Isipathana College
Isipathana College Entrance
Location
Colombo Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6°53′15″N 79°52′06″E / 6.88750°N 79.86833°E / 6.88750; 79.86833
Information
Former name	Greenlands College
Type	National
Motto	Pali : "දළහං පග්ගණහ විරියං" Sinhala : "අදිටනින් වෙර වඩමු" (Strive With Determination)
Established	2 February 1952 (1952-02-02)
Founder	B. A. Kuruppu
Principal	Oshara Panditharathna
Staff	350
Grades	1 - 13
Gender	Boys
Age	5 to 19
Enrollment	5,000
Colour(s)	Dark green and light green
Song	Sarade Matha
Alumni	Old Pathanians
Website	www.isipathanacollege.lk

Isipathana College^[1] previously known as Greenlands College.^[2] Isipathana College is a national school for boys in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Founded in January 1952, by B. A. Kuruppu, the school offers both primary and secondary education, with classes ranging from grades 1 to 13. With an enrollment of 5,000+ students.

History

In January 1952, with an intake of 400 boys, who constituted the overflow from the Royal Preparatory School, Greenlands College was established in a coconut grove amidst Havelock Town on Greenlands Road (after which it was named), about 2.8 hectares (7 acres) in extent.

The first principal was B. A. Kuruppu (1952 -1959), who was then the vice-principal of Blue Street Central College, Kotahena.

B. A. Kuruppu, founder of Greenlands College

The initial admissions were made by a board composed of principals of Royal College Colombo and Thurstan Colleges, and the headmaster of Royal Preparatory School; classes were organised in all three streams - Sinhala, Tamil and English, with a tutorial staff of seven teachers.

The first principal designed the college crest with the assistance of J. D. A. Perera and Stanley Abeysinghe of Heywood School of Art. It consists of a lighted lamp and an opened book with the motto "Strive with Determination" below. The college colours are dark and light green, which was selected from the college's name (Greenlands College).

The first sports meet was held in March 1953, and the first prize-giving was in 1954.

The first issue of the college magazine came out in 1954. In 1956 Vihara Mandiraya and Chaitya were built to commemorate "Buddha Jayanthi year" at school premises. The college had adapted itself to the socio-cultural changes which were taking place since Buddha Jayanthi in 1956, which led to the renaming of the college in 1961. Greenlands Road had been renamed as Isipathana Mawatha^[3] after Isipathanaramaya Temple, and the school was renamed as Isipathana Maha Vidyalaya. Within a decade, Greenlands became Isipathana.

In 1962, the college was divided into two schools, junior and upper colleges, with two separate principals. In 1975 the Education Department amalgamated junior college with the upper college. In 1999 the schools were amalgamated into a single college under one principal.

The Isipathana College flag proudly displays the school's distinctive dark green and light green colors, symbolizing its identity. At the center, the school crest stands as a powerful emblem, representing the values and heritage of college.

Houses

The students are divided into four Houses. The names are derived from four poets - Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera, Rabindranath Tagore, John Milton and Muhammad Iqbal. The houses compete to win the annual inter-house sport meet.

Sports

Rugby

The word "Isipathana" is a synonym for Rugby in Sri Lanka for their proud history and heritage in the schools' rugby arena. The school is responsible for producing many top-notch rugby players for the nation.

Isipathana College formerly known as Greenlands College have been tagged as the Kings of Schools Rugby, which they have maintained since the school started playing the game in 1963. The college commenced competitive rugby in 1960, led by Randy Keller playing friendly games at under 17 level.

Rugby at Isipathana began with Randy Keller who was an ardent spectator at all the matches that his father played for Havelock SC. Their first senior team to come out was in 1963, led by Bryan Ingram and coached by Y. C. Chang. The college's first major game was against St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, which they defeated their opponents by 8 - 3.

Isipathana College's Rugby Achievements

Isipathana College has established itself as one of the most successful teams in the history of school rugby in the country. The college boasts an impressive record, including multiple championships in various tournaments.

Schools Rugby League

Isipathana College has been a dominant force in the Sri Lankan Schools Rugby League, having won sixteen League Championships. The team achieved championship victories in the years 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2022.

President's Trophy Knockout Tournament

Regarded as one of the most prestigious school rugby competitions in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Schools President's Trophy Knockout Tournament showcases the top eight school rugby teams in the country. Isipathana College has emerged as the most successful team in the history of this tournament, securing the championship title on eleven occasions. The team's victories in the tournament came in the years 1985, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2022. Additionally, Isipathana College has finished as runners-up in the tournament on fourteen occasions, in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 2017 and 2023.

All Island Sevens Schools Rugby Tournament

Isipathana College holds the record for winning the All Island Sevens School Rugby tournament seventeen times.

Traditional Rivals

Abdul Jabbar Trophy

The Abdul Jabbar Trophy is an annual rugby match played between Thurstan College and Isipathana College. The trophy is named after Abdul Jabbar, a former principal of Thurstan College, who played a key role in elevating the match to big match status in 1967. The encounter symbolises the longstanding tradition of friendly competition and sportsmanship between the two schools. Isipathana College currently holds the upper hand in the series, with 48 victories. There has only been one match that ended in a draw, occurring in 1975. In 1972, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2022, there were no matches played.

Major Milroy Fernando Trophy

The Major Milroy Fernando Trophy is a rugby trophy that is contested annually between Royal College and Isipathana College. Colonel Dudley Fernando donated the trophy in memory of his son, Major Milroy Fernando, who lost his life in a landmine explosion in Omanthai, Vavuniya on 6 January 1986. Isipathana College currently holds the upper hand in the series, with sixteen victories compared to Royal College's twelve. There have been four matches that ended in a draw, occurring in 1987, 2001, 2002, and 2013. In 1991, 1994, 1995, 2007, 2020, and 2021, there were no matches played.

Notable alumni

Principals

References

External links

• Isipathana Online Information Center
• Hockey
• SLRFU Captains