Where the big akkis are always there to give a helping hand
Little ones at study in the Centenary Primary Building. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
The little ones in their pristine white uniforms and blue ties poring over their books in a modern building down Vajira Road in Colombo 4 may be oblivious that a whole lot of “big” akkis are always by their side.
These akkis, both young and old, who have walked out through the portals of this hallowed Buddhist girls’ school – recently or decades ago – may not be physically present all the time, but it is on their wings that great heights have been achieved. It is within the Centenary Primary Building funded by the Old Girls’ Association (OGA) of Visakha Vidyalaya to the tune of Rs. 100 million to commemorate the school’s 100th anniversary, that these little ones are being nurtured.
This month, when the OGA celebrates its 90th anniversary, it will raise more funds for its beloved alma mater. The Visakha Walk 2024 will be held on June 15.
It is OGA member Shanta Gunaratna, seated in the school’s Archives – with many photographs of eminent personalities, past and present, on its walls – who looks back not only to the beginnings of the school but also the OGA and the inextricable bond between the two.
First OGA President Mrs. Clara Motwani
With an urgent need for a Buddhist school for girls in Colombo, Buddhist Girls’ College had humble beginnings with 20 students on January 16, 1917 at ‘The Firs’, a charming house down Turret Road (now Dharmapala Mawatha). While the visionary was Mrs. Jeremias Dias (nee Celestina Rodrigo), interestingly, it had been St. Bridget’s Convent which had occupied the premises, before Buddhist Girls’ College.
From ‘The Firs’ the school moved to its over three-acre location, 133, Vajira Road, on November 21, 1927, with a name-change to Visakha Vidyalaya by Lady Herbert Stanley, wife of the then Governor of Ceylon. It was a private school then with a Board of Management, with personalities such as former Premier Dudley Senanayake having a few formative years under its care.
Having shifted gears in 1952 from a private school to one that was non-fee levying with the state taking over its management in 1961, it had been bestowed the status of a ‘National School’ in 1984. It is now one of the biggest government girls’ schools with more than 5,000 on its roll.
Current OGA President Mrs. Manomi Senevirathne
It had been during the tenure of Principal G.H. Pearse (1926-1933) that the past pupils were encouraged to meet-up at an Old Girls’ Day, with these informal gatherings being formalized into the OGA under Principal Clara L. Motwani (1933-1945).
The inaugural meeting of the OGA had been on June 23, 1934, with the first Office Bearers being: President – Mrs. Motwani (Principal); Vice President – Miss. Regina de Silva; Secretary – Miss. Pearl Senewiratne; and Treasurer – Mrs. Neil Hewavitarne.
“Those early days were mostly for fellowship,” says Ms. Gunaratna, tracing how by the late-1940s the OGA got into active fund-raising for the school, with these bonds being cemented over the years due to the Principal always being at the helm as OGA President. The current Principal and OGA President is Mrs. Manomi Senevirathne.
First OGA Vice President Miss. Regina de Silva
Charismatic Principal of yore, Susan George Pulimood (1945-1967), had harnessed the strength and talents of all linked to the school – OGA, parents, teachers and pupils – in major fund-raising efforts such as carnivals, concerts and more. It is in tribute to this revered Principal who was not only an educationist but also a scientist that the OGA organises the Pulimood Memorial Oration each year in July.
Ms. Gunaratna relives the seven-day festivities of the 1967 carnival held at the Racecourse Grounds to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the school, opened on the first day by Governor General William Gopallawa.
The funds from this carnival, the organisation of which had been spearheaded by the OGA, had been the base on which the funds to construct the Jeremias Dias Hall in memory of the school’s Founder had piled up. The hall had become a reality with some financial support from the Education Ministry, in 1982.
Another unique fund-raiser had been the musical, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in 1998 with then present and past pupils taking to the stage.
The seven-day carnival at Racecourse grounds in 1967 being opened by Governor General William Gopallawa
The OGA’s numerous other contributions to the school have been in both cash and kind. Some donations have been for infrastructure development, support for education and provision of medical services. The highlights include the installation of a CCTV system; equipping Advanced Level classrooms with Smart Boards; and the funding of the monthly salaries of the teachers in the English medium and scholarships to 200 needy students.
A recent initiative has been advisory committees of past pupils who have excelled in sports, conducting a needs-analysis for each sport, so that the OGA could provide equipment and infrastructure.
The OGA’s beneficence has also spread beyond the walls of Visakha Vidyalaya and includes an annual Vesak project under which equipment and drugs have been donated to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children and the Maharagama Cancer Hospital.
While helping others, for all those attending Visakha Vidyalaya, the message from the OGA is succinct and crystal clear: We are here for you!
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