Sri Rahula, Katugasthota is facing future challenges with confidence
Katugasthota Sri Rahula College is an old school with a span of 123 years and one of the famous Mixed Colleges in Sri Lanka. It was established, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by the American Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.
Originally it was known as Kandy High School. The school’s main intention was to provide English to Buddhist students who would otherwise have had to go to a missionary school in order to study English. The school opened with only 16 students in 1890. A village leader of Yatiwawela donated a piece of land at Katugasthota to set up the college. Mr.Niyangoda is the first principal of the college. During the year 1945, Sri Rahula managed to obtain their own playground, hostel and several other facilities as well as a whole lot of students which helped them in the path of their vision. In 1962 the school was acquired by the Government.
The school has taken massive steps within its life span and from time to time Sri Rahula College was strengthened by 19 principals which has enabled the students to enter the gateway of success. The present principal Mr.S.M.C.Weerakoon was appointed in 2011. His untiring and dedicated services has brought enormous victories in both curricular and extracurricular activities in recent times.
Today, Sri Rahula College is a National School, which provides Primary and Secondary education for more than 2435 students. The college is blessed with 145 well qualified and dedicated staff members.
Annually they receive thousands of applications to enter Grade One as well as the other grades due to the quality of education provided at Sri Rahula. The administrators put in a great effort to choose bright students. The major reason for this demand is the excellent results achieved in Grade Five, G.C.E.(O/L and the Advanced Level.
Many teaching-learning processes have been implemented at Rahula College, with the aim to sustain good results. Because of this the annual passing percentage of the G.C.E.(O/L) has increased gradually. Today they enjoy 70.13% while most of the subject percentages have reached 100%. A large number of Sri Rahula students annually enter state universities through highly competitive GCE (A/L) examinations. Among them the Commerce stream has produced the highest number of 3As. In 2012 they were able to obtain six 3As only in the Commerce stream.
As for as achievements by students in extracurricular activities, Sri Rahula cricketers were able to capture the Big Match Trophy both in 2012 and 2013 against Ranabima Royal College.
Sri Rahula College is proud of Ishara Rangana Hewage who was selected as the “Most Famous Cricketer of the Year” by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.
The athletes of Sri Rahula College have done well, not only at National Level but international meets as well. Two of their students represented Sri Lanka at the 5000m and 3000m race at the 15th Asian Games. Another Rahulayan participated in the 2013 Asian School Athletics Meet. Rahula Girls were able to carve their names in the Marathon, by winning the championship consecutively for three years (2009, 2010 and 2011). Seven other athletes created new records since 2009 at All Island School athletic meets. In 2013, the 1500x 4 relay team was able to break the oldest record and in the process won the silver medal.
At present most of the Sri Rahula students bring excellent in sports and games such as athletics, cricket, netball, rugby, handball, football, boxing and chess.
The College Cadet Corps bagged the runners-up position in 2012 and the Championship in 2013 at the 13th Battalion Assessment Camp. Rahula students have participated at all dancing, music, art, Sinhala and English Language competitions at the Zonal, District and National levels bringing in many victories to add glory to the college. Gaining possession of a school bus on May 10, 2013, is one of the highest achievements made by the present principal. His dedication and the support of the staff, parents and well-wishers made this dream come true.
Sri Rahula College abides by the words of their school song to produce individuals who could peak the name of their motherland with their character, behaviour and language proficiency with a clear understanding of their skills. The blessings of their past principals, teachers and students have strengthened the future of these eminent Sri Rahulayans, in order to face future challenges with confidence.