Sri Dharmaloka College
Encyclopedia
Sri Dharmaloka College is one of the well-established prominent national schools in the Western province of Sri Lanka
, situated near the Kelaniya Temple. The school opened in the 1938s on the premises of Vidyalankara Pirivena
. In the 1950s, the college moved to its current location on the Kelaniya premises. Sri Dharmaloka College has been serving the educational needs of society in a responsible manner for the last seventy years.
after he had obtained enlightenment
. In this same lyric, Buddha is said to have continued "The wise has attained."
English school established in Peliyagoda
in 1938 under the patronage of Vidyalankara Pirivena. It was named for the late Sri Dharmaloka Thero, founder of the pirivena
.
Rev. Yakkaduwe Pannarama was a scholar priest who became the head of the pirivena and later the Vice Chancellor of Kelaniya University. When Rev. Pannarama and several other priests walked along Waragoda Road from the Pirivena in Peliyagoda to Bodhirukkharamaya in Waragoda, some Catholics of St. Paul's Convent and Girl's School were in the habit of shouting "thattayo," "sivuruhoro" and other words to humiliate them. Rev. Pannarama brought this to the notice of Sir D. B. Jayatilaka, President of the Dayaka Sabhawa, and he suggested that the pirivena must start a Buddhist school near the Catholic area as it is only through education that such persons may be corrected. So Jayatilaka and Rev Yakkaduwe founded the school. They also discussed at the Sabha meeting that even Christian children would join the school later and that education is the only way to combat ignorance.
Sri Dharmaloka Vidyalaya was opened in 1938 in a small building on land adjoining Vidyalankara Pirivena, and Mr. B. A. Kuruppu became its first headmaster. Sir D. B. Jayathilaka inaugurated the educational activities of the school by taking the first lessons of the first students. In 1940, Dharmaloka ushered in an era of rapid development. D. B. Dhanapala, the famous journalist, became principal of the school. At the beginning, this school possessed neither a playground nor sufficient space to set up even a volleyball court. The school building was surrounded by marsh. The road leading to the pirivena was used as a sports ground. The school gained in popularity and the following year, parents of Kelaniya rushed to get their children admitted. The size of the school building did not permit him to admit all the children who sought admission. He organized a fundraising carnival which enabled him to put up a two-storey building which could accommodate more children. The school was moved to Yasmin Walawwa premises.
The greatness of Dhanapala lay not only in his ability to teach and guide the students in educational matters, but also in his qualities as a great disciplinarian through which he imparted high moral ideals both to his students and teaching staff. During this period there were teachers of outstanding abilities such as C. M. Weeraratne, later Vice Principal of Ananda College and mathematics instructor at the University of Colombo
, A. P. Jinadasa, H. L. Rathnapala, U.G.P. de Mel and Brakenridge whose impressive teaching methods influenced former Dharmaloka students who are now doctors, engineers, lawyers and more.
In 1946, Dhanapala left the school due to differences of opinion with the board of governors; most of the staff resigned with him. The school was handed over to the government and the venue shifted to the present site. Mr. H. M. Gunasekara took over the reins of the school as the principal.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, situated near the Kelaniya Temple. The school opened in the 1938s on the premises of Vidyalankara Pirivena
Vidyalankara Pirivena
Vidyalankara Pirivena is one of the largest Buddhist pirivenas in Sri Lanka. Located in Peliyagoda, it is nearly 100 years old. Under the pirivena's leadership, several schools were started in the region; one is Sri Dharmaloka College, one of the primary colleges in the region....
. In the 1950s, the college moved to its current location on the Kelaniya premises. Sri Dharmaloka College has been serving the educational needs of society in a responsible manner for the last seventy years.
Motto
Dharmaloka's motto is "Aloko Uda Paadee," which means "The light has come," a lyric reputed to be mentioned by the greatest philosopher Lord BuddhaBuddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
after he had obtained enlightenment
Enlightenment (spiritual)
Enlightenment in a secular context often means the "full comprehension of a situation", but in spiritual terms the word alludes to a spiritual revelation or deep insight into the meaning and purpose of all things, communication with or understanding of the mind of God, profound spiritual...
. In this same lyric, Buddha is said to have continued "The wise has attained."
Crest
Dharmaloka's crest is a circle which contains a symbol of an oil lamp, the school motto, and lotus petals. The lotus petals symbolize glory and success. The oil lamp symbolizes light, wisdom and glory. The motto is in the middle circle of the crest.Flag
Dharmaloka's flag was designed many years after the school opened. It has three columns; the middle column is yellow and the side columns are maroon. In the middle column there is the school's crest. It symbolizes the school's glory and loyalty to Dharmaloka.History
Sri Dharmaloka is a BuddhistBuddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
English school established in Peliyagoda
Peliyagoda
Peliyagoda is a town and Urban Council in Gampaha District in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.As of 2001 it had an estimated population of 29,880.-References:...
in 1938 under the patronage of Vidyalankara Pirivena. It was named for the late Sri Dharmaloka Thero, founder of the pirivena
Pirivena
Pirivena is a monastic college for the education of Buddhist priests in Sri Lanka. These have been the centers of secondary and higher education in ancient times for lay people as well. Today 561 Piriven are founded and maintained by the Ministry of Education...
.
Rev. Yakkaduwe Pannarama was a scholar priest who became the head of the pirivena and later the Vice Chancellor of Kelaniya University. When Rev. Pannarama and several other priests walked along Waragoda Road from the Pirivena in Peliyagoda to Bodhirukkharamaya in Waragoda, some Catholics of St. Paul's Convent and Girl's School were in the habit of shouting "thattayo," "sivuruhoro" and other words to humiliate them. Rev. Pannarama brought this to the notice of Sir D. B. Jayatilaka, President of the Dayaka Sabhawa, and he suggested that the pirivena must start a Buddhist school near the Catholic area as it is only through education that such persons may be corrected. So Jayatilaka and Rev Yakkaduwe founded the school. They also discussed at the Sabha meeting that even Christian children would join the school later and that education is the only way to combat ignorance.
Sri Dharmaloka Vidyalaya was opened in 1938 in a small building on land adjoining Vidyalankara Pirivena, and Mr. B. A. Kuruppu became its first headmaster. Sir D. B. Jayathilaka inaugurated the educational activities of the school by taking the first lessons of the first students. In 1940, Dharmaloka ushered in an era of rapid development. D. B. Dhanapala, the famous journalist, became principal of the school. At the beginning, this school possessed neither a playground nor sufficient space to set up even a volleyball court. The school building was surrounded by marsh. The road leading to the pirivena was used as a sports ground. The school gained in popularity and the following year, parents of Kelaniya rushed to get their children admitted. The size of the school building did not permit him to admit all the children who sought admission. He organized a fundraising carnival which enabled him to put up a two-storey building which could accommodate more children. The school was moved to Yasmin Walawwa premises.
The greatness of Dhanapala lay not only in his ability to teach and guide the students in educational matters, but also in his qualities as a great disciplinarian through which he imparted high moral ideals both to his students and teaching staff. During this period there were teachers of outstanding abilities such as C. M. Weeraratne, later Vice Principal of Ananda College and mathematics instructor at the University of Colombo
University of Colombo
The University of Colombo is a public research university located primarily in Colombo, Sri Lanka...
, A. P. Jinadasa, H. L. Rathnapala, U.G.P. de Mel and Brakenridge whose impressive teaching methods influenced former Dharmaloka students who are now doctors, engineers, lawyers and more.
In 1946, Dhanapala left the school due to differences of opinion with the board of governors; most of the staff resigned with him. The school was handed over to the government and the venue shifted to the present site. Mr. H. M. Gunasekara took over the reins of the school as the principal.
List of school principals
| From | To | Principal's Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | 1941 | Mr. B. A. Kuruppu |
| 1942 | 1946 | Mr. B. W. Dhanapala |
| 1947 | 1954 | Mr. H. M. Gunasekara |
| 1955 | 1956 | Mr. D. A. Weerasinghe |
| 1956 | 1957 | Mr. G. T. Fonseka |
| 1957 | 1960 | Mr. A. C. B. M. Monaragala |
| 1961 | 1962 | Mr. G. V. Bannahaka |
| 1962 | 1963 | Mr. B. D. M. Gunarathna |
| 1964 | 1967 | Mr. K. D. P. C. N. Vijegunarathna |
| 1968 | 1969 | Mr. P. R. Premaeardhane |
| 1970 | 1972 | Mr. Sugathamuny Ghanasiri |
| 1972 | 1973 | Mr. D. T. Thewarapperuma |
| 1973 | 1973 | Mr. L. V. V. Jayasinghe |
| 1973 | 1982 | Ven. Honorable Athtuduwave Chandrasiri Thero |
| 1983 | 1984 | Ven. Honorable Mawanane Dhewanandha Thero |
| 1984 | 1989 | Mr. D. G. W. Jayasinghe |
| 1989 | 1991 | Ven. Honorable Brahmanawatthe Seewalee Thero |
| 1992 | 1995 | Mr. Piyasena Athapatthu |
| 1995 | 1996 | Mr. J. A. Karunarathne |
| 1996 | 1997 | Mrs. H. Godawattha |
| 1997 | 1997 | Mr. T. SA. S. G. Jayawardene |
| 1997 | 2002 | Mr. G. Gunathilake |
| 2002 | 2004 | Mr. T. S. Thanapathi |
| 2004 | to date | Mr. A. G. Nimal Jayaweera |