Buddhist Ladies' College 56th Founder's Day

Buddhist Ladies' College (BLC) one of the premier government approved schools located in a most convenient and prime location in Colombo, commemorated its 56th year marking Founder's Day, a historical and significant date in its annals while focusing on the educational needs of the new generation of today.

BLC was founded by an illustrious son of Sri Lanka, the late Mohandas de Mel, an educationist and lawyer by profession, who strived to upkeep the family tradition of inculcating the Buddhist philosophy through education.

His father, the late proctor Harry de Mel who was called 'The Lion of the Bar' at the Law Courts in Avissawella founded the first Buddhist Swabasha School in his hometown in 1898 and continued to launch the first Buddhist English school.

The need for Sinhala Buddhists to educate their daughters in Colombo with hostel facilities was on the increase and Mohandas de Mel was motivated and inspired by his past pursuits in the field of education that made him spend time and effort to do his best in planning out the future of Buddhist Ladies' College which is located on Dharmapala Mawatha Colombo 7 since May 20, 1954 to date.

Mohandas de Mel' wife and Co-founder Bernice de Mel, a product of St. Bridget's Convent ensured the smooth operation of the hostel and was the live wire behind the scenes.

The founder Principal was Clara Motwani, a personality, focused in education for young Buddhist girls and played an active role in establishing BLC as a leading girl's school in keeping with its motto, 'The Utmost for the Highest.' At the time of its founding it was the only Buddhist private school with a Buddhist principal.

The inauguration of BLC began with a small number of students on roll and a tutorial staff aimed at building a nation of educated, civic-minded citizens.

It has succeeded in bringing up generations of students who has given back to society, academics and professionals to serve in every department from law to medicine to the performing arts. Mohanlal de Mel, Deepthi de Mel and J. M. U, B. Jayasekera steers the institution, maintaining standards in quality education.

Students of Buddhist Ladies' College are privileged as it caters to all communities and religious occasions are all adhered to creating a very harmonious atmosphere. Sports has given the students an opportunity to participate in District and Zonal meets apart from the inter-school competitions in athletics, netball, martial arts, table tennis, swimming and relays, have won BLC star awards in many such events.

The performing arts such as speech and drama, aesthetic studies, singing, painting etc; and inter-act activities, society meetings and charitable projects have encouraged them to a balanced educational process, identifying talents and skill in their chosen careers. Distinguished past pupils are Somalatha Subasinghe, Indunil Dissanayake, Dr Geethanjali Senanayake, Deepani Silva, Malini Nammuni, Sunethra Taldena, Sita Hapuaarachchi, Disna de Silva to name a few. Major General Jagath Dias too is a past pupil of BLC contributing to the story of success of BLC.

Buddhist Ladies' College, the renowned school in town caters to both English and Sinhala medium of instruction from the lower nursery to upper grades, also conducts G.C.E A/L's classes for Arts, Commerce, Science and Mathematics.

BLC is a government approved school, under the supervision of the State and follows the syllabus of the education department.

The strength of a well qualified staff of graduates and secure management, together with the present principal Malani Kotelawala takes BLC on a march forward keeping up the tradition of contributing towards the main stream of producing academically qualified professionals from all cross sections of life in achieving their respective goals.