Sri Sumangala College Panadura celebrates century

K Tilak PEIRIS Patron, SSC OBA

The venerable old generation still among the living must recall on the eve of its centenary celebration, the memories of past events, which perpetuated the cause that let the emerging of Sri Sumangala College Panadura and other leading Buddhist educational institutions.

This was an era where degradation of Buddhism was almost peak in its intensity, which could largely be attributed to calculated campaign geared by the missionary education through their educational institutions propagated by the British rulers, capturing directly or indirectly large percentage of Buddhist students into the fold of their ‘faith’.

This sad episode was highlighted - rousing the patriotic national feelings and religious dedication by the then patriotic D R Wijewardene through his Lake House group of newspapers, Sinhala Sunday editorial of Swadeshi Mithraya, patriotic Tibet poet Ven S Mahinda Thera, Sinhala authors such as Piyadasa Sirisena and Rajakaruna, and above all through fearless demonstrations led by Siri Devamitta Anagarika Dharmapala.

Historical debate

Needless to emphasize that memorable historical debate held on August 26, 1872 commonly known as Panadura Vadaya whereby Ven Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera with clarity and brilliance of genius and emotional voice evidently created a sense of dedication and obligation into the minds of Buddhist clergy and laymen and the gravity of the intolerable phenomenon of subjugation of our children to their Christian ‘faith’. Panadura Vadaya which was translated into English by John Cooper had its own impending impact resulting the arrival in Sri Lanka Colonel Henry Steele Olcott who have had access to this print and being inspired on what Buddhism stands for, in its philosophy for all human and other lives, embraced Buddhism on May 17, 1880 and geared a determined campaign to establish fully well equipped Buddhist Educational Institutions particularly in the capital city of Colombo and then Buddhist schools in popular towns and suburbs as means to an end to sabotage the subjugation.

The genuine motivation being mainly to open avenues for Buddhist children to receive education within a framework of Buddhist atmosphere.

The establishment of Ananda College was the main target and opening up of similar colleges in popular cities with 82 schools on suburbs which were known as BTS schools, Dodanduwe BTS school was the first of its kind to declare open by Cornel Henry Steele Olcott in the late years of the 19th century.

With the successful completion of the establishment of Ananda College in memory of Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera (the name Ananda was derived by deleting the first three letters of the name Gunananda) there followed in quick succession the dawn of Dharmaraja College - Kandy (sponsored by Soyza and Ratnayake families) Mahinda College Galle - sponsored by parents of Henry Amarasuriya and family and others, Darmasoka College at Ambalangoda by Soyza family and others, Visakha Vidyalaya - Bambalapitiya by founder Jeremius Dias, Mahamaya College in Kandy sponsored by Sir Bennett Soyza and others and Sri Sumangala College Panadura by the founders Mudliar Thomas Rodrigo, P C S Dias, Marthos Salgadu, P Dumingo Dias, Corenalis Perera and Louis Dias, thereafter followed by other philanthropists as Lio Fernando, Susantha de Fonseka, Arthur V Dias etc popular Buddhist personalities in the city of Panadura.

Unstained generosity

This note cannot possibly be concluded without reference to Japanese Embassy and JICA whose unstained generosity coupled with good relationship between the two countries had largely contributed for the establishment of the present college complex which shall be recorded in golden letters in the channels of the history of Sri Sumangala college, Panadura. Let us therefore in one voice raise our hands and salute Japanese Embassy with the President, his Cabinet Ministers, Chief Minister, and with all stalwarts of the OBA and with the principal and his staff for this historical meritorious gift.

May the Triple Gem bless Alma Mater to produce products worthy of being true citizens of Sri Lanka - serving the country at large. Needless to emphasize that strength of any OBA depends on the quality of products produced by this Alma Mater.