Richmond College, Galle is a major educational institution in the island which has shown its colours in academic and extracurricular activities since its inception. More than 4,300 students and an excellent academic staff pursue their classroom studies, and co-curricular interests with great determination and fervour. The results have been rewarding. The college is situated on [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Discipline plays a major role at Richmond, Galle

By Sujitha Miranda
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College Crest

Richmond College, Galle is a major educational institution in the island which has shown its colours in academic and extracurricular activities since its inception. More than 4,300 students and an excellent academic staff pursue their classroom studies, and co-curricular interests with great determination and fervour. The results have been rewarding.

The college is situated on a beautiful hill among luxurious foliage with blooming flowers, where students enjoy productive and ground-breaking exertions that has brought a difference to the nation.

The Present Principal Colonel E.M.S.Ekanayake

During the past 135 years, Richmondites have made an exceptional contribution to the nation in various professional and academic spheres. President Mahinda Rajapaksa , Dr. Wijeyananda Dahanayake - former Prime Minister of Ceylon, Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara - former Minister of Education and “Father of Free Education”, Chamal Rajapaksa -The Speaker of the Parliament, Sir Cyril de Zoysa - former Senator. D.A. Rajapaksa - Former Parliamentarian and father of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Parliamentarian and Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda  former Minister of Justice & Legal Reform, Ediriweera Sarachchandra, famous writer and social commentator, Prof.E.F.C. Ludowyk, Professor of English, University of Peradeniya, Ian Goonetilleke, Bibliographer, Rathnasri Wijesinghe Poet Bandula Nanayakarawasam- Lyric Writer, Prof. Gamini Haththotuwegama - “Father” of Street Drama, Prof.GeorgeDissanayake Formerly Senior Professor University of Peradeniya, Prasadh Kariyavasam Ambassador of India, Dr. Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Deputy Director-General, UN Office at Vienna and Director Champaka Ramanayake

Master Kisara Kodithuwakku who obtained 1st rank in the island at the 2012 Grade 5 scholarship examination.

former Sri Lankan cricketer and current bowling coach of Sri Lankan Cricket team, Suranga Lakmal - Sri Lankan fast bowler are a few of them.

Richmond College began its existence on May 1, 1876. Samuel Langdon was its first principal. Wesleyan missionary Rev. George Bough was the founder who started the school with a staff of 8 and with 104 pupils. The school which originally bore the name “Galle High School, “was renamed “Richmond College” in 1882. The first College magazine was published in 1887. It was only the second occasion that a school in Ceylon had produced a magazine.
Rev. James Horne Darrel assumed duties as principal in 1896. Under his brilliant leadership, the school experienced both physical expansion as well as qualitative growth. During his period, Richmond rose to be valued as one of the

College Appearance

greatest schools in the island. At the local Cambridge Examinations in 1905, Richmond secured top position among assisted schools and second place among all schools in Ceylon. The Free Education Scheme which was devised by Mr.C.W.W. Kannangara, an illustrious old boy of Richmond, was implemented, and the school had to be geared to suit the changes. In terms of the provisions of the White Paper on Education, Richmond was named as a National School in 1986.

The School presently has 4326 students and a staff of 178. The present principal Mr. E.M.S. Ekanayakeis is the mainstay for the present massive achievements of the college which brought him “The Best Principal of Southern Province Award” in the “Prathiba Praba Pranama award ceremony and he was recently appointed as a Colonel by President  Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa?s visit to the school

Richmand College plays a major role in Sri Lankan education. During the past years, they have been upholding excellent academic records in G.C.E.(O/L) and G.C.E.(A/L) examinations and annually they have produced top level ranks in the island.

Master Kisara Kodithuwakkui s one of the best examples of their success who obtained island 1st rank in the 2012 Grade 5 scholarship examination. He is not only an exam achiever but also an outstanding chess player, cub scout and a prominent member of the English Club.
The students have done well in the highest grades of the G.C.E. (O/L) and are a pride to the school. They achieved more than 84.24% to qualify for the Advanced Level in 2011 and 17 of them secured 9 A’s.

College Cadet Band

Richmond was one of the first schools in the island to start Agriculture as a subject. In 1969, Richmond was the first school in the country to start an Agricultural stream for the Advanced Level. At the present annually more than 100 students enter the university. In 2011, Rivindu Supun Liyange emerged 2nd in the Island in the Commerce stream while another 27obtained 3A’s. Among them many students also secured top level district ranks.

Rivindu Supun Liyange emerged the 2012 Island 2nd rank in the Commerce stream

Richmond College is an institution that is bursting with activities such as Cadetting, Scouting, First Aid, Debating, Drama, Music in order to produce men of character and integrity. Sports play a key role in their activities. Richmond offers a variety of sport activities. Richmondites have excelled in sport events such as Athletics, Badminton, Cricket, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Rugby Football, Swimming and Table Tennis and has brought all-island triumphs to the college. The college Badminton Team is one of the best examples. They were champions at the All-Island Junior Championship, 2012 when they defeated leading schools in the island.

The pride of Richmond has eternally been its discipline. A Richmondite who absorbs the value of discipline in school, takes this to society, thereby becoming an exemplary citizen, irrespective of the social class he belongs to.




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