Tracing the history of Mahanama Vidyalaya, Colpetty

Premasara EPASINGHE

The Mahanama Vidyalaya Buddhist Society constructed a shrine room to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya.

It will be declared open by the Prime Minister and Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Minister D M Jayaratne today (January 5) at 10.00 am. Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena and officials of the Education Ministry and Provincial Education Department Colombo, will also participate in this religious ceremony.

A noteworthy feature will be the presence of the Most Venerable Mahanayake of the Kotte Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Agga Maha Pandita Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Mahanayake Thera, who resides at the Walukaramaya Temple, Colpetty and the Chief Incumbent of the said Temple Ven Maharagama Nanda Thera. I pen these few lines on this occasion as one of the parish members and a teacher of Mahanama Vidyalaya, Colpetty at the inception of this school, way back in the 1950s.

Erudite scholar

Mahanama Vidyalaya was started in the Walukaramaya Temple premises in the Dharma-salawa with only 55 students in the mid 1950s. It was a mixed school at that time. I presume it was started on May 5, 1958. There were only four staff members with the Principal. The first Principal was Ven Wehelle Dhammananda Thera - a trained teacher. The other three teachers were Anaestasia Fernando, L B Wijesena, Sinhala teachers and yours truly, Premasara Epasinghe, the first English assistant teacher.

An erudite scholar and the author of the famous Buddhist Encyclopaedia 'Jinawachanakoshaya', Karmavaga Charaya of the Siamese Sect, Kotte Chapter, Ven Mawittara Sri Revatha Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent and high priest of Walukaramaya, Colpetty, was the founder of this seat of learning - Mahanama Vidyalaya, Colpetty. In order to give a Buddhist Education, Rewatha Nayake Thera, with the assistance of the Buddhist academy started this school.

It was a great boon to the poor children of Colpetty. I was unanimously elected as the First Secretary of the Parents - Teachers Association of Mahanama Vidyalaya and we strove hard under trying conditions to improve the standard of the school. By 1960, J D A Jayakody succeeded as the Principal. In this year, P T A decided to hold a school exhibition in the Dharmasalawa - the school premises.

The classes were conducted in the open space of the Banamaduwa and there were no classrooms. The student population was also rising daily. In mid 1960s, Mahanama Vidyalaya, a Buddhist Academy School, was vested in the government.

Grand exhibition

The exhibition was a great success. The children showed their natural talents in art, sculpture etc. As the Secretary of the PTA, I invited C P de Silva, as the chief guest to open this grand exhibition. The distinguished VIPs were J R Jayewardene, Bernard Soysa, first and second members of Parliament Colombo West, Municipal Councillors of Colombo representing Bambalapitiya and Colpetty - L P Mendis and D S Mallawarachchi, respectively. Ven. Nivanthidiye Ananda Thera, High Priest of Walukaramaya helped us. At the meeting held after the opening ceremony of the exhibition, I handed a memorandum to C P de Silva, requesting him to acquire and hand over the Senator's bungalow and the crown land adjoining the Walukarama Temple to Mahanama Vidyalaya.

In my speech, I stressed the value of education and grant these talented children of Colpetty better facilities to further their education, and give them equal opportunities in education. Within a matter of two months, C P de Silva, as the Land and Land Development Minister ordered and vested senators houses, and the crown land premises to Mahanama Vidyalaya.

S Hettiarachchi and I submitted Crown Title Deeds to the Lands Ministry. Mahanama Vidyalaya was shifted to the land adjoining the Walukaramaya temple. After achieving this, I left Mahanama Vidyalaya to further my studies in university.

Staff membersA big bouquet should be paid to all the Principals and staff members in elevating this school today to greater heights. Some of the old-boys stated that the golden era of Mahanama Vidyalaya was ushered by Principal K P N De Silva. Later, top educationist, the present Principal of Vidura College D G Sumanasekera improved the standard of education of Mahanama Vidyalaya. He was followed by K Ratnadasa. Present Principal Premalal Kumarasiri, Deputy Assistant Principal Ven Yalwela Pannasekera Thera and the academic and non-academic staff of about 185 members, improved the infrastructure of the school, co-curricular activities and the academic standard to a high level.

Public schools

Mahanama produced good results in both Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Examination of every year. Today, it is one of the leading public schools in Sri Lanka. The school that was started in the 1950s with 55 students, have, a student population of 4, 200 today. Further, there is a big demand to gain admission to this school. The dynamic Old Boys Association, P T A, played a leading role to elevate Mahanama Vidyalaya as one of the leading schools in Colombo. I pay a big bouquet to all of them. I understand the motto, I proposed in 1950s - Vidvan Sravasta Pujayte continues to date.

Its heartening to note that many old boys today excel in various fields here and abroad. I wish Mahanama College all success in its future endeavours. May the school produce productive good citizens who love this country. In the future too.