Bandaranayake College, Gampaha Explained

Bandaranayake College, Gampaha
Native Name:බණ්ඩාරනායක විද්‍යාලය, ගම්පහ
Motto:"විද්වාන් සර්‍වත්‍ර පූජ්‍යතේ"
Motto Translation:Scholar is always honored
Postcode:11000
Coordinates:7.0917°N 80.0056°W
Former Names:• Henarathgoda Seewali Buddhist School
• Henarathgoda Senior Secondary School
• Henarathgoda Secondary English School
• Kasagahawatta Maha Vidyalaya
• Bandaranayake Maha Vidyalaya
• Bandaranayake College (since 1993)
Founder:Charles Samarasooriya
Grades:6 - 13
Classes:A - J (10), A - S (19)
School Code:BCG
Principal:Kasun Gunarathne
Teaching Staff:250
Gender:Boys
Age Range:10 to 19
Enrolment:5,000
Campus Size:25adj=onNaNadj=on
Campus Type:Urban
Team Name:Nayakenz
Colours:Navy blue and maroon

Bandaranayake College Gampaha (Sinhala; Sinhalese: බණ්ඩාරනායක විද්‍යාලය ගම්පහ) is a Buddhist boys' school in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, founded on 18 September 1918. The school has a student population exceeding 5,000 across 8 grades from grade 6 to advanced level classes, on a campus of 10ha. Boys are admitted at grade six, based on the results of an island-wide Scholarship Examination.

History

In 1918, this school was established as Henarathgoda Seewali Buddhist School at the place where Yasodara Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya is presently located. Charles Samarasooriya was the first principal of the school. In 1949, the school was established as the Henarathgoda Senior Secondary School, and then it was established as the Henarathgoda Secondary English School at its present location. When the school was established at its current location, Jinadasa Munasinghe was the principal.[1]

In 1923, this school was promoted as a first grade school.[2] It had been a mixed-sex school up to 1985, when it became a single sex (male) school. On 25 May 1993, the school was advanced to the national level as, Bandaranayake Vidyalaya.

Former principals include:

Houses

The students are divided into four houses:These houses are named after some of the greatest ancient kings in the history of Sri Lanka. Students participate in an annual inter-house sport meet.

Notable alumni

NameNotability
International cricket player (2003–2019)
Member of Sri Lanka Parliament - Kegalle (2004–2015)
First-class cricket player
Member of Sri Lanka Parliament - Gampaha (2013–2020), mayor Gampaha (2006–2009)
Member of Sri Lanka Parliament - Kurunegala (1994–present)
Deputy chief of staff (Navy) - Eastern Naval Area (2016–present)
Member of Sri Lanka Parliament - Gampaha (2020–present)
K. N. O. DharmadasaSenior Professor
Udeni Rajapakse19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (2023-present)
Sahan ArachchigeInternational cricket player (2023-present)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SCHOOL PROFILE. Bandaranayake College. 4 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204090002/http://bandaranayake.sch.lk/main/index.php/school-profile/. 4 February 2015. dead.
  2. Web site: Gampaha Bandaranayake College inherits a unique school culture. Sunday Times.