Looking forward to a brighter future:
30th anniversary of Viharamaha Devi Balika Vidyalaya
VEHERA DEVI looks forward to a brighter future with lots of hopes at
the time of her celebrating 30 years of excellence in the field of
education. She excels in both the fields of academic and extra
curricular. Many of her students have brought her credit in keeping up
with the modern educational trends.
Established on the 1st of February, 1977 under the patronage of Ven.
Weerangule Sri Saranatissa Thera, Vehera Devi stands against a
disciplined Buddhist background making her students face the society
with courage, wisdom and good moral values.
The brainchild of the late President J.R. Jayawardene, Vehera Devi
was blessed with the generous contributions of the well-wishers who
wanted to have a good Girls’ school in Kiribathgoda area.
There were lots of other people behind this Herculean task of making
a new school come into action. Mr. R.S. Perera, the former MP, the then
Director of Education Mr. P. Kariyawasam, and the former Circuit
Educational Officer Mr. P. Piyasena are some of them.
At the same time, Vihara Maha Devi was gifted with the most talented
Mrs. Amara Wickramasinghe, who had already marked herself as an eminent
educationist, as her first principal. It might not have been an easy
task for her, as most of the parents of the area had their doubts in the
newly opened school.
Yet, with her commitment and dedication, Vehera Devi could reach the
pinnacle of her success at 30 years of age, having produced the 1st
place in the Advanced Level Examination within her short history. Now,
Vehera Devi cannot accept the large number of applicants for Grade 1,
and many parents are disappointed having being refused.
The credit of the success of the school should go to all the
principals who held office at Vehera Devi, and we cannot forget the
utmost dedication and commitment they showed in making the school a much
sought after girls’ school in Gampaha District.
The second principal Mrs. Kumari Weerasooriya did not have much time
to serve, yet she is always remembered as one of the most important
people in the history of Vehera Devi.
The next principal, Mrs. Sumana Premadasa, took Vehera Devi under her
wing and served for 14 years and she was determined to make the school
complete with all the privileges enjoyed by the students of popular
Colombo schools. It was not an easy task to make the dream swimming pool
a reality, but she could do it with the generous co-operation of the Old
Girls’ Association of the school and the well-wishers.
Vehera Devians have excelled themselves in both academic and
extra-curricular areas. While giving the best results in both G.C.E. O/L
and A/L, they have shown their talents in other areas such as Chess,
Karate, General Knowledge, Guiding and Swimming.
Today, surrounded by the majestic row of weeping willows in a serene
atmosphere, Vehera Devi looks forward eagerly to open a new chapter in
her life, with the new principal of the school, Mrs. Sandya Neelamani
Malaviarachchi, an enthusiastic and energetic principal with lots of
noval ideas to bring the school more credit and prestige.
The hope of everyone who wishes the best to Vihara Maha Devi, is that
she will be able to realise all her dreams. She is given the fullest
co-operation and support by the dedicated staff of the school. We hope
that she will be able to make the dreams of Vihara Maha Devi come true,
with her guidance and dedication.
To mark the anniversary, the school Health Society has organised a
Blood Donation campaign, there will be an alms giving to 30 bhikkhus,
internet facilities and a web site on the school will be launched.
The most significant event to mark the anniversary is the ‘Kohomba
Kankariya’ to invoke blessings on the students, the staff and all the
Sri Lankans. The foundation stone will be laid for a much needed
Gymnasium for the talented players to improve their talents.
It is very symbolic hence, to have the statue of Princess Vihara Maha
Devi in front of the school showing what courage, commitment and
determination is. Let’s hope that the future holds only the best for
Vehera Devi!
Mrs. Kumudu Pieris
Teacher of the Kiribathgoda Viharamaha Devi Balika
Vidyalaya
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