Vidyartha College
| Vidyartha College | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | |
|
Kandy Sri Lanka |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Government school |
| Motto |
"විද්යා සර්වස්ය භුෂණම්" Education is the Best Jewelry |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Buddhist |
| Established | 1942 |
| Principal | Ranjith Rajapaksha |
| Grades | 1–13 |
| Number of students | Over 5100 |
| Color(s) |
NavyAquaGold |
| Affiliation | Vidyartha Society (1942) |
| Website | www.vidyartha.lk |
Vidyartha College (Sinhala:) is an all male Buddhist institution located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The college was founded in 1942 by the Vidyartha Society, and is currently run by the Government of Sri Lanka. The college has two sections: the primary section which includes grades 1-5; and the secondary section which includes students in grades 6-13.
Although there were many educational opportunities for Buddhist children in the Central Province during the early 1900s, there was a lack of education in English. This deficiency led Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke to create the Vidyartha Society in 1939. Other contributors to this project were T. B. Panabokke, M. B. Panabokke, S. L. Ratwatte, A. C. L. Ratwatte, William Gopallawa (President of Sri Lanka), T. B. Ranaraja, A. B. Pinnawala, K. B. Wijekoon, R. Divithotawela, A. Rathnayake, G. D. A. Abeyrathne, Dr. L. B. Senevirathne, L. M. Koswatta, M. B. E. Senevirathne and M. B. Kulugammana. The Society eventually purchased a private school named King's College, which was located on a rise on Katugasthota Road. Later, the name was changed to Vidyartha College. The new college had forty students and six teachers, and the first principal was G. D. A. Abeyratne. On 1 August 1961, the government took control of the college and still maintains control today.
Vidyartha College quickly became a popular school in Sri Lanka. A hostel and main hall were added, so that the college cold accept more students; children in rural areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala were now able to attend Vidyartha.
In 1954, an Advanced Level of Examination was held at Vidyartha for the first time. The college has since added three programs: Science in 1958, Commerce in 1972, and Information Technology in 1994.
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