Vidyartha College
| Vidyartha College | |
|---|---|
විද්යාර්ථ විද්යාලය வித்தியார்த்த கல்லூரி | |
 | |
 Flag of Vidyartha College | |
| Location | |
Katugastota Road 7°18′21″N 80°38′09″E / 7.30583°N 80.63572°E | |
| Information | |
| Former name | King's College |
| Type | National Government School -1AB |
| Motto | "විද්යා සර්වස්ය භුෂණම්" Education is the Best Jewelry |
Religious affiliation | Buddhism |
| Established | 18 May 1942 |
| Founder | Vidyartha Society |
School district | Kandy |
Educational authority | Ministry of Education |
Principal | Sugath Srilal |
Teaching staff | 180+ |
| Grades | 1 – 13 |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 5 to 19 |
| Enrollment | 2,900 |
| Language | Sinhalese from Grade 1 to A/Ls, English from Grade 6 to A/Ls (currently available only for maths stream) |
Hours in school day | 07:30–13:30 SLST |
| Colors | Navy, aqua and gold |
| Song | "දේශප්රේමී අභිමාන සුපූජිත වීර සිසුන් බිහිවේවා" |
| Athletics | Yes |
| Sports | Yes |
| Nickname | Tigers |
| Rival | St. Sylvester's College |
| Affiliation | Vidyartha Society (1942) |
| Sister School | Pushpadana Girls' College |
| Abbreviation | VCK |
| Pupils | Brave sons of Vidyartha |
| Website | vidyartha.lk |
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Vidyartha College (Sinhala:විද්යාර්ථ විද්යාලය) (Tamil:வித்தியார்த்த கல்லூரி) is an all-male national school located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The college was founded in 1942 by the Vidyartha Society, and is currently run by the Government of Sri Lanka.[1] The college has two sections: the primary section which includes grades 1–5; and the secondary section which includes students in grades 6–13.
History
Although there were many educational opportunities for Buddhist children in the Central Province during the early 1900s, there was a lack of education in English.[2] This deficiency led Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke to create the Vidyartha Society in 1939. Other contributors to this project were T. B. Panabokke, M. B. Panabokke, S. L. Ratwatte, A. C. L. Ratwatte, William Gopallawa (President of Sri Lanka), T. B. Ranaraja, A. B. Pinnawala, K. B. Wijekoon, R. Divithotawela, A. Rathnayake, G. D. A. Abeyrathne, Dr. L. B. Senevirathne, L. M. Koswatta, M. B. E.[3] Senevirathne and M. B. Kulugammana. The Society eventually purchased a private school named King's College, which was located on a rise on Katugasthota Road. Later, the name was changed to Vidyartha College. The new college had forty students and six teachers, and the first principal was G. D. A. Abeyratne.[3] On 1 August 1961, the government took control of the college and still maintains control today.[3]
Development
Vidyartha College quickly grew in popularity,[4] with a hostel and main hall were added so that the college could accept more students; children in rural areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala being now able to attend Vidyartha.[4]
In 1954, an Advanced Level of Examination was held at Vidyartha for the first time.[4] The college has since added three programs: Science in 1958, Commerce in 1972, and Information Technology in 1994. Necessary steps were being taken to build up an English Medium A/L Section by the Former Principal M. R. P. Mayadunne. A notable achievement was made under the patronage of the current principal Sugath Srilal as the English Medium A/Ls for Maths Stream initiated in 2026.
A Colombo branch was formed in 1987 by C. K. Gajanayake, who was its first President. Major-General H. M. N. Krishnaratne RSP USP (Rtd) is the incumbent President of the Colombo branch and Ranjith Weeerasinghe functions as the Honorary Secretary.[4]
When the college was first established, it only had a few buildings, a principal, and 8 teachers. Today, there are 2,900 students receiving their education in the college, with a teaching staff of more than 180.[4]
Principals
| Portrait | Name | Start | End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
G. D. A. Abeyrathne | 1942 | 1948 | First principal of Vidyartha College |
 |
M. B. W. Mediwake | 1948 | 1955 | Served as the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Member of Parliament and Member of Senate of Ceylon. |
 |
A. Athauda | 1955 | 1967 | |
 |
D. B. Dissanayake | 1967 | 1968 | |
 |
P. B. Rasingolla | 1968 | 1971 | |
 |
T. B. Karunarathne | 1971 | 1974 | |
 |
M. B. Pethiyagoda | 1974 | 1977 | |
 |
P. M. L. Banda | 1983 | 1986 | |
 |
T. B. Damunupola | 1987 | 1991 | |
 |
S. S. C. Wijesinghe | 1991 | 1992 | |
 |
W. M. Bandaranayake | 1992 | 1995 | |
 |
W. B. Gunnepana | 1995 | 2006 | Specialist Trained in Science |
 |
P. A. S. Alwis | 2006 | 2013 | |
| D. M. A. Disanayake | 2013 | 2015 | ||
 |
Ranjith Rajapaksha | 2015 | 2018 | |
 |
M. R. P. Mayadunne | 2018 | 2025 | Was transferred to Theldeniya due to an accusation. |
| D. M. Senarathne | 2025 | 2026 | Acting Principal | |
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Sugath Srilal | 2026 | Present |
Vidyartha Old Boys Association
Vidyartha Old Boys Association [4] is a supporting body for the college; its members work to improve the college's qualities and standards, as well as its reputation.
Alumni
- Jason Dissanayake – Sri Lankan rugby sevens player; represented Sri Lanka at the 2018 Asian Games[5]
- Kosala Kulasekara – Sri Lankan cricketer and all-rounder; represented Sri Lanka in Test and ODI cricket (2011–2012)[6]
- Roshan Ranasinghe – Politician, former Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and Minister of Irrigation; Member of Parliament for Polonnaruwa District (2010–2024)[7]
- Thiwanka Ranasinghe – Light flyweight boxer, 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist[8]
- C. B. Rathnayake - Member of parliament, Nuwara Eliya (1994–2000, 2001–2024)[9]
- Manju Wanniarachchi – Sri Lankan boxer, 2010 Commonwealth Games bantamweight gold medallist (later stripped)[10]
- Susith Weerasekara – Rear Admiral, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy (2009–2011)[11]
- Nalin Wijesinghe – Sri Lankan rugby player and coach; former Vidyartha College captain and coach[12]
College houses
The college houses are:
- Parackrama : Blue
- Wickrama : Maroon
- Mahinda : Yellow
- Narendra : Light blue
Annual Big Match
Battle of the Babes is played annually between St. Sylvester's College and Vidyartha College since 1958 except for 3 years.[13] As of 2025, 65 matches have been played and, Vidyartha College has won 3 matches while, 46 matches were drawn.[14] Vidyartha College last won in 1967.
References
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (4 July 2020). "Vidyartha has produced top ruggerites and boxers". Dailynews.lk. p. 1. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ↑ "English Language Policy and Planning in Sri Lanka: A Critical Overview" (PDF). rccs.hgnu.edu.cn.
- 1 2 3 "About Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Vidyartha College OBA | Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka". Vidyartha.lk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka at the 2018 Asian Games". ThePapare. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Kosala Kulasekara Profile". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Hon. Roshan Ranasinghe, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Commonwealth Games 2018: Thiwanka Ranasinghe wins bronze medal". News 1st. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Hon. C. B. Rathnayake, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka gets first boxing gold since 1938". Dawn. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy". Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Know Your Schools Rugby Coaches 2022 – Part 2". ThePapare. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka Sports News | Sundayobserver.lk". 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- ↑ "Battle of the Babes ends in a tame draw". dailynews.lk.
External links