalese Buddhist "Sarasavi Sandaresa"

1881 February 8: The arrival of Col. Olcott at dharmopakari society maradana colombo.

1885 May 29: The arrival of C. W. Leadbeater at "Sarasavi Sandaresa".

1886 October 22: An English-Buddhist hall is established.

1886 October 23: A meeting of the Buddhist public was held at pettah under the patronage of Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera.

1886 November 1: An English-Buddhist school was inaugurated at No. 61 Maliban Street. •C. W. Leadbeater becomes the first principal of "Ananda today". •37 students attended the first session •Mr. C.W. Leadbeater inaugurated Sunday schools for the teaching of Buddhism to the schoolteachers.

1889 January 16: The first prize giving was conducted by Olcott. Submitting school registration applications initiates.

1889 March: The registration of the English-Buddhist school, where there were 120 students. Bath and Oliver Jams graduate from the Madras University and join the teaching staff.

1889 May 27: The first examination is held. The proceeds of the examination amounted to Rs. 359.50.

1889 August: The shifting of the English-Buddhist school from No. 61 Maliban Street to a more spacious premises at No. 19 Prince Street.

1889 December: The first Anandian to pass the Cambridge junior examination was J.P.R. Weerasuriya.

1890: A.E. Buultjens assigned as principal. D.A. Wittachi was the acting principal until Buultjens accepted the position.

1890 March 1: Due to the agitation of a Catholic school's principal saying the transfer was against the educational constitution, the English-Buddhist school shifts its position from No. 19 Prince Street to No. 54 Maliban Street.

1890 October: The second prize giving is conducted by Olcott at No. 54 Maliban Street.

1891 November: C.C. Jayatissa, who was Anandian, was the first Sri Lankan to pass the Cambridge junior examination in the German language.

1892 September: Student enrollment reaches 200.

1893 November: A building fund is inaugurated.

1892-1895: Sri Sumangala Thera held the post of manager.

1894: The student population rose to 270.

1894 January 1: Mudliyar Tudor Rajapaksha donated 3.2 acres (13,000 m²) of land from Paranawadiya to the college.

1895 August 17: The school known as the Pettah English-Buddhist school was renamed Ananda College at Paranawadiya.

Clubs and Societies

• Adventure Club
• Anandians Astronomical Association
• Archaeological Society
• Architects' Society
• Astronomical Society
• Aviation Society
• Buddhist Association
• Broadcasting Unit
• Commerce Society
• Debaters' Council
• Discussion Forum
• English Drama Society
• English Literary Association
• Environment Conservation Society
• Film Society
• Historical Society
• Information and Communication Technology Society
• Interact Club
• Junior Sinahala Literary Association
• Leo Club
• Mathematics Society
• Music circle
• National Savings Bank
• Oriental Music Society
• Photography Society
• Political Science Society
• Quiz Club
• Red Cross Society
• Science Association
• Scrabble Club
• Senior Brass Band
• Seylan Bank
• Sinhala Literary Association
• SIPSA
• Social Services League
• Traffic Unit
• United Nations Club
• Western Music Society
• Wildlife Protection Society
• Young Biologist's Society
• Young Inventor's Society
• Young Zoologists Association
• Youth Services Association

Sports

Houses

All the students of the Ananda College are divided into four houses. These are:

• Vijaya
• Parakrama
• Asoka
• Gamunu

These houses are named after well-admired ancient Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka. An annual athletic tournament among these houses is held once a year in the beginning of the first term.

Battle of the Maroons

Battle of the Maroons is the annual cricket contest between Ananda College and Nalanda College. "Ananda has a great Cricketing history"

Sport clubs

• Athletics
• Rowing
• Swimming
• Cricket
• Chess
• Football
• Basketball

• Badminton
• Tennis
• Hockey
• Scouting
• Squash
• Baseball
• Volleyball

• Wushu
• Karate
• Gymnastics
• Table Tennis
• Rugby

School Anthem

Dina dina kitu gosa boovii - Vaejambenu ananda pa maataa//
Sudilii - Jayavii - Lovehii
Saadaa diilaa Sipsata haa - Kala da vinee da pahadaa//
Editara Sinhala daru kela sadalaa//
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii - Vaejambenu ananda pa maataa//
Lakehii boo anandee paturaa
Anada terun see loo vaeda salasaa//
Peevii seevee nisaa veseevaa
Pamaada novemuu tiloona desusee//
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii - Vaejambenu ananda pa maataa// Media:http://www.anandacollege.lk/clubs/Dina.mp3

School Song

Anandai anandai anande ada anandai // Samma sambudu sugatha thatgatha samudu pilimaya abiyasadee Kelesun Duruwee Athyugalesadee - Anandai

Silgath thani sudu nelum kusum lesa , pehedi,pibidi pirisindu wee Munidun namadimu ath yuga hisadee Anandai Anandai Anande ada anandai // Media:http://www.anandacollege.lk/clubs/anan.mp3

Medals & Trophys

Fritz Kunz Memorial Trophy

Distinguished Old Boys

• Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, MP 14th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (November 21, 2005-Present)
• N.M. Perera, Founder & Leader of LSSP & Minister Of Finance
• Tudor Gunasekara, former Member of Parliament for Mahara Electorate, District Minister for Gampaha and the first Sri Lanka Ambassador to Poland, Bulgaria and Rumania
• Muhandiram Thomas Amarasuriya, Former President of the Senate
• Stanley Thilakaratne, Former Speaker of The National Assembly
• Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Presidential Advisor & MP
• Phillip Gunawardana, Former Minister & Founder of MEP
• Rohitha Bogollagama, Honorary minister Of Foreign Affairs.
• Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, former minister of Mass Communication
• Anura Pradeep Hapangama, former Member of Parliament
• Dr Ananda Tissa De Alwis, former speaker and minister of Media
• D.P. Atapattu, M.P. for Beliatte, Secretary to the Minister of State, 1965-70
• Dharmasiri Senanayaka, former Minister of Tourism & Media
• Baratha Lakshman Premachandra, former MP of Colombo District
• Weerasinghe Mallimarachchi, former Late MP of Kolonnawa
• Dr. Rajitha Senartne, Minster of Construction
• Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Cabinet Minister (science and technology), professor of microbiology and leader of the LSSP
• Bernard Soyza, former Minster of science and technology; prominent leftist leader.
• Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Transport
• Hon. Lakshman Jayakody, Former Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister & Presidential Advisor
• Dr I M R A Iriyagolla, former minister of education
• Ossie Abeygunasekara, former leader of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party
• Rohitha Abeygunwardena, honorary minster of Nation Building.
• Suranimala Rajapakse, former minister of transport
• Rathnasiri Rajapakse, former mayor of Colombo
• Ranjith Madduma Bandara, member of Parliament
• Sanjeewa Kaviratne, former member of Parliament
• Raja Collure, general secretary of Sri Lanka Communist Party
• Lakxman Wijemanne, member of Parliament
• Achala Jagoda, member of Parliament
• Bimal Ratnayake, member of Parliament
• Henry Amarasuriya, former member of Parliament
• T B Subasibghe, former minister of education
• V A Sugathadasa, former minister of sports
• Jayaweera Kuruppu, former member of Parliament
• Thilak Karunaratne, former MP and founder of “Sihala Urumaya”

• W.S.Karunaratne, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States of America and Mexico, Professor of Buddhist Philosophy and Comparative Religion, Dean Faculty of Arts and Member of the Board of Regents of the University of Sri Lanka.

• General Hamilton Wanasingha, Commander of the Army (16 August 1988-15 November 1991)
• General Rohan De S Daluwatta, Commander of the Army (1 May 1996-15 December 1998 )
• General Lional Balagalle, Commander of the Army (25 August 2000-30 June 2004)
• Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Army
• Major General Jagath Dias, Commander of the 57th Division of the Sri Lanka Army
• Majaor Genaral Chagi Gallage, Former Commander of the 58th Division of the Sri Lanka Army, Director Training SLA
• Major General Kamal Gunarathna, Commander of the 53rd Division of the Sri Lanka Army
• Brigadier Prasanna Silva, Commander of the 55th Division of the Sri Lanka Army
• Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Navy
• Lt. Col. (Retired) Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary
• Rear Admiral, Sarath Rathnakeerthi, former Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy.
• Rear Admiral, Sarath Weerasekara, commanding officer, Home Guard Services
• Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi,Former Army Chief of Staff & Present Sri Lankan Ambassador to Indonesia.
• Rear Admiral Jayantha Hettigama, Director, Naval Electrical and Electronics
• Mahinda Balasuriya, senior DIG

• Sam Wijesinghe, Secretary General of Parliament 1977
• D.J. Wimalasurendra, hydro-electricity engineer in Sri Lanka
• Ananda Wijesooriya, Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation
• A.S.Jayawardena, Governor of Central Bank
• Dr. H.T. Wickramasinghe, former Head of Pediatrics, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital
• D B Rampala, engineer; former GM of Ceylon Railways.
• Warnasena Rasaputhra, former Central Bank governor
• Dr. Nandadeva Wijesekara, Commissioner of Official Languages
• Prof. Harendra De Silva, former chairman of National Child Protection Authority
• Prof. Ravindra Fernando, former president of Sri Lanka Medical Council
• Anusha Pelpita, Government News director
• Gunasena De Zoysa, former civil servant
• GPA Silva, former Chief Justice
• Dr. Thilokasundari Kariyawasam,Former Chairman NIE & UGC
• Dr. Anura Deepa Senayake, Director of Infectious Disease Hospital, Sri Lanka
• W B Makuloluwa, former director of education

• Ana Punchihewa, former CEO, Pure Beverages Ceylon and Ex-President of BCCSL
• Upali Dharmadasa, Joint Deputy Chairman, Nawaloka Group and Ex-President of BCCSL
• Thilan Wijesingha, former Chief of BOI & CEO of Forbes & Walkers.
• Moksevi Prelis, director of Dialog Telekom banker
• JJ Amabani, chairman, Metropolitan Group
• Ashok Pathirage, chairman and CEO, Softlogic Holdings
• Dr. Gamini Wickremasinghe, MD, Informatics Group
• Dr. Dileepa De Silva, IT management consultant, former chairman of British Computer Society Sri Lanka Section
• Upali Sunil Arambewale, former additional director general-SLRC, CEO Isura FM, head of Transmission Technologies and Spectrum, ABU
• Kumar Jayasuriya, Chairman, James Finlay & Co. Ltd
• Patrick Amarasinghe, President, Ceylon Chamber of Exporters
• Deva Rodrigo, former president, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
• Thilak De Silva, managing director, Laughf Holdings
• Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Former CEO, Sri Lanka Insurance
• Dinesh Ambani, deputy chairman, Suntel & Chairman, Metrocorp Group.
• Bandula Padmakumara, chairman, Lake House; journalist
• Ranapala Bodhinagoda, former chairman, Lake House.
• Mohan Pandithage, deputy chairman, Hayleys Group.
• Ranjitha Pandithage, chairman and CEO, DIMO Ltd
• Deepal Sooriyarachchi, managing director, Eagle Insurance
• Yasasiri Kasthuriarchchi, chairman, Yashoda Holdings
• Daya DK Gamage, chairman, Daya Group of Companies
• Yasantha Kodagoda, Assistant Solicitor General
• Kinglsly Ratnayake, director, MBC Networks
• Nimal Lakshapathiarchchi, former DG of SLRC & MBC Network
• Jagath Sumathipala, director, Sumathi Group of Companies
• Mohan Lal Grero, chairman, Lyceum Group of Companies
• Siri Andrahennadi, former deputy chairman of committees
• Dr. Ranjith Cabraal, former CEO of Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka
• Lakshman Liyanage, chairman, Tourism and Hospitality Management Organization in UK
• Sudarshan Senaratne, former president of CIMA Sri Lanka
• Fadhil Bakeer Markar, General Secretary (President), London School of Economics and Political Science Students' Union
• Channa Palansooriya, CEO, Orit Holdings
• Athula Senanayake, chairman Don Stanleys
• Upali Madanyake, chairman, ACL Cables Group
• Thilak Godamanne, chairman, Nine Hearts Group
• Asanga Abeygunasekara, chairman, Fisheries Harbour Corporation
• Gamini Gunawardena, executive director, Golden Key Group
• Jayampathi Sumithrarachchi, former president, Sri Lanka Printers Association
• Daya Hettiarchchi, chairman and CEO Open Arc Systems
• Diresh Hettiarchchi, Chairman and CEO Wonderlight Consumer Products

• Prof. J B Dissanayake, ambassador to Thailand; language specialist.
• Upali Gunasekara, principal of Royal College
• L D H Peiris, former principal of Royal College
• Col. G. W Rajapakse, former principal of Ananda College, Colombo 10.
• L.H. Meththananda, inaugural principal of Nalanda College, Colombo 10.
• D.G Sumanasekera Former principal of Nalanda College, Mahanama College, & Founder of Vidura Vidyalaya
• Sugathada Athukorale, former principal of Nalanada College
• Dharma Gunasinghe, former principal of Nalanda College

• Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sri Lanka cricket captain
• Marvan Atapattu, former Sri Lanka cricket captain
• Sidath Wettimuny, former Sri Lankan Opening Batsman.
• Sunil Wettimuny, former Sri Lankan Opening Batsman.
• Mithra Wettimuny, former Sri Lankan Opening Batsman.
• Asoka Jayasena, former Sri Lanka Rugby captain

• Thilan Samaraweera, Sri Lankan cricketer
• Dulip Samaraweera, Sri Lankan cricketer
• Avishka Gunawardena, Sri Lankan cricketer
• Premakeerthi De Alwis, composer and narrator
• Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara, prominent lyricist
• Kularatne Ariyawansa, composer
• Brendon Kuruppu, former Sri Lanka cricketer
• Bathiya Jayakody, musician
• Salinda Rathugama,Architect
• Lucky Dias, T.V. and film actor
• Gomin Dayasiri, senior presidential councilor.
• D.A. Ranasinghe
• P. Yasith de Silva, Lord Mountbatten Bravery Award Winner
• KAW Perera,Film Director, Producer
• Titus Totawatte, Film Director
• Chandra Jayaratne, Prominent Businessman.

• Agga Maha Panditha Rev. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero
• Meemana Premathilaka, poet
• Dr. Tarzi Vittachi, former deputy executive director UNESCO
• Prof. D E Hettiarchchi

• Dr. Asoka Mendis
• Dr. D B Nihalsinghe, filmmaker
• Rev. Dr. Parawahera Vajiragnana Thero
• Aggamaha Panditha Polwatte Buddhadatta Thero
• Rienzie Wijeratne
• D C Ranatunga, journalist
• Elmo Gunaratne, journalist
• S Suabsinghe, journalist
• George Lesley Ranasinghe, journalist
• Premil Ratnayake, journalist
• Sumitta Amarasinghe, journalist
• E A P Edirisinghe, founder of EAP Group of Companies
• Bandara Wijetunga
• Doltan Alwis, accomplished lyricist
• Ananda Jayaratne, film actor
• Asoka Ponnamperuma, film actor
• Wijeratne Warakagoda, film actor
• Prof S S Kakulawela
• Prof S. Weeratunge.
• Dr. Amaradasa Weerasinghe
• Dr. S G Samarasinghe
• Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna
• Ridgeway Thillakaratne, Former Chairman SLBC
• Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, Author & Critic
• Dr. Jagath Balasuriya, presidential advisor; former minister

• Sonny Yatawara, former cricketer of Ceylon
• Anuruddha Polonowita, former cricketer of Ceylon
• Dr. Gamini Wijesekara, former general secretary United National Party and MP
• Anura Bandara Rajaguru, journalist; actor
• Osmand De Silva, former IGP
• Dr. Suren Iyer, psychologist
• Prof. Neil Fonseka

• Milroy Perera, accomplished architect
• Manohara De Silva, attorney
• Prof. Stanley Wijesundera, former Colombo University vice chancellor
• Jagath Wickremasinghe, singer
• Kasun Kalhara Jayawrdena, singer

• Jananatha Warakagoda, drummer
• Major General Ananda Hamangoda, former Brigade Commander for Jaffna
• Major General Lucky Algama, former Eastern Commander
• Morris Dahanayake, singer
• Rohana Siriwardena, singer
• Madu Madawa Aravinda, singer
• Amith Walpola, Singer
• Harsha Bulathsinhala, actor
• Dananjaya Siriwardena, actor

• Kushil Gunasekara, former Sri Lanka cricketer
• Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, former Sri Lanka cricketer
• Yuganthara Karunaratne, former Sri Lanka rugby player
• Niranjan Nanayakkara, chairman, Tec Sri Lanka Group
• Buddhika Jayaratne, popular actor

• Dananjaya Siriwardena, popular actor

• Sarath Kongahage, former MP
• Adel Hashim, former president, Mercantile Cricket Association
• Dinuk Hettiarchchi, former Sri Lankan Test cricketer
• Mahela Udawatta, Sri Lanka cricketer
• Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Sri Lanka cricketer
• Thilina Kandambi, Sri Lanka cricketer
• Nishnatha Ranatunga, former Sri Lanka cricketer
• Sanjeewa Ranatunga, former Sri Lanka cricketer
• Dammika Ranatunga, Sri Lanka Test cricketer
• Prasanna Ranatunga, Western Privince Minister
• Asitha Atygalla, international tennis referee

• Chandika Hathurusinghe, Former Test Cricketer & National Junior Coach
• Hemantha Wickremaratne, Former Test Cricketer
• Lalith De Silva, Director, Srilankan Airlines
• Ranjith Jaysuriya, Sri Lankan Ambassodor to Sweden

• Lailith Ponnamperuma, Famous Singer
• Rohan Abeywickrema, Chairman, Sathsindu Group
• Sithendra Senanayake, MD, Ceylon Leather Products
• Prasanna Amarasinghe,Former Test Cricketer
• Banuka Manoratne,Actor
• Mayura Dimuthu Malawige. pioneer presenter, YES FM
• Jayantha Wickremasinghe. MD, Protect Services Ltd
• Ajith De Silva, former Sri Lanka Test cricketer
• Oshadie Weerasinghe, former Sri Lanka Test cricketer
• Akalanka Ganegama, Sri Lanka Test cricketer
• Gaminda Piyaviraj, Famous Comedian

Past Principals of Ananda College

C. W. Leadbeater	(1886 - 1890)
A. E. Buultjens	(1890 - 1898)
Sir D.B. Jayathilaka	(1898 - 1908)
J.T. Davis	(1908 - 1909)
M. C. Moore	(1910 - 1913)
Fritz Kunz	(1914 - 1917)
Mr. C. V. Ranawake	(1917 - 1918)
P. De S. Kularatne	(1923 - 1932)
Dr. G. P. Malalasekera	(1932 - 1943)
Mr. A. B. Perera	(1943 - 1945)
L. H. Mettananda	(1945 - 1953)
Mr. S. A. Wijetillake	(1953 - 1960)
Mr. M. W. Karunananda	(1961 - 1964)
Lt. Col. E. A. Perusinghe	(1964 - 1969)
Colonel. G.W. Rajapaksha	(1971 - 1981)
Mr. S. K. Nettananda	(1981 - 1982)
Col. V. S. Kudaligama	(1982 - 1988)
A. P. Guneratne	(1988 - 1995)
T.B. Damunupola	(1995 - 2001)
B. A. Abeyrathne	(2001 - 2008)

Notable Teachers

• Dr. T B Jayah
• Lionel Ranwala
• Prof. G P Malalasekara
• Lionel Ranaweera
• Rev. Kotagama Vachissara
• R.M. Abeyawardene
• M.K.N. Panikkar
• V. Thanabalasingham
• G Weeramanthry
• C Sunethralingam
• CS Strange
• JN Jinendradasa
• GC Edirisinghe
• Tibet National, S. Mahinda Thero
• D Lokuliyanage (Lokka)
• Priyanthi Galahitiyawa
• Sirisomarathne Weerakoon (Meti Poosa)
• Shanaz Sarifodeen Morseth
• Mr. D.W. Dangalla
• Mr. K.M.D.S. Jayathilaka
• Dhammika Prerera
• Mr C.M. Weeraratne
• Mr D.G. Kumaradasa
• Mr S. Medagama

References

• Ananda's role in Buddhist education

External links

• Official web site of Ananda College & OBA
• Official Web Portal provided by SchoolNet
• Old Anandian's World Wide Network
• Old Anandians E-Meeting Place
• Ananda College @ Google Earth
• Facebook Page

Trivia

• First school to introduce Basketball In Sri Lanka
• First to start Navy Cadet platoon in Sri Lanka
• Only School to produce four Army Commanders, including incumbent Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka