The first Sinhala-Buddhist school, which is 140 years old and located in Dodanduwa, is on the verge of being closed, because the Southern Provincial Council has failed to provide adequate funds to support the school, residents said.
Sri Piyarathana Maha Vidyalaya has 122 students, and the number of children enrolling each year has been falling steadily because of the poor facilities provided,
“The residents are appealing to the government to take over the school so that it can continue to function,” said Amarajeewa Rajakaruna, a resident in the area. He said people have illegally encroached on the school land, and that some of the school fittings and property have been removed. Meanwhile, the authorities have done nothing to help.
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| The school (B) that was founded in 1869 is facing closure because of a lack of funds. The picture above, taken in 1906, shows a large gathering outside the school. |
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