Weligama Siddhartha’s aim to produce leading citizens
Weligama Siddhartha College is a national school which has a prominent and long history of more than 120 years. It has contributed several good citizens to society who have been superior in both provincial and national level studies as well as extracurricular activities. It was inaugurated on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day in 1881.
Mudalige D.M .Samaraweera was the pioneer in initiating “Weligama Siddhartha Buddhist School” in his own piece of land as a small hut with a few children. The first principal was Mr. John De Silva. When the school gradually progressed, the Government of Ceylon gave authorization to register the school in 1890. It was named as Siddhartha Buddhist Mixed school when the Government of Sri Lanka took over the school in 1960. Earlier within one year the college was fortunate to gain the Maha Vidyalaya status in 1962 with G.C.E.(A/L) stream facilities. With the courage and s t rength of early Siddharthians, it was not much of a trouble to overcome the obstacles at every stage. As a result, in 1967 the college music group bagged All Island victory which laid the foundation to success for the future. Subsequently the school was upgraded as a Madya Maha Vidyalaya in 1978 and a National School in 1994.
Siddhartha College has produced several distinguished personalities to the nation during past 120 years. After the attainment of independence in 1948 a great Siddharthian designed the first Sri Lankan state emblem, national flag and the emblem of Sri Lanka Forces which was the highest achieved by the school. The Supreme Court Judge Sathya Hettige was a past pupil of this college since 1954 and was selected to the University in 1972. This step paved the way towards a new era in Sri Lanka’s education. At present the college houses more than 2000 students, 103 teachers and 17 administrative staff. The correct leadership, capability and management power to embark upon the journey of progress has been instilled by the present principal Mr. Munidasa Rathnasekara.
The school is fully equipped with, Aesthetic units, a science laboratory, playground, ICT unit and a well equipped library. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Center and Media Unit of the school is providing great support to uplift IT knowledge and skills of the students. The College has over 10 active clubs and societies. These range from those related to academic study to those associated with hobbies, to those linked with organizations outside the college and to those catering to the Arts. The college calendar is filled with various activities, all year round.
The examination results at GCE (O/L) and ‘A’ level has brought glory to the college. Every year a good number of students qualify to enter leading universities. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are a part and parcel of a student’s time in the school and Siddhartha College has done well in interschool contests, both in academic and in extra- and co-curricular competitions. The students have done well in inter-house sporting activities and participate in Zonal and Provincial level championships. Cadetting is another field in which the school has done well in the district and it is proud to be a partner in producing brave youths to the defense field.
The present principal stated, “A new academic era has dawned on us and I have a major part to play in making this epoch making event in order to be the most successful period of the school. The vision and the mission of the college will help the students to build up their character, Intelligence and direct them to be the best Si ddharthians not only to the Province but to the whole nation”.