Anuruddha college-Nawalapitiya

ew to establishing a school, where secular education would be supplemented by the teaching and the practice of the Dhamma. A site was selected, and a modest sum of Rs 600, which was collected in three weeks time acquired the land. On 20th November the building operations started , and in February 1896,the school began to function with about a hundred children. It was run on such liberal lines that the Moslem population of the town largely patronized it, and Anuruddha College today counts a good number of “Old” boys of the faith of islam, that affectionately remember their Alma Mater. Mr.Gadie Punchihewage Cornelis de silva, one of the founders of the Society was the first Manager of the school. He gifted a valuable property to the school and to the temple, and was farsighted enough to make a proviso that the circumstance, be overlooked in the premises. When he retired from business and went to Galle, he nominated his friend Mr.Baronis, responsible officer in the Railways, as Manager. Mr.Barounis justified the trust and maintained the record of his predecessor until he left the town on transfer. The three pioneers messes’ Abeygunawardena, perera and witharana carried on their self-imposed duty for two years. In April 1922, with a view to carrying on the work more systematically and efficiently, they rallied round themselves more workers and formed themselves into the Anuruddha Buddhist Educational Society mention should be made of Messrs. Mr Ango Appu as a former Vice President at the present time has been a source of strength to the school. Mr Amarasinghe as a former Vice President , and as the present Treasurer has done valuable service by actively participating in all activities for the conduct and progress of the school. Mr P.K.S.Wimalasuriya”s work too in this connection has been very valuable.In June 1922 Mr.W.A. de silva, the President of the Colombo Buddhist Thesophical Society visited the school and was satisfied with the work. The numbers steadily increasing, the English and Sinhalese branch were separated and bean to be worked independently under the same management. In 1928 the school secured the services of a qualified teacher, as Head Master Mr.paulus P.wijesuriya, who is now the Head Master of a sister institution in the south. Hutt, A.G.A and the Hon Mr. Wijekoon visited the school and expressed their approval of the systematic work done. Patrick Leetahm, the then Divisional Inspector of School, Central Division, next paid a visit and gave an encouraging report, and in April 1924, Anuruddha English School was registered for examination. It must be mentioned that Mr.Leethan and always taken a lively interest in the institution until his retirement last year, and his help and suggestion were of great use to me in the performance of a most difficult work. The first government examination was held in June 1924, and the school was registered for grant-in-aid June 1925…...