Vihara Maha Devi Balika Vidyalaya 33 years

Vihara Maha Devi Balika Vidyalaya celebrates 33 years of excellence in the field of education this year, 2010. It has not been an easy path to walk along with many difficult barriers to crossover to emerge as one of the most sought after girls’ schools in the country, from once a barren, neglected place of land in the heart of Kiribathgoda town.

Started with only 23 students whose parents had the faith in sending their children to the ‘newly opened’ girls’ school with seven teachers, we should always feel grateful to the first principal Amara Wickramasinghe who had the courage to shoulder all the responsibilities of climbing up the ladder of success, taking one step at a time. With her enthusiasm, commitment and the support of her staff, Vihara Maha Devi is where she is today, at the pinnacle of her success, by becoming one of the best girls’ schools of the country.

On this special day for Vihara Maha Devi Balika Vidyalaya we see the commitment and dedication of many people who rendered their services in making the dreams of a new school a reality in 1977. The first and the foremost the valuable patronage of Weerangule Sri Saranathissa Thera of Sri Sudarashanaramaya, Kiribathgoda, the former MP R.S. Perera, the Director of Education at that time P. Kariyawasam and the former Circuit Education Officer P. Piyasena are to name a few among them.

By 1984 Mrs. Wickramasinghe had been able to start the Arts, Commerce and Science streams for the Advanced Level Classes.

The next principal Kumari Weerasooriya, in her short period at the office continued to work towards the betterment of the school. Sumana Premadasa, who took over after Mrs. Weerasooriya, could make the dream swimming pool a reality with the patronage of the well-wishers and the old girls of the school. During her office as the principal, Mrs. Premadasa made Vihara Maha Devi reach among the best girls’ schools of the country which could boast about excellence in both academic and extracurricular fields. After her dedication and commitment of 15 years, Neelamani Malawiarachchi became the next principal and gave her services for one year.

Today, under the leadership of principal, Anoma Shyamalee Abeyratne, Vihara Maha Devi holds her position as the most sought after girls’ school in the Gampaha District.

With various kinds of feathers in her cap to boast about the capabilities of Vehera Devi, we cannot forget about the great efforts taken by the girls in uplifting the educational level of the students of Thambiyawa Vidyalaya, Trincomalee by providing them with basic needs and inviting them to Kiribathgoda to provide them with their educational needs.

At the same time, we must not forget about the herculean task taken by the students, principal, teachers and the parents of the school in donating the needy soldiers at Rana Viru Sevana with the wheelchairs, artificial limbs in a simple yet grand ceremony. Without stopping there, their generous hands were stretched in building a house with all facilities in Matale for Corporal A.P.

Thalgaspitiya. It was also handed over in a simple ceremony and it was really an emotional moment. It was not only there that she showed her generosity, Vehera Devians did not forget the heroes of the country who had been at war in North. The students and the parents along with the teachers and the principal provided the soldiers in the battlefield with all their needs. In taking part in all these social services Vehera Devi sets an example to her children just as Princess Vihara Maha Devi sacrificed her young life to save a nation.

Now we live in a country where we can boast of real freedom. Every year many students gain university admissions in their respective fields and ‘Amara Wickramasinghe scholarship is awarded to four students who excel in these three streams every year. In 2009, Vihara Maha Devi was proud to have secured the 2nd place in Gampaha District in Maths stream and the 1st place in Commerce stream. With all these achievements, Vehera Devi continues her journey through years, in making her children worthy citizens to the country in a Buddhist background.

The row of weeping willows still making a landmark in the area, the clutter of hundreds of small feet running about in the newly planted green, the statue of princess Vihara Maha Devi looks at you epitomising the utmost courage, patriotism and the nobility of the Sri Lankan woman when you enter the school premises.

This itself will be enough for the Vehera Devians to follow her footsteps and become noble women to serve their country with virtue, courage and wisdom in accordance with her motto. It is not easy to establish a school, because it does not mean erecting buildings. It is the duty of those who are concerned about the future generation in the promise made to the country as they are the ones who will take up the responsibilities of making Sri Lanka prominent landmark in Asia.

- Kumudu Pieris