Nagoda Royal’s triumphs adds beauty and value to the village
View(s):By Sujitha Miranda
Nagoda is a beautiful and historical village with loads of scenic beauty. Nagoda Royal College adds more value and beauty to this eye-catching village with its excellent triumphs.
Principal Mr.M.D.Dissanayake
During the latter part of the 19th century the villagers considered the need for an Education Institution for their children. To fulfill this requirement in 1876 Mr. Don Elias Amarasiri Jayasinghe a noble person initiated a school near the Nagoda Junction.
According to the preserved resources, it was a thatched hut erected where the police station is located now. Along with the increase in the number of students, in 1885 the school was shifted to the place, where the primary section is situated now. By then, there were classes up to Grade 8. The founder headmaster Mr. D.S. Kannangara Ekanayaka rendered 26 years of dedication to the school.
According to the log reports, it was Mr. Balasooriya’s era where the girls were admitted to the school. With this new change, the school was managed as two separate sections – for girls and boys. On July 19, 1948, both the girls’ and boys’ sections were joined and was managed as a single unit. Since then the school was recognized as a Government Primary school.
Along with the development of the school, it was essential to have more buildings. At this juncture Mr. Victor Mahanama Amarasiri, , a
“Mahindodaya 1000 schools project” opening ceremony
nobleman, came forward to donate a land called Batapotha Kanda which was about 9 acres. It was on this hill that Nagoda Maha Vidyalaya was established. It became the main educational institution for children in other villages too.
With the progress of the school, the Advanced Level classes started in 1955. Throughout the next two decades, Nagoda Royal delivered successes in both Academic and non academic fields. Mr. Austin Fernando, once a foreign secretary was a very good teacher who steered the students into the correct path. Also, a chief justice in High Court, Mr. Mahanama Thilakaratne and the chief incumbent of Weligama Agrabodhi Vihara, Ven. Dammarathana Nayaka Thero are remembered with honour for their service rendered to the school. The principal Mr. Chandrapala Sahabandu pioneered to commence the A/L Commerce Section in 1972. The veteran politician and the Minister of Education Richard Pathirana is fondly remembered as one of the most successful principals of the school. He served the establishment from 1978 to 1982.
May 18, 1979 was another historic day for the school when former President of Sri Lanka, J. R. Jayewardene visited Nagoda Royal and initiated several projects with the help of donors and well wishers to the school such as the Mudalige Auditorium, the A/L Science Laboratory and a Library.
A prefect receives his badge from the chief guest Brigadier Ariyasinghe
The 7th Anniversary of Mahapola and 34th Mahapola took place in the school from February 2, 1987 to February 20, 1987 and simultaneously the school was renamed as Mahapola Rajakeeya Vidyalaya.
After Mr. Richard Patirana, the former principal of the school became the Minister of Education, the school started to progress in every aspect. The former Education Minister Richard Pathirana promoted the school to the National School level in 1997. Since then school has been known as the Nagoda Royal National School.
With the visit of Mr. Susil Premajayanth . the Minister of Education the Primary and Secondary sections which were under two separate managements came under one umbrella and the school became a single unitl.
Today it is a 6 to 13 school, boosted with 1300 students and 65 teachers, administrated by a well experienced principal Mr. MD. Dissanayake who has 21 years of experience as a principal and was deservedly awarded the “Vidya Nikethana Keerthi” award by the Southern Province in 2006.
Board of Prefects taking Oath
The aesthetic and sports sections of the school have done a tremendous job towards the present progress of the school. The establishment of the “Udarata” Dancing Group in 2006 was another turning point in the progress of the school. They obtained the first place in the Galle District Dancing Competition and represented the school at the All Island Dancing Competition.
With the establishment of a school Gymnastic Club affiliated to the Divisional Secretariat Nagoda in 2004, the school became very famous throughout the country. They were able to improve their talents and skills, by participating in coaching camps abroad and many other local tournaments. In 2008 the school Gymnastic team took the runners-up at the National Sports Festival and also emerged National Champions in 2009. In 2009 T.L. Sadeepa Ariyarathna became the Best Gymnast in Sri Lanka while Chathuri Abesundara was selected as the second best.
Recently they have done well in Karate as well. Dinushika Priyadarshani, brought fame to the school in 2013 by taking third place in a Karate tournament held in Malasia, Kuala Lumpur and Emalka Menuranga was selected as one of the best among four in the same competition.
The College Dancing Group
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus