Ananda Central College

Ananda Central College is situated on the left side of the road towards Pitigala 100 meters from the main city of Elpitiya in the Galle District. It consists of over 4000 students and a staff of about 130 teachers.

Ananda Central College was founded in the 1940s. During the World War II after the Japanese dropped bombs on Colombo 5 April 1942. In case Anagarika Dharmapala and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott tried to establish schools across the country, and as a result they founded The Ananda Central College.

During World War II bombing, people left Colombo - Sri Lanka towards the cities/villages inside the country. As a result, branches of schools in Colombo was formed in inner cities/villages in order to provide education. Ananda College - Elpitiya was started as a result of that.

Initially, the School was started in a temporary small hut made with cadjan leaves (Pol Athu) at 11th Mile Post at Elpitiya Pitigala Road. It was started with few number of students and the first Principle was Mr. M.W. Karunananda from Colombo Ananda College. The Land for the school was provided by Mr. Gunasekara who was living in the area that time. Ven. Goluwamulle Rathnalankara, Mr. S. T. Molligoda, Mr. Sebbakutti Arachchi were pioneers in starting the school. Initially the teachers from Colombo carried out teaching and it was managed by Colombo Parama Vignanartha Buddhist Society (පරම විඥානාර්ථ බෞද්ධ සමාගම). After Mr. Karunananda’ time as first principal, Mr. E.W. Gunapala, Mr. D.C.L. Amarasinghe and Mr. O. K. D. Silva served as principles respectively.

After World War II was over in 1945, people who came from Colombo went back again. At that time Principle, Mr. O. K. D. Silva, teachers and surrounding residents handed over the college to the Government. On 16 January 1945, the Education Minister Hon. C. W. W. Kannangara took over the school to the government. After that the college went on a huge transformation and development. That time the college was named as G/Elpitiya Government School. After that Mr. J. Amarasinghe, Mr. A. Thanthrigoda, Mr. D. Francis Silva, Mr. M. K. Wijethilaka served as principles of the school. While the school was in 11th mile post, the school produced some prominent persons such as Dr. D.P. Athukorala, Hon Minister Rupa Karunathilaka.

During Principle M. K. Wijethilaka's time, the school was moved to current location at Elpitiya on 30 March 1955. The new building was opened by Educational Director Mr. T.T. Jayasuria and Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala. During this time from Grade 6 to Senior High School level studies were carried out in English language. During this time school was changed to a Senior High School and the name of the school was changed to G/Ananda Central College (G represents Galle). During this time many courses added and new buildings, laboratories were built.

In 1958, GCE A/L Arts Section was started and in 1960, 05 students were elected to university education. This time the principle was Mr. Peter Rajapaksa.

In 1963, Mr. A. Thrimavithana was appointed as the principle and he changed the school time only for morning session (previously morning and evening sessions). He took over the provincial educational office land to the school. In 1965, Mr. W. Thambavita was appointed as the principle to school and this time GCE A/L Science and Arts Sections were established. The number of students in the school was increased up to 1,500. New laboratories, two story buildings, commerce lab were built this time. During that time with 10 donors in the vicinity of school built the library, while the teachers and students prepared the ground for construction. During Mr. Thambavita's time the school achieved a significant progress of education and sports.

After Mr. Tambavita's time, in 1978 Mr. P. Jinadasa became the principle. During his time the school became a Central College. Rupa Karunathilaka Auditorium was built this time. The playground was built by filing a huge marshy land. During this time also the school achieved many progress on educational achievements such as many students were selected to university studies on science and mathematics.

In 1981, Ms. Thamara Saman Deepika who was a student of the school won the all island badminton tournament and progressed up to national, and international level. In 1985, the school was selected to hold Mahapola 10th Anniversary which was a prominent event.

1986, Mr. G. A. Somadasa became the principle of the school. During this time the school became a nominated as a National School. After his time, in 1996, Mrs. G. Jinadasa was appointed as the school principle on a temporary basis.

In 1997, Mr. B. H. Ariyadasa (a former student of the college) became the principle. He got a change in location of employment and Mr. Danasiri Silva joined as the principle.

Subsequent to those initial leader's leading the school, many other principles led the school.

In addition to the Ananda Central College – Elpitiya, adjacently a primary school was there which was named as Elpitiya Buddhist Mix School (BTS). During 1970, the principal of that school, Mr. J. Kariyawasam made this school as a trial primary school for Ananda Central College – Elpitiya, but was not legally connected. After Mr. Kariyawasam, Mr. K.C. Perera, Mr. D.S. Maginarachchi became principles of the primary school. In 1979 the primary school legally combined with Ananda Central College- Elpitiya, during Mr. P. Jinadasa's time.

Ananda Central College is a village of schools. It has been serving for many years and continue to serve the area, province and the country.

The students are divided into four houses:

• Gamunu
• Parakum
• Thissa
• Vijaya

• "Death notice for P. Raja Maha Vihara Mawatha, Elpitiya, retired Principal of the school". Columbo Daily News. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-21.