Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda
වේයන්ගොඩ බණ්ඩාරනායක මධ්‍ය විද්‍යාලය
Location
Bandaranayake Road, Veyangoda

11100

Sri Lanka
Coordinates6°54′16″N 79°51′40″E / 6.90444°N 79.86111°E / 6.90444; 79.86111
Information
Other nameVeyangoda Central College
TypeNational school
Mottoඅත්තාහි අත්තනො නාථො..
(Attahi Attano Natho(Pali)
(Buddhist quote from the Apramadha Vagga in the Dhammapada.)
Meaning: "One is the refuge of oneself.")
Religious affiliation(s)Buddhism
Established6 January 1941 (1941-01-06)
FounderC. W. W. Kannangara
School districtGampaha District
PrincipalWasantha Herath (Acting)
Staff135
Grades6 to G.C.E. (A/L)
GenderBoys/Girls
Enrollment2640 (approx.)
Campus size20-acre (0.081 km2)
Colour(s)Green and Yellow   
PublicationSmart Valley Sri Lanka
Websitebandaranayakeccveyangoda.lk

Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda (Sinhala:වේයන්ගොඩ බණ්ඩාරනායක මධ්‍ය විද්‍යාලය), also known as “Veyangoda Central College (VCC)”, is a National school in Sri Lanka. The school was originally one of the three first Central Colleges established under the education reforms of late Hon. C. W. W. Kannangara, who introduced free education in Sri Lanka. Today about 3270 students are studying from grade 6 to 13 and academic staff of 175 are engaged in the teaching process.

History

C.W.W Kannangara was Sri Lanka's first Minister of Education.[1][2]
On 6 January 1941 three central colleges, Veyangoda, Akuramboda, and Weeraketiya were opened by C.W.W Kannangara, Sri Lanka's first Minister of Education. Veyangoda Central College was created by joining three schools. They are Veyangoda Swabasha Patashalawa (Sinhala school), English school and Paththalagethara School which were in the same place where the President College, Veyangoda situated today, in the middle of Veyangoda town.

Later the school was moved into Maligathanna Watta and first building was opened by Mr.D.S. Senanayaka on 3 September 1951.

The school originally had 20 class rooms and two hostels, one for girls and one for boys, and two buildings for Home science and Vocational Training. Now there are 51 class rooms, an agriculture unit, a computer resource center and a computer lab in the college. Every pupil is entered to the college who passes the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination or G.C.E(O/L) Examination with highest results.

The College today

The College's Main Office - Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda view in 2015.

Today the school educates close to 3300 students. To accomplish this task the school is fully equipped with all the required facilities such as lecture halls, science & computer laboratories, auditoriums etc. This includes the 'College Hall'

Main Hall

which is looks like a national theatre. For many years the school has maintained an excellent academic record with its students achieving the highest grades at all national exams held annually. The main medium of education had been English, however with Sinhala becoming the official language. Since 2002, English has been reintroduced as a medium of education at the College. Students may select one of the two mediums to conduct their studies in.

Sport And School Bands are the major parts of Veyangoda Central since the olden days. Therefore, the school has developed its sports infrastructure to the finest standards.

Latest rankings of the college

Bandaranayake Central College is performing top ranks throughout all the schools in Sri Lanka.

  • 14th place out of the all Island Schools at G.C.E(O/L) Examination - 2021(2022)
  • 3rd place out of the Gampaha District's Schools at G.C.E(O/L) Examination - 2021(2022)
  • 2nd place out of the Gampaha District's schools at G.C.E.(A/L)-Art stream - 2019

Inter house sports meet and houses

The yearly sports meet is a colorful event of the school in every year. This event is to be held in the first study term in each year. Grade 7 to 12 students can play in the inter-house meet and this is a great opportunity to show their skills. Teachers as well as old students of the school participate. School invites to a unique character of the school as a chief guest of the closing ceremony of the houses meet.

School main playground and track view in 2014.

The students of our school are divided into four houses when they admit to the school from grade 5 scholarship examination:

  • Gamunu (ගැමුණු) - Color :  
  • Vijaya (විජය) - Color :  
  • Thissa (තිස්ස) - Color :  
  • Parakrama (පරාක්‍රම) - Color :  

The names are derived from distinguished past kings of Sri Lanka. The houses compete annually in all major games to win the respective inter-house games. This is a great opportunity for young students to enhance their skills.

Latest projects

Planned New Pavilion

The college has a play ground with 400m track. But it did not have a pavilion to suit its standard. The Past Pupils' Association(PPA) therefore embarked on building a Pavilion at a cost of Rs. 12.0 Mn. The construction commenced with the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone by Hon Bandula Gunawardane, the Minister of Education on 29 July 2010. The first phase of the pavilion was opened in March 2015 with a charm function and Pirith chanting. The next phases are now being continued to develop the main ground of the college.

Facilities

Being a national school as well as the 1st three Central Schools in Sri Lanka, Bandaranayake Central College has been well equipped with latest facilities and functions among schools. Recent mega projects with help of Sri Lankan government, Past Pupils' Association(PPA) and well-wishers, addressed some important issues such as the project of the school main play Ground Pavilion, Balcony for the main hall, Mahindyodaya Laboratory and other infrastructuring projects.

Sports

Sports play a dominant role in the school's regular activities, apart from the academics. Being the oldest of its sort in Gampaha with a history dating back to years, and the Boxing, Cricket, National Volleyball are much anticipated events of the college fixtures.

List of Principals

Mr. Samarasuriya

1941.01.06 - 1942.10.31

Mr. W.K. Iddawela

1943.01.04 - 1944.01.04

Mr. Kaldera

1944.01.04 - 1944.11.01

Mr. C.De S. Siriwardana

1944.11.01 - 1947.12.24

Mr. D.S. Kalugampitiya

1948.01.05 - 1955.05.01

Mr. B.G.D. Fernando

1955.01.01 - 1956.09.01

Mr. D.J. Edirisinghe

1956.09.02 - 1963.08.24

Mr. K.A.Pannccharathna

1963.08.30 - 1970.06.23

Mr. G.R. Pramawardana

1970.06.24 - 1977.08.08

Mr. P.S.Gunasekara

1977.08.10 - 1978.01.23

Mr. D.A.De Silva

1978.02.01 - 1978.12.31

Mr. P. Welhena

1979.01.01 - 1979.12.31

Mr. K. Wijayarathna Pranandu

1980.01.01 - 1980.08.26

Mr. D. Samaraweera

1980.09.04 - 1981.12.31

Mr. A.A.P. Abeysinghe

1981.12.11 - 1982.08.31

Mr. Y. Siripala Wijethilake

1982.09.01 - 1987.09.05

Mr. H.Samarasingha

1987.09.05 - 1987.12.31

Mr. T.K.Ariyawansha

1988.01.01 - 1989.01.01

Mr. S. Athawudhage

1989.01.02 - 1989.09.30

Mr. D.T.A.J. Disanayaka

1989.10.01 - 1990.05.25

Mr. M.P. Alvis

1990.05.25 - 1996.11.27

Mr. L.T. Lal Padmasiri

1996.11.27 - 1997.10.15

Mr. Priyantha Sri Lal Nonis

1997.10.16 - 2004.08.08

Mrs. A.K.M. Kathyana

2004.08.19 - 2004.09.10

Mr. W.P.S.K. Wijesingha

2004.09.10 - 2010.12.10

Mr. S.A.L.B. Sirimanna

2011.01.05 - 2020-01-08

Mr. H.A.W.K. Herath

2020-01-09 - 2022-07-21

Mr. D.H.S.D. Somarathna

2022-07-22 - Present

Notable teachers

The College has a very big list of notable teachers since its beginning.

Some of them are;

  • Most Venerable Karandetiyana Gunananda Thera
  • Mr. Ramanayake (Combined Mathematics)
  • Mrs. Sandagiri (Sinhala)
  • Mrs Wallipuram (Science)
  • Mr. Ariyarathan (Geography)
  • Mr. Weedagama (Music)

Past Pupils' Association (PPA)

Veyangoda Central had many achievements apart from excellence in academics in the past. It had won All Ceylon Wrestling Tournament for 9 consecutive years. This is the first school to win both De Soyza Trophy and Herman Loose Trophy together for junior and senior cadet platoons at annual camps in Diyathalawa. The Past Students’ Association reorganised in 1991 had a rapid growth over the years and become the strongest PPA in all the schools in the district. It has currently a life membership of over 1350. PPA having motivated to help maintain good standing in both academic and other activities of the college, generously contributed in many ways, including annual scholarship programme during this period.

Important annual events

Event Name Organizers Description
Inter-House Sport Meet. Sport Council, Board of Prefects and Staff of teachers Sport competitions held among houses dividing to 4 houses.
C. W. W. Kannangara Day Board of Prefects and Staff of Teachers As the first three Central Colleges in Sri Lanka, College celebrates "Kannangara Day" with great activities on 23 September.
Annual Trip Staff of the Teachers Annual Trip is allowed Grade 7 up to 12 pupils in the 1st term of the year.
Prize Giving Staff of Teachers and Board of Prefects Previous year academic performance is appreciated. Sometimes this event is scheduled to be held twice a year.
Installation Ceremony Board of Prefects Installation ceremony of board of Prefects. Install Prefect badges (college crest) to students, who have selected as Prefects.
Media and Telecommunication Day Media and Telecommunication Unit This day includes lectures of the Media section, inter-school quiz competitions, entertainment programs, award ceremonies and many more.
Kala Ulela (Arts Festival) Arts Foundation The Arts Day is generally organized by the Arts Society of the college.
Vesak Related Activities Buddhist Student Society and various students groups Set of activities such as damma talks, sil observation, daana (alms givings), decorative work including famous 'thorana' of dageba shape and 'bakthi geetha' (deovtions) present by college eastern music group.
Big Match Cricket Club of Bandaranayake Central College and Henegama Central College Colleges. This match is scheduled to be held in every year.
Annual Astronomy Workshop Astronomical Society Combination activities such as lectures by professionals in the field, sky observation, quiz competitions and sky observation projects.
Science Day Science Society A series of activities ranging from lectures by senior academics, through science related dramas, to an inter-school science quiz competition.
Commerce Day Commerce Society A series of lectures and competitions held between inter-colleagues and inter-school Advanced Level students related to commerce-subjects.
Committee Installation Ceremony Interact Club of Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda Appoint the newly elected committee of Interact club and discuss about the further development of the college.

References

  1. ↑ Context of Educational Reforms Then and Now, Dr. Mohottige Upali Sedere, Educational Resource and Information Center
  2. ↑ "The great reformer of education". The Sunday Times. 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2007-10-07.

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