Hemamali Girls’ College produce girls with knowledge and skill
Hemamali Girls’ College situated in hill country has a proud record of 107 years. During its long innings it has achieved several remarkable achievements. Hemamali Girls’ College was founded in the year of 1907 by the Western Christian Association. At first it was named as St. Scholastica’s school. The school functioned as a Catholic Missionary mixed school and was governed by Catholic priests and classes were conducted only up to Grade two with five teachers. Mother Ignatious was the first Principal. From the year 1932, they were able to uplift the college as a higher secondary girls’ school where classes were conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. Though the school was acquired by the government in 1962, the college has been functioning as a multilingual school since 1974.
During the era of principal Mrs.E.V.Weerasekara, the school got the opportunity to initiate Arts, Commerce and Science stream A/L classes at once in the same year. Mrs. B.Damunupola who served from 1979 to 2002 and Mrs. K.M.T.L.Jayasuriya who served from 20022011 had laid a solid foundation to the college to stand tall as a prestigious girls’ college in the Central Hill. They have implemented and initiated many activities, units and societies other than the teaching-learn- ing process such as Cadets, Girl scouts, little friends, Environmental Corps as well as a Computer Unit and the Aesthetic Unit.
Mrs.M.G.I.S.Sarathchandra (SLEPS III) was appointed to the college as a vice principal in 2007. Today he is serving as the principal of this prestigious institution. She has pioneered the process of uplifting the present standard of the school and fulfills the mission of “produce girls with knowledge, skills and who can face the challenges in the modern world with courage and various competence levels”. The deputy principal who retired in 2013, Mrs. Benet, vice principal, Mrs.D.K. Pushpa Jayanthi and all members of staff has to be praised for their untiring services that they have rendered to the college.
At present, with 2200 students and 100 teachers, Hemamali Girls’ College has made many triumphs in the field of education. They were able to capture a unique place among the leading colleges in the Central Hills for their G.C.E.(O/L) results in 2012. They were able to increase the success percentage gradually at all the public examinations and a large number of students entered leading universities.
Hemamali Girls play major role in the sports and aesthetic fields as well. The aesthetic unit is very active in the school and has secured several victories at Zonal, Provincial and National levels. The dancing troupe bagged first place at the Zonal and Provincial level Dancing and Drama Competition and were placed second in the All Island Competition in 2012.They are proud to mention that they were able to maintain the same level this year and hope for an island victory in the near future.
The college drama “Rogen Gahanu” (Rogen Ladies) was placed fourth at the All Island Dancing and Drama competition and they won the Best Actor, Actress and the Music Award for the same. The college music group is also not second to any other units. They too have brought in lots of fame to the college at several occasions by winning Provincial and All Island championships.
Hemamalians are well good in sports as well. They bagged the four first places and four second places at the Zonal competitions and have participated in national competitions as well.
Hockey is the game which has given an identity to the college. Hamamali Girls College has a reputed hockey team. Ayesha Edirisinghe, Nishansala Keerthisinghe and Upeksha Marasinghe were selected for the Central Province Hockey team in 2012. Amara Athauda and Ayesha Edirisinghe were fortunate to be a part of the Central Province Hockey team to enjoy the third place at the National Championships.
The college Computer Unit plays a major role in the school’s activities as well as in the improvement of the language. The ICT section of the school prepares the students to face the changes in modern technology. The unit won the 2010 Excellence Award for its performances. Hemamali students participate in all Sinhala, Tamil and English Language competitions at Zonal level and District levels. Literary and cultural activities form an integral part of their extra-curricular activities.
Lasanthi Madushani Keerthiratna placed her new invention at the Provincial New Invention 2012 Competition and grabbed first place and represented the Central Hills for the National level competition. Dulinjali Shakya Rankothge followed Lasanthi’s footstep in 2013 and won Provincial first place as well.
Annually numerous events such as bakthi geetha, society meetings, Commerce Day, Language Day and Primary School activities have been organized in order to bring out their hidden talents.
With the help of the college administration and the blessings of all well wishers, students of Hemamali Girls College have