Kalutara Vidyalaya moves forward to produce balanced personalities
View(s):Kalutara Vidyalaya National School is one of the foremost schools in Sri Lanka. It has produced a large amount of well disciplined great personalities to the mother land.
Principal Rathnaweera Perera
Kalutara Vidyalaya was founded on January 6, 1941 by Sir Cyril De Zoysa. The college was born as the twin of Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya, the popular girls school in the area. On January 13, 1941, the College started functioning officially with 11 teachers and 56 students. At the start, the college was headed by Mr. P. De S. Kularatne (Principal of Ananda College), Mr. J.N. Jenendradasa (Principal of Nalanda College) and Mr. E.W. Adikaram (Principal of Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte). Mr. P.C.P. Samaraweera was the first principal of the college. The school’s first motto was: Uthsaha wanthan jananan kin nasadhiyanthi. Later on however, it was changed to: De Samaya Surakinu.
After only six months the college became a senior secondary school. At the start Kalutara Vidyalaya functioned at the “Martin Bungalow” – as a mixed school. But on January 7, 1942 Kalutara Balika was established in “Clammily House” by Mr. P. De S. Kularatne. As time passed Kalutara Vidyalaya became a boys’ school in due course.
Logo
As the school progressed rapidly, it was approved as a Senior Secondary School by the Executive Committee of the Education Department. Sir Cyril De Zoysa, the Patron and the President of the School Management Buddhist Society were able to establish two schools in 1942 – one for girls and the other for boys. Since then the two schools have been functioning separately under the guidance of several principals. In 1998 the college became a National School.
Now the College has about 3500 students and more than 120 teachers. At present the school is headed by Mr. K. Rathnawera Parera.
Mr.Rathnaweera Perera, the present principal of Kalutara Vidyalaya assumed duties as the principal on February 1, 2008. His dedication and commitment has helped the school to uplift the quality of education as well as the infrastructure to the present level. The school has achieved triumphs in both academic and extracurricular activities under his guidance. Two deputy principals – Mrs. N.K.Y. Gunarathna and Mr. Hasitha Sri Gunawardana also contribute a great service to the college with their dedication.
The school belongs to the 1AB Category, comprising Grades from 1 to 13 including Science, Commerce and Arts A/L streams. The
College Appearance
results of Grade Five scholarship, G.C.E (O/L) and G.C.E (A/L) have been of a high standard. Each year many students qualify to enter the national universities.
With a proud history of 72 years, the school has produced several distinguished characters that have shown their colours in many spheres, taking the name of the school to international level. Thilakaratne Dilshan (the former Sri Lankan National Cricket captain), Malinga Bandara, Dulip Liyanage, Sujith De Silva are some of their old boys, who got the chance to represent the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team. Apart from cricket the school has produced many well known personalities in the field of medical, engineering, judiciary, arts, science, defense, commerce etc.
The Western Band
Apart from education, Kalutara NS also provides opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities. The students of Kalutara Vidyalaya have attained success in several fields of sports as well.
Pathum Nissanka represented the under 15 national cricket team for the tours to Malaysia to take part in tournaments during 2012 and 2013. The boys have done well in football, chess, hockey and karate. The students in the chess club have done well at All Island School chess tournaments and at All Island Chess Federation competitions too.
Kalutara Vidyalaya athletes emerged champions in Divisional and Zonal sports meet in 2012 and 2013 producing best athletes in the under 19 and under 21 age
The Relay Team which took part at the Western Province Championships.
groups. Himasha Eshan represented Sri Lanka at the 15th Asian Games in 2012 and was placed fifth. The under 19 – 100x 4 relay sprinters won colours at Western Province Colours Day for their excellent performances at All Island competitions. The Kalutara Vidyalaya athletes were placed first in many events such as 100m, 200m, 100×4, high jump etc in Western Provence Sports Festivals.
The school has achieved excellent performances in the aesthetic field as well. The Western Brass Band received a Merit Award at the Inter-School Provincial Band Competition in 2012. The dancing troop of the school has been achieving successes at All Island competitions since 2006, obtaining first and second places. The Junior
and Senior English Choirs have won first and second places in both Divisional and Zonal English Day Competitions without a break in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Senior Choir qualified to participate in the Western Provence Competition in 2012.
The Board of Prefects
The 12th Battalion of the College Cadet Corps has qualified for the Herman-Loos National Competition, 2013. The cadets bagged the first runners-up award at Assessment Camp at Rantambe. The school has many societies and clubs which provide opportunities for the students to improve their talents and skills.
Kalutara Vidyalaya is moving forward with a mission “To produce balanced personalities who can protect their nation and religion according to their motto “De Samaya Surakinu”.
- Sujitha Miranda
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