Dharmashoka Ambalangoda has a unique place in education
Dharmashoka College is one of the top graded Buddhist government schools built in 19th century. It has been developed in a large scale and today the name “Dharmashoka” is popular not only in the Southern region but in the whole island.
The Principal M.G.O. Panditharathne
Dharmashoka College is situated in the Galle District, Ambalangoda. It consists of more than 5000 students and there are about 180 teachers in the staff. It has a highly developed and an efficient administrative system. Decentralization is vital for smooth management. The present Principal Mr.M.G.O. Panditharathne, with assistance from the Deputy Principal, manages the entire school through the delegation of power to different sectional heads.
In 1913, the College was established with only 15 students by its founder Mudliar S.Thomas de Silva Esq. who spent his own wealth for the establishment and development of the college. Therefore the name of this noble person, a creator of this school with a record over a century in the arena of education is unforgotten by people.
The first emblem belongs to the period of E.A.Jayasooriya, the principal. The emblem you see today is the one reproduced by Mr. D.D. Wijerathna a former principal of the college who introduced college colours too. The college song was composed by Ananda Samarakoon, the composer of the National Anthem.
The College sailed in to a new chapter with the introduction of the territory education advanced level arts classes in 1943. With the expansion of studies, the advanced level science section was conducted in 1957. As a result a student entered to the University in the following year. Mr.Jayatissa Bandara is the first student to enter the University Entrant in science steam While S.M. Banduseela got through for Bio Science. Palitha Kumara singhe was the first medical student in 1960.
Today it is the essence of revolution for Dharmashokians to make a perpetual representation in education sphere having students in all the universities and in other education institutions. They are proud to say that they annually enjoy more than 93% of result in their G.C.E.(O/L) examination. 2008 and 2009 were the cherishing years for the college, where they got pleasure from island 3rd rank by M.Sachini Madusha (2008) and 2nd ranks by Charith Kaushalya Wimilarathne (2009).
In G.C.E.(A/L), approximately, 100 students are selected to the local universities in each year. All the streams bring district and island ranks to the school. In 2006, A.M.Nipun Lakshitha De Silva captured the island 3rd rank and Dilushan Lasith Porawagamage, a Bio
Board of Prefects 2011/2012
Science student emerged the district 1st rank in 2009.
Moreover the 2012 grade 5 scholarship examination brought credit to the school by K.Seniru Ruchith scoring 194 marks which placed the student to the 4th rank in the island.
The school has a proud history in the field of sports. Especially badminton, cricket, table tennis and swimming are the leading sports in the school. At present the school gained a lot of fame in this regard. Volleyball, Football, Athletics go back to the 1930’s. Cadetting both junior and senior started in the same period, where as badminton and table tennis introduced somewhere in 1955. The under 19 girls and the boys table tennis teams emerged the all island championship consecutively since 2009. Meanwhile the under 16 badminton teams captured the all island runners-up in 2011.
The students who got through the grade 5 scholarship examination, 2012
Basketball came into being somewhere in 1996 while swimming was introduced in 1968. Two mile swimming race which in organized by the sports council of the college is being held annually. Chess was initiated in 1994. Netball, however, which started during 5th decade started to decline.
Subjects like Dancing, Eastern and Western music have also played a crucial role in the school to uphold the name Dharmashokians. They then reflected on the glorious past of Aesthetics disciplines which transferred the present generation by its creators. The college dancing troop, eastern and western music groups, language units has carried the name of the college not only in provincial competitions but also in the all island competitions.
The college has been introducing many great personalities who serve in both locally and internationally in various fields of the society from time to time. Ambalangoda has secured a glorified history overseas and on Sri Lankan soil due to its profundity by great personalities Dharmasoka College which is in the heart of the town and is greatly respected by its citizens too and has a proud history. Dharmashoka with its proud history occupies a unique place in the arena of education in Sri Lanka for many decades to come.
 Junior Western Band |
 Under 15 Champions- All Island School Badminton Tournament, 2012 |
 All Island Table Tennis Champions, 2012 |
 Cadet Band |
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