Badulla Uva Maha Vidyalaya (Uva College) a highly accepted boys Navodya School in Uva Province which gained its name not only for its academic success but also its sporting talents.
Uva College was the first school established in Uva province in 1867 by the Diocesan mission of Ceylon. It is situated in the heart of Badulla town. From the inception the college had two halls and two dormitories with a well equipped science laboratory. Adjoining the office was the principal’s quarters. The first principal was Mr. William. At first there were only twelve students and of these eight were Tamils. Seven students entered University. There were also several girls attending Advanced Level classes.
The school was quite well known in Uva as a secondary school. The medium taught at that time was English and one subject was taught either in Sinhala or Tamil. Then the college came under the tutelage of Christian fathers.
Quite a lot has changed over the years. Today the college has become Maha Vidyalaya with a student population of approximately 2200 and employs almost 120 teachers. The present principal is Mr. W.M.Nimal Weerasinghe (SLPS 2-I). With the dedicated service of staff, the college is maintaining its reputation with great deal of honour.
Uva College has produced great politicians, scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses etc. Badulla District Mayor Upali Nishaka Kulasekara, Minister of Foreign affairs, Dilan Perera, Wallawaya District Judge Indika Ruwan De Silva, former ASP Wijewardana, Dr. Balawardana are some of them.
Primary section of the school is a great asset to the school. They always bring quite a lot of success in the grade 5 scholarship examination. In 2011, 65 students got through the examination while Nethmina Poojana Chamika and W.M.Dinith Savinda scored the highest as 184.
Each year the College excels academically by producing some good G.C.E. (O/L) results and in G.C.E. (A/L)’s, the number of university entrants have increased in recent years. Some students have entered foreign universities while the rest have procured jobs in the private and government sectors.
The first Scouting batch in Badulla district was started at Uva College as a result the college has produced quite a lot of scouts who have done well.
Uva College has moulded so many sportsmen up to international standards and they have brought fame to the college. They have produced so many football and hockey players to the national team. Thilak Alfonso is a member of the national football team from this school, Hennayake is presently a cricket coach at the Bandula Warnapura Cricket Academy and Dushmantha is the football team captain of the civil security force.
During recent times Uva College students have done well, not only in football, but have excelled in Chess, Rugby Football and Athletics as well. In 2006 Tharaka De Silva was placed 1st in the 400m at the All Island School Athletics meet. The Under 14 Rugby team won the 2nd place at the All Island Rugby Championship in 2011. At the All Island Chess Championship a student from this college grabbed the under 13 championship.
Aesthetic section is the other area where Uva College students have done well. In 2009 they won the 3rd place and in 2010 they won the 2nd place at the All Island Dancing competition. Thirty trained Kandian Dancers of this school had their “Wess Ceremony” in 2009. Ilham Faizal of Uva College is a talented artist who won the 1st place at the National Art Competition, 2009.
With all these academic and non-academic activities and successes, they aim to produce a well-balanced and all round student population to the nation.
- Sujitha Miranda |
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