Making of a great school
Ibbagamuwa Central College
The Annual get-together of the members of Colombo Branch of the Past Pupils’ Association of Ibbagamuwa Central College was held at Lighthouse Galley (Navy Restaurant) Colombo recently.
The gathering also celebrated the 51st Anniversary of the society.
51 years ago, on August 1, 1965 to be precise, Colombo Branch of the Past Pupils’ Association held its first meeting at the Bake House Hotel, Colombo.
29 past pupils who were either employed or undergoing higher studies in Colombo were in attendance at this meeting, while the then Principal P. M. Jayatilake was present as the Chief Guest.
This was the first ever gathering of past pupils from an outstation Central College that formed a past pupils’ branch in the Capital.
Ibbagamuwa Central College was officially inaugurated on February 3, 1941 by the then Minister of Education C. W. W. Kannangara. Out of the 54 Central Schools established by the Minister in later years, Ibbagamuwa could be the next after Matugama Central College, opened in the same year.
However, when Principals were selected for the newly opened Central Schools personally by the Minister, Ibbagamuwa was within the first five such schools.
Before the establishment of the Central College at Ibbagamuwa, there was the Government Sinhala School functioning at the premises.
It had been serving the children in Hiriyala, from the second decade of the 20th century, where Log Books are still available to prove its existence for such a period of time.
The school building was sandwiched between two main roads at the Ibbagamuwa Junction, one leading to Polpithigama, and the other to Dambulla.
The original Sinhala School was housed in a U shaped building and a section of it was taken over by the government to store paddy, during the emergency period of Second World War.
Thus, after the inauguration of the Central School, three units were functioning at the same premises, the mixed school, and the paddy stores and on the other section, the Central College.
After the inauguration of the Central College, there was no real activity of an English Medium College, until a permanent principal was appointed in 1944. In between three headmasters were appointed, Mr. Welagedera in 1942, worked for 2 years, K. G. Perera in January 1944, stayed for 6 months and H. Dharmadasa, came in August same year, and worked only for two months.
Meanwhile, as arranged by the Government, 5th Standard scholarships were offered to children from local schools and the selected were admitted to Central Schools to give an English medium education, to go in par with the already established private Colleges such as Royal, Ananada, Nalanda, St. Peter’s, S. Thomas and so on. It was no easy task to bring a village school to be comparable with such well established colleges in the cities.
After advertising for posts of Principals of the first 5 Central Colleges, the Minister himself interviewed applicants, and appointments were given to them, who had been experienced teachers in prestigious private colleges.
All applicants were graduates from University of London. P. M. Jayatilaka, who was a teacher at St. Peter’s College was appointed as the first principal to Ibbagamuwa.
With his whole hearted devotion and tireless efforts, Jayatilake developed the Central College, from 24 students at the beginning to nearly 200 at the end of the next year. There were only four teachers at the inception and the principal took great interest in giving a proper education to the students.
School developed faster than expected and 10 years after Mr. Jayatilake took over the duties as Principal, the college became famous for studies, sports and other activities. There were assistant teachers at the inception, who supported the efforts of Mr. Jayatilake, noteworthy in mentioning, N. B. S. Balalle (Later Colonel), Wasthuhamy and Nimal Welgama.
The present Principal Mrs. Nirodha Abeywickrama, a brilliant past pupil of the College created history by taking up duties as the first lady Principal of the college.
She is a very hard working personality, who is trying her best to maintain the traditions of the school, to develop the educational standard, and to up keep with the sports and other extracurricular activities.
Past Pupils’association: The Past Pupils Association was established in 1958. Few years later, a decision was taken to open the Colombo Branch, which was a reality in 1965. Those took great interest in establishing Colombo Branch include, Principal himself, Vice Principal U. B. Herath, and from Colombo B. M. Navaratne, K. A. E. Kumarapeli and H. Kalubanda.