Isipathana College – Wikipedia

National school in Sri Lanka

Isipathana College^[1] previously known as Greenlands College^[2]. Isipathana College is a prestigious 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[edit]

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 7 acres (28,000 m²) in extent.^{[citation needed]}

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 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).^{[citation needed]}

The first sports meet was held in March 1953, and the first prize-giving was in 1954.^{[citation needed]}

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, 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).^{[citation needed]}

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

The school currently has more than 5,000 students from grades 1 to 13.^{[citation needed]}

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 inter-house games.

Cricket[edit]

An annual cricket contest match, Battle of Brothers, also called The Big Match, played against the school’s traditional rival Thurstan College. The first Battle of Brothers was in 1963, and there have been 57 matches played, with 41 endings in a draw. Thurstan College won seven times and Isipathana College five times.^[4]

Rugby[edit]

In addition to the ‘Abdul Jabar Trophy,’ which is played with the traditional rivals Thurstan College, with most trophies won by Isipathana College.^[5]

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.

The college commenced playing rugby as a competitive sport in 1963. Before this, it played friendly games at under 17 levels. The first official match was against St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, where Isipathana won 8-3. In 1965 the school was officially affiliated as an SLRFU school.^{[citation needed]}

Notable alumni[edit]

Principals[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]