Isipathana College

Isipathana College[1] (formerly known as Greenlands College[2]) is a National school for boys located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Founded in January 1952, the school was initially named as Isipathana Maha Vidalaya,[3] but is now referred to simply as "Isipathana".

Isipathana College
Location
Colombo

Sri Lanka
Coordinates6°53′15″N 79°52′06″E
Information
TypeNational
MottoPali : "दलहन पगनाथा वीरा "
Sinhala : "අදිටනින් වෙර වඩමු"
(Strive With Determination)
Established2 February 1952 (1952-02-02)
FounderB. A. Kuruppu
PrincipalPremasiri Epa (acting)
Staff350
GradesClass 1 - 13
GenderBoys
Age5 to 19
Enrollment5,000
Colour(s)Dark green, light green & dark green
   
Former pupilsOld Isipathanian
Websitewww.isipathanacollege.lk

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 the lush greenery of Havelock Town on Greenlands Road (after which it was named), about 7 acres (28,000 m2) in extent.

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

The initial admissions were made by a Board composed of Principals of Royal College Colombo and Thurstan Colleges and the Head Master of Royal Preparatory School; classes were organized in all three streams - Sinhala, Tamil and English, with a tutorial staff of seven teachers.

The college crest was designed by the first principal with the assistance of J. D. A. Perera and Stanley Abeysinghe of Heywood School of Art, with the lighted lamp and open book and motto "Strive with determination". The college colours dark and light green were selected from the name of the college (Greenland College).

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

The first issue of the college magazine came out in 1954. In 1956 Vihara Mandiraya and Chaitya was 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[4] 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 as Kanishta (junior) and Jeshta (upper) Vidyalayas (colleges) with two separate principals. In 1975 the Education Department amalgamated Kanishta Vidyalaya (junior college) with the Maha Vidyalaya (senior college).

In 1999 the schools were amalgamated into a single college under one principal.

The current principal is Premasiri Epa. The school currently has more than 5,000 students enrolled, from grades 1 to 13.

The school anthem is "Sarade Matha Isipathanaya apa..."

Sports

Cricket

An annual cricket contest match, Battle of Brothers, also called The Big Match, played against the school's traditional rival between Thurstan College. The first Battle of Brothers was in 1963, there have been 57 matches played, with 41 ending in a draw. Thurstan College won seven times and Isipathana College five times.[5]

Rugby

In addition to the 'Abdul Jabar Trophy' which is played with the traditional rivals from Thurstan College. Most Trophy won by Isipathana College.[6]

Isipathana Rugby team.

Notable alumni
Name Notability References
Asanka Gurusinha International cricket player (1985–1996)
Ashantha de Mel International cricket player (1982–1986)
Asoka de Silva (cricketer) International cricket player (1985–1991)
Aravinda de Silva International cricket player (1984-2003)
Jayantha Paranathala International cricket player (1977–1990)
Suresh Perera International cricket player (1998–2001)
Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development (2010–2015)
Gangodawila Soma Thero Scholar monk [7]
Chitral Somapala vocalist, songwriter and composer. [8]
Sampath Tennakoon Cinema, theater and television actor [9]
Hashan Tillakaratne International cricket player (1989–2004)
Sanjeewa Weerasinghe International cricket player (1985)
Nuwan Zoysa International cricket player (1997–2004)

Principals
NameFromTo
B. A. Kuruppu1 January 195211 October 1959
S. J. Rodrigo12 October 19597 January 1965
A. H. Wijetunge8 January 196528 May 1965
H. R. Perera1 June 196531 July 1966
H. D. De Silva (Acting Principal)1 August 196631 July 1967
Brevel. Col. G.W. Rajapakse1 August 196730 June 1969
W. T. P. T. Thilakaratne1 July 19699 February 1971
T. E. de S. Leelananda10 February 197122 October 1979
S. de Muthukumarana23 October 197930 December 1980
V. S. Kudaligama1 January 19815 January 1981
Gamini Chandrasekara6 January 198230 January 1987
D. G. W. Jayasinghe1 February 19877 January 1997
H. A. Upali Gunasekara10 January 199731 February 2002
Punyadasa Kuruppu1 January 200319 July 2010
I. M. Kamal Palitha Illanasinghe20 July 201030 May 2011
A. M. A. A. C. Perera1 June 20111 June 2015
Epa K. Premesiri1 June 2015

References
  1. "Isipathana College Online Information Centre". Isipathanaonline.info. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  2. "About Isipathana College". Isipathanaonline.info. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  3. Shamseer Jaleel (29 June 2003). "A few hiccups but Isipathana are strong and agile as ever". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  4. "Street Names In Colombo". CeylonLanka.info. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  5. "Isipathana and Thurstan in tame draw". Sunday Observer. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  6. "Annual Abdul Jabbar Shield Rugby clash :Isiathana thrashes Thurstan 48-nil". Daily News. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  7. "Soma Thero". Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  8. "Chitral 'Chity' Somapala". www.somapala.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. "PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
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