St. Joseph's College, Wattala
St. Joseph's College, Wattala is a Catholic College which is a branch school of St. Joseph's College, Colombo.
| St. Joseph's College, Wattala | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| |
Enderamulla, Wattala | |
| Coordinates | 6.996785°N 79.909662°E |
| Information | |
| Motto | In Scientia et Virtute (Latin) (In Knowledge and Virtue) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1996 |
| Rector | Rev. Fr. Prasad Niranjan Fernando |
| Staff | 85 |
| Grades | 1 - 13 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Enrollment | 1469 |
| Colour(s) | Blue & White |
| Website | www |
History
The concept of the branch schools in the Archdiocese was initiated by the Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, the Archbishop of Colombo. St. Joseph’s College, Wattala, was in fact the first branch school of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10.
The school commenced with sixty students in 1996 under the guidance of the first Rector, Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera. Thereafter, a few buildings were constructed as the requirement arose.
The school was constructed on a plot of land of 8 acres (3 ha) donated by Esther Seneviratne, a member of the Catholic Parish of Enderamulla. She donated this land in memory of her husband Wilfred Seneviratne. Later, an additional 10 acres (4 ha) was added to the school with a donation made by President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The school’s property expanded with the help of all past Rectors. The school started flourishing very fast and attracted Catholics even from far ends of the diocese to get admission for their children.
Classes are conducted from Grade 1 to Grade 13. English medium was introduced in 2015. Presently, Rev. Fr. Prasad Niranjan Fernando works as the Rector of the College. Rev. Fr. Thilina Pathum acts as the Deputy Principal. There are 1,469 students with 85 teachers serving in the staff.
Past Priests-in-Charge, Principals and Rectors
Priests-in-Charge
| Rev. Fr. Sudath Gunetileke | 1996–2000 |
| Rev. Fr. Kennedy Perera | 2000–2001 |
| Rev. Fr. Sam Quintus Perera | 2001–2003 |
| Rev. Fr. Sudath Gunetileke | 2003–2005 |
Principals
| Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandopulle | 2006–2008 |
| Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi | 2008–2011 |
Rectors
| Rev. Fr. Stanley Abeysekera | 1996 |
| Rev. Fr. Victor Silva | 1996–2005 |
| Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe | 2005–2011 |
| Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi | 2011–2014 |
| Rev. Fr. Gemunu Dias | 2014-2017 |
| Rev. Fr. Prasad Niranjan Fernando | 2017- |
College Identity
Colour(s)
Blue & White
Flag
The official flag of the College is three same sized strips of clothes in blue and white. The white colour is in the middle while blue colour is on either side. On the white strip of cloth is placed the crest of the College.
Bonjean House
- Named after the Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Christopher Bonjean OMI, first Archbishop of Colombo.
- Colour :
Melizan House
- Named after the Most Rev. Dr. Andrew Melizan OMI, second Archbishop of Colombo.
- Colour :
Coudert House
- Named after the Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Coudert OMI, third Archbishop of Colombo
- Colour :
Marque House
- Named after the Most Rev. Dr. Peter Marque OMI, fourth Archbishop of Colombo
- Colour :