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Mahinda College

Coordinates: 6°03′00.5″N 80°12′55.2″E / 6.050139°N 80.215333°E / 6.050139; 80.215333
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Mahinda College
The Crest of Mahinda College
Location
Map
Galle

Sri Lanka
Coordinates6°03′00.5″N 80°12′55.2″E / 6.050139°N 80.215333°E / 6.050139; 80.215333
Information
TypePublic School, National College
MottoKhippam Vāyama Pandito Bhava
(Strive hard and be wise)
Founded1 March 1892
FounderColonel Henry Steel Olcott
PrincipalJanaka Peduruhewa
Staff200
Grades1 to G.C.E. (A/L)
GenderBoys
Age6 to 19
Enrollment4000
Color(s)Black and gold
  
PublicationSahasa Magazine
AffiliationBuddhist
AlumniOld Mahindians
Websitewww.mahindacollege.lk

Mahinda College is a Buddhist boys' school in Galle, Sri Lanka. The school was established on 1 March 1892 by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.[1] As of today it is a national school which provides primary and secondary education across 13 grades to a student population of over 4000.[2][3]

History

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Main Hall of Mahinda College, which was named after Colonel Henry Steel Olcott

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, a retired United States army officer, came across a report of a religious debate between Buddhist monks and Christian clergy. He began to correspond with the Buddhist monks of Ceylon, eventually leading him to visit Ceylon.[4]

Olcott arrived on 17 May 1880 with Helena Blavatsky in Galle, where they converted to Buddhism at the Wijeyananda temple.[5] They founded the Buddhist Theosophical Society and set about opening up Buddhist schools such as Dharmaraja College in Kandy, Ananda College in Colombo, and Maliyadeva College in Kurunegala. With the help of John Bowles Daly, an Irish clergyman and a theosophist, Mahinda College was opened on 1 March 1892 in Galle Fort.[6] The school was named after Arahat Mahinda, the monk who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka.

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, founder of Mahinda College
John Bowles Daly, ca. 1892

Daly left after one year, followed by a number of principals serving for short periods. With the arrival of Frank Lee Woodward as principal in 1903, the average attendance of the school rose to 142 from 89.[7] Also in 1903, students took the Cambridge examination, and in July 1904, G. W. Perera won a scholarship to Cambridge. By 1905 there were 246 students attending.

Woodward had plans to relocate the college, and purchased land called “Dawatagahawatta” with a view of the Sripada (Adam's peak).[6] On 15 January 1908 the foundation stone of the Olcott hall was laid. On 1 August 1912 the new building was ceremonially opened and became the main hall of the college. With the new location, the number of students rose to 300.

In 1919, Woodward left for Tasmania to edit and translate Buddhist texts for the Pali Text Society, London.[7]

For the 60th anniversary of Mahinda College in 1952, a new physics laboratory was opened by the Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake on 12 September.

As of August 2024 the college provides education to 3,750 students from grades 1 to 13.[8] Students are divided into five groups: primary, junior, secondary, senior secondary and collegiate. The current principal of Mahinda College is Janaka Peduruhewa. The college employs 175 teachers[8] and 30 non academic staff.

Frank Lee Woodward, the principal of Mahinda College from 1903 to 1919

Past principals

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  • 1892–1893: John Bowles Daly
  • 1894: Lovegrove
  • 1895–1896: O. A. Jayasekara (Acting)
  • 1897–1898: M. Balasubramaniya Mudlier
  • 1898: Gordon Douglas
  • 1899: O. A. Jayasekara (Acting)
  • 1900: M. J. Fernando
  • 1901: O. A Jayasekara
  • 1902: McDougal
  • 1903–1919: F. L. Woodward
  • 1919–1920: Kalidas Nag
  • 1920: S. de S. Jayarathna (Acting)
  • 1921–1923: F. G. Pearce
  • 1923–1926: W. A. Troup
  • 1926–1932: P. R. Gunasekara
  • 1932–1962: E. A. Wijesuriya
  • 1962–1974: J.H. Gunasekara
  • 1974–1975: C. K. Waidyarathnae (Acting)
  • 1975–1978: B.K Silva
  • 1978–1983: W. A. D. S. Gunathilake
  • 1983–1987: C. K. Waidyarathnae
  • 1987–1991: D. D. Jayasundara
  • 1992–1994: M. Wickramasinha
  • 1994–1996: D. C. N. de Silva
  • 1996–2004: D. K. Athukorala
  • 2004–2007: K. A. Susil Premanath
  • 2007–2008: L. C. Karunasena (Acting)
  • 2008–2011: R. M. Werahera
  • 2011–2012: M. A. Jinadasa (Acting)
  • 2012–2014: W. M. Wasantha Siriwardhane
  • 2014–2021: P. M. G. Gamini Jayawardhane (Acting)
  • 2021–2023: Athula Wijayawardhana
  • 2023–2024: R. S. N. Maddhumahewage (Acting)
  • 2024-present: Janaka Peduruhewa

Houses

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Students are divided into four houses.

The houses are named after four ancient kings of Sri Lanka. Annual sporting events are held among the houses.

Lovers' Quarrel

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Main article: Richmond–Mahinda Cricket Encounter
Flags of Mahinda College at the 103rd Lovers' Quarrel

The Lovers' Quarrel or Battle of the Lovers [9] is an annual cricket match played between the cricket teams of Mahinda College and Richmond College, Galle. The contest was started in 1905 under the principal of Richmond College, Rev. James Horne Darrel, and the principal of Mahinda College, Frank Lee Woodward.

As of 2024, Mahinda College has won 23 times, while Richmond College has won 24 times.[10] The Lover's Quarrel was last won by Mahinda College in 2008, breaking a 30-year-long deadlock of draws which was started in 1978 the year Mahindians recorded their previous win in the big match.[11]

Notable alumni

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Main article: List of Mahinda College alumni

Notable teachers

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See also

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References

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  • A Story of Buddhist Determination: Mahinda College, Galle; Buddhist Annual of Ceylon, Vol I (1920), No. 2, p. 29-3
  1. ^ "Historical Context". Embassy of Sri Lanka, USA. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  2. ^ "Sri Lankan Olcott Schools Alumni - UAE". Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  3. ^ http://archives.dailynews.lk/2005/06/06/spo03.htm , Daily News Online
  4. ^ Agarwal, Prof. C.V. (18 February 2010). "Revival of Buddhism and theosophists". Daily News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  5. ^ Oliveira, Pedro. "BIO". CWL World. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010.
  6. ^ a b "College Profile". Mahinda Club. 2003. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  7. ^ a b Heyward, Nigel (1990). Woodward, Frank Lee (1871 - 1952). Australian Dictionary of Biography Online. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  8. ^ a b "School Profile". Mahinda College. Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  9. ^ Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold
  10. ^ Mahadura, Gamini (14 March 2010). "Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  11. ^ Tissera, Charit (24 March 2011). "Southern Sri Lanka awaits action at 106th Lover's Quarrel". ThePapare. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  12. ^ Saparamadu, Sumana (2006). "Ananda Samarakoon - The composer of our national anthem". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
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