Mahamaya’s vision: To produce refined Buddhist women
View(s):Mahamaya Girls College is one of the foremost girls’ schools in the Kandy district which illustrates excellence in education as well as
Principal Mrs.I.Vithanachchi
extracurricular activities.
Mahamaya Girls College was established in 1932. It was the period of Buddhist revival, as such a Buddhist girls’ school was a much needed institution to educate the daughters of Buddhist parents, in a Buddhist cultural atmosphere. The school started with 16 students in the “West Cliff” Bungalow, founded by “The Sadachara Baudda Kulangana Samithiya” under the guidance of Rev. Karandana Aththadassi of Dhammayukthikaramaya, Katukele. A group of distinguished Buddhists, such as Sir Benet Soyza, Mrs.Sera De Soyza, Sir Kuda Ratwatte and Mrs. Chithravo Ratwatte, played a pioneer role in the establishment of this institution.
Appearance of the College
The founder principal of Mahamaya, Mrs. Hilda Kularathne who was also the founder principal of Ananda Vidyalaya, assumed duties on August 27, 1932 and the reopening of the main building took place on the same day. She pioneered English education for Buddhist girls. Although she was a woman of western upbringing, she proved her capabilities to the Sinhala Buddhist students. She encouraged students to preserve the value of their cultural identity. At the end of 1932, the number of students had increased to 70. The second principal, Mrs. Bertha Rodgers Ratwatte assumed duties in 1937. During her tenure of nearly eleven years, she upheld the religious aspirations of its founders.
The educational reforms introduced by Mr.C.W.W.Kannangara, fueled the rapid progress of Mahamaya. Mrs.Soma Pujitha Gunawardane as the third principal of Mahamaya, played a key role in laying the steady foundation for the improvement of a sound 
moral training together with a complete academic education. Mrs. Lalitha Fernando who assumed duties as the fourth principal of Mahamaya demonstrated her supreme administrative skills, in promoting the
Victorious Swimming Team
high ideals nurtured by her illustrious predecessors.
During the period of the Mrs. N.K.Pilapitiya the school celebrated the “Golden Jubilee Celebration” in 1982. Mrs. M.Subasinghe, Mrs.I.K.Rathnayake and Mrs.B.M.Wijesinghe held the post of principal in the last two decades respectively.
At present, Mahamaya Gilrs’ College is boosted with more than 4500 students. The present principal Mrs. I. Vithanachchi assumed duties on July 7, 2005. She upholds the value and system initiated by the founders of the school. The college staff comprises of 195 teachers.
Students of Mahamaya have greatly excelled in their academic field. Annually, the school records the highest results in the G.C.E, (O/L) and A/L examinations results in the Central Province. Many students gain the qualification to enter the leading universities and pursue higher studies in the medical, engineering, arts and law faculties.
In 2012, fifty three students of Mahamaya, out of 100 students from the Kandy district were eligible to apply for the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship, which is granted annually to students who display the highest proficiency at the G.C.E, (O/L) examination. According to statistics, the students of Mahamaya had obtained the highest number of 9As in the Central Province.
Students who got 9As in the 2012 GC.E.(O/L) Examination
In 2012, 44% of students from the mathematics stream and 42% of students from the Bio Science stream were eligible to enter universities.
Since the inception, the school has shown a lot of progress in the field of sports. For 15 consecutive years, Mahamaya has won the All Island Swimming Championship. Hansani Weerathunga, Madhawee Weerathunga and Sunethra Wijerathne have won many championships and awards at National and International levels.
Ridmi Karadanarachchi and Sheshala Bandara have displayed their performances in Table tennis. Ridmi Karadanarachchi was awarded the Silver Medal at the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Tournament. She has also participated at the Commonwealth World championship, Asian and South Asian Table Tennis Tournaments. Sheshala Bandara was also able to win the Silver Medal at the South Asian Junior Table tennis Tournament held in India.
Athletics, Badminton, Gymnastics and Chess are the other sports in which students have shown their colours. Every year the Zonal level Championship in Athletics is won by Mahamaya.
Ridmi Karadanarachchi and Sheshala Bandara the Tennis players who were awarded silver medal at the South Asian Junior Table tennis Tournaments.
The aesthetic unit of the college too contributes to promote the standard of a variety of aesthetic activities which are held annually. “Kala Ullela” is a glamorous event organised by the Eastern Music Unit. Many talented students have displayed their aesthetic abilities in singing, music, drama and dancing competitions at the “Kala Ullela”. This year the annual “Kala Ullela” titled as “Induwara Dehana” was a great success. The popular veteran actress and the member of the Sri Lanka Parliament Malini Fonseka, graced the occasion as the chief guest at this event.
The ICT section of the school prepares the students to face the changes in the modern technology. Many students have won certificates and awards at the annual provincial software competitions. In 2012, at the Fourth National level school ICT Championship, Sanjani Wijekoon obtained second place in the Central Province.
The students of Mahamaya always come to the forefront in all award winning competitions. With the vision of “to produce refined Sinhala Buddhist women achieving high academic and all round excellence while upholding the Buddhist traditions”, Mahamaya Girls’ College lead their daughters to reach the top in the near future.
- Sujitha Miranda
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