Science College Mt. Lavinia aims for international honours
Mount Lavinia Science College is a leading school in the Piliyandala Zone which has shown its colours in academic and non-academic fields. They are being guided by a dedicated staff. The school has risen to fame within a span of 36 years.
As the request of Poojya Mapalagama Vipulasara Himi of Rathmalana Paramadhammachethiya Pirivena, in 1977 the school was declared open by the then Education Minister Al Haj Badl-ud-Din as “Sri Sadhissara Maha Vidyalaya”. The first principal was Mr. L.P.Wijesundara. The school received the approvel to teach science and commerce streams for Grades 10 and 11.
In 1982, due to the influence of the then Minister of Education, Ranil Wickramasinghe and Rathmalana Electorate parliament member Lalith Athulathmudali, the “Hen Para primary school” was joined with “Sri Sadhissara Maha Vidyalaya” and thus a new school named South Colombo Science College, came into being.
Prof. L.A. Vitharana assumed duties as the first principal of the Science College. Under his leadership, the school benefited immensely and Science College has become a very popular school in the zone. Prof. Vitharana was able to increase the number of students to 750. He was the pioneer of the school flag and the college song. During his period, extracurricular activities of the college reached national level. He was able to bring out the talents of his students. Day-by-day Science College brightened up with their performances. The first sports meet was iheld in 1984 and the Scout Unit was started in 1988.
In 1986, Mr.K.K. Wijepala an education officer of Palmadulla was appointed as the next principal of the college. Construction of the three storied science laboratory, putting up new buildings and conducting a “Mahapola” exhibition are some of the achievements done by him.
When Lalith Athulathmudali was the Trade and National Security Minister, he projected a target to Science College teachers and students to get at least five university entrants in one A/L Examination and if the target is achieved, he promised to conduct the “Mahapola” Exhibition at Science College premises while fulfilling its infrastructural needs. Soon after the challenge his target was achieved by the students and they were able to bring the 146th “Mahapola” exhibition to their premises and ‘earned’ their three storied science lab as well.
Following Mr.Wijeyapala, the principals Mr.P.D.Dahanayake, Mr. Gamini Sisil Silva, Mr. M.T.Tuder, Mr.H.M.S.K.Kodikara and Mr. Ananda Nagasinghe rendered valuable services to the college. Presently Mr.Dayarathna Bandara is serving the college with dedication in order to promote the college as a leading school in the province.
Today, the school has such a friendly environment in a 12 ½ acre land, which causes positive attitudes in the minds of students to produce good results. The college, with 67 teachers, and over 1750 students, strives hard to maintain the high profile it has earned.
The college is ably assisted by the Principal Mr. Dayarathna Bandara, Vice Principals Janaranjani Wattage (Educational Development), W.D.Y.Jagath (Educational Management), Deputy Principals A.M.P. Senevirathne (Educational Development), A.P.Jayasoorya (Discipline and Sports Development), H.P.Silva (English Language Development), and the Primary Sectional head G.M. Shantha Kumara in their endeavours to realise its cherished mission and vision.
Science College is well equipped with a range of facilities such as IT Unit, Science Laboratory and Aesthetic Sections. As a result they have gained many victories in academic as well as extracurricular activities.
During the past few years the school obtained rapid development in education as well as sports. Since inception they have produced some good results in G.C.E.(O/L) examinations. The success rate increased annually and in G.C.E. (A/L) the number of university entrants has increased steadily.
Colombo South Science College is famous for its Rugby. The rugby team of the college is amongst the best 10 teams in the island. Not only in rugby but they have also done well in every other sports as well.
Colombo South Science College is controlled by the Provincial Council. The intention of the college is to create a generation which is religious, well disciplined and views the world with scientifically and who will gain honours internationally.
- Sujitha Miranda