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| Monday, 19 January 2004 |
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Moratu Vidyalaya - a tribute Published on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya Moratu Vidyalaya with its modest beginning in 1934 has today grown up to be a premier school of the island, instrumental in evolving a host of distinguished personalities in a wide array of spheres. The quest for the establishment of Moratu Vidyalaya began with the launching of the Moratu Sathiya, an islandwide fund-raising campaign by the Sri Lanka Bauddha Samithiya in May 1928. The untiring contribution of the late M. J. C. Fernando in pioneering this work culminating in the establishment of Moratu Vidyalaya is most gratefully cherished by the people of Moratuwa even today. The foundation stone for Moratu Vidyalaya was laid by Sir Herbert J. Stanley, Governor General of Ceylon, on 24th July 1929 and the school was opened on 19th January 1934 by the late Sir D. B. Jayatilleke. A great void that had been hampering the people of Moratuwa was done away with and the parents aspiring to a truly Buddhist education for their children, volunteered to admit their children to this school. The memorable efforts of the late P. de S. Kularatna who had originally come up with the idea of a Buddhist school for the children of Moratuwa and those of the Sri Lanka Buddha Samithiya that carried forward this idea to fruition occupy a very special place in the history of Moratu Vidyalaya. Moreover, if it had not been for the endeavours and timely action of the late M. J. C. Fernando in purchasing the 7 1/2 acre land named 'Alutwatte' in the midst of the Moratuwa city where the school is located, neither the much cherished Buddhist Hall nor Moratu Vidyalaya would have been a reality today. The people of Moratuwa are ever indebted to this great social worker for his courage and timely initiative in the purchase of this fitting piece of land by mortgaging one of his own properties and Alutwatte. The objective of these pioneers at that time was to establish two English colleges, one for boys and the other for girls and further, a mixed swabhasha school. An intensive campaign was conducted to collect funds for this purpose through the sale of flags under the 'Moratu Sathiya' held time and again. However, Moratu Vidyalaya remains a co-education institution, which, the Sri Lanka Bauddha Samitiya voluntarily handed over to the state at the time of the schools' take-over. Sixty five pupils including the writer joined Moratu Vidyalaya at the inception and this figure rose up to 250 within a week. The wide array of subjects taught such as Buddhism, Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit, English, History, Botany, Geography, Handicrafts, Latin, Rural Science, Agriculture, Mathematics, Geometry and Alegbra reflects the versatility of the curriculum then adopted. At the inception the late Sir Baron Jayatilleke taught English and the late P. de S. Kularatne who was the first Manager of Moratu Vidyalaya taught Sinhala. The late E. Ediriweera was the first Principal of the school. It is most significant that Mr. Ediriweera and his staff dedicated themselves to imparting Buddhist education to their pupils with no consideration on their remuneration in monetary terms. Much emphasis was laid on teaching agriculture and handicrafts with the intention of providing a wholesome education complete with theoretical grounding and manual skills. Another prominent personality that figures in when we are tracing the history of Moratu Vidyalaya is the late A. M. de Silva who served as Principal for a very long time and is much remembered. He was a teacher par excellence whose role as a teacher was not confined to embrace only the pupils of his school. He was a veritable teacher to the teaching staff as well and undoubtedly moulded the character of the school. Moratu Vidyalaya which celebrates its 75th anniversary today (19.1.04) still has a great deal of further services to render in the educational and social conduct of the present day fast moving world. Nevertheless, surmising from her glorious past performance, we could take comfort in her ability and strength to discharge her nobel duty as educator and reformer for innumerable decades to come. The school is proud of its past pupils scattered in all spheres as state administrators, politicians of all shades, legal luminaries, medical practitioners, teachers, businessmen and social workers - all highly respected by society. However, it is a pity that Moratu Vidyalaya, complete with all the pre-requisites of a 'National School' such as science laboratories, workshops, a magnificent hall (the Moratuwa Buddhist Hall and a 'Sri Bo Maluwa', both freely available for use through the Sri Lanka Bauddha Samithiya, which owns them), and up to date library, a large playground and classes from Grade 1 to GCE (A/L), is yet to be recognised as a 'National School'. - Wimalasiri de Mel |
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