Pettah English School opens

November 1, 1886 was a red letter day for the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The first Buddhist English School, Pettah was started on that day. Situated at No.61, Maliban Street, the school was started with 37 children with C. W. Leadbeater as Principal. The Buddhists were overjoyed with the event and showed a great deal of enthusiasm to make the school a success.

C .W. Leadbeater, Principal, Pettah English School

A report published in the Sinhala newspaper, 'Sarsavi Sandaresa' mentioned that in addition to English, Sinhalese grammar and literature were also taught. In a few days the number of children increased to 60 and there were three teachers on the staff.

A contribution of Rs.5 made by one M. Magiris Fernando was highlighted by the newspaper mentioning that he was willing to help the school whenever there was a need for assistance. “The donation of Rs.5/-, though small, was worth a great deal because it was given at the right moment and with goodwill and was an example to all other Buddhists,” the newspaper reported.

By the time Principal Leadbeater applied to the Director of Public Instruction for the registration of the school in January 1889, the average attendance was 120. The Inspector of Schools reported that “there was a large house with five rooms, that maps, books and benches of good quality and sufficient quantity were available and the time table was very carefully drawn up in accordance with the Code.” There were seven teachers.

The students were of various castes and they were all Buddhists except eight. The school was gazetted for registration on March 1, 1889 and there being no objections, the Director ordered that the school be registered for a grant.

This was the school which later became Ananda College.

Three prominent personalities

The first week of November marks the birth of at least three prominent Sri Lankan personalities. Two of them were born on the same day, the same year. They are Professor Gunapala (G.P.) Malalasekera and Sir Senerat Gunawardena whose birthdays fall on November 3, 1899. The third - Raja Hewavitarana - was born one year earlier - on November 1, 1898.

Sir Senerat Goonewardena

Professor Malalasekera (1899-1973) was one of the most distinguished Sri Lankans of our times. He excelled in many fields as an educationist, researcher, academician, art lover, religious and social worker, linguist, orator and diplomat.

He was attached to the University College as a lecturer from 1939. From 1942 onwards he was Professor of Pali and Buddhist Civilization and was also Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. His service to the cause of Buddhism as President of the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress (1939-58) was greatly appreciated and the Congress became a highly recognised institution during his tenure. His unique effort to unite the various Buddhist groups scattered throughout the world resulted in the formation of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (May 1950) of which he was the founder. As Editor-in-Chief of the Buddhist Encyclopedia and the many writings including the monumental Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, he contributed much to Buddhist thought, culture and civilization. The English-Sinhala Dictionary he edited remains the most popular dictionary to this day.

Professor Malalasekera was our first Ambassador in the Soviet Union (1956) from where he moved over as Permanent Representative in the United Nations (1961-63) and as Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in UK (1963-67).

Sir Senerat (R. S. S. ) Gunawardena (1899-1981) was an active politician from the time the Ceylon National Congress was founded serving as its Joint Secretary (1926-32) and as Vice President. He campaigned for universal adult franchise. He was elected Member of the State Council in 1936 to represent Gampola and served as acting Minister of Local Government in November 1936. He retained the seat at the 1947 general election thereby becoming a Member of Parliament in the first parliament. Sir Senerat was appointed Minister without Portfolio in the first D. S. Senanayake Cabinet. He was also the Chief Government Whip. He lost his seat following an election petition and although he contested the by-election, he failed to win. He was given a diplomatic assignment 1949 as Ambassador to Rome and was appointed Ambassador to the United States of America in 1954. He played a prominent role in gaining entry to the United Nations in 1957. He was keenly interested in Buddhism and helped to establish the Buddhist Centre in Washington. He was a founder member of the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress and served as its President too.

Raja Hewavitarana (1898-1958) was the son of Edmund Hewavitarana and a grandson of Don Carolis Hewavitarana, founder of the well-known furniture business, Don Carolis & Sons, of which he was a director after studying engineering in the UK. As a member of the State Council (1936-39), he was appointed to the Executive Committee of Communications & Works first, and later the Executive Committee of Labour, Industry & Commerce, serving as acting Minister in 1941.

He took a keen interest in Buddhism and was a Trustee of the schools of the Mahabodhi Society and secretary of the Colombo YMBA.