Wesley College, Colombo
| Wesley College, Colombo | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | |
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Borella, Colombo Sri Lanka |
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| Information | |
| Type | Semi-Government |
| Motto |
Ora et Labora ("Pray & Labour On") |
| Established | 2 March 1874 |
| Founder | Rev. D. H. Pereira |
| Principal | Mr. Avanka Fernando |
| Faculty | 300 |
| Grades | 1 – 13 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 5 to 20 |
| Enrollment | 3500 |
| Pupils | Wesleyites |
| Colour(s) | Cambridge Blue and Oxford Blue |
| Affiliation | Methodist |
| Website | www.wesleycollege.lk |
Wesley College, Colombo, popularly known as "Wesley" or "The Double Blues" is a leading private school providing primary and secondary education in Sri Lanka. Wesley College is a Methodist educational institution.
In 1858, Rev. Joseph Rippon wanted to establish a superior educational institution for the Wesleyan Methodist Mission in South Ceylon. On 2 March 1874 (the death anniversary of Rev. John Wesley) Wesley College was founded in the City Mission Buildings at Dam Street, Pettah, Sri Lanka. Wesley’s first Principal was Rev. Samuel R. Wilkin and the first Vice-Principal was Rev. D. Henry Pereira.
Many years later, under the guiding hand of Rev. Henry Highfield, Wesley was moved from Dam Street, Pettah to its current residence at Karlshrue Gardens, Borella in 1907.
The Methodist institution was envisaged to be a distinctly Christian college, however it currently provides secondary education for over three thousand Sri Lankan students from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Wesley College has since established two branches to accommodate its growing number of students. One branch is situated in Havelock Town, Colombo while the other is in Thampola, Katunayake.
Wesley College is named after John Wesley (1703–1791), the founder of the Methodist Church.
Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira is considered to be the founder of Wesley College. The following is an excerpt from the 125th Anniversary Souvenir and was penned by Shelton Peiris.
"In a Journey, back in time, to the environs of dusty, noisy Pettah, we go over to the Wesleyan Mission premises in Dam Street, where we find a group of children at the feet of a benign Minister, the Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira. It certainly was no place for a school but in spite of the many difficulties, no doubt inspired by the Lord, this man kept his grace. Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira, born (circa) 1826 was the eldest son of the Rev. Don Daniel Pereira who started life as a young school master and taught in a school built by the Rev. Benjamin Clough. On joining the Ministry he followed deep evangelistic trends.
He was called "The Apostle of Kurana". Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira had a younger brother, who was Rev. Peter Bartholomeusz Pereira. Young Daniel Henry was keenly interested in teaching and at a very early age took an equally great interest in the snakes which he studied identifying their species and habits under a famous South Indian Snake Specialist who reserved no secrets as he instructed his pupil. Daniel Henry was quick to absorb the life pattern of these ophidian reptiles. In fact, in later years, he had edited a catalogue in Sinhala and had contributed to journals. He submitted papers to the Ceylon Friend, a journal associated with the Wesleyian Church. His contribution to these many journals gave rise to research. He was also an authority on ants in Ceylon. He had great hopes of being a Scientist but in response to his dying mothers wish, he entered the Ministry, in 1851. In addition to his knowledge of reptiles, ants, snails and slugs as a nature scientist he was also proficient in English, Sinhala and Portuguese.
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