The 75 year story of Vidyartha
With the aim of educating the Buddhist farmer’s son and to challenge the flourishing missionary education in the hill country, the first brick stone of Vidyartha College was cemented 75 years ago with the lead of Kandy’s nobility.
Realizing that national renaissance could be triggered by educating the young generation, Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke together with the elite, embarked upon building schools and founded the Vidyartha society in 1939. The Society bought the then King’s College and established Vidyartha College Kandy in 1942 with 40 students and 6 teachers which later housed students from even beyond the city limits of Kandy.
The first principal was Mr.E.D.EAbeyrathne, succeeded by Mr. M.B.W.Mediwaka who led the school from 1948 to mid-1950s.Gaining popularity within a short time span, Vidyartha became a first grade school in 1959 and was subsequently nationalized in 1961.Upon being categorized as a Grade 1A school, principals A.Athauda, D.B.Dissanayake, G.B.Rasingolla, T.B.Karunarathne and M.B.Pethiyagoda contributed in building the institution up until mid-1970s.After the era ofP.M.L.Banda, past Principals T.B.Damunupola and W.M.Bandaranayake succeeded in carrying forth the name of Vidyartha to the world. Henceforth with further strengthening of this prestigious institution by the Principals D.Wijesinghe, W.B.Gunnepana, Ashoka Dissanayake, P. Alwis and Lieutenant Colonel R.U.K.Rajapaksha. The school is currently steered by Major M.R.P.Mayadunne.
Taking pride in academic and sports excellence, Vidyartha is always home to nearly 3500 students, 157 members of the staff, 2 Deputy Principals and 9 Assistant Principals.
The school also offers a range of sports to the Vidyarthians including Cricket, Rugger, Boxing, Table Tennis, Hockey, Athletics, Chess, Volleyball, Football, Karate, Wushu, Basketball, Swimming, Taekwondo, Gymnastic, Badminton, Body Building, Weight Lifting and Air Rifling. Vidyartha has produced world champions in Table Tennis and Boxing and also takes pride in national and international achievements in the most popular sport; Rugger and other sports such as Cricket, Athletics, Hockey and Chess. Students have won national level victories in all the other sports as well. The school colours have been held high through the victories gained in other extra-curricular activities including Scouting, Cadets, Cadet Band, oratory, Debates, Music, Dancing and General Knowledge quizzes. The 5th Kandy Scouting Group of Vidyartha has a rich history which runs back to more than a century as it was initially founded under the wings of King’s College in 1914.
The Eastern Band of Vidyartha has always taken a leading place in the country and was crowned the best band in 2016 and 2017.
Every year, a large number of students entitle to enter the University in all streams of study; Science, Mathematics, Commerce and Arts. Ordinary Level examination results have always been exceptional. Hence, within the period of seven and a half decades, Vidyartha has produced hundreds and thousands of professionals such as doctors, engineers, administrative officers, university lecturers, and professors. It has been an honour to the alma-mater to have produced many war heroes belonging to the Tri Forces, including high ranking officials who have sacrificed their lives through dedicated service, thus playing a huge role in bringing peace to the mother land.
The primary section of Vidyartha College, headed by assistant Principal Ajith Edirisinghe, is a model school and a pioneer in Kandy, in terms of the academic field, cocurricular activities as well as Central provincial sports tournaments.
The diamond jubilee celebrations to commemorate the 75 years of long journey of Vidyartha included an alms giving to 75 Buddhist monks and the glorious 10km ’Vidyartha Walk ’ from the Getambe ground to the Vidyartha ground at Niththawela.
The Vidyartha, opening the pearly gates to the vast universe will forever be a reality marking the 75th year milestone in the golden chapters of the institution!